Monday, Apr. 5 through Sunday, Apr. 11, 2021
Issue No. 375
|
|
A New Reality for Sports Fans
has arrived
|
|
The FCF app ranked as one of the top sports apps, competing with ESPN, Draft Kings, NBA, FanDuel, and other major sports apps
|
|
|
|
A Brave New World --
Immersive Sports
by Andy Dolich
|
|
I joined the management team at Fan Controlled Football (FCF) three years ago as COO during its planning stage. Recently we became the only professional sports league that empowered fans to call plays in real-time. Our first-ever title game was named by our fans and you guessed it, “The People’s Championship.”
The title game featured the Glacier Boyz and Wild Aces on March 20, won by the Aces, 46-40. With three seconds left on the clock Aces QB Ed Crouch called his own number, diving into the end zone for the game winning score. The game was streamed live on Twitch and VENN, along with NBCLX and DAZN Canada.
The season finale capped an unprecedented inaugural season which saw the FCF become the fastest growing live sports channel on Twitch. FCF received more than 7.5 million total live views on Twitch during the season, including a league record 2 million live views during the Playoffs.
• The FCF app ranked as one of the top sports apps, competing with ESPN, Draft Kings, NBA, FanDuel, and other major sports apps.
• FCF fans combined for more than 2 million real-time play calls, draft picks, and league votes over the course of the season.
• Launched the first-ever campaign with investment firm Republic giving fans the opportunity to own an equity stake in a professional sports team. More than 2,000 fans collectively invested more than $1 million, becoming FCF owners.
• FCF Secured more than 25 corporate partnerships and licensees, including Wendy’s, Gatorade, Verizon, IBM, WHOOP, Champion, Progressive Insurance and Great Clips.
Live stream guests for The People’s Championship included NFL Legend Joe Montana, NFL All-Star and Co-owner of the Glacier Boyz, Richard Sherman, and Kinda Funny Manager and co-owner of the Wild Aces, Greg Miller.
“We set out to give fans unprecedented access and control, something never done before in sports,” said Sohrob Farudi, co-founder and CEO of Fan Controlled Football. “Our first season captured fans all over the world and proved that our model and this league would thrive.
|
|
Wild Aces celebrate their dramatic win and championship
What attracted me to join the FCF team? Simple, ISE -- Immersive Sports and Entertainment.
I had seen that the advances in technology and digital delivery were changing the sports world on a daily basis. No longer are fans on the outside looking in. FCF has put the plans in the hands of the fans.
Fan Controlled Football (FCF) combines the passion and competitiveness of live and fantasy sports with the interactivity of video games. We were the first platform in professional sports history where fans get to call all the shots, from branding and player personnel decisions to real-time play calling.
Four teams were stacked with pro-caliber players from the NFL, CFL, XFL, and NCAA Division I and II programs. Games are played in a fast paced, high-scoring 7-vs-7 style of football on a 50-yard x 35-yard field with 10-yard end zones. Our six week season began on February 13, 2021. Season 1.0 played out at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth, Georgia.
If you missed it, just go to fcf.io or twitch.tv/fcf to see what we are all about and get ready for Season 2.0!
* * *
Andy Dolich has over five decades of leadership in the sports industry, including executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, pro soccer and lacrosse. Presently Dolich is COO of the Fan Controlled Football (FCF) and teaches sports business at Stanford's School of Continuing Studies. Dolich is also co-author of:
|
|
Players entrance for every game of the season |
|
2021 Women's Basketball
National Champions
|
|
Stanford Cardinal 54 (31-2,19-2 Pac-12)
Arizona Wildcats 53 (21-6,13-4 Pac-12)
Sophomore Haley Jones scored 17 points and Stanford beat Arizona,
54-53, giving the Cardinal and its Hall of Fame coach, Tara VanDerveer, their first national championship since 1992 on Sunday night.
Read here. (Photo: Getty Images)
|
|
San Jose Sharks 4
Minnesota Wild 3 (SO)
|
|
San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (center) scored two goals and added the game-winning shootout goal as the Sharks defeated the Minnesota Wild,
4-3, at SAP Center on Monday evening, March 29.
|
|
A's, Giants, Warriors,
Kings & Sharks Schedules
|
|
Fans Return Opening Day, Must Show Proof of a Negative COVID Test or be Fully Vaccinated
After a long year, the Giants have been approved to welcome fans back home to Oracle Park starting on Opening Day, April 9. The San Francisco Public Health Department has approved our application to host fans and is allowing us to operate the ballpark at up to 22% of its capacity.
As a condition of this approval, the Health Department is requiring that all fans be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or receive a negative test result for COVID-19 within 72 hours of the first game they attend in the homestand.
- Fans 12 years and older will be required to take a COVID-19 test with negative results or provide proof of a COVID-19 full vaccination in order to gain entry. If testing, the Giants strongly encourage fans to take a PCR-type test over a rapid antigen test.
- Test results need to be received within 72 hours of the first game attended in a homestand. Fans can present their negative COVID-19 test two ways:
-
Fans 18 and older can utilize the CLEAR Health Pass to securely link and confirm negative COVID-19 test results for a seamless entry to the game. Health Pass is a free service on the CLEAR mobile app, which connects a person's verified identity to COVID-19 related information to help reduce public health risk and get people back to what they love.
--OR--
2. Fans can bring an electronic or paper copy of their COVID-19 test result for entry.
-
Full vaccination is defined as completion of the regimen two weeks in advance of the game. Fully vaccinated fans can bring a paper or electronic copy of their completed vaccination card for entry.
Other Health & Safety Requirements include:
- Fans must not attend games if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, even if they have recently been tested or are fully vaccinated.
- Fans will be seated in socially distanced pods in nine designated zones throughout the ballpark.
- Designated zones assign fans to specific entry and exit gates, concessions and restrooms located closest to their seating pod.
- All food and beverage will be ordered via mobile app only available for pick up at concession stands within their seating zone.
- Face masks and social distancing will be strictly enforced.
|
|
Cardboard is out, fans are in!
Don't miss out on more exciting matchups this week
as the A's take on the Los Angeles Dodgers.
|
|
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
|
April Fools' Day and the way the new baseball season
is opening reminded me of the meanest/best April Fools' Day prank ever pulled on me. Actually the prank was on a friend and I got sucked in. My dear friend Donna was given Oakland A's April 1 Opening Day tickets in 1990. We got to the Coliseum only to find out the game was canceled because of a work stoppage by the players. The season opener was postponed one week that year. That's how little I was paying attention to baseball...
WITH THAT SAID, how many strikes/lockouts/stoppages have occurred in Major League Baseball history?
(See answer below...)
|
|
Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum
and Hall of Fame continues to grow
|
|
Pictured above: The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum wall at the Oakland Coliseum for the past three seasons. Designer: Bay Area artist Mauricio Segura
|
|
|
|
Hispanic
Heritage
Baseball
Museum
by Amaury Pi-González
|
|
2020 was an off-year for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.
The Museum will not be at this year’s All-Star Game scheduled for Tuesday, July 13. But the Museum will take part in the 2022 All-Star Game to be held at Dodger Stadium, July 12, 2022 in Los Angeles (at the Los Angeles Convention Center in the heart of Los Angeles). This appearance is being rescheduled from last year which was to take place at Dodger Stadium but could not because of the COVID Pandemic.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame was established on October 24, 1998 as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to recognize the contributions of Hispanic players in baseball. No inductions to the Museum’s Hall of Fame took place in 2020.
Mr. Tito Avila, Jr is the creator and founder of the Museum. The Museum will ensure the history and profound influence which Hispanic players have made. The Museum has exhibited in over fifteen major league cities and to date has inducted 74 players into the Hall of Fame.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame have participated in the Oakland Athletics’ Fan Fests as well as the San Francisco Giants’ Fan Fests throughout the years. However, because of the Pandemic we were not able to join the players and see their fans up close as they celebrated the arrival of another baseball season.
We have exhibited in All-Star Games and Fan Fests with our very popular traveling wall of history which depicts the very first Hispanics to play in organized baseball in the United States, in chronological order. We have displayed at many public libraries across the country, as well as at numerous community events.
At the Oakland Coliseum fans enjoyed a large portion of the wall to the right at the Club Level entrance. From 2018 to 2020 thousands of fans have enjoyed, stopped and taken pictures and read the history. Wholesome role models are rare in today’s society.
Our youth desperately seek hope and direction. This Museum offers a unique opportunity to provide inspiration while creating a great legacy with vision towards our future. Mr. Dave Kaval, president of the Athletics and Dave Rinetti, VP of Stadium Operations, were instrumental in the three years the HHBMHOF mural was at the Oakland Coliseum.
With around 30 percent of Hispanic players in major league baseball and between 45 to 50 million Hispanics in the country, the largest minority, it is impossible to ignore.
The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum has big plans and continues to be committed to preserving the history and profound influence which Hispanic players have had on America’s Favorite Pastime. At the time of its foundation the Museum was recognized by then Commissioner of Baseball, Mr. Bud Selig.
Soon for all to enjoy will be the new museum website with information about players, events, how to become a member, how to send a contribution, a suggestion, a question or even if you want to donate baseball memorabilia to the museum. http://www.hhbmhof.com
Stay well and stay tuned.
* * *
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play-by-play announcer for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News
|
|
Stanford Cardinal victorious
over Cal Bears, 3-2
|
|
Stanford junior Charlie Ekstrom (#22) and senior Sunny Villapando (#3) celebrate as the team rushes the court. The Cardinal defeated No. 5 Cal Poly and No. 9 Cal on Saturday at Stanford Beach Volleyball Courts, both by
|
|
The Stanford #2 pair of freshmen Xolani Hodel (#32) and Kate Reilly (#24) celebrate. No. 12 Stanford pushed its winning streak to a school-record 13 straight matches. Photo by Alex Ho.
|
|
Stanford’s #1 pair senior Sunny Villapando (#3) and junior Charlie Ekstrom (#22) celebrate their 21–14, 30–28 victory over Cal. The Cardinal is now 14-3 on the season and is set to head to Phoenix next weekend for the Pac-12 North Invitational, hosted by Arizona State at Grand Canyon University. The Cardinal will face four ranked opponents at the event, in No. 13 Arizona, No. 1 Southern Cal, No. 4 UCLA and No. 9 Cal. Photo by Alex Ho.
|
|
BUS 180 — Technology and Innovation
in the Year of Empty Arenas
|
|
Quarter: Spring
Course Format: Live Online
(About Formats)
Date(s): Apr 13 - Jun 1
Drop Deadline: Apr 15
Tuition: $545
|
|
Day(s): Tuesdays
Duration: 8 weeks
Time: 7:00 - 8:50 pm (PT)
Unit: 1
Instructor: Andy Dolich
Status: Registration opens Feb. 22, 8:30 a.m. (PT)
|
|
Stanford Continuing Studies
Many of the 140 million fans who would have attended live sporting events in the last year have taken a seat in front of the television and other digital devices as the pandemic has kept arenas and stadiums empty or with greatly reduced in-person spectators. The same is true for cultural and arts entertainment venues. Despite the physical divide, fans and audiences are getting involved because innovators are exploring new strategies of engagement. Focusing on spectator sports, this course will explore the creative realities of fan-immersive experiences based on new sports platforms such as FCF (Fan Controlled Football) along with fantasy sports, avatars, video streaming, virtual ticketing, and more. We also will look at the future long-term interplay of business economics and fan engagement, and how—if and when live spectators can physically re-enter venues, even at reduced capacity—industry innovators will be exploring new technologies to enhance the experiences for the virtual and live spectators of the world of sports and entertainment. Scheduled as guest speakers for this course are Jamie Pardi, co-founder and CEO, FanCompass; David Yorke, co-founder, Umpires Media; Sohrob Farudi, co-founder and CEO, Fan Controlled Football; Mindi Bach, senior director of sports PR, Oracle; and Ted Griggs, former executive
at NBC Sports Group.
Andy Dolich, President, Dolich Consulting; Chief Operating Officer, Fan Controlled Football League
Andy Dolich has held executive positions in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. He is a co-author of 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, a co-host of the podcast Life in the Front Office, and a columnist
for the Ultimate Sports Guide.
|
|
In the Shadow of Obscurity |
|
Author Arif Khatib (above left)
As a person who has traveled the world and chronicled his journey, and recently completed his memoirs for his family, Arif Khatib set out to create a book that would combine three of his passions: sports, history and social justice, while shining a much-needed light on the contributions of forgotten and unheard-of athletes of color. The Shadow of Obscurity: Toiling in a Reluctant Society realizes his vision.
Author Pete Elman (above right)
Pete Elman is a musician, journalist, author and teacher. Originally from Washington, D.C., he grew up loving rock and roll, sports and history. His father, a Justice Department lawyer who argued cases in the Supreme Court—most notably Brown vs. Board of Education—imbued in young Peter a strong sense of social justice.
|
|
Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
|
The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa
|
|
Quakes Soccer Camps to kick off this Summer
Youth programming to take place June 14 - Aug. 6
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San Jose Earthquakes announced the summer programming of Quakes Soccer Camps at different outdoor areas throughout San Jose and Santa Clara from June 14 - August 6. Specific camp locations will be announced at a later date.
Quakes Soccer Camps, available for boys and girls ages 5-13, will provide an inclusive and entertaining experience where participants from all playing levels will develop skills and values while enjoying their time in a fun and safe environment.
Camps will take place on a weekly basis and will offer both full-day (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and half-day (9 a.m. - 12 p.m.) pricing options. Participants can begin to sign up as early under early-bird registration, which will remain open until April 30. Each registration ticket also includes a free Quakes t-shirt and a ticket voucher to a future Quakes home match. To view all camp prices or to register, click here .
Quakes Soccer Camp weeks are as follows: June 14-18, June 21-25, June 28-July 2, July 12-16, July 26-30, August 2-6.
The Earthquakes will also team up with the Quakes Foundation, the charitable arm of the club, to reserve two free camp weeks for underserved youth in the San Jose community. More details on those weeks will be announced at a later date.
|
|
Oakland, CA – Oakland Roots has announced its first ever English language broadcast television partner KOFY-TV. KOFY-TV will be designated as the flagship English language television station of Oakland Roots SC and will broadcast 15 of Roots Home games at Laney Stadium for the club’s historic first season in the USL Championship.
“The Partnership with KOFY is one we are thrilled to see come to fruition,” said Roots Chief Revenue Officer Steven Powell. “KOFY has an incredible history in the Bay Area having begun broadcasting in 1952. KOFY has an excellent reputation for its coverage of important community stories such as Oakland Pride and Social Justice. Our organization's alignment in the areas of inclusion and diversity and commitment to Oakland and the Bay Area were major factors in our decision to partner with KOFY.”
KOFY coverage area provides an opportunity for over 6.8m potential viewers across the region to enjoy Roots home games in 2021. The partnership will also see the launch of a Roots x KOFY monthly magazine show telling stories about the community, the players, and a recap of the action from the soccer field.
“KOFY-TV is excited to embark on our partnership with the Roots organization,” said KOFY President David Nonberg. “The team’s commitment to the game of soccer as well as to the community they play for is something KOFY is proud to showcase on our air. In addition to bringing fans all the action on the pitch, we are looking forward to telling the impactful stories of the team’s work in Oakland that takes place off the field. KOFY is committed to being a voice for our local communities and we look forward to continuing and expanding upon that commitment with the Roots.”
|
|
Sports Prep Star --
Justine DeLaCruz-Carranza
Alhambra-Martinez -- Softball -- Senior
|
|
During the week of March 22-28, the Bulldogs played a stretch of five games in five days with games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and a doubleheader Saturday. Alhambra went 4-1 over the stretch, thanks to an explosive offense led by Justine DeLaCruz-Carranza. The senior shortstop had nine hits on the week to raise her season average to .625 (20-for-32). Justine also drove in seven runs and is tied for the team lead with 18 RBI after 10 games. DeLaCruz-Carranza has also scored 17 runs on the year with five doubles, two triples and a home run. The Bulldogs returned to action on March 30 with an overall record of 8-2 and a 4-1 mark in the Diablo Athletic League-Foothill Division. Photo: Chace Bryson. Reprinted courtesy Sportstars Magazine.
|
|
Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff |
|
Eight is the number of strikes/lockouts/stoppages which have occurred in Major League Baseball history.
will explain all!
The Time cover above is from August 22, 1994 just after the strike began. https://bit.ly/3wsIdWS will take you to the cover. (It's kinda cool to look at the Time covers on either side of this cover...)
Suggestions? Caught me off-base for misinformation?
|
|
Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy |
|
For the best real estate listings homes and property on
|
|
The 2019 Fall/Winter edition of the Ultimate Sports Guide, a San Francisco Bay Area sports reference publication published twice a year for avid Bay Area and Northern California sports fans, is in the house. The Ultimate Sports Guide is distributed free of charge or may be ordered via subscription. Each seasonal edition provides professional and collegiate team coverage through commentary, photo essays and player profiles. To order, visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net or send $5 to: Ultimate Sports Guide,
|
|
Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
* Click here for 2019 editions.
|
|
Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, Apr. 5 through
Sunday, Apr. 11, 2021
|
|
Monday, April 5
Sacramento Kings @ Minnesota Timberwolves, 4 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.
Tuesday, April 6
Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Anaheim Ducks, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 6:40 p.m.
Wednesday, April 7
San Francisco Giants @ San Diego Padres, 1:10 p.m.
Oakland A's vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, 12:37 p.m.
Thursday, April 8
Sacramento Kings vs. Detroit Pistons, 7 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.
Friday, April 9
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:35 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.
Saturday, April 10
Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets, 7 p.m.
Sacramento Kings @ Utah Jazz, 6 p.m.
San Jose Sharks vs. Los Angeles Kings, 7:30 p.m.
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.
Sunday, April 11
San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies, 1:05 p.m.
|
|
Enjoy the
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
|
|
Become A Sponsor!
Economical and rewarding.
Write: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
or call (510) 845-2035
|
|
The vast majority of student-athletes dreaming of athletic stardom won't make it to the pros. Yet, the discipline and skills they've developed while balancing a sport and academics make them ideally suited for satisfying careers elsewhere. In 20 Secrets to Success for NCAA Student-Athletes Who Won't Go Pro, the authors draw on personal experience, interviews, expert opinion, and industry data to provide a game plan for student-athletes through key transitions at each stage of their careers, from high school through college and beyond. Modeled on Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, this book provides a much-needed strategy for achieving career success. Readable and concise, it will be a valuable tool for students, parents, and sports administrators. To order, click here.
|
|
|
|
5980 Stoneridge Drive, Ste. 122
Pleasanton, CA 94588-2723
CalBRE License #:01770629
Agent 510.512.2145
Office 925.847.8900
|
|
Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
4" circular bumper stickers. We have Youth and Spanish versions, too!
with questions or to order.
|
|
Ultimate Sports Guide
P.O. Box 4515
Berkeley, CA 94704
510-845-2035
|
|
|
The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst, now retired. Mr. Karst continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
