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Super Bowl week: Stars and athletes bring buzz into New Orleans before big game in the Big Easy

Above, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, left, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes with the trophy during Super Bowl 59 Opening Night Monday in New Orleans. (AP)
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Updated 04 February 2025
AP
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Super Bowl week: Stars and athletes bring buzz into New Orleans before big game in the Big Easy

  • The Big Easy will be the epicenter for star-studded concerts, exclusive parties, a comedy show and guest lists filled with A-listers
  • From Post Malone, Cardi B to Shaquille O’Neal, the city will be buzzing long before Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs attempt a monumental three-peat
Updated 04 February 2025
AP

LOS ANGELES: The Super Bowl isn’t just a game on Sunday. It’ll involve a nearly week-long spectacle taking over New Orleans with non-stop entertainment leading up to the big showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

While the Chiefs and Eagles gear up for their championship rematch, the Big Easy will be the epicenter for star-studded concerts, exclusive parties, a comedy show and guest lists filled with A-listers.

From Post Malone, Cardi B to Shaquille O’Neal, the city will be buzzing long before Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs attempt a monumental three-peat.

“It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be different than other Super Bowls,” said Shaquille O’Neal, who will host his popular carnival-themed Shaq’s Fun House on Friday night.

It’s a hot ticket — starting at $199 — for the NBA legend’s over-the-top festival event featuring headline performances from Ludacris, John Summit and O’Neal under his stage name DJ Diesel.

O’Neal’s event will feature several attractions including a Ferris wheel, circus performers and premium bar. This will be somewhat of a homecoming week for O’Neal, who played college hoops at Louisiana State University and visits Louisiana about four times a year.

For Flavor Flav, he wants to help lift up morale in New Orleans following the aftermath of the terror attack that killed 14 people on New Year’s Day.

“This is going to be special. I’m here to uplift spirits,” said Flav, who will perform at Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Tailgate along with Diplo and Cowboy Mouth on Sunday afternoon. It’s free for general admission with paid upgraded experiences for $49.99 and $349 for a VIP ticket.

“I’m getting on the turntables to make people party and have a good time,” he said.

Along with those events, here’s a look at some of the invite-only and public events during a busy Super Bowl week:

Fanatics Party

Michael Rubin’s Fanatics Super Bowl party is impossible to get into without an invite. The star-studded affair on Saturday afternoon is strictly for the who’s who of sports and entertainment.

Rubin, the founder and CEO of Fanatics, will likely be front and center, taking in performances from Post Malone, Travis Scott, Don Tolliver and many more.

The expected attendees include big names such as Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber, Lil Baby, Tiffany Haddish and Tom Brady.

Madden Bowl

Just like EA Sports’ iconic phrase, “It’s in the game,” Jelly Roll, Chris Stapleton and Shaboozey will literally be in the game at the Madden Bowl.

The trio is set to separately take the stage Friday night, bringing the hype before the competition kicks off.

“I can’t wait to keep this party going,” Shaboozey said.

Along with performances, the event will include the Madden NFL 25 Championship Series in front of a live audience — where two of the world’s best player will travel to New Orleans for their share of the $1 million prize pool.

Double up for some, Triple duties for Post Malone & Diplo

The Madden Bowl won’t be the only stage where Stapleton will showcase his powerhouse vocals. The country star is set to headline the SiriusXM and Pandora concert on Thursday night.

Stapleton’s performance will air on SiriusXM’s Chris Stapleton Radio, an exclusive channel curated and presented by him and his band. Pandora listeners can access the Chris Stapleton Radio station.

After Ludacris takes the stage at Shaq’s Fun House on Friday, the rapper will perform Sunday at On Location’s Super Bowl pre-game party. He’ll be joined by rock band The Revivalists at the Club 67 and Touchdown Club just outside the Caesars Superdome for One Location — a premium hospitality provider of the NFL.

Post Malone will be making moves too. He’s scheduled to perform at three different events. Along with Fanatics, the superstar artist will hit the stage at the Bud Light Backyard Tour on Friday, then he’s set to headline the YouTube Tailgate Concert on Sunday near the Superdome.

Diplo will perform at parties for Sports Illustrated and Maxim along with Guy Fieri’s tailgate event.

Gospel celebration

Bill Bellamy and Rocsi Diaz will bring some gospel flavor to the Big Easy.

The tandem will host the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration on Wednesday night. The lineup includes some of music’s best from The Isley Brothers, Muni Long, Yolanda Adams, Tori Kelly and Jonathan McReynolds.

Other performances include New Orleans natives Master P, Big Freedia, Lucky Daye and Trombone Shorty. The NFL Players Choir will also participate.

“Hosting the Super Bowl Soulful Celebration is like hitting the trifecta: music, faith, and football all in one show,” Bellamy said. “I’m excited to bring some laughs, some energy and to be part of this incredible night with an amazing lineup.”

Michael Strahan, an NFL Hall of Famer and “Good Morning America” co-anchor, will receive the Lifetime of Inspiration award. He called the honor “truly special.”

New Orleans Saints player Cameron Jordan will be given the community award while Los Angeles Rams star rookie Jared Verse will be honored with the rising star award.

Timbaland and Maxim

Super producer Timbaland will bring his massive hits into New Orleans with the help of Maxim.

Timbaland will perform at a special concert at the Maxim Saints & Sinners Big Game Party on Saturday. The show will include performances from DJ Loud Luxury, Plastik Funk, DJ unKommon and former NFL player Le’Veon Bell.

DJ unKommon and Diplo will be featured performers at a pregame party Friday.

Other concerts happening around the Super Bowl

Captain Morgan will transform Bourbon Street into Rum Street with the help of T-Pain, who will headline a concert on Saturday night.

On the same night, Cardi B is expected to perform at the “Cardi Gras.” 50 Cent will hold the Super Bold Comedy Block Party with standups from Bill Bellamy, Chico Bean and DC Young Fly.

Dom Dolla and Diplo will perform at the Sports Illustrated Party.

On Friday, Nelly and Chainsmokers is set to perform at h.wood Homecoming and Draft Kings event. Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochosinco” Johnson will do an in-person podcast called the Nightcap NSFW Tour.

Topics: American Football Super Bowl

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’I’ll be back’ vows Haaland after injury blow

Updated 15 sec ago
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’I’ll be back’ vows Haaland after injury blow

Updated 15 sec ago
The Norway star had missed a penalty and scored his 30th goal of the season
Haaland wrote on Instagram: “I’ll be back,” accompanied by a flexed biceps emoji

LONDON: Erling Haaland promised “I’ll be back” after the Manchester City striker learned he will be sidelined for seven weeks with an ankle injury.
Haaland limped off during the second half of City’s 2-1 win at Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday.
The Norway star had missed a penalty and scored his 30th goal of the season before being hurt in a challenge with Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.
City boss Pep Guardiola on Tuesday revealed Haaland would miss the majority of the remainder of the season, saying: “The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully for the end of the season and the Club World Cup he will be ready.”
Haaland responded to his injury blow on Instagram on Wednesday, posting a message that read: “I’ll be back” — a quote made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character in the Terminator movies — accompanied by a flexed biceps emoji.
The post also featured a photo of the 24-year-old with his left foot in a protective boot and each arm raised holding up a crutch.
Haaland’s absence is a major setback to City’s hopes of securing qualification for the Champions League.
Haaland will miss Sunday’s derby at Manchester United in the Premier League, as well as the FA Cup semifinal against Nottingham Forest on April 26 or 27.
The FA Cup final takes place on May 17, a day short of seven weeks after he suffered the injury.
City’s final Premier League game is at Fulham on May 25, with their first match in the Club World Cup against Wydad Casablanca being played on June 18.

Bundesliga to open additional transfer window for Club World Cup

Updated 02 April 2025
Reuters
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Bundesliga to open additional transfer window for Club World Cup

  • The 32-team Club World Cup in the United States runs from June 14 to July 13
Updated 02 April 2025
Reuters

BERLIN: The Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 will have an additional transfer window running from June 1-10 ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, the German soccer league (DFL) said on Tuesday.
World soccer’s governing body has given member associations of participating clubs the option of opening an “exceptional registration window” in June before the Club World Cup begins to sign players.
The 32-team Club World Cup in the United States runs from June 14 to July 13, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich the two Bundesliga teams taking part.

Topics: Bundesliga FIFA Club World Cup

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Second ‘Derby Week’ set to have major impact on SPL outcomes

Updated 02 April 2025
John Duerden
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Second ‘Derby Week’ set to have major impact on SPL outcomes

  • Al-Hilal host Al-Nassr on Friday, while Al-Ahli welcome Al-Ittihad and Al-Qadsiah clash with Ettifaq the following day
Updated 02 April 2025
John Duerden

LONDON: The Saudi Pro League returns from the international break with the biggest of possible bangs. It is “Derby Week.” In Riyadh on Friday, Al-Hilal will no doubt warmly welcome their close rivals Al-Nassr, while 24 hours later, the focus of the country’s fans moves west to Jeddah with Al-Ahli hosting Al-Ittihad in what is known as “The Sea Derby.” There is also the small matter of “The Eastern Derby.”

These meetings are big enough in their own right but they will also have a major impact on the title race. As things stand, with 25 out of 34 games played, it is like this: Al-Ittihad are first with 61 points, then comes Al-Hilal with 57, Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah have 51 each with Al-Ahli back in fifth with three points fewer.

If Al-Hilal win then they really put the pressure on the leaders. It would not be a surprise given that the last time Nassr won a league clash between the two Riyadh giants was back in 2021. Yet Al-Hilal are on a relatively poor run of just five wins from their last 10 games. That has even led to talk of Jorge Jesus, the coach who delivered the world record-winning streak of 34 games last year, being under pressure. Yet, the Portuguese boss has even been named a contender to take the Brazil job with the South Americans in shock after a 4-1 loss to Argentina last week that led to the firing of Dorival Junior.

Whatever happens with Jesus — and it would be quite something if a coach left an SPL club to take over the most successful national team in the world — there is some good news in the short term. OK, he is without his compatriot and right-back Joao Cancelo, who has impressed since his move from Manchester City but is not quite recovered from a hamstring injury, but others are returning. At the back Yasser Al-Shahrani is ready to come back after a lengthy playoff and Renan Lodi is also available.

Further up the pitch, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic should be fit as should Mohamed Kanno, injured while on recent international duty. And then there is the long-awaited return of Aleksander Mitrovic. The Serbian striker scored 13 goals in 14 league games before his injury and his absence since December has been an issue. Fit and raring to go, he could just make the difference. For sure, Al-Nassr will not be too happy to see him.

Hilal need the win to keep pressure up at the top but the Yellows are in a battle for third and a place in the AFC Champions Elite with Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli. A victory for Al-Nassr, after three defeats and three draws since their last league win, would also be meaningful for coach Stefano Pioli as the Italian has yet to show he can produce a title-winning team.

As ever there will be plenty of attention, on and off the pitch, on Cristiano Ronaldo. The league’s top scorer with 19 goals will be keen to add to his haul — and renew his rivalry with Ali Al-Bulaihi if the defender is fit — as well as continue his partnership with Jhon Duran. At the back, Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte looks to have recovered from injury. Al-Nassr have the faintest of title hopes and a win keeps those alive and will do plenty of damage to those of their biggest rival.

Laurent Blanc would love for that to happen even if Al-Ittihad have failed to take advantage of the relative stumbles of Hilal, drawing three of their last four games. The four-point gap could be crucial, however, especially as Hilal are still very much in the running for the Asian Champions League and could face three games in the space of 10 days from the end of April to early May.

Heading into the “Sea Derby,” a 60,000 sellout, coach Blanc is going to be without Mario Mitaj for some time as the Albanian defender is injured, but the Tigers will be on a high after their dramatic 3-2 win over Al-Shabab in the semifinal of the King’s Cup on Tuesday.

Al-Ahli would also love to damage the title chances of their Jeddah rivals but for the Greens, it is also about getting into next season’s Champions League. Riyad Mahrez and Ivan Toney have been in excellent form of late and are capable of winning any match.

And, not to be forgotten, is the Eastern Derby. Al-Qadsiah are enjoying themselves after promotion and a fine season would become even better if they can beat their local rivals Ettifaq and gain some ground in the race for third, and even second. Fourteen wins from 16 league games from October to February had them near the title race before just one win from the last four.

Ettifaq have been on a decent run since the departure of Steven Gerrard in January and have climbed into seventh. It will not be an easy game for Al-Qadsiah but then, this is “Derby Week” after all.

Topics: SPL Al-Hilal SPL Al-Nassr SPL Al-Ahli SPL Al-ittihad SPL Al-Qadsiah SPL Al-Ettifaq

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Jokic scores career-high 61 points, plays nearly 53 minutes in 140-139 double-OT loss to Wolves

Updated 02 April 2025
AP
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Jokic scores career-high 61 points, plays nearly 53 minutes in 140-139 double-OT loss to Wolves

  • Nikola Jokic’s scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season
  • Jokic’s previous career best was 56 points in a loss at Washington on Dec. 7
Updated 02 April 2025
AP

DENVER: Michael Malone called him Superman. At the moment, Nikola Jokic’s just super-tired.
The Denver Nuggets big man can’t wait to get some sleep after a career-best 61-point performance in which he played nearly 53 minutes. He didn’t leave the court after halftime of a 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
His scoring spree was the most by a player in the NBA this season. Jokic also had 10 rebounds and 10 assists, notching the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history. Luka Doncic did it on Dec. 27, 2022 and James Harden did it on Jan. 30, 2018.
“The guy’s Superman,” Nuggets coach Malone said. “He’s on a whole other level, man. People say he’s not athletic, but not many guys can do what he does.”
Jokic’s previous career best was 56 points in a loss at Washington on Dec. 7. The franchise mark is held by David Thompson, who had 73 points at Detroit on April 9, 1978.
On Tuesday, Jokic attempted 24 free throws – making 19 – to match the team mark held by Carmelo Anthony. For all his exploits, Jokic had just one over-riding emotion: “Tired,” he said. “It was an exhausting game.”
Anthony Edwards gave the three-time NBA MVP major props. Jokic’s in a heated race for another MVP award with Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“Nikola Jokic, he might be the best basketball player that I have ever seen close up, besides myself,” cracked Edwards, who had 34 points and 10 rebounds. “He is incredible. The MVP race is tough. I don’t know. He had 60. That is crazy.”
Of course, this game – a sixth straight loss to Minnesota, including playoffs – will be remembered by Nuggets fans for Jokic’s exploits on the court. But it will also be remembered for a wild finish.
Leading 139-138 with around 14 seconds left, Russell Westbrook stole the ball and dished it over to Christian Braun who then sent it right back to Westbrook for a layup. But Westbrook’s layup clanked off the rim and started a break the other way.
Westbrook ran down the court and fouled Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the corner with 0.1 seconds remaining. The Timberwolves guard hit two of three free throws to steal the victory.
“Obviously, I feel awful for Russ,” Malone said. “That last play we get the turnover, we don’t convert, and then the foul. It was not from a lack of effort or care.
“Sometimes it goes like that, and that’s why we’ve just got to be strong. We’ve got to be resilient.”
The big question: Should the Nuggets have not attempted the layup and pulled the ball back out to run down the clock?
“It’s tough. You’ve got a two-on-one break,” Malone said. “As a coach, am I up on the sideline yelling, ‘Don’t go?’ We’ve got a layup. But it’s easy to say that (pull the ball out) in hindsight, because we missed a layup. ... He (Westbrook) is a tough kid, and I think he knows that everybody in that locker room’s got his back.”
For Jokic, there’s not much time for rest. The Nuggets play Wednesday night against San Antonio. All he said he needs was a little break.
“I think we’re so used to this,” Jokic said. “Tomorrow, I’m not going to remember I played so many minutes.”

Topics: basketball NBA Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets Minnesota Timberwolves

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Hay shines as New Zealand beat Pakistan for ODI series win

Updated 02 April 2025
AFP
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Hay shines as New Zealand beat Pakistan for ODI series win

  • New Zealand made 292-8 in 50 overs, bowl out Pakistan for 208 in 42nd over
  • Ben Sears takes 5-59 as New Zealand thump Pakistan at seam-friendly pitch 
Updated 02 April 2025
AFP

Hamilton: Mitch Hay’s rollicking 99 not out backed by some feisty seam bowling steered New Zealand to an 84-run win over Pakistan on Wednesday to take an unbeatable lead in their one-day international series.

New Zealand made 292-8 and bowled Pakistan out for 208 in the 42nd over in Hamilton in the second of three ODIs.

Hay’s lusty hitting snapped a mid-innings slump by the hosts as he raced to a career-best score which included 22 off the final over by Mohammad Wasim.

The wicketkeeper-batsman smacked seven fours and as many sixes in his 78-ball innings after going into the middle with New Zealand struggling at 132-5 in the 27th over.

In reply Pakistan were in early trouble when Will O’Rourke had Abdullah Shafique (one) caught at first slip in the third over and in the following over Babar Azam (one) was caught at second slip off Jacob Duffy.

Duffy struck again in his next over with the wicket of Imam-ul-Haq. Pakistan were 9-3 in the sixth over when New Zealand at the same stage were 50-0.

Ben Sears entered the attack and took two wickets in his first over, removing Salman Agha for nine and Mohammad Rizwan for five.

A combination of poor shot selection and some lively seam bowling reduced Pakistan to 32-5 after 12 overs.

Tayyab Tahir (13) and Faheem Ashraf put on 33 for the sixth wicket and when Haris Rauf retired hurt on three, his concussion replacement Naseem Shah put on 60 with Ashraf.

Both posted maiden 50s with Ashraf scoring 73 off 80 deliveries and Naseem making 51 from 44.
Sears took 5-59 for New Zealand.

Rizwan won the toss and opted to bowl with overcast skies and a green-tinged wicket favoring the bowlers.

Novice Black Cap openers Nick Kelly and Rhys Mariu took control early.

They put on 54 before Kelly, in only his second international, was caught behind for a hard-hitting 31 which included four fours and two sixes.

Debutant Mariu followed soon after for 18 off 25 when a leading edge lobbed up to Azam at mid-off in Wasim’s opening over.

Wasim and Rauf slowed the scoring and it took Henry Nicholls and Daryl Mitchell until the 16th over to get New Zealand to the 100 mark.

The introduction of spin brought Mitchell’s innings to a halt for 18, stumped by Rizwan when beaten in the air by Sufyan Moqim. Nicholls went for 22 in the following over.

Michael Bracewell and Muhammad Abbas added only 30 runs in the next 10 overs when Bracewell was caught behind off Wasim for 17.

Pakistan-born Abbas and Hay set about restoring the innings with a patient 77-run partnership until Abbas went for 41.

Moqim was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with 2-33 while Wasim took 2-78.

The third and final match is at Mount Maunganui on Friday.

Topics: Pakistan v New Zealand

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