New Olympic schedule, who’s this? 🗓️
Good morning. The LA 2028 schedule is getting a shake-up!
Earlier this week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to add flag football, baseball, softball, lacrosse, cricket, and squash to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Flag football and squash will make their Olympic debuts, while baseball (1992 - 2008, Tokyo), softball (1996-2008, Tokyo), cricket (1900), and lacrosse (1004, 1908) will return after various hiatuses.
As with any change, there are pros and cons to be evaluated. SwimSwam has conducted a sport-by-sport breakdown of the new LA 2028 additions. In addition to being a helpful document, the changes are just exciting!
Fan-favorite sports will be given air-the, potentially increasing Olympic viewership at home and interest in ticket sales.
The Olympics are a learning opportunity in themselves and this could be an excellent time to learn about a new-to-you sport.
Enjoy your week, folks!
-- Taylor and the CG Sports Co team
OTHER BIG NEWS THIS WEEK:
Elizabeth Beisel discussed Block Cancer with The Valley Breeze.
Mandy Marquardt sat down with Saucon Source to discuss working as a St. Luke's Community Ambassador and training for the 2024 Olympics.
Jacob Pebley held an awesome swim clinic with KJAY Swimming!
USA Softball has been around for 90 years! Haylie McCleney shares what her time with USA Softball has meant to her.
P.S. Nervous about missing upcoming news from CG Sports? Follow us on Instagram (@cgsportsco), Facebook (CG Sports Management), and, of course, our weekly newsletter.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard has formally announced their Stifel U.S. Cross Country Ski team for the 2023-24 season. The team is comprised of longtime veterans and promising newcomers alike, including two-time Olympian Rosie Brennan. Athletes will travel all over the world for the competition season, but will also compete in a World Cup stop in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first stateside competition in 23 years.
Read the full announcement online.
Kieran Smith and Katie Grimes continued to slay at the leg 2 of the 2023 World Aquatics Swimming World Cup. Competing in Athens, Greece, Grimes delivered a first place finish in the women's 400 IM (4:38.74) and second place finishes in the 200 back (2:08.01), 200 fly (2:08.70), and 1500 free (16:08.81). Smith collected silver medals in the 400 free (3:49.46) and 200 IM (1:59.56) and a bronze medal in the 200 free (1:48.03).
Full results from Athens can be viewed online.
This past weekend, McKenzie Coanattended the Women’s Sports Foundation's (WSF) Annual Salute. The WSF celebrated the work of trailblazer and icon Billie Jean King, as well as handing out five distinct awards for leadership, sportswomanship (individual and team), courage, and equality.
Click here to learn more about the WSF Annual Salute.
Johnny Quinn recently sat down with the Rise Up Kings podcast, hosted by Skylar Lewis, which focuses on interviewing experts from around the country and discussing what Lewis has labeled the 4 Pillars (Faith, Family, Fitness, and Finance). Quinn, a well-known and sought after speaker for businesses and organizations of all sizes, joined the podcast as a trusted voice to discuss resilience and change management.
Listen to the full episode online now!
6 things a sports agent does for an athlete
When people think of sports agents their first thought is usually the film Jerry Maguire. The high-risk, emotional sports agent played by Tom Cruise with the iconic line, “show me the money!”
While this highlights some of the job, there is far more to the athlete/agent relationship. Below are 6 things a sports agent does which you may not realize.
1. Education
In today’s market, athletes are beginning their pro careers at a young age. Any new athlete is going to be green to the multi-billion dollar market going on around the world of pro sports. This is where education from an agent can be crucial.
Agents will provide a database of information for an athlete and their family to consume. They will also educate as different business and professional scenarios come up. This helps the athlete to sharpen their decision making skills about their own career, usually leading to better earnings.
2. Leverage
In sports, your main point of leverage is the story you craft.
Most athletes will never hit true free agency in the market where you are a highly sought after entity. Therefore, the majority of negotiation is going to be in the story you are building around yourself.
How do you make a brand negotiate against themselves?
Build an undeniable stack of proof of your ability and multiply it by a story that exudes leverage.
3. Getting Paid
The main reason you hire a sports agent is to get paid what your talent dictates. It’s a competitive market and there will be other athletes who play your same position or have similar athletic performances. A good agent will be able to leverage your story and brand so that you are getting better offers than your colleagues with similar athletic abilities.
The athlete/agent relationship is one of the most unique. It is part business, part personal, and part therapist. A good one can 10x your career. Visit www.cgsportsco.com/cejih-explains to read the remaining three things a sports agent does to support an athlete.
Clear your schedule! Sarah Thomas has penned a thoughtful and detailed blog post about her Lake Mead swim. Read it here!
Panda Express
There is something about an affordable, hot, flavor-bursting meal that just hits all of the right notes. The philosophy behind Panda Express is simple: to create fresh, flavorful meals by combining Chinese regional cuisines with bold American tastes.
Panda Express continues to expand their menu and provide more options for anyone with dietary restrictions, including a plant-based version of the fan-favorite Orange Chicken! Panda Express is celebrating their 40th Birthday! Join in the celebration and earn free apple pie roll when you join Panda Rewards!
Not only do the creators-that-be at Panda Express seek to create flavorful meals, but they also are consistently adapting their meals to address modern concerns. Click here to learn more about the philosophies of Panda Express and to find a Panda Express near you.
Champion's Mojo, Episode #231: "A Passion Returns After 48 Years Off: On Deck with James Lussier"
Have you ever wondered what can ignite a flame to rekindle a long-lost passion? Discover the answer as we engage in an energizing conversation with the inspiring James Lucere, a 67-year-old who recently dove back into his first swim meet after a staggering 48-year hiatus! Listen in as James shares about his journey back to the pool, his unexpected catalyst, and the refreshing perspective he holds on what it means to be a swimmer irrespective of age.
Get ready to be enlightened by James' candid account of how his dissatisfaction with his swimming abilities sparked a motivation to make a splash once again. You'll be touched by his unique approach to swimming, the goals he set, and the euphoria he experiences when he's cutting through the water. So, why not tune in? Perhaps, James' story may just nudge you to reignite your own passions or pick up a new hobby, no matter your age. Prepare to be inspired by an uplifting tale of ageless determination and the joy of rediscovering a cherished pastime.
Catch up on EVERY episode at ChampionsMojo.com.
