Twitter & ESPN Strike Deal
140 Character Not Enough
If you like sports highlights but spend more time on social networks than watching TV, Twitter and ESPN are going to do their best to meet your needs.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Twitter and ESPN plan to announce a deepening of their existing relationship, agreeing on a pact under which the leading sports channel will unveil a wide variety of highlight clips in its tweets. The videos would be available on Twitter “shortly after” they take place live.
Naturally, the new arrangement which expands on a pact signed in December under which ESPN began embedding replays of college football highlights into its tweets is all about ad revenue. The sports network will place ads inside the clips, and advertisers will agree to purchase a minimum number of promoted tweets related to the highlights, the Wall Street Journal reported. Sports covered under the deal include World Cup soccer and X Games tournaments, according to the Journal.
A Twitter spokesperson confirmed the Journal’s story, and this afternoon, several people in senior roles at the social-networking giant posted tweets linking to it. Adam Bain, Twitter’s head of revenue, went so far as to note in his tweet,
“More news from the upfronts,” referring to the TV network meetings with advertisers that are taking place this week.
The Twitter-ESPN agreement goes a long way to bolstering the theory that Twitter is moving quickly to strengthen its ties to TV networks. Last month, a Bloomberg report suggested that Twitter was in talks with NBC and Viacom about bringing more of those networks’ content to the tweets users see all in the hopes of boosting ad revenue.
And earlier today, the Journal also noted that Twitter and Fox agreed to bring some of that TV network’s video to users via the tweets they see. As with the ESPN relationship, the Fox pact would be built to leverage advertisers’ ability to reach users.
Goal-Line technology to be implemented for 2014 World Cup
GOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL
After a successful trial period at the Club World Cup, the 2013 Confederations Cup and World Cup 2014 will see goal-line technology implemented in matches.
FIFA has decided to use goal-line technology from this summer onwards, starting with the 2013 Confederations Cup.
After what the footballing governing body deemed to be a successful trial at the Club World Cup in December last year, the technology will be used at the upcoming international tournament being held in Brazil this summer.
Subsequently, goal-line technology will be used at World Cup 2014 in the South American nation, and it is safe to assume that if the two tournaments see the technology implemented successfully then it will be used in future competition as well.
FIFA released a statement on Tuesday which said: “The aim is to use GLT in order to support the match officials and to install a system in all stadia, pending the successful installation, and pre-match referee tests.
“With different technologies on the market, FIFA has launched a tender today, setting out the technical requirements for the two forthcoming competitions in Brazil.
“The two GLT providers already licensed under FIFA’s Quality Program for GLT, and other GLT providers currently in the licensing process (that must have passed all relevant tests as of today) are invited to submit tenders.
“Interested GLT companies will be invited to join an inspection visit to the Confederations Cup venues, currently scheduled for mid-March, with a final decision due to be confirmed in early April.”
UEFA president Michel Platini is unlikely to follow the road being trodden by FIFA as he is adamantly against its implementation, which means the likes of the Champions League and the Europa League will not be graced by goal-line technology any time soon.
Pele Movie Biography Coming
Greatest New York Cosmo Of All Time
Pele the movie is expected to play in the next World Cup. Imagine Entertainment is planning a film about the Brazilian soccer superstar to coincide with the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro.
Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, who wrote and directed “The Two Escobars” for ESPN’s 30 for 30, have been tapped to write the film. The movie will be in English with some scenes in Portuguese.
“This will be more of a coming-of-age story that will trace Pele’s childhood until he won his first World Cup in Sweden at the age of 17,” said Imagine’s Kim Roth.
Hope Solo Opens Up About Her Depression
TALENT
While she may be household name after a spectacular performance in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and her run on Dancing With the Stars, U.S. national team goalkeeper Hope Solo hasn’t always been on top.
In the 2007 World Cup, Solo was benched in favor of 36-year-old Briana Scurry for the semifinal against Brazil, despite having allowed only two goals in the United States’ four games.
With Solo on the bench, the U.S. lost 4-0 to end its run in the tournament and Solo, then 26, famously lashed out after the match.
Even before the incident, 2007 was a trying time for the goalkeeper. In a recent interview with Fitness Magazine, Solo talked about what she went through that year:
“First I lost my best friend (who was hit by a car while running) and then my father (who suffered a heart attack), and then I got kicked off the team in the World Cup. I hit an all-time low. I didn’t leave the house. I was in a complete depression. It took putting one foot in front of the other every single day to get through it to the point where I made it back on the team and won a gold medal in 2008. You’re always going to survive the pain of loss. I can live with that confidence inside of me.”
With the disappointment of the U.S. losing the 2011 World Cup final to Japan on penalty kicks behind her, Solo is staying positive about the London Olympics:
“I’ve learned that winning isn’t everything, and it’s more about the journey. But at the end of the day, I just want to stand on the podium with the gold medal.”
FIFA Awards FOX U.S. TV Rights
For The Good Of The Game
The FIFA World Cup will have a new U.S. TV partner in 2018 and 2022, with several sources saying that Fox will pick up the English-language rights. FIFA has informed the bidders and is planning to announce the winners at some point today or early next week. The decision to award the rights to Fox is a shocking development, since incumbent ESPN was widely believed to be the front-runner to retain the World Cup rights.
ESPN in 2005 paid $100 million for an English-language package that included rights to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Fox picked up rights to all FIFA events from 2015-22, including the men’s World Cup in 2018 and 2022; the women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019; and all Under-20 and Under-17 games.
It is unclear who will pick up the Spanish-language rights that both Univision and Telemundo were bidding on, with Univision the incumbent.
Ron Artest Cut From Dancing With The Stars
This Guy Crazy
Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest, who legally changed his name to Metta World Peace, became the first celebrity cut from Dancing with the Stars last night. World Peace was the first celebrity ejected Tuesday from the 13th edition of the dancing show after viewer votes were combined with the judges scores who gave him the lowest score on Monday’s premiere: 14 out of a possible 30.
Head judge Len Goodman said the outgoing Los Angeles Lakers forward’s footwork was “atrocious” and his routine was “all sizzle and no sausage.”
Among the 11 stars remaining in the competition are World Cup soccer player Hope Solo; reality stars Rob Kardashian and Kristin Cavallari; TV personalities Nancy Grace, Carson Kressley and Ricki Lake; actor David Arquette; and author and activist Chaz Bono.
North Korea Women Banned From World Cup For Deer Gland Doping
Guilty
FIFA has banned North Korea from the 2015 Women’s World Cup after five players tested positive for steroids from traditional musk deer gland therapy at the tournament last month. FIFA imposed bans of up to 18 months on all five players, who North Korean officials said were treated with traditional therapy after being struck by lightning at a pre-tournament training camp.
Jong Pok Sim, Hong Myong Hui, Ho Un Byol and Ri Un Hyang were suspended from all soccer-related activity for 18 months, while Song Jong Sun was ineligible for 14 months, FIFA said. North Korea’s soccer federation was fined $400,000, and team doctor Nam Jong Ae was banned for six years.
The fine “exactly corresponds to the prize money the association would have received for their 13th place in the final ranking of the Women’s World Cup in Germany,” FIFA said.
FIFA’s disciplinary panel also banned Colombia backup goalkeeper Yineth Varon for two years for doping at the tournament.
Hope Solo Hints At Posing Nude
TALENT
It appears that the fantasies of many male soccer fans may be answered of ever seeing U.S. Women’s National Team goalkeeper Hope Solo naked as she hinted on her twitter account on Tuesday that she will pose naked in the famed “Body Issue” of ESPN The Magazine. “The Body Issue” features male and female professional athletes posing naked in a tasteful fashion.
“Being naked outside is very liberating….atleast I hope it will be @ESPN and @ESPNMAG!!! GAMETIME BABY! Ball up!”
Despite the tremendous outpouring of support the team received during the World Cup and the tireless efforts of Solo and her teammates since returning home, the Women’s Professional Soccer League continues to struggle, seemingly unable to carry the World Cup interest over to the domestic league.
Naoki Matsuda Dead
R.I.P.
Former Japan national defender Naoki Matsuda has died two days after suffering a cardiac arrest during training, his club said. The 34-year-old Matsuda had been in critical condition after collapsing Tuesday during practice with his club Matsumoto Yamaga.
“He passed away today at 1:06 p.m.,” Yamaga president Hiroshi Otsuki said. “Since Tuesday there has been an outpouring of support from Matsuda fans all over Japan.”
Matsuda played for Japan, including the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. Matsuda collapsed after a 15-minute run. After an initial diagnosis of heat stroke, it was determined he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was unconscious on his arrival at a hospital and showed no response to heart massage.
Saki Kumagai In Trouble For Criticizing Coach & Showing Naked Picture Of Teammate
TALENT
Saki Kumagai, who scored the winning penalty kick for Japan over the United States in the World Cup final, is being disciplined by the Japan Football Association after some things she said and naked photos of her teammate during celebration of their victory.
According to The Mainichi Daily News, the 20-year-old Kumagai became lose at the lips and started to criticize her coach Norio Sasaki and described the clubhouse atmosphere as hierarchical during her celebration with a friend on Wednesday, who in turn began tweeting what she was saying.
In addition to criticizing Sasaki, she started to show off nude photos of her teammate Karina Maruyama that she had on her phone. Kumagai has apologized on her own Twitter page and has since been pulled from all scheduled television appearances.
Croatian Soccer Team Signs Former Playboy Model Nives Celsius
TALENT
Former Playboy model Nives Celsius is no stranger to the soccer pitch as she once had sex with her husband, Croation footballer Dino Drpic, in the middle of the field at Maksimir Stadium in Zagreb and now has been signed on to play with Slaven Belupo FC, a top team in the Croatian league. Celsius reportedly will see at least some action during Slaven Belupo’s match against Zagreb FC today.
Celsius isn’t the only model whose risque antics have garnered headlines in the soccer world. Paraguayan model Larissa Riquelme who said that she would run naked through the streets if her home country won the World Cup. She made the same promise for the 2011 Copa America.
Andrew Bynum Parks In Handicapped Area
Handicap Gate
Handicap Gate
Handicap Gate
An LADOT parking official took photos of Los Angeles Lakers star Andrew Bynum parking his BMW in a handicapped parking area yesterday. NBC4 of Los Angeles tried to talk to the uninjured 23-year-old Bynum about parking in the handicapped area but he slammed his car door and drove off without comment.
Judgement doesn’t seem to be the strong suit of Bynum’s as he is the same player who once rehabbed a previous knee injury by partying at the Playboy Mansion, and the same guy who delayed a knee surgery so he could attend the World Cup.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Japan Women’s National Soccer Team
Japan Women's National Soccer Team
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Japan Women’s National Soccer Team for winning the 2011 World Cup. Japan beat the United States for the title 3-1 on penalty kicks, after coming from behind twice in a 2-2 tie. The star of the shootout was goalkeeper Ayumi Kaihori, who made two brilliant saves in the shootout. This was Japan’s first appearance in the final of a major tournament and they had not beaten the Americans in their first 25 meetings, including a pair of 2-0 losses in warm-up games a month before the World Cup.
Congratulations Japan Women’s National Soccer Team you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
Iran Arrests Pegah Ahangarani For Trying To Head To World Cup
TALENT
Iranian actress Pegah Ahangarani was jailed last week when she prepared to leave for Germany to blog about the women’s World Cup for a German radio station. Ahangarani, 27, was arrested after being warned by the government not to travel to the event.
The Guardian, an English newspaper, said the arrest appears to be part on an ongoing crackdown on female journalists and filmmakers. A woman sports photojournalist, Maryam Majd, also was detained last month as she prepared to leave for the World Cup.
Iran has been at odds with FIFA, the world governing body for soccer. In June, FIFA banned Iran’s women’s team from playing a qualifying match for the 2012 Olympics, ruling that the team’s tight headscarves broke the association’s dress code. In Iran, all women must cover their hair, neck, arms and legs in accordance with Shiite Islamic tenets.
little Tommy Does Truffle Shuffle At World Cup
Watch as little Tommy becomes famous for doing the truffle shuffle right after Alex Morgan scored the first goal in the USA vs. Japan women’s World Cup final.
What If Gus Johnson Called The USA-Brazil Womens World Cup Game
The United States women’s soccer team played in on of the most riveting games in the history of the Women’s World Cup when they defeated Brazil 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie. Abby Wambach tied it with a magnificent, leaping header in the 122nd minute, and goalkeeper Hope Solo denied the Brazilians.
But imagine the greatness of the game if it had been called by former CBS college hoops announcer Gus Johnson, how would it sound? Here it is, although the game is from Adam Morrison’s game-winning 3-pointer in Gonzaga’s 64-62 victory over Oklahoma State in 2006.
Larissa Riquelme Promises To Pose Nude If Paraguay Wins Copa America
TALENT
Larissa Riquelme is back again and with promises to pose nude if her home country Paraguay wins this years Copa America. Riquelme, whom we have posted about a few times, has made these kinds of promises before like if Paraguay was to win the 2010 World Cup she would run through the streets naked.
“If Paraguay win the Copa America then I shall pose nude on the pitch,” she said before her team took on Ecuador on Sunday.
Even though Paraguay lost to Spain in the quarterfinals of last year’s World Cup, Riquelme decided to run naked anyway, saying that her nude run “will be a present to all of the players, and for all the people in Paraguay to enjoy.”
Swedish Woman Soccer Player Exchanges Jersey With Fan
After Sweden beat North Korea 1-0 on Saturday, Swedish soccer star Josefine Oqvist took off her jersey and gave it to a fan.
Handball No Call In Women’s World Cup
Referee Gyoengyi Gaal missed an obvious hand ball in the Women’s World Cup but had no impact as Australia went on to win 3-2 against Equatorial Guinea.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Mexico
Mexico
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to Mexico for mounting a comeback against the United States to win the Gold Cup. In just a few short minutes, Mexico turned the tables on the United States, then ran away with its second straight Gold Cup win. This win means that Mexico will get to play in the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil a year before the World Cup. Pablo Barrera scored twice for Mexico, his first goal in the 29th minute snapped United States goalkeeper Tim Howard’s Gold Cup shutout streak at 351 minutes.
Congratulations Mexico you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
German National Women’s Soccer Team Pose For Playboy
TALENT
Five members of the German National Women’s under-20 team posed erotically for the German edition of Playboy, in hopes of promoting the sport just weeks before the Women’s World Cup kicks off. The idea was to show the more beautiful side of women’s sports, as opposed to the “butch” stereotype that they feel shrouds the game. Annika Doppler, Ivana Rudelic, Julia Simic, Selina Wagner and Kristina Gessat all stripped down for the shoot.
“With these photos, we want to disprove the cliche that all female footballers are butch,” Gessat told The Local.
Diego Maradona Returns To Coaching
Impressive Shape
Diego Maradona was hired Monday to coach the United Arab Emirates club Al Wasl, marking the Argentine great’s return to coaching since leading his country to the World Cup quarterfinals last year. He signed a two-year contract and will be in charge when the next season opens in September. He is joining a fourth-place team aiming to boost its prospects, attract more sponsors and fans.
Since losing the Argentina job last year, Maradona has been linked to several coaching vacancies, including Iran’s national team and the English clubs Blackburn and Fulham. Al Wasl has been looking for a coach since firing Sergio Farias in March. The top four teams in the league qualify for next season’s Asians Champions League. Al Wasl is considered one of the top clubs in Dubai but hasn’t won anything since 2007.
Brazil’s Ronaldo Set To Announce Retirement
3 Time FIFA Player Of The Year
Three-time World Player of the Year Ronaldo is reportedly set to announce his retirement from professional soccer on Monday. Plagued by injuries since 2009 the 34-year-old has endured a disappointing campaign with Brazilian club Corinthians.
“It’s time,” Ronaldo was quoted as saying by newspaper Estado de S. Paulo. “I can’t keep going. I wanted to continue but I can’t. I think about making a play but I can’t execute it.”
Corinthians have scheduled a press conference for Monday, where Ronaldo is expected to publicly confirm his retirement.
Voted the world player of the year in 1996, 1997 and 2002, Ronaldo scored 67 goals in 92 appearances for Brazil and won the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and Korea. He scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Germany in the final and remains the leading scorer in World Cup history.
Porn Star Diamond Foxxx Offers Oral Sex If Pittsburgh Steelers Win Super Bowl
Used TALENT
The adult actress Diamond Foxxx is offering all her Twitter fans oral sex if the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl down in Jerry’s World on Sunday.
“I’m a huge Steelers fan and if they win — which they will — I wanted to do something super special. What could be more special than making a long line of horny men feel the pleasure that I’ll feel watching the Steelers win? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Foxxx has promised all 35,000 of her followers oral sex if her favorite team wins and promptly released a press release confirming the news.
‘Diamond Foxxx will be putting her mouth where her money is, promising to give a blowjob (or perform oral on any ladies on hand) to any of her Twitter followers who show up for her victory celebration,’ the release said.
The offer has come with certain terms and conditions and those requirements include legal identification, a clean STD test from an AIM Healthcare draw station or Talent Testing Services, and the understanding that the event will be filmed for broadcast.
Foxxx’s offer is similar to that of fellow porn star Bobbi Eden, who also offered oral sex to her Twitter followers if Netherlands won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
