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Rivalry truly hits hard in the Dota 2 scene, especially when you face each other multiple times in the previous grand finals of various tournaments. That’s what happened when Team Liquid lost all the last five grand final clashes against the Gaimin Gladiators, only to clap back at them when they clashed at the big stage of The International 2024. Team Liquid now reigns at the top of the Dota 2 world once more after the team hammered their rivals Gaimin Gladiators to cap off the all-Europe showdown. Fans at the Royal Arena in Denmark were roaring loud as this was the biggest and most dominant performance that a team has ever displayed by a TI champion all over the years. Team Liquid did not really have much of a promising set of games in the preliminaries, losing key games in the Group Stage and Seeding Decider phases. However, the team would go on to win every single game in the playoffs, showing how well the team can turn up their game when it matters most, proof that they really deserve to be hailed as champions at this point. A Story of Champions Team Liquid earned a direct invite to the competition after showing off a promising performance for most of the year. The team was placed second in BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024 and in Riyadh Masters 2024. However, the team would go on to suffer some tough hits in their games in 5th-6th place finishes in multiple tournaments. A win in the Elite League Season 2 would set their pace heading into the competition, and it delivered well as they proved to be quite the team to watch this year. The tides have truly turned out to be in their favor this year as Liquid showed that they are the team to beat again. With the Aegis of Champions now at hand, Team Liquid takes home the lion’s share of the tournament’s $2.56 million prize pool, accumulating at least $1.15 million in cash. They now add their second Aegis to their trophy case since their first TI win back in 2017. The Gaimin Gladiators, on the other hand, bowed out of TI 2024 with still a promising potential as the second-placer in the tournament. They took home $350,000 for their efforts and still looks forward to come up with a bigger run in the tournament as they now have back-to-back runs in the Grand Final, only to lose at the top after last year’s loss to Team Spirit. A Final to Remember Team Liquid opened up the final with a promising poise, taking over in the 18th minute of the first game and setting up promising team fights. miCKe on Nature's Prophet and 33 on Visage pulled off massive performances to deliver an easy campaign in Game 1, calling it over after 29 minutes of action and dominating the Gaimin Gladiators with ease. Liquid then played a high-tempo pace in the second game, bringing miCKe on Nature's Prophet again, Nisha on Nature's Prophet, and 33 on Bristleback. This time, the Gladiators were able to come up with some impressive counters, but ultimately failed to prevent Liquid from owning the game after more than 45 minutes. The final game was no different, as Team Liquid did not allow the Gaimin Gladiators to regain their composure and come up with a comeback, effectively closing down the final and winning the TI 2024 championship, showing that they are still one of the most dominant teams to watch in the game at this point.

Call it what you want, but fans in Arizona just saw yet another clutch victory and a promising finish that needed extra innings to cap off a showdown for the day. The Diamondbacks secured an 11-10 coming from a late rally thanks to a fly ball from Eugenio Suarez, grinding out a desert win when it mattered most. For Arizona fill-in manager Jeff Banister, this game was a see-saw clash, a rollercoaster ride that was better than his experience in Disney World. Perhaps it was even more fun that the D-backs escaped on the winning side considering how high the stakes are for them right now. This win keeps the team just behind 1 and ½ games behind the San Diego Padres in the bid for the top National League Wild Card spot. That quiet afternoon at Chase Field later turned out to be a battle of wits and a showdown to remember. Fans were thrilled at the back and forth turn of events, and it was certainly easy to say that the Diamondbacks needed some key heroics and performances to cap off a pivotal victory against one of their rivals as well. Staging a Needed Win Arizona’s luck was quite on the fence considering the fact that they already had a 5-0 lead by the end of the third inning. The club would go on to tie the game in the eighth, but the Brewers clapped back with a pair of runs in the 10th – and the D-backs did not let up with a burst of their own to add three in the bottom half. The Diamondbacks would then go on to score three straight hits to open up the 10th inning. Adrian Del Castillo, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll scored impressive hits of their own, but it cannot be denied that the team needed a last chance to score off the 11-10 win to take over the game and cap off a promising finish. The win allowed the D-backs to avoid a three-game sweep at home against the Brewers. The team now stands with a record of 83-66 and is now seeking a chance to climb into the standings and even try to inch closer to the Padres’ record and even hope to secure the top spot should the Los Angels Dodgers come up with some slumps and untimely losses in the final stretch of the season. A Show of Competitive Spirit Eugenio Suarez’s winner was the ultimate show of success for the team’s impressive finish. He drove in three runs and even increased his RBI total to 95 for the season. He was glad to have been able to walk it off for the Diamondbacks, and the crazy game turned out to be a promising finish. “The at-bat Del Castillo had left-on-left and then Corbin had a good at-bat too, base hit, all those little things that’s why I hit that walk-off,” Suarez said. “They gave me an opportunity to be at the plate with that situation. I never thought to hit a homer or whatever.” The Diamondbacks were clearly praised for their grit and grind in the battle, showing that they still have what it takes to take on a challenge when it mattered most. So far, the Diamondbacks proved that they are a contender who should not be left off the hype, and the game was a show of force that they can actually be a club that has the potential to become a leading team in the league.

No one seemed to believe that the Chiefs are seeking to come up with an unblemished run in the 2024 NFL season as they bring in their second win of the season after beating a resurgent Bengals squad, which nearly hauled in a huge win had it not been for the Chiefs’ final plays that proved to be crucial in the comeback win. The Chiefs were down 22-17 heading into the fourth, before actually coming back with a 9-3 rally in the final frame to close out the game for good. The Bengals could not hold on to their lead as Kansas City had multiple offensive opportunities to bring the game to a close and eventually take the lead when it mattered most. So far, this has been quite a fun and promising season for the Chiefs to begin with. They are now up 2-0 and have been consistently coming up with impressive victories and are now up 2-0 in the season after that opening week win against the Ravens. Beating the Bengals is a good show of strength for the defending Super Bowl champions, who now seek to come up with a three-peat in the current campaign. Race to the Finish The Bengals were down by as many as 10-3 in the game. The team would go on to tie it in the second quarter behind a 44-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes and a touchdown by Rashee Rice and an added field goal from Harrison Butker. Consecutive field goals from Evan McPherson would later extend the lead for the Bengals at 16-10. The Chiefs would not hold back in the game as they kept it close through the third before the Bengals secured a meager set of points to build a 22-17 lead. The fourth would later see the Chiefs come up with some impressive plays as the team would go on to take the lead at 23-22 at 14:40 in the clock. McPherson would answer with a field goal of his own in the 9:28 mark to bring back the lead for the Bengals at 25-23. However, the Chiefs had the final offensive possession at hand, and they used it well to come up with a promising rally that saw Harrison Butker score a 51-yard field goal to secure the victory at the final buzzer, which sealed the deal with fans at the Arrowhead Stadium celebrating yet another massive victory for the season. Heroics on Display Interestingly, Harrison Butker did know well which direction the wind was going for most of the game. He certainly checked one last time during the game’s two-minute warning, knowing how well to direct the ball on that end as well. So when Patrick Mahomes threw off a ball but led to a pass interference, the team knew it was time for Butker to do his job on the big stage – when it mattered most. “I try to block it out,” Butker said of the crowd noise. “It’s hard not to feed off it, but I try to block it out. What I don’t like is when you’re trotting onto the field and everyone is clapping, and I’m like, ‘The game’s not over yet. I still have to make this kick.’” For a guy who rarely misses on field goals, this was just another walk in the park as he calmly kicked the ball with two seconds left – sending it high enough to secure three big points to win the game in the clutch.

When a cop pulled over a car with no license plate on the Strip, little did they know it was the same woman who allegedly drugged guests and stole $200,000 worth of jewelry, watches, and other items from the MGM Grand. She was then arrested and is now awaiting a hearing, and her bail was set at $20,000. A Las Vegas motorist was arrested last week in connection with a high-profile theft at MGM Grand, where two hotel guests were drugged and robbed of luxury watches and other expensive items. Cassandra Tovar was taken into custody by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department after a routine traffic stop led officers to uncover her involvement in the elaborate theft scheme. 31-year-old Tovar, who was driving on the Las Vegas Strip with no license plate, caught the attention of an LVMPD officer on Friday, September 6. When pulled over, the officer noticed signs of intoxication, prompting further investigation. While the officer did a routine check of her name, it was discovered that she had an outstanding warrant for a more severe crime: her alleged involvement in the April 2023 robbery of two hotel guests. According to the police report, Tovar, along with two other women, is accused of drugging the hotel guests and making off with $200,000 worth of luxury items, including diamond bracelets, expensive watches, and designer clothes. The April incident: drugging and theft The incident, which took place on the night of the 23rd of April, 2023, began innocently enough. Tovar and two women reportedly met two male guests at a bar in the hotel before heading upstairs to one of their hotel rooms at The Signature at MGM Grand. Once they were inside, the interactions took a turn. One of the women allegedly offered sexual services to one of the men for $1,000 each. While the man refused to pay for sexual services, he did not ask the women to leave. As the group continued talking on the balcony, one of the women presented one of the men with a drink in a shot glass. They encouraged him to consume it, and after doing so, he quickly lost consciousness. "After [he] drank it,... he passed [out] and did not remember anything else," the police report stated, as quoted by KLAS, a Las Vegas TV station. Many hours later, both men awoke to find that the three women were gone, along with their luxury items. LVMPD investigation Upon discovering the theft, the men alerted the Las Vegas Metropolitan police, who quickly responded to the scene. Officers arranged for laboratory tests of the remaining contents of the drink. The results revealed the presence of controlled substances, confirming that the men had been drugged. Investigators also reviewed hotel footage, which captured images of a car registered to one of the suspects. Police were later able to locate the woman, who confessed to both drugging the men and stealing their belongings. A detailed search of her residence led to the recovery of many of the stolen items. While two of the women were identified relatively quickly, Tovar remained at large until her recent traffic stop. The LVMPD had been actively searching for her in connection with the case, and her arrest last week brings the investigation closer to a resolution. Court proceedings and jail status Following her arrest, Cassandra Tovar was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. Bail has been set at $20,000. She made a brief appearance in front of Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Daniel Westmeyer, who scheduled a follow-up court hearing for November. The case has drawn significant attention due to the nature of the crime and the high value of the stolen items. If convicted, Tovar could face severe legal consequences, including substantial prison time. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department continues to investigate the incident, and it remains unclear whether any additional charges will be filed against Tovar or her accomplices. The recovered items have since been returned to their rightful owners.

FanDuel's recently concluded Jackpot Summer Sweepstakes promotion, which was held from the 1st of July to the 1st of September, has just announced a winner: 62-year-old Agostino Limongelli, who beat 100,000 other contenders for the grand prize of $1 million. He was told of his winnings by none other than Vegas Matt, who is FanDuel's ambassador. FanDuel Casino, which is an affiliate of Flutter Entertainment plc, has announced the winner of its highly popular Jackpot Summer Sweepstakes - Agostino Limongelli. He emerged as the grand prize winner out of more than 100,000 qualified customers who participated in the sweepstakes, making him an instant millionaire. The promotion, which ran from the 1st of July to the 1st of September, 2024, offered players a chance to win the coveted $1 million jackpot by betting $50 or more on various slot games during the promotion period. Players from Connecticut, Philadelphia, New Jersey, West Virginia, and Michigan were eligible to participate, and Limongelli, a 62-year-old Connecticut resident, was the fortunate individual to take home the grand prize. A life-changing call from Vegas Matt Limongelli learned of his life-changing win in a personal (and exciting) way. He was notified of his win through a FaceTime call from FanDuel Casino's ambassador, Matt Berkey, known popularly as "Vegas Matt." The conversation marked a thrilling moment for Limongelli, who could hardly believe his luck. "I was full of shock and excitement after winning FanDuel Casino's $1M Promotion! I couldn't believe it when Vegas Matt called me. This is surreal!," said Limongelli after the announcement. Vegas Matt, a prominent figure in the online gambling and poker community, was signed by FanDuel earlier this year in a long-term deal to serve as the casino's ambassador. Known for his expertise and engaging social media presence, Vegas Matt has cultivated a following of over 340,000 subscribers on YouTube along with 277,000 followers on Instagram. His role with FanDuel includes producing content for social media, branding initiatives, promotional offers, and educating different players on the games, all while promoting responsible gambling. During the FaceTime call, Limongelli and Vegas Matt discussed his plans for his newly acquired fortune. Limongelli shared that he is looking forward to buying a new car and taking a well-deserved vacation, two luxuries that his $1 million win will now afford him. An exciting promotion with over 100,000 participants The $1 million Jackpot Summer Sweepstakes attracted great interest from FanDuel Casino's player base, with over 100,000 participants in the running for the grand prize. According to Daniele Phillips, FanDuel Casino's VP of Brand Strategy, the enthusiasm surrounding the sweepstakes was immense. "With over 100,000 customers in the running for the grand prize, we are so excited to finally share our FanDuel Casino $1M Jackpot Summer Sweepstakes winner," Phillips said. Phillips added that making a player a true millionaire is an honor for their team, as they love seeing their players' excitement and engagement with their promotions. The sweepstakes required eligible participants to place qualifying bets on a selection of slot games across FanDuel's online casino platforms during the promotion period. Each $50 or more wager qualified as an entry into the sweepstakes. This partnership and the success of promotions like the $1 million Jackpot Summer Sweepstakes reflect FanDuel's efforts to grow its casino division and reward its loyal customers with exciting opportunities and life-changing prizes. A future full of opportunity With its growing customer base and continuous exciting promotions, FanDuel Casino is positioning itself as a leader in the online casino sector. The success of the $1 million Jackpot Summer Sweepstakes, combined with its partnership with Vegas Matt, ensures that FanDuel will continue to capture the interest of players and offer more chances for life-changing wins in the future. For Agostino Limongelli, this summer will undoubtedly be one to remember as he celebrates his newfound fortune, thanks to FanDuel Casino's $1 million jackpot.

The Bengals were expected to start off the season with a bang, but it cannot be denied that the season began not in the way they expected it to be as they lost to the New England Patriots in the season opener. However, what’s more alarming is how Joe Burrow has recently addressed that he’s still not 100% with his wrist to begin the campaign. But so far, the Bengals QB has hinted that he is keen to work out on his wrist as he admitted that it has prevented him from making deep throws in the game. So far, Burrow claimed that it should not hamper him from performing at a high level, and he even believes that it will get better as the season progresses now more than ever. The Bengals started off poorly in the season so far, but one can say that their chances of winning will depend on how Burrow’s health will improve in the coming games. This is why it is going to be determinant as to how the Bengals will ask him to carry the squad well and come up with bigger success in the game moving forward. A Confident Approach The Bengals were definitely out of the gate when they opened up the season and wanted to come up with a promising campaign. In the middle of that a video leaked online showing that Burrow was working out on his wrist at the bench when Cincinnati lost to the Patriots in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. But the star QB was quick to claim that it is not much for players to be concerned of. "Yeah, I'm doing that all the time," Burrow told reporters. "When you're coming back from an injury you're always trying to keep the joint loose. That's part of ligament injuries. If you don't move it, you're going to lose it. So, I'm always moving it around, keeping it loose, keeping my mobility the way it's supposed to be, so it's going to continue to happen. I do it at home, I do it here, I do it all the time." It is worth noting that Burrow sees it as a lingering injury. That was the third time in a row that the Bengals lost in their Week 1 game. Last year, Cincinnati went 0-2 to start off the campaign with Burrow being limited by a calf strain. He would then go on to miss the final seven games of the 2023 season after he tore the said ligament in his wrist. A Progress in Work For Burrow, however, he believes that the injury will get better over time, and one can say that there is more to expect from the star QB with the hopes of putting up greater performances. He went 21 for 29 for 164 yards, going along for zero touchdowns, however. He rarely went downfield and was pressured on just six of 35 dropbacks – which is the third-lowest rate he’s faced in his entire career. "It feels great, feels better this week than it did last week, than it did the week before, so it's continuing to do better," the 2022 Pro Bowler said of his wrist, which played a role in his game against the Patriots. For now, fans should not panic and let Burrow do his thing, which should be seen in the coming games this season with the hopes of getting back to the Super Bowl stage soon.

The Dallas Mavericks made some interesting signings in the offseason by bringing in Klay Thompson as its main addition, but it does seem that Markieff Morris is also a key signing for the team as they bring one of their veterans back heading into the 2024-25 season. Morris wasn’t much of a big impact player on the Dallas roster, but he sure is a leader on the bench for the team, providing them with eagerness and a fiery pace in their games. He spent the last two seasons with the Mavericks after being landed by the team in the same trade that also gave them Kyrie Irving. However, there are also rumors that Morris’ deal with the team is a one-year, non guaranteed one. This means that he will have to compete for a roster spot with the rest of the team to further prove his worth in the game later on this season. This will ensure that the team will all have a competitive edge heading into the campaign, where most of the team is expecting to see Dallas return to the playoff stage as well. Morris is one of the biggest players in the squad with extreme value in the locker room. He joins Spencer Dinwiddie, Klay Thompson, and Quentin Grimes as the latest Dallas transactions in the 2024 offseason to strengthen their roster. Signing a Bench Leader Morris only played in a total of 26 games for the Dallas Mavericks, finishing the year with meager averages of 2.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game while shooting just 38% from the field, including 35.7% from three. Those are definitely the numbers of a bench warmer in the game, and it goes without saying that Morris will have to prove his worth in the game if he is going to stay with the team moving forward. At the age of 34, it does seem that he could still come up with some good strides in the game. He is entering his 14th NBA season and can definitely remain as a strong leader in the Mavs locker room so far. It is worth noting that the Mavericks are already $493k below the first apron, meaning that they could only afford the non-guaranteed contract for Morris. Should he make the roster, the team will have to waive another player – like AJ Lawson who also has a non-guaranteed contract, and even make a trade as a worst-case scenario in the long run. A Veteran in His Own Right Morris was selected with the 13th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft straight out of Kansas. He would go on to play for the Phoenix Suns, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Miami Heat – a whole lot of teams for a player who has enjoyed a lot of years in the game. It is also worth noting that Morris has also won the 2020 NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Bubble. He has career averages of 10.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting a promising 44.5% from the field and 34.3% from three. Morris is one of the few veteran players in the Mavericks roster who has seen a total of seven playoff runs in his career, playing for a total of four different teams in the postseason.

Following the victory of Kalshi, a prediction market operator who recently won a court case that sought to block it from offering election markets, Interactive Brokers has announced that it will also allow clients to wager on the US elections. Wagering on US election outcomes will start on Monday, September 16 at Interactive Brokers, following a pivotal federal court ruling in favor of Kalshi, a prediction market operator. This marks a significant development in financial services and election markets, as it opens the door for legal betting on US elections - a practice that has long been prohibited in the country. Federal court ruling paves the way The decision to allow election betting comes on the heels of a recent ruling by District Court Judge Jia Cobb, who sided with Kalshi in a legal battle against the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The CFTC, which regulates Kalshi and other similar entities, had blocked the company from presenting event contracts related to US elections. In response, Kalshi filed a lawsuit in 2023, stating that the CFTC had overstepped its authority by preventing the exchange from submitting these contracts. Judge Cobb's ruling was released just under two months before the upcoming 2024 congressional and presidential elections. In her opinion, she emphasized that the contracts proposed by Kalshi do not constitute gambling or any illegal activity. "This case is not about whether the Court likes Kalshi's product or thinks trading it is a good idea," wrote Cobb. "The Court's only task is to determine what Congress did, not what it could do or should do. And Congress did not authorize the CFTC to conduct the public interest review it conducted here." Following Cobb's ruling, Kalshi wasted no time in launching two election-related wagering markets: one predicting whether Republicans or Democrats will control the House and another for the Senate succeeding the November 5 elections. A bonus for bettors Interactive Brokers' entry into election betting is poised to be a game-changer for bettors. To date, traditional betting on US elections has been deemed illegal, but certain companies have found ways to participate in the election market by circumventing conventional betting methods. For instance, Polymarket has seen a rise in interest by allowing clients to buy shares in an event, which are considered assets rather than bets. This technicality has allowed Polymarket to operate within the bounds of US law. Interactive Brokers, however, will offer a more straightforward approach by allowing clients to bet directly on the result of the presidential race. Clients can place binary bets on either former President Donald Trump or Vice President Kamala Harris. The brokerage firm also plans to introduce betting options on key Senate races in swing states, though specific states were not disclosed. For those interested in investing in the election, the access provided by Interactive Brokers could be invaluable. The company operates the biggest US electronic trading platform, processing over three million trades daily. With over 1.7 million accounts, the potential for profit is significant, especially given the high demand for election-related wagering. Early in August, records showed that over $1 billion had been staked on the presidential race through gray market platforms such as Smarkets and PredictIt. Experience in event contracts Interactive Brokers is no stranger to event contracts related to finance. The firm launched the ForecastEx platform recently, which allows clients to bet on economic data like monthly jobs reports, consumer sentiment, and inflation. This experience in handling event-driven contracts positions the company well for its foray into election betting. Other firms are also exploring similar opportunities. Earlier in the year, Susquehanna International Group, a prominent trading house, began making markets on Kalshi for events related to Federal Reserve interest rate decisions and even movie reviews. Concerns about democracy Despite the excitement surrounding this new market, not everyone is on board with the idea of election betting. Critics argue that allowing gambling on elections could further undermine confidence in the democratic process, especially at a time when trust in US elections is already fragile. "Democracy in America is at a fragile crossroads, with more Americans questioning the integrity of elections than ever before," said the director of derivatives policy at Better Markets, Cantrell Dumas, in a statement. "The shocking attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021, is just one glaring example, but across the country, less visible incidents continue to chip away at the public's confidence in our elections and democracy itself. In this shaky political moment, the last thing our country needs is for democracy to be undermined further by allowing gambling on elections." As the US approaches the 2024 elections, the overall impact of legal election betting remains to be seen. However, with Interactive Brokers entering the fray, it's clear that the financial markets are ready to embrace this controversial but potentially lucrative opportunity.

As we're sure you've heard of by now, Oasis has reunited and is set to do a reunion tour around the world. And it has set its sights on America, which now begs the question: which US cities will be part of their tour? Bettors are now speculating, and the odds are high in New York, LA, and other key cities. You've more than likely heard the news that Oasis has reunited, sparking a frenzy among fans that led to a sell-out of their first 17 Ireland and UK tour dates. The overwhelming demand for tickets to Oasis Live '25 caused a meltdown on ticketing websites, with over 10 million Oasis fans from 158 countries vying for the chance to see the iconic band live. Oasis announces more shows In response to the unprecedented demand, Liam and Noel Gallagher have revealed two additional tour dates, both to be held at Wembley Stadium in London. This brings the total number of scheduled performances to 19. The reunion and tour announcement late last month have sent shockwaves through the music world, and the Gallagher brothers have assured fans that more dates outside of Europe will be revealed later this year. Of course, the excitement doesn't stop in the UK and Ireland. America is highly anticipated to be a significant stop on the global road trip of Oasis. Several major US cities have emerged as frontrunners on betting sites as probable destinations for the band. Adding to the speculation, just this week, an Amazon Music billboard emerged in New York City, featuring a promotional image of Liam and Noel and a message that said: "If we need to put up a billboard to get these guys to come to the States, here it is." The billboard has further fueled rumors, especially after a now-deleted photo spread online, purportedly showing some of Oasis' booked US tour dates. According to the image, Los Angeles, New York, Boston, and Chicago are among the cities slated for Oasis Live '25. Oasis' scheduled stops: could the Big Apple be in the cards? The leaked image, if authentic, suggests plans for Oasis to visit some of the most iconic US cities. Betting odds strongly favor New York and Los Angeles as likely stops on the tour, with both cities pegged at -400, reflecting an 80% probability. Boston and Chicago follow closely with odds of -300, indicating a 75% likelihood that the Britpop legends will perform there. The possibility of an Oasis tour in the US is not far-fetched, given the band's extensive history of performing across the States. For instance, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds played in several US cities in 2023, including Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, San Diego, Dallas, and Denver, among others. Liam Gallagher's band also had a US tour in 2011, with 13 dates, including performances in New York, Seattle, Washington, San Francisco, and Boston. During the short reign of Oasis, the band played over 200 US gigs, with New York and California being their most visited states. LA was a frequent stop for Oasis, and Chicago was another regular destination. What about the Sphere in Las Vegas? One of the most talked-about entertainment venues in the past year is the Sphere, a $2.3 billion marvel that opened in September of 2023 with a spectacular U2 residency. The auditorium, which has 18,600 seats, has set a new standard for concert venues, and there is growing speculation that Oasis could be the next major act to perform there. The odds are currently 4/6 that Oasis will play in Sin City at a Vegas concert venue as part of their reunion tour. Oasis' tour history Oasis' last US gig was in Virginia's EagleBank Arena in December of 2008. The city, which isn't typically a hotspot for international megastars, is +500 on sportsbooks to see an Oasis return in 2025. Camden, in New Jersey, is another lesser-known stop for the band, and it is also listed at +500. Other major cities that could be on the tour list are Washington at +250, Nashville at +450, and Dallas at +300. For those hoping the Gallagher brothers might want to soak up some sun, Miami is a +600 chance. As the world waits in anticipation, one thing is clear: Oasis is back, and their return is nothing short of phenomenal. Whether you're a long-time fan or a new admirer, the Oasis Live '25 tour is getting to be an event you wouldn't want to miss.

At this point, it does seem that there will be a lot of hopeful expectations for the Seattle Kraken as they move forward into the 2024-25 season after signing Adam Larsson to a four-year deal worth $21 million, which will extend his stay with the team and potentially lead them to a promising championship if they’re lucky. Entering the final year of his initial four-year, $16 million deal signed back in July 2021, Larsson entered negotiations with the Kraken in the offseason and was pleasingly satisfied with the way the team has handled his options moving forward. Now the 31-year-old brings his services to the table for the Kraken in the next five years with the hopes of securing a league title in those campaigns. So far, Larsson’s performances might just well become a promising note as to how he can come up with a campaign that will lead his team to the upper echelon of the NHL standings after the team has had a poor finish in the previous season. A Cornerstone Returned Larsson is one of the key players that the Kraken prioritized to sign this offseason. Selected with the team back in July 21, 2021 when he was claimed by Seattle from the Edmonton Oilers in the aftermath of the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, it does seem that the defenseman will be coming with a promising hope to improve his game heading into the season. For GM Ron Francis, however, it does seem that Larsson is a huge win to keep for the team at this point. "Adam has been a veteran leader for our group on and off the ice the past three seasons," Kraken general manager Ron Francis said. "He's a big (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) right-shot defenseman who plays a heavy, physical game and has been a cornerstone of our defense since the Kraken's inaugural season. We're excited to have Adam and his family in Seattle for five more years." In the 2023-24 season, Larsson tallied 18 points coming off four goals and 14 assists in 81 games last season. He spent the second-most ice time per game at 22:57 behind Vince Dunn at 23:05, who is also a defenseman in the squad. Larsson is also the team’s alternate captain in each of his last three seasons and leads the team in all-time leader in games played at 245. A Playoff Run Coming? It is worth noting that the Seattle Kraken have signed the likes of Matty Beniers (seven-year, $49.98 million), Chandler Stephenson, and Brandon Montour to promising deals this offseason. Larsson was the last signing to be made, and it cannot be denied that the Kraken are keen to deliver a promising run in the season with their core intact. In three seasons since their debut in the league, the Kraken managed to make the playoffs only once, beating the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup in seven games before losing to the Dallas Stars in the same number of games in the second round. Still, it goes without saying that the Kraken are expecting to get back on the playoff stage once more after missing out last year with a 34-35-13 record. It is expected that Seattle with get the best out of its games moving forward, hoping to continue making deep runs in the Stanley Cup.

The upset trend continues to shine in The International 2024 as Xtreme Gaming pulled off yet another shocker to defeat defending champions Team Spirit to knock them out of the competition, moving forward to the third round with the hopes of continuing a promising run in the tournament. No one expected Xtreme Gaming to lose after that tough loss to Team Liquid considering the fact that they failed to put up a massive fight against the latter. However, Xtreme Gaming pulled off a strong performance to show up and come up with a promising victory against Team Spirit, taking them out of the competition for good and thwarting a repeat championship attempt from the said team. Xtreme Gaming now moves on to the next stage and will face Aurora, who lost to Cloud 9 in the Upper Bracket Quarterfinals and went on to defeat HEROIC in the second round of the Lower Bracket. This sets up a huge showdown in the depths as it is expected that these two teams will be coming up with a huge fight to move forward in the tournament – facing either Tundra Esports or the Gaimin Gladiators in the next round. A Huge Upset Win – Again Three days into The International 2024 playoffs, it cannot be denied that there have been a lot of promising twists and and turns so far, which has definitely made it quite fun to watch at this point. So far, the biggest twist that has happened on the big stage at this point is Team Spirit’s rough finish on the Lower Bracket. So far, it cannot be denied that Team Spirit’s exit was truly unexpected, and fans were left shocked and at a loss of words. This means that Team Spirit’s hopes of coming up with a repeat in The International 2024 and claiming their third title in the tournament come to an early end now. Team Spirit was one of the heavy favorites to win in the competition after having a promising campaign so far, but it is hard to comprehend that the defending champions would bow out easily from the battles in The International. Team Spirit was the only team to finish 3-0 in the group stages, only to lose to nouns in the Seeding Decider at 2-0. The team would go on to show some signs of life in their first round win over G2 x IG in the Lower Bracket, but the team fell short of coming up with another hopeful win in their 2-1 loss to Xtreme Gaming. Last Chinese Team Standing With Team Zero and G2 x IG now eliminated from playoff contention, it does seem that Xtreme Gaming is now the only team left to carry the Chinese banner in The International 2024. The team now enters the top eight of the tournament and will be the only Chinese team to look out for at the Royal Arena. This coming challenge against Aurora will be a tough one with 23savage leading the squad. As the last hope for many Chinese fans, the pressure is now on for XG to continue making some big strides in their games and cement their place at the top of the game. It has been eight years since a Chinese team has won The International, and Xtreme Gaming has a chance to come up with a historic finish this year.