Welcome to Friday, soccer followers! It is Tyler Sullivan right here lending a serving to hand with the Choose Six publication as our buddy John Breech takes some much-deserved time without work and prepares for the numerous kicking battles that await us when coaching camps open up in a couple of month.
Even with this being the lifeless interval on the NFL calendar, there’s loads of information that we have to get to, so we cannot waste an excessive amount of time and easily roll out what you must know earlier than all of us benefit from the weekend. First, we ask you to subscribe to the publication proper right here and ensure to inform your folks to affix as properly.
1. NFL ordered to pay greater than $4.7 billion in ‘Sunday Ticket’ class-action lawsuit
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In the event you’ve bought a “Sunday Ticket” package deal, you might wish to hear up. On Thursday, a federal decide ordered the NFL to pay $4.7 billion in residential class damages and $96 million in business class injury in what has grow to be referred to as the “Sunday Ticket” case.
This class-action lawsuit has been making its means via the courts courting almost a decade when the case was initially filed in 2015. To interrupt it down in easy phrases, the plaintiffs have argued that the NFL labored along with its community companions to inflate the value of “Sunday Ticket,” which might violate antitrust legal guidelines.
After this loss in court docket, the NFL introduced that it will attraction the choice. Per ESPN, there can be a listening to on July 31 for post-trial motions, together with one to put aside the decision.
“We’re dissatisfied with the jury’s verdict right now within the NFL Sunday Ticket class motion lawsuit,” the league mentioned in a press release. “We proceed to imagine that our media distribution technique, which options all NFL video games broadcast on free over-the-air tv within the markets of the collaborating groups and nationwide distribution of our hottest video games, supplemented by many extra selections together with RedZone, Sunday Ticket, and NFL+, is by far essentially the most fan pleasant distribution mannequin in all of sports activities and leisure. We will definitely contest this choice as we imagine that the category motion claims on this case are baseless and with out benefit. We thank the jury for his or her time and repair and for the steerage and oversight from Choose Gutierrez all through the trial.”
In accordance with the Related Press, this case covers each residential and business buyer who subscribed to “Sunday Ticket” between 2012 and 2022, placing the class-action quantity at roughly 2.5 million folks.
2. Puka Nacua recaps historic rookie season with Rams
One of many darlings of the 2023 season (and Fantasy Soccer league-winner) was Puka Nacua. The Rams wideout took the league by storm, setting rookie data for receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486). Nacua additionally did not wilt below the lights of the postseason, catching 9 passes for 181 yards and a landing, setting an NFL file for essentially the most receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff recreation. Merely put, he was lights out wire to wire.
This week, Nacua spoke with CBS Sports activities’ Jordan Dajani about his rookie season and the way he is getting ready for an encore in Yr 2.
“Being extra centered on my physique elements that I really feel like wanted work,” he mentioned. “We’re at all times coaching clearly for soccer and among the fundamental energy care that comes from normal Olympic lifting, after which simply the nuances of my physique and the issues which have modified both from earlier accidents or stuff that I’ve discovered from this previous season. Being actually particular in sure areas of coaching.”
When requested if he ever shocked himself for a way dominant he was out of the shoot, Nacua mentioned, “I would not use the phrase shocked, however it undoubtedly did really feel pure. With the media stuff that had come after, however I nonetheless do not forget that first trip in Seattle Week 1 and simply feeling like I used to be in a move state. My first goal within the NFL was a drop, however I simply keep in mind after that second, me and Matthew (Stafford) type of taking a look at one another and feeling like the whole lot was nonetheless going to be alright. I had made the error to start out, and the whole lot else went so easily after that. So it was wonderful.”
To learn the total interview which incorporates Nacua figuring out the hardest nook he confronted final season, click on right here.
3. Biggest win for all 32 NFL groups
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Whereas some franchises have reached greater heights than others, each staff has that marquee victory that’s etched within the very cloth of the group and can dwell on endlessly. At any time when it is introduced up, followers can virtually recite it play by play, however can virtually actually keep in mind the sport’s signature second.
Our Bryan DeArdo determined to dive into that reminiscence financial institution and spotlight the best victory of all 32 groups within the NFL. If you wish to see all of them, you’ll be able to learn the total story right here. Beneath, we’ll offer you three groups and the win that DeAdro notes is their greatest ever.
New England Patriots: Tremendous Bowl LI. Trailing 28-3, New England scored 31 unanswered factors that included 19 fourth-quarter factors to power additional time. Within the first possession of additional time, Tom Brady accomplished passes of 14, 18, and 15 yards to arrange James White’s game-winning landing. The fifth Tremendous Bowl win in franchise historical past, Brady made historical past by successful his fourth Tremendous Bowl MVP award. And whereas Brady was deserving of the MVP, Dont’a Hightower’s compelled fumble of Matt Ryan halfway via the fourth quarter (the Patriots trailed 28-12 on the time) modified the complexion of the sport. Julian Edelman’s outstanding catch with 2:28 left enabled the Patriots to tie the sport and power additional time.
Dallas Cowboys: Tremendous Bowl VI. Whereas they have been referred to as “America’s Group” since 1979, the Cowboys had been beforehand labeled as “subsequent yr’s champions” after developing quick in a number of championship video games that included a three-point loss in Tremendous Bowl V. The 1971 Cowboys lastly broke via; they went 10-0 with Roger Staubach beginning below heart, capped off with a dominant Tremendous Bowl win over Don Shula’s Dolphins. Staubach received Tremendous Bowl MVP honors, whereas his speeding assault — led by Duane Thomas and Walt Garrison — ran for over thrice as many yards because the Dolphins’ backs Jim Kiick and Larry Csonka. Dallas’ “Doomsday” protection, led by linebacker Chuck Howley, defensive deal with Bob Lilly and defensive backs Mel Renfro, Herb Adderley and Cliff Harris, turned the primary unit to not permit a landing within the Tremendous Bowl.
New York Giants: Tremendous Bowl XLII. The primary NFC staff to win the Tremendous Bowl after successful three street playoff video games, the Giants shocked the closely favored Patriots whereas denying them the possibility at turning into the NFL’s first 19-0 staff. Trailing 14-10 late within the recreation, Eli Manning’s iconic completion to David Tyree arrange Manning’s game-winning go to Plaxico Burress with 35 seconds left. The Giants then sacked Tom Brady for a fifth time earlier than forcing consecutive incomplete passes supposed for Randy Moss. The Giants’ defensive mastery was led by Justin Tuck, who tallied two sacks, six tackles, two tackles for loss and a compelled fumble. Corridor of Fame go rusher Michael Strahan recorded a sack of Brady in what was his remaining NFL recreation.
4. Agent’s Take: How Dolphins can successfully pay Tyreek Hill
Plenty of focus in Miami is being paid to what sort of extension the Dolphins will hand to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Whereas that is actually a scenario that is price monitoring, so is the contract standing of Tyreek Hill. The vast receiver market has exploded this offseason, and Hill is now in line to be the most recent go catcher to money in. However how will that truly come collectively?
CBS Sports activities’ Joel Corry dove into Hill’s present contract and rolled out a couple of situations of how the staff can compensate him with a market-level deal. It ought to be identified that Hill has three years left on his present deal, however the final of his assured cash is that this yr which is why his contract is of central focus.
Corry notes that Miami might comply with the same path that the Eagles went down with fellow star receiver A.J. Brown, who signed a three-year, $96 million extension in April giving him a mean annual wage of $32 million.
“On the very least, the Dolphins ought to be keen to redistribute among the $45 million from 2026 to 2024 and 2025,” writes Corry. “For instance, Hill’s 2026 wage might be lowered to $30 million the place his 2024 compensation will increase to $27.7 million from $19.765 million, and 2025 goes from $22.935 million to $30 million. The $7.935 million wage improve for 2024 might be within the type a roster bonus due a few days after signing. Hill’s 2025 base wage, which is at the moment unsecured, can be a totally assured $28.9 million. The opposite $1.1 million in 2025 compensation can be Hill’s current $1 million third day of the 2025 league yr roster bonus and $100,000 2025 exercise bonus.”
5. Rating the highest 20 tight ends for the 2024 season
USATSI
We’re persevering with to undergo every place within the NFL right here at CBS Sports activities and unveil our rankings heading into the 2024 season. Now, it is the tight ends flip. Our Jared Dubin was tasked with wanting on the place group and slotting in the perfect of the perfect in his high 20 listing. Whereas Travis Kelce could have captured many of the headlines in 2023, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star lands at No. 2 on Dubin’s listing and is wanting as much as George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers.
Dubin on Kittle: Kittle is an absolute monster who can take over video games as each a receiver and a blocker. His absurd 15.7 yards per reception common topped the next-closest tight finish with a minimum of 25 grabs (Doubtless) by TWO FULL YARDS per catch. His targets become an explosive play (16 or extra yards) 27.8% of the time final season, through Tru Media, by far the best fee on the place. And he’s the perfect blocking tight finish since Rob Gronkowski. Nearly as good as Kelce is as a pass-catcher, proper now, Kittle is the higher total participant. And that is smart, on condition that Kittle remains to be in his prime and Kelce can be 35 in October.
Here is a take a look at the highest 5 of Dubin’s tight ends for 2024:
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
- Travis Kelce, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
To see the total high 20 listing, click on right here.
6. Further factors: Sanders makes first public feedback since well being scare
Need extra NFL information? Listed here are another noteworthy headlines from throughout the league: