data-mm-id=”_sdny8c2ri”>The premier sporting event of the last four weeks was not a live game, or even a replay of one. No, it was the release of ESPN's highly-anticipated Michael Jordan documentary, The Last Dance. Sunday evening's main event delivered on the hype, but the ratings even more so. In a press release Monday, ESPN announced The Last Dance exceeded the network's previous viewership high for original content by a substantial number, and the two episodes that aired averaged 6.1 million viewers between ESPN and ESPN2. This is obviously great news for ESPN, but it also should have executives from ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC salivating over the viewership potential of Thursday's NFL Draft. Last year, the three broadcast networks averaged 6.1 million viewers over the three days of drafting. The first night of the draft, where all the big-name players are taken and interest is highest, totaled a hair over 11 million viewers, which was actually down slightly from 2019. But the viewership for the second and third days of the draft were the highest recorded since it moved to three days a decade ago. By virtue of being the country's top sport by a long shot, the NFL draft is an automatic viewership draw already. But The Last Dance ratings showed that everyone misses sports in a big way. Michael Jordan is a mythical figure and the documentary will be chock-full of novel information and never-seen footage, but it remains just that: a documentary. The draft isn't quite the dose of live sports we're all yearning for, but it's by far the closest thing we'll get in the immediate future outside of choppy YouTube streams of overseas baseball games. If 11 million people watched it when everything was normal last year, how many more will tune in out of a desire for sports content and a lack of other options for what to do that night? Could it reach 15 or 16 million? I wouldn't consider that out of the realm of possibility at all. The second and third days get into the weeds as far as prospects go for even the most passionate football fans, so expectations should remain tempered there. But a substantial increase in every viewership metric is possible. Right now, it feels like everyone, not just your hardcore sports fans, want something to rally around. Thursday night may very well prove that. The first round, at the very least, is enough of a draw for your casual sports fan that they'll tune in, even if it's only for the first 10 picks. And that's in times when it's business as usual. It's anything but as of now. The sky feels like the limit for ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC this week.
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Inter have announced the signing of Victor Moses from Chelsea on a loan deal with an option to buy.
The 29-year-old moves to Serie A for the remainder of the campaign after spending the first half of this season with Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig.
Moses was a key player under Antonio Conte when Chelsea last won the Premier League title in 2016-17 and will reunite with his old boss at San Siro.
Inter did not confirm the details of the purchase option, but it has been reported they will need to pay €10million to sign the Nigeria international.
SHIRT NUMBER has chosen the number !
— Inter (@Inter_en)
Moses is the latest Premier League player to move to Inter, who are second in the Serie A table, four points behind champions Juven…
Germany midfielder Sami Khedira is expecting a difficult test from Mexico when the World Cup holders begin the defence of their title on Sunday.
Khedira is one of a number of players in Joachim Low s squad that tasted victory in Brazil four years ago and will play a key part in Germany s quest to become only the third nation to retain their the crown.
Mexico, regulars in the competition and a side expected to advance to the knock-out stages, present Die Mannschaft with their first hurdle and Khedira is wary of the challenge they present.
Germany defeated Mexico 4-1 in the Confederations Cup last year in a competition Low s side went on to win, but Khedira told the official website of the German Football Association (DFB): They play great football, they re a…
Kyle Walker has been hit with a three-match ban by UEFA following his red card in Manchester City s loss to RB Leipzig last month.
The England full-back was dismissed for a crude hack on Andre Silva late in a game that City went on to lose 2-1.
Pep Guardiola s side had already qualified for the round of 16, but will now be without Walker for both legs against Sporting CP.
UEFA confirmed the sanction in a statement on Friday, with Walker s actions described as an assault .
83. Walker is shown a red card.
2-1
— Manchester City (@ManCity)
The 31-year-old will also miss the first leg of the quarter-finals, should City progress to that stage.
Walker became the second-oldest Englishman to be sent off in a Champions Lea…
Chelsea s English youngsters are repaying the faith of head coach Frank Lampard, with all 10 of the club s Premier League goals so far this term scored by homegrown players aged 21 or under.
Lampard s appointment was expected to usher in a new youthful era at the club as they faced a transfer embargo and those young players are holding their own.
While results did not entirely go to plan before the international break, Chelsea were 4-0 up just after half-time at Wolves on Saturday.
And, as has been the case throughout the season to date, all of their goals were again scored by English players aged 21 or under.
Fikayo Tomori s stunning long-range effort made it 1-0 to the Blues, before Tammy Abraham stabbed home their second soon after.
9 –…
Market: Sheffield United win
Odds: 11/8 @
Hoping to move within touching distance of the play-off places in midweek, Sheffield United will host a struggling Sheffield United on Wednesday night.
Starting with the hosts, while Sheffield United might have marked their Championship return in the midst of a real nightmare, the Blades have bounced back in an eye-catching fashion. Last seen over the weekend picking up a deserved 2-1 win away at Birmingham, Paul Heckingbottom s men now have their sights set on making a shock late charge for the play-off places. Storming their way up the table, Wednesday s guests have collected 10 points from their last four second-tier matchups, including three wins on the spin. Looking to lay down another marker when they return to Bra…
With the 2020/21 campaign drawing to a close from across Europe, we have another stacked midweek schedule on our hands. On that note, for those of you looking to place a midweek acca, we have found a handful of helpful tips that are worth keeping an eye out for.
Tuesday 18th May
BST 18:00 Manchester United vs Fulham
After suffering a worrying week thanks to those back-to-back defeats against Leicester and Liverpool, Manchester United are simply looking to make a return to winning ways on Tuesday evening. Welcoming fans back to Old Trafford in midweek and looking to gain some much-needed momentum heading into their Europa League final against Villarreal, The Reds will be calling on attacking talisman Bruno Fernandes to spearhead their charge on home soil. Firml…
Sheffield United have condemned racist abuse and threats aimed towards goalkeeper Wes Foderingham following the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Tottenham.
Foderingham, who made a string of fine saves to deny Spurs before conceding two goals in added time, said in an Instagram post on Saturday night: “I don’t mind opposition fans calling me every name under the sun. But be easy with the racism and family threats. Think before you type.”
The Blades responded on Sunday morning offering support for their keeper and promising to investigate.
Sheffield United condemn the racist, abusive and threatening messages that have been sent to Wes Foderingham after yesterday’s game against Spurs.
The club will now work with relevant bodies to investigate and support…
Arsenal are interested in signing Manor Solomon from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer transfer window, according to . The report has claimed that the winger himself is pushing for a move to Premier League giants Arsenal.
Solomon has been on the books of Ukrainian powerhouse Shakhtar since 2019 when he moved from Maccabi Petah Tikva. The Israel international is one of the better young wingers in Europe and has helped the club win the Ukrainian Premier League title twice and the Ukrainian Cup once.
Shakhtar reportedly want £21 million as transfer fee for Solomon, who himself is keen on a move to Arsenal. The Gunners will not play in Europe next season, but manager Mikel Arteta could do with another creative player in the team. Arsenal will be determined to finish in the Pr…
Market: Southend win
Odds: 11/8 @
Hoping to extend their stay in the top half of the National League table, Southend will make the trip to a struggling Maidenhead on Tuesday night.
Starting with the hosts, putting in another toothless display over the weekend as they were hit with a 1-0 loss away at Chesterfield, it is fair to say that Maidenhead find themselves in the midst of a huge struggle. Almost sat in National League limbo after spending the whole season battling it out at the foot of the table, Head Coach Alan Devonshire has now seen his side collect just a single point from any of their last five fifth-tier matchups. With their recent nightmare run highlighted by a 3-0 drumming against Dagenham Redbridge earlier in the month, the Berkshire-based outfit …
Juventus were reported to be sending scouts to watch Liverpool take on Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield last week, hoping to observe first-hand the qualities of Christian Eriksen and Son Hueng-min of Spurs, as well as Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.
However, their actual mission target was indeed Eriksen, according to , formerly a journalist at the Independent, now working for The Athletic. The Danish international is approaching the end of his contract and he will be free to talk to clubs outside England at the turn of the year, which means Juventus, or any other potential suitor for that matter, will be able to pre-arrange a free transfer for the attacking midfielder for next summer.
As for Salah, Hughes says a Juventus official was asked at the game what Liverpool player wou…