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NBA powerhouse LeBron James has weighed in on Lionel Messi‘s impact in Major League Soccer (MLS), deeming the Argentine’s move a “game-changer” for the entire USA, reported by GOAL. James, a keen follower of Messi since his arrival at Inter Miami, labeled the soccer legend as the undisputed “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) in the sport.
Attending Messi’s debut for Miami against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup last July, James witnessed the maestro scoring a sensational free-kick in injury time, clinching a memorable victory for the Herons. Post-match, the basketball legend warmly welcomed Messi to the United States, expressing admiration for the record Ballon d’Or winner.
In a conversation with ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, James emphasized the transformative impact of Messi’s presence in the MLS. He stated, “Seeing Messi, the GOAT of soccer, honor the MLS with his presence is a total game-changer for us. His arrival not only elevates the league but also inspires a new generation of football fans in our country.”
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LeBron James, known for his dedication to various sports, believes Messi’s influence will inspire young fans to embrace soccer. He acknowledged Messi’s unparalleled dedication, work ethic, and talent, expressing utmost respect and admiration.
Despite Lionel Messi’s global popularity, he faced criticism from disgruntled supporters in the Far East for missing Inter Miami’s friendly in Hong Kong, citing injury as the reason. As Messi continues his international tour from El Salvador to Japan, uncertainties loom over his participation against Vissel Kobe on Wednesday. The final friendly, part of an extensive tour, precedes Inter Miami’s 2024 MLS campaign opener against Real Salt Lake on February 21, following another friendly against Messi’s first club, Newell’s Old Boys, upon their return to the US.
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Houston Rockets Star's Newest Shoe Design is Turning Heads
With the arrival of Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets, no one was more excited than Durant's good friend and Houston native, Travis Scott. Scott, who is one of the hottest rappers in music today, has developed a close-knit relationship with the Slim Reaper over the years, and was ecstatic when the move was announced that his hometown team would be acquiring the future If Durant were to sport a pair of these beautifully crafted shoes, it would not be the first time he is seen in a Travis Scott-styled shoe, as the sharpshooter has been known to frequent the Jordan 1 Lows released by Scott and the Jordan brand. Both a part of the Nike family and very close friends, there is some serious potential that we could see a collaboration between the two in the future. Scott has already collaborated with the Houston Rockets organization to release merchandise via Fanatics, and Durant was already a big fan of that merch, so he may be inclined to call up his friend for their own collaboration in the future.
Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
There is not a bigger sporting event in North America than the Super Bowl, and tickets are only getting more expensive every year. There is also a ridiculous secondary market for tickets where seats sell for well above the original face value. It is usually fans or ticket resellers going for a quick profit. But as was reported on Friday, sometimes it can be players in the NFL looking to make a profit. According to multiple reports, including the Associated Press and ESPN, more than 100 players are facing fines and potential suspensions for selling their allotment of tickets to this year's Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs for above face value. Players are reportedly facing fines of one-and-a-half times the face value they originally paid for the tickets, while they are also prevented from purchasing tickets to the Super Bowl for the next seasons. The Associated Press obtained a memo from the NFL detailing the violation and investigation. That memo was as follows: “Our initial investigation has determined that a number of NFL players and coaches, employed by several NFL Clubs, sold Super Bowl tickets for more than the ticket’s face value in violation of the Policy. This long-standing League Policy, which is specifically incorporated into the Collective Bargaining Agreement, prohibits League or Club employees, including players, from selling NFL game tickets acquired from their employer for more than the ticket’s face value or for an amount greater than the employee originally paid for the ticket, whichever is less. We are in the process of completing our investigation into this matter, but the investigation has revealed that club employees and players sold their tickets to a small number of ‘bundlers’ who were working with a ticket reseller to sell the Super Bowl tickets above face value.” If players are not willing to pay the fine, they could be facing suspension from the league. It seems unlikely that any of the players — none of whom have been named, or their teams — would refuse to pay such a fine. It's also one of those moments where you can say, professional athletes — they're still normal people trying to make a quick buck. The most logical answer here is perhaps some of the players caught up in this are younger players who have not yet struck it rich on a big contract or perhaps even practice squad players who are not making top dollar.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complicated legacy
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.
Mets Unlikely to Trade for $56 Million Pitcher After New Report
The New York Mets are a half-game ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East ahead of Friday night's bout with the San Francisco Giants, but they are still one of the most vulnerable teams in baseball. New York has a laundry list of pitchers on the IL, including Tylor Megill (elbow), Griffin Canning (Achilles), and Max Kranick (flexor). However, it did acquire southpaw hurler Gregory Soto from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday. The veteran is 0-2 with a 3.96 ERA over 45 appearances this season, including 18 holds and one save. While the Mets could stand to add more healthy arms, they probably won't get a certain prominent hurler on the Miami Marlins, via The New York Post's Mike Puma. "The Mets are among the teams that have checked in on Sandy Alcantara," he reported on Friday. "The asking price is steep. The Mets haven’t ruled out adding a starting pitcher, but view it as a tough add given the market." Alcantara is 5-9 with a 6.66 ERA over 20 starts this season. The 29-year-old won the NL Cy Young Award in 2022 after going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA in 32 starts. His current contract extension has a $21 million club option for 2027, and he's scheduled to make $17.3 million in both 2025 and 2026. Right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48 ERA) will start for New York against San Francisco right-hander Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08 ERA) on Friday.
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