Sport & Story Daily March 19, 2024

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March 19, 2024

Good morning! Bracket Busting Likely

How Bracketologists are Using Artificial Intelligence This March Madness
You might be surprised to know that the application in bracketology circles is not new. As AP News’ James Pollard writes, “Even so, the annual bracket contests still provide plenty of surprises for computer science aficionados who’ve spent years honing their models with past NCAA Tournament results.”

“You have to actually understand people,” said Chris Ford, a data analyst who lives in Germany. “And that’s what’s so tricky about it.”
^apnews.com

Nike Continues as Top NCAA Tournament Outfitter
Per SBJ, Nike continues to dominate as the top shoe and jersey provider of teams in the NCAA Tournament. Nike and its affiliated Jordan Brand are outfitting 42 of the 68 teams in the field, improving by two from last year’s 40. That includes outfitting all four number-one seeds—UConn, Purdue, Houston, and North Carolina.
^{sportsbusinessjournal.com}

University of Texas Sr. Associate AD Chris Plonsky Talks Women's Sports, NIL, and Moving to the SEC on This Week's On the Fly Podcast, Hosted by Gene DeFilippo
In talking about the difficulties UT faced in playing Big 12 conference members for the last time this past season, Plonsky said that she and her staff had one motto when talking to the players: “Embrace the hate.” They warned players that every team would be bringing their best, which taught them grit and resilience.

Plonsky also weighed in on treating student-athletes as “pure employees,” saying she’s always thought this would be a “snapping point, also posing the question of what would happen to sports that are not revenue-generating. s
^spotify.com

OL Groupe Sells Seattle Reign for $58M to Group That Includes Sounders
More movement in the NWSL league. OL Groupe today said that it has "signed an agreement with a group including the Seattle Sounders and global investment firm Carlyle for the sale of Seattle Reign," according to the AP. The holding company said that it will "sell its entire stake, representing 97% of the club’s share capital," with a sale price of $58M "for 100% of the shares." refocusing on men’s soccer"
^{sportsbusinessjournal.com}

Sports Illustrated Lives on With Minute Media Publishing Deal
As Sportico’s Jacob Feldman reports, “The next chapter in Sports Illustrated’s saga will be written by management at Minute Media, which recently acquired the digital and print licensing rights to continue publishing the storied magazine.

The tie-up will run for up to 10 years with an option to extend for 20 more, according to The New York Times, which first reported the news.”
^sportico.com

Forgotten No More As Pimlico Finally Could Gain Much-Needed Upgrades
As FOS’ Eric Fisher reports, “The often-overlooked middle leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown is poised to see a significant facility upgrade, one that will both bring it closer to parity with the sport’s other two marquee races…Maryland’s legislature, which has less than a month remaining in its current session, is now considering a $400 million bond measure that would rebuild Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course, a 153-year-old facility that hosts the Preakness Stakes each year but has fallen into disrepair.”
^{frontofficesports.com}

Wembanyama, Spurs Confirm That They’re Headed to France Next Season
San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich confirmed Sunday night that the Spurs are heading to Paris, Victor Wembanyama’s native country, next season.

Added Wembanyama, the French star, and overwhelming favorite to win the NBA’s Rookie of the Year honor this season: “I’m looking forward to it very much.”
^apnews.com

What Trev Alberts’ Departure Means for Matt Rhule, Huskers Athletics
As The Athletic’s Mitch Sherman writes, “More than ever Nebraska rides on a football coach. [Matt] Rhule, 49, has generated a small mountain of positive energy and momentum with his reshaping of the Huskers’ culture. Nebraska effectively received a head start on the five Big Ten football programs that hired head coaches this winter. And it needs every advantage it can create after seven consecutive losing seasons.”
^{theathletic.com}

Has There Ever Been a Perfect March Madness Bracket? NCAA Tournament Odds Not in Your Favor
After No. 16 seed Farleigh Dickinson shocked the world and upset No. 1 seed Purdue in the first round of last year's NCAA tournament, people might wonder if there's ever been a perfect NCAA tournament bracket during March Madness, home of the buzzer beaters, upsets and Cinderella runs?

The answer is a resounding no. There has never been a perfect bracket that correctly guessed the outcome of all 63 games in the tournament, despite millions and millions of brackets submitted each year.
^{theathletic.com}

Selection Sunday, Transfer Portal Monday: An Extra Layer of Madness As Players Flood the Portal
As reported by FOS’ Margaret Fleming, “On the men’s side, players from Maryland, Miami, and Stanford are among nearly 300 transfers who have, as of Monday morning, declared for the portal. About half of them let their school know their decision since the portal opened, per tracking by Verbal Commits. On the women’s side, more than 215 players have declared for the portal, according to The Next.”
frontofficesports.com

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