
Matt Kuchar and Jason Day at the Grant Thornton Invitational. Getty Images Hello, friends, and welcome to a Gulf Coast edition of the Rogers Report! I’m currently at the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, the second stop on my own personal “Florida Swing”. I started my week at GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers Summit at Cabot Citrus Farms, where I got to meet (and seek advice from) the best golf instructors on the planet. Then I made the three-and-a-half hour drive to Naples to attend the second iteration of (and my first-ever) Grant Thornton Invitational. A post shared by GOLF.com // GOLF Magazine (@golf_com) Major season may be long over, folks, but please allow me to explain why the next two weeks are some of the best in golf. But before we get that, some personal news: The TGL broadcast team was announced on Thursday morning, and I’ll be serving as a digital host for the league! I’m so excited for it, and of course, you’ll get the full debrief right here at the Rogers Report come January. 🎤 Meet the team setting the scene all season long, starting January 7: @ESPN broadcast: @notthefakeSVP , @MattBarrie & @MartySmithESPN Digital Hosts: @websterontv & @kclairerogers In-Venue MC: @RogerSteeleJr DJ: @IRIE On Field Referee: Derrick Stafford Booth Official: Mark... pic.twitter.com/LdZXIu9mZg The Grant Thornton Invitational-PNC Championship back-to-back: the most underrated weeks in golf? I know, I know, it’s the “offseason.” The CME Tour Championship and Tour Championship are behind us. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore the golf. This week, LPGA and PGA Tour pros are teaming up at the Grant Thornton, meaning we will get a ton of good content, like when Disney Channel had those crossover episodes when we were kids. As much as I love watching PGA Tour events and LPGA Tour events on their own, there’s something special about players from each coming together for a week. It’s definitely a competitive atmosphere at Tiburon, but a big part of it leans into bonding and fun. The pros’ personalities are going to be on display in ways we aren’t usually used to over the next few weeks. Team events tend to bring these out, and the Grant Thornton is no exception. Same thing with the PNC Championship. The pros may be at work, but in a “bring-your-kid-to-work” kind of way. It’s more about the shared experience than anything else. So make sure you’re paying attention to social media over the next 10 days or so, because I have a feeling we are going to get some hilarious, wholesome and fun content from both he Grant Thornton and the PNC. (Remember, Tiger’s “big dog” meme originated at the PNC.) This last note really only applies to those who attend the Grant Thornton and/or PNC Championship, but I’ve learned there are few things I enjoy more than being at a Ritz-Carlton golf course, especially near the holidays. There are endless places to explore, and you can’t beat the food or clubhouse. Kuch and Kang’s hilarious quiz Remember when I said we’d get some great crossover content this week at the Grant Thornton? Megan Khang and Matt Kuchar kicked things off with an incredible back-and-forth while 27-year-old Khang quizzed her 46-year-old teammate on some Gen-Z slang. Do yourself a favor and check out this hilarious video. Bussin. This gen-z slang quiz with @megan_khang1023 and Matt Kuchar exceeded all our expectations 😂 @PGATOUR | @gtinvitational pic.twitter.com/zVh0F3dYyB Kuchar delivered; he’s is the ultimate dad in this video, excitedly putting his own spin on every phrase despite being spectacularly wrong. I’m actually impressed that while Kuchar went zero-for-six here, he was able to come up with an answer for each and every term. Kuch, it might be time to ask for some Gen-Z slang lessons from your sons. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to help you out. A wholesome press conference My favorite part of Thursday at the Grant Thornton Invitational was Lydia Ko and Jason Day’s press conference. It’s clear the defending champions are giddy to be back, but it’s even more clear how much Day and Ko respect and admire each other. A few excerpts from the transcript: Day: I’ve heard numerous — actually, a lot of stories about how she’s one of the nicest people on the LPGA and obviously I think a lot of people know that by now. Pure class on and off the golf course. Ko: I remember Jessica Korda was like, oh, you’re playing with Jason, right? She was like, you’re playing with the nicest person in the world, you guys are going to be the nicest team. Ko: When I played the Tour Championship a few weeks ago, I was like, man, it would be nice if I had a partner like Jason, it would just make my life a lot easier. Day: I’m a massive fan of Lydia and her game. More so as a person as well, she’s tremendous. Ko: I actually told multiple people this, of all the players I’ve played with, Jason’s game, whether it was ball-striking, with the driver, iron, wedges and putting overall was actually the best player I’ve seen. Folks, find a golf partner who will hype you up the way Jason Day and Lydia Ko hype you up. Even if you don’t have a fraction of the talent they do. Latest In News Golf.com EditorCOLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said Thursday that he is "absolutely" confident that Ryan Day will be back as football coach in 2025. Calls to fire the sixth-year coach rose among Ohio State fans after the Buckeyes lost to Michigan for the fourth straight year. Bjork, in an interview on 97.1 The Fan, said Day is the man for the job, regardless of how the Buckeyes perform in the College Football Playoff. They host Tennessee in a first-round game Dec. 21. "Coach Day is awesome," said Bjork, who came from Texas A&M to replace the retiring Gene Smith last summer. "He's great to work with. He totally gets it. He loves being a Buckeye. So, we're going to support him at the highest level." The 13-10 loss to Michigan followed by an ugly melee between the teams put the coach in a precarious spot. He and his team were booed off the field by the home fans. Bjork ended up releasing a statement expressing his support for the coach. People are also reading... "The reason we had to say something after (the Michigan) game is, we're still breathing, we're still alive," Bjork said. "The season's not over. The book is not closed." Thanks to the playoff, Day has a chance to redeem himself with Ohio State's huge fanbase with a win against the Volunteers — and perhaps more in the 12-team tournament. Regardless of what happens, Day will be back next year, according to Bjork. "Coach Day and I just hit it off so well," Bjork said. "I've been really, really impressed. Every single time I talked to him, I learn something. He's innovative. He recruits at the highest level. He's got a great staff." Day wouldn't directly address his job status last weekend. "When you first come off those types of things, there's a lot of emotion," he said, referring to the Michigan loss. "And then as time goes on, you've got to get refocused because you know what you've done in the past does not affect what's going on moving forward. Everything is out in front of us." Failing to consistently beat Michigan is one of the few flaws in Day's coaching record. Hired as a member of coach Urban Meyer's staff in 2017, Day was the hand-picked successor when Meyer retired after the 2018 season. Compiling an overall 66-10 record, he is widely admired in the coaching community. "Great respect for what he's done in his coaching career, what he's done there at Ohio State and the success that they've had year-in and year-out," Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said. Day is in trouble now because losing The Game is considered an unforgiveable sin by Buckeyes fans. "What we have to do is this whole 'championship or bust' mentality, you want that as the goal, but it has to be about the process," Bjork said. "To me, we've got to maybe change some conversations a little bit. I think we need to maybe just approach things a little bit differently." Be the first to know
First-ever athlete and fan-owned network boasts 2,200 Fan Owners and 70+ superstar athlete investors and partners by the likes of Chris Paul , Travis Kelce , Dwayne Wade , Chiney Ogwumike, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard , Natasha Cloud , Alysha Clark , Carmelo Anthony , and many more LOS ANGELES , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayersTV , the first athlete and fan-owned media company, today announced the acquisition of Cloud Media Center , an AI-driven sports adtech and media distribution company. This strategic year-end move boosts PlayersTV's reach to a total of 500 million monthly ad impressions, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in athlete-driven lifestyle entertainment while broadening its ability to connect with advertiser and inventory networks. PlayersTV empowers athletes to control their narratives while giving brands access to engagement opportunities with an expansive global audience. It is known for its groundbreaking athlete-fan ownership model, supported by more than 70 high-profile athlete investors and partners across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB, and a community of more than 2,200 Fan Owners (shareholders in the company). The network features high-profile athletes, including Travis Kelce , Chris Paul , Damian Lillard , Dwyane Wade , Chiney Ogwumike, Carmelo Anthony , Allen Iverson , Natasha Cloud , Kyrie Irving, Ken Griffey, Jr. , Vernon Davis , Austin Ekeler , DeAndre Jordan , CJ McCollum, AJ Andrews, Angel McCoughtry , Alysha Clark , and more. PlayersTV currently reaches more than 300 million households via OTT and CTV via DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo . Its proprietary ad network called Players360 generates an additional 500 million monthly ad impressions. Through the acquisition of Cloud Media Center, PlayersTV now owns technologies responsible for more than 1 billion combined monthly ad impressions. "This is a transformative moment for PlayersTV and the future of sports media," said Deron Guidrey , co-founder of PlayersTV. "The acquisition of Cloud Media Center catapults us into a new era of innovation, expanding our reach to an astounding 500 million monthly ad impressions. With cutting-edge AI technology now at the core of our operations, we are setting the gold standard for athlete-driven media, revolutionizing how athletes connect with fans and how brands engage with audiences worldwide. This is more than an acquisition, it's a declaration of our vision to lead the global sports media industry." PlayersTV Co-founder Collin Castellaw added, "This acquisition is a monumental step forward for our organization. By integrating Cloud Media Center's AI-driven tech we're significantly expanding our reach while revolutionizing how athletes and sports content is created, distributed and consumed. This is an exciting time for our company and the future of athlete media and sports media." Cloud Media Center's innovative platform brings state-of-the-art AI technology to PlayersTV, enabling more precise audience targeting, dynamic content distribution, and scalable adtech. With this acquisition, PlayersTV is poised to deliver highly personalized and impactful content experiences, meeting the growing demand for athlete-centered stories and authentic fan connections. About PlayersTV PlayersTV is the first-ever athlete-owned media network and content provider. As the premier athlete lifestyle content destination, PlayersTV empowers athletes to own their stories while engaging fans with authentic and meaningful connections, bridging the worlds of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. PlayersTV's 24/7 channel can be found on DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo . See more at https://playerstv.com/ . About Cloud Media Center Cloud Media Center (CMC), based in Ponte Vedra, FL , sells digital advertising inventory through a cloud-based, analytically driven distribution platform that seamlessly connects advertisers with content providers and publishers. The result maximizes collaboration — unleashing next-level ad campaign synergies. CMC's next-gen platform and best-in-class dashboards — built by next-generation premier developers — provide AI-based microtargeting on the frontend, and real-time, easy-to-understand analytics on the back end. Content producers, advertisers, and publishers will have all the tools and data needed to optimize campaigns — and do it with speed and granular accuracy. Visit the CMC website at https://cloudmc.us/ . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/playerstv-acquires-cloud-media-center-integrates-sports-ai-ad-technology-to-surpass-1b-monthly-impressions-302337699.html SOURCE PlayersTV
The 2024 fire season cost Oregon emergency response agencies nearly $350 million, and the state leaders are struggling to find a way to cover outstanding bills. Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday following reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting that she’ll call a special session of the Legislature on Dec. 12 to appropriate at least $218 million from the state’s general fund to cover remaining fire costs. Lawmakers will already be at the Capitol for committee hearings during that time. More than half of the $350 million in outstanding debts will eventually be covered by disaster relief funds from the federal government, according to a news release from Kotek’s office, but the state wants to pay those owed as soon as possible. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, explained that it’s about ensuring state agencies don’t burn bridges with private contractors who stepped in to help with fire prevention or response work this year. “We contracted with people, and we are obligated to pay them, and we will want many of those people to bring their machines, their aircraft, their bodies back next fire season,” Marsh said. Nearly 2 million acres burned this summer and fall — more than three times the 10-year average — mostly in eastern Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute . More than one-third of all acres burned have been on private land, and about 62% was on federal land. At least 42 homes and 132 other structures were burned. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal wildfire reimbursements to California as a form of political gamesmanship. Asked whether Kotek is seeking more money to prepare for potential federal withholding, Anca Matica, a Kotek spokesperson, said it’s not part of the current issue being solved by the special session. “The state needs to pay its bills as expeditiously as possible,” Matica said in an email. Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to wildfire threats and invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act a record 17 times. This mobilized structural firefighting resources coordinated by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office to local communities. The state fire marshal is on the hook for more than $200 million of the $218 million owed by the state to contractors. Incoming House Republican leader Christine Drazan of Canby expressed frustration in a news release that Kotek did not talk with her or her peers before announcing the special session, but she said Republicans are willing to work cooperatively to solve the funding issues. Drazan lost the 2022 gubernatorial race to Kotek, and the two frequently butted heads in the House when Kotek served as speaker and Drazan as minority leader. “Evidently, the Governor will be communicating via press release rather than a phone call. That is her prerogative,” Drazan said. “Despite this bizarre approach to leadership, Republicans welcome the opportunity to solve this problem by ensuring the people who work to protect Oregon communities during wildfire season are paid for their service.” The Department of Administrative Services, responsible for tracking spending, did not respond to a request for a list of outstanding payments from the wildfire season by Tuesday afternoon. Fire agencies already got $47.5 million from the Legislature’s Emergency Board in September to cover some outstanding costs, and the Oregon State Treasury rejected the Department of Forestry’s request for a $60 million loan last month, according to reporting from Willamette Week. Wildfire protection and response costs in Oregon are generally split between private and public forest and range landowners and Oregonians via the state’s general fund. Costs for 2024 were projected to be about $136 million. “Fighting wildfires of the magnitude we saw this season required a tremendous level of resources that even wildfire experts couldn’t foresee,” said House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, in a statement. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com . Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X .From a design perspective, the powder blue skin can be seen as a bold experiment in pushing the boundaries of traditional color schemes in games. The unexpected combination of powder blue and pink challenges players' preconceptions of what an Assassin's Creed skin should look like, inviting them to see the game in a new light. It represents a departure from the norm and a willingness to take risks in order to create something fresh and innovative.
In conclusion, the full rollout of personal pension plans represents a significant step forward in the realm of retirement planning. By seizing the new opportunity to open accounts and make contributions towards their personal pension plans, individuals can take control of their financial future and secure a comfortable retirement. With careful planning, diligent saving, and strategic investment, individuals can set themselves up for a prosperous and fulfilling retirement ahead.Title: Zhao Lusi Comforts Bullied Fans: Spreading Warmth and Strength
At the Tokyo Olympics, the world witnessed a historic moment as Zheng Qianwen, a relatively unknown Chinese player ranked outside the top 100, faced off against the formidable Elina Svitolina, a top-10 player and Olympic bronze medalist. Despite the odds stacked against her, Zheng Qianwen delivered a flawless performance on the court, showcasing her skill, determination, and fighting spirit to claim a breathtaking victory over the Ukrainian star.The UK Championship, one of snooker's most prestigious events, witnessed Trump at his scintillating best. Displaying a combination of precision potting, strategic brilliance, and flawless cue action, he outplayed the competition and emerged victorious in a tournament filled with the top players from around the globe. His performance was a testament to his skill, composure under pressure, and sheer determination to succeed on the biggest stage.Women are more likely to need walking sticks, wheelchairs and other mobility aids compared to men, but they are less likely to use them, according to a study. And single people are more likely to use mobility tools compared to those who are married, according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Researchers looked at information from a group of more than 12,000 adults in England aged 50 to 89 who were tracked over a 13-year period. At the start of the study, 8,225 adults had no mobility difficulty and did not use mobility assistive products (MAPs). Some 2,480 were deemed to have “unmet need” and 1,375 were using mobility aids. During the follow-up period, there were 2,313 “transitions” where people went from having no mobility issues to needing some help with getting around. And 1,274 people started to use mobility aids. Compared with men, women were 49% more likely to transition from not needing mobility aids to needing to use them, according to the study which has been published in The Lancet Public Health. But were 21% less likely to go on to use mobility aids when they needed them. The authors said their study showed “barriers to access” for women. For both men and women, with every year that passed during the study period the need for mobility aids increased. People who were older, less educated, less wealthy or reported being disabled were more likely to “transition from no need to unmet need, and from unmet need to use”, the authors said, with this indicating a “higher prevalence of mobility limitations and MAP need overall among these groups”. They added: “Finally, marital or partnership status was not associated with transitioning to unmet need; however, single people were more likely to transition from unmet need to use compared with married or partnered people.” Jamie Danemayer, first author of the study from UCL Computer Science and UCL’s Global Disability Innovation Hub, said: “Our analysis suggests that there is a clear gender gap in access to mobility aids. “Though our data didn’t ascertain the reason why participants weren’t using mobility aids, other research tells us that women are often more likely than men to face obstacles such as cost barriers as a result of well-documented income disparities between genders. “Many mobility aids are designed for men rather than women, which we think may be a factor. “Using mobility aids can also make a disability visible, which can impact the safety and stigma experienced by women, in particular. “There’s a critical need for further research to identify and break down the barriers preventing women from accessing mobility aids that would improve their quality of life.” Professor Cathy Holloway, also from UCL, added: “Not having access to mobility aids when a person needs one can have a big impact on their independence, well-being and quality of life. “Our analysis suggests that women, in particular, regardless of other factors such as education and employment status, are not getting the support that they need.” Professor Shereen Hussein, senior author of the study and lead of the social care group at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “The research provides compelling evidence of gender disparities in accessing assistive technology, suggesting that cost, design bias, and social stigma are likely to disproportionally affect women. “This underscores the need for inclusive, gender-sensitive approaches in the design, production and inclusivity of assistive technologies.”
Pep Guardiola laments Man City's inability to win games as their winless run is extended to SIX matches after surrendering a three-goal lead in the last 15 minutes against Feyenoord Manchester City threw away a three-goal lead against Feyenoord on Tuesday Pep Guardiola's winless run extended to six games after the disappointing draw Liverpool correspondent LEWIS STEELE tells all on bombshell chat with Mo Salah - LISTEN NOW to It's All Kicking Off! New episodes every Monday and Thursday By AADAM PATEL Published: 23:50 GMT, 26 November 2024 | Updated: 23:50 GMT, 26 November 2024 e-mail View comments Pep Guardiola bemoaned his Manchester City side's inability to win games after they blew a 3-0 lead against Feyenoord, to make it six games without a win in all competitions. ‘We are not able to win games, admitted Guardiola. ‘As a team, always we find a way over the years. Right now, in another situation, nothing happens.' Asked about a cut on his nose and various red marks on his head in his post-match press conference, Guardiola joked that he wanted to hurt himself as he watched his side capitulate. ‘Yes, it's from my nail on my finger,' he said. 'I cut myself with my fingernail (during the game). I want to hurt myself.’ Feyenoord scored three goals in 14 second-half minutes to stun City, who ended their five game losing streak but go into Sunday’s clash against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Anfield, without a win in over a month. ‘It was not necessary to say anything to them - they know it perfectly,’ said Guardiola, when asked what he said to his players. ‘Three episodes and they (Feyenoord) didn’t allow us to win. It is what it is and so difficult to swallow. It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it. We have to lift them (for Anfield). I have to lift my players. It is my job.' Pep Guardiola watched on in horror as his side surrendered a three-goal advantage against Feyenoord City's winless run in all competitions extended to six games after their Etihad capitulation Feyenoord mounted an incredible comeback to recover in the final 15 minutes of the thrilling clash With City three goals up, Guardiola made a triple change in the 69th minute bringing on Kevin De Bruyne, James McAtee and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and the City boss admitted that he thought the game was over. ‘Nathan (Ake) came off with 20 minutes left and I didn't have the feeling of a game in danger. Nathan has been injured many times. We didn’t want to expose him for 90 minutes. Ilkay (Gundogan) is the only fit holding midfielder we have and Phil (Foden) plays a lot of minutes,’ Guardiola said. ‘I did it for Kevin (De Bruyne) to get rhythm in the best way and Macca (McAtee) and Jahmai (Simpson-Pusey) are always so stable. In the moment, it was completely fine.' Asked about the boos at full-time from a section of City supporters, Guardiola insisted that he understood why. ‘They are disappointed. Of course we understand it. They come here not to remember the success in the past, but to see the team win,’ he said. The draw leaves City 15th in the Champions League standings, with eight points from five games and games against Juventus, PSG and Club Brugge remaining. City have also conceded two or more goals in six successive matches in all competitions for the first time since May 1963. Meanwhile, Feyenoord boss Brian Priske hailed his players for their mentality but insisted that City are still the best team in the world. ‘It was an unbelievable game and an unbelievable evening facing, still for me, the best team in the world, said Priske. ‘Obviously they are struggling in elements at the moment, even though they were leading 3-0. They gave away three key moments that we exploited at the end. It was a remarkable effort and mentality from our boys. After 3-1 I definitely felt that my boys were ready for this and then when they got 3-2 we felt that there was maybe something in the air tonight.’ Pep Guardiola Liverpool Share or comment on this article: Pep Guardiola laments Man City's inability to win games as their winless run is extended to SIX matches after surrendering a three-goal lead in the last 15 minutes against Feyenoord e-mail Add commentStock market today: Dow hits record as Trump's pick for Treasury stokes optimism
Bjork is 'absolutely' confident that Day will return next year at Ohio State
As the search for Yoo Byung-eun intensifies, it is crucial for the South Korean authorities to remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice. The resolution passed by the National Assembly serves as a catalyst for renewed efforts to apprehend Yoo Byung-eun and bring closure to the victims and their families. It also signifies a turning point in the country's commitment to upholding the principles of justice and accountability in the face of adversity.