FIFA Announces Inter Miami CF as Host Member Association Club for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ Following 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield Success

FIFA Announces Inter Miami CF as Host Member Association Club for FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ Following 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield Success

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Inter Miami CF qualify to the tournament following outstanding MLS regular season;

The Herons will open the FIFA Club World Cup™ at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, on Sunday, 15 June 2025

FIFA announced today that Inter Miami CF has become the penultimate team to seal a spot at the new FIFA Club World Cup™ after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield, confirming the Club as the best team throughout the 2024 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular season. Inter Miami qualifies as the host country representative team on the basis of the Club’s outstanding and consistent 34-match campaign that saw them secure the shield with two MLS matches to play. Inter Miami will also open the tournament as the host team and play in the inaugural game of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ in their hometown of Miami.

Inter Miami, captained by FIFA World Cup™ winner Lionel Messi, broke the all-time MLS record for the most points in a single season this year, completing their 2024 campaign with 74 points having recorded 22 wins, eight draws, while incurring only four defeats, from February to October.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the news during a fan and team celebration following Inter Miami’s final MLS regular season match against New England Revolution at Chase Stadium on Saturday.

“We all know how Miami is in love with football and how Inter Miami is supported from across Florida and beyond for your exciting brand of football,” said the FIFA President. “Congratulations on your wonderful 2024 Supporters’ Shield success. You have shown that in the United States, you are consistently the best club on the field of play.

“Therefore, I am proud to announce that as one of the best clubs in the world, you are deserved participants in the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as the host club representing the United States.”

“We promised our fans we would build a team capable of competing at the highest level. We’re proud to have reached another milestone for our Club by being among the world’s best teams in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025,” said Inter Miami CF Managing Owner Jorge Mas. “It’s a monumental occasion for our fans worldwide and our community, as we continue to elevate fútbol in North America.”

In front of La Familia and many of the Club’s passionate supporters, the FIFA President also confirmed that next year’s global club showpiece will kick off in the Magic City.

“We are looking forward to you hosting the opening match in Miami on Sunday, 15 June 2025,” added Infantino. “It’s sure to be a great celebration for global club football as the tournament features the best 32 clubs in the world, and provides a new opportunity for clubs, players, coaches, and fans alike to take their stories to the world.”

With Inter Miami’s involvement confirmed, 31 of the 32 FIFA Club World Cup 2025 participating clubs have been locked in. The remaining slot will be determined by the outcome of the 2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores final to be played on 30 November 2024 in Buenos Aires, ensuring that the full line-up of clubs will be known before the draw in December 2024. Four iconic South American clubs still have hope to join the party in the U.S. next year.

With 32 participating clubs from around the world, the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is the most inclusive and merit-based global club competition, creating an opportunity for the best clubs from Africa, Asia, Central and North America, and Oceania to play the powerhouses of Europe and South America.




Source link

WNBA announces move to best-of-7 Finals starting next season

WNBA announces move to best-of-7 Finals starting next season

by with No Comment Uncategorized

  • Michael Voepel, ESPN Senior WriterOct 10, 2024, 07:49 PM ET

    Close

      Michael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.

NEW YORK — The WNBA will move to a best-of-seven series for the WNBA Finals starting next season, commissioner Cathy Engelbert said Thursday.

In her address to the media before Game 1 of the Finals between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, Engelbert also said the league will go to a 1-1-1 format for the best-of-three first round, giving all playoff teams at least one home game.

In addition, the regular season will expand from 40 to 44 games.

The WNBA has had a best-of-five format for the Finals since 2005. From 1998 through 2004, it was a best-of-three series. The championship in the inaugural WNBA season in 1997 was decided in a single-game format.

The best-of-seven series will have a 2-2-1-1-1 structure in which the higher seed would host Games 1, 2, 5 and 7, and its opponent would host Games 3, 4 and 6.

“This will give our fans a championship-series format they are accustomed to seeing in other sports,” Engelbert said.

The WNBA semifinals will continue to be a best-of-five format.

The first round has changed over the years. Its most recent setup featured the first two games of a best-of-three series played at the home of the higher seed, and a possible third game at the home of the lower seed. But that format didn’t guarantee at least one home game for every playoff team, which the 1-1-1 scenario will do.

Engelbert said the WNBA’s move to charter flights for all games starting this season will help with the playoff format changes.

She also announced that the expansion draft for the league’s 13th team, the Golden State Valkyries, will be Nov. 17 at 5 p.m. on ESPN. It was also confirmed that the Valkyries will pick fifth in every round of the standard draft in April. The Valkyries, who announced new coach Natalie Nakase earlier Thursday, begin play next season.

The WNBA’s regular season moved to 40 games in 2023. Adding four more regular-season games and the potential of longer playoffs means the league is likely to go later into October to finish its season, which generally starts in mid-May.

The league also must plan around international events — the Summer Olympics and the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup — every other year. Neither event is held next season, so Engelbert said it was the perfect time to launch the playoff changes, which have been discussed the past few years.

“It’s a constant balancing of the schedule,” Engelbert said. “The league’s growth and increased demand for WNBA basketball made this the ideal time … to provide fans more opportunities to see the best players in the world compete at the highest level.”

The WNBA has two more expansion teams that will begin play in 2026: Toronto and Portland. Engelbert reiterated Thursday the league expects to add one more team no later than 2028. Sixteen teams would match the most the WNBA has had in its history.

With a celebrated draft class this season led by WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and Angel Reese of the Chicago Sky, the league has received larger viewership and media coverage. But that has also come with some challenges, including an uptick of negative remarks on social media.

Last month, Engelbert was criticized by some players and the players’ association for remarks she made on CNBC that they felt didn’t properly address the specific racist, misogynistic and anti-gay tone of some dialogue around the WNBA. Engelbert then wrote a letter apologizing to the players, and Thursday, she reiterated the league’s commitment to protecting players as much as possible.

“The hateful speech and threats directed at our players are troubling,” Engelbert said. “That type of conduct is not representative of the WNBA’s character or fan base. As a league, we stand united in condemning racism and all forms of hate. The WNBA is one of the most inclusive and diverse professional sports leagues in the world. And we will continue to champion those values.”

Asked what specifically the WNBA could do regarding social media, Engelbert said the league would continue to work with the players’ association.

“We’re going to approach this multidimensionally,” she said. “Utilizing technology, prioritizing mental health, reinforcing physical security and increasing monitoring. We know there’s more work to be done, and as a league we are fully committed to listening to the players and other stakeholders.

“There’s no place in sports for this. I think we have been meeting with some technology providers. … There are some technology solutions we could deploy. We have to continue to be a voice against this, condemning it. And find every opportunity to support our players, who have been dealing with this for much longer than this year.”


Source link

Office of the Governor | Governor Murphy Announces $15 Million FEMA Award to Increase Climate Change Resiliency

by with No Comment Uncategorized

TRENTON – To conclude Climate Week, Governor Phil Murphy today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) selected New Jersey’s application, awarding $15 million in funding to increase climate change preparedness and provide immediate relief to homeowners in the aftermath of a storm. New Jersey will provide a 10% match, about $1.5 million, as part of the award.

The selection, through FEMA’s Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, will allow New Jersey to make low-interest loans to local governments most in need of financial assistance, including low-income areas and underserved communities, for their hazard mitigation and resilience infrastructure needs.

“This award is essential to ensuring that our local communities have the tools they need to get ahead of the next disaster,” said Governor Murphy. “As our state experiences the growing intensity of storms and sea-level rise due to climate change, this program will allow us to increase available resources so we can provide prompt assistance to New Jerseyans. I’m grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration and New Jersey’s congressional delegation for fully funding the STORM Act as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

The Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act established the STORM Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to provide revolving loan funds to states, eligible federally recognized tribes, territories, and Washington, D.C. to finance projects that reduce risks from natural hazards and disasters.

Through the STORM RLF program, FEMA empowers these entities to make funding decisions and award loans directly. These revolving loan funds will help local governments carry out hazard mitigation projects that reduce disaster risks for communities, homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to build climate resilience.

“As we highlight Climate Week, it is important for us to address the ever-expanding impacts that climate change has on the communities we serve. Increased severe weather activity not just threatens an increase in costs– it threatens lives,” said FEMA Region 2 Administrator David Warrington. “At FEMA, we take climate change seriously and understand that funding opportunities of this type are critical to building resilience against the damaging effects that can occur throughout the region. We remain committed to putting people first and value our partnership with New Jersey to help communities build capacity for years to come.”

“The new STORM RLF financing program highlights the significance our federal and State officials have placed on climate mitigation infrastructure projects in our neediest communities,” said Robert Briant, Jr., Chairperson of the I-Bank. “Working with FEMA, New Jersey now has one more tool to help these communities protect their residents and assets before the next disaster strikes.”

“This is a significant award for the state and provides an additional path to assist local governments and underserved communities,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and State Director of Emergency Management. “As New Jersey continues to experience stronger storms, this resource allows us to offer yet another method to carry out mitigation projects and make our state even more resilient.” 

This second year of STORM Act funding to New Jersey represents the second highest cumulative award in the nation to date.

The funding was made possible by a partnership between the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (I-Bank) and the New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), within the Division of State Police, to apply for and administer funds to finance hazard mitigation projects in New Jersey through the New Jersey Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (NJ CHAMP). Please contact the I-Bank at information@njib.gov for additional information.


Source link

Hoda Kotb is leaving

Hoda Kotb Announces She’s Leaving the TODAY Show

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Hoda Kotb has announced that she is leaving TODAY early next year, but will remain part of the NBC family.

She tearfully recounted on TODAY on Sept. 26 about how her 60th birthday celebration in August prompted a decision to make a change.

“I realized that it was time for me to turn the page at 60, and to try something new,” she said. “I remembered standing outside looking at these beautiful bunch of people with these gorgeous signs, and I thought, ‘This is what the top of the wave feels like for me.’ And I thought it can’t get better, and I decided that this is the right time for me to kind of move on.”

Hoda Kotb sits with her colleagues as she announces she’s leaving TODAY in early 2025.Nathan Congleton / TODAY

Hoda’s intention to spend more time with her daughters, Haley, 7, and Hope, 5, also factored into her decision.

“Obviously I had my kiddos late in life, and I was thinking that they deserve a bigger piece of my time pie that I have,” she said. “I feel like we only have a finite amount of time.

“And so, with all that being said, this is the hardest thing in the world.”

She said she will remain with TODAY through early next year, and is going to stay in the NBC family in an unspecified role.

“It’s kind of a big deal for me,” she said through tears. “I’ve been practicing so I wouldn’t cry, but anyway, I did.”

Hoda has been part of the fabric at NBC News for nearly three decades, after previously working at “Dateline” and as the co-host of the fourth hour of TODAY with Kathie Lee Gifford and then Jenna Bush Hager. She and Savannah Guthrie have co-anchored TODAY for more than five years.

“We love you so much,” Savannah tearfully said on TODAY. “And when you look around and see these tears, they’re love. You are so loved. We don’t want to imagine this place without you.

“So it’s complicated because we love you so much, and we don’t want you to ever go,” she continued. “But also I just want to say I am so proud of my friend. You have guts. For someone to leave at the top of their game, to leave something that’s wonderful that you love, where it’s easy and comfortable and beautiful and fun, and say, ‘But I dream bigger for myself into the great unknown.’ You have so much guts. You inspire me. I love you.”

The TODAY family all shared emotional messages with Hoda on the show.

“It’s not over,” Jenna Bush Hager said. “I’m going to be showing up at your house like the stalker you are to Zac Brown. I will be there on your doorstep, and we are your friends forever.”

“Hoda has a relationship with every single person on this couch in her own way, so I think we’re all just kind of wrestling with it inside,” Sheinelle Jones said. “But we also know what a dynamic mom you are, and presence you are. And your whole movement with wellness, you are going to change the world. And we know it.”

One of Hoda’s oldest friends during her time with NBC has been weatherman Al Roker.

“I have never known anybody like you,” Al said. “I’ve known you forever, and I love you.”

Craig Melvin also paid tribute to Hoda’s genuine friendship.

“People in this business, when that little red light, it goes off, they’re different people,” Craig said. “We’ve worked with all these people before. You’re the opposite. That little red light goes off, you are exactly like people see you in the morning — just the biggest heart.

“You’ve been the heart of this show for a long time, and there’s no replacing that.”

She reflected on all her relationships with those behind the camera and the rest of the staff, plus the TODAY fans who gather every day in Rockefeller Plaza to brighten her morning.

Hoda also shared a letter to the TODAY staff on Sept. 26 about her decision to step down. Read it in full below.

To my TODAY family,

As I write this, my heart is all over the map. I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful one. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I’m feeling that so deeply right now. I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.

My time at NBC has been the longest professional love affair of my life. But only because you’ve been beside me on this twenty-six-year adventure. Looking back, the math is nuts. 26 years at NBC News – Ten years at Dateline, seven on the seven o’clock hour, sixteen on the ten o’clock hour. I’m picturing your faces and your families and all the ways you’ve lifted me up and inspired me. That’s my heart singing. So many of my professional relationships have become some of my most cherished friendships. Savannah: my rock. Jenna: my ride-or-die. Al: my longest friend at 30 Rock. Craig, Carson, Sheinelle and Dylan: my family. Libby, Mazz and Talia: my fearless leaders. I will miss each and every one of you at TODAY desperately.

I’ve been weighing this decision for quite a while – Am I truly ready? But, my sixtieth birthday celebration on the Plaza felt like a shift. Like a massive, joyful YES, you are! I saw it all so clearly: my broadcast career has been beyond meaningful, a new decade of my life lies ahead, and now my daughters and my mom need and deserve a bigger slice of my time pie. I will miss you all desperately, but I’m ready and excited.

Because I’ll be working through the beginning of 2025, there’s plenty of time to talk about what’s ahead for all of us. But one thing I know for sure right now is this: everything’s going to be just fine. The Peacock’s feathers are never ruffled… no matter who comes or goes. TODAY and its amazing people — all of you — never waver. You always weather change with grace and guts.

Happily and gratefully, I plan to remain a part of the NBC family, the longest work relationship I’ve been lucky enough to hold close to my heart. I’ll be around. How could I not? Family is family and you all will always be a part of mine.

Love,

Hoda


Source link

‘SNL’ announces Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton and more as Season 50 hosts

by with No Comment Uncategorized

“Saturday Night Live” has set its first batch of hosts for Season 50, including Ariana Grande, John Mulaney, Michael Keaton and more.

Hosting for her first time, Jean Smart will open the season on Sept. 28 with musical guest Jelly Roll, followed by an Oct. 5 episode hosted by Nate Bargatze featuring songs from Coldplay.

Grande will host “SNL” for the second time on Oct. 12 with musical guest Stevie Nicks. Keaton will visit Studio 8H on Oct. 19 with Billie Eilish, and Mulaney will host on Nov. 2 with “SNL” first-timer Chappell Roan.

Smart is fresh off her third Emmy win for the Max comedy “Hacks,” while the Grammy-nominated Jelly Roll, who performed at the Emmys, will be performing in anticipation of his new album, “Beautifully Broken,” out Oct. 11.

Comedian Bargatze, who continues his “Be Funny Tour” through the fall, returns to the “SNL” stage after hosting in 2023. Coldplay will join him in the band’s eighth appearance as musical guest. The Chris Martin-led outfit will release its 10th album, “Moon Music,” on Oct. 4.

Grande will lead “Saturday Night Live” ahead of “Wicked,” coming to theaters Nov. 22, as Fleetwood Mac icon Nicks returns after her first “SNL” performance in 1983.

Keaton was last seen in “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” opposite Jenna Ortega and Winona Ryder, and his next film “Goodrich” will debut in theaters Oct. 18. He’ll be joined by Eilish in her fourth stint as “SNL” musical guest, this time in support of her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.”

Mulaney, who was a writer on “Saturday Night Live” from 2008 to 2013, will host for the sixth time. The Emmy winner and stand-up comedian stars in the new Broadway play “All In: Comedy About Love,” opening Dec. 11. Roan, who blew up this year with songs like “Good Luck, Babe!” and “Hot to Go!,” will bring her energetic pop hits to Studio 8H for the first time.

“Saturday Night Live” will celebrate its 50th season with a live primetime special on Feb. 16. The series airs on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET and streams on Peacock. NBC is owned by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News.

“SNL” is produced in association with Broadway Video. Lorne Michaels is the creator and executive producer.


Source link

METALLICA Announces Dates For ‘M72 WORLD TOUR 2025’

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Metallica has confirmed that its record-breaking M72 World Tour will be extended into a third year, with the announcement of 21 North American shows spanning April, May and June 2025.

Two-night tickets for the newly announced No Repeat Weekends and tickets for the single-night engagements will be on sale September 27 at 10am local time. Fan club pre-sales begin September 23 at 10am local time. For further information, enhanced experiences, travel packages and more, go to https://metallica.lnk.to/M72WorldTour2025.

Since opening April 2023 in Amsterdam, M72 has seen Metallica play to some three million fans. Variously hailed as “an altogether life-affirming experience”(Billboard), “impossible to leave unsatisfied” (Austin Chronicle), “a stone-cold stunner of a show” (Detroit News), “the mother of all summer concerts” (Worcester Telegram Gazette) and “as tight and furious as Metallica has sounded in ages” (Los Angeles Times), M72 continues to amaze fans and critics alike. The tour will conclude its triumphant 2024 run with four nights at Mexico City’s Estadio GNP Seguros, where Metallica will play to more than 250,000 fans over the course of two No Repeat Weekends.

The M72 World Tour’s 2025 itinerary will continue the hallowed No Repeat Weekend tradition, with each night of the two-show stands featuring entirely different setlists and support lineups. These will include the band’s first Nashville shows in five years on May 1 and 3 at Nissan Stadium, as well as Metallica’s return to Tampa after 15 years on June 6 and 8 at Raymond James Stadium. M72 has also confirmed its much anticipated Bay Area hometown play, to take place June 20 and 22 with the band’s debut performances at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

In a new twist, M72 2025 will feature several single shows bringing the tour’s full production, with its massive in-the-round stage, to venues including two college football stadiums: JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York on April 19, and Metallica’s first ever visit to Blacksburg, Virginia, home of the Virginia Tech Hokies.  The May 7 show at Lane Stadium will mark the culmination of 20+ years of “Enter Sandman” playing as the Hokies take the field.

In addition to playing football stadiums across the nation, the M72 World Tour’s 2025 itinerary will also include two festival headlines—the first being the opening night of the run April 12 at Sick New World at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. May 9 and 11 will then mark a festival/No Repeat Weekend combo as Metallica plays two headline sets at Sonic Temple at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Support on M72’s 2025 North American run will come from Pantera, Limp Bizkit, Suicidal Tendencies and Ice Nine Kills. See below for specifics.

Additionally, M72 2025 will see Metallica’s long-awaited return to Australia and New Zealand. Stay tuned to https://www.metallica.com/ for further announcements.

M72’s 2025 North American leg is produced by Live Nation and presented by new sponsor inKind. inKind rewards diners with special offers and credit back when they use the app to pay at 2,000+ top-rated restaurants nationwide. The company provides innovative financing to participating restaurants in a way that enables new levels of sustainability and success. Metallica fans can learn more at inkind.com.

Citi is the official card of the M72 tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, September 24 at 10am local time until Thursday, September 26 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Verizon will offer an exclusive presale for the M72 tour in the U.S through Verizon Access, just for being a customer. Verizon Access Presale tickets for select shows will begin Tuesday, September 24 at 10am local time until Thursday, September 26 at 10pm local time. For more details visit Verizon.com/Access.

* Citi and Verizon presales will not be available for Sick New World, Sonic Temple or the Toronto dates. Verizon presale will not be available for the Nashville, Blacksburg or Landover shows.

As always, a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold will go to local charities via the band’s All Within My Hands foundation. Established in 2017 as a way to give back to communities that have supported Metallica over the years, All Within My Hands has raised over $15 million – providing $8.2 million in grants to career and technical education programs including the ground-breaking Metallica Scholars Initiative, now in its sixth year, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts.

METALLICA M72 WORLD TOUR – North America 2025

April 12 Las Vegas, NV Sick New World @ Las Vegas Festival Grounds

April 19 Syracuse, NY JMA Wireless Dome *

April 24 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre *

April 26 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre +

May 1 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium *

May 3 Nashville, TN Nissan Stadium +

May 7 Blacksburg, VA Lane Stadium *

May 9 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium

May 11 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple @ Historic Crew Stadium

May 23 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field +

May 25 Philadelphia, PA Lincoln Financial Field *

May 28 Landover, MD Northwest Stadium *

May 31 Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium *

June 3 Atlanta, GA Mercedes-Benz Stadium *

June 6 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium +

June 8 Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium *

June 14 Houston, TX NRG Stadium *

June 20 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium +

June 22 Santa Clara, CA Levi’s Stadium *

June 27 Denver, CO Empower Field at Mile High +

June 29 Denver, CO Empower Field at Mile High *

* Pantera and Suicidal Tendencies support

+ Limp Bizkit and Ice Nine Kills support


Source link

Rachel Zoe Announces She and Husband Rodger Berman Are Splitting

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Celebrity fashion stylist Rachel Zoe announced on Monday, Sept. 9, that she and her longtime husband Rodger Berman are splitting up.

Zoe, 53, said in a statement posted on Instagram that she and Berman have decided to end their marriage.

“After 33 years together and 26 years married, Rodger and I have come to the mutual decision to end our marriage,” Zoe wrote. “We are incredibly proud of the loving family we have created and our countless memories together.”

“Our number one priority has been and will always be our children,” she continued. “We are committed to co-parent our boys and to continue to work together within the many businesses we share. We ask for privacy during this time as we navigate this new chapter.”

The note was signed “with love and gratitude,” from Zoe and Berman.

Zoe shares two children with Berman: Skyler, 13, and Kaius, 10.

The stylist appears to have last posted Berman on her Instagram feed in honor of Father’s Day in June, writing that Berman was “one of the best to ever do it.”

“Our boys are the luckiest and we are so grateful for you,” she added.

The pair started dating in 1991, and married in 1998. The couple’s relationship was featured in the Bravo show “The Rachel Zoe Project,” which aired from 2008 to 2013.

Zoe celebrated their 26th anniversary in an Instagram post in February.

“What a wild ride it’s been for 26 years of marriage with my @rbermanus 💘 . I was your very young bride and you have told me every day since that I am the most beautiful woman in any room or in the world every day since,” she wrote in the caption.

“Well they say love is blind and I’m so here for that 33 years together later. I can say life with us is never boring and ever changing but I wouldn’t want to be on this rollercoaster of life with anyone else ever. Happiest Anniversary with love from your much much younger wife. I love you beyond and forever.”

In August 2022, Zoe posted a tribute in honor of their 31st relationship anniversary with several photos of herself and Berman together.

“I have loved you @rbermanus from this day 8.29 ❤️ 31 years ago… we have done this life together and I cannot wait to see what is yet to come,” she wrote on Instagram. “Happiest anniversary to my person 🙏🏻❤️ And Yes everyone we met in kindergarten 😉”




Source link

Dave Grohl announces he’s become the father of a baby born outside his marriage

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has admitted fathering a baby outside his 21-year marriage.

Grohl, 55, revealed the news in an Instagram statement Tuesday, writing that he has “recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage.”

“I plan to be a loving and supportive parent to her. I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness,” he wrote. “We’re grateful for your consideration toward all the children involved, as we move forward together.”

A representative for Grohl would not share any additional comment.

Grohl did not disclose in his post any additional information about the mother of his newest daughter.

Grohl, the founder of Foo Fighters and former drummer for Nirvana, has been married to his second wife, Jordyn Blum, for more than two decades.

The pair have three daughters together: Violet Maye, 18, Harper Willow, 15, and Ophelia Saint, 10.


Source link

Gaudreau Funeral 4 Abc Gmh 240909 1725908769077 Hpmain

Johnny Gaudreau’s widow announces pregnancy with their third child at memorial service – 101 ESPN

by with No Comment Uncategorized

ABC News

(NEW YORK) — The widow of Columbus Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, Meredith Gaudreau, announced her pregnancy with their third child at Monday’s memorial service for Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau.

“John and I had the best six months as a family of four. These will forever be the best six months of my life,” Meredith Gaudreau said at the service. “There’s specifically one week that I will cherish forever — it will be my favorite week of my life out of those six months. We’re actually a family of five. I’m in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby.”

She called the pregnancy a “total surprise.”

“John was beaming and so excited,” she said. “His reaction was just immediately kissing me and hugging me.”

Their first child, daughter Noa Harper Gaudreau, was born Sept. 30, 2022. Their second, son Johnny Edward Gaudreau, was born Feb. 22.

“Noa, our oldest, hasn’t even turned 2 yet. In less than three years of marriage, we’ve created a family of five,” Meredith Gaudreau said at the memorial service. “It doesn’t even sound possible, but I look at it as the ultimate blessing. How lucky am I to be the mother of John’s three babies? Our last one being a blessing and so special despite these difficult circumstances.”

“To my babies, daddy loves you all so much and you have the best daddy in the world,” she said.

On Aug. 29, Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and his brother Matthew Gaudreau, 29, were riding bikes in Salem County, New Jersey, when they were struck and killed by a driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, according to police. The suspected driver was arrested and charged with two counts of death by auto, according to police.

Matthew Gaudreau’s wife, Madeline Gaudreau, is also pregnant with their first child.

“This last week has felt like I’ve been trapped in a nightmare I can’t wake up from,” Madeline Gaudreau said at the memorial service. “I feel numb, angry, sad, blessed all at once. Some days the thought of this new reality is debilitating. But mostly, I just miss Matt.”

“The 14 years we spent together will never be enough, but I will cherish those and carry them close to me, especially on the extremely hard days,” she said.

“He was born to be a dad,” Madeline Gaudreau said. “The moment we found out about our son Tripp, it consumed his every day. He was downloading apps, ordering books, finding the best diaper brand, making sure I had the best vitamins and asking for tips from John. I will never forget the tears he had in his eyes when he first heard Tripp’s heartbeat.”

“I know Matt will surround his son for the rest of his life,” she said through tears.

She said she hopes her son and Meredith Gaudreau’s baby, Johnny, have the same bond their dads did.

To Meredith Gaudreau, she said, “I promise that I will always be there for you and the kids.”

Madeline Gaudreau also made a point at the service to urge people to not drink and drive.

“Please do not put another family through this torture,” she said.

The Gaudreau brothers died the night before their sister, Katie, was set to get married, according to their former coaches.

The brothers were “always side by side” and “absolute best friends,” Meredith Gaudreau wrote on Instagram two days after their deaths.

“I don’t think John could live a day without you so I’m comforted knowing you are of course together in heaven,” she said in a message to her brother-in-law.

“Matty, thank you for loving our babies like your own and for being such an amazing uncle and godfather,” she added, pledging to take care of his wife, Madeline, and their future son.

“Please continue to take care of John like you always have. I got Madeline and Tripp,” she said.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.




Source link

Korea V Uswnt

US women’s soccer legend Alex Morgan announces retirement, pregnancy – 101 ESPN

by with No Comment Uncategorized

Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF

(NEW YORK) — Alex Morgan, one of the greatest U.S. soccer stars of all time, officially announced her retirement from professional soccer on Thursday.

“I’m gonna get to the point quickly: I’m retiring,” Morgan said in a video posted to Instagram. “And I have so much clarity about this decision, and I am so happy to be able to finally tell you. It has been a long time coming and this decision wasn’t easy, but at the beginning of 2024 I felt in my heart and soul that this was the last season that I would play soccer.”

“Soccer has been a part of me for 30 years and it was one of the first things that I ever loved. And I gave everything to this sport and what I got in return was more than I could have ever dreamed of,” she said.

The two-time Olympic medalist, who helped lead Team USA to gold at the 2012 London Games and bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Games, has been celebrated by teammates, coaches and competitors as one of the greatest goal scorers and winners in U.S. Women’s National Team history.

Morgan continued, “Success for me is defined by never giving up and giving your all. And I did just that. I’m giving my all every single day on the field, and I did that. Giving my all in the relentless push for global investment in women’s sports, because we deserve that.”

The 35-year-old also shared a sweet moment with her now-4-year-old daughter before revealing she is pregnant with a second child.

“Charlie came up to me the other day and said that when she grows up, she wants to be a soccer player. And it just made me, like immensely proud,” she said. “Not because I wish for her to become a — soccer player when she grows up, but because a pathway exists that even a 4-year-old can see now we’re changing lives and the impact we have on the next generation is irreversible, and I’m proud in the hand I had in making that happen.”

She continued, “This is not the retirement video I expected when I initially thought I was going to do this, because Charlie’s going to be a big sister.”

“I am pregnant. And as unexpected as this came, we are so overjoyed,” Morgan said of her growing family with professional men’s player Servando Carrasco, her college sweetheart at UC Berkeley and husband.

“To me, family means everything. I wouldn’t be here without my husband and my family uplifting and motivating and encouraging and supporting me and sacrificing for me for the last 15 years as a professional athlete,” she said.

Morgan has one final match for the San Diego Wave on Sunday.

“I just want to thank the fans for always supporting us, for always just using what we’re saying and making it magnified,” she said. “I also need to thank the team, my team behind the scenes — teammates, coaches, staff, everyone who has played a part in my career, has played some part that has made me where I am today and who I am today.”

“I am so shaped into me because of you, because of soccer, and I am forever grateful,” Morgan said. “I cannot wait to celebrate with you one last game. It’s been a ride. And thank you.”

Alex Morgan’s professional soccer career highlights and accolades

Morgan joined the U.S. Women’s National Team training camp in 2009 at 20 years old and has remained a fixture of the team both on and off the field for her legendary 15-year career.

The star striker scored her first goal against China in 2010 and racked up goals against 32 different countries.

Later that same year, Morgan scored in stoppage time against Italy during the Women’s World Cup playoff to give USA a 1-0 win to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

She finishes her USWNT career with 123 goals, fifth all time, as well as 53 career assists, ninth in U.S. history.

In her 22 World Cup matches, Morgan scored nine goals. She played 16 matches in two different Olympics and scored six goals.

In matches Morgan played, the national team’s record was 177-15-32. She was the captain of the USWNT 23 times and scored in 86 of her 224 international appearances with 158 starts. Of those 86 matches she scored in, the USWNT never lost, notching 76 wins and 10 draws.

With 176 combined goals and assists, Morgan sits at fifth all time in USWNT history, behind only fellow legends Mia Hamm, Abby Wambach, Kristine Lilly and Carli Lloyd.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Morgan notched three goals, four assists and scored on a header against Canada in the 123rd minute to give the USA a dramatic 4-3 win in the semifinals.

Morgan also had a historic 2012, scoring 28 goals and 21 assists. The only other American player to have a year with at least 20 goals and at least 20 assists was Mia Hamm in 1998.

Morgan’s final goal in a U.S. uniform came on Feb. 23 against Argentina in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup.

Morgan also racked up numerous awards. She won U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018; was named to the FIFA FIFPRO World XI six times; and was named CONCACAF Female Player of the Year four times.

She also made history during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with her goal against Brazil on Feb. 22, 2023, to move her past Joy Fawcett to become the all-time leader in USWNT goals as a mother with 14.

The San Dimas, California, native has appeared on the cover of numerous magazines throughout her career, including Time, Adweek, Sports Illustrated, SI for Kids and Glamour.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.




Source link