Sports
Valkyries Snap Sparks’ Hot Streak, Tighten WNBA Playoff Race
Published
12 months agoon
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FNN SPORTS) – Saturday night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Sparks and Golden State Valkyries carried major playoff implications. Entering the game, both teams shared identical 14-15 records, tied for the eighth and final playoff spot if the season ended today. While the postseason is still weeks away, the intensity reflected the stakes.
The Sparks had been on a tear, winning eight of their last nine games. Early-season injuries contributed to their 5-13 start, but with a fully healthy roster for the fifth consecutive game, they looked like a different team. Notably, 2023’s No. 2 overall pick, Cameron Brink, played in her fifth straight game after a 13-month recovery from a torn ACL.
Golden State, in its inaugural WNBA season, has been a steady competitor, staying around .500 despite losing All-Star Kayla Thornton to a season-ending knee injury two weeks ago. The Valkyries came in on a two-game skid after back-to-back losses to the Las Vegas Aces.
The Chase Center crowd was electric from tip-off. After early back-and-forth scoring, Golden State surged ahead and never looked back. Their defensive effort proved decisive, holding the Sparks — who had scored 100 points in five of their last six games (a WNBA record) — to just 23 points in the first half. Sparks stars Dearica Hamby and Kelsey Plum, the league’s highest-scoring duo, were both scoreless in the opening half.
The Sparks showed signs of life in the third quarter, putting up 25 points, but the Valkyries matched the energy, adding 23 of their own. Hamby’s first points came on a three-pointer that cut the deficit to three, but Golden State quickly regained control and led by as many as 19 in the fourth quarter.
Veronica Burton led all scorers with 16 points, along with five rebounds and five assists. Cecilia Zandalasini added 14 points, including four crucial three-pointers. For Los Angeles, Rickea Jackson finished with eight points after scoring 20-plus in her previous three games, while Plum never found her rhythm, ending with just four points on 1-for-9 shooting.
The Valkyries’ 72-59 victory brought them back to .500 at 15-15, while the Sparks fell to 14-16. Both teams remain firmly in the hunt for a playoff berth, with the final stretch of the regular season set to determine their postseason fates.
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Marcus Richardson | Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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Central Florida News
Orlando Magic Earn NBA Team International Strategy Award for Second Consecutive Year
Published
9 hours agoon
August 1, 2026By
FNN SPORTSNEW 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
2 days agoon
July 30, 2026By
FNN SPORTSTAMPA, 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
6 days agoon
July 27, 2026By
FNN SPORTSPlayers 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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