It Takes A TRIBE
MLS is Back, Hoop Problems, DJAX, 25 Job Links and More than 25 Great Links
Greetings and Salutations, I want to thank each and every one of you for spending even a second reading this newsletter. Although subscriptions have plateaued over the past few weeks, I’m still seeing solid engagement and reads even from GMAIL’s promotion tabs.
This weekend got punted away for the Holiday and some getaway driving so there’s not much to announce new with the project. I did try organizing the links better to make them less overwhelming. I’m also continuing to check into various newsletters and hacker groups. Branding is coming soon.
Either way, it takes a tribe to really build this audience. Therefore, I ask you all to please forward this to one person who cares about sports and shares a West Coast State of Mind. I spent 10 hours on the internet in hopes you all have better conversations about sports where ever you get your beverages or shoot the breeze.
Moreover, I’m always open to feedback. Simply reply to this message and tell me what you hate, love and why you subscribe. Thanks again for the read and have a great week.
Sincerely,
Pete D. Camarillo AKA a man who misses listening to Mason and Ireland on his commute.
P.S. Sorry, my link broke.
They Brought MLS Back
MLS is Back Tournament kicks off from Orlando at 5 p.m. PST. No schedule has been set yet for the remaining regular season. The Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes start the West Coast’s game slate on Friday at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Other Games to Note This Week:
7/13 LAFC vs Houston at 5:00 p.m. on FS1
7/13 L.A. Galaxy vs Portland Timbers at 7:30 p.m. on FS1
7/15 Vancouver vs Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. PST on TUDN
Don’t forget FC Dallas pulled out of the tournament because of too many virus cases while Nashville SC had games postponed due to their own scare.
Moreover, LAFC will be without their MVP as forward Carlos Vela opted out of the tournament while his wife is pregnant. The club supported his decision despite his value. He has scored 57 goals in 72 appearances. Even without Vela, LAFC is +450 favorites to win the tournament.
MORE WEST COAST ANGLES: Otherwise, the Earthquakes will be without defender Marcos Lopez for at least two weeks due to an appendectomy on Tuesday. Galaxy midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos will also miss the tourney due to recovery from hernia surgery. However, the Galaxy will feature Javier ‘Chicarito” Hernandez who officially opted in this week.
P.S. Data says no fans could impact games.
26 on the 24th
The MLB released its “Opening Day” schedule.
More Games of Note From the West Coast on July 24th:
San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers at 6:40 p.m.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres at 6:10 p.m.
Seattle Mariners vs Houston Astros at 6:10 p.m.
L.A. Angels vs Oakland A’s at 7:10 p.m. on ESPN
PLAYERS IN-N-OUT
Several Dodgers players and Angels players didn’t report to their respective camps without an explanation.
Pitcher David Price is opting out of the season along with former Mariners pitcher and current Braves pitcher Felix Fernandez.
Angels star Mike Trout is worried about safety and his mom reminded everyone to wear a mask this week.
Otherwise, Clayton Kershaw is expected to make his 9th opening day start for the Dodgers while his new teammate Mookie Betts still doesn’t regret leaving money on the table.
The Giants registered more positive tests and considered relocating practice to San Jose.
An A’s rookie was confirmed as positive for COVID-19.
The House Doesn’t Always Win
Despite COVID-19 confirmed tests increasing, the NHL announced their timeline for a postseason return. They also added four years of labor peace, extending their CBA until the 2025-26 season.
Restart Deets:
7/13 Teams begin formal training camps
7/26 Teams travel to hub cities
8/1 Restart begins with the qualifying round
However, there’s no official word on what cities will host. Reports indicate they will both be in Canada, where the virus is better contained. The Western Conference is expected to play in Edmonton while Toronto will host the Eastern Conference.
FAIR OR FOUL: This is despite Vegas being the favorite to host for a few weeks. However, SIn City is reportedly out of consideration due to tests increasing an unfair perception.
Hoops Screams
WNBA squads touched down in Orlando and reviews were mixed. Social media pointed out their lack of amenities including a sketchy laundry room. ESPN and others pointed out the discrepancy compared to the NBA counterparts.
NBA teams started arriving in their bubble the following day. The NBA meals weren’t anymore picture perfect. However, these are expected to improve after the initial quarantine phase.
BUBBLE GROWING: Still, several NBA players like Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony and C.J. McCullum killed any speculation they wouldn’t participate. Melo wants to keep hooping and Dwight is donating his bubble salary.
Still, Blazers forward Caleb Swanigan did say he’d skip the bubble while Avery Bradley said he’s not thinking about the Lakers ring he might miss. L.A. Native and Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan went on Bubble too.
Clowney-thon Continues
Free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney continues to have a rough offseason. It appears the Cleveland Browns, the front runners to land the former Seahawks player due to their cap space, pulled out their interest in the 2014 No. 1 pick.
Reports indicate the 27-year-old returning to Seattle for a short-term deal becomes more likely as the offseason goes on.
VEGAS ENTERS THE CHAT: Other rumors say the Las Vegas Raiders placed their bet on Clowney with a serious offer. However, they have significantly less cap space than the Seahawks or Browns. It remains to be seen if they can net the player once taken over former franchise player Khalil Mack.
No More Stadium News in L.A.
Los Angeles Stadium news popped up this week. On one hand, SoFi Stadium hung the 22-million pound scoreboard and video screen. On the other hand, the project has caused 25-total COVID-19 cases.
Not to mention, the NFL changed the opening preseason game to feature the Chargers hosting the Rams as the NFL’s debut. You might remember the Rams built the place and the Chargers are largely considered the B-team. Awkward.
A FEW MILES AND SOME TRAFFIC AWAY: Dodger Stadium got some bad news as the 2020 MLB All-Star Game was canceled. It’s the first time an All-Star Game has been canceled since World War II. L.A. will host the game’s 2022 edition instead.
DJAX Caught Slippin’
Eagles receiver Desean Jackson, L.A. Native and Berkley alumni, got dragged online for sharing anti-Semitic quotes. Jackson shared quotes attributed to Hitler and issued several apologies on Social Media since.
IT GETS WORSE: The Eagles Owner and GM are both Jewish. The organization released a statement saying they spoke with Jackson and it doesn’t appear there will be any direct discipline. However, to be determined if he makes the roster since Jackson missed most of last year, his second stint with Philly.
Other PPP Loans
The Big3 ($1.6 million), Seattle Sounders (Between $2-2.5 mill.), Mayweather Productions (up to $1 million), and Golden Boy Productions (up to $1 million) received Paycheck Protection Program loans, according to S.I. These loans were designed to help small firms cope with the economic impact of COVID-19.
SILVER LINING: No team from the NHL, NBA, MLB or NFL applied.
Quick West Coast Sports Social Justice Catch-Up
The NBA approved messages for their jerseys. Players like formers Clippers player Mike Scott grew frustrated at the limitations of the approved statements.
Meanwhile, the WNBA agreed to feature the names of women who died due to police brutality or racial violence. Players will also wear warm-ups featuring the phrases that support the movement.
The NFL canceled half the preseason but announced they’ll play "Lift Every Voice and Sing," commonly known as the Black national anthem, before the National Anthem during Week One.
As a team, the Sounders decided to rock BLM shirts for their trip to Orlando.
Players like the A’s Edwin Jackson and Giants’ Jaylin Davis opened up about the challenges of being a Black ballplayer.
More West Coast Reads
OREGON AND WASHINGTON
CALIFORNIA
LeBron and David Fizdale among leaders to convert NBA arenas to major polling stations.
Michael Thomas said players should sit out if NFL escrows salaries.
Quarantine 50: Get on that Joe Staley Diet.
NEVADA
Henderson okays 1.2 million practice facility for a minor league affiliate.
Chargers and Raiders must deal with Pat Mahomes 12 more years.
WEST COAST SPORTS JOBS
CALIFORNIA
Librarian & Data Entry Coordinator, Regional Sports Networks
Content Partnerships and Brand Development, Comcast Spectacor Gaming
OREGON AND WASHINGTON
NEVADA
REMOTE
ONE MORE WEST COAST VIBE
If you aren’t familiar with the late and gone too soon rapper Pop Smoke, here’s a cool introduction. Technically, Tyga is the only West Coast versus on the song.
However, the song’s beat got a West Coast funky feel along with punchlines and Ad-libs you might expect from Quavo or Tyga.
The posthumous also features West Coast Cameos from Roddy Rich and Swae Lee.
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