GeekSugar

Who Knew You Could Make So Much Money Playing Games?

GeekSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:30:34 PST

Yesterday, Dr. Pepper announced that for the first time ever, it would feature a professional athlete on its bottles. This athlete doesn't come with ripped arms, or muscular legs, but he does have some thumbs of steel. Tom Taylor, who plays Halo 3 professionally (putting in up to 15 hours a day of practice), has not only landed his first endorsement deal with Dr. Pepper, but has also signed a three-year sponsorship contract with Major League Gaming to the tune of $250,000.

New York City-based Major League Gaming organizes teams and professional gamers to compete in tournaments around the country. This year, MLG has over 50 professional teams ready to play, and vie for endorsement deals aimed at the gaming community. I know several other companies that might do well with advertisements targeted at gamers - Cheetos, Mountain Dew, and Domino's (otherwise known as geek fuel), just to name a few. And although I'm sure we wouldn't recognize newly coined gaming celeb Tom Taylor (who goes by Tsquared, natch) if he passed us on the street, he does carry around a Sharpie nonetheless. You know, just in case.

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Off the Court With Beach Volleyball Olympian Misty May-Treanor

Susi May — Tue, 01 May 2012 02:15:18 PDT

The daughter of an Olympian and wife of a Major League Baseball player, professional beach volleyball player Misty May-Treanor knows a thing or two about competing. She even tangoed her way across the stage in Dancing With the Stars a few seasons ago. After winning back-to-back Olympic gold with teammate Kerri Walsh in Athens and Bejing, the duo is hoping for top honors again this Summer in London. While on the Nike campus in Beaverton, OR, I caught up with Misty, where she let me in on a few pregame rituals and what the scene is really like at the Olympic Village.

Misty, 34, is looking forward to competing and isn't letting her nerves get the best of her - the mark of a seasoned athlete. "I know when things are going to get me a little nervous, because nervous to me feels good." Asked about pregame rituals, Misty says she and Kerri make a habit of jumping over the sideline to enter the court together, which is followed by a complicated handshake. She'll also turn to music; to psych up before a match, she listens to anything from hip-hop to Euro. And, of course, the fans: Misty looks "at the stands and gets energy."

Find out what Misty says about the Olympic Village and her pregame meal after the break!

Would You Go to First Base With These Baseball Hotties?

Laura Marie Given — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:00:40 PDT

As baseball season starts up, we're giving you 25 reasons to watch the games - 25 good-looking reasons, that is. Whether you're a die-hard Major League follower or just in it for the Cracker Jacks, these sexy players are sure to turn you into a fan. Click through the slideshow and let us know what you think of each athlete: Is he a Home Run Hottie or a total Strike Out?

David Beckham Keeps His Cool Despite Extra Rowdy Toronto Fans

Allie Merriam — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 08:19:07 PST

David Beckham explored Toronto with his teammates yesterday, and later hit the field at the city's Rogers Center last night as the Galaxy took on the Toronto Football Club at the end of a CONCACAF Champions League game. The crowd was quite rowdy, though, and David wasn't amused at one stunt that went down when he was lining up to take a corner kick. A fan threw a beer can at David, who picked up the offending item and urged sideline security to get involved. He also ended up getting covered in streamers. Speaking about the incidents afterward, David played it cool. He said, "Tonight was a great atmosphere. The majority were here to enjoy the spectacle. It's a shame some people spoiled it. It's disappointing kids see it . . . but it was a great atmosphere." He was perhaps able to be so generous because he and the Galaxy ended up tying the home team 2-2.

Video: Justin Timberlake Proclaims His Love - For Beer!

PopSugar — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:34:00 PDT

Avid sports fan Justin Timberlake has found himself the perfect date - beer! JT attended last night's MLB All-Star Game, where he chatted about his film Friends With Benefits and his favorite beverage. Check out the funny interview!

Moneyball: A Winning Equation

Becky Kirsch — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:37:13 PDT

Making an uplifting sports film is easy. Making an uplifting sports film about a baseball team that doesn't even make it to the World Series? Now that's a challenge. Moneyball tells the true story of Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane, who is determined to build a winning baseball team without paying for one, and in doing so, changes the way his colleagues look at the logistics of the sport. An engaging screenplay, plenty of laughs, and spot-on performances make this a sports film that proves you don't need a Hollywood ending to be a winner.

Brad Pitt steps into Billy Beane's shoes as the GM and is faced with the task of rebuilding his team after three of his best players are traded following a disappointing loss in the 2001 playoffs. As one of the poorest teams in baseball (one player quickly points out that he's never had to pay for soda in the clubhouse before), Billy is consistently frustrated when his efforts to replace his heavy hitters are thwarted or laughed at by other ball clubs. During a meeting with the Cleveland Indians, Billy meets young assistant Peter (Jonah Hill), a baseball fanatic and mathematical whiz kid, who shows Billy a new way of evaluating statistics to earn wins with mediocre players. Billy immediately poaches Peter for his own assistant, and thus begins an uphill battle to achieve the seemingly impossible.

To find out why Moneyball is worth your money, just keep reading.

Watch MLB Games Streaming Free on iOS Devices All April

Kristen Hawley — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:00:48 PDT

In honor of Major League Baseball's opening day (today! Go Giants!), Volvo has unlocked the paywall on streaming live games onto all iOS devices. For the entire month of April, all streaming MLB games will be free to view on MLB.tv.

Of course, to view the streaming content you'll have to be subjected to some Volvo ads, but for baseball fans it seems a small price to pay. It also guarantees a lot of eyes on your ads, which is something that may become more popular as more and more high-profile paywalls are announced.

Sadly, it's not completely free - to access the streaming content you need to pony up for the official MLB At Bat iPhone or iPad app, which is $15. Android users can get in on the action, too - you'll be able to watch one free app per day.

David Beckham's Adorable Cheering Section Gets a Boost From Gordon Ramsay and His Kids

Lauren Turner — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:49:27 PDT

David Beckham suited up for an LA Galaxy match against the San Jose Earthquakes in LA on Saturday. He hit the field with a new teammate, Robbie Keane, who joined the club just last week and scored the first goal of his Major League Soccer career that night. Both players had plenty of support in the stands with Robbie's wife, Claudine, cheering on her man and David's boys rooting for their dad. Gordon Ramsay and his children were also on hand at the game, and the two families hung out again just yesterday. David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay were shirtless during a day of boogie boarding with their kids in Malibu. Gordon's wife, Tana, was also on the beach, and while Victoria skipped out on the fun she was spotted running errands with baby Harper over the weekend.

The Beckham Boys Spend a Training Day Together on the Soccer Field

Lindsay Miller — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 07:19:45 PDT

David Beckham had his sons Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham along yesterday at a practice session for the LA Galaxy. The afternoon of training came before David's big game tonight against his former squad Real Madrid. The match-up will be the latest milestone in David's big month - Victoria Beckham gave birth to her first daughter, Harper Seven, last weekend! The family has been spending time close to home since they welcomed the new arrival, but the boys enjoyed some outings alone while Victoria and the baby bond. They even hosted a celebratory dinner with some of Victoria's visiting family members at LA's Fig & Olive restaurant on Monday. David will have to bid a brief goodbye to his wife and four kids later this month, though, as he heads to New Jersey to play in Major League Soccer's July 27 All-Star game.

The Beckhams Are Coming to America!

PopSugar — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 09:01:26 PST

Last night we went to bed writing about Becks' upcoming big decision. My dreams were answered. The soccer star just signed a 5 year deal with the LA Galaxy so the family is moving to America! It's a super big deal, in fact, the biggest deal in global history. Here's more:

"David has just signed the biggest deal in global sport history with the Galaxy soccer team," a Beckham business insider tells PEOPLE. "It is worth several hundred million dollars over five years. They will move after he finishes this season playing in Madrid."

Beckham has signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy team, which is owned by the Anschutz Entertainment Group. "They are very excited at the challenge. For David this means taking the game on to a new level. This is massive," says the source.

"After discussing several options with my family and my business advisers I have decided to join (the) L.A. Galaxy and play in the MLS (Major League Soccer) from August," Beckham said in a statement released on his behalf.

"They both love Los Angeles. It will be good for their careers, they adore the lifestyle, the weather and it would be brilliant for their boys," a family friend tells PEOPLE.

David supposedly is going to be banking $250 million. Sounds like Posh is going to be doing a lot of shopping. We welcome their family and can't wait to see if David is really going to be able to make the sport as popular here as it is everywhere else. I know I want to see him play when he comes.

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