Category Archives: Other sports

Don’t hold out hope for hockey in Houston

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

In case you had been doing so. There is what seems to be perpetual interest in bringing an NHL team to Houston. The interest, however, isn’t mutual at this time for hockey’s premier league to grow beyond its current 32 … Continue reading →

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A more nuanced look at the finances of hosting the Final Four

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve made fun of articles in the past that breathlessly and credulously repeated claims that various big sporting events like a Super Bowl or a Final Four would yield untold millions in sales and hotel tax revenue for the state … Continue reading →

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More World Cup events on tap for 2026

Posted on March 19, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Cool. The 2026 World Cup soccer tournament is expanding by 24 games, and Houston is prepared to handle any added games. FIFA voted Tuesday for a change in format to the 48-team event by adding games. The total of 104 … Continue reading →

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Big XII now looking to expand

Posted on February 14, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Probably a good idea to try, as a defensive measure if nothing else. The Big 12’s next step is clear after the early exit of Texas and Oklahoma was agreed upon Thursday night. The conference now plans to aggressively pursue expansion in some … Continue reading →

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Actually, UT and OU will join the SEC in 2024

Posted on February 11, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Reports of their not-early departure were greatly exaggerated. Texas and Oklahoma have reached an agreement in principle to leave the Big 12 after the 2023-24 athletic year, the league announced Thursday, allowing the schools to join the Southeastern Conference one … Continue reading →

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Looking like no early entry into the SEC for UT and OU

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

It’s always about the money. Which, to be fair, is pretty substantial in this case. The negotiations for Oklahoma and Texas to leave the Big 12 a year early and join the SEC in 2024 have stalled and a deal … Continue reading →

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The ongoing referee shortage

Posted on January 31, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

This news is not new, though the cause being cited is different than the last time I read this kind of story. The official shortage seen in the Houston area is part of a nationwide issue, according to the National Federation … Continue reading →

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March Madness could get bigger

Posted on January 10, 2023 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the story you probably heard about. A recommendation by the NCAA’s Division I Transformation Committee issued Tuesday would expand the NCAA basketball tournaments to 90 teams. The committee tasked with finding “opportunities to modernize college sports” issued several recommendations in a 39-page … Continue reading →

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NWSL releases its report on abuse by coaches

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

The followup report names some names that hadn’t been named before. Widespread misconduct, including sexual abuse, manipulation and mocking athletes’ bodies, has plagued the National Women’s Soccer League for a decade, according to an investigation commissioned by the league and … Continue reading →

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Yeah, Deshaun Watson will be back on Sunday

Posted on December 2, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Unfortunately, his suspension is now over. With nearly all of the more than two dozen lawsuits filed against Deshaun Watson having been settled, most of the women who accused the Cleveland quarterback of sexual misconduct have no interest in his … Continue reading →

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Gonzaga looking at the Big XII

Posted on November 5, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

The first real conference move by a non-football school is being discussed. Conference realignment chatter for months has centered mainly around college football. That hasn’t stopped Gonzaga from being proactive behind the scenes in discussions with at least three power … Continue reading →

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Drone racing

Posted on October 12, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty cool, actually. Jessica Dunegan watched her high school students fly drones through a maze of hula-hoops, cardboard and chairs last year for an end-of-year assignment in robotics class. The San Antonio-area teacher was amazed by the teamwork, engagement and … Continue reading →

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That US Soccer report on abuse allegations in the NWSL

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a lot, and as the head of US Soccer says, it’s just the first step. The independent investigation into player abuse in women’s professional soccer found a long list of failures by National Women’s Soccer League coaches and executives, … Continue reading →

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The SPURS bills

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

I admit that I tipped my cap to this one. What if it took an act of Congress to keep the Spurs in San Antonio? With the team playing two games in Austin this season and Austin billionaire Michael Dell … Continue reading →

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We should soon find out what’s been going on in the NWSL

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Good. U.S. Soccer says an investigation into alleged abuse and misconduct in the National Women’s Soccer League is expected to be completed by early next month. The investigation, led by former acting U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates, was initiated last … Continue reading →

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The 24th plaintiff

Posted on August 21, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, 23 of the 24 women who had filed lawsuits against Deshaun Watson for sexual harassment and assault have settled those cases. The one who has not settled now tells us why. Deshaun Watson and the NFL agreed to … Continue reading →

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Watson’s suspension increased to 11 games

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

This was the result of an agreement between the NFL and Deshaun Watson as represented by the NFLPA. Deshaun Watson’s suspension has been increased from six to 11 games, the league announced Thursday. Watson and NFL reached a settlement where … Continue reading →

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Deshaun Watson “apologizes”

Posted on August 14, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

As you may infer, I’m not impressed. Deshaun Watson’s best play in his preseason debut with the Cleveland Browns came long before he took the field in Jacksonville. Watson apologized Friday “to all the women I have impacted” after being … Continue reading →

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Goodell thinks Watson should get a year’s suspension

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Well, it’s in the hands of someone he picked to hear the appeal, so. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says the league is seeking a tougher penalty for Deshaun Watson because the quarterback’s actions were “egregious” and “predatory behavior.” Last week, … Continue reading →

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Buzbee blames the NFL for Watson’s short suspension

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Surely you expected that Tony Buzbee would have something to say about all this. For the first woman to sue former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson —and nearly all those who followed suit — the legal process is over. They settled … Continue reading →

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Further thoughts on the Deshaun Watson suspension

Posted on August 6, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Just a few things I’ve read, to try to understand what happened here. Make of them what you will. Note that I drafted this before the news of the NFL’s appeal. Pro Football Talk: How does Watson, who faced 24 … Continue reading →

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NFL to appeal Watson suspension

Posted on August 4, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. I did not expect that. The NFL on Wednesday appealed the six-game suspension for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson, seeking a tougher penalty for violating the league’s personal conduct policy in the wake of disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson’s … Continue reading →

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Deshaun Watson suspended for six games

Posted on August 2, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Feels light to me. And not just to me. Months after trading six draft picks and committing a fully guaranteed $230 million to land Deshaun Watson from the Texans, the Browns have lost their star quarterback for the first six … Continue reading →

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UIL still nixes NIL

Posted on July 23, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Sorry, Texas high school athletes. You’re still not getting paid. Even if state lawmakers change legislation to allow high school athletes in Texas to profit off their name, image and likeness, the University Interscholastic League may not be ready to … Continue reading →

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UT and OU swear they’re still in the Big XII until 2025

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe they even believe that, though I remain doubtful. Almost a year later, UT’s and OU’s bombshell decision to leave the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference is still being felt in the latest round of conference realignment. After an … Continue reading →

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Now we wait for the judge in the Deshaun Watson disciplinary case

Posted on July 3, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Gonna be a few weeks, most likely. Another phase in the NFL’s disciplinary process against former Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is complete, and another wait begins. Watson’s hearing before former U.S. District judge Sue L. Robinson concluded on Thursday after … Continue reading →

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USC and UCLA to join Big Ten

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. USC and UCLA have been accepted as the newest members of the Big Ten conference with league officials approving their membership Thursday night. The programs have announced their respective departures from the Pac-12 beginning in 2024 with the pair … Continue reading →

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NFL pushing for “indefinite” suspension of Deshaun Watson

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

That sounds like it counts as “at least one year”. The NFL and Deshaun Watson’s legal team presented their arguments before a disciplinary officer for a second day Wednesday, with both sides holding firm as the hearing is scheduled to … Continue reading →

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NFL to seek at least a one year suspension for Deshaun Watson

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

That would count as significant. The NFL is poised to argue for an indefinite suspension of at least one year for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson at a hearing scheduled to begin Tuesday in front of the sport’s new disciplinary … Continue reading →

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“Significant” suspension expected for Deshaun Watson

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

I should think so. The NFL will argue that Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson should receive a “significant” suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, multiple people familiar with the case said Friday. The league “probably” will seek a … Continue reading →

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Rice to join AAC in 2023

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

As expected given prior developments. Nearly eight months after accepting an invitation to join the American Athletic Conference, Rice on Wednesday announced it has finalized an agreement to officially enter the league in 2023. Rice — along with UTSA, North … Continue reading →

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Houston wins its bid to be a 2026 World Cup host

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

Excellent. The World Cup is coming to Houston. FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, chose Houston as one of 16 sites for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to be co-hosted by three nations: the United … Continue reading →

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We will learn Houston’s fate as a World Cup site this week

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been a long road. On June 16, FIFA will announce its host cities for the 2026 Men’s World Cup set to be held within the U.S., Canada and Mexico. If Houston is one of the 16 locations chosen for … Continue reading →

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UH will officially join the Big XII in 2023

Posted on June 11, 2022 by Charles Kuffner

No use waiting around. The University of Houston will start play in the Big 12 in 2023 after the school came to an agreement on exit fees with the American Athletic Conference. The Cougars will pay the AAC $18 million … Continue reading →

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