Casting The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Reboot

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there. I’ll tell you how there’s a drama reboot involving The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Corny puns aside, a drama reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is in the works. However, the show will take a dramatic twist as the series will have a more serious tone. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the reimagined series will “dive deeper into the inherent conflicts, emotions, and biases of what it means to be a Black man in America today.”

The series will draw inspiration from Bel-Air, a four-minute viral clip from director Morgan Cooper that showcases what the show might look like in 2020. Will Smith will team with Cooper to adapt the series.

Remakes and reboots can be superb like the Ocean‘s series or problematic like the newest Robocop. However, Bel-Air could be interesting since the show is switching from a comedy to a drama. This got me thinking. Who will be cast in these iconic roles?

Here are a few rules I implemented.

  • No A-list stars: As much as I would love to cast John David Washington and Zendaya in every project under the sun, their schedules would make it impossible.
  • Can’t be tied up as a lead on another show: The Caleb McLaughlin Rule. I think Caleb McLaughlin will be in the running for the role of Will, but that all depends on his schedule for Stranger Things. For now, I’m keeping actors with commitments to big shows off the list. Smaller commitments on shows will be allowed.
  • Age range similar to character: We’re not making Will a 32-year-old who looks like a 21-year-old. Each actor has to be in the ballpark of when the original actor played the role, especially for the children. The adult roles will get more leeway.

Remember, this will be a dramatic reboot, not a comedic reboot. So I’ll be zeroing in on actors who would fare better in a drama.

Jharrel Jerome as Will Smith

John Lamparski/Getty Images

I’m calling my shot now. If Caleb McLaughlin is unavailable, Jharrel Jerome will play Will. Jerome first made waves for his role as Kevin in the Oscar-winning Moonlight, but his biggest role came as Korey Wise in Netflix’s When They See Us. Jerome has the dramatic chops to carry a show as evidenced by his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Will Smith was a rising star with a ton of potential when the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted. Jerome could be on a Will Smith-like trajectory if things break right for him.

Mekhi Phifer as Uncle Philip Banks

Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Philip Banks is the tough, fair, and loving Uncle that shapes Will into the man he becomes. Uncle Phil is Will’s voice of reason and advisor. In this reboot, I’m expecting Uncle Phil to implement even more tough love. My pick is Mehki Phifer. Two words: Greg Pratt. Mehki should channel Dr. Pratt from ER as his inspiration for the role. Pratt was a natural leader but went against the grain at times, which ruffled some feathers with the higher-ups. He eventually became a mentor to many residents and practiced tough love throughout his tenure. The same rules can apply to Uncle Phil’s relationship with Will. Phifer is about the same age as Avery when he played the role so it makes for a believable Uncle.

Ruth Negga as Aunt Viv

The Irish Times

My cast can A-C-T Act. Ruth Negga is one of those actors that improves after every performance. Negga had small roles in World War Z and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but she showcased her true potential in Loving, which garnered her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Lo and behold, Negga’s schedule just opened up after the end of Preacher. Negga will have no problem being the matriarch of the Banks family.

Asante Blackk as Carlton Banks

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images

The chemistry between Will and Carlton is one of the reasons why The Fresh Prince worked. It’s the second biggest relationship in the show behind Will and Uncle Phil. If Jerome plays Will, it would be beneficial to have an actor with an established rapport to play Carlton. Enter Asante Blackk, who played Kevin Richardson in When They See Us. Blackk currently has a pivotal role in This Is Us, but he’s not in the main ensemble just yet, which is good for this reboot. Just like Smith was Alfonso Ribeiro’s senior by three years, Jerome is Black’s senior by four years so there is already an older brother/younger brother dynamic.

Jordin Sparks as Hilary Banks

Yahoo!

In order to play Hilary, one must be beautiful, charming, and unintentionally funny. In the trailer, even though it’s a drama, Hilary still slips in a joke about shopping on Rodeo Drive. I have no idea if this actress loves to shop, but for some reason, Jordin Sparks reminds me of Hilary and I mean that in the nicest way. Sparks is probably too famous for this role, but if she wants to get back into television, she could be the perfect Hilary. Hilary may be unintelligent at times, but she’s so innocent and likable that it’s hard to find anything wrong with her. Who doesn’t like Jordin Sparks? That’s my point.

Quvenzhané Wallis as Ashley Banks

Black-ish

Is Quvenzhané Wallis too established for this role? It’s possible due to the fact she’s the youngest actress to ever be nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars. Wallis was nine-years-old when she received an acting nomination for Beasts of the Southern Wild. Besides this performance, Wallis has been in less than 10 productions since 2012. Wallis would be perfect for the fiery and musically gifted Banks’ sister. Wallis was recently cast in Swagger, which chronicles basketball on the AAU circuit, but has no other roles in pre-production so her schedule theoretically checks out.

Clarke Peters as Geoffrey

HBO

Witty and reliable, Geoffrey was the loyal butler to the Banks family. He was also brutally honest and sprinkled in some wisdom to the Banks’ children. Who’s better at giving advice than Clarke Peters aka Lester Freamon from The Wire? After watching Da 5 Bloods, I realized I need more Clarke Peters in my life. Although Peters is about 20 years older than when Joseph Marcell portrayed the character, I’ll make an exception for the smooth, likable Peters, who will mold Will into a man just like he did with Pres on The Wire.

Who would you cast for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot? Leave your thoughts in the comments or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Sports Law Issues Don’t Stop During Coronavirus Shutdown

Coronavirus sports lawsuit LeBron James Jimmy Butler Lamar Jackson

The effects of the Coronavirus is being felt in every industry. The sports industry is no different, but that has not stopped lawsuits involving LeBon James, Jimmy Butler, and Lamar Jackson. Roughly two weeks ago the NBA suspended their season after Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for the Coronavirus. Soon after, his teammate Donavan Mitchell tested positive. Both players have recently been cleared of the Coronavirus. However, the continued reality of the threat of the Coronavirus led the MBL, NHL, and MLS to suspend their seasons as well. The NCAA was forced to cancel all spring sports and the March Madness tournament. Most recently, Japan and the International Olympic Committee agreed to postpone the 2020 Summer Games to 2021.

Accordingly, sports fans are relying on the rebroadcasts of classic games for entertainment. Even though the entertainment portion of the sports has come to an unexpected halt, the business of sports keeps turning. This is especially true in the realm of sports law. In the last week, three lawsuits involving some of sports favorite athletes came to light. Two cases involve two of the NBA’s most notable players, LeBron James and Jimmy Butler. The third case involves the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player of the Year, Lamar Jackson.

Hold on King James…That Photo Does not Belong to You

During LeBron James’ 17-year career, he has been the focal point of some pretty iconic NBA photos. There are photos of James blocking Andre Iguodala’s shot in game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals. There is the iconic photo of Dwayne Wade and King James on the Miami Heat when James lays down a monster slam dunk. Before the NBA season was abruptly halted by the Coronavirus, King James was caught in yet another timeless photo. On December 19, 2019 photographer, Steven Mitchell was working the Lakers versus Heat game. Mitchell caught an awesome moment of King James dunking over Meyers Leonard.

Soon after the game, the photo was cropped and posted to James’s Facebook account. The post, which is still up has received over one thousand likes, has been shared 92 times, and has 61 comments. The picture was also posted on James’ Instagram Account. There it received over 2 million likes. To many, this may not seem like a big deal. What could be wrong with James posting a picture of himself? The answer is that it could be a copyright law violation. Accordingly, the photographer, Steven Mitchell, sued LeBron James alleging that posting the photo onto James’ social media platforms infringed on his copyright law protections.

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Does James’ Post Violate Mitchell’s Rights in the Photo Under Copyright Law?

Copyright is an intellectual property right grounded in the United States Constitution. Authors are granted copyright protection for their original works of authorship that are fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright protection applies to photos. As such, Mitchell sued LeBron James, Uninterrupted Digital Ventures, and LRMR Ventures for copyright infringement. Mithcell alleges that James and the other defendants infringed on his copyright in the photo when it was cropped and posted on James’s Facebook and Instagram pages without Mitchell’s consent. The complaint asserts that Uninterrupted Digital Ventures and LRMR Ventures operate James’ Facebook page. Mitchell requests a jury trial to determine whether the federal Copyright Act was violated. He also seeks damages up to $150,000 per infringement.

Independent Sports and Entertainment Says Jimmy Butler Needs to Pay Up

Independent Sports and Entertainment (ISE) is telling Miami Heat star, Jimmy Butler, to “show them the money.” ISE has sued Jimmy Butler for breaching a Public Relations Agreement (PR Agreement) he entered into with them in July of 2013. ISE is an integrated sport, media, entertainment, and management company that represents talent throughout the entertainment industry. ISE assists professional athletes’ with their off the field and off the court activities. In the complaint, ISE alleges that Jimmy Butler breached their PR Agreement by failing to give them their share of profits from two deals Butler made with Nike.

Per the PR Agreement, Butler is required to pay ISE a 15% gross compensation fee in exchange for ISE’s services assisting with his personal marketing and public relations. ISE alleges that while Butler was under the PR Agreement, he entered into a contract with Nike where he earned $616,666,67. ISE has not received its 15 percent commission in the amount of $92,250. Butler later entered into an addendum on the contract. On the addendum, Butler received at least 5 million dollars. ISE has not received its 15% commission in the amount of $750,000 on the addendum.

In the complaint, ISE stipulates that the non-breaching party must provide notice of the breach to the breaching party and allow the breaching party 30 days to cure the breach. ISE alleges that they provided written notice to Butler and made attempts to collect the amounts due. Furthermore, ISE alleges that they were put in contact with Butler’s financial advisor Ken Kavanaugh who acknowledged that Butler owed the 15% fee and that payment would follow. The payment never came leading ISE to file this suit. Per the complaint, ISE is seeking damages for the amounts owed on the Nike contract and addendum.

Lamar Jackson Tells Amazon to Stop Selling his Unauthorized Merchandise 

Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback, Lamar Jackson, filed suit against Amazon.com and Amazon.com Services, Inc. (hereafter collectively referred to as Amazon) in a federal district court for infringing on his right to publicity. In the complaint, Jackson alleges that Amazon has directly advertised and sold items bearing Jackson’s name, nicknames, and images without being authorized to do so by him or the NFL. The alleged infringing items include items such as a “LAMARVELOUS Vintage Baltimore Football QB Jackson MVP T-Shirt.” In the complaint, Jackson acknowledges that Amazon had received negative publicity for facilitating the sale of items that infringe on others’ intellectual property rights by third parties in the Amazon Marketplace. However, Jackson contends that the sale of his items is different in that the sale of his items are not in the Amazon marketplace.

Jackson contends that the infringing items at issue are directly falsely promoted and advertised by Amazon as they are designated as “ships from and sold by Amazon.com.” Jackson claims to have requested that Amazon remove and stop selling the items in question. However, Amazon has failed to so. As such, Jackson seeks a permanent injunction requiring Amazon to stop the sale of the items in question. Jackson alleges that the unauthorized sale of items bearing his name, image, and likeness on Amazon has negatively affected his own clothing line business. Accordingly, Jackson also seeks damages and disgorgement of Amazon’s profits.

NBA Bubble Week 1 Recap: This Is Working

Damian Lillard portland

Has the NBA bubble been a success or what? If you love basketball, the bubble has been heaven for fans. Nonstop action for 10 hours each day is music to my ears. It’s clear that the bubble is working.

Where do I even begin with storylines? The Lakers and Bucks are in cruise control, but they have glaring deficiencies. The Blazers could do damage if they make the playoffs. TJ Warren is now Michael Jordan? Here is a recap of Week 1.

Note: This blog was posted at 6:30 PM EDT on August 6.

Top Story: The Bubble Is Working

I was optimistic that the bubble would work. However, no one predicted that the bubble would be a resounding success. The television presentation has been seamless. No fans? No problem. I thought virtual fans would be corny. It surprisingly hasn’t been a distraction at all. Without the bad teams to beat up on (still love you, Knicks), 85% of the games are competitive. With games from 1 PM-1130 PM every day, the bubble is an NBA version of March Madness, Most importantly, COVID is under control. Things can change in the blink of an eye but for now, the bubble is working.

Top Basketball Story: The Lakers And Bucks Are Good, But Should They Be Worried?

Both the Lakers and Bucks will be the top seeds and should be the favorites to represent their respective conferences. However, both have major flaws. Right now, the Lakers are allergic to the offense. The offense hasn’t been bad; it’s been atrocious. After Wednesday night’s loss to the Thunder, the Lakers rank last in offensive rating at 96.6 points per 100 possesions. The Lakers won’t win any games if they shoot 5-for-37 from 3 as they did against the Thunder. LeBron and AD will be fine, but there are a lot of questions surrounding their supporting cast especially at the guard position.

As I write this blog, the Bucks are down 20 points to the Heat. This past Tuesday, the Bucks lost to the Nets as 19 point favorites, which is the biggest favorite to lose in an NBA regular-season game. Just like the Lakers, I also have questions about the Bucks’ secondary players around Giannis and Middleton.

Let’s not forget the Lakers and Bucks have the two best records in the NBA. They have the two best players in the game right now in LeBron and Giannis. I’m not writing them off whatsoever. However, I would be worried if their supporting casts are nonexistent in the playoffs.

Suprise Of The Bubble: Blazers

One could argue that the potential play-in game was put into place because of Zion. However, the team that’s benefitting the most from this new format is the Blazers. Despite making the Conference Finals a year ago, the Blazers are a better team now than they were a year ago. One word: health. The Blazers were decimated with injuries to two of their top big men, Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins, which explained their 28-37 record pre-bubble. With Nurkic and Collins, the Blazers are a different team. They can get production down low and guard bigger teams thanks to Nurkic, Collins, and Hasaan Whiteside. Plus, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are a top-5 duo in the NBA. If they secure the 8-seed, can the Blazers beat the Lakers in a 7-game series? Probably not. Can the Blazers give the Lakers trouble and push the series to six or seven games? Absolutely.

MVP So Far: TJ Warren

His name is now TJ “Michael Jordan” Warren. Who knew Warren could get buckets like MJ? More importantly, the Pacers are 3-0 and could be a tough out in the East.

LVP So Far: Pelicans

As previously mentioned, many including myself believe this play-in series was made for the Pelicans. However, after a 1-2 start, the Pelicans will need to step it up in order to get to the 9-seed. If the NBA wants Zion in the playoffs, New Orleans will need to let the big dog eat.

Storyline For Week 2: Effort

We’ve been blessed with competitive games for the first week. As more teams clinch playoff spots and the seeding falls into place, will teams continue to give max effort before the playoffs? Why play LeBron or Giannis if they’ve already clinched the 1-seed? I’m expecting a lot more lopsided scores in Week 2.

If you’re in the bubble, stay safe. Basketball in August has been a blessing. Let’s keep it that way.

What are your top storylines in the NBA bubble? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Could Ohio State’s Buckeye Acknowledgement and Pledge be Construed as a Liability Waiver?

Justin Fields Ohio State

Coronavirus brought college basketball to a screeching halt earlier this year. There was no March Madness Tournament, no Final Four. Spring sports did not even get to suit up. Since then, college sports lovers have wondered what college sports will look like in the 2020-2021 season. The college football season is growing closer. States are moving through the phases of re-opening. Fans are beginning to see what issues are at stake for college sports this upcoming season. This issue at stake is how to ensure the safe return of college athletes and students generally during the Coronavirus pandemic. Schools are trying to sort this out while being sure to minimize the school’s liability. Earlier this week, fans learned just how Ohio State University (OSU) intends to accomplish that goal.

What is OSU’s Buckeye Acknowledgement and Pledge?

Last week, Ohio State University began allowing football players to return to campus for voluntary workouts. However, prior to returning the players signed the Buckeye Acknowledgement and Pledge. What is the Buckeye Acknowledgement and Pledge (the Pledge)? OSU created the Pledge for college athletes to sign prior to returning to campus and engaging in sports. The Pledge requires OSU’s athletes to do their part in “help[ing] stop the spread of COVID-19.” It also required the players to acknowledge the possibility of contracting COVID-19 and other infections.

By signing the form, Buckeye athletes agree to a number of COVID-19 safety measures. Specifically, the players agree to get tested for COVID-19. Additionally, the players agree to self-quarantine if they test positive or exhibit COVID-19 symptoms. They further agree to wear masks in public, practice physical distancing, and frequently wash their hands.

The Pledge is not optional. All OSU athletes must sign it in order to participate in OSU’s athletics. For players who are 17 years old, their parents must sign it. However, players will not lose their scholarship if they fail to sign and comply with the pledge. The athletes do not have legal representation.

The Pledge Reads Like a Waiver but OSU Claims it is not intended to be a Legal Document

The pledge certainly reads like a waiver even though OSU does not expressly call it one. In fact, OSU’s athletic director Gene Smith stated that the pledge is intended more for educational purposes than for liability purposes. Specifically, Smith stated “We don’t look at [the pledge] as a legal document. It is a Buckeye Pledge.” Smith elaborated that the pledge is there to give an administrator who may see an athlete not wearing a mask the ability to remind that athlete of their commitment to helping stop the spread of COVID-19.

Even though the Pledge may not be viewed by OSU as a legal document, it could possibly be used to shield OSU from liability. Throughout the entire document, the players acknowledge the risk of participation and agree to participate anyway. If an athlete becomes infected with COVID-19, the athlete could claim that OSU was negligent. The athlete could claim that OSU failed to keep the campus and athletic facilities safe, and healthy, and did not do all it could to stop the spread of COVID-19.

What Role Would the Pledge Play if an Athlete Contracted COVID-19 and Claimed OSU was Negligent?

If an athlete becomes infected with COVID-19, the athlete could claim that OSU was negligent. Specifically, the athlete could argue OSU was negligent in keeping the campus and athletic facilities safe and in stopping the spread of COVID-19. To prove negligence, the plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant owed a duty. The plaintiff must prove the duty was breached and that the breach was the cause of the plaintiff’s injury. To prove that OSU was negligent, the athlete would have to demonstrate that OSU owed him a duty to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment. The athlete would also have to prove that OSU breached that duty and that the breach was the cause of his injury – contracting COVID-19.

Does OSU Owe a Duty?

OSU arguably has a duty to keep its student body safe by maintaining a safe and healthy campus environment. However, the Pledge could be used to refute a negligence claim. The language of the pledge could be interpreted as relinquishing OSU of the duty to ensure that its students are safe and healthy by placing that burden on the student body. For example, the pledge states:

“As a member of Buckeye Nation, I know that I must take steps to stay well in order to protect others and promote a safe return to campus for all Buckeyes. Because of this, I pledge to take responsibility for my own health and help stop the spread of COVID-19.”

This statement arguably attempts to take the burden of safety away from OSU and puts it on those who sign the Pledge. Upon signing, the students agreed to take responsibility for their own health. They agree to promote a safe return to campus for all Buckeyes. Accordingly, the students arguably take the responsibility of ensuring that OSU’s student-body stays healthy away from OSU. Thus, the Pledge could be used to argue (albeit a weak argument) that OSU did not owe a duty to the student body to maintain a safe and healthy environment. OSU could argue that those who signed the Pledge agreed to take responsibility for their own health. Therefore, this language arguably attempts to take the duty of maintaining safety away from OSU. Thereby shielding OSU from liability.

The Pledge Could be Used to Argue that the Athletes Assumed the Risk of Contracting COVID-19

If OSU is found to owe a duty to maintain a safe and healthy environment, the Pledge still could shield OSU from liability. The pledge could help OSU prove that the athlete assumed the risk of contracting COVID-19. Assumption of risk is a defense to negligence claims. A plaintiff may not recover damages in a negligence claim if they agreed to a known risk. Upon signing the pledge, it is arguable that those who signed the Pledge assumed the risk of contracting COVID-19 while at OSU. For example, the document reads:

“I know that by engaging in campus activities, including attending classes, pursuing my education, living on campus, eating in the dining halls, attending activities, participating in sports and recreation, I may be exposed to COVID-19 and other infections.“

The document also reads:

“I understand COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus and it is possible to develop and contract the COVID-19 disease, even if I follow all of the safety precautions above and those recommended by the CDC, local health department, and others.”

The language in both statements provides a strong assumption of risk argument. Using this language, OSU can claim that those who signed the pledge knew of all the risks. They can claim that those who signed assumed the know risks and agreed to participate anyway. OSU may not be calling it a waiver. OSU may be claiming that the Pledge it intended more for education than legal purposes. However, Ohio State University could refer to the Pledge in asserting their defense if they are sued by a student who contracted COVID-19.

How are Other Schools Handling the Return Amid COVID-19?

Ohio State University is not the only school to require athletes to sign a document upon return. Indiana, Tennesse, Iowa, and SMU have all required their athletes to sign a similar document. It is a good chance other schools will follow suit. However, Michigan State announced that the institution will not require its athletes to sign a waiver. It will be interesting to see the position the NCAA takes on this issue.

Pac-12 Decides To Slash Non-Conference Games In 2020

Pac-12 Coaches Chip Kelly David Shaw Clay Helton

This past week, the Pac-12 decided against non-conference games for the 2020 College Football season, following the Big Ten’s lead. It seemed like there would have to be some sort of decision about the season being conference-only soon, and that decision got made in a timely manner.

Does Keeping Pac-12 Games In-Conference Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19?

It was interesting to see conferences make this decision when some of the out-of-conference opponents were closer in location for some teams during the 2020 season. For example, Colorado’s game against Colorado State will not be taking place because of the Pac-12’s decision. While a 64-mile distance between stadiums means that the teams cannot play, CU will still have to play against Washington in Seattle. However, it is understandable why the conference would not want to risk its players playing against others outside of their jurisdiction.

With student athletes and college students in general being on campus this fall, the likelihood of players within the conference getting the virus is very high. It will be interesting to hear if schools set specific rules for student athletes. Can a school take away from a student athlete’s college experience? There are so many unknowns with the process still. The best thing that players and fans can do is be patient with the process. This upcoming college football season is going to be imperfect, but players and fans both want to see it happen.

Pac-12 Schools Have Started Campaigns Because #TheyWantASeason In 2020

College football teams have started to encourage fans on social media to wear masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19. There have been many hashtags used, which include #wearamask, #facemasksforfallsports, and #IWantASeason. These hashtags could help some fans be convinced that wearing a mask is the way to go. It seems that the players want to play, and the coaches want to coach.

The fans also want to be in the stands. Unfortunately, this seems like fantasy at this point. The stadiums will most likely be empty or filled at a limited capacity. Other countries, such as England and Germany, have proceeded with soccer matches is empty stadiums despite lower numbers of COVID-19 cases in their countries. It will be interesting to see what individual leagues decide in the United States. There are places that are not considered hotspots, while there are some areas of the country where it may seem like a stretch to condone any sort of congregation of people at a sporting event.

Lack of National Exposure Against Other Conferences In 2020 Will Hurt Pac-12

If the season goes on in a somewhat normal fashion, the preconceived notions of each conference will most assuredly be present in the College Football Playoff meeting rooms. The Pac-12 Conference does not cut it against the other Power 5 conferences as far as football is concerned. Their conference’s network is only available to stream through the fuboTV and Sling platforms. They will probably have to play a good chunk of their games “after dark”, when a lot of people on the East Coast have gone to bed already.

The Pac-12, at the minimum, will need one of their top teams to go undefeated in 2020 to even be considered for the College Football Playoff. With how the past few seasons have played out in conference play, this will probably not happen. Oregon, who many consider to be the frontrunners in the conference, has the benefit of playing USC and Arizona State at home in the current schedule.

There is not a true second threat beyond Oregon in the Pac-12 as of right now. Utah got smoked by them in the Pac-12 championship. Although Arizona State beat Oregon, they have not shown the consistency to be taken seriously as a CFP contender. Jayden Daniels is one of the bright young stars in the conference, however. A game-changing quarterback helps a team’s chances for success out so much, especially in the college game. USC also has a talented quarterback in Kedon Slovis, but their own fans do not have faith in their head coach.

Pac-12 Fans Should Be Excited About the Prospect of a 2020 College Football Season

Having a college football season would be a welcome distraction for fans from hearing about the virus. Also, it may also be a necessary escape during election season. Fans can play their part in ensuring that there will be college football this season by being vigilant and evaluating risks when they decide to venture outside. If the college football community can rally around their want for a college football season by wearing a mask, it will undoubtedly benefit society.

Johnny Bananas Cemented Himself As The Greatest Player In Challenge History

Johnny Bananas

In basketball, the GOAT debate is between Michael Jordan and LeBron James. In movies, Citizen Kane and The Godfather typically duke it out for the top spot. In MTV’s The Challenge, there is only one GOAT and his name is Johnny Bananas.

Last night, Johnny Bananas and Jenny West won Total Madness, the 35th season of The Challenge. The duo split the $1 million prize down the middle so $500 thousand a piece is a nice chunk of change. The final challenge was all about endurance as the 9 competitors hiked up a snow-covered mountain in freezing cold temperatures, completing tasks along the way. If I’m being honest, this wasn’t my favorite final challenge. I enjoy it when the final challenge consists of solving puzzles, eating disgusting animals, and puking at every corner. The mountain is tough for competitors, but the entertainment value suffers to a degree. Despite the disappointing final, the season as a whole was a return to prominence for the MTV reality show.

Finals are hard to win and what Jenny and Bananas did was beyond impressive. Jenny is my favorite female competitor and Bananas is my favorite male competitor so it was a good night in the Girolamo household. Jenny will be a beast for seasons to come and I look forward to her evolution as a competitor. However, last night was about a king cementing himself as the greatest player in Challenge history.

There is no argument as to who the top dog is anymore. Johnny Bananas is the greatest competitor in the show’s history. In 20 seasons, Bananas has won 7 times, which is the most for an individual player in the show’s history. After last night’s 500K purse, Bananas is now the all-time money earner on the show with $1,184,720.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Bananas early on. Before Johnny Bananas became a star, he was simply “John Devenanzio.” In his first season of The Challenge, The Duel, Devenanzio was embarrassed as the first contestant eliminated and sent home. After The Duel, John Devenanzio evolved into Johnny Bananas and unleashed his dominance. In his next nine appearances, Bananas reached seven finals, winning five of them.

How did Bananas become the greatest competitor in the show’s history? In simplest terms, Bananas “gets it.” The Challenge is not just about being the most physically gifted athlete. CT, Landon, Laurel, and Alton would have won every challenge if it was all about physicality. The smartest players do not always win as well. Sarah Rice and Mark Long played great political and social games, but that didn’t always lead to victory. In order to win The Challenge, you need a combination of brains, brawn, and strategy. You need to pick your battles, stay out of early eliminations, and make sure the majority of the house vote is on your side. No one plays a better game than Bananas. He’s the strongest political force in the game, flipping votes in the house at the drop of a hat and brokering side deals with players to ensure his victory. When it comes to physical eliminations, Bananas can keep up with the best of them. Just ask Jordan.

Bananas did suffer a few hiccups on the road to greatness in the form of the CT Backpack, which is a top-five moment in the show’s history.

Sarah Rice also turned on Bananas before the final of Battle of the Exes II.

However, Bananas had the last laugh when he pulled the biggest villain move in the show’s history by keeping all of the prize money instead of splitting it with Sarah.

Some, including Bananas himself, cited that moment as a curse since Bananas hadn’t been to a final since that moment. It’s safe to say that the curse is over. This season was no walk in the park. Bananas had to defeat both Wes and Rogan in eliminations as well as come from behind to win the final.

Johnny Bananas is the GOAT of The Challenge, but there is a case to be made that he’s the GOAT competitor throughout all of reality game shows. I’m not a huge Survivor fan, but I know only two competitors won the game twice: Sandra Diaz-Twine and Tony Vlachos. American Ninja Warrior and The Amazing Race are similar in nature to The Challenge, but no one has ever won seven times. Singing competitions like American Idol and food competitions like Top Chef are almost in their own section of reality game shows. If Bananas is not the GOAT of reality game shows, he’s at least on Mount Rushmore.

Bananas hinted at taking a break, although it’s not an official retirement. Bananas will be back in the future at some point. However, if this was the last time we see Bananas, then let’s toast to the king.

MTV’s The Challenge

P.S. I don’t think it was rigged.

Is Johnny Bananas the GOAT? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

Alston v. NCAA: Athlete Scholarships Fight may go to Supreme Court

Alston v NCAA

Those who wonder why there is such a strong push for college athletes’ rights must look no further than the latest development in the Alston v. NCAA (Alston) case. In Alston, former and current college athletes challenged the NCAA’s amateurism rules on antitrust law grounds. Specifically, the plaintiffs challenged the NCAA’s rules capping grants-in-aid to cost of attendance. The plaintiffs argued that there were less restrictive ways that the NCAA could preserve amateurism. The District Court agreed. The District Court judge ruled that the NCAA could no longer restrict education-related benefits to college athletes. Then the court issued an injunction prohibiting the NCAA from doing so. Education-related benefits include items such as computers or musical instruments. However, the NCAA retained the ability to restrict non-education related benefits. Non-education related benefits include cash payments that may amount to pay-for-play.

Although the NCAA retained the right to prohibit pay-for-play in college sports, the NCAA appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. There, the three-judge panel affirmed the District Court’s decision. The appeals court was scheduled to issue the mandate precluding the NCAA from restricting education-related benefits to college athletes on July 8, 2020. However, on July 6, 2020, the NCAA sought to have the appeals court stay the injunction. The NCAA wants to stay the injunction so they can petition the case to the United States Supreme Court. That is right! The NCAA does not want to allow college athletes to receive extra educational benefits for their athletic prowess. For those who may not understand why there is such a big push for college athletes’ rights, the NCAA actions in the case are precisely why.

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This Case Proves yet Again that the NCAA Cares More About Protecting College Athletics Revenue than Protecting College Athletes

The NCAA does not want to allow its “student-athletes” to receive unlimited educational benefits. They would rather spend time and resources petitioning this case to the Supreme Court. It is amazing how the NCAA can put so much energy into this but leave the schools to fend for themselves in regards to COVID-19 and college athletics. Since the NCAA allowed voluntary workouts to resume on June 1, 2020, athletes at several schools have tested positive for the virus.

With no leadership from the NCAA, Schools are essentially creating a patchwork of guidelines and rules to address COVID-19 and resuming college athletes. However, the NCAA advocates tooth and nail that a patchwork of various state laws addressing college athletes’ names, images, and likenesses will not work and will lead to confusion. COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of over 130,000 Americans. Somehow the NCAA thinks schools should be left to their own devices and handle COVID-19 on their own.

The NCAA’s lack of a unified response has led schools to create documents that amount to a liability waiver for COVID-19. Athletes are required to sign them if they want to resume their sport. Some schools like Ohio State University claim that the document is not intended as a legal document. However, there is plenty of language in the documents that could have legal significance later on. COVID-19 could have a direct effect on college athletes’ health and wellness. The NCAA is again seeing its way out of issues related to athlete health and well-being. However, the NCAA is remaining steadfast in its quest to ensure that college athletes do not receive anything more than the NCAA wishes to give them. That is precisely what the NCAA is doing in its quest to petition Alston to the Supreme Court.

What Exactly is the NCAA Hoping to Achieve by Staying the Injunction to Petition Alston to the United States Supreme Court?

It appears that the NCAA wishes to have the Supreme Court rule that the NCAA’s amateurism rules should not be subject to scrutiny under antitrust law. This should come as no surprise. The NCAA has made it clear that they do not want to be subject to antitrust law anymore.

The NCAA’s Attempt to Persuade Congress to grant it an Antitrust Exemption

In April, the NCAA asked Congress for an antitrust exemption. They made this request when they released their name, image, and likeness report. In the report, the NCAA addressed the numerous antitrust lawsuits that the NCAA has faced over the years. The NCAA essentially plead to Congress that the lawsuits impede the organization’s ability to address the pressing issues facing college athletics. Accordingly, the NCAA wants Congress to grant it an antitrust exemption. If that does not work out, the NCAA appears to be seeking a similar result from the United States Supreme Court.

The NCAA is Planning to Persuade the Supreme Court that any Challenge to Amateurism Rules Based on Antitrust Law Must Fail

Generally, there are three circumstances in which the Supreme Court will review a case. One is where a lower court decision conflicts with a Supreme Court decision. Another is where there are two more conflicting decisions amongst the Circuit Courts of Appeals or a state court of last resort. The third is where the issue involves important questions of federal law. The NCAA asserts that the Ninth Circuit’s ruling conflicts with the rulings of the Supreme Court. The NCAA also asserts that the Ninth Circuit’s ruling conflicts with three other Circuit Courts of Appeals. Specifically, the NCAA argues that the Ninth Circuit’s ruling conflicts with the Supreme Court decision in NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma.

Brief Summary of NCAA v. Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma

In that case, the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents sued the NCAA over television broadcasting rights. The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents argued that the NCAA’s rules regarding the broadcast of college football games violated federal antitrust law. The Supreme Court found that the NCAA’s television broadcasting rules did in fact violate federal antitrust law. While the NCAA lost, the Court acknowledged that the “NCAA plays a critical role in the maintenance of a revered tradition of amateurism in college sports“. The Court further stated that the NCAA “needs ample latitude to play that role“. It is exactly this language that the NCAA plans to amplify when they petition Alston to the Supreme Court.

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The Bulk of the NCAA’s Motion Centers on The Aforementioned Points

In their motion, the NCAA asserts that the Ninth Circuit’s ruling conflicts with the Supreme Court’s aforementioned assertions in the Board of Regents case. The NCAA also asserts that the Ninth Circuit’s ruling conflicts with the Third, Fifth, and Seventh Circuits rulings on similar issues. Those circuits have all held that since the NCAA “needs ample latitude” to preserve college sports that any challenge scrutinizing the NCAA’s amateurism rules conflicts with the Board of Regents’ decision. The NCAA argues that the Ninth Circuits ruling in Alston creates a split between the circuits that it wishes the Supreme Court to resolve.

The NCAA also asserts that there are important questions of federal law to be resolved. They further assert that the injunction will cause irreparable harm to college athletics in terms of budget and competitive balance.

Hopefully, The NCAA is Not Granted a Shield Against Antitrust Law

Hopefully, the NCAA is not granted any antitrust law protection. After all, it is one of the only avenues current and former college athletes have to advocate on their behalf. It was not until the O’Bannon case that the NCAA agreed to allow college athletes to receive scholarships up to the cost of attendance. The O’Bannon case was bought on federal antitrust law grounds. The case gave current and former college athletes one of their biggest wins yet. College athletes must retain the ability to advocate for their rights. It is for these reasons that there is such a big push for college athletes’ rights. The NCAA clearly cares more about protecting capitalism, not doing what is best for college athletes.

2020 Emmy Predictions: Storylines To Monitor Ahead Of Nominations

Better call saul

The quarantine has made us all stay inside. Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s talk about the positives, which include more time to stream new shows. It may be July, but the 2020 Emmys are on the horizon and scheduled for the end of September. Whether the ceremony moves back a few weeks or goes virtual, what won’t change is the voting period for nominations, which began on July 2.

2020 will usher in new contenders in both drama and comedy as HBO’s stalwarts, Game of Thrones and Veep, are no longer on television. Can Succession be the new HBO juggernaut, or will Ozark and Better Call Saul breakthrough with huge victories in drama? Fleabag finished as well so The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Good Place, and Schitt’s Creek will all be vying for comedic victories.

Ahead of the nominations announcement on July 28, here are a few storylines to follow.

Can Succession Carry The HBO Torch With Game Of Thrones Gone?

Game of Thrones may have disappointed fans with its final season, but that sadness did not affect Emmy voters when fantasy series won Outstanding Drama Series last year. After its fourth win in five years in the drama series category, Game of Thrones is no longer with us nor in the drama category. Now, HBO is looking for another show to exert dominance once again. Enter Succession, which is coming off of a “near-perfect” second season. HBO’s drama about the Roy family is the favorite to take home the top prize on Goldderby. The last drama series to win in this category for its second season was Mad Men in 2009. However, the last show to win in this category for its second season without winning for its first season was The Practice in 1998. If Succession wins, Kendall Roy must perform “L to the OG” onstage as the acceptance speech.

Full disclosure, I have yet to finish the first season of Succession so I have some catching up to do before the ceremony airs in September. I’ll catch up with the Roy family, don’t worry.

Will Better Call Saul FINALLY Win A Primetime Emmy?

I understand that there are a lot of television shows eligible for awards every year. There are a lot of great shows that will never win Emmys in the big categories. The prime example is The Wire, which is regarded as one of the greatest shows of all time with zero Emmys wins. With all that being said, it will be a CRIME if Better Call Saul goes home empty-handed this year. The show’s fifth season was by far its best season as Saul inches closer to the Breaking Bad universe. Let’s assume Saul receives nominations for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Lead Actor for Bob Odenkirk, Outstanding Supporting Actress for Rhea Seehorn, and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Jonathan Banks. How could any voter sit down and cite a better performance in all four categories? There are arguments to be made for stronger performances in a few of those categories, but all four? That’s impossible. If Better Call Saul does not win an Emmy in at least one of those four categories, I’m starting the following hashtag: #The2020EmmysAreOverParty

Should Watchmen Bring A Broom?

Watchmen should bring a broom because they’re going to sweep away their competition in the limited series categories. Get it? Brooms sweep so if the show brings a broom, it symbolizes a clean sweep in their categories. Isn’t it funny?

All (bad) jokes aside, Watchmen was phenomenal. It’s one of the most powerful comic book adaptations ever brought to screen. Between masked cops, white supremacy, and the Tulsa Race Massacre, Watchmen scarily became a reflection on certain aspects of our society. Yes, this is also the same show with a naked blue man.

In terms of categories, Watchmen will be a big favorite to win Outstanding Limited Series. From there, Regina King should be a favorite Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series/Movie but will face tough competition from Cate Blanchett for Mrs. America. Tim Blake Nelson and Jean Smart will be towards the top in their respective supporting categories. It’s important to note that Smart’s name holds weight within the television academy, having won three Emmys prior. The only longshot from Watchmen will be Jeremy Irons, who if nominated, will be a heavy underdog to Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Jackman in the lead acting category.

Will Any Of My Favorite Shows Of The Year Receive A Nomination?

Hulu Netflix shows

If I’m a fan of your show, your Emmy chances dramatically decrease. I apologize for being a kiss of death. Devs, Dave, and Normal People are three of my favorite shows of the year and all three can be streamed on Hulu. Devs made me question life, Dave made me laugh, and Normal People brought me to tears. All three are in my top 10 shows of the year. However, all three may be shut out entirely from the Primetime Emmys. After looking at the odds, my best hope for a nomination lies with Paul Mescal, who gave a star-making performance in Normal People. In a perfect world, Mescal, Daisy-Edgar Jones, and the entire series receive nominations in their respective categories. Unfortunately, the world is far-from-perfect so if Paul is the only nomination, then we will stan our king.

What storylines are you following ahead of the nominations? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or tweet us, @unafraidshow.

WOW: July 8 CFB Doomsday, Trump NASCAR Bubba Wallace Tweet, NFL has MLB Problems

Donald Trump vs Bubba Wallace, NFL Problems

Donal Trump vs Bubba Wallace and NASCAR

Am I Wrighster or am I wrong? We are going to find out if NASCAR is serious about defending Bubba Wallace and their desire to change their culture. Donald Trump sent a tweet about Wallace despite all the facts showing there was a noose and threats against Wallace after the confederate flags were banned at NASCAR tracks.

College football is more likely to happen in the spring than in the fall. The Ivy League is set to make an announcement about sports on July 8. CFB commissioners are already making contingency plans.

The NFL has MLB sized problems brewing under the surface that may hinder a timely start with coronavirus concerned looming.

Leave a comment with your thoughts on Bubba Wallace and Donald Trump, CFB, of the NFL restart. Or shoot me an email with comments or guest ideas: GWpodcast@unafraidshow.com.

Wrighster or Wrong?

Am I Wrighster or Am I Wrong? The intersection where sports, business, society, and pop culture meet. Daily Fire… FACTS ONLY… Check Your feelings at the door. This ain’t the place for the left, right, snowflakes, SJW. No BS. Keep it 100.

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The George Wrighster podcast features great interviews where you get to know great people discussing faith, family, fatherhood, food, and sports. We get to know and learn from the personalities that entertain us outside of what they are famous for. Shoot me an email with comments or guest ideas: GWpodcast@unafraidshow.com. Please be sure to share the podcast with a friend, subscribe, and leave a 5* rating.

Who is George Wrighster?

George Wrighster is a former Pac-12 and veteran NFL tight end. As a television/radio host, opinionist, writer, speaker, and analyst, he is UNAFRAID to speak the truth. Contrary to industry norms he uses, facts, stats, and common sense to win an argument. He has also found success in the business world as an entrepreneur and investor. George is a lifelong learner who loves having conversations that educate and uplift. He has also covered college football, basketball, NFL, NBA, MLB since 2014.

2020 College Football Season Could Be In a Precarious Position

Pac-12 9am games Larry Scott Commissioner

Last week, Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott expressed pessimism about the prospect of the 2020 College Football season taking place as scheduled.

Scott, speaking with Andy Katz of NCAA.com, stated the need of flattening the COVID-19 curve to start the season as scheduled.

Is a 2020 College Football Season in the Fall Feasible?

Major League Soccer will be the first professional sports league to return this week. Other major leagues, such as the NBA, NHL, and MLB, have tentative plans to return to play starting later this month.

However, college sports have been put in a more precarious position. It is virtually impossible to keep college players in a bubble. Having students on some college campuses means that in-person classes will be a reality, at least at this point. It will be interesting to see if athletes will possibly have exemptions to not have to interact with the student population.

At the University of Colorado Boulder, there will be students living on-campus, off-campus in Boulder, and there will also be commuter students. They will either drive or take public transit to Boulder. With many people coming from different locations, it will be impossible to keep the “bubble” concept with the expectation that student-athletes have in-person interactions with other students.

The other issue that makes it harder to enforce a 2020 College Football season is that the athletes are not paid. It seems like a huge ask to make athletes stay within or apart from certain communities of people when they are not compensated for services in a purely monetary manner.

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Which 2020 College Football Season Alternative Would Be the Best?

Larry Scott put some scenarios out for how the next College Football season may be played. Obviously, the best version of the season would be to have it be played as scheduled. However, there are three alternatives that Scott is considering.

Option 1: A Delayed Start

Delaying the start of the season could help, especially if fans are allowed in stadiums at some point. However, there are major negatives to this plan. For one, it could make the season extend into the start of the spring semester, which may affect players’ abilities to spend the holiday season with their families. It could also mean changes to the non-conference schedule. Delaying the season, but keeping it in the fall, would probably be the worst choice out of the three. Players must worry about their education and extending the regular season possibly through finals would be another distraction for everyone involved.

Option 2: Conference-Only Scheduling

Conference-only scheduling could be beneficial. Teams would be assured of only having to play regionalized games against their opponents. However, it could affect revenue that schools could receive from national exposure against other conferences. Oregon has a massive non-conference tilt against Ohio State in September. This game could and hopefully would get rescheduled if they are unable to play. However, it may rid the seniors of an opportunity they were promised when they were recruited to the school.  

Option 3: Moving the Season to the Spring

Moving the 2020 College Football season to the spring may be the most feasible option out of the three Larry Scott presented. If all the conferences come to an agreement, the schedule could be maintained somewhat. There would still be some problems with this option though. It would be interesting to see what the financial impact of this decision would be. It could also complicate the NFL Draft process for players. Frankly, moving the season to the spring could cause more players to sit out to protect draft stock.

Moving the Season to the Spring Strongest Option Because of Possibility of Fans in Stands

All three of the options are flawed, which will rightly frustrate fans. However, there could be a vaccine before a spring football season, which could help the games have a college atmosphere. The fans and the pageantry are more integral to the college football scene than any other sport. College football without fans may be the weirdest to watch out of all sports. One thing is for sure: college football is at its greatest when teams and fans can share the pride they have in the university they get their education from. In the end, the hope is that the 2020 College Football season can take place in some form.