A Humble Southern Hemisphere Hero #2, Siya Kolisi

"Rise: A Siya Kolisi Story" is a powerful and inspiring documentary that chronicles the journey of Siya Kolisi, the first Black captain of the South African national rugby union team, the Springboks. The film delves into Kolisi's remarkable rise from poverty and adversity to become a national hero, leading the Springboks to a historic victory in the 2019 Rugby World Cup. He also led the team to victory in the subsequent Rugby World Cup last year in 2023.  He is one of only two captains to have achieved this in the history of the sport of rugby. 

Liverpool's Quadruple Hopes Dashed by Man U

The FA Cup, also known as the Emirates FA Cup due to sponsorship, is a storied knockout tournament in England.  It's the oldest national football competition in the world, dating back to 1871.  

The FA Cup is unique and distinct from the Premier League itself in that it involves professional teams from both the Premier League and English Football League, but also some semi-professional clubs. That means hundreds of teams vying for glory!  

Super Saturday points permutations for the 6 Nations

This Saturday is the fifth and final round of the 2024 Six Nations matches.  The firm favorite to win this year are Ireland.  They face Scotland at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.  England face France in Lyon a few hours after the Dublin match.  The Ireland-Scotland rugby match holds immense significance for the home team, with the entire Championship title on the line.

A Humble Southern Hemisphere Hero #1: Leo Messi

Lionel "Leo" Messi may be a global icon today, but once upon a time he was a young boy with big dreams in a small town in Argentina called Rosario. At that time Argentinian economy was not doing well and the people were suffering. In Rosario itself the unemployment rate around then was at least 20%. Messi was born in 1987, the third child out of four in his family. His parents both had blue collar jobs and they lived a humble life. Young Leo followed his brother and cousins to play football (soccer) every day. It was Messi's grandmother that eventually bought the young man his first football boots when he was 8 years old.  

Who is the Greatest Of All Time in F1?

Hamilton is not the first world champion to move to Ferrari with grand ambitions.  But history offers mixed results for such high-profile moves.  Let us take a walk down memory lane shall we.

Hamilton announces 2025 move to Ferrari in F1 bombshell

The recent announcement of Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari in 2025 sent shockwaves through Formula One. Hamilton is a 7-time world champ and, arguably, the greatest ever F1 driver. Ferrari is the sport's most decorated team.

    The Ferrari team boasts an illustrious and successful history in Formula One, it has 16 World Constructors' Championships, the most in F1 history.  And it has 15 Drivers' Championship wins.  

Back-to-Back Super Bowl glory for Kansas City Chiefs

The confetti still shimmers in Las Vegas, and the roar of Arrowhead Stadium echoes in the hearts of Chiefs fans everywhere. Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs have done it again, securing their second consecutive Super Bowl title with a thrilling 25-22 overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. This was only the second time in history that overtime was played in a Super Bowl, and the first time under the new rules.

Olympic Rugby is coming to Los Angeles early

Sevens rugby is coming Los Angeles early, 4 years before it appears in the LA 2028 Olympic Games. The HSBC Sevens Series is the premier sevens rugby tournament in the world, featuring the best 12 men's and 12 women's teams. The Los Angeles leg of the series is always a popular event, and this year's tournament is shaping up to be even bigger and better than ever before.  

From Down Underdog to Wizard of Oz

The 2024 Australian Open that wrapped up this weekend was a thrilling tournament that saw some unexpected results. On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended her title, defeating Qinwen Zheng in the final. Sabalenka is now a two-time Grand Slam champion and has established herself as one of the best players in the world. In the men's singles final, 22-year-old Jannik Sinner staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Daniil Medvedev in five sets, claiming his first Grand Slam title. Sinner became the youngest Australian Open champion since Pete Sampras in 1994. 

SailGP, a glimpse into the future of sport

SailGP is revolutionizing the world of sailing, taking it to exhilarating new heights. Just imagine Formula One cars moving on water. The speeds are terrifying to an observer. The closer you are the crazier it is. To those on the boat its insane. They are not riding aboard a sailboat, they are riding flying machines that skim across waves at breakneck speeds, hulls mere inches above the water. 

Squash's Olympic trials and tribulations are not over

The sport of squash is 200 years old and has had - at its peak - around 25 million regular participants hailing from almost every country on earth. Squash boasts a thriving international presence, with the PSA professional circuit drawing top talent from across the globe. From the powerhouse nations of Egypt, England, and France to rising stars in Peru, Colombia, and the US, the sport's competitive landscape is incredibly diverse and exciting. This global reach makes squash a perfect fit for the Olympics, where athletes from all corners of the world come together to celebrate excellence and sportsmanship.

Jon Rahm just jumped to the juggernaut that is LIV golf

A few days ago Jon Rahm seriously shocked the entire golf world by announcing he had quit the PGA Tour and had joined LIV Golf. Rahm is not just a PGA Tour pro. He is the reigning Masters champion, a long-time world number 1, and current number 3 behind Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. He is an in-form golfer and is one the highest paid players on the PGA tour right now. And for years now, Rahm has been publicly expressing his loyalty to the PGA Tour. And, at the same time, he has been criticizing the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour.  Hence everyone's surprise at this news.

Cape Town Sevens rugby result

Yesterday, December 10th 2023, beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, hosted the final day of the second leg of the HSBC Sevens Series Rugby in perfect weather.  All the Men's and Women's teams played quarterfinals, semis and finals rugby matches on Sunday in front of a boisterous rugby-mad crowd. 

The Rise of the NIL Valuation for College Athletes, like gymnast Livvy Dunne

The landmark 2022 NIL ("Name, Image, Likeness") rule change has fundamentally transformed the landscape of college athletics. For the first time, student-athletes are now able to profit from their NIL, opening up a world of new opportunities and challenges. One of the most significant developments in the NIL era has been the creation of NIL valuations.

College Linebacker uses NIL funds to invest in the Formula 1 of sailing

The landscape of professional sports is constantly evolving, and with it comes new opportunities for athletes to invest in their future. One such opportunity is the Avenue Sports Fund, a recently launched investment vehicle that aims to provide athletes with access to a diverse portfolio of sports-related assets. Founded by Marc Lasry, the chairman and CEO of Avenue Capital Group, the Avenue Sports Fund is targeting athletes who are looking to diversify their portfolios and take a more active role in the future of sports. The fund's investment strategy focuses on three key areas:

Landmark NIL decision has changed the game for college athletes

In 2022, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) made a landmark decision that has fundamentally changed the landscape of college sports. The NIL rule change, which allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), has ushered in a new era of opportunities and challenges for athletes, universities, and companies alike.  

Max Verstappen Takes Victory in Action-Packed Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix

Yesterday was the much-hyped relaunch of Formula 1 racing in Las Vegas, after a wait of 40 years.  It was a star-studded affair as you can imagine, with the likes of Shaq, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, Gordon Ramsay, Usain Bolt, Lindsey Vonn, and Lupita all there for the event. The race did not disappoint. Current world champion, Max Verstappen, emerged victorious in a thrilling race that featured plenty of overtaking and drama. The Dutchman overcame a five-second time penalty to beat rivals Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez to the checkered flag. 

Oakland Loses in Vegas, Again: The A's Join Raiders in Leaving Bay Area

The Oakland A's have followed in the footsteps of the Raiders and joined the Las Vegas exodus. The Major League Baseball team announced its relocation to Las Vegas in November 2023, marking another major blow to the Bay Area's sports landscape. 

World Rugby Classic Bermuda: A Week of Legends and Camaraderie

World Rugby Classic Bermuda is a unique event that brings together former international rugby players, most of whom are over 33 years old, for a week of intense competition and camaraderie. Taking place annually over the week of Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day, the tournament provides a stage for these legends to relive their glory days while showcasing their enduring passion for the sport. This year, the competition was fiercer than ever, with teams from France, USA, Canada, Ireland, Argentina, Italy, the British Lions, and South Africa battling it out for the coveted trophy. 

Texas Rangers, your first time World Series winners

In a historic five-game series that ended yesterday, November 1st 2023, the Texas Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks to claim their first-ever World Series title. The Rangers, who entered the playoffs as a wild card team, defied all odds to make their way to the Fall Classic. They then proceeded to dominate the Diamondbacks, winning four of the five games by an average margin of three runs. 

The Springboks do it again, 4 time world champs!

                               

In a thrilling display of grit and determination, on October 28th 2023 South Africa etched their names in Rugby World Cup history once again, defeating New Zealand 12-11 in a nail-biting final at Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Paris), France. This triumph marked South Africa's fourth Rugby World Cup title, cementing their position as one of the sport's most dominant teams. From the outset, the match was a tense affair, with both teams showcasing their defensive prowess. South Africa's resolute defense, led by captain Siya Kolisi, proved to be a formidable obstacle for the All Blacks, who struggled to break through their unwavering wall of green and gold. South Africa's flyhalf Handre Pollard proved to be the difference-maker on the night, maintaining his 100% kicking record in Paris and guiding the ball through the posts with four crucial penalties. His accuracy and composure under immense pressure were instrumental in maintaining South Africa's lead throughout the match.  

How a US billionaire's investment will grow the sport of squash worldwide

This summer (2023) it was announced that billionaire investor Mark Walter has made a major investment in the sport of squash (likely over $10 million). Walter, who is the co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chelsea Football Club, has acquired a stake in Squash Media & Marketing (SMM), a commercial entity created and managed by the Professional Squash Association (PSA). The investment is part of a larger strategy to grow the sport of squash globally. 

The Last of the Mohicans

(Author's note: this article was originally written in September 2016. I thought I would repost it given that the sport of squash is being voted on soon by the LA 2028 Organizing Committee)

Six years ago I got terrible news.  The squash club just down the street from my home on 8th Avenue, where I played or coached almost every day, was finally scheduled to close permanently.  It was the last squash club that existed in downtown New York City and it closed its doors a short while later.  Hundreds of members of the squash club were shocked.  Playing squash was a ritual for many people, something which was abruptly taken away from them.

King Khan

(Author's note: Originally published in 2010; I am reposting this now because squash is about to get voted on by the LA 2028 Organizing Committee)

In my youth the best squash players I heard about were the two consecutive World Champions from Pakistan, Jahangir Khan and then Jansher Khan.  Given how long they remained at the top of the game, I naturally assumed they were the two best squash players up to that point in history.  But recently I discovered that there was another Khan, named Hashim, who preceded the other two by about two decades. And Hashim Khan may just have been better, given what he achieved and how he did it.  Either way, these Khans are three of the best players to have ever played the game.  I am sure anyone in Pakistan would tell you they are the three best ever.

Another global sport that Ryan Reynolds invests in

In November 2020, Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney made headlines when they announced that they had purchased Wrexham AFC, a semi-professional football club in North Wales. The duo, who are known for their work on films and television shows such as Deadpool, Free Guy, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, had no prior experience in football management, but they were determined to turn Wrexham into a success. 

Ryan Reynolds invests in Formula One

 

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and Michael B. Jordan are the latest celebrities to invest in Formula One, joining Otro Capital and RedBird Capital Partners in a 24% equity stake in Alpine Racing. The deal struck this summer (2023) is reportedly worth €200 million, which values Alpine Racing at approximately £706 million. 

France Stuns All Blacks in Rugby World Cup Opener

And...we are back from a summer break with a bang! Last night, September 8th 2023, the Rugby World Cup kicked off as hosts France stunned the sport's most dominant team historically, the All Blacks, by 27 points to 13. The match, played at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, was a pulsating affair that saw both teams trade blows in front of a passionate crowd. The French started brightly and took an early lead through a try from Damian Penaud. The All Blacks responded with a try of their own from Mark Telea, but France continued to press forward and were rewarded with a second try from Penaud, this time in the corner. The All Blacks fought back in the second half and reduced the deficit to just three points, but France were not to be denied. Two late tries from Melvyn Jaminet and Antoine Dupont sealed a memorable victory for the hosts.