NFL
– The Patriots agreed to terms with TE Rob Gronkowski on a 6-year/$54M extension. Gronk has emerged as the most dominant all-around tight end in the game, and is arguably off to the greatest start in NFL history at the position. Gronk had two years left on his rookie contract, but the fact that they gave him a long-term extension anyways means that they’re confident he’s over his ankle injury.
– According to the Boston Globe, former Patriots’ WR Chad Ochocinco was released because he didn’t have the “football I.Q.” to succeed with the team. ”The Patriots would literally tell him to run a route a certain way, and a minute later he would run it the other way. It happened all the time.” According to the report, during recent OTAs, Ochocinco struggled to recognize zone versus man coverage, and would run his own route with the Bengals as opposed to the one in the play.
– Adult entertainment site PornHub has sent a letter to free agent WR Chad Ochocinco, asking him to change his last name to “Siesnueve” for 24 hours, in exchange for a $69,000 payday. Check out the letter:
June 6, 2012
Dear Mr. Ochocinco,
I hope this letter finds you well. Our company, Pornhub.com, (the premier destination for online adult entertainment) would like to offer you an opportunity to solidify your support for the work we do here. Given your continued endorsement of our brand on your widely followed Twitter account, we feel it would only be appropriate to ask you, in the spirit of fun, to take your fandom for us to the next level.
In short, we would like to extend a proposal for you to legally change your name to Chad Seisnueve on the day of June 9, 2012 for the subsequent 24 hours. As proof, all we require from you is a twitpic of the approved name change registration form accompanied by a @Pornhub hashtag mention. We believe that this partnership can be beneficial to both parties.
In return for your cooperation and willingness, we will compensate you $69,000.
We truly appreciate your consideration of our offer and look forward to the possibility of working together soon. Meanwhile, please feel free to continue enjoying the fruits of our labor at Pornhub.com.
All the best,
Corey Price
AHL
– The Norfolk Admirals escaped with a fluke 1-0 win over the Toronto Marlies in Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals on Thursday night. The overtime winner was one of the craziest goals you will ever see–a dump in shot that deflected off a stanchion near the goal line, going into the net at nearly a 180-degree angle. Check it out:
One Admirals player was offside by nearly 10 feet on the play, though, meaning the goal should not have counted. The league issued this statement:
“We have spoken with Toronto Marlies management and confirmed that a rules interpretation error by the on-ice officials occurred on the Norfolk Admirals’ overtime goal during Game 3 of the Calder Cup Finals.
“On the play, a dump-in from center ice by a Norfolk player caromed off a stanchion and into the Toronto net. The correct application of AHL Rule 83.4 would have negated the Norfolk goal due to a delayed offside call.
“As AHL By-Laws do not allow for any change to the final result of a game based on an incorrect rule interpretation, the result of the game stands.”
After the game, Marlies head coach Dallas Eakins addressed the overtime winner.
“I would rather someone take a pair of steel-toed boots and hit me in a delicate region than to lose a hockey game like that. That is a tough way to lose in the playoffs — off a stanchion — after our boys battled so hard…I can never recall in any kind of league final a puck going in like that.”
NBA
– According to the Sacramento Bee, the Kings are “not expected” to offer G Tyreke Evans a contract extension. Evans has been the subject of some trade speculation, and the player who was once viewed as the future of the franchise appears to have lost his spot.
NHL
– Actor Charlie Sheen went nuts outside the Staples Center Wednesday night, after a security guard told him he couldn’t re-enter the stadium after taking a smoke break. A female security guard would not budge when Charlie tried to get back in, then Charlie snapped, yelling,
“You know what? F**king blow my balls, alright, you f**king asshole.”
A little later Charlie’s buddies try in vain to keep him away from the camera. The “Anger Management” star then explains,
“Have common sense and common courtesy gone in society? That was what I was trying to impress upon her.”
The guard tells a photog she told Charlie to “F**k off.” Of note, though, the Staples Center has a policy of not letting people in once they walk out.
Charlie left the stadium without ever getting back in. He told TMZ,
“Bad juju. Clash of the silly….Go Thunder!”
Charlie had a bad time from the get go at the game. On his way into Staples, a taunting fan screamed, “You ever done bath salts?” Charlie’s response:
“Would you ask me that at a f**king dinner party you moron … go f**k yourself.”
– The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that the Blue Jackets have met with Blues’ President John Davidson to discuss Davidson taking charge of the Jackets. Davidson has a 30-day clause in his contract that allows him to look at other opportunities if the Blues got a new owner, which happened last month. Davidson did not comment on the rumours.
– The Flames have released associate coach Craig Hartsburg. Hartsburg was on Brent Sutter’s coaching staff for one season. Sutter and the Flames parted company in April after the team missed the playoffs for a third straight year. Hartley is searching for another assistant, the Flames said Thursday in a statement that also quoted Hartsburg.
“I believe it is best for Bob Hartley, coming into a new coaching situation, to have his own staff. I’m looking forward to my next venture in hockey.”
– The Hurricanes have promoted Ron Francis to vice president of hockey operations, and goaltending coach Tom Barrasso pro scout. In addition, Cory Stillman will serve as director of forward development, and Rod Brind’Amour will become a fulltime assistant.
– Magnitogorsk of the KHL has hired longtime NHL coach Paul Maurice as their next head coach. Maurice joins Magnitogorsk after a 15-year head coaching career in the NHL with the Hurricanes, Maple Leafs and Whalers.
MLB
– The Rockies have signed LHP Jeff Francis to a 1-year contract, and he will start Saturday against the Angels. Francis opted out of his minor league deal with the Reds earlier this week after posting a 3.72 ERA and 65/18 K/BB rate for Triple-A Louisville. He held a 4.82 ERA and 91/39 K/BB ratio in 183 innings last season for the Royals.
– An MRI revealed no structural damage in Rangers’ LHP Derek Holland’s left shoulder. The weakness Holland is experiencing is likely related to a recent stomach virus that he dealt with. He’ll be shut down for a week while he regains strength and weight.
– The Rockies have agreed to terms with 1st-round OF David Dahl. Dahl tweeted the news himself, saying he’s headed to Grand Junction, one of the team’s short-season clubs. Dahl is a raw five-tool player.
– Athletics’ RHP Andrew Carignan (right elbow) said Wednesday that he requires season-ending Tommy John surgery. ”It is what it is. I know I need surgery, I know I need rehab. I had a feeling when I did it, but you never know. I’m here and just getting comfortable and feeling like I belong. That’s how things have gone for me.” He underwent an MRI exam Wednesday, and Oakland placed him on the 15-day DL with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. He is expected to undergo more tests before a final decision. Carignan is 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA in 11 appearances for the A’s this year.
– The Padres have placed LHP Eric Stults (strained shoulder) on the 15-day DL, retroactive to June 5. Stults was hurt during a bullpen session.
– The Nationals have placed RHP Henry Rodriguez (strained right index finger) on the 15-day DL retroactive to June 6. The 25-year-old is 1-3 with nine saves and a 5.14 ERA in 24 games.
– Nationals’ RHP Josh Wilkie has been suspended for 50 games for a second violation for a drug of abuse under baseball’s minor league drug program. The 27-year-old is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 18 relief appearances this year at Triple-A Syracuse of the International League.
The suspension, announced Thursday, was the 47th this year under the minor league drug program.
– Bob Wolfe, who worked with new Dodgers’ President and CEO Stan Kasten with the Braves and Nationals, has joined Los Angeles as executive vice-president. Wolfe served as executive vice-president from 2006 to 2011. He also worked with Kasten in various capacities with the Braves and the NBA’s Hawks for more than 20 years, including serving as the Braves’ senior vice-president of administration from 1992-2003.
TNA
– TNA President Dixie Carter announced on Twitter this morning that WWE Intercontinental Champion Christian will be appearing at TNA Slammiversary this weekend:
“On a plane headed to Dallas for the big PPV this weekend. Very excited @Christian4Peeps is joinin us for the night. He’s one of my favorites”
When TNA allowed Ric Flair to appear at WWE’s Hall of Fame ceremony earlier this year, it was rumored that in return, TNA requested that Christian do a sit-down interview with TNA. That footage would be used for future TNA DVD releases. It’s unknown whether Christian will be appearing on camera this Sunday at Slammiversary of he’ll be there to film that interview. Dixie Carter’s announcement could also be a sign that Christian will be the first person announced for the TNA Hall of Fame at the pay-per-view, but that is just speculation at this point.
– On Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, undefeated TNA star Crimson defeated X Division champion Austin Aries to extend his undefeated streak to 468 days. After the match, he looked into the camera and said his undefeated streak is “way longer than that Goldberg guy.” A fan told Goldberg on Twitter,
“that joke Crimson just basically called you out on @ImpactWrestling you aren’t gonna take that are you?”
Goldberg responded saying,
“Who??”
Goldberg later retweeted another message from a fan:
“Crimson doesn’t phase @Goldberg because Goldberg ate chumps like him during his streak every freaking night. #TheRealStreakBelongs2Goldberg”
Goldberg was also asked what he thinks about Ryback, with a reader saying,
“He’s I guess the new Goldberg….”
The real Goldberg replied,
“Not exactly …..”
HORSE
– Canadian-owned “I’ll Have Another” trainer Doug O’Neill told the Dan Patrick radio show that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will not race in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday due to injury, meaning he won’t have a shot to become a Triple Crown winner. According to O’Neill, I’ll Have Another is “officially out of the Belmont.” He told the show, ”It’s not tragic, but it’s a huge disappointment.” I’ll Have Another was trying to become the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years. According to Dennis O’Neill, brother of trainer Doug O’Neill, the horse galloped Friday morning and after a veterinary scan, the horse’s left front tendon seemed “kind of tender.” Dennis O’Neill told The Associated Press that, “the horse is sound and happy, but it’s not worth it.” Asked on the Dan Patrick Show if I’ll Have Another has raced his last race, Doug O’Neill said: “If I had to wager. I would say yes.” Dale Romans, trainer of second favourite Dullahan said, ”It’s devastating. I thought this was going to be one of the greatest races in history, and I wanted the opportunity to be part of it. But this is bigger than that. This is terrible news.” The 4-5 morning line favourite, I’ll Have Another was to enter the race as top choice for the first time in his eight-race career.
WWE
– Former WWE executive Shane McMahon was in New York City on Friday morning and rang the opening bell for the NASDAQ stock market in Times Square. Shane’s wife as well as his parents, Vince and Linda McMahon, were at the event. Shane McMahon is now the CEO of YOU On Demand Holdings, Inc. – one of the top Video On Demand & pay-per-view providers in China. YOU On Demand went public and joined the NASDAQ exchange on May 30th.
– WWE developmental diva Raquel Diaz (Shaul Marie Guererro, daughter of Vickie & Eddie) recently debuted a new gimmick that’s been compared to singers Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj. Check out this picture from Thursday night’s final FCW tapings:
