G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: "I'm already the greatest athlete ever in this country, and there's a lot more to come from me still."

- Anthony Mundine stays true to form after destroying Sam Soliman

In today's edition of Sport Journal (Lite):

🂠 $900k sports card sale

⚽️ A-League previews

🇦🇺 Origin stars ventured into the firezone

🌊 Pro surfer Kelly Slater plans to build the world's largest artificial wave in the California desert.

🇦🇺 AFL

When Origin stars ventured into the firezone, they weren’t expecting what they found

The appeal of Origin’s return has the AFL world pumped, but the greater cause and purpose bring much-needed perspective. Now some of the game’s stars take you inside fire-devastated regions.

Callum Mills had pestered his club coach – and coach of the All-Stars – John Longmire for a spot in the team.

It wasn’t until the 2016 Rising Star entered the ashen landscapes south of Sydney that the enormity of the bushfires, and indeed the bushfire match, became clear.

“I remember driving down and it was, not creepy, but the place felt hollow,” Mills told foxfooty.com.au.

“There weren’t many people around. All the trees were darkened. It just looked gloomy.”

Like the rest of the country, Mills had watched the bushfires rage on television. They were wild, ferocious and deafening.

But what he and his teammates saw was quite the opposite. The land was desolate, quiet, still.

That was until the band of Swans arrived in the affected towns and spoke to the people whose lives had been turned upside down. (Continue reading)

⚽️ Football

Every remaining side's chances of winning the UEFA Champions League this season

Every side has played the first leg of their last-16 tie. Some already have one foot in the quarter-finals, some are already staring at elimination, while other ties are finely balanced.

So, who is going to win the competition?

Well, the data guys at FiveThirtyEight have it all worked out.

A-League Previews

Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory: Newcastle Jets' improved form since Carl Robinson’s appointment will be put to the ultimate test when they host in-form Perth Glory on Saturday afternoon.

Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United: Melbourne Victory will see their slim Hyundai A-League Finals Series hopes all but evaporate if they can’t be old enemy Adelaide United on Saturday night.

Western United FC v Central Coast Mariners: Something’s got to give as two of the Hyundai A-League’s most out-of-sorts sides do battle on Sunday as Western United FC take on Central Coast Mariners.

Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar: Brisbane Roar have the chance to close within one point of Melbourne City when the two sides clash at AAMI Park on Sunday evening.

🏉 NRL

NRL invests $10m into grassroots after posting second straight bumper surplus

A second straight surplus over $30 million has allowed the NRL to make a direct $10m investment into grassroots football, with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg saying a strong stance on player behaviour league-wide protected its revenue.

Initiatives like Magic Round, State of Origin in Perth and strong commercial growth led to a significant increase in non broadcast revenue for the game.

The surplus allowed for an increase in distributions to club and state members as well as the grassroots investment.

The NRL's net assets, which are largely still held as cash, have grown to $117.m, more than doubling over the past 24 months from $51.1m in the 2017 report and up from just $19.4m in 2012.

"We grew the revenue base of the game by just past $23 million. It's an outstanding result for us in 2019," said NRL CEO Todd Greenberg. (NRL)

‘We must think big’: NRL pondering overseas Origin move to boost TV rights deal

The NRL is considering taking a State of Origin match overseas in order to extract more money from the next TV rights broadcast deal. (Fox)

🇺🇸 USA

LeBron James, Michael Jordan Rare Card Sells for Record US$900K in Private Sale

Goldin Auctions' Ken Goldin sold a rare basketball card featuring an NBA logo patch from Michael Jordan's and LeBron James' game-worn jerseys in a private sale for $900,000, according to TMZ Sports.

The 2003-04 Upper Deck "Exquisite Collection" card is the only one like it in existence, and it is now the most expensive basketball card in history. Before this sale, the record belonged to a 1969-70 Topps Lew Alcindor sold for approximately $500,000 in 2016.

David Beckham hopes MLS can challenge European leagues in next 10 years

Key Points:

• Beckham: MLS should not be where Europeans go to retire

• Former England captain’s Inter Miami prepare for first match

• Miami and Nashville join MLS as league kicks off 25th season

(the guardian)

The majority of MLS teams lose money

Pro 'soccer' is gaining in popularity among US viewers (soccer is the 2nd most popular spectator sport among Americans 18-34 after US football), but the MLS has struggled to negotiate lucrative broadcast contracts.

But despite booming popularity, the broadcasting biz is backwards

Last season, average per-game attendance in MLS was 21.3k, while average attendance at NBA games was just 17.9k.

But the MLS broadcast deal with ESPN, Fox, and Univision (which doesn’t expire until 2022) brings in just $90m annually, while the NBA’s broadcast deal (which extends through 2025) guarantees the league $2.6B in annual revenue. (TheHustle)

We'll be back on Monday!

📺 Live sport

Friday

🤼‍♂️ 05:00 (TBC) - WWE Super Show-Down (Main Event)

🏌🏻‍♂️ 06:00 - The Honda Classic, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🎯 06:00 - Premier League Darts, Round 4 (Fox Sports More)

🏉 06:45 - Super League - Hull Kingston Rovers v Castleford Tigers (Fox League)

🎾 10:00 - ATP Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Quarter-Finals, Day 4 (ESPN 2)

🎾 10:00 - WTA Abierto Mexicano, Quarter-Finals, Day 4 (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 11:30 - Sudamericana - Fortaleza v Independiente (BeIN Sports 1)

🏀 12:00 - NBA - Indiana Pacers v Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN 1)

🏀 14:30 - NBA - Golden State Warriors v Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN 1)

🏏 15:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - South Africa v Thailand (Fox Cricket)

⛵️ 15:30 - Sail GP Sydney, Day 1 (Fox Sports More)

🏅 17:00 - Bowls Premier League, Night 4 (Fox Sports)

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby - Highlanders v Rebels (Fox Sports More)

🏌🏻‍♂️ 17:30 - European Tour, Oman Open, Round 2, Part 1 (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 17:40 - AFLW - Collingwood Women v Melbourne Demons Women (Fox Footy)

🐴 18:40 (TBC)- Harness Racing, Fillies, 2,700m (Sky Racing 2)

🏏 19:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - England v Pakistan (Fox Cricket)

🏉 19:15 - Super Rugby - Waratahs v Lions (Fox Sports More)

🇦🇺 19:40 - Australian Rules, Marsh Community Series - West Coast Eagles v Essendon Bombers (Fox Footy)

🇦🇺 19:50 - Australian Rules, AFLState of Origin for Bushfire Relief (Fox Footy)

⚽️ 20:00 - A-League - Sydney FC v Western Sydney Wanderers (Fox Sports)

🏀 21:30 - NBL Semi-Final Series - Perth Wildcats v Cairns Taipans (ESPN 1)

🏌🏻‍♂️21:30 - European Tour, Oman Open, Round 2, Part 2 (Fox Sports)

🐴 22:17 (TBC) - Harness Racing, Sales Classic, C&G, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 23:17 (TBC) - Harness Racing, Sales Classic, Fillies, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

Saturday

🏌🏻‍♂️ 06:00 - PGA TourThe Honda Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏉 06:45 - English P'ship - Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks (Fox Sports More)

🏉 06:45 - Super League - Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves (Fox League)

⚽️ 07:00 - Premier League - Norwich City v Leicester City (Optus Sport 1)

🏏 09:30 - Test Match - New Zealand v India (Fox Sports)

🏌🏻‍♂️ 10:30 - PGA Tour Champions, Cologuard Classic, Round 1 (Fox Sports More)

🏏 11:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - New Zealand v Bangladesh (Fox Cricket)

🏀11:00 - NBA - Orlando Magic v Minnesota Timberwolves (SBS Viceland)

🎾 11:00 - ATP Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Semi-Final 1 (ESPN 2)

🏀 12:00 - NBA - Milwaukee Bucks v Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN 1)

🏍 12:15 - SBK Australia, World SBK, Superpole 1, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🏍 12:55 - AustraliaWorld, SSP, Superpole 1, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🐴 13:55 (TBC) - Horse RacingGroup 2Skyline Stakes, 1,200m - SW, 2YO C&GSky Racing 1

🐴 14:30 (TBC) - Horse RacingGroup 2Sweet Embrace Stakes, 1,200m - SW, 2YO FilliesSky Racing 1

🏀 14:30 - BasketballNBA Regular SeasonLos Angeles Clippers v Denver NuggetsESPN 1

🏉 14:45 - Rugby UnionSuper Rugby Regular SeasonHurricanes v SunwolvesFox Sports More

🏏 15:00 - CricketWomen's T20 World Cup First RoundIndia v Sri LankaFox Cricket

🎾 15:00 - TennisATP World Tour 500ATP Abierto Mexicano Telcel, Semi-Final 2, Day 5ESPN 2

🏍15:00 - MotorsportWorldSBK AustraliaWorldSBK Australia Race 1, Round 1Fox Sports

🇦🇺 15:10 - AFLW - Richmond Tigers Women v Geelong Cats Women (Fox Sports)

🐴15:40 (TBC) Group 1Chipping Norton Stakes (Sky Racing 1)

🏉 16:00 - Trial Match - Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels (Fox League)

🇦🇺 16:10 - Marsh Community Series - GWS Giants v Sydney Swans (Fox Footy)

🐴 16:20 (TBC) Group 1Surround Stakes (Sky Racing 1)

⛵️ 16:30 - Sail GP Sydney, Day 2 (Fox Sports More)

🐴 16:40 (TBC) Group 1, Australian Guineas (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

⚽️17:00 - A-League - Newcastle Jets v Perth Glory (ABC or Fox Sports)

⚽️ 17:00 - W-League - Melbourne Victory Women v Sydney FC Women (Fox Sports)

🏉 19:00 - Charity Shield - St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League)

🇦🇺 19:10 - AFLW - West Coast Eagles Women v Western Bulldogs Women (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 19:10 - Marsh Community Series - Fremantle Dockers v Carlton Blues (Fox Footy)

🏉 19:15 - Super Rugby - Reds v Sharks (Fox Sports More)

🐴 19:18 (TBC) - Harness Racing, 3YO NSW Oaks Final, Fillies (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 19:20 (TBC) - Harness Racing, Open Pacers, Allied Express Sprint Open (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Melbourne Victory v Adelaide United (Fox Sports)

🏀 19:30 - NBL - Semi-Final Series, Sydney Kings v Melbourne United (ESPN 1)

🐴 19:48 (TBC) - Harness Racing, Open Pacers, Ladyship Mile (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 19:52 (TBC) - Harness Racing, Open Pacers, Canadian Club Sprint (Sky Racing 1)

🏅 20:38 (TBC) - Greyhounds, Group 1, Super Stayers, 725m (Sky Racing 1)

🏌🏻‍♂️ 21:00 - European Tour, Oman Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏅21:43 (TBC) - Greyhounds, Group 1, Australian Cup, 525m (Sky Racing 1)

🏏 22:00 - ODI SeriesSouth Africa v Australia (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 23:30 - EPL - Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace (Optus Sport 1)

Sunday

🏏 09:30 - Test Match - New Zealand v India (Fox Cricket)

🏌🏻‍♂️ 10:00 - PGA Tour Champions, Cologuard Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

👊🏻 10:00 - UFC Fight Night, Prelims (ESPN 2)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Miami Heat v Brooklyn Nets (SBS Viceland)

👊🏻 12:00 - UFC Fight Night - Joseph Benavidez v Deiveson Figueiredo (ESPN 2)

🏉 12:00 - League Trial Match - Warriors v Wests Tigers (Fox League)

🏍 12:00 - World SBK Australia, Superpole Race, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🏀 12:30 - NBA - Boston Celtics v Houston Rockets (ESPN 1)

🏑 13:00 - HockeyMen's Pro League - New Zealand v Argentina (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 13:10 - AFLW - Adelaide Crows Women v Carlton Blues Women (Fox Footy)

🏍13:15 - World SSP, Australia Race, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

13:30 - Test Match - New Zealand v India (Fox Sports More)

15:00 - Women's T20 World - South Africa v Pakistan (Fox Cricket)

🏍 15:00 - World SBK, Australia Race 2, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 15:10 - AFLW - St Kilda Saints Women v Fremantle Dockers Women (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 16:00 - A-League - Western United FC v Central Coast Mariners (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 16:00 - W-League - Melbourne City Women v Brisbane Roar Women (ABC or Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 16:10 - Australian Rules, Marsh Community Series - Richmond Tigers v Collingwood Magpies (Fox Footy)

🏀 17:00 - NBL Semi-Final Series - Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats (ESPN 1)

🇦🇺 17:10 - AFLW - Brisbane Lions Women v GWS Giants Women (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 18:30 - A-League - Melbourne City v Brisbane Roar (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:00 - Women's T20 World Cup - England v West Indies (Fox Cricket)

🏌🏻‍♂️ 19:00 - European Tour, Oman Open, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:30 - ODI Series - Sri Lanka v West Indies (Fox Sports More)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 21:00 - World Track Championships, Day 5, Part 1 (Fox Sports)

🏏 22:00 - ODI Series - Sri Lanka v West Indies (Fox Cricket)