Aitana Bonmatí Named Best Sportswoman at Laureus World Sports Awards

Aitana Bonmatí has earned a special recognition…

Winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards have been revealed, with the 26-year-old Spanish professional footballer – a midfielder for the Spanish national women’s soccer team and Liga F club Barcelona – named best sportswoman.

Aitana BonmatíBonmati and her Spanish teammates, who won Spain’s first-ever Women’s World Cup last year, were chosen as world team of the year for 2023.

Novak Djokovic received the sportsman of the year at the ceremony in Madrid, and American gymnast Simone Biles was given the comeback of the year award.

Real Madrid forward Jude Bellingham earned the breakthrough prize, and Rafael Nadal won the sport for good award thanks to his foundation.

The Spanish women’s World Cup breakthrough last August in New Zealand and Australia was tarnished in the following weeks because of an unwanted kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso by then-federation president Luis Rubiales after the final.

Laureus rewarded Spain as the first all-female team to win the team award.

Before the World Cup, Bonmatí also helped Barcelona win a second Women’s Champions League.

She’s the first female soccer player to win the Laureus, after also receiving the Ballon d’Or and FIFA best player award.

“I want to thank all my teammates and the staff of my club and national team who have helped me a lot, and because of them I am here today,” Bonmati said.

Djokovic won his record-equaling fifth Laureus sportsman award — tying Roger Federer — after titles at the Australian Open, French Open and U.S. Open to reach a record 24 Grand Slam singles triumphs. NFL great Tom Brady presented Djokovic the award.

Biles made a record-breaking return to competition last year when she won four gold medals at the world championships, including a record sixth all-around title.

Nadal’s foundation was rewarded for helping more than “1,000 vulnerable young people in Spain and India,” according to Laureus.

Teenager Arisa Trew won the action sportsperson award after becoming the first female skateboarder to land a 720 in competition.

Dutch wheelchair player Diede de Groot was selected as the sportsperson of the year with a disability after winning her third straight calendar tennis Grand Slam.

Marc Anthony Buys E1 Electric Powerboating Team in Miami

It’s smooth racing for Marc Anthony

The 55-year-old Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and actor has expanded his sport-related empire by becoming the owner of the new E1 electric race boat championship Team Miami.

Marc-AnthonyAnthony, a minority owner of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and owner of the artists and athletes agency Magnus Media, joins a star-studded line-up of E1 team owners that includes Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, Steve Aoki, Sergio Perez, Didier Drogba and Virat Kohli.

Their respective teams will compete in the first-ever E1 event next February 2-3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. E1 is the first electric raceboat championship sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), the world governing body of powerboating, and promotes a racing series powered solely by electric, and based on clean technologies to protect our waters and coastal areas.

Marc Anthony, E1, Team MiamiIn addition to owning the new team, Anthony and Magnus will also host E1 in the U.S in a 2025 Miami event that will include races, the Acceleration Festival fan village and a star-studded live concert.

“It is going to be a couple of days of culture, entertainment, style, sexiness, just the right amount of danger,” says Anthony in a video released on Monday (December 18). “It’s a blank canvas. I’m making every phone call. I’m starting now for what’s going to happen in 2025.”

While Anthony is first and foremost a music star, he has stakes in many ventures, including a minority ownership in the NFL’s Dolphins. That experience in particular has helped him understand the intricacies of running a team and provided him with the macro view of launching a championship and making the experience as “exhilarating” as possible, he says.

“It wasn’t only just owning the Miami Dolphins,” he says in the announcement video. “It was the stadium and the 300 acres around it. I see it the same way. I’m interested in finding a way that the race experience […]is as eventful as possible and quality and hair-raising.”

Felipe Pimiento, COO of Magnus added: “This is a very exciting venture for us at Magnus. It continues to solidify our footprint in the sports world at various levels.” Anthony joins a list of hugely influential owners that E1’s founders hope will help amplify E1 presence and awareness.

“E1’s list of owners exemplifies how our championship’s strategy is leading the way in sport marketing, and we are thrilled to have Marc join our roster of global icons,” says Rodi Basso, CEO and co-founder of E1.

“It’s a great sign for the future of E1 that we are already speaking about our season 2 destinations, and with Marc bringing our championship to Miami, I could think of no finer place for E1 to make its United States debut,” adds Alejandro Agag, Chairman and co-founder of E1.

Dave Canales to Serve as Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Offensive Coordinator

Dave Canales is going on the offensive

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired the 41-year-old Latino football coach and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback coach as their new offensive coordinator, the team announced Thursday.

Dave Canales,The move comes two days after he interviewed with the team.

Canales was the 10th candidate to interview with Tampa Bay for the position since the team fired Byron Leftwich after four seasons on Jan. 19.

“Dave has done a great job in a variety of roles with Seattle the past 13 years and he brings a passion for coaching and an energy level that players just seem to respond to,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said in a statement. “He has played a significant part in the development and growth of many Seahawks players who have contributed to their offensive success over the past decade, and I look forward to seeing what he will do with our players on offense.”

Canales had been with the Seahawks since 2010, first as their wide receivers coach, followed by quarterbacks coach (2018-19), passing game coordinator (2020-21) and then quarterbacks coach again (2022).

Prior to Seattle, Canales was an assistant strength coach at USC in 2009, a special teams/tight ends coach at El Camino College (Calif.) from 2006 to 2008 and the offensive coordinator at Carson High School (Calif.) from 2004-05.

Before he started coaching, he played wide receiver and defensive back at Azusa Pacific University.

Seahawks general manager John Schneider said Thursday on Seattle Sports Radio 710 AM that Brad Idzik will be following Canales to Tampa Bay to be the Buccaneers’ wide receivers coach. Idzik has been on Seattle’s staff since 2019, most recently as the assistant wide receivers coach.

Bowles, who is moving into his second season with the Bucs after an 8-9 finish in 2022, still has coaching vacancies at the quarterback and running back positions. After Tom Brady‘s retirement, the Bucs also currently have just one quarterback under contract in Kyle Trask, who saw regular-season action for the first time this past season.

Other coaches the Bucs interviewed for the offensive coordinator job include former Georgia OC Todd Monken (who was hired by the Baltimore Ravens this week); Detroit Lions assistant head coach/running backs coach Scottie MontgomeryLos Angeles Rams assistant head coach/tight ends coach Thomas BrownCincinnati Bengals quarterbacks coach Dan PitcherNew Orleans Saints passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ronald CurryNew York Giants quarterbacks coach Shea TierneyJacksonville Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob CooterMinnesota Vikings wide receivers coach and former Buccaneer Keenan McCardell; and Denver Broncos passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Gloria Estefan Among All-Star Singers Appearing on New Single “Gonna Be You”

Gloria Estefan is teaming up with fellow icons for a special single…

The 65-year-old Cuban Grammy-winning singer/songwriter is joining voices with Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper and Debbie Harry for the new single “Gonna Be You.”

Gloria EstefanThe Diane Warren-penned track will be released on January 20 in advance of the upcoming Paramount Pictures road trip comedy 80 For Brady.

“When I wrote ‘Gonna Be You’ for 80 FOR BRADY, I wanted to write a song that celebrated these women’s deep friendship,” said Warren in a statement. “Since 80 was in the title I got a crazy idea, why not get some of the most iconic singers from the 80s, who are still amazing and always will be, to all sing it?!!!! Everyone I approached said yes and was just as excited as me!! I’m honored to have Dolly Parton, Belinda Carlisle, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan and Debbie Harry on this song!! ‘Gonna Be You’ is that song you want to sing along to with all your good friends!!!”

The anthem will accompany the film starring an equally star-studded cast of Oscar winners and nominees led by Lily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, Rita Moreno and Sally Field that was inspired by the true story of four best friends who take a trip to the 2017 Super Bowl to see their hero QB Tom Brady play in the big game; the movie will hit screens on February 3.

 

 

Eva Longoria Among High-Profile Investors in Major League Pickleball’s 12 New Teams

Eva Longoria is getting in the game…

America’s fastest-growing sport continues to attract high-profile investors from entertainment and sports, including the 47-year-old Mexican American actress, director and producer, following this week’s announcement of Major League Pickleball ’s 12 new teams for 2023.

Eva LongoriaLongoria is among a roster of investors in the clubs that includes Kevin DurantHeidi KlumMichael Phelps and Tom Ricketts.

“The diversity in the backgrounds and expertise of our fantastic new owners is an incredible asset as we aggressively expand Major League Pickleball to reach more fans than ever,” Brian Levine, the interim MLP CEO, said in a statement on the news. “We always say pickleball brings people together, and this roster of leaders from across a wide variety of industries is a strong testament to that philosophy.”

Last month, MLP merged with Tom Dundon’s rival Professional Pickleball Association, which had just announced the launch of the VIBE Pickleball League with Mark Cuban as its first team owner.

The move allowed MLP to expand to 24 teams with six events and $5 million in prize money for 2023. It had eight teams and one event in 2021. Each team will feature two men and two women. MLP added casual dining chain Margaritaville as a title sponsor last week.

The newly announced teams drafted their co-ed rosters Monday night and will start at the Challenger Level in 2023. The 12 previously existing teams, whose cap tables include LeBron James, Drew Brees and Tom Brady, will start at the Premier Level.

Last week, those teams drafted the top 48 pro pickleballers. The two sets of teams will then swap leagues for the second half of the 2023 season and have a re-draft with the combined season results determining a team’s level in 2024. The 2024 season will feature promotion and relegation between the two levels with the Premier Level the higher tier.

The newly announced ownership groups showcase pre-existing ties. The D.C. Pickleball team is made up largely of existing investors in Liga MX Club Necaxa, including Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Longoria, Justin Verlander, Kate Upton and Mesut Ozil.

D.C. had the first pick in the draft and choose 10-time ATP Tour titlist Sam Querrey, who recently retired from tennis.

Miami has attracted investments from Naomi Osaka and her agent Stuart Duguid, who launched their own agency, Evolve, this year. Evolve’s only other client, Nick Kyrgios, also invested, as did Alex Cohen, who serves as a financial advisor to Osaka and, launched his own firm, Heights, in 2021 after more than a dozen years at Main Street Advisors. Chicago’s team features four women’s tennis Grand Slam champions, including Chris Evert.

Kevin Durant and his longtime business partner, Rich Kleiman, will own the team in Brooklyn through their venture fund 35V. The expansion fee for Durant’s franchise was $1 million, and fees for other recent franchises were at and exceeded $3 million, according to multiple sources familiar with the deals who were not authorized to speak publicly about them.

“This is not about simply writing a check, it’s about finding the right strategic partners to help us grow MLP and the entire sport of pickleball,” Anne Worcester, MLP’s strategic advisor and a board member, said in an email in October.

The Sports & Fitness Industry Association dubbed pickleball the fastest growing sport, with participation up 39% between 2019 and 2021. The sport’s governing body, USA Pickleball, says there are 4.8 million pickleball players in the U.S. and more than 10,000 locations to play, including nearly 800 added in 2021.

NEW MPL TEAMS/OWNERS

Atlanta Bouncers: Anheuser-Busch

AZ Drive: Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Phelps, Devin Booker, Dierks Bentley, Robert Gary, Doug Hirsch, Sheila Gulati, John Merwin, Sam Frakes, Mark Dalton and Richard J. Schnall

Bay Area Breakers: Jeremy Lin, Mimi Mercado, David Mercado, Geoff Nguyen, Stacey Nishi, Jeff Nishi, Wayley Louie and Kathleen Louie

Brooklyn Aces: Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman’s 35V

Chicago Slice: Ron Saslow’s 35 Capital, Heidi Klum, Tom Ricketts, David Justice, Doug Ellin, Chris Evert, Lindsay Davenport, Tracy Austin, Gigi Fernández, David Dobrik, Joe Bonamassa, Ted Foxman and Steve Bellamy

Columbus Pickleball Club: David Kass and Doug Ulman

Dallas Pickleball Club: Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki, John Isner, Robert Herjavec, Chandler Parsons, and Todd Wagner

D.C. Pickleball Team: Al Tylis, Sam Porter, Eva Longoria, Justin Verlander, Mesut Ozil, Kate Upton, Shawn Marion, Rip Hamilton and Matt Walsh

Miami Pickleball Club: Naomi Osaka, Nick Kyrgios, Patrick Mahomes, Rich Paul, Darius Garland, Mardy Fish, Alex Davis, Alex Cohen, Stuart Duguid, The Palm Tree Crew, Prakash Amritraj, Matthew Pritzker, Mark Ein, Romie Chaudhari and Swimmy Minami

Texas Ranchers: Tim Klitch, Dan Ferreri, Bryan Sheffield, Kit Sheffield and Richard Veitenheimer

Utah Black Diamonds: The Pardoe Family

Valhalla Volleys: To be determined

Paramount Pictures Releases First Trailer for Rita Moreno’s “80 for Brady”

It’s a very Brady time for Rita Moreno 

Paramount Pictures has released the first trailer for the 90-year-old Puerto Rican actress’ new film 80 for Brady, which also stars Tom Brady, Lily TomlinJane Fonda and Sally Field.

Rita Moreno, 80 for BradyDirected by Kyle Marvin80 for Brady is inspired by the true story of four best friends who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their hero Brady play.

The film, which will open in wide release on February 3, also includes Sara Gilbert, Harry Hamlin, Glynn Turman, Bob Balaban, Ron Funches, Jimmy O. Yang, Billy Porter, Guy Fieri, Rob Corddry, Alex Moffa and Matt Lauria, among others.

80 for Brady was written by Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins.

Rita Moreno to Star in “80 For Brady”

Rita Moreno is getting in the game

Paramount Pictures has announced that the 90-year-old Puerto Rican actress, dancer, and singer has joined the cast of 80 for Brady, its upcoming film starring seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom BradyLily Tomlin, Jane Fonda, and others.

Rita Moreno,The film will open wide in theaters on February 3.

80 for Brady now is set to open against M. Night Shyamalan’s latest mystery-shrouded thriller Knock at the Cabin for Universal Pictures.

The film is inspired by the true story of four best friends who take a life-changing trip to the 2017 Super Bowl LI to see their Sally Field, Sara Gilbert, Harry Hamlin, Glynn Turman, Bob Balaban, Ron Funches hero Brady play.. The film’s starry ensemble also includes and Jimmy O. Yang.

Kyle Marvin, who co-wrote and starred in Sony Pictures Classics The Climb and more recently appeared in Apple TV+’s WeCrashed, is directing from a script by Emily Halpern & Sarah Haskins.

Fifth Season, formerly Endeavor Content developed the film with Brady and Academy Award winner Donna Gigliotti (Hidden Figures), with Paramount Pictures subsequently acquiring worldwide rights. Gigliotti and Fifth Season are producing with Brady through his production company, 199 Productions, with Marvin and Covino exec producing under their Watch This Ready banner, alongside Jeff Stott.

Gisele Graces the Cover of Paris Vogue in Tighty-Whities with Her Name Emblazoned on Them

Gisele Bündchen is getting a little cheeky on the cover of Paris Vogue

The 35-year-old Brazilian bombshell, the highest paid model of 2015, graces the latest cover of the magazine, which celebrates a stunning 95 years in print.

Gisele Bündchen Paris Vogue

Shot by Mario Testino, a friend of the supermodel, the cover features Bündchen looking casual and playful in a closet of clothes. Oh, and practically nude.

She’s wearing just a fabulous hat and a pair of underwaer emblazoned with “Gisele” on the backside.

Inside, Tom Brady’s other half also poses nude except for a thigh-high black boot, showing her tanned, toned silhouette, and reveals her backside in a colorful, unzipped Moschino gown.

Gisele Bündchen Paris Vogue

As per the latest beauty trends, she also appears to be wearing little to no makeup.

Bündchen to Appear as Part of Under Armour’s New Women’s Campaign

Gisele Bündchen is breaking out her armour

The 34-year-old Brazilian supermodel has signed on to be part of Under Armour’s new women’s campaign.

Gisele Bundchen

Bündchen, the world’s top-earning model in 2014, has reportedly agreed to a multiyear deal, according to ESPN.com. Financial terms were not disclosed.

On Tuesday, the shoe and apparel brand posted a teaser video on YouTube featuring Bündchen, who is married to New England Patriots‘ star quarterback Tom Brady.

In the video, she’s seen wearing the brand’s gear and heading into an empty loft with a heavy bag hanging from the ceiling. It ends with the promise of more to come about the relationship Thursday.

In 2010, Brady joined Under Armour, receiving an undisclosed piece of the company for his endorsement. Although Brady has been selective with his endorsements, landing Bündchen might have been harder.

Last month, Forbes magazine said she was the highest-earning model in the world for the eighth year in a row, pulling in an estimated $47 million. In comparison, Brady received a $30 million signing bonus for a restructured and extended deal he signed last year with the Patriots, and he has a $2 million base salary for this upcoming season.

Bündchen will be part of Under Armour’s women’s campaign, which kicked off last month with the signing of ballerina Misty Copeland, another nontraditional endorsement deal for the brand. The Copeland spot, featuring her against-all-odds story, has garnered more than 5.8 million views on YouTube.

The campaign, with its I Will What I Want slogan, also includes skier Lindsey Vonn, soccer player Kelley O’Hara and tennis player Sloane Stephens.

Under Armour’s women’s business registers about $500 million in sales and makes up roughly 30 percent of the company’s overall apparel sales annually.

The husband-wife team of Brady and Bündchen is perhaps the highest-profile to align with a sports brand since Andre Agassi left Nike in 2005 to join Adidas, the brand endorsed by his wife, Steffi Graf. Agassi went back to Nike last year.

Bündchen: The World’s Top-Earning Model of 2014

There’s no doubt Gisele Bündchen is a top model…

The 33-year-old Brazilian supermodel has been declared the highest-earning model of 2014, according to Forbes.

Gisele Bundchen

The financial magazine estimates Bündchen’s fortune at “$47 million before taxes and fees in the last 12 months.”

It’s the eighth year in a row that Bündchen, who was named the new face of Chanel No. 5 in May, has topped the list of top-earning models.

Bündchen’s lucrative contracts with fashion brands like H&M and Chanel, as well asgigs with Pantene, have helped her build a massive empire.

Bündchen, who is married to NFL quarterback Tom Brady, far outpaced the next highest-earning models, Doutzen Kroes and Adriana Lima, whose earnings were pegged at $8 million each.

Lima, a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000, is the lingerie giant’s longest-running model.

The two Kates — Kate Moss and Kate UptonMiranda Kerr and Liu Wen all pulled in $7 million.

Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover girl Upton is the highest-earning newcomer on the list.

Meanwhile, Alessandra Ambrosio comes in at No. 8 on the list. With her own clothing line and deals with H&M and Victoria’s Secret, the Brazilian supermodel raked in $5 million in 2014.