Sports
Bahamas Counting on Sports to Aid Dorian Recovery Efforts
Published
7 years agoon
PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Any concern about whether it was appropriate to be playing sports in the Bahamas while parts of the multi-island nation continue to dig out from devastation following Hurricane Dorian are quickly dismissed by officials.
Bahamians not only want the games, they’re counting on them.
One of those events is the Thanksgiving-week Battle 4 Atlantis men’s college basketball tournament — during which there will be broadcasts of the islands’ famous beaches and not just shots of the wreckage Dorian left behind.
“What has happened is after the storm, the word went out that the Bahamas is devastated,” said Ellison “Tommy” Thompson, deputy director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. “But they were not taking into account that the Bahamas is not one island.”
Yet Thompson said international arrivals fell 7.4% in September compared to September 2018, the year’s first decline. Declines were sharper for “leading” markets like the U.S. (12.5%) and Canada (15.3%).
That’s where sporting events can help. The Battle 4 Atlantis is one of the premier events on college basketball’s early schedule and Thompson estimates it attracts 8,000 visitors and $3 million in economic impact through lodging, meals, shopping and activities.
“In terms of business,” Thompson said, “it’s extremely lucrative for us.”
Jim Black, 53, of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota said his family stuck with travel plans after researching that the tournament area was fine.
“This is our first time to the Bahamas,” said Black, an Iowa State alumnus sporting a Cyclones cap who traveled with his wife, daughter and daughter’s boyfriend. “So we were kind of looking forward to it back in February when we got the tickets. So when (Dorian) happened, it was a little concerning that there might not be a tournament and we’d have to make other plans.
“I’m glad it all worked out.”
Other U.S. college events include the four-team men’s Junkanoo Jam (which ended Sunday) and this week’s women’s events: an eight-team Junkanoo tournament in Bimini and the five-team Bahamas Hoopfest in Nassau.
There’s even a college football game: the Bahamas Bowl, played Dec. 20 in the 15,000-seat Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau.
Beyond college sports, Tiger Woods hosts the Hero World Challenge (early December) in Albany with a field featuring Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose. There are two January events on the PGA Tour’s developmental Korn Ferry Tour there, though the Great Abaco Classic has relocated to Nassau due to Dorian damage.
For many, participating in events inspired ideas to assist the Bahamas or damaged U.S. areas such as North Carolina’s Outer Banks barrier islands.
Conference USA and the Mid-American Conference, which feed teams to the Bahamas Bowl, have announced $25,000 donations for the Bahamas Red Cross along with $25,000 from the Miami-based Orange Bowl.
For Atlantis, Seton Hall is donating proceeds from October exhibitions to Catholic Relief Services for Dorian relief. Gonzaga publicized a fundraiser for ex-player Quentin Hall after his family’s home on Grand Bahama Island suffered significant damage.
Alabama held a charity exhibition against Georgia Tech for the American Red Cross in October and visited a Nassau orphanage Monday.
“I definitely think (sports) can help,” first-year coach Nate Oats told the AP. “Our primary goal there is to go win games. But you’re not going to do basketball 24/7. So while you’re there, if you can educate your guys a little bit, help educate the fan base back home about what’s going on in the Bahamas as a whole, it’s smart to do that.”
Robinson — whose effort allowed UNC to deliver more than 1,200 pounds of supplies Sunday to the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel — also believes sports will remind people that recovery efforts are ongoing.
“I think people in the news, they covered this story, and as soon as the storm ended, it was over with,” Robinson said. “You never kind of heard anything about the Bahamas again. … I think this will be a big thing that can help other people take notice that, ‘OK, we still need to help people further with these situations they go through.’”
Central Florida News
Orlando Magic Earn NBA Team International Strategy Award for Second Consecutive Year
Published
4 days agoon
August 1, 2026By
FNN SPORTS
NEW YORK (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic have been named the recipient of the NBA Team International Strategy Award for the second consecutive year, recognizing the organization’s innovative global marketing efforts as part of the NBA’s 2025-26 Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards.
The award honors NBA teams that develop data-driven international marketing strategies that strengthen brand recognition, create meaningful partnerships and expand fan engagement outside the United States.
Germany Strategy Drives Award-Winning Campaign
Building on last year’s success, the Magic expanded their presence in Germany through a year-long strategy surrounding The NBA Berlin Game 2026.
Rather than focusing solely on the international exhibition, Orlando created a comprehensive campaign that included:
- A summer promotional tour across Germany
- Magic Kiez, an immersive fan experience hub
- Youth basketball clinics
- Business networking summits
- Community watch parties
- Interactive fan activations
- Corporate partnership events
The organization said the strategy helped establish a sustained presence before, during and after the Berlin game while strengthening relationships with German basketball fans and business leaders.
New International Partnerships
The campaign also expanded the Magic’s International Team Marketing Program (ITMP) through collaborations with several new international and global partners, including:
- AIDA Cruises
- Domino’s
- Kellogg’s
- Telekom
- ThreatLocker
- Visit Orlando
The partnerships supported both fan engagement initiatives and business development opportunities throughout Germany.
NBA Recognizes Innovation Across the League
The NBA’s annual Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate excellence in fan engagement, sponsorship activation, innovation, community impact and ticket sales.
This year’s major award winners included:
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| International Strategy Award | Orlando Magic |
| Partnership of the Year | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| Partnership Innovation Award | LA Clippers |
| Social Impact & Inclusion Award | Philadelphia 76ers |
| New Sales Campaign | Detroit Pistons |
| Membership Program of the Year | Charlotte Hornets |
| Premium Experience of the Year | Cleveland Cavaliers |
The Houston Rockets and New Orleans Pelicans also received recognition through the NBA’s AI Studio program for innovative applications of artificial intelligence to improve fan experiences.
NBA Executive Applauds Team Innovation
Jonathan Tillman, the NBA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Team Marketing and Business Operations, praised the league’s clubs for continuing to innovate.
“The innovation, creativity and strategic thinking NBA teams demonstrate every day continue to raise the bar for the sports industry while creating deeper connections with fans in their communities and around the world,” Tillman said.
He added that NBA teams are finding new ways to grow their businesses through strategic partnerships, artificial intelligence, ticket sales innovations and community engagement.
Selection Process
All 30 NBA franchises were invited to submit entries for the Team Partnership and Ticket Sales & Service Awards.
Winners were selected by a committee of NBA league and team executives based on creativity, measurable business results and overall impact.
For the second consecutive season, the Orlando Magic’s international strategy stood out among the league’s entries, highlighting the franchise’s continued commitment to expanding its global brand while strengthening relationships with fans and partners overseas.
Award Highlights
- Orlando Magic won the NBA Team International Strategy Award for the second straight year.
- The award recognized the franchise’s comprehensive marketing strategy surrounding The NBA Berlin Game 2026.
- The campaign featured fan engagement, youth clinics, business summits and year-round activations across Germany.
- New international partners included AIDA Cruises, Domino’s, Kellogg’s, Telekom, ThreatLocker and Visit Orlando.
- All 30 NBA teams were eligible, with winners selected by NBA and team executives.
Central Florida News
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Announce Training Camp Roster Moves Ahead of 53-Man Cutdown
Published
6 days agoon
July 30, 2026By
FNN SPORTS
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced a series of roster moves Tuesday as the team continues preparations for the 2026 NFL season.
The Buccaneers waived safety Ja’Qurious Conley with a non-football injury designation.
In addition, Tampa Bay placed cornerback Chase Lucas and defensive lineman Haggai Ndubuisi on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List.
Players placed on the Active/PUP List count toward the club’s 90-player offseason roster and remain eligible to return to practice at any point before the NFL’s deadline to reduce rosters to the regular-season 53-player limit.
The moves come as the Buccaneers continue evaluating their roster during training camp in preparation for the upcoming preseason schedule and the start of the regular season.
What the Moves Mean
A player waived with a non-football injury (NFI) designation has sustained an injury or medical condition that did not occur during NFL football activities. If Conley clears waivers, the Buccaneers’ next steps will depend on league rules and his injury status.
The Active/PUP List is reserved for players who are unable to practice because of football-related injuries at the start of training camp. While on the Active/PUP List, Lucas and Ndubuisi may participate in team meetings and receive medical treatment, and they can be activated at any time before the team’s final roster reduction.
Sports
Jaguars Place Two Offensive Linemen on Active/PUP List Ahead of Training Camp
Published
1 week agoon
July 27, 2026By
FNN SPORTS
Players on the Active/PUP list count against the 90-man offseason roster but are unable to participate in practice until they are medically cleared. Once cleared, they may return to practice at any time during training camp.
The Jaguars did not disclose the nature of the injuries or provide a timetable for either player’s return.
DiGiorgio and Van Lanen are among the offensive line depth pieces competing for roster spots as Jacksonville prepares for the 2026 NFL season. Their availability during training camp could impact competition along the offensive front as coaches evaluate the roster ahead of preseason play.
The Jaguars continue training camp preparations with veterans and rookies working toward the start of the 2026 season.
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