Kia ora, Talofa, Ma’lelei, Bula, Aloha and Welcome to Season 10 Episode 78 of Breakfast Bites, by TEIVOVOdigital.com – a wrap of Pasifika people’s sports news, on Thursday morning 19 September 2024.
 
Coming to you with tons of hanisi from the 180th meridian, in the middle of the Blue continent, where it is mostly cloudy and a cold 20 degrees Celsius again at 5am this morning.
 
In Rugby Union: Public opinion on the strike threat by the Fiji Water Flying Fijians at RWC2023 has split the country; with some supporting the players.
 
But where the majority of workers in Fiji earn less than $20,000 per year, the revelation by the Fiji Rugby Union that they paid the players $30,000 “sign-on” fees to represent their country, as part of a total $105,000 for the RWC2023 three-month campaign, has to an extent, backfired on former Captain Waisea Nayacalevu.
 
In Rugby League: Our world famous tip for the NRL elimination finals this weekend: The Cowboys to currytinfish the Sharks at Allianz Stadium, tomorrow night.
 
Meanwhile, waiting, watching and plotting is the Master Blaster - Nathan Cleary and his Panthers.
 
And at Allianz Stadium on Saturday, we tip the Sydney Roosters to cockadoodadoo Manly Sea Eagles.
 
Waiting, watching and plotting is Master Coach Craig Bellamy and the perfect Storm.
 
In Sports Biz: The New York Post reports that last season, despite winning the NBA Championship, the Boston Celtics barely broke even.
 
And worse, they are expected to lose millions as the supermax contracts of stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum as well as the contract extensions of others stars, kick in over the next few years.
In 2025–2026, Boston is expected to pay a record US$500Million payroll.

Little wonder then that majority owners – the Grousbeck family, has put the franchise up for sale saying: “The Grousbeck family is selling the team for estate and family planning considerations.

To say the sale is in any way related to losses is completely incorrect,” Wyc Grousbeck told the Post.

If and when the Grousbecks sell the team, they will walk away with a hefty profit - the team is valued by Forbes at US$4.7Billion, while the Grousbecks and their investment group purchased the team for US$360Million in 2002.

The family is reportedly seeking a buyer for US$6Billion, which the NBA would welcome, but according to the Post is unlikely, in part because the Celtics do not own its home arena, TD Garden. 

In Combat Sports: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky played a part in Oleksandr Usyk's release after footage appeared on social media showing Usyk being detained by police at Krakow airport in Poland, as the World Champion boxer was making his way to London, England to watch Anthony Joshua fight Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium on Saturday night.
 
And in Football: On the opening day of the expanded UEFA Champions League, there were easy wins for Juventus 3-1 PSV, Aston Villa 3-0 Young Boys, Bayern Munich 9-2 GNK Dinamo, Liverpool 3-1 Milan, Real Madrid 3-1 Stuttgart and Sporting CP 2-0 Lille.
 
In the NFL: Miami Dolphins star Samoan quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa will miss a minimum of four games following his latest concussion, sustained during a 31–10 loss to the Bills last Thursday night.

Tagovailoa, who has now suffered four diagnosed concussions in the last five years, was set to meet with doctors this week before deciding on the next steps.

His situation has led to spirited discussions among current and former players and coaches about the safety of NFL players and the long-term impacts of head trauma. 

Take it easy Uso.
 
That’s a wrap Peeps!

Please hit the like and subscribe buttons below if you want to receive more Pasifika sports highlights on Breakfast Bites.
 
Mahalo and Ka kite; for TEIVOVOdigital.com, I’m Culden Kamea tanking you all too mas for all your love and support.
 
#TEIVOVORugby  #TEIVOVODigital #TeivovoRugby #TeivovoDigital #rugby #rugby7s #FijiRugby #rugbyunion #rugbyleague #Raka #team #rugbytraining #sports #FRU #Fiji #womensrugby #rugbygirls #wrugby #ladiesrugby #womeninsport  #woman #rugby #rugby7s #FijiRugby #rugbyunion #rugbyleague #fitness #weightlifting #training #team #rugbytraining #sports  #rakavi  #DevelopmentFiji