
Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
August 25, 2020 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
This past week the Massachusetts Pirates joined the Indoor Football League, the National Women's Soccer League's North Carolina Courage signed two-time NWSL Coach of the Year Paul Riley to a contract extension through the 2022 season, and the Northwoods League's Fond du Lac Dock Spiders won their second title in the last three years. Highlights from this week are from the Indoor Football League, XFL, Canadian Football League, American Hockey League, Major League Soccer, National Women's Soccer League, United Soccer League Championship, United Soccer League One, Women's National Basketball Association, National Lacrosse League and Premier Lacrosse League.
FOOTBALL
Indoor Football League
The Massachusetts Pirates are proud to announce that the organization will be joining the Indoor Football League. The team is paving the way for Indoor Football on the east coast as the first IFL squad to touch the Atlantic Ocean. Pirates founder, co-owner, president and general manager Jawad Yatim is ecstatic about the move to bigger and better things.
Conversation with IFL Commissioner Todd Tryon on the Massachusetts Pirates joining the league.
National Arena League
The NAL Board of Directors has voted to terminate the membership of the Baltimore Lightning effective immediately. The decision was made due to Baltimore's failure to provide a letter of credit within the timeline of their membership agreement. They also failed to provide an executed arena lease.
XFL
The sale of the XFL to Dany Garcia, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and RedBird Capital Partners has closed.
Canadian Football League
"It's disappointing", Stamps QB Bo Levi Mitchell on CFL cancelling 2020 season
Edmonton players react to cancellation of 2020 CFL season
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
The LA Kings have agreed to terms on a contract with John Wroblewski to become head coach for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL), according to Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake. Wroblewski will be the fifth head coach to serve for the AHL affiliate in Manchester or Ontario.
Welcome John Wroblewski
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams announced the appointment of Seth Appert as head coach of the Rochester Americans. Appert has a long history of developing players at all levels. He has spent the last three years as a head coach within USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (NTDP), two with the Under-18 Team and one with the Under-17 Team.
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Kevyn Adams welcomes head coach Seth Appert
National Women's Hockey League
The National Women's Hockey League is proud to announce that veteran major league sports executive Amy Scheer has been named the new general manager of the Connecticut Whale. Scheer succeeds Bray Ketchum, who after making a significant impact as a player and GM in the formative years of the NWHL, has left to focus fulltime on a new teaching position.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
All The Best Saves in MLS History: Which One is the Greatest?
National Women's Soccer League
The North Carolina Courage announced that Head Coach Paul Riley has signed a multi-year coaching contract extension through 2022. Riley was named the NWSL Coach of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and has been head coach of the Courage since 2017. Riley has led the North Carolina Courage to three-consecutive NWSL Shields and two-consecutive NWSL Championships. He has coached in four-straight NWSL Championships, winning three of the four. Riley and the Courage also won the first-ever Women's International Champions Cup in 2018.
Field Level 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup - All the action, from all the best angles. Take a look back at our time in Utah from the best seat in the house!
United Soccer League Championship
USL Championship Goal of the Week Winner - Week 8 - Phoenix Rising Junior Flemmings
United Soccer League One
USL League One Goal of the Week Winner - Week 5 - Ivan Magalhaes Richmond Kickers
Major Arena Soccer League
The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) has granted the Monterrey Flash and Soles de Sonora a sabbatical for the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Monterrey Flash and Soles de Sonora will suspend operations for the 2020-21 regular season following the parameters to be set by the league Board of Directors. Their MASL membership will remain in good standing along with all voting rights during the time of this sabbatical. M2 member, Chihuahua Savage will also be taking a sabbatical year.
BASEBALL
Northwoods League
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders capped off their incredible 2020 season with a 14-3 victory over the La Crosse Loggers to win the Wisconsin-Illinois Northwoods League Pod Championship and secure their second title in the last three years. The Dock Spiders finished the season with a record of 33-17 and secured their second championship in their young four years of existence.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner has left the WNBA bubble in Bradenton, Fla., for personal reasons.
Diana Taurasi honored Kobe Bryant by wearing his No. 8 jersey and went on to score 34 PTS in the Phoenix Mercury win over the Washington Mystics.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
Devan Kaney and Teddy Jenner break down the East Division team needs ahead of the 2020 NLL Entry Draft.
Premier Lacrosse League
Greatest Moments from PLL Championship Series
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
Indoor Football League Stories from August 25, 2020
- Indoor Football League Announces New Team in Prescott Valley - Northern Arizona Wranglers
- Spokane Shock Sign Former University of Maryland Defensive Back Antwaine Carter, Jr. - Spokane Shock
- Spokane Shock Sign Explosive Former WSU Running Back Theron West - Spokane Shock
- Versatile Defender Atkinson Signs with Rattlers - Arizona Rattlers
- 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.
