Month: December 2023

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Sports Daypop

Washington’s NHL Capitals, NBA Wizards moving to Virginia in 2028

Washington Capitals logo^ on the side of their home arena Capital One Arena in downtown D.C.

The majority owner of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and NHL’s Washington Capitals, Ted Leonsis, announced plans on Wednesday he will move those franchises from Washington, D.C., to Virginia by 2028. Leonsis took control of the Capitals and Capital One Arena in 1999, acquired the WNBA’s Washington Mystics in 2005, and the Wizards in 2010.

The CEO of Monumental Sports & Entertainment said in a press release that the company reached a “framework of an agreement for a public-private partnership” to build an entertainment district in Alexandria, Va., at Potomac Yard. Leonsis said: “We are committed to providing world-class fan experiences while continuously evolving our teams, deepening community ties and solidifying our role as leaders at the forefront of sports and technology. The opportunity to expand to this 70-acre site in Virginia, neighboring industry-leading innovators, and a great academic partner, would enable us to further our creativity and achieve next-generation, leading work — all while keeping our fans and the community at the forefront of everything we do.”

The proposal includes a $2 billion, 9 million square-foot campus for Monumental Sports & Entertainment’s headquarters, an arena for both franchises, a media studio, a Wizards practice facility, a performing arts venue, an Esports facility, retail, restaurants and more. Monumental said Capital One Arena, home of the Wizards and Capitals in Washington, could potentially be updated to be the future home of the WNBA’s Washington Mystics. Currently, The Capitals’ practice facility is in Arlington, Va.  The Mystics, also owned by Leonsis, currently play at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in southeast Washington.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin also spoke alongside Leonsis about the planned move at a news conference Wednesday in Alexandria. Virginia officials said they are still working on additional plans for transportation related to their project, and that the relocation also must be approved by the state’s General Assembly and Alexandria City Council.

Editorial credit: The Bold Bureau / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Barbie’ leads 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards film nominations

Photo of Critics' Choice Awards homepage on a monitor screen through a magnifying glass.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) announced the nominations in the film categories for the 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards, with the smash hit film Barbie leading the nominees with 18 nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director for Greta Gerwig, Best Actress for Margot Robbie and Best Supporting Actor for Ryan Gosling.

Oppenheimer, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, and Poor Things, from Yorgos Lanthimos and Tony McNamara, follow Barbie with 13 nominations each; and Killers of the Flower Moon, the true crime drama by Martin Scorsese, is up for 12 awards.

The previously-noted films will compete for Best Picture along with American Fiction, The Color Purple, The Holdovers, Maestro, Past Lives, and Saltburn.

TV category nominees were announced earlier this month, with “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+) leading the contenders with six nominations and “Succession” (HBO) following with five nods.  “A Small Light” (National Geographic), “Abbott Elementary” (ABC), “Beef” (Netflix), “Lessons In Chemistry” (Apple TV+), “Loki” (Disney+), “Reservation Dogs” (FX), and “The Bear” (FX) tied with four nominations each.

Hosted by Chelsea Handler, the Critics Choice Awards gala will broadcast live on The CW on Jan. 14, 2024 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

Editorial credit: Gil C / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

Former castmates, friends pay tribute to the late Andre Braugher

Andre Braugher at the NeueHouse on September 16^ 2019 in Los Angeles^ CA

Former castmates, friends and colleagues are paying tribute to Andrew Braugher, who died on Monday, December 11 after a brief battle with illness at the age of 61.

Many of Braugher’s former Brooklyn Nine-Nine costars took to social media to honor their colleague: Terry Crews, who played Lieutenant Terry Jeffords, wrote via Instagram,“Can’t believe you’re gone so soon. I’m honored to have known you, laughed with you, worked with you and shared 8 glorious years watching your irreplaceable talent. This hurts. You left us too soon. You taught me so much. I will be forever grateful for the experience of knowing you. Thank you for your wisdom, your advice, your kindness and your friendship. Deepest condolences to your wife and family in this difficult time. You showed me what a life well lived looks like. Rest In Peace, Andre. I love you, man. 😢❤”; Braugher’s B99 on-screen husband, Marc Evan Jackson, posted a photo on X of the twosome behind the scenes of the sitcom, writing “O Captain. My Captain”; And Melissa Fumero, who portrayed Amy Santiago on the series, shared a slideshow of photos of herself and Braugher, writing: “I will remember all the advice you gave me. I will remember all the times we laughed because your laugh was one of the all-time greatest laughs to have ever existed. I will remember the deep love and loyalty you had for your family. I will remember it every time I ask work to make time for me to be with my family. I will remember how you sent me pictures of Fall trees in NJ because you knew how much I missed that time of year back east. I will remember you calling me Melly Fumé. I will remember so much. It was an honor to be in your orbit for a time, Sir. May you Rest in Peace, my friend.”

Braugher portrayed Captain Raymond Holt on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which ran for eight seasons from 2013 to 2021. Braugher earned two Critics Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and received four Emmy Award nominations.  He was also well-known for his Emmy-wining role as Det. Frank Pembleton on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” which ran for seven seasons on NBC.

Braugher is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, former “Homicide” costar Ami Brabson. He is also survived by sons Michael, Isaiah and John Wesley, brother Charles Jennings and mother Sally Braugher.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Charli XCX engaged to The 1975 drummer George Daniel

Charli XCX attends the Brit Awards at the 02 Arena in London^ UK. London^ United Kingdom- February 18^ 2020

Charli XCX is engaged to George Daniel, the drummer and primary producer for the band The 1975.

The 31-year-old Charli XCX (real name: Charlotte Emma Aitchison) shared photos of her and Daniel, 33, on social media showing how Daniel proposed, a snap of two tea cups, flowers, a candle, and an engagement ring sitting on a tray table on top of a bed. She wrote: “charli xcx and george daniel f—ing for life!!!”

The couple went official in May 2022 when Charli shared pics of her and Daniel on vacation and have since made numerous red carpet appearances together. The musicians first worked together for their 2021 feature on No Rome’s single “Spinning” and collaborated on numerous other recordings including “Hot Girl (Bodies Bodies Bodies),” and most recently “In the City” featuring Sam Smith.

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Bleachers launching U.S. leg of ‘From The Studio To The Stage’ tour in 2024

Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs in Pittsburgh^ Saturday^ April 7^ 2018 at PPG Paints Arena

Bleachers will launch the North American leg of their ‘From The Studio To The Stage’ tour in 2024. The tour serves as support of Bleachers forthcoming self-titled album, which drops March 8, 2024. Samia will serve as support on tour

The U.S. run kicks-off in Salt Lake City on May 18, with Bleachers making numerous stops around the country before wrapping-up in Asbury Park on June 15. Bleachers frontman Jack Antonoff posted a message to fans concerning tickets: “we know there’s lots of issues and confusion when buying tickets to shows. want to ensure you we’ve done and will always do everything in our power to make this process as clean and transparent as possible for you all. we’ve had conversations from every single venue and promoter to the heads of the companies to limit fees and advertise only the total price to fans for as many shows as possible. so the ticket price you see is the ticket price you pay. this tour means the world to me and i want to make sure everyone gets in the door feeling right. also keep me posted if you encounter anything weird because i wanna know what you guys deal with and be able to take it right to the top of these companies and do my best to make it easier for bleachers fans and everyone. love you all! see you at FTSTTS ( just wait till you see this shit 🙂 )”

Tickets are currently on sale now via Ticketmaster. In addition, $1 from the sale of each ticket will be donated to The Ally Coalition, the charity frontman Jack Antonoff founded with his sister Rachel to support LGBTQ youth.

Editorial credit: Jack Fordyce / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

LA Chargers QB Justin Herbert to undergo season-ending finger surgery

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in game vs. the Miami Dolphins^ Sept. 10^ 2023^ in Inglewood^ Calif.

The Los Angeles Chargers announced Tuesday that quarterback Justin Herbert will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair his fractured right index finger. As the Chargers are currently out of playoff contention with a 5–8 record, Los Angeles and Herbert agreed to proceed with surgery to protect the quarterback long term.

Herbert suffered the injury during Los Angeles’s loss to the Broncos on Sunday, when his throwing hand hit Denver defensive lineman Zach Allen’s helmet. Herbert was replaced by backup quarterback Easton Stick and did not return to the game.  Herbert ends his season with a total of 3,134 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 13 games; just before the season began, he agreed to a five-year, $262.5 million extension running through the 2029 campaign.

Stick will assume the starting QB position moving forward, beginning with Thursday’s game vs. the Raiders. Stick has played in two games in his NFL career, totaling just 183 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Editorial credit: Ringo Chiu / Shutterstock.com

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Sports Daypop

Chiefs’ QB Mahomes apologizes for conduct in Sunday’s loss to Bills

Chiefs' QB Patrick Mahomes at 2023 ESPY Awards on July 12^ 2023 in Hollywood^ CA

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is apologizing for his postgame conduct following the Chiefs’ loss to the Bills, clarifying his outburst to an offside call made against Kadarius Toney in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. 610 Sports in Kansas City shared their discussion with Mahomes on the matter, posting on social media: “Patrick Mahomes joined @cdotharrison on #TheDrive and explained that he regrets the way he reacted on the sideline following the offside call on Toney. FULL INTERVIEW HERE: https://www.audacy.com/610sports/shows/the-drive”

During Sunday’s game, Mahomes yelled at officials from the sidelines in the final moments, and later complained to Bills QB Josh Allen about the call officials made that erased a touchdown that would’ve given Kansas City the lead.  During the postgame handshake between himself and Allen, Mahomes said that Toney’s penalty was the “wildest f—ing call I’ve ever seen … f—ing terrible.”  Mahomes initially said of the controversial call after the game: “It’s obviously tough to swallow. Not only for me, but just for football in general, to take away greatness like that, for a guy like Travis to make a play like that. Who knows if we win? But I know as fans, you want to see the guys on the field decide the game. In that moment, I’ve played seven years and never had offensive offsides called.”  Mahomes added in his postgame comments on Sunday. “That’s elementary school. We talk about, you point to the ref, do all that different type of stuff and it doesn’t get called. If it does, they warn you. There was no warning throughout the entire game. And then you wait until there’s a minute left in the game to make a call like that? It’s tough, man. Loss for words, it’s just tough.”

However, Mahomes later reversed his opinion, saying on Monday: “Obviously I’ve seen it now, and if he didn’t check and they weren’t good, it is a foul. It is something you rarely see called in the NFL. But it was a foul. It’s part of playing the game, man. You learn from it, it’s part of being a person, you learn from your mistakes and try to be better next time.”

During the interview with 610 Sports, Mahomes shared: “Obviously, you don’t ever want to react that way. I care, man. I love it. I love this game. I love my teammates. I want to go out there, put everything on the line to win. But obviously can’t do that, can’t be that way towards officials or really anybody in life. I’ll probably regret acting like that. But more than anything I regret the way I acted towards Josh after the game because he had nothing to do with it. I was still hot and emotional, but you can’t do that, man. It’s not a great example for kids watching the game. So I was more upset about that than I was about me on the sidelines.”

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Taylor Swift donates $1M to victims of Tennessee tornadoes

Taylor Swift at Westfield Shopping Centre^ Shepherds Bush^ London November 6th 2012

In response to the deadly tornadoes that ravaged Tennessee last weekend, Taylor Swift has donated $1 million to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, an arm of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Organization CEO Hal Cato confirmed Swift’s donation to the Tennessean.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, proceeds from the Emergency Response Fund are ear-marked for immediate disaster response, including “direct financial assistance, food, temporary housing, debris clean-up and animal sheltering” with any remaining funds then funneled towards long-term needs, such as home rebuilding, legal aid, counseling and mental health assistance and more.

According to theTennessean, the tornadoes that swept through middle Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 9 claimed the lives of six people in Clarksville and Madison, including two children, with eighty-three more hospitalized for tornado-related injuries. The region has also suffered extensive property loss and damage, including loss of power.

Swift became a billionaire this year with the record-breaking success of her The Eras Tour, but the superstar has extensive roots in Nashville, having attended high school in Sumner County and achieving her initial stardom during her time living and performing in Nashville as a country singer.  Swift still owns a home in Nashville, and her office is still located within the city. Her charitable contributions this year include making large food bank donations at every U.S. stop on her Eras Tour.

Editorial credit: landmarkmedia / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Taylor Swift donates $1M to victims of Tennessee tornadoes

Taylor Swift at Westfield Shopping Centre^ Shepherds Bush^ London November 6th 2012

In response to the deadly tornadoes that ravaged Tennessee last weekend, Taylor Swift has donated $1 million to the Tennessee Emergency Response Fund, an arm of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Organization CEO Hal Cato confirmed Swift’s donation to the Tennessean.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, proceeds from the Emergency Response Fund are ear-marked for immediate disaster response, including “direct financial assistance, food, temporary housing, debris clean-up and animal sheltering” with any remaining funds then funneled towards long-term needs, such as home rebuilding, legal aid, counseling and mental health assistance and more.

According to theTennessean, the tornadoes that swept through middle Tennessee on Saturday, Dec. 9 claimed the lives of six people in Clarksville and Madison, including two children, with eighty-three more hospitalized for tornado-related injuries. The region has also suffered extensive property loss and damage, including loss of power.

Swift became a billionaire this year with the record-breaking success of her The Eras Tour, but the superstar has extensive roots in Nashville, having attended high school in Sumner County and achieving her initial stardom during her time living and performing in Nashville as a country singer.  Swift still owns a home in Nashville, and her office is still located within the city. Her charitable contributions this year include making large food bank donations at every U.S. stop on her Eras Tour.

Editorial credit: landmarkmedia / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Hilary Duff announces pregnancy, expecting her fourth baby

Hilary Duff at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center

Hilary Duff announced on social media that she is pregnant with her fourth child — her third with husband Matthew Koma.

Duff, 36, shared the news by unveiling a photo of her family’s holiday card, which featured a photo of her three kids and Koma as they posed in a bedroom along with the caption: “Surprise, surprise!” Duff is shown with her hand on her baby bump with the card reading: “So much for silent nights. Love, the Duff-Bair-Comrie Crew.” Duff also shared the back of her holiday card, which said: “Buckle up Buttercups, we’re adding one more to this crazy bunch!”

Hilary and Matthew share daughters Mae and Banks, and Duff shares son Luca with her ex-husband, Mike Comrie. Duff and Koma have been together since 2017, and were married two years later.

Hilary Duff Is Pregnant With Baby No. 4, Her 3rd With Husband Matthew Koma

Editorial credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com