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The Upside to Sports Betting

The main story about sports betting is all the revenue it brings in but what about the peace of mind it gives gamblers that no longer have to rely on under the table deals? I sat down with avid bettor Aaron Felder to discuss the changes and benefits he sees.

Click ▶️ to listen to Brian Jeffries’s AURN News story:

Source: AP/AURN Graphic

Who Got Next?: Jemele Hill on the Future of HBCU Sports

As sports revenue increases by the billions so does the Black athlete’s self-awareness. Writer and host, Jemele Hill joins the discussion on how today’s young Black athletes choosing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) can impact sports and positively affect the Black community.

The open secret

Hill: College players have a lot more power than I think they actually know they have. I would say that about the Black community in general. In our country, we don’t make much anymore. The one thing we can produce is athletes. WE can produce Black culture, and Black people have a dominating presence in both.

The bottom line

The NCAA’s athletic department in 2019 earned $18.9 billion. In Division 1, 56% of the male athletes are Black; 48% of football players are Black men; 46% of women’s college basketball players are Black.

The reality

Hill: White society had no interest in educating us, so we had to do it ourselves. And from that was born a Black middle class, a Black upper class—an ability for us to rise and have some form of social mobility. It was not perfect, clearly, but it was a way to do it.

The Black effect

HBCUs produce 20% of Black college graduates in the United States despite enrolling only 10% of all African American students and accounting for only 3% of the country’s college and university overall.

The struggle interest

Hill: I know ESPN has made a reasonable commitment to HBCU football and broadcasting certain games. I wonder if having a channel to HBCU sports could survive. I do think there’s an appetite for people who went to HBCUs, or people who understand what [a] good brand of sports it is, that they would want to see this on a regular basis.

The lost promotion

Although platforms such as Aspire TV and Black College Sports Network (BCSN) do their part, the HBCU sports channel is practically nonexistent on major networks such as ESPN and Fox Sports, when compared to other college and major leagues.



The legacy benefit

Hill: The players have to be playing the long game. The NBA punishes players who start younger. Even beyond draft in your career, you retire pretty early—early 30s when you’re done. The way you sell education is telling them, “This ‘sport(s)’ is going to end at some point. So, what is it that you’re passionate about that you can do besides this? What is your contribution, other than just being a great athlete?” The value of a Black athlete going to an HBCU is that the educational mission feels different from any other predominantly white institution (PWI).

The forever truth

HBCUs are the home of Black education and also the backbone of a Black community–one that created the Black culture that helped build the United States. The duality of Black American existence is to survive and advance within an oppressive system. A system that would rather profit from our labor with minimal payback, while telling us to be grateful for what we do have. However, younger Black athletes–united in recognizing their worth and investing their value into the institutions representing them–could further spread Black empowerment while strengthening our communities.

You can watch the full conversation with Jemele Hill below:

This is an October 8, 1984  photo of the Chicago Bears' Walter Payton in action looking for an opening during a game against the New Orleans Saints.  (AP Photo/ Fred Jewell)

The Indelible Impact of HBCUs on the NFL

HBCU alum have made an indelible mark on the NFL. Nearly 10 percent of the Hall of Fame played for an HBCU (30 of 318 members).  No honor exemplifies the character and integrity of HBCU students more than the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. Named for the famed Jackson State and Chicago Bears running back, the award is given to the player who best represents a commitment to philanthropy and community endeavors.

Harold Carmichael (17) wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, is shown in 1973. Exact date and location are unknown. (AP Photo)

NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2020 includes:

  • Harold Carmichael – Southern University, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys
  • Winston Hill – Texas Southern, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Colts
  • Donnie Shell – South Carolina State, Pittsburgh Steelers

Check out AURN’s coverage of Howard University homecoming

Former New York Jets offensive lineman Winston Hill is honored at the halftime of an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
FILE – This Aug. 6, 2016, file photo shows former Pittsburgh Steelers NFL football player Donnie Shell during ceremonies at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Shell was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, announced Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Carmichael, Hill, and Shell join the 30 HBCU alum in the Hall of Fame including:

Deacon Jones – Mississippi Valley State, Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins (Class of 1980)

Undated photo Football player David Deacon Jones. (AP Photo)

Art Shell – Maryland State/Maryland Eastern Shore, Oakland Raiders (Class of 1989)

Walter Payton – Jackson State, Chicago Bears (Class of 1993)

This is an October 8, 1984 photo of the Chicago Bears’ Walter Payton in action looking for an opening during a game against the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/ Fred Jewell)

Charlie Joiner – Grambling State, Houston Oilers, Cincinnati Bengals, San Diego Chargers (Class of 1996)

Jackie Slater – Jackson State, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (Class of 2001)

Jerry Rice – Mississippi Valley State, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks (Class of 2010)

Shannon Sharpe – Savannah State, Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens (Class of 2011)

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#TBT

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Richard Dent – Tennessee State, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles (Class of 2011)

Michael Strahan – Texas Southern, New York Giants (Class of 2014)

coco gauff

6 Things To Know About Cori “Coco” Gauff, the New Tennis Prodigy

Cori “Coco” Gauff is part of a new generation of Black Girl Magic in tennis and we must protect her at all costs.

The 15-year-old from Atlanta, became an overnight sensation after winning her first round Wimbledon match versus tennis icon Venus Williams last Monday. This feat was phenomenal because it was Cori’s first Grand Slam singles game. Cori, who turned professional when she was 14, is also the youngest player to qualify for Wimbledon.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her,” Gauff said after winning against her idol Williams, Washington Post reports. “And I was just telling her that she’s so inspiring. Like, I always wanted to tell her that. And even though I met her before, I guess now I have the guts to.”

Cori was given the opportunity to play on the London courts after she was selected as a wild card player for Wimbledon’s qualifying rounds and then defeated a top-seed in those matches, according to ESPN.

Now all eyes are on Cori to see how far she takes her winning streak. So far, she’s keeping the momentum.

On Monday, she lost her match against #7 seed Simona Halep of Romania in Wimbedon’s Round of 16.

Despite the loss, Cori’s Wimbledon journey has been inspiring and big names like Samuel L. Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Jada Pinkett Smith have been cheering her on via Twitter. The young star won her second round match on Wednesday, defeating Magdalena Rybarikova of Slovakia. On Friday, Cori scooped another victory in her third round match against Polona Hercog of Slovenia.

 

It’s clear Cori is on the road to becoming a household name in sports. Here are six facts about the young star.

1. Her nickname is Coco

Cori’s father and coach Corey Gauff, gave her the nickname Coco. When Gauff was a kid visiting family in Louisiana, his kin gave him the nickname “Co,” according to NOLA.com. So naturally he passed down the name to his daughter. 


2. Her parents were athletes too

The teen’s father played basketball for Georgia State University. Cori’s mother Candi was a Florida State hurdler and heptathlete, the New York Times reports. She was also a gymnast in her early years.


3. Cori has been training for this moment since she was 6

Cori’s father used the careers of other tennis prodigies, like the Williams sisters, to model Cori’s path to the Grand Slam courts. “That was important,” Gauff told The New York Times. “I still sit there and benchmark: ‘O.K., we’re at this point now. How is she doing physically? Is she growing? This is what Capriati did at this stage. This is what Hingis did at this stage, what the Williams sisters did at this stage.’”


4. She already has two multi-year sponsorships from big brands

In 2018, Cori signed on with New Balance for a sponsorship deal. The pasta company Barilla is also sponsoring the the teen.


5. Cori has made history before.

When she was 13, Coco became the youngest player to compete in the U.S. Open junior finals, CNN reported. In 2017, she also became the youngest to be ranked no. 1 junior player. 


6. She’s a big fan of Jaden Smith and Thor!

On her Instagram, Cori made a post dedicated to Jaden Smith’s 2018 mixtape The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story. She also dressed up as the Marvel superhero Thor Odinson for Halloween in 2018 and proclaimed herself the “Queen of the Asgard.” Surely she’s working hard to be the new Queen of the tennis courts very soon.


 
 
 
 
 
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Daughter of Odin Goddess of thunder Queen of Asgard Strongest Avenger I am Thor⚡️? #Halloween2k18

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Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James takes questions at a press conference after the basketball team's practiced during the NBA Finals, Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Cleveland. The Warriors lead the series 3-0 with Game 4 on Friday. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

LeBron Is Up For Grabs

Lebron James could have a new team by July, when NBA free agency begins. And if he is on his way out of Cleveland again – either as a free agent or in a trade, depending on whether or not he opts in to the final year of his contract – the Los Angeles Lakers may have an early edge on the competition.

Not only does James have a home in Los Angeles, but as retired NBA All-Star Gary Payton told Black Sports Online, James’ 13-year-old son LeBron ‘Bronny’ James Jr. has already committed to a Los Angeles-area high school.

“His son just committed to Sierra Canyon, which is in the valley of L.A.,” said Payton, a Seattle SuperSonics legend who spent a year with the Lakers.

“That’s where his son’s gonna go to school, with [Chicago Bulls legend] Scottie Pippen’s son and [former New Jersey Nets All-Star] Kenyon Martin’s son.”

Sierra Canyon recently produced such NBA prospects as Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, widely expected to be one of the top picks in this month’s draft, so Bronny is in the right place if he hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps, as many have speculated he will.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Colin Kaepernick Just Said ‘No’

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Seattle Seahawks told Colin Kaepernick not to bother coming to a planned workout unless he promised he would NOT continue his kneeling protest … sources with knowledge of the situation tell TMZ Sports.

The Seahawks had invited Kaep to a workout roughly two weeks ago to potentially take a job as Russell Wilson’s backup QB, but the plans hit a snag on Thursday. The team reached out to Kaepernick with specific questions about his kneeling protest; and essentially wanted him to stipulate that if signed, he would NOT kneel during the 2018 season. In other words, the team wanted a guarantee Colin would stand during the anthem. Kaepernick would not agree to that stipulation so the Seahawks called off the workout, despite the fact travel plans had already been arranged.

There are reports the workout has been “postponed” and that the invitation is off the table.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson celebrates with defensive end Brandon Graham (55) and other players after winning the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Several Eagles Players Will Opt Out of White House Appearance

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson celebrates with defensive end Brandon Graham (55) and other players after winning the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson celebrates with defensive end Brandon Graham (55) and other players after winning the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Eagles won 41-33. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

President Trump may wind up withholding the White House invitation champions in each of the major American sports traditionally receive, once every member of the newly minted NFL champions decided on whether they would be willing to attend. Preliminary reports indicate that a number of Eagles players have already vowed to stay home should the team pay a visit to the nation’s capital.

During a recent appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast, defensive end Chris Long confirmed what many had already suspected about him considering he boycotted the White House visit as a member of last year’s Patriots team. “Are you kidding me?” Long responded when asked whether he’d be more willing to shake the President’s hand this time around.

It is expected that running back LeGarrette Blount, who, like Long, was a Patriot who boycotted the visit in 2017, will also skip out on the reception.

While there were no players kneeling prior to Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, safety Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver Torrey Smith did raise their fists in its conclusion. Jenkins and Torrey have been some of the most vocal demonstrators to pick up where Colin Kaepernick left off with his protests in 2016. They too had rejected the potential of participating in a White House ceremony, with Jenkins stating plainly, “Nah I personally do not anticipate attending.”

In this Friday, April 1, 2016 photo, Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry (30) pauses during an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Oakland, Calif. Though he moved on to the NBA long ago, March Madness is also Curry's world now. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Curry and Diddy Serious About Team Ownership

If you thought Diddy and Steph Curry buying The Panthers was a publicity stunt, you are very mistaken.

Ever since the NFL’s former owner, Jerry Richardson, lost his top spot following a sexual harassment investigation, there’s been a lot of industry talk about who will fill the position. Business mogul and hip-hop icon, Diddy, has been very open about his interest in owning the team. Along with a partnership with NBA MVP Steph Curry and athlete/social activist Colin Kaepernick.

TMZSports caught up Steph out on the town with wife, Ayesha, to get an update on the progress being made with their latest business venture. When asked, “Are we any closer to attaining this goal of being minority owners of The Panthers,” Curry admitted, “closer than we were yesterday.”

Sean Combs attends the Forbes 100th Anniversary Gala at Pier Sixty on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)

Sean Combs Making NFL Ownership Moves

Free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick hopes to join entertainer Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs in purchasing the Carolina Panthers from embattled founder Jerry Richardson, who recently announced his intention to sell the team following allegations of sexual harassment and racism.

 

‘I want in on the ownership group!’ Kaepernick tweeted Monday. ‘Let’s make it happen!’

On Sunday Combs said he wanted to buy the team and hire Kaepernick to play quarterback after a Sports Illustrated report documented wide-ranging claims of workplace misconduct against Richardson. Former Panthers employees spoke of lewd remarks, lingering gazes and inappropriate touching. On at least one occasion. Richardson was accused of directing a racial slur against an African-American employee.

The Panthers are currently valued at $2.3billion, meaning Combs with his estimated net worth of $820million would likely need partners – if his plan is in fact a serious one.

 

On that point, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry hopped on the bandwagon, tweeting at Combs: ‘I want in!’ ‘Holla at me, let’s get it!’ replied Combs. ‘Also, I will have the best halftime show, the best selection of music, and we will win Super Bowl after Super Bowl,’ Combs said. Combs touted his plan as history-making, tweeting: ‘There are no majority African American NFL owners. Let’s make history.’ ‘It’s time for diversity!! It’s time for Black ownership!!’ he wrote. While Richardson does plan to sell, negotiations are not imminent.