LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade is like many coaches, hoping there will be a season next year. Wade says he’s optimistic…
cut 17 (20) “…time frame”
If the Tigers are able to get on the court next season, Wade believes LSU would be a major contender on a national scale. Wade has signed the fifth-best recruiting class in the country according to 24-7 sports. Trendon Watford, Javonte Smart, Darius Days, and Emmitt Williams have entered their names in the NBA draft, but Watford, Smart, and Days could return since they didn’t sign an agent. If those three players return, they can team up with five-star shooting guard Cam Thomas, along with incoming freshmen Mwani Wilkinson and Jalen Cook.

Its May 1st and hopefully this month we’ll see sports return. NASCAR is coming back this month and the first race will be May 17th at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The next weekend, it will be the Charlotte Motor Speedway hosting the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24th.

ESPN reports an overwhelming majority of high-level officials in the NBA remain encouraged and optimistic that basketball will return this season. But there are several obstacles. Where games will be played is one of the bigger issues. Disney World in Orlando is gaining momentum as a place where fanl-less games can be held.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told a Jacksonville radio station that unity among F-B-S conferences is not needed to resume college football activities. He says if there are a couple of programs that can not return to play, that should not stop everyone. Sankey has also previously said the virus will determine what happens.

Former LSU Tiger Joe Burrow has an excellent opportunity to be the number one quarterback in Cincinnati. That’s because the Bengals have released Andy Dalton after nine seasons in the Queen City.

Former Buccaneers Quarterback Jameis Winston is excited to be with the Black and Gold after five up and down seasons in Tampa Bay. Winston says he’s eager to learn from Hall of Famer Drew Brees…
cut 18 (15) “….use Google”
During this offseason, Winston has undergone LASIK eye surgery and he’s also turned to a mostly vegan diet.

Former Saints wide receiver Ted Ginn Junior has found a new home. The Bears have reportedly signed the veteran after he caught 30 passes last season in New Orleans.

A CNBC reports says there are team executives in the NBA and agents calling on the league to cancel the rest of the 2019-20 season and focus on safely resuming play next season. LeBron James was quick to respond and said on his Twitter page that nobody he’s spoken with has talked about canceling the rest of the season. The NBA has sent a memo to teams that they could open their practice facilities on May 8th, but the Pelicans will wait until Louisiana’s Stay at Home order is lifted. Also, the NBA is looking at playing games at Walt Disney World, if it can resume its season.

There’s been a lot of talk about allowing college athletes a one-time opportunity to transfer without sitting out for the season. But The NCAA Board of Governors recommended today that such a rule change is not appropriate at this time. But the Division One Council could vote in May on making the waiver change and have it go into effect immediately.

It looks like Joe Burrow will be the starting quarterback for the Bengals heading into the season. That’s because Cincinnati has released veteran Andy Dalton, who has been the starting Q-B in the Queen City for the last nine seasons.

It’s been an up and down five NFL seasons for the Saints new backup quarterback Jameis Winston, but the former number one pick wants to become a more consistent performer. After leading the league in I-N-Ts last season, Winston had LASIK surgery and began working with physical therapist Kevin Wilk, who has worked for a longtime with Drew Brees…
cut 17 (20) “….my body”

The NCAA Division One Board of Directors is not in favor of allowing undergraduate student-athletes the right to transfer one time without forcing them to sit out a season. The NCAA’s Transfer Waiver Working Group recommended that a one-time waiver proposal be approved. But the Division One Board says this might not be the appropriate time to change such a rule.

The NBA will allow teams to reopen facilities on May 8th, but the stay at home order in Louisiana has been extended until May 15th. Multiple reports say the Pelicans facility in Metairie will remain closed through the state’s stay at home order. Also, the NBA is reportedly considering playing games at Walt Disney World in Orlando if the league can resume the regular season.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not taking a salary during the coronavirus pandemic. And some workers in the league office could also be furloughed.

After starting 70-games in his five-year NFL career, Jameis Winston is now a back-up quarterback with the New Orleans Saints. The former number one pick says it’s wise for him to spend a season learning from head coach Sean Payton and future Hall of Famer Drew Brees
Cut 16 (17) “…of men”
Winston led the N-F-L in passing yards last season, but he also led the league in interceptions. The 26-year-old had knee surgery in the offseason to repair a torn meniscus, also had LASIK surgery, and Winston says he’s dropped some weight thanks to a mostly vegan diet.

ESPN’s fantasy football league will allow players to select Taysom Hill as a tight end or flex player. He’s previously been designated as a quarterback.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not taking a salary during the coronavirus pandemic. Goodell makes over 30-million dollars a year and sources say it was his decision to not take a salary. Other top executives are taking a pay cut between 5 to 15-percent. And some workers in the league office could also be furloughed.

The NCAA has announced it supports the idea of student-athletes making money on their names, images, and likenesses. The exact wording of the rules will be finalized by October 30th and a formal vote will occur in January 2021. The proposal would allow college athletes to secure sponsorship deals, but they can not use their schools’ logos or markings. Agents can be hired to help secure marketing deals.

NBA will allow teams to reopen facilities on May 8th, but the stay at home order in Louisiana has been extended until May 15th. The Advocate reports the Pelicans’ practice facility in Metairie will remain closed through at least May 15th. And the NBA is reportedly considering playing games at Walt Disney World in Orlando if the league is able to resume the regular season.

ESPN has learned that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is not taking a salary during the coronavirus pandemic. That’s according to an email sent by Steelers owner Art Rooney the Second to the other owners. Other top executives are taking a pay cut between 5 to 15-percent. Some workers in the league office are also being furloughed.

New Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston is taking a pay cut to play for the Black and Gold. Last year the former number one pick made 21-million dollars with the Buccaneers. But Winston’s one-year deal with the Saints will reportedly pay him one-point-one million dollars, but he can make three-point-four million dollars if he reaches certain incentives. Winston said in a Zoom call with reporters today that he’s excited to have the opportunity to learn from a Hall of Fame quarterback, instead of trying to learn by himself or using Google.

Amazon has renewed its streaming deal for Thursday night football games through 2022. Part of the deal gives exclusive rights for Amazon to air a late regular season game on a Saturday.

The NCAA Announced today that it supports the idea of allowing student athletes to make money from endorsement deals starting with the 2021-22 school year. The exact writing of the rules will be finalized by October 31st and the NCAAs three divisions would then vote by January 31st, 2021. But the proposal says players can not be shown in their uniforms or school markings when endorsing a company or product. Which means there will be no return of the E-A Sports “NCAA Football” video game.

College baseball players anticipating a Major League Baseball draft have been told it will be held in June. There was talk of pushing it back to July. But M-L-B will hold a virtual draft and it might only be five rounds or maybe ten rounds.

For college baseball players looking to make up for lost time this season. The Cape Cod League, which features some of the top college baseball players in the country, will not have a summer season this year, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the first time since 1946 that the Cape has not had a season.

Details of Jameis Winston’s one-year contract with the Saints have become public. The former first overall pick’s base salary will be one-point-one million dollars, with three-point-four million dollars in incentives. That’s according to ESPN’s Field Yates. Winston made nearly 21-million dollars last season with the Buccaneers when he led the NFL in passing yards but threw 30 interceptions. The former Heisman Trophy winner said on Instagram Live that playing for Coach Sean Payton and with Drew Brees will provide him with a Harvard education for quarterbacks.

LSU has added an offensive lineman from Harvard. Six-foot-five, 270- pound Liam Shanahan is signing with the Tigers as a grad transfer. He’s started at right guard, right tackle and left guard during his three seasons with the Crimson. Shanahan was an All-Ivy League first-team selection last season.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is optimistic NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway can be run at the end of May without fans.

The NCAA’s board of governors supports student-athletes getting paid for endorsements and promotions by a third-party. Under the proposed rule changes, student-athletes can profit from modeling apparel as long as that apparel doesn’t include school logos or other school marks. And athletes will be allowed to hire an agent to help procure marketing opportunities. This does not mean the NCAA can pay athletes and the proposal would put limitations on potential compensation. Division one, two, and three must approve these proposals and if approved, they would take effect by the start of the 2021-22 academic year.

The NFL has set the dates for the 2021 draft. It will take place in downtown Cleveland from April 29 to May 1st. The league says the plan is to incorporate some of their innovations and special access from the 2020 draft into their draft plans for next year.

There’s a report Major League Baseball will hold a virtual draft in June. There was some talk about pushing the draft back into the summer. We still don’t know the length of the draft, it could be as short as five rounds or maybe as long as ten rounds.

Many Saints fans didn’t like Jameis Winston when he played for Tampa Bay, but the former first overall pick is officially a member of the Black and Gold. New Orleans has announced the signing of Winston, who led the NFL in passing yards last season but threw 30 interceptions. Winston’s contract is for one year. The former Heisman Trophy winner said on Instagram Live that playing for Coach Sean Payton and with Drew Brees will provide him with a Harvard education for quarterbacks.

LSU has added an offensive lineman from Harvard. Six-foot-five, 270 pound Liam Shanahan is signing with the Tigers as a grad transfer. He’s started at right guard, right tackle and left guard during his three seasons with the Crimson. Shanahan was an All-Ivy League first-team selection last season.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is optimistic NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway will happen at the end of May without fans.

The NFL has set the dates for the 2021 draft. It will take place in downtown Cleveland from April 29 to May 1st. The league says the plan is to incorporate some of their innovations and special access from the 2020 draft into their draft plans for next year.

There’s a report Major League Baseball will hold a virtual draft in June. There was some talk about pushing the draft back into the summer. We still don’t know the length of the draft, it could be as short as five rounds or maybe as long as ten rounds.

NCAA President Mark Emmert holds a press conference today where he is expected to announce that the association has come up with rules on how college athletes can make money off of their name, image, and likeness. It would reportedly allow student-athletes to be paid for modeling apparel as long as that apparel doesn’t include school logos or other school marks. And athletes will be allowed to hire an agent to help procure marketing opportunities.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson says the extra time off has given him time to get his knee and body in better shape. The number one pick says he’s ready to play once the league says it’s safe to do so…
cut 30 (16) “…my teammates”
Williamson made the comments to TNT’s Ernie Johnson in an interview that ran on the NBA’s Twitter page. ESPN reports that the NBA has sent a memo to teams instructing them that they could re-open their facilities on May 8th. But local government clearance is needed first and currently, the stay at home order in Louisiana is until May 15th.

LSU point guard Javonte Smart announces he’s entering his name into the NBA draft but will retain his eligibility. Smart averaged 13 points and four assists last year.

The NFL is reportedly planning to release a schedule in early May. The league has said they plan to start the season in September, but according to Sports Business Journal they will be flexible and the season could start as late as October 15th. That would mean the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay would be played on February 28th. Bye weeks and the Pro Bowl could be eliminated if there’s a delayed start to the season.

The Saints are still expected to sign former Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year contract. Assistant general manager Jeff Ireland told a radio station in Texas that Winston will learn more football in a year in New Orleans than he has in his lifetime.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that Major League Baseball is confident there will be a season and the league hopes to have a concrete plan in place by the end of May. An 80 to 100-game regular season would start in July at 20 different ballparks where the number of coronavirus cases is not very high. If the season started in July, then you could see the World Series around Thanksgiving time at a warm-weather site.

LSU plans to have students and football return to campus for the fall. But interim president Thomas Galligan says the Tigers will only take the field when it’s safe and delaying the start of the season is a possibility. He says whether Tiger Stadium will be packed is a question they can’t answer now. Galligan says chancellors and presidents of SEC schools speak every week and there’s a lot of planning taking place.

The NBA has sent a memo to its teams that they can open their practice facilities to the players for limited workouts on May 8th. The league could push back the opening date if further developments warrant. Local government clearance will be required and once the facilities open, everyone is required to mask inside, except when players are working out.

Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson told TNT’s Ernie Johnson in an interview on NBA’s Twitter feed that he’s ready for the season to resume. Williamson says he’s living in New Orleans the extra time off has allowed him to get his knee and body in better shape.

The Saints are still expected to sign former Bucaneers quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year contract. Assistant general manager Jeff Ireland told a radio show in Texas that Winston will learn more football in a year than he has in his lifetime.

LSU point guard Javonte Smart announces he’s entering his name into the NBA draft but will retain his eligibility. Smart averaged 13 points and four assists last year.

In baseball, LSU’s Hal Hughes has announced he’s transferring to Rice. Hughes is excellent with the glove, but struggled to hit above .200 during his two-plus seasons in a Tigers uniform.

ESPN is reporting that Major League Baseball is confident there will be a season and the league hopes to have a plan in place by the end of May. An 80 to 100-game regular season would start in July and postseason games in November will be at warm-weather sites.

The NFL is reportedly planning to release a schedule in early May. And the league is planning for the possibility of the season not starting until mid-October, which would push the Super Bowl in Tampa Bay until February 28th. Bye weeks and the Pro Bowl could be eliminated if there’s a delayed start to the season.

LSU plans to have students and football return to campus for the fall. But interim president Thomas Galligan says the Tigers will only take the field when it’s safe and delaying the start of the season is a possibility. He says whether Tiger Stadium will be packed is a question they can’t answer now…
Cut 13 (08) “…do so”
Galligan says chancellors and presidents of SEC schools speak every week and there’s a lot of planning taking place.

Longtime LSU band director Frank Wickes has passed away at the age of 82. Wickes directed the Golden Band from Tiger Land from 1980 until his retirement in 2010. A cause of death was not announced, but we know that Wickes passed away at an assisted living facility in Florida.

LSU point guard Javonte Smart announces he’s entering his name into the NA draft but will retain his eligibility. Smart averaged 13 points and four assists last year.

The Saints have a small draft class as they selected just four players over the course of seven rounds. These rookies will not have the benefit of an offseason conditioning program or O-T-As. But Saints Coach Sean Payton doesn’t believe they will be too far behind when training camp starts…
cut 17 (15) “….Saint players”

ESPN is reporting that the NBA has sent a memo to its teams that they can open their practice facilities to the players for limited workouts on May 8th. The league could push back the opening date further if developments warrant.

And ESPN is also reporting that Major League Baseball is confident there will be a season and the league hopes to have a plan in place by the end of May. An 80 to 100-game regular season would start in July and postseason games in November will be at warm-weather sites.