Welcome to Thursday’s Morning Mashup. For the latest news, start at our WEEI.com home page or click here for the top stories from our news wire.
THURSDAY’S BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:MLB: Tampa Bay at NY Yankees, 1 p.m. (MLB Network)MLB: Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. (MLB Network)MLB: Arizona at San Diego, 10 p.m. (MLB Network)NFL: Exhibition: Philadelphia at New England, 7:30 p.m. (Ch. 4)NFL: Exhibition: NY Jets at Washington, 8 p.m (ESPN)
AROUND THE WEB:
-- Jaylen Brown spoke at Bloomberg Live’s Players Technology Summit on Tuesday, leading the “From Athlete to Entrepreneur” section of the event alongside Andre Iguodala.
After his presentation, Brown
joined Bloomberg Technology TV and talked about basketball, education, money and Donald Trump.
Jaylen Brown is one of the NBA's biggest stars. And at 21, the Boston Celtics player is already thinking beyond his time on the court https://t.co/K3J5SeSxPz pic.twitter.com/ycg1weaRlk
— Bloomberg Technology (@technology)
August 14, 2018 The 21-year-old is trying to “build (his) rolodex” and said he’s going to help the Celtics become a powerhouse in the years to come.
“It’s our job to come in and be like nah, the Celtics are going to be the team to hold it down for the next 5 to 7 to 10 years or however long,” he said.
Brown also talked about the recent war of words between Donald Trump and LeBron James.
“I think it’s interesting,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s propaganda, if it’s for media attention, but it’s interesting to see our president, who’s supposed to be the leader of our troops, handling himself in such a manner.”
“It’s almost like a high school-type of scenario, like ‘I like Mike’ or ‘I don’t like him,’ like he’s choosing a companion or something like that,” Brown continued. “It’s weird for me to see that. I would expect more from the president that’s supposed to be in charge of our country. I wouldn’t expect these type of actions, but everybody has their own way of handling themselves, so I let him do him.”
Brown also said he’s not sure if Trump is using sports to “divide the country,” as James said.
“That’s a question somebody would have to ask him,” Brown said. “I would say he’s doing a good job of making a lot of people upset. I would say that. But sports is a unique thing in our country. It’s so influential. It’s almost like a sacrament for religion. People praise LeBron James more than they praise anybody else. Sports is so powerful, and I think he realizes that. I think that’s where the conflict begins.”
-- Bob Ley announced on Tuesday he will be taking a six-month sabbatical from ESPN beginning on Oct. 1.
In a tweet, Ley, who has been with ESPN since day three, wrote he wants to take some time to “re-charge.”
“Beginning Oct. 1 I'll be taking a six-month sabbatical from my @OTLonESPN duties. The idea of stepping back to re-charge is fully 100% mine, and one I've been considering for a while. I truly appreciate the company's understanding and cooperation. -30,” the tweet reads.
ESPN PR tweeted the company supports the decision and Ley will return next spring.
We completely support Bob’s decision and look forward to his return April 1. In the meantime, @OTLonESPN is in great hands with @JeremySchaap, @KateFagan3, @RyanSmithtv and the award-winning production team. https://t.co/Xvd4STETeK
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR)
August 15, 2018 QUOTE OF THE DAY: “They were doing flat routes to the wide open fullback, and he's running for 20 yards down the field four times during the game... So he didn't really dice us up. It was their fullback and their tight end on over routes. But if you know how to work within your scheme then it means you're good. I guess you could say he's good.” -- Jalen Ramsey, on Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers
