Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
March 8, 2022 - United States Football League (USFL)
This past week the Women's National Basketball Association New York Liberty were fined a record $500,000 for chartering flights to away games last season; the Original USFL filed a motion for preliminary injunction to block Fox's league from using league and team names; and Major League Soccer expansion team Charlotte FC had the largest crowd in league history with 74,479 fans. Highlights from this week are from the Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, United States Football League, Canadian Football League, Indoor Football League, Major League Soccer, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Double-A Northeast League and Major League Rugby.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
The New York Liberty were fined a WNBA record $500,000 for chartering flights to away games during the second half of the season last year and for other league rules violations.
Ramona Shelburne joins NBA Today to discuss the New York Liberty being fined $500,000 for chartering flights to away games last season.
Russian news sites are reporting that WNBA All-Star and Olympian Brittney Griner was arrested at a Moscow airport for alleged drug smuggling.
The Phoenix Mercury released the following statement: "We are aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA. We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home."
The WNBA announced that the league's 26th regular season, set to tip off on Friday, May 6, will be highlighted by 25 national broadcasts during the regular season across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. During the upcoming season, the WNBA will partner with Google and Disney Networks to present up to a possible 52 games beginning with the regular season and extending through the recently-expanded postseason, which would include up to 27 games.
NBA G League
Grand Rapids Gold guard Nik Stauskas Sets G League Record With 38 PTS In 1st Half, Scores 57
G League's Top Dunks From February 2022
FOOTBALL
United States Football League
Former USFL owners suing Fox Sports over over new league's branding
The USFL is getting sued by the... USFL
Canadian Football League
The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announce the hiring of Jim Barker as Senior Advisor, the promotion of Vince Magri to Assistant General Manager and Alex Russell to Director of Football Operations and National Scout. The trio will work alongside General Manager Michael "Pinball" Clemons. Barker returns to Toronto for the third time in his illustrious career and brings with him over 40 years of football experience. The Pasadena, California native spent 2021 as part of TSN's coverage of the CFL as an analyst on the network after two years with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he began as offensive assistant before being elevated to offensive/special teams assistant and personnel consultant in 2020.
An Edmonton icon is back where it belongs. The Double E is officially back, as the Edmonton Elks unveiled their 2022 helmets.
Indoor Football League
The Vegas Knight Hawks unveiled the uniforms that they will wear for their inaugural season, which kicks off March 18 at The Dollar Loan Center.
SOCCER
Major League Soccer
MLS Record Attendance: 74,479 Sing the National Anthem at Charlotte FC first ever home game!
Efrain Alvarez scored a golazo in the second half to spoil Charlotte FC's record-setting inaugural home opener, as the LA Galaxy beat the expansion side 1-0 in front of a rocking crowd at Bank of America Stadium.
National Women's Soccer League
The National Women's Soccer League announced telecast details for the 2022 NWSL Challenge Cup. The tournament, set to kick off on Friday, March 18, will feature three matches broadcast on The CBS Television Network, including the Championship match. The three matches will also stream live on Paramount+. Four contests will air on CBS Sports Network, and all other matches will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. Additionally, the Challenge Cup in its entirety will be available to stream internationally on Twitch.
LACROSSE
National Lacrosse League
February Plays of the Month
San Diego Seals Wes Berg GOAL OF THE YEAR!
HOCKEY
American Hockey League
Arttu Ruotsalainen scores with just 22 seconds left in OT for the Rochester Americans in their 3-2 victory over the Belleville Senators!
ECHL
ECHL Fans chuck beer at Worcester player.
North American Hockey League
Plays of the Week
Western Hockey League
WHL Top 10
Ontario Hockey League
Saves of the Week
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League (USHL) announced the format for the 2021-22 USHL Clark Cup Playoffs. This season's playoffs will feature 12 teams, six from each of the Eastern and Western Conferences, beginning on Monday, April 25.
Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
2022 NHL Draft - Under the Microscope: Chicoutimi Sagueneens forward - Alex Blais.
BASEBALL
Double-A Northeast League
Dennis Pelfrey has been named the new manager of the Richmond Flying Squirrels for the 2022 season, the San Francisco Giants announced. Pelfrey comes to Richmond after managing the Eugene Emeralds, the Giants' High-A affiliate, to a league championship in 2021. He will be joined on his field staff this year by pitching coach Paul Oseguera, hitting coach Danny Santin, fundamentals coach Gary Davenport, athletic trainer Chris Walsh and strength & conditioning coach Matt Jordan.
Welcome to RVA, Dennis Pelfrey!
High-A West League
The Tri-City Dust Devils and the Los Angeles Angels are proud to announce the Dust Devils coaching staff for the 2022 season! This season the Dust Devils will be led by Angels alumni "Cactus" Jack Howell. Joining Howell are returners Doug Henry (Pitching Coach) and Jack Santora (Coach). Brian Rupp (Hitting Coach) Dylan Culwell (Athletic Trainer) and Luis Cervantes (Strength & Conditioning Coach) will also be joining Howell as new members of the Dust Devils this season.
The Eugene Emeralds announced their 2022 coaching staff, headed by manager Carlos Valderrama. Carlos Valderrama will lead the 2021 Champion Eugene Emeralds after managing the Arizona Giants last year and spending 2018-19 with the Augusta Greenjackets.
American Association
The Gary SouthShore RailCats have named Lamarr Rogers as manager for the 2022 season. He is the first new manager since 2005, the fourth manager in team history. Rogers, originally slated to manage the Princeton Whistlepigs in the Appalachian League in 2022, will become the first African American manager in the American Association since Vince Moore in 2011, and the third African American manager across the four professional MLB Partner Leagues.
Futures Collegiate Baseball League
The Brockton Rox have announced the first hiring of their 2022 coaching staff. Reggie Williams will be the head coach of the Brockton Rox for the 2022 season. Williams is a former MLB player who played with both the Angels and Dodgers from 1992 to 1999 as an outfielder.
OTHER SPORTS
Major League Rugby
The LA Giltinis earned the Rhino Rugby Try of the Week for an impressive break down the field and try by Ben LeSage.
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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United States Football League Stories from March 8, 2022
- 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.
