Even though the current Summer Olympic Games are occurring in 2021, they’re still being called the 2020 Olympics. That’s just one of several things that make these current Games very different from any of their predecessors. For one, they’re being conducted in a city where a large segment of the population doesn’t feel they should be happening with Japan in general and Tokyo in particular still under emergency COVID-19 precautions. Those precautions have prevented friends, family and fans from attending, turning these Games into strictly a television show. But more importantly, these games are another indicator that athletic talent exists…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Will Smith has portrayed famous fathers before, most notably Muhammad Ali. But it’s still somewhat of a surprise that he’ll soon be portraying one of the most famous fathers in sports history and particularly in the tennis world. Last week Warner Bros. presented the first trailer for the upcoming film “King Richard,” which stars Smith as Richard Williams, the father of the great Venus and Serena Williams. The film also stars Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as Venus and Serena Williams, Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene “Brandi” Williams, Jon Bernthal as coach Rick Macci, and…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Former President Barack Obama and Bruce Springsteen are expanding their joint activities into the book world. They’re already been partners on a podcast, and that is now being converted into a book. Penquin Random House is joining forces with former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company to publish “Renegades: Born in the USA,” a collection of conversations that Obama and Springsteen began in their Spotify co-produced podcast of the same name. The book will chronicle the candid conversations Obama and Springsteen began in their Spotify co-produced podcast. The two sat down and…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Despite having a solid season that returned them to the playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly planning a major trade prior to Thursday’s NBA draft. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Grizzlies will trade their starting center Jonas Valanciunas and the 17th overall pick to New Orleans in exchange for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe and two future first-round picks, one of them being the number 10 pick in this year’s draft. By moving up to the number 10 position this year and also getting extra picks the Grizzlies might wind up with three first…
For more Olympics than anyone can remember, basketball was considered a sport that the USA was deemed unbeatable, particularly on the men’s side. Even before NBA players became regular participants, USA teams comprised of collegians were usually dominant. The team has won 15 gold medals in the previous 18 Olympics it has entered, and prior to Tokyo the U.S, team had amassed a 25-game winning streak. But there were already signs that things might not be so easy this time around. America lost twice in exhibition play to Nigeria and Australia, and the globalization of the NBA has become so…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Trevor Noah is taking on a new role and additional duties in a setting apart for his usual “Daily Show” responsibilities. Variety and other entertainment publications announced Monday that his Day Zero Productions company would join with Time Studios and P&G Studios on an ambitious series titled “The Tipping Point.” This will be a group of documentary projects devoted to examining critical issues. Some topics they plan to tackle include voting rights, civil rights, to civil rights, healthcare, and the global refugee crisis. Each film will be a unique, standalone documentary. Some of the…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Over the last week the Nashville Predators have made news on three fronts. One continues the revamping of the roster, the second announced which players would be protected in the upcoming draft. But the third was the biggest from a cultural standpoint, with the announcement by their third-round draft choice Luke Prokop that he is gay. That makes him the NHL’s first openly gay player. That announcement made international news. Prokop, 19-year-old from Edmonton, was drafted last year. He’s a defenseman. Both Predators President/CEO Sean Henry and President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile…
The Summer Olympics are arguably the world’s greatest sporting event. Only the World Cup rivals it in terms of international participation and interest. It also makes millions of dollars for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), though it frequently also puts host countries in debt due to the amount of temporary infrastructure that must be created, and the amount of lodging required for the thousands of athletes coming from all over the globe. Last year’s Tokyo Olympics were canceled in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic raging at its worst. The IOC was steadfast in its determination that they would be…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — CBS has tabbed the star of “The Neighborhood” as host for the upcoming Emmy Awards telecast. Cedric the Entertainer will assume those duties for the 73rd Primetime Emmys. The next night most likely will be the start of a new season for his show“The Neighborhood,” which will also help launch CBS’ fall season. Also returning for their second consecutive year are Hudlin Entertainment and Done+Dusted. That production company has been involved with the telecast four straight years. Reginald Hudlin and Ian Stewart are executive producers, and Hamish Hamilton will be director of the…
The NBA has apparently taken notice of a previous shortcoming and taken steps to address it, or at least owners have seen the success this year in the playoffs of Black coaches because they suddenly are hot commodities. The official announcement of Jamahl Mosley as the new head coach of the Orlando Magic Monday made it four new Blacks added to the roster of NBA head coaches. Mosley follows the hiring of Ime Udoka in Boston, Chauncy Billups in Portland, and Jason Kidd in Dallas. One could even say technically it’s five as Nate McMillan had the interim taken off…