Sports

Tampa Community Leader Les Miller Honored as Lightning Community Hero

Published

5 years ago

January 30, 2021

Miller (left) receives a custom jersey and donation during the first period of tonight's Tampa Bay Lightning match at Amalie Arena. Photo: NHL.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Source: Tampa Bay Lightning // The Tampa Bay Lightning honored Les Miller as the third Lightning Community Hero this season during the first period of tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators. Miller, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, will donate the money to the Tampa Alumni Guide Right Foundation and Gamma Theta Omega, Inc.

Miller is a shining example of devotion for helping out others in the Tampa Bay community. For three decades Miller has trailblazed his career in public service, as a member of the Tampa City Council, the Florida House of Representatives, the Florida Senate and as a Hillsborough County Commissioner. He has committed himself to many causes that provide growth opportunities through mentorship and career advancement programs for Tampa Bay Area African American students.

Together with his wife, Gwen, he has endowed a scholarship at his alma mater, the University of South Florida, for education majors engaged in their Black Leadership Network. Les’ legacy has built and continues to build a better tomorrow for many in the Tampa Bay community.

Miller becomes the 414^th Lightning Community Hero since Jeff and Penny Vinik introduced the Lightning Community Hero program in 2011-12 with a $10 million, five-season commitment to the Tampa Bay community. Through this evening’s game, in total, the Lightning Foundation has granted $21.65 million to more than 750 different nonprofits in the Greater Tampa Bay area. During the summer of 2016, the Viniks announced that the community hero program will give away another $10 million over the next five seasons.

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Sports

U.S. Men’s National Team Meets Belgium in FIFA World Cup Knockout Match in Seattle

Published

26 minutes ago

July 6, 2026

FNN SPORTS

SEATTLE (FNN SPORTS) — The U.S. Men’s National Team will continue its FIFA World Cup 2026 journey Monday night when it faces Belgium in the Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET), with live coverage on FOX, Peacock and Telemundo.

USMNT Riding Momentum into Knockout Stage

The United States advanced after defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in the Round of 32, marking the nation’s second-ever FIFA World Cup knockout-stage victory. The Americans previously earned a knockout win in 2002 with a 2-0 victory over Mexico.

After winning Group D with two victories in three matches, the U.S. has scored 10 goals in four World Cup matches and has produced at least two goals in every tournament match.

The Americans enter Monday’s match with victories over Paraguay (4-1), Australia (2-0) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (2-0). Their lone defeat came against Türkiye (3-2) during group play.

Balogun, Tillman Lead U.S. Attack

Forward Folarin Balogun has emerged as one of the tournament’s top scorers with three goals, becoming only the third American to score at least three goals in a single FIFA World Cup, joining Bert Patenaude (1930) and Landon Donovan (2010).

Midfielder Malik Tillman delivered one of the tournament’s signature moments with a spectacular free-kick goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina after the United States was reduced to 10 players. The goal secured a 2-0 victory and earned Tillman Man of the Match honors.

Roster Notes

Twenty-three of the 26 players on the U.S. roster have appeared during the tournament.

Seven players have featured in all four World Cup matches:

Sebastian Berhalter
Sergiño Dest
Alex Freeman
Weston McKennie
Ricardo Pepi
Gio Reyna
Malik Tillman

Goalkeeper Matt Freese enters the Round of 16 with three World Cup victories, the most by any U.S. goalkeeper in tournament history, while also recording two clean sheets.

Veteran captain Christian Pulisic, with 89 international appearances, is the most-capped player on the U.S. roster.

History Against Belgium

Monday’s match marks the eighth all-time meeting between the United States and Belgium.

The Americans hold a 1-6-0 all-time record against the Red Devils. Their lone victory came in the opening match of the inaugural 1930 FIFA World Cup, a 3-0 win.

Belgium has since won six consecutive meetings, including a 5-2 victory over the United States in an international friendly on March 28, 2026, and a memorable 2-1 extra-time victory in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Belgium Brings Experience

Belgium enters the match with one of the tournament’s most experienced squads.

The roster features several internationally recognized stars, including:

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne
Midfielder Youri Tielemans
Forward Romelu Lukaku
Forward Jeremy Doku
Forward Leandro Trossard

The Red Devils advanced after overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in extra time during the Round of 32.

Belgium has not lost a match since March 2025, compiling an 11-1-6 record under head coach Rudi Garcia.

Seattle Has Been Friendly to the U.S.

Seattle Stadium has become a stronghold for the Americans.

The USMNT owns a perfect 7-0-0 record at the venue, including a 2-0 victory over Australia during group play earlier in the tournament.

With a trip to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals on the line, the United States will look to capitalize on its home-field success while attempting to end Belgium’s six-match winning streak in the all-time series.

Sports

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

Published

3 hours ago

July 6, 2026

FNN SPORTS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Orlando Magic announced the complete coaching staff that will serve under new head coach Sean Sweeney for the 2026-27 NBA season, adding a mix of experienced NBA veterans, player development specialists and analytics experts to the organization’s basketball operations.

President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced that Joe Prunty, Greg Buckner, Popeye Jones, Tom Bialaszewski, Riley Crean, Jon Harris, Ben Johnson, Jacqlyn Poss and Mfon Udofia have been named assistant coaches.

In addition, D.J. Bakker will serve as assistant coach/director of player development, while Shannan Lum has been appointed assistant coach/director of coaching operations. In keeping with team policy, contract terms were not disclosed.

The Magic also announced the addition of Curtis Lewis as head video coordinator and Nicholas Russo as manager of basketball strategy within the basketball operations department.

Experienced NBA Leadership

Prunty returns for his second season with Orlando after joining the Magic in 2025. Entering his 30th NBA season, he brings one of the league’s most accomplished coaching resumes, including:

Three NBA championships with the San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003, 2005)
Four NBA Finals appearances
22 NBA Playoff appearances
Three NBA All-Star Game coaching assignments
2024 Emirates NBA Cup championship with the Milwaukee Bucks

Prunty has also served as interim head coach for both Milwaukee and the Atlanta Hawks during his coaching career.

Buckner joins Orlando after spending the past two seasons with Milwaukee. He previously served on the coaching staffs of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets. A former NBA guard, Buckner played 10 seasons after being selected in the 1998 NBA Draft.

Jones arrives following a season with the Dallas Mavericks and previously helped the Denver Nuggets capture the 2023 NBA championship. The former NBA center enjoyed an 11-year playing career and led the league in offensive rebounds during the 1994-95 season.

Player Development Emphasis

The Magic strengthened their player development department by naming Bakker assistant coach/director of player development.

Bakker spent the past two seasons with the Charlotte Hornets while simultaneously serving as head coach of the NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm. He guided Greensboro to a 70-36 record, its first winning season and playoff appearance before leading the franchise to the 2025-26 NBA G League championship.

He also previously worked within the Magic organization as a regional advance scout during the 2013-14 season.

Coaching Operations and Analytics

Lum joins Orlando after serving as an assistant coach with the NBA G League’s Texas Legends following four seasons with the Mavericks organization.

Poss earns a promotion after spending more than three seasons as Orlando’s senior data scientist in basketball operations, reflecting the organization’s continued emphasis on analytics in player development and game preparation.

Additional Coaching Additions

The remaining assistant coaches bring diverse experience from the NBA, G League, college basketball and international competition.

Tom Bialaszewski most recently served as an advance scout for the San Antonio Spurs.
Riley Crean spent four seasons with the Mavericks organization, rising from video intern to head video coordinator.
Jon Harris arrives after four seasons with San Antonio, most recently working in player development.
Ben Johnson previously served as head coach at the University of Minnesota.
Mfon Udofia spent the past three seasons as head coach of the NBA G League’s Long Island Nets and has also coached Nigeria’s national team in international competition.

Supporting Basketball Operations

The Magic also expanded their basketball operations staff with the additions of:

Curtis Lewis — Head Video Coordinator
Nicholas Russo — Manager of Basketball Strategy

The new staff will support Sweeney, who was named Orlando’s head coach on June 1, as the Magic prepare for the 2026-27 NBA season.

#OrlandoMagic #MagicBasketball #NBA #SeanSweeney #JeffWeltman #JoePrunty #GregBuckner #PopeyeJones #NBACoaching #PlayerDevelopment #CentralFlorida #Basketball #MagicNation #FNNNews #NBANews

South Florida News

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

Published

3 weeks 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.