Sports

Super League votes unanimously to replace Toronto Wolfpack – CBC.ca

Published

4 years ago

November 3, 2020

One day after rejecting Toronto’s bid for reinstatement, the Super League board voted unanimously Tuesday in favour of admitting a 12th rugby squad to replace the Wolfpack next season.

The board has not yet decided on how to choose the new Super League member, however.

Super League said that will be decided by a committee headed by an independent chairman. Further details on the criteria for applicant clubs “will be discussed and released at an appropriate time.”

“We are committed to ensuring that the process is independent and impartial, and stands up to scrutiny, and accordingly, ensuring the committee is properly constituted and clearly mandated is our first priority.,” Super League executive chairman Robert Elstone said in a statement.

The board also voted in favour of a 27-round regular season.

Toronto, which was in its first Super League season, stood down July 20, saying it could not afford to play out the remainder of the pandemic-affected 2020 season.

Its subsequent bid to be reinstated next season, under potential new owner Carlo LiVolsi, was rejected by an 8-4 vote with one abstention.

The Wolfpack began life in 2017 in Betfred League 1, the third tier of English rugby league. The transatlantic team won promotion first to the second-tier Championship and then Super League.

Sidlow shocked, angry, saddened over team’s demise

Toronto Wolfpack fans are familiar with the sight of giant forward Adam Sidlow running with the ball, dragging would-be tacklers with him.

Sadly that road ended Monday when Super League rejected the financially troubled franchise’s bid for reinstatement in 2021 under new ownership.

Sidlow, an original member of the Wolfpack, had been hoping the Toronto team would get a reprieve.

“It’s been one of the best experiences in rugby league I’ve had,” the 33-year-old said from Wigan, England.

The contract of Wolfpack forward Adam Sidlow, middle, doesn’t expire until the end of 2021. Does he think he will ever see that money? “I live in hope,” he says. “A lot of guys are struggling. We’ll try to get the money.” (Steve Gaunt/Touchlinepics Sports & Event Photography/Canadian Press/File)

Having already seen past clubs Bradford and Salford endure financial uncertainty, Sidlow tried to remain realistic during the months in limbo. Still, Monday’s negative vote still hit him hard.

Under contract through 2021

“My first initial reaction was just shock, anger … and a bit of confusion as well,” said the six-foot-four, 251-pound athlete. “The first thing I said to my wife was ‘I don’t know if I’m relieved because we’ve been waiting so long, because we’ve got a decision finally.”‘

“It wasn’t meant to be and I hope it’s not to the detriment to the sport,” he added.

Sidlow’s contract with the Wolfpack runs through 2021. Does he think he will ever see that money?

“I live in hope,” he said after a pause. “A lot of guys are struggling. We’ll have to see what the future holds. We’ll try to get the money. We’ll have to speak to [majority owner] David [Argyle, who has stepped away from the team] and see what the situation is now.”

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Sports

Sports betting roundup: NFL and college football were all about the favourites

Published

20 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.

The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.

Trends of the Week

The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.

In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.

When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.

Upsets of the Week

The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.

Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.

Coming up

Right after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series, odds for the 2025 World Series were released.

The Dodgers have the best odds at +400, while the Atlanta Braves and Yankees are next at +800.

The Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies round out the top five, both at +1100.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.

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Longtime rivals Ovechkin, Crosby join Necas as NHL’s three stars of the week

Published

20 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.

The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.

Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.

Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.

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Oliveira, Mitchell named as finalists for CFL outstanding player award

Published

5 days ago

October 31, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.

Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).

Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.

Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.

Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.

Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.

The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).

The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.

The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.

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