Brad Pye Passes Away: Brad Pye was the first recognized African American sportswriter in Southern California, the first Black administrator for the NFL Commissioner and the first African American public relations and scout for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers. Pye was a trailblazer that ensured African American journalists got admittance into the media areas for pro teams. He served as the L.A. Sentinel sports editor for 30 years and won high honors from the NNPA for 10 consecutive years. His sportscast “Switch Reels” was heard on several radio stations. He was 89.
MLB to recognize Negro League stats in record books: In a step to recognize Negro League baseball as Major League Baseball, the league included the records and statistics from the Negro Leagues into MLB history. From 1920-1948, 3,400 Black athletes competed in the Negro Leagues.
Kobe Passes Away: While on his way to the Mamba Sports Academy, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter accident. His daughter Gianna Bryant, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alyssa Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, and Ara Zobayan also passed away in the accident. Countless athletes expressed their grief by wearing No. 8 jerseys and purposely making shot clock violations. The WNBA also made Gianna Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli, and Payton Chester honorary 2020 Draft picks.
Lakers Win 17th Championship: The Lakers defeated the Portland Trailblazers, the Houston Rockets, the Denver Nuggets and the Miami Heat to win the 2020 NBA Championship. This was the first time in 10 years that the Lakers reached the Western Conference Finals. They defeated the first three opponents in five games and defeated the Heat in six. Forward Anthony Davis averaged 27.7 points per game and forward LeBron James averaged 10.8 rebounds per game during the Playoffs.
Dodgers win World Series: After sweeping the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres, the L.A. Dodgers almost faced elimination when they were down 1-3 against the Atlanta Braves. They then took on the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series to defeat them in six games. Short stop Corey Seager led the team with a .328 batting average and 20 RBI. This is the first time the Dodgers won a championship since 1988.
the COVID-19 shutdown/leagues cancel game and hosted virtual drafts: After Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19, the NBA canceled all their games on March 11 and suspended the season. The MLS and MLB did likewise. High school and college sports were cancelled for the rest of the 2019-2020 season, including the NCAA tournament for men’s and women’s basketball.
Candace Parker become WNBA Defensive Player of the Year: After leading the WNBA with 9.7 rebounds per game, All-Star center Candace Parker became the 2020 Defensive Player of the Year. On 12 different occasions last season, Parker made at least 10 rebounds. Her efforts helped the L.A. Sparks to a 15-7 overall record, ranking them third in the NBA last season.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar speaks to Black Press about Injustice: Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held a discussion on Friday with members of the Black press about the social injustice in America in wake of George Floyd’s murder by the hands of former police officers. Abdul-Jabbar spoke with Los Angeles Sentinel Newspaper managing editor Brandon Brooks and NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent Stacy M. Brown. They talked about the diversity of protesters and how more athletes are getting involved in social justice efforts.
Montrezl Harrell Becomes Sixth Man of the Year: After scoring 18.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for the Clippers during the 2019-2020 regular season, forward Montrezl Harrell was awarded NBA Kia Sixth Man of the Year. He dedicated the honor to his grandmother who had passed away this year. A Clippers player had won the honor five times in the past seven years.
Hank Gathers Statue Unveiled at LMU: In February, LMU unveiled a statue to honor Lions men’s basketball team stand-out Hank Gathers. He competed for the LMU Lions from 1987-1990 and is still the all-time leading scorer and second in all time rebounding. He became West Coast Conference (WCC) POY, but passed away during his senior year after collapsing at a WCC Tournament game. The unveiling coincided with the 30th anniversary the LMU men’s basketball team’s Elite Eight run in the NCAA Tournament.
Baseball Honors Negro League’s 100th Anniversary: Many iconic public figures, including three former presidents, tipped their cap in a campaign to honor the 100th year anniversary for the 100th year Anniversary of Negro League Baseball. The celebration went virtual due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Rachel Robinson, wife of Jackie Robinson, singer Tony Bennet, Colin Powell, and Derek Jeter paid tribute to Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and “Cool Papa” Bell.
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation wins ESPN Humanitarian Award: The L.A. Dodgers Foundation (LADF) won national attention for their hard work in the community. LADF created 51 Dodgers Dreamfields and mentored 10,292 youth through their Dodgers RBI program. During the Pandemic, LADF hosted virtual Dodgers RBI workouts and hosted food drives for their participants. LADF also won the Beyond Sport’s 2020 Sport for Reduced Racial Inequalities Collective Impact Awards.
Alana Beard retires: After 14 seasons with the WNBA, L.A. Sparks guard Alana Beard retired. She helped the Sparks win the 2016 WNBA Championship and won WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018. During her career overseas, Beard won national championships in Poland, Israel and Spain. She finished her WNBA career with 11.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
Denny Hamlin, Michael Jordan partner on NASACAR Team: NBA icon Michael Jordan became the first principal owner of a full-time Cup team since Wendell Scott in 1961. He and Hamlin signed Bubba Wallace, the only Black racer in the Cup Series, to the team. Jordan noted how his move to NASCAR is a step to racial equality. NASCAR welcomed Jordan in a statement, saying “His presence at NASCAR’s top level will further strengthen the competition, excitement and momentum growing around our sport.”
Fred Roberts Park Coach gets Recognition from L.A. Clippers: Oscar Pelt became one of three finalists for the Jr NBA Coach of the Year award due to an endorsement by the L.A. Clippers. Pelt is a native of the Fred Roberts area and was given a job there at the age of 17.
Top High School Basketball Star Commits to Howard University: Five-star high school basketball player Makur Maker has committed to play for Howard University. He picked Howard to encourage other highly sought after basketball prospects to commit to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Athletes, coaches, and Leagues stand up against racial injustice: In wake of the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, pro athletes and leagues showed their disdain for police brutality and racial injustice. Many NFL and NBA players spearheaded peaceful protests. The WNBA and NBA put the phrases “Black Lives Matter” on their courts. Pro players boycotted games and matches in wake of the Jacob Blake shooting. Tennis player Naomi Osaka wore masks with the names of police violence victims on them.
Nneka Ogwumike Helps Create New WNBA CBA: WNBPA president Nneka Ogwumike and vice presidents Layshia Clarendon, Chiney, Sue Bird, and Elena Delle Donne, secretary Elizabeth Williams, and treasurer Carolyn Swords created a new league collective bargaining agreement. The new CBA included a 53 percent increase in pay, improvements on travel standards and maternity benefits.
Inglewood Approves L.A. Clippers Arena: Inglewood City Council approved the sale of publicly owned property to Murphy Bowl LLC, the company that will create the Inglewood Basketball and Entertainment Center (IBEC). In May, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer bought the Forum in Inglewood to push plans of a new stadium forward.
Doc Rivers fired, Tryonn Lue hired for Clippers Head Coach: After the L.A. Clippers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs, Doc Rivers parted ways with the franchise. Former Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue signed a five-year deal to become the next head coach of the Clippers. Lue served as an assistant coach with the Clippers for the 2019-2020 season. During the 2015-2016 season, Lue led the Cleveland Cavaliers to an NBA Championship.
Sierra Canyon Wins CIF SS Open Division: The Sierra Canyon Blazers won their second consecutive CIF Southern Section Open Division Championship with at 59-48 win over the Mater Dei Monarchs. Blazers senior and McDonalds All-American Ziaire Williams scored 25 points in the contest. Sierra Canyon was set to compete in the CIF Open Division State Championship game, but the game was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Washington Hires Jason Wright as NFL’s 1st Black Team President: Former NFL player Jason Wright became the first African American NFL team president in history when he took the position with the Washington Football team. He will run the franchise’s business operations. During his time in the NFL, Wright was an NFLPA representative in labor negotiations in 2010-11.
LaMelo Ball is Drafted 3rd Overall to Charlotte Hornets: Youngest Ball brother LaMelo Ball declared for the NBA Draft after playing professionally in Lithuania and Australia. Ball is currently averages 6.3 points and 1.3 steals for the Hornets. Prior to playing in the NBA, Ball played for the Junior Basketball Association and the SPIRE Institute.
XFL Succumbs to COVID-19: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the XFL laid off most of their staff and suspended operations. Gameplay was suspended on March 12 and ultimatley was cancelled. The XFL had 500 players and 400 employees. League owner and WWE CEO Vince McMahon filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
Rams and Chargers featured on Hard Knocks: In a five-episode season, HBO’s hit-show followed Rams and Chargers as they went through training camp and grappled with COVID-19 protocols and the social unrest that was prominent during the summer. The docu-series gave an in-depth look at head coaches Anthony Lynn and Sean McVay, as well as players, including Jared Goff, Melvin Ingram, Juju Hughes and Breiden Fehoko.
NBA and WNBA resume play in Florida bubble: The NBA restarted their 2019-2020 season at the ESPN Wide World of Sports while the WNBA hosted their entire 2020 season at the IMG Academy. The NBA invited 22 teams to play eight in-season games before going into the Playoffs and the WNBA cut their season down to 22 games. Both leagues had zero positive COVID-19 tests during their time in their respective bubbles as both leagues administered daily testing and a two-week quarantine period when players arrived.
Sofi stadium Grand Opening: On September 8, Sofi Stadium had a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony that included Inglewood Mayor James Butts, Rams owner and Sofi stadium developer E. Stanley Kroenke and Chargers owner, Dean Spanos. Sofi broke ground in November 2016 and took 17,000 people to help build. It houses the only 4k end-to-end video board in sports and can hold up to 100,000 fans. On September 13, the Rams hosted the first NFL game at Sofi when they battled the Dallas Cowboys.
Patrick Mahomes becomes the youngest Quarterback to win Super Bowl and League MVP: In a thrilling comeback 31-20 victory, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes led his team to a Super Bowl Championship, becoming the third Black quarterback in history to commit the feat. He completed 26 passes for 286 yards, helping the Chiefs score 21 points in the fourth quarter.
Rafer Johnson passes away: Rafer Johnson was a legendary UCLA track and field athlete, he won a gold medal in the decathlon in the 1960 Olympics. Johnson also played an instrumental role in creating the Special Olympics. During the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Johnson lit the Olympic Caldron. He was 86.
USC players letter to Newsom: A group of football players from USC, including quarterback Kedon Slovis and Amon-Ra St. Brown, sent a letter to California governor Gavin Newsom demanding him to get rid of the restrictions that kept them from competing. Newsom responded, saying they were allowed to compete, and Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott announced that California and Oregon will allow collegiate competition to resume. (Robert Torrence/L.A. Sentinel)
NASCAR Driver Bubba Wallace Will not Back Down from Racism: Bubba Wallace, the only Black driver in NASCAR demanded that the confederate flag is to be banned at NASCAR events. Two weeks later, Wallace found a noose in his garage stall. Fellow racers and pit crews pushed his car to the end of the pit road to show unity with Wallace.
Kobe, Duncan Garnett headline Basketball Hall of Fame Class:
Among the eight members of the 2020 Basketball Hall of Fame class are NBA icons Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett. Four-time Olympic gold medalist Tamika Catchings, Baylor women’s coach Kim Mulkey and NBA coach Rudy Tomjanovich are also part of the class
