Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
December 13, 2022 - XFL (XFL)

This past week the Women's National Basketball Association player Brittney Griner was freed from prison in Russia in exchange for convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, the San Diego Seals announced they host the first ever outdoor National Lacrosse League game at Snapdragon Stadium on March 4th, and the XFL revealed team uniforms and rules for its 2023 season. Highlights from this week come from the Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, National Lacrosse League, XFL, American Hockey League, ECHL, North American Hockey League, Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Major League Soccer and American Ultimate Disc League.

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert issued the following statement regarding Brittney Griner:

"There has not been a day over the past ten months where we all haven't had Brittney Griner on our minds and in our hearts and that has now turned into a collective wave of joy and relief knowing that she will soon be reunited with her family, the WNBA player community, and her friends. BG has shown extraordinary courage and dignity in the face of enormous adversity. The WNBA is grateful beyond measure to the Biden Administration, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and all those who played a role in bringing BG home today. Our hope is that Paul Whelan and every wrongfully detained American will be returned home safely and as soon as possible."

Becky Hammon and Stephen A. discuss the news of Brittney Griner being freed from Russian detainment.

Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., joined 'America's Newsroom' to discuss the Biden administration's prisoner swap to secure the release of WNBA star Brittney Griner.

NBA G League

Plays of the Week

LACROSSE

The National Lacrosse League the world's largest and most successful professional lacrosse league, and the San Diego Seals announced that the Seals' March 4th game against the Las Vegas Desert Dogs will be staged outside at San Diego's new Snapdragon Stadium, the first regular season outdoor game in the history of the NLL. The game will be played at 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT and will be distributed live on ESPN+, TSN.ca and the TSN app. Additionally, the game will re-air the same day on ESPNU at 11:00 pm ET/8:00 pm PT.

Lucky 7's for Vegas! John Wagner with the FIRST goal in history for the Las Vegas Desert Dogs

Keegan Bal scores 4 goals and 2 assists for Vancouver Warriors including his milestone 100th career goal.

The overtime game winner from Curtis Dickson with reaction and replays! San Diego Seals vs Saskatchewan Rush.

Professional Box Lacrosse Association

The Professional Box Lacrosse Association (PBLA) has entered into an agreement with Lacrosse TV for a broadcast package for the upcoming inaugural season. The partnership will feature a "PBLA Game of the Week" as well as a bi-weekly, half-hour show, "PBLA TODAY. ¬Â "We are very excited to partner with Lacrosse TV as we launch our first season," said PBLA CEO Carmen Kesner. "Lacrosse TV is a leader in the sport of lacrosse and a natural partner to help us present the PBLA and the best athletes in the world playing America's oldest and fastest-growing sport."

Premier Lacrosse League

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) powered by Ticketmaster has announced that Cannons LC Head Coach and General Manager, Sean Quirk, is stepping down. "Coach Quirk's daily commitment and leadership to the Cannons Lacrosse Club was omnipresent for those both on the field and in the front office," said Co-Founder and President, Paul Rabil. "There are few people I have come across in this game that have Coach Quirk's ultra-competitiveness paired with his empathetic approach to the locker room, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in new capacities. ¬Â

FOOTBALL

XFL

The XFL announced it has selected Under Armour as the League's Official Uniform Partner. Beginning in the 2023 XFL season, Under Armour will be the exclusive provider of all on-field uniforms, including jerseys, base layer, sideline and training apparel, for all XFL teams. In partnership with Under Armour, the XFL today revealed its new team uniforms, including unique home and away sets, each designed with an authentic execution of the individual team identities.

Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia and St. Louis Battlehawks Head Coach Anthony Becht join Matt Barrie on SportsCenter to reveal the XFL uniforms and talk about the upcoming 2023 season.

The XFL announced its official rules for the 2023 season, which includes innovative changes in the areas of clock management, play reviews and late game possession designed to improve gameplay and enhance the fan viewing experience. Popular rule innovations such as tiered extra points and double forward passes will carryover from the 2020 season. Teams will also continue to line up five yards apart on kickoffs, as they did in 2020, which resulted in fewer injuries and a 92% return rate. Among the new game enhancements is an extra possession option, where in addition to an onside kick at any point during the game, teams may now attempt to retain possession by converting a 4th and 15 play from their own 25-yard line in the fourth quarter only.

XFL Head Coaches Terrell Buckley (Orlando Guardians) and Hines Ward (San Antonio Brahmas) and VP Officiating and Rules Innovation Dean Blandino join NFL Live's Laura Rutledge on air to discuss the XFL rules.

Orlando Head Coach Terrell Buckley joins Kevin Negandhi on SportsCenter

Canadian Football League

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announce that head coach Mike O'Shea has signed a three-year contract extension which will have him continue to lead the football club through the 2025 Canadian Football League season. A back-to-back winner of the Annis Stukus Trophy as the CFL's top coach in 2021 and 2022, O'Shea ranks third in career wins in Blue Bombers franchise history with 82, behind only Bud Grant (102) and Cal Murphy (86). He is currently the CFL's longest-serving head coach, having led the Blue Bombers for eight years since accepting the role in December of 2013.

United States Football League

The USFL announced that NFL veteran scout Ryan Jones has been hired as the General Manager of the New Orleans Breakers. Head Coach John DeFilippo, who the USFL selected last month to lead its New Orleans franchise, chose Jones to run player personnel after interviewing final candidates. Prior to joining the USFL, Jones spent 15 years as an area and regional scout for the New York Giants, including being a part of two Super Bowl championships.

HOCKEY

American Hockey League

Adding more teddy bears to your feed

ECHL

Worcester Railers HC Quinn Ryan made teddy bears fly

North American Hockey League

The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for an NAHL team in Rochester, New York owned by Hockey ROCS, LLC, an entity owned and operated by Chris O'Donnell and Colleen Wegman. The team will be known as the Rochester Jr. Americans and will compete in the East Division beginning in the 2023-24 season out of the Rochester Ice Center in Fairport, New York.

The top plays in the NAHL from November 28 - December 4, 2022

Western Hockey League

Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Brandon Lisowsky netted a hat-trick for the Saskatoon Blades

Ontario Hockey League

OHL Saves of the Week

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League

Top 10 Plays of November

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

Columbus Crew announced Wilfried Nancy [pronounced: wil-fhreed NAHN-see] as the Club's head coach. The 2022 MLS Coach of the Year finalist becomes the eighth full-time head coach in Crew history, following Timo Liekoski (1995-96), Tom Fitzgerald (1996-01), Greg Andrulis (2001-05), Sigi Schmid (2005-08), Robert Warzycha (2008-13), Gregg Berhalter (2013-18), and Caleb Porter (2019-22). Nancy comes to Columbus after most recently serving as head coach for CF Montreal during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. His start date will commence upon visa issuance. The Columbus Crew agreed to terms with CF Montréal, compensating the team for the release of Nancy and select members of the coaching staff, and the Crew's ability to negotiate with those individuals.

Columbus Crew introduces Wilfried Nancy as new head coach

National Women's Soccer League

The Washington Spirit will begin playing all home games at Audi Field in 2023. The District's Navy Yard will now be the exclusive home of the Spirit after the club agreed to a multiyear agreement with D.C. United. "The opportunity to play all our home games at Audi Field shows the continued commitment Michele has made to making this club the best," said Mark Krikorian. "The state-of-the-art Audi Field will allow our athletes to perform at the highest level and produce the best results possible. It is one of the best professional soccer stadiums in the country and it is where our club belongs. We are looking to dominate in the District. ¬Â

All Washington Spirit home games to be played at Audi Field in 2023

BASEBALL

International League

Minnesota Twins Principal Owner Jim Pohlad was open and honest in December, 2020 when the St. Paul Saints became the Twins Triple-A affiliate: continue being the most irreverent franchise in all of baseball. In the two seasons since the affiliation occurred, the Saints have not only continued to showcase their promotional chops, but have stepped up their game, reengaged with the community following the 2020 pandemic, and brought together fans who want a night of entertainment and baseball. Baseball America, one of the most respected publications in the industry, has recognized the Saints with the annual Freitas Award as the top Triple-A franchise in Minor League Baseball for 2022.

Pacific Coast League

The Reno Aces award-winning 2022 season continues as manager Gil Velazquez was named 2022 Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America. This is Velazquez's third managerial award this season and the second honor from Baseball America. Earlier in the year, he was voted Best Manager Prospect in the PCL by his peers in the publication's "Best Tools in 2022." He was also dubbed Pacific Coast League Manager of the Year by Minor League Baseball.

OTHER SPORTS

American Ultimate Disc League

Full video from the New York Empire versus Minnesota Wind Chill showcase at the Minnesota Vikings game on December 4, 2022.

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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Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury

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