Sports

Bahamas Counting on Sports to Aid Dorian Recovery Efforts

Published

7 years ago

November 26, 2019

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2019 file photo a basketball board is seen next to a car among the debris left by Hurricane Dorian, in a neighborhood destroyed by the storm in Abaco, Bahamas. Any concern about whether it was appropriate to be playing sports in the Bahamas while parts of the multi-island nation continue to recover from the effects of the storm was quickly dispelled by officials. Officials are hoping tourism and upcoming sporting events aid recovery efforts by boosting the economy to pay for reconstruction and raising awareness for people to donate or volunteer for ongoing work. Participants in those events _ including the eight-team Atlantis tournament opening Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019 are also helping in the recovery. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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.’”

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South Florida News

Uruguay, Saudi Arabia Play to 1-1 Tie as World Cup Atmosphere Electrifies Miami Gardens

Published

6 days ago

June 16, 2026

FNN SPORTS

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Hard Rock Stadium felt more like Montevideo than South Florida on Monday as tens of thousands of Uruguayan supporters packed the venue for Uruguay’s World Cup opener against Saudi Arabia.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

A crowd of 62,764 fans created a vibrant international atmosphere, with Uruguay supporters draped in giant blue-and-white flags and chanting “U-ru-guay! U-ru-guay!” throughout the match. Despite the passionate backing, Uruguay was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia.

The stadium was awash in light blue as Uruguayan fans filled much of the venue, transforming Miami Gardens into a home-away-from-home for La Celeste. Meanwhile, a spirited contingent of Saudi supporters occupied sections of the south stands, waving green flags and providing energetic support for their national team.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

WORLD CUP ATMOSPHERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA

The match showcased South Florida’s growing reputation as an international soccer destination, drawing fans from across the globe and creating a World Cup-like environment inside Hard Rock Stadium.

Both teams battled evenly throughout the contest, with neither side able to find a decisive breakthrough. The result leaves Uruguay and Saudi Arabia with a point apiece as they continue their tournament campaigns.

FIFA World Cup 2026, Uruguay vs Arabia Saudita, Miami, Florida. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News

FANS DELIVER MEMORABLE SCENE

While the match ended in a draw, the atmosphere was among the day’s biggest highlights. The sea of blue-and-white and the nonstop chants from Uruguay supporters were matched by the enthusiasm of Saudi fans, producing a memorable international soccer showcase in Miami Gardens.

Sports

Orlando Storm Quarterback Jack Plummer Named 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player

Published

1 week ago

June 12, 2026

Willie David

Orlando Storm Quarterback Jack Plummer Named 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player

Source: The UFL / Orlando Storm

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The United Football League has named Orlando Storm quarterback Jack Plummer the 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player after a record-setting regular season that helped lead the franchise to the league’s best record.

Plummer becomes the third quarterback to earn the UFL’s highest individual honor, following Bryce Perkins of the Michigan Panthers in 2025 and Adrian Martinez of the Birmingham Stallions in 2024.

The award was selected by a panel of league and team executives, coaches, players, media members and broadcast partners based on performances during the recently completed 10-game regular season.

Plummer Credits Team, Coaches

“It is an incredible honor to be named the 2026 UFL Most Valuable Player,” Plummer said. “While my name may be on this award, it truly belongs to so many people who have helped me along this journey.”

Plummer thanked his teammates and coaching staff, specifically Orlando Storm head coach Anthony Becht, for helping him reach the milestone.

“I also want to extend a special thank you to Coach Becht,” Plummer said. “His leadership, trust and belief in me have had a tremendous impact on my development as a player and as a person.”

Dominant Season Under Center

In the Storm’s inaugural season, Plummer guided Orlando to an 8-2 record and the No. 1 seed entering the postseason.

He led the UFL in passing yards (2,188), completions (195) and quarterback rating (104.1) while throwing 17 touchdown passes. Plummer completed 65% of his passes and threw just one interception all season.

The Storm offense led the league with an average of 208.3 passing yards per game.

“Jack personifies exactly what an elite UFL quarterback should look like,” Becht said. “His leadership, his ability to process information and make plays at any moment made him the most valuable player in the UFL.”

Historic Numbers and Signature Moments

Plummer scored or accounted for a touchdown in every game this season and threw at least one touchdown pass in nine of Orlando’s 10 regular-season contests.

He completed 75% or more of his passes in three games and recorded three-touchdown performances in victories against the Louisville Kings and D.C. Defenders.

Among his most impressive accomplishments was setting a UFL record with 255 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception.

Plummer also earned UFL Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 8 after leading Orlando to a 34-21 victory over the Dallas Renegades that clinched a playoff berth.

In that game, he threw for 238 yards and rushed for two touchdowns, including a spectacular 71-yard touchdown run that remains the longest rushing play by a quarterback in the UFL this season.

Storm Set for Playoff Run

With Plummer leading the offense, Orlando enters the playoffs as the league’s top seed and one of the favorites to compete for the 2026 UFL Championship.

Sports

USMNT Opens FIFA World Cup 2026 With Historic 4-1 Victory Over Paraguay

Published

1 week ago

June 12, 2026

FNN SPORTS

LOS ANGELES (FNN SPORTS) — The U.S. Men’s National Team opened its FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Paraguay 4-1 before a crowd of 70,492 at Los Angeles Stadium.

Forward Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half, while midfielder Gio Reyna added a late goal as the United States collected three points in its Group D opener and moved to the top of the standings.

The crowd was the seventh-largest ever to watch the USMNT in a FIFA World Cup match and the largest since the 1994 World Cup. The four-goal performance also marked the highest-scoring World Cup match in U.S. men’s national team history.

Fast Start Sets the Tone

The match began at a frantic pace, with both teams creating scoring opportunities in the opening minutes. Paraguay tested goalkeeper Matt Freese less than two minutes into his World Cup debut, but the Americans responded immediately.

The United States opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Paraguay midfielder Damián Bobadilla redirected a pass into his own net following a dangerous attacking sequence involving Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie.

The Americans continued to control possession and create chances, eventually doubling their lead in the 31st minute.

Balogun Makes World Cup History

Pulisic delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area, where Balogun finished clinically into the lower-right corner for his first FIFA World Cup goal.

Balogun struck again in first-half stoppage time after receiving a long pass from Malik Tillman. The striker fought through a challenge, beat another defender and curled a left-footed shot into the upper-left corner to give the United States a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.

The brace made Balogun the first American player to score two goals in a World Cup match since 1930.

Defense Holds Strong

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino made one lineup change from the team’s final World Cup send-off match against Germany, inserting center back Chris Richards after his recovery from an ankle injury.

Richards anchored a defense that included veteran captain Tim Ream and World Cup debutants Alex Freeman and Matt Freese. The U.S. limited Paraguay to just one shot on target throughout the match.

Paraguay’s lone goal came in the 73rd minute when Mauricio capitalized on a loose ball following a free-kick sequence to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Reyna Finishes the Job

The Americans continued pressing for a fourth goal deep into stoppage time. In the eighth minute of added time, substitute Gio Reyna received a pass from Alex Freeman, turned toward goal and curled a brilliant shot into the left side of the net to seal the 4-1 victory.

The United States outshot Paraguay 16-9 and dominated much of the match while allowing only one shot on goal.

Group D Standings

With the victory, the United States temporarily sits atop Group D. Australia and Türkiye were scheduled to play later in the day at BC Place in Vancouver.

The Americans continue group play on June 19 in Seattle against Australia before returning to Los Angeles on June 25 to face Türkiye in the final Group D match.