Not the Kids! UFC Fighter Israel Adesanya Taunts Alex Pereira’s Son After His KO Victory
by Iman Milner

April 10, 2023

Not the Kids! UFC Fighter Israel Adesanya Taunts Alex Pereira’s Son After His KO Victory

Some people truly never forget a slight. And that seems to be the case for newly crowned UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya who won Saturday’s UFC 287 in a knockout victory over Alex Pereira.

After reclaiming his title, it seems Adesanya decided to even the score between him and Pereira’s son, who mocked him in a viral video after his defeat in 2017. The child makes fun of the way Adesanya hit the canvas after Pereira bested him in the bout; it’s a moment that the new champ has carried with him.

“I’m petty, bro; I remember the first time he knocked me out in Brazil; his son came into the ring and started to get next to me,” Adesanya reportedly said. “I looked for his kid, and I pointed at him and I saw him.” Many saw the gesture and wondered who it was directed at before the Nigerian-born martial artist set the record straight in his post-fight conference. With Pereira’s body stiff on the canvas, Adesanya pointed to the child before reenacting how Pereira fell to the floor.

It seems all’s fair in the world of UFC, as most fans see it as a justifiable teaching moment as the tables often turn in combat sports.

The fight, which took place in Miami over the weekend, drew a pretty interesting array of spectators. Namely, former President Donald Trump, who was recently indicted and charged with 34 felonies. Trump was sitting ringside with heavyweight boxing legend Mike Tyson, UFC President Dana White, and Kid Rock.

For Adesanya, the moment was more significant than any names in the audience. The fighter, who Pereira has bested on three separate occasions, was overcome with joy to return the favor finally. “I hope every one of you behind the screen, in this arena, can feel this level of happiness just one time in your life,” Adesanya said in his post-fight interview. “I hope all of you can feel how f—ing happy I am right now. … But you never feel this level of happiness if you don’t go for something.”

 

“Personal, Not Business”: Clarence Thomas Didn’t Report Trips From GOP Donor Because They Were Gifts
by Sharelle B. McNair

April 10, 2023

“Personal, Not Business”: Clarence Thomas Didn’t Report Trips From GOP Donor Because They Were Gifts

Clarence Thomas is speaking out about the report that exposed his relationship with GOP billionaire donor Harlan Crow.

Thomas allegedly received luxury trips from Crow for more than 20 years, without reporting them on his financial disclosures. But, NBC News reports, the Supreme Court justice said he didn’t report the trips due to them being personal gifts. After all, Thomas and his wife, Ginni, are “dearest friends” with the Crows.

“Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable,” Thomas said in a statement. “I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines.”

Prior to the report by ProPublica, rules weren’t clear if Thomas wasn’t required to report the trips. However, recent revisions for “personal hospitality” make it crystal clear that trips on private jets and stays at privately owned resorts, such as Crow’s resort in the Adirondacks, will have to be disclosed.

“Personal hospitality” exemption means judges and justices don’t have to disclose specific gifts, like accommodations and food, when the person gifting is a friend. The new interpretation says that travel by private jet and stays at resort-type facilities owned by private entities will need to be reported.

Ethics experts, like Stephen Gillers, a professor at New York University, said Thomas not reporting the trips is “arguably legal, the key word being ‘arguably'” but he said, as far as anyone knows, the trips are “outside the norm.”

“Thomas has made no effort to defend his conduct except to say he was misled by those he consulted,” Gillers said. “Thomas’ statement was effectively “a confession that he violated the rules albeit because he was misled.”

Deion Sanders’ Presence Felt at University of Colorado—And He Hasn’t Coached a Game
by Booker Jones

April 10, 2023

Deion Sanders’ Presence Felt at University of Colorado—And He Hasn’t Coached a Game

Deion Sanders‘ energy is magnetic. The stylish head coach has brought much excitement not only to Boulder, Colorado, but to a nation of college football fans. 

According to The Associated Press, the University of Colorado, where Sanders took over as the university’s head football coach, will have its spring game televised April 22 on ESPN. 

The game is sold out, with more than 45,000 people are expected to attend. According to the AP, that obliterates the previous high—17,800 in 2008—for the college’s spring football game. 

“We haven’t won a game. There’s no impact right now,” Sanders said at a news conference. “The financial aspect of what’s going on, that’s a blessing. Somebody’s profiting really well and I’m happy for that, especially this university because they deserve it. And to display and show what’s here, in your beloved city, I think that’s a beautiful thing to bring that to fruition.”

Coach Prime, who led the Jackson State Tigers to a 27-5 record and back-to-back SWAC championships, is accustomed to winning. 

“I can’t wait for the spring game, really looking forward to it, because I want to see the difference in the atmosphere and the feeling and the spirit of everything,” said Sanders.   

Coach Prime added: “I spoke to the School of Business yesterday and it was phenomenal. Those kids were hungry. Every kid had a pencil and piece of paper and taking notes and they were on every darn word, every thought, everything I uttered, they were on it. They wanted it. I loved that.

“If we’re going to change the game here, that means the fans have got to change, too,” he said. “We want to impact them as well. We want them to be ready for us like we want to be ready for them.”

Back in January, the Hall of Fame cornerback spoke with GQ about the criticism he has faced surrounding him leaving an HBCU for PWI.

“God always calls me to the need,” Sanders said. “God always calls me somewhere to satisfy needs.” He added that if there wasn’t a need there, those schools wouldn’t be firing their coaches.

“I’m not living my life to please people,” he said. “I’m living my life to please the Lord. If I seek to please men, I would not be a servant of God. A man or a woman ain’t ever going to be pleased no matter what you do. It’s always going to be something.

“Before you go make somebody happy, or your editor or whatever, you got to be happy. They can give you 10 raises. If you’re an unhappy man, you’re going to be an unhappy man with 10 raises. I got to be happy, man.”

Florida Mom Wins $2M Lottery After Clearing Out Savings for Daughter’s Cancer Treatment
by Stacy Jackson

April 10, 2023

Florida Mom Wins $2M Lottery After Clearing Out Savings for Daughter’s Cancer Treatment

A $10 game paid off in millions for one woman after a stop at her local gas station.

Geraldine Gimblet of Lakeland, Florida, won a life-changing $2 million top prize from the $2,000,000 BONUS CASHWORD Scratch-Off game after she insisted that a clerk at Pipkin Road Beverage Castle dig a little deeper for one more lottery ticket.

Gimblet shared her winning story with the Florida Lottery when she visited lottery headquarters in Tallahassee to claim her prize.

“At first, the gas station clerk thought there were no tickets left, but I asked him to double check because I like the crossword games the best,” Gimblet said. “He found the last one!”

Before the big win, Gimblet took a major hit to her finances when her daughter’s health journey presented them with an expensive bill.

“The day before my mom bought this ticket, I rang the bell and walked out of the hospital after completing my last treatment for breast cancer. My mom had taken out her life savings to take care of me when I was sick,” Gimblet’s teary-eyed daughter told lottery officials.

“I’m just so happy for her!” she added.

Along with her daughter, Gimblet was joined by her granddaughter to claim the prize. The celebration at the headquarters continued as Chief of Staff Reggie Dixon joined the Gimblets after hearing her story.

Gimblet purchased her winning ticket from Pipkin Road Beverage Castle, a gas station located in Polk County at 1170 West Pipkin Road in Lakeland. The $2,000,000 BONUS CASHWORD game allows players to snag one of the featured eight top prizes of $2 million. The game also features 20 second-tier prizes of $100,000. The overall odds of winning the cashword game are 1-in-3.12.

Gimblet chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,645,000.00, and the retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 10, 2023

Miami Heat Sends Udonis Haslem ‘Rocking’ Home as He Ends 20-Year Career with Huge Game

With the NBA season coming to an end, so has the (regular season) career of Miami Heat big man Udonis Haslem.

According to the Associated Press, Haslem placed the exclamation point to his 20-year run with the Heat. The team won its regular season finale against the Orlando Magic, 123-110, yesterday in Miami as Haslem put in 24 points, the most since he scored 28 in November 2009.

Haslem was given an appropriate send-off gift from his teammates before the game—a rocking chair, which was brought out by the team’s mascot in front of an appreciative crowd.

“There you go man, take your seat,” Heat center Bam Adebayo said as Haslem tried it out.

When the reserve forward was taken out of the game with 58.9 seconds left, he received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Miami crowd. He finished the game shooting 9-for-17 from the floor and 3-for-7 from 3-point range.

Here’s a fun stat: With that scoring outburst, Haslem scored more points in one game than Ben Simmons has in his entire Brooklyn Nets career.

With his playing days now over, Haslem is the all-time leading rebounder for the Heat and a member of three championship teams. He also becomes the third basketball player to play his whole career of at least 20 years, with one team. The other two are Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) and Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers).

When he checked into his last game, at 42 years and 304 days old, Haslem became the fifth-oldest player to appear in an NBA game. He surpassed Dikembe Mutombo, who was 42 years, and 300 days old when he last appeared in an NBA game.

The team is planning to retire his No. 40 jersey sometime next season. Next up, the Heat has the playoffs to worry about.

Odell Beckham
by Iman Milner

April 10, 2023

Welcome to Baltimore: Odell Beckham Jr. Signs One-Year $18M Deal With Ravens

Looks like we have a new team to root for. The Baltimore Ravens and star wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. have agreed on a one-year, $18 million deal.

The new deal reportedly includes a $13.835 million signing bonus, a $1.165 million base salary and $3 million in incentives. Beckham told CBS NFL Insider Josina Anderson, that he was “feeling more love from the Ravens,” even though he was still slated to meet with the New York Jets.

The 30-year-old Louisiana native posted an adorable Instagram photo of his toddler rocking a Baltimore jersey with the caption “Flock.”

CBS Sports says that Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti stayed in consistent communication with the Super Bowl champ in an effort to sweeten the deal, “pitching him on the idea of coming to Baltimore, the support he would have with the team and the necessity of helping to square things with Lamar Jackson as well.” T

Though Jackson had a stellar, though abbreviated season with Baltimore, the star quarterback has found it nearly impossible to find a team interested in making him a deal; a reality that has been heavily disputed in sports media since trade talks began.

It looks as if Jackson and Beckham will be the new titans of the DMV- based team, for now.

With the addition of Beckham, SportsLine data scientist Stephen Oh estimates that Baltimore’s win total has increased from 9.6 to 10.0. Oh also thinks the Ravens have a 6.9% better chance to win the division, a 9.3% better chance to make the playoffs and a 1.5% better chance to win the Super Bowl.

Beckham took the 2022 season off to recover from ACL injury he incurred during Super Bowl LVI when he was with the Los Angeles Rams. Despite Beckham’s absence, the Rams won the championship game over the Cincinnati Bengals.

In his career, Beckham has made three Pro Bowls and has amassed five 1,000-yard seasons.

by Atiya Jordan

April 10, 2023

City of Charlotte Teams Up With Operation HOPE To Connect Local Black Businesses To Resources

Launched in October 2020, Operation HOPE‘s 1 Million Black Businesses initiative (1MBB) Initiative is making great headway with its streak of impressive growth and action-driven impact.

Today, there is a disconnect between policymakers and organizations who serve on the frontlines to support Black entrepreneurs. In an effort to improve outcomes, HOPE seeks to serve as a Sherpa to help connect the dots in many ways, including teaming up with the city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

As reported by WCNC, the city and HOPE “plans to provide tools and resources to these small business owners so they know how to form a winning path toward expansion. This partnership takes Charlotte Black businesses, who were also less likely to receive prime city contracts as of last year, in a hopeful direction.

“As a city, we truly believe in the power of diversity and inclusion, and fully support our small and minority-owned businesses,” Charlotte District 2 City Council Member Malcolm Graham said, per WCNC. “We know we can do more to build up our small business climate, especially in areas that have been traditionally underrepresented by city government. In partnership with Operation HOPE, we’re excited to create meaningful impact and leverage 1MBB in Charlotte.”

This move is just part of the Initiative’s aim to start, grow, and scale one million Black businesses by 2030 to provide a successful path to wealth creation for the Black community. Participants can take advantage of coaching and educational services, access to expert volunteers and more.

According to Smart Asset, Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia recently ranked second among the top 15 places for Black entrepreneurs—Black-owned businesses make up 27.59% of all businesses in the area. However, a previous Charlotte study shows disparity high for Black businesses.

The Charlotte Observer previously reported on census data from 2021 that showed more than 3,000 minority-owned businesses and around 3,500 women-owned businesses in Charlotte. The city also had more than 13,000 non-minority-owned businesses at the time, according to the data.

“We are grateful to the Mayor and leaders throughout the City of Charlotte for taking action to help build entrepreneurship and fuel economic prosperity for every community,” Operation HOPE founder, chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant said. “Together, we will support existing and aspiring entrepreneurs–through education, access to resources and capital—to reach our goal of creating one million new Black business owners by 2030.”

Wait A Minute: Actor Lance Reddick’s Cause of Death Disputed by Lawyer
by Iman Milner

April 10, 2023

Wait A Minute: Actor Lance Reddick’s Cause of Death Disputed by Lawyer

Fans and colleagues of The Wire and John Wick actor Lance Reddick were stunned when he was pronounced dead at age 60..

Reddick’s cause of death was listed as ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, but, his longtime attorney, James Hornstein, is disputing the details of the death certificate.

“I have represented Lance Reddick for many years and continue to represent his wife, Stephanie,” Hornstein said in a statement to People. The coroner statement on the death certificate is not a result of an autopsy. No autopsy was performed on Lance. To my knowledge, no medical examination of Lance during his lifetime ever indicated such condition.”

It is common practice for death certificated to be considered only “pending” and not formally executed until a proper autopsy is completed.

“Lance was the most physically fit person I’ve ever known,” Hornstein continued. “He exercised daily at his home gym, including extensive cardio work, and the availability of gym facilities was a contractual requirement for his work away from home. He ate as if a dietician was monitoring his every meal. The information appearing on the death certificate is wholly inconsistent with his lifestyle.”

Reddick’s work ethic and commitment to his life’s work was well documented in the weeks leading up to his untimely passing. He and the cast of John Wick 4 made a stop at The Kelly Clarkson Show to promote their film and Reddick spoke to the bond between he, Keanu Reeves and the other core members of the franchise.

“Family’s such a huge theme in this particular film, more than any others [in the series]—literal family. But also, you see, with the three of us, that it’s not just the family you’re born into, but the family you’ve created, and how much we really are family,” Reddick said.

“On behalf of Stephanie Reddick, the death certificate information is not corroborated and is inconsistent with the facts known to the family,” Hornstein said.

Game Changer: Nicole Lynn Named President of Football For Klutch Sports Group
by Sharelle B. McNair

April 10, 2023

Game Changer: Nicole Lynn Named President of Football For Klutch Sports Group

NFL agent Nicole Lynn has been promoted from rookie to starter.

Sports Business Journal reports Lynn has been named the President of Football at Klutch Sports Group, leading the team representing more than 60 NFL players and employing five NFLPA-certified player agents.

Lynn has become a household name in the sports world, being the first Black woman to represent an NFL quarterback in the 2023 Super Bowl. Clients under her belt include Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams, and Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett. At the upcoming NFL draft, she will represent top prospects like Alabama OLB Will Anderson and Texas RB Bijan Robinson.

The 34-year-old has fast climbed the ladder to leadership, only being with Klutch since 2021; her outlook on what football means has set her apart from others. “What I like most about my job is the opportunity to mentor young men and teach them life skills; being a mentor, life coach, and big sister wrapped into one; help them make life decisions,” Lynn said.

Social media seemed unsurprised by the announcement as Lynn received several praises from colleagues and fans. Kevin Parrish, Jr., staff writer for the Arizona Cardinals, wrote, “Super dope. Happy for her.” 

Others commented on how impactful this move is for other Black women who are already in the world of sports or looking to get involved. “I don’t think there’s another woman that has impacted the football business like her,” one user tweeted. “Nicole ROCKS!! Earned every bit of it too.”

“Congratulations young queen. Women like u r truly my role model & leader. I wish one day very soon 2 be in ur business,” another user said.

The University of Oklahoma grad isn’t a rookie when it comes to representing the best. Before tackling contracts for NFL players, the member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. worked with Young Money mogul Lil Wayne.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 10, 2023

Snoop Dogg’s Daughter Cori Broadus Discusses Dealing With Online Bullying

The daughter of Snoop Dogg, Cori Broadus, publicly discussed being bullied online after she announced that was had just gotten engaged.

Last week on Karamo, hosted by former The Real World cast member Karamo Brown, Broadus discussed the taunts and disrespect thrown her way because of her skin tone and weight. She and her fiancé, Wayne Deuce, are constantly being attacked online by trolls who feel that he is only with her because she is her father’s daughter.

Broadus also talked about having Lupus and the mental tool these with comments exact on her mental health. Announcing her engagement, which should be a happy moment, has been anything but.

“It made me very sad because this is a happy moment, you know what I mean, this is something that I wanted to share with the world,” she said on Karamo. “And I actually waited a day because I knew, just being in the public eye, people are gonna say things. Whether you’re posting something good or whether you’re posting something bad, there’s always gonna be something negative somebody is gonna say.”

She provided examples.

“He’s only with you because of your dad. So does this mean I have to be ugly to get a man? Even like the way I was looking. I got diagnosed with Lupus at the age of six and so, here I was very inflamed, my lupus was very very inflamed.”

As a picture of her was flashed on the screen, she continued, “I wasn’t feeling well nobody knew that so for people to go on there to say that it made me feel even lower about myself and I think when people say those certain things and you’re already dealing with insecurities it like triggers it.”

She spoke about her depression and how supportive her father and family are. She detailed the bullying she has suffered online and the suicidal thoughts she harbored when she was younger.

Check out the full interview below:

×