Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
January 21, 2020 - National Lacrosse League (NLL)
This past week the Women's National Basketball Association reached an eight-year collective bargaining agreement with its players, Portland Thorns FC made 19-year-old Stanford sophomore forward Sophia Smith the youngest draft pick in National Women's Soccer League Draft history, and the Big3 lowered its age requirement to play in the league from 27 to 22. Highlights from this week are from the NBA G League, Women's National Basketball Association, Big3, National Lacrosse League, American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, XFL, National Women's Soccer League and Carolina League.
BASKETBALL
NBA G League
Top Plays of the Week:
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and the Women's National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) announced that they have reached an agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), pending ratification by the players and the league's Board of Governors. The new eight-year CBA, which commences with the 2020 season and runs through 2027, provides the foundation to chart a new course for women's professional basketball.
The 2020 WNBA season will feature the first-ever Commissioner's Cup tournament, an expanded schedule with 36 games per team and an increase in nationally televised games on ABC. The league's 24th regular season tips off on Friday, May 15, 2020 and concludes on Sunday, Sept. 20.
New bargaining agreement breaks barriers for WNBA players on Good Morning America
BIG3
For the first time in its history, the BIG3 will host open tryouts for a chance to get invited to participate in our Combine. "Do your thing in the BIG3 Combine and you could get drafted." This will be a rare opportunity for you to get a chance to compete for a roster spot in front of BIG3 coaches, players and management which includes Clyde "The Glide" Drexler along with other hall-of-famers and legends.
The BIG3 is who we are. FIREBALL3 is what we play.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
The National Lacrosse League (NLL) announced a landmark partnership with Roar Digital - a joint venture between global gaming industry leaders MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings- making Roar's sports betting brand, BetMGM, the official and exclusive gaming partner of the NLL. It is the first-ever gaming partnership for the sport of lacrosse in the United States.
Dan MacRae delivers the New York Riptide's first-ever victory, a 13-12 overtime win over the Georgia Swarm:
Plays of the Week for Week 8:
Premier Lacrosse League
The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) announced that the league will return to Atlanta for the upcoming 2020 season this summer. Kennesaw State University's Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Cobb County, Georgia will host three regular season PLL matchups on Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7.
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
What's better, the shootout goal by Texas Stars Nicholas Caamano or the save by Texas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger?
Western Hockey League
Calgary Hitmen Hockey goaltender Brayden Peters submits his candidacy for save of the year in the WHL.
Ontario Hockey League
The London Knights raised Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane's #88 to the rafters of Budweiser Gardens
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
The pass the, the move and the goal. Everything was perfect on this Blainville-Boisbriand Armada goal.
FOOTBALL
XFL
Dallas Renegades quarterback Landry Jones is sidelined with a knee injury, but that doesn't mean he's not making the Renegades better. He's out at practice every day, helping our QBs and WRs with their reads and routes until he's back on the field.
XFL Training Camp is almost over.
Seattle Dragons RB Trey Williams returns to Houston childhood neighborhood
Canadian Football League
SOCCER
National Women's Soccer League
Portland Thorns FC selected forward Sophia Smith from Stanford University with the first overall pick in the 2020 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) College Draft. At the age of 19, Smith is the first teen drafted in NWSL history.
Eager to begin her professional career after leaving Stanford following her sophomore season, Sophia Smith wasted no time making history in the National Women's Soccer League draft.
Sky Blue FC of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has acquired 2019 U.S. Women's National Team World Cup Champion & forward Mallory Pugh from the Washington Spirit in exchange for the 4th, 13th, and 17th overall selections in the 2020 NWSL College Draft as well as a 1st round 2021 Draft Pick.
Canadian Premier League
Pacific FC is pleased to announce the appointment of Pa-Modou Kah as Head Coach, with the former Norwegian international earning his first role at the helm of a club. Kah, who last worked as the Assistant Coach at MLS side FC Cincinnati and also played alongside Pacific FC player Marcel de Jong at Dutch club Roda JC. He joins the club in his first role as a Head Coach, having previously worked as an Assistant Coach with Whitecaps FC 2.
BASEBALL
Atlantic League
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced that Ellie Rodriguez has been selected as the field manager of the 2020 Road Warriors, returning to the post he held when the traveling club last played in 2018.
California League
The San Jose Giants announced their 2020 coaching staff with Dennis Pelfrey named as manager. Pelfrey enters his first season in the San Francisco Giants organization, coming off five seasons in the Independent Frontier League with the Florence Freedom.
Florida State League
The Minnesota Twins announced that Aaron Sutton will be the first manager of the newly re-branded Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. This is Sutton's first stint in professional baseball. He spent the last four years as head coach at Montana State University Billings.
Carolina League & Pacific Coast League
Top 3 Plays - Chicago Cubs System
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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National Lacrosse League Stories from January 21, 2020
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
