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Final Field Set for 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship

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BRADENTON, Fla – The field is set for the 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship, the first full-field event of the 2024 LPGA Tour season. From Jan. 25-28, Bradenton Country Club, a classic Donald Ross venue celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, will host a who’s-who of the world’s best golfers, kicking off a season of exciting storylines and fierce competition.

Who to watch…

The 2024 LPGA Drive On Championship includes four of the top-five players in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings – No. 1 Lilia Vu, No. 2 Ruoning Yin, No. 3 Celine Boutier and No. 5 Nelly Korda. Korda, who lives in Bradenton, is one of six Floridians in the field, along with Tampa-area native Brittany Lincicome and fan-favorite Lexi Thompson. Korda, Lincicome and Thompson are three of the 22 major winners teeing it up, led by five-time champion Yani Tseng, who is competing in her first LPGA Tour event since 2021. There are also 31 Olympians in the Drive On field, including 2020 gold medalist Korda, silver medalist Mone Inami and bronze medalist Lydia Ko.

U.S. Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis will compete alongside nine U.S. Team members from 2023, including leading American points earner Megan Khang. Lewis will name her 2024 team in August, following the AIG Women’s Open.

There are 15 2024 rookies in the field, led by 2023 Epson Tour graduates Isabella Fierro, Minji Kang, Auston Kim and Gabriela Ruffels. Mariajo Uribe, a 15-year LPGA Tour veteran who will retire at the end of the season, and amateur Laney Frye, a senior at the University of Kentucky, received the tournament’s sponsor exemptions.

The final two spots in the LPGA Drive On Championship field will be filled with the top-two finishers at Monday’s Local Qualifying Round. For a complete list of tournament entries, click here.

What to do…

Across the four competition days at Bradenton Country Club, fans can put their golf skills to the test at two interactive stations. Got chops on the green? Stop by the Long-Putt Challenge and show off talents with the flatstick. Fans who sink the long putt will be entered to win special prizes. Better off the tee? Visit the Bradenton C.C. Pro Shop and go long in the Long-Drive Competition. The long-drive champion will earn bragging rights, along with a $500 LPGAProShop.com gift card.

Before heading to the course, fans can visit the Tito’s Trailer and enjoy five signature cocktails: the Tito’s Transfusion, the Bradenton Bloody, the Sunrise Stinger, the Fairway Fizz and the Mulligan Mimosa. Non-alcoholic options will also be available for fans participating in Dry January.

On the way out, commemorate the visit to Bradenton C.C. with a selfie at the Fan Photo Booth. Snap a pic with friends and family and get an instant copy of your photo to share on social. Tag the LPGA’s social channels and use the hashtag #DriveOn for the chance to appear on the official tournament feeds (@LPGA, X; @lpga_tour, Instagram).

How to visit…

Tickets are available for purchase at SeatGeek.com. Daily tickets start at $30 for General Admission, with weekly passes starting at $99. Champions Club hospitality tickets start at $225 for daily admission and $800 for weekly access. The Champions Club provides premium access to an open-air structure with views of the 16th green and 17th tee and includes an open bar and lunch/snack options.

To honor those who serve our country in the United States Armed Forces, the LPGA is pleased to offer both current and former members of the U.S. Military and certain guests complimentary grounds tickets regardless of sell-out. Click here for information on military tickets. Additionally, juniors aged 17 and under will receive complimentary admission with the purchase of an adult ticket. For more information on junior tickets, visit SeatGeek.com.

Central Florida News

Orlando Magic Earn NBA Team International Strategy Award for Second Consecutive Year

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Orlando Magic Add Veteran NBA Coaches, Player Development Leaders to Sean Sweeney's Coaching Staff

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:

AwardWinner
International Strategy AwardOrlando Magic
Partnership of the YearCleveland Cavaliers
Partnership Innovation AwardLA Clippers
Social Impact & Inclusion AwardPhiladelphia 76ers
New Sales CampaignDetroit Pistons
Membership Program of the YearCharlotte Hornets
Premium Experience of the YearCleveland 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.

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Central Florida News

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Announce Training Camp Roster Moves Ahead of 53-Man Cutdown

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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.

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Sports

Jaguars Place Two Offensive Linemen on Active/PUP List Ahead of Training Camp

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Sunday that offensive linemen Garrett DiGiorgio and Cole Van Lanen have been placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list as the team continues preparations for training camp.

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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