Last Week around the Leagues

by Fran Stuchbury
May 14, 2024 - Canadian Football League (CFL)

This past week Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly received a minimum suspension of nine regular-season games for violating the league's gender-based violence policy, the Binghamton Black Bears won their first Federal Prospects Hockey League Commissioner's Cup and the the Texas Rangers new Single-A team in the Carolina League announced it will be called the Hub City Spartanburgers. Highlights from this week come from the Canadian Football League, United Football League, Arena Football League, Indoor Football League, National Arena League, Federal Prospects Hockey League, ECHL, Carolina League, International League, Women's National Basketball Association, NBA G League, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, MLS NEXT Pro, USL Super League, National Lacrosse League, and League One Volleyball.

FOOTBALL

Canadian Football League

Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly has been suspended for 2024's preseason games and a minimum of nine further games for violating the Canadian Football League's (CFL) Gender-based Violence Policy. Mr. Kelly will be required to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert. Both the counselling sessions and the assessments must be satisfactorily completed before the CFL will consider Mr. Kelly's reinstatement. If he is unable to satisfactorily complete those sessions and assessments, the CFL reserves the right to modify his discipline.

With Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly receiving a minimum suspension of nine regular-season games for violating the league's gender-based violence policy, CFL Insider Dave Naylor joins SC with Jay Onrait to discuss the news and what this means for the QB's future.

United Football League

The Michigan Panthers secured a playoff spot in the United Football League (UFL) Conference Championship game. The team will play the Birmingham Stallions, who became the first team to clinch a spot in the playoffs following their results last week. Michigan came into the weekend needing a victory over the DC Defenders and also needed losses by the Memphis Showboats and Houston Roughnecks. Michigan defeated the DC Defenders 22-9 on Sunday, while Memphis fell 47-23 to the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, May 11 and the San Antonio Brahmas beat Houston 15-12 in the final game of the weekend. "We are extremely excited about clinching a spot in the playoffs," said Panthers Head Coach Mike Nolan. "We had expectations to return to the playoffs this season and are happy we did it a bit sooner than last year, but we still want to finish the regular season strong. We have three games left against some great opponents and we want to use these games to make sure we are playing at our best as we head into the Conference Championship. ¬Â

UFL Top 10 Plays from Week 7

Arena Football League

Arena Football League Georgia Force Folds Update by quarterback Justin Arth. The team folded.

Indoor Football League

IFL Plays of the Week Eight

National Arena League

The National Arena League announces that league officials and the West Texas Desert Hawks have reached a settlement agreement after litigation between parties. Although the specifics of the settlement are completely confidential, league officials have reported that this settlement will allow the West Texas franchise to continue play in the Arena Football League (AFL). "We are happy that we were able to work together and settle this matter after negotiations going back to August, 2023. Zack Bugg has a great organization, and the NAL wishes him and the Desert Hawks much success in all their endeavors." said Executive Director Rob Storm.

The National Arena League has been working with the new owner of the Oklahoma Flying Aces, Joey Jones, to ascertain the best options to assure that the Oklahoma franchise is poised for long term success. Earlier this season, the Oklahoma franchise underwent massive internal changes both within their ownership and overall operation of the team. Given the severity of this timeline, the league was proactive this season in providing the team support, patience, and relief to assist the team during its uniquely difficult time. Given the overall circumstances it has been made clear that the team's new first-year ownership has put in a massive effort but cannot successfully fulfill all league obligations to finish the season without a complete reorganization of the current processes and procedures currently in place. The National Arena League and the ownership of the Oklahoma Flying Aces have mutually agreed to allow football operations to go dormant for the remainder of the 2024 season, focusing on strengthening the business side, as well as community engagement and support. Under better circumstances, the league and team ownership believe there is a successful future projected for the Oklahoma Franchise, its staff, and players.

Around the NAL Episode 9

HOCKEY

Federal Prospect Hockey League

The Binghamton Black Bears won the Commissioners Cup defeating the Carolina Thunderbirds 4-3, in game three of the FPHL finals. Binghamton was able to take their first lead of the game with a Gavin Yates, powerplay goal at 7:34. Electricity surged through the arena, as Binghamton could see the finish line. Carolina pulled the goalie, and Austin Thompson was able to deposit the puck into the net, for the fourth Binghamton goal of the night. Carolina was able to score a late power play goal, but not able to find the equalizer. Binghamton wins 4-3 and sweeps the finals 3-0. Gavin Yates was named the Playoff MVP and became the second, two-time winner of the award. The Black Bears win the Commissioners Cup, their first in franchise history, after winning all seven of their playoff games, and their final 13 games of the season.

12 Sports is LIVE on the ice with the Binghamton Black Bears as the team celebrates the FPHL Commissioner's Cup championship. WBNG speaks with Head Coach Brantley Sherwood, and Director of Public Relations & Broadcasting Brooks Hill. Plus, we check in on the Bearcats as the team continues championship runs in Women's Lacrosse & Softball.

ECHL

Florida Everblades goalie Cam Johnson made one of the best saves of the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs, robbing Brayden Low of a sure goal with an incredible diving save. Johnson's exploits saw this save land on SportsCenter's Top 10.

BASEBALL

Carolina League

Spartanburg's nickname is the Hub City, the people who live there are known as Spartanburgers and, hey, come to think of it, who doesn't love a good burger? Add it all up and you have the name of the South Carolina metropolis' new Minor League Baseball team: the Hub City Spartanburgers. The Spartanburgers are set to begin play in 2025 following their relocation from Kinston, N.C., where they are known as the Down East Wood Ducks. The Single-A Texas Rangers affiliate will operate out of Fifth Third Park, currently under construction in downtown Spartanburg. The city last hosted Minor League Baseball in the form of the Single-A Spartanburg Phillies, who played their final season in 1995. The Hub City Spartanburgers name and logo were unveiled on Saturday evening at what the fledgling franchise billed as a "Team Name Reveal Block Party" featuring live music, food trucks and fireworks. The Carolina League team's general manager, Tyson Jeffers, said that it was the culmination of an undertaking that began before he assumed his current position this past October. "The process had already started between some of the leadership at [team ownership group] Diamond Baseball Holdings and the local community -- business owners, developers, local leaders," he said. "They all started working on that plan and had a vision for the name. I took that and worked with [veteran sports logo designer] Dan Simon to help bring it to life."

The Spartanburg Professional Baseball Club proudly unveiled its new brand identity - the Hub City Spartanburgers.

Cubs prospects Cristian Hernandez, Miguel Pabon and Christopher Paciolla turn a triple play for Single-A Myrtle Beach

International League

Rays shortstop Yu Chang hits the famous bull sign with his first homer of the year for Triple-A Durham

Check out the Top 5 plays in Minor League Baseball from March/April

BASKETBALL

Women's National Basketball Association

The Women's National Basketball Association announced today a full league-wide charter program that will be phased in beginning with the start of the 2024 regular season. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone in the WNBA's history and is a result of the successful execution of the league's strategic business transformation over the past few years. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of a full charter program as soon as practical for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, a testament to the continued growth of the WNBA," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "We have been hard at work to transform the business and build a sustainable economic model to support charter flights for the long term. While we still have a lot of work to do to continue to execute our strategic plan, we feel confident that the time is now to institute a full charter program to demonstrate our commitment to leading with a player-first agenda." The program will be primarily operated by preeminent sports charterer Delta Air Lines. "It's exciting to add the WNBA to our prestigious roster of sports charter partners as we participate in this historic advancement in women's professional sports," said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines. "We're looking forward to providing the WNBA with the welcoming, caring and elevated service that Delta people have made famous. ¬Â

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert joins 'Power Lunch' to discuss the upcoming WNBA season plans and expansion.

The WNBA is about to kick off its 28th season after a record-breaking year that saw interest in the sport grow exponentially.

NBA G League

MVP Mac McClung's Best Plays Of The 2023-24 Season

BIG3

The BIG3 announced the first-ever purchase of rights for a BIG3 team to represent a home market. Purchasing the rights is a consortium of investors led by DCB Sports and includes a mix of professional athletes and celebrities. The Los Angeles-based BIG3 team will debut in season eight (8) in 2025. Since the BIG3's formation in 2017, all teams have been centrally owned and operated at the league level. Season seven (7) will be the final BIG3 season operating under this existing model, and following this summer's season, all teams will transition to representing home markets. "My partners and I are thrilled to be joining Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz in professional 3-on-3 basketball," said Managing Partner of DCB Sports, Gary LaDrido. "We believe that the BIG3 can shape the future of basketball; the gameplay is dynamic and nuanced and the product on the court appeals to a global audience. I can't wait to continue to grow this game with this group for years to come."

SOCCER

Major League Soccer

Philadelphia Union announced that they have signed midfielder Cavan Sullivan through 2028, in a Major League Soccer record deal. Sullivan, who joined Philadelphia Union Academy at 10-years-old, becomes the youngest player in club history to be added to the first team roster, and the fifth youngest player to sign a first-team contract in MLS history. "Cavan is undeniably a rare and extraordinary talent. At just 14-years-old his natural skill and vision are far beyond his years," said Ernst Tanner, Philadelphia Union Sporting Director. "His advanced soccer IQ, paired with his ability to read plays, advance the ball, and score, show just how high his ceiling will be. We are incredibly pleased to have come to an agreement to have Cavan join the Union on his first professional contract and have no doubt on the impact he will make with the club. ¬Â

14-year-old soccer player signs MLS deal. Cavan Sullivan could become the youngest player ever to make a regular season debut across all top American sports leagues. The soccer phenom signed with the Philadelphia Union.

Canadian Premier League

With the 500th Canadian Premier League match played on Friday night, we asked Canadian Premier League coaches to speak about the growth of the league so far, and what the league means to them

MLS NEXT Pro

This week's Player Profile features St. Louis CITY2 captain, Michael Wentzel. Michael and Michelle discuss Michael's journey from playing in Germany at Borussia Mönchengladbach to St. Louis CITY2. Michael talks about the honor of being captain of CITY2 and learning from the many leaders within the club.

United Soccer League One

The United Soccer League (USL) announced that Westchester County, N.Y. has been granted the rights to a USL League One franchise. Westchester Soccer Club plans to kick off in 2025 and will host its home matches at the newly renovated Stadium at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, N.Y. Uniting the passionate soccer community across Westchester County, Rockland County, Connecticut and northern New Jersey, Westchester SC aims to become the cornerstone of the community's already thriving soccer ecosystem.

"We are excited to bring professional soccer to Westchester County and create a lasting legacy for the community. Our inclusion in USL League One is just the beginning," said Mitch Baruchowitz, leader of the Westchester SC ownership group and majority shareholder in Profluence. "We are dedicated to developing top-tier talent right here in Westchester County, ensuring a bright future for soccer in our region and a direct pipeline for our young players to rise to the professional level. ¬Â

USL Super League

New women's professional team to play its home matches at the historic Cotton Bowl in the heart of Dallas. The USL Super League celebrates the launch of Dallas' new top-tier women's professional soccer club: Dallas Trinity FC. During a celebration event in Dallas today, the club unveiled its name, crest, and colors, and announced it would play its home matches at the iconic Cotton Bowl Stadium. This announcement marks a monumental step toward the club taking the field in August when the new women's professional league kicks off. Reflecting a determination to build a professional women's soccer team as dynamic as the city it calls home, Dallas Trinity FC, led by Chief Executive Officer Jim Neil, will play under the main colors of sunrise maroon, prairie gold, and live oak green. The colors draw inspiration from the city skyline and the Trinity River, which reflects the vibrant nature of Dallas, as well as local pride and excellence. "Soccer is the pathway to community for many families. Dallas is the perfect backdrop for our expansion, growth, and community to grow wings," said Jim Neil.

The newest professional sports team in North Texas now has a name. Fans will soon be able to cheer on the Dallas trinity professional women's soccer team.

LACROSSE

National Lacrosse League

There were two keys to Albany's offensive success over the weekend: punishing off-ball picks and remarkable efficiency. Cooper Perkins breaks it down in a Playoffs edition of LAXMetrics, powered by the NLL.

Premier Lacrosse League

Duke senior attackman Brennan ONeil was selected as the No. 1 pick by the Denver Outlaws in the 2024 Premier Lacrosse League College Draft. O'Neill is the third Blue Devil to be chosen first in the PLL or MLL drafts, joining Ned Crotty (2010) and Myles Jones (2016) as No. 1 picks in the Major League Lacrosse draft. Williams was the top selection in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) drafts. One of the best attackmen to wear a Duke uniform, O'Neill has led the Blue Devil offense throughout his career. He became the third Blue Devil to win the Tewaaraton Award as the nation's best player, taking home the trophy in 2023. A four-time All-ACC pick, O'Neill has 202 goals and 98 assists to his name to rank fourth at Duke with 300 points.

OTHER SPORTS

League One Volleyball

League One Volleyball is coming to ESPN in January 2025

Ultimate Frisbee Association

The Top 10 plays from Week 2 of the 2024 UFA regular season!

Did we miss anything newsworthy or 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

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.