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| WHAT'S BREWING TODAY Tuesday, February 22 On Today's Scorecard X-Rated NFL |
| The XFL is scheduled to resume play in February, 2023 under new ownership. And with it they have announced a new partnership with the NFL. Per ESPN, the NFL-XFL agreement will give the NFL a "petri dish" to experiment with proposed rules, test new equipment and develop prospective officials and coaches. In both of its previous incarnations under former owner Vince McMahon, in 2000 and 2020, the XFL could not use players under contract with NFL teams. The XFL suspended operations and declared bankruptcy in April 2020, leading McMahon to sell. "The XFL has shown us that innovation is one of its core principles. We are hopeful that this relationship will support further development and improvements in the game of football at all levels," said Troy Vincent, the NFL VP of football operations. Read more on this announcement here. |
| Trending Today Baffertization |
| In a not so surprising announcement reported by ESPN, Medina Spirit has been disqualified as Kentucky Derby champion and trainer Bob Baffert was suspended for 90 days after the horse tested positive for a banned medication. In addition, all purse money from Medina Spirit's win was forfeited and Baffert was fined $7,500. Churchill Downs announced after the ruling that Mandaloun is now recognized as the winner of the 147th Kentucky Derby. With it, owner/breeder Juddmonte, trainer Brad Cox and jockey Florent Geroux. Churchill Downs had previously suspended Baffert for two years following the latest in a recent series of failed tests by his horses. Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone last May. Betamethasone is legal in Kentucky, but prohibited on race day. Medina Spirit died Dec. 6 after a workout at Santa Anita racetrack in California. Results released last week from a necropsy on the horse revealed no definitive cause of death. FYI: Per Bloodhorse, Baffert trainees have died at the highest rate per starts of the 10 trainers with the most horse deaths in California, an occurrence rate of 8.3 deaths per 1,000 starts. |
| Grinding Out The Profits The Wizard Of Izz |
| From this week's PLAYBOOK Basketball Newsletter: Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is 17-5 in his career with MSU when seeking last-season double revenge-exact, including 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS from Game 20 out. With Iowa just 6-11 ATS at home in post-Michigan contests, tonight's game with the Spartans is what it Izz. |