Sports

Colton Herta, Marcus Ericsson, and WNBA Star Caitlin Clark to Appear at The ANNIKA at Pelican

Published

2 years ago

October 29, 2024

BELLEAIR, Fla., (FNN SPORTS) – Gainbridge^® and tournament officials at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican announced today that Andretti INDYCAR drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson will attend the LPGA Tour event and participate in various tournament week festivities at Pelican Golf Club, Nov. 11-17.

Herta, the 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner, and Ericsson, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2023 Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg winner, will walk inside the ropes as guest caddies during the Wednesday Pro-Am with WNBA star and Gainbridge^® ambassador Caitlin Clark and tournament host Annika Sorenstam. Wednesday’s Pro-Am is open to the public, with tickets on sale Wednesday-Sunday at www.TheAnnika.com.

“It’s not every day that you get to be inside the ropes, and I can’t wait to witness the LPGA Tour players’ skills and strategies up close on the course,” said Herta. “Gainbridge^® has played such a significant role in my INDYCAR career, and I’m proud to be a part of a brand that has a strong commitment to racing and women’s sports.”

“As a fellow Swede, I grew up watching Annika Sorenstam play, and she has been an inspiration to me all my life,” said Ericsson. “Colton and I get a lot of unique opportunities as INDYCAR drivers and representing the Group 1001 family in Tampa Bay next month is going to be an experience to remember.”

Herta and Ericsson will also participate in autograph sessions for fans during Thursday’s opening round (9-10 a.m. ET) and photo opportunities. Herta’s No. 26 Gainbridge Honda and Ericsson’s No. 28 Delaware Life Honda will both be showcased at the main entrance throughout tournament week.

“Having Colton and Marcus join Annika and Caitlin is an opportunity for Gainbridge^® to showcase the variety in our sports sponsorship portfolio,” said Mike Nichols, Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation. “The Tampa/St. Pete market is the perfect spot to do this as it hosts the start of the INDYCAR season and our premier LPGA Tour event. I know racing fans will enjoy watching Colton and Marcus caddie, and we’re thankful to Andretti Global for bringing the No. 26 Gainbridge Honda and No. 28 Delaware Life Honda on site for golf fans.”

Herta and Ericsson will enter their seventh seasons of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition in 2025. Herta, a second-generation driver, is a nine-time INDYCAR race winner, while Ericsson is a four-time INDYCAR race winner.

Aligning with some of the biggest names in sports, Gainbridge^® is a sponsor of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, and the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, known as the World Cup of Women’s Tennis. Both events coincide with Parity Week by Gainbridge. In November, the 21 Parity Week grant recipients will host events that support girls and women through sports and education. To learn more about Parity Week, visit https://paritynow.co/parityweek.

Hosted by World Golf and LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam, The ANNIKA will feature a field of 120 of the world’s best female professional golfers competing for a share of the $3.25 million purse, one of the largest purses on the LPGA Tour. World No. 1 and two-time champion Nelly Korda, defending champion and World No. 2 Lilia Vu, former World No. 1’s Lydia Ko and Ruoning Yin, and three-time winner in 2024 Hannah Green headline a stacked field of early commitments for The ANNIKA.

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Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Fall to 0-2 Under Sean Sweeney After 115-93 Loss to Timberwolves

Published

5 days ago

October 24, 2026

FNN NEWS

Orlando’s Paolo Banchero, wearing a white No. 5 jersey, dribbles while Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards defends in a blue uniform.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero controls the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93, dropping the Magic to 0-2. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Shooting struggles and a costly third quarter leave Orlando winless through two games under first-year coach Sean Sweeney
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — A new coaching era has opened with consecutive losses for the Orlando Magic, who fell 115-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Kia Center.

Orlando dropped to 0-2 under first-year head coach Sean Sweeney as shooting struggles again slowed its offense. The Magic also struggled with turnovers and missed free throws, repeating problems from their season-opening loss to Atlanta. Yahoo Sports

Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards holds the basketball while airborne as Orlando’s Paolo Banchero contests behind him and another Magic defender raises both arms.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards handles the ball as Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero contests the play at Kia Center in Orlando on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. Minnesota defeated Orlando 115-93. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News.

Third-quarter struggles prove costly

Minnesota led 57-45 at halftime before taking control in the third quarter. The Timberwolves closed the period with a 17-3 run, building an 86-60 advantage heading into the fourth. Orlando could not recover from the 26-point deficit. reuters.com

Carter leads Orlando

Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 20 points and nine rebounds to lead the Magic. Franz Wagner scored 18 points before fouling out, while Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs added 14 apiece.

Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels each scored 15 points for Minnesota, which improved to 2-0. Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and nine rebounds. Reuters

Perimeter shooting remains a concern

Orlando made just eight of its 39 attempts from 3-point range, shooting 20.5%. Minnesota connected on 37.8% of its attempts from beyond the arc. reuters.com

Two games offer a limited measure of Sweeney’s tenure, but the early results identify an immediate challenge: improving offensive execution and preventing difficult stretches from becoming decisive runs.

Central Florida News

Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Select 25 Coaches for 2027 Academy, Five for Fellowships

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

The fourth class will receive scholarships for a weeklong program in Tampa, with five participants returning for training camp and preseason.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are accepting applications for their 2027 National Coaching Academy, offering 25 finalists an opportunity to learn from NFL coaches and participate in rookie minicamp activities.

Applications close Dec. 31, 2026. The program uses rolling admissions, and applicants are encouraged to apply early, according to the team.

Presented by ReliaQuest, the academy was established by the Glazer family to create pathways for coaches seeking NFL opportunities. The upcoming class will be its fourth.

Eligibility and Scholarships

Applicants must have at least three years of coaching or work experience in a football program at the high school, college or semiprofessional level.

The 25 finalists will receive full scholarships covering costs while in Tampa for the weeklong academy.

After completing the program, five participants will be selected to return as fellows for training camp and the preseason.

On-Field Experience and Coaching Instruction

Finalists will attend team meetings and participate in on-field coaching sessions during rookie minicamp.

The program includes master classes led by Buccaneers coaches, along with Super Bowl-winning head coaches Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians and Tony Dungy, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, according to the announcement.

Additional sessions cover film review, media training, business insights and networking.

Program Draws International Interest

The academy has attracted more than 3,000 applicants from 22 countries over its first three years, the team said. Dozens of previous finalists have since earned new positions or promotions at their institutions.

Applications for the 2027 class are open now until Dec. 31, 2026, with a rolling admissions program. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. More information can be found HERE.

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Expand ThreatLocker Partnership With Warmup Branding, Cybersecurity Campaign

Published

1 week ago

October 22, 2026

FNN SPORTS

Orlando Magic, ThreatLocker Add Cybersecurity Awareness Campaign and Courtside Branding

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic and Orlando-based cybersecurity company ThreatLocker have expanded their partnership to include player warmup branding, courtside signage and a cybersecurity awareness campaign, the team announced Oct. 21.

ThreatLocker’s branding will appear on the Magic’s player warmup shirts for all home and away games, as well as front-row courtside seatback covers at Kia Center.

Campaign to Share Online Safety Tips

Timed to coincide with Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October, the awareness campaign includes an opening-night commercial featuring ThreatLocker CEO and co-founder Danny Jenkins.

The spot will offer tips to help fans and Orlando-area residents protect themselves online, according to the announcement.

“As a Magic Champion of the Community partner since 2023, ThreatLocker has demonstrated a strong commitment to the local community,” Magic President of Business Operations Charlie Freeman said. “We’re excited to help raise cybersecurity awareness and continue growing their brand and our collective community impact.”

Branding Extends Across Games and Broadcasts

The agreement also includes a season-long commercial campaign and a custom-branded broadcast feature. ThreatLocker will receive exposure through MagicTV 27 in Central Florida and the team’s regional over-the-air broadcast network.

Warmup shirt branding will give the company visibility during pregame activities, player-focused content and game broadcasts, according to the announcement.

“We’re delighted that this partnership will help fans stay safe online,” Jenkins said. “And with October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month, it’s a great opportunity to share a few simple steps everyone can take to better protect themselves and their families.”