Rumors

Stu Jackson: Lakers coach JJ Redick was in attendance watching the Rams' OTA workout today. He also spoke to Rams players today. Sean McVay said he first connected with Redick prior to him taking the Lakers job. "Always respected him from afar. A well-thought-out guy, a great willingness to look inwardly (for) areas of improvement, understanding how you bring people together. Really enjoyed him coming out."

x.com

When the former 15-year NBA veteran was hired by L.A., opinions formed early regarding potential success in his first season. No one could envision what had transpired, but Redick exceeded expectations, leading to comparisons to Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who also came to L.A. as a young, innovative mind. Naturally, comparisons are being made of Redick to McVay and the Lakers coach talked about their relationship thus far, revealing they had conversations before the former got into coaching. “First of all comparisons is the thief of joy and I love Sean,” Redick said.

Lakers Nation

Duane Rankin: "One of the most exciting times in my life. Can't lie." Kevin Durant on seeing his Washington Commanders' top Devin Booker's Detroit Lions in NFC divisional playoff game Saturday night at Ford Field. On if he's collected on bet with Booker: "We're going to keep that on the low. Not going to press him out. Whenever he ready, I'll be ready. Be here all year." Commanders vs. Eagles-Rams winner in NFC championship game next week. Bradley Beal's favorite team? "Rams." #Suns pic.x.com/PvqqOmg5oL

Twitter

As the people of Los Angeles and its surrounding communities begin the long recovery from the region’s devastating fires, 12 professional sports organizations — Angel City FC, the Angels, Chargers, Clippers, Dodgers, Ducks, Galaxy, Kings, LAFC, Lakers, Rams and Sparks — have pledged a combined donation of more than $8 million to support victims in need, as well as those fighting the fires.

dodgers.mlblogs.com

Harrison Wind: Peyton Watson, LeBron James, Michael Porter Jr. at today’s Rams game in Los Angeles. pic.x.com/kpgislqgz0

Twitter

With the Clippers opening up at Intuit dome next month, Davis is excited that the move could help re-shape the narrative that LA is simply a Lakers town. “They have an opportunity to better their brand now that they’re going into the Intuit Dome and really establish themselves,” he said.  But, as far as now? They are always going to be number two. It goes: Dodgers, Lakers, Kings, Rams… you know? So it’s a lot of competition but as far as basketball, the Lakers are synonymous with L.A.” 

ScoopB.com

Winston-Salem State and Virginia Union’s men’s basketball teams are heading to the NBA All-Star Weekend in February. The Rams and the Panthers will play each other in a key CIAA game on Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game was originally scheduled to be played on campus at Virginia Union but will now be played on the building where the Indiana Pacers play their NBA games.

Winston-Salem Journal

You’re very outspoken on social media. How much fun do you have with back-and-forths about the Lakers, Rams, Raiders or even Roman Reigns? O’Shea Jackson Jr.: I love it. The reason why I act like this is because, naturally, I’ve got mad energy. I live for that “Oh my God!” moment. Just the sound of a crowd. I think it’s because my mom was pregnant with me at concerts. The noise of the crowd gets me going. When I was growing up, like, I would never see a Laker fan go as hard as we (should) have every right to go. They always go on these sports shows and let these hosts talk them down. So, I wanted to be the most aggressive Laker fan that any of these shows has ever seen.

The Athletic

Stan Kroenke's sports empire has produced an NFL, NHL and now NBA champion in three consecutive seasons. His latest title came Monday night when the Denver Nuggets won their first championship 47 years after joining the NBA. His Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in the Super Bowl following the 2021 season, and his Colorado Avalanche hoisted the Stanley Cup last summer after dispatching Tampa Bay in six games.

ctvnews.ca

When three veterans of legendary NFL agent Leigh Steinberg’s firm broke away in 2001 to launch their own talent agency, Athletes First, their plan, as the name suggests, was to put the needs of players over those of agents and teams. In the next two decades, it grew from a three-person shop in a Southern California living room to the largest talent agency in pro football, with a staff if 55 and sprawling offices in the posh Los Angeles suburb of Laguna Hills. Its 20 agents represent 300-plus players, including Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Los Angeles Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald. Athletes First has negotiated more than $11 billion in contracts since its founding, including the richest guaranteed-money deal in league history: $230 million over five years for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. Today, the founders are set to announce that venture capital firms Mastry Ventures and General Catalyst are buying a majority stake. The new owners plan to bring a VC mindset to the agent business, says Mastry co-founder Rudy Cline-Thomas, helping players set up off-field ventures in addition to representing them in negotiations with teams. “We think we can build formidable businesses with these athletes, individually and as an aggregate, across industries,” says Cline-Thomas. “We’re turning them from players to owners.”

Bloomberg

If Leonsis’ group was to finalize a purchase from the Lerners and be approved by MLB, he’d become only the second person to own teams in three of the four major pro men’s sports leagues in the United States, joining the Kroenke family. The Kroenkes, along with owning Arsenal of the Premier League, own the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets. They also own the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer, along with multiple other smaller league sports teams.

The Athletic

CJ Holmes: Stephen Curry will be a special guest on the Monday Night Football broadcast with Peyton and Eli Manning tonight. Rams vs. 49ers.

Twitter

In his first game with the Los Angeles Rams, linebacker Bobby Wagner wore a thigh pad with a visible image of the late Kobe Bryant in a Los Angeles Lakers jersey. The Southern California native said Bryant was "somebody that has inspired me," and that he wanted to honor the basketball legend.

ESPN

“Everybody was here,” Smiley said. “We had rappers and NFL players. Other NBA players like Draymond Green showed. Quavo from Migos. A couple players from the Rams and Chargers. Everybody came through this weekend. And it was all last-minute, but we made sure we did our jobs.”

The Athletic