Sport

Sunil Gulati pulls some serious strings to help soccer in the US – Los Angeles Times

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Gianni Infantino was the big winner in Friday’s FIFA elections, becoming the ninth man chosen to run soccer’s global governing body in a taut six-hour vote that took two ballots to decide. But another man who wasn’t even in the race did almost as well. By switching his allegiance from Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein to Infantino between the two rounds of voting, then actively encouraging others to do…

Field of 39 cars at Atlanta smallest in nearly 20 years – ESPN

Saturday, February 27, 2016

1:25 PM ET print HAMPTON, Ga. — NASCAR will have its smallest Sprint Cup field in nearly 20 years when the Folds of Honor 500 goes green Sunday afternoon at Atlanta Motor Speedway. It is a sign of the times as “only” 39 cars will start the race in NASCAR’s new 40-car maximum field, cut from 43, which had been the maximum since 1998. The most recent race without a…

Hamlin hops atop final Atlanta practice – Nascar

Saturday, February 27, 2016

RELATED: Practice 2 results | Full lineup Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin launched to the top of the leaderboard Saturday in final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Hamlin pushed the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota to a fast lap of 188.450 mph on the 1.54-mile track in final preparation for Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM). Hamlin holds the 12th starting spot for the 500-miler, the series’ second race of…

NASCAR Fans Are Freaking Out Over Stewart-Haas Racing’s Switch From Chevy To Ford – Jalopnik

Saturday, February 27, 2016

In a surprising move this week, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series powerhouse Stewart-Haas Racing announced that they were moving from campaigning Chevrolets to Fords for 2017. Naturally, some NASCAR fans are coping with this news better than others. Why is this switch such a big deal? Stewart-Haas’ four-car effort has traditionally worked very, very closely with fellow Chevrolet team Hendrick Motorsports. Now, Stewart-Haas wants to become more self-sufficient. Team co-owner Tony…

NASCAR 2016: When, where to watch today’s practice, XFINITY and Truck races – cleveland.com

Saturday, February 27, 2016

CLEVELAND, Ohio — NASCAR 2016 is at Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend. Sprint Cup completes its final practice session today (11:30 a.m., Fox Sports 1), while the XFINITY and Camping World Truck series both have qualifying and races. The XFINITY Heads Up Georgia 250 begins at 1:30 with Fox Sports 1 coverage starting at 1. The Georgia 200 truck race is at 4:30 with coverage starting at 4 on Fox…

Will a new FIFA president end corruption in world soccer? Don’t bet on it. – Washington Post

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Gianni Infantino of Switzerland was elected the new president of FIFA. Don’t count on big changes. (EPA/ENNIO LEANZA) Would-be reformers in the Democratic Party this campaign season are feeling the Bern. Those of us hoping for a similar movement in world soccer, though, are more likely to simply feel burned by the vote Friday to elect Gianni Infantino as the new president of FIFA. That’s the sport’s governing body and…

Will a new FIFA president end corruption in world soccer? Don’t bet on it. – Washington Post

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Gianni Infantino of Switzerland was elected the new president of FIFA. Don’t count on big changes. (EPA/ENNIO LEANZA) Would-be reformers in the Democratic Party this campaign season are feeling the Bern. Those of us hoping for a similar movement in world soccer, though, are more likely to simply feel burned by the vote Friday to elect Gianni Infantino as the new president of FIFA. That’s the sport’s governing body and…

NASCAR Fans Are Freaking Out Over Stewart-Haas Racing’s Switch From Chevy To Ford – Jalopnik

Saturday, February 27, 2016

In a surprising move this week, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series powerhouse Stewart-Haas Racing announced that they were moving from campaigning Chevrolets to Fords for 2017. Naturally, some NASCAR fans are coping with this news better than others. Why is this switch such a big deal? Stewart-Haas’ four-car effort has traditionally worked very, very closely with fellow Chevrolet team Hendrick Motorsports. Now, Stewart-Haas wants to become more self-sufficient. Team co-owner Tony…

Kurt Busch on Atlanta pole after Kyle’s time disallowed – Nascar

Saturday, February 27, 2016

RELATED: Full starting lineup for Sunday’s race | Kyle fails inspection   HAMPTON, Ga. — Kurt Busch fell just short of beating brother Kyle Busch on the track during Friday’s time trials at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch covered the 1.54-mile distance in 28.925 seconds (191.668 mph) in the money round of knockout qualifying for Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), beating his older brother by .013 seconds. But the reigning…

Vermont’s claim to international hockey history – BurlingtonFreePress.com

Saturday, February 27, 2016

A promotional image for the Burlington winter carnival of 1886 showcases activities such as sledding, sleigh rides, skating and snowshoeing, but not hockey — the one event, in hindsight, that gave the event a slice of history.(Photo: COURTESY OF BRENNAN GAUTHIER) Today the games might have been cancelled. The conditions, as described by the Free Press, were anything but inviting: “A strong and piercing cold northwest wind prevailed during the…

Kurt Busch on Atlanta pole after Kyle’s time disallowed – Nascar

Saturday, February 27, 2016

RELATED: Full starting lineup for Sunday’s race | Kyle fails inspection   HAMPTON, Ga. — Kurt Busch fell just short of beating brother Kyle Busch on the track during Friday’s time trials at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch covered the 1.54-mile distance in 28.925 seconds (191.668 mph) in the money round of knockout qualifying for Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN), beating his older brother by .013 seconds. But the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series…

Soccer’s World Body Elects Gianni Infantino as President – ABC News

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Gianni Infantino is the new president of soccer’s corruption-scarred world governing body, winning election after promising national leaders of the sport that he would share the wealth from FIFA’s $5 billion World Cup revenues. Infantino was chosen on the second-ballot Friday to fill the unexpired term of longtime FIFA leader Sepp Blatter, who was forced out by the pressure of U.S. and Swiss investigations of bribery and corruption that emerged…

Tony Stewart makes surprise appearance at Atlanta – Nascar

Saturday, February 27, 2016

RELATED: Stewart hospitalized with back injury | Full ‘Smoke’ coverage   Tony Stewart is still rehabbing following back surgery for an injury sustained in a January all-terrain vehicle accident that has forced him to miss the start of his final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, but he has made a return to the race track.   The Stewart-Haas Racing driver/owner was spotted at Atlanta Motor Speedway speaking with interim driver Ty Dillon after the Coors Light Pole…

Kurt Busch on Atlanta pole after Kyle’s time disallowed – Nascar

Saturday, February 27, 2016

RELATED: Full starting lineup for Sunday’s race | Kyle fails inspection   HAMPTON, Ga. — Kurt Busch fell just short of beating brother Kyle Busch on the track during Friday’s time trials at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch covered the 1.54-mile distance in 28.925 seconds (191.668 mph) in the money round of knockout qualifying for Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN), beating his older brother by .013 seconds. But the reigning NASCAR Sprint Cup Series…

Johnson: Hendrick will adjust to SHR loss – Nascar

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Stewart-Haas Racing‘s blockbuster announcement of its impending move from Chevrolet to Ford in 2017 affects another NASCAR powerhouse — Hendrick Motorsports.   Six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is confident team owner Rick Hendrick will make the adjustment in the 10 months between Tuesday’s announcement and SHR’s departure from the engine and chassis deal that has been in place since Tony Stewart partnered with Gene Haas in 2009.   “It was certainly a…

Soccer’s World Body Elects Gianni Infantino as President – ABC News

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Gianni Infantino is the new president of soccer’s corruption-scarred world governing body, winning election after promising national leaders of the sport that he would share the wealth from FIFA’s $5 billion World Cup revenues. Infantino was chosen on the second-ballot Friday to fill the unexpired term of longtime FIFA leader Sepp Blatter, who was forced out by the pressure of U.S. and Swiss investigations of bribery and corruption that emerged…

How FIFA can keep making billions off soccer – Marketplace.org

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy with teammates after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time as FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and German Chancellor Angela Merkel look on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  – Martin Rose/Getty Images   FIFA, the international governing body for soccer, named a new president and…

Gianni Infantino Wins FIFA Presidency in Second-Ballot Surge – New York Times

Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Meet the hockey-loving model who found fame at NBA game – New York Post

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Alyssa Nelson’s appearance at the Miami Heat game Tuesday sparked an Internet frenzy. Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn Photo: Instagram/alyssanelsonmn 12 View Slideshow Dwyane Wade may have led the Heat to a victory over the Pacers on Tuesday, but a newly minted basketball fan sitting courtside was the night’s true MVP. “I’ve gotten…

NASCAR Drivers Compete To See Who’s Fastest On A Bike At Supercross – Jalopnik

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Seems like there are often NASCAR drivers in the pits and standing trackside at Supercross events, but this Saturday the two will pair for their first official partnership. And of course they’re making Danica hold the 30-second board. This week, Supercross takes place at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, and fans will get a special treat before the 450 class last chance qualifier. Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Ty Dillon, and…