Monday Evening Notes for the UK Fans of the Day

Today was a Monday. Not just your regular Monday. The kind of Monday where things are moving slow. Almost too slow. That’s what happens when you reach the summer, but folks, we’re here to provide UK news in the most ridiculous manner possible and I’ll be damned if we don’t deliver.

However, since we’re a little light on UK news, allow me to dip my toe into various bits of news from around the sports world.

Why do prospects get measured barefoot at the NBA Combine?

One of the first items on the agenda at the NBA Combine in Chicago is official measurements. I think we all understand that there is a need to get official, verified measurements of future multi-millionaires. What I will never understand is why they measure these players barefoot.

Ace Bailey was listed as 6-foot-10 at Rutgers. Today, he was measured at 6-foot-7.5, raising eyebrows of ball-watchers. There will always be a discrepancy between a school’s measurement to a barefoot measurement because players wear shoes when they play basketball. Yes, 2.5 inches is quite a bit, but this practice is silly.

Michael Jordan is Back

Michael Jordan made NBC millions by delivering unprecedented ratings in the 90s. Now he’s returning the favor to the Peacock. The network announced that Jordan will be a part of their coverage when the NBA returns to NBC next year.

Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle will provide play-by-play alongside Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford. Carmelo Anthony will serve as a studio analyst, while MJ will serve as a “special contributor.” What exactly does a special contributor do? Your guess is as good as mine. Jordan is notoriously private, rarely speaking publicly about basketball. Seeing him on TV regularly will be enlightening, even if it happens irregularly.

Pimlico is Not Exactly Preakness Ready

The 150th running of the Preakness Stakes is this Saturday at Pimlico. The old racetrack is receiving its first major upgrade in decades following the conclusion of Saturday’s race. Much of the racetrack will be torn down, paving the way for $500 million in renovations. Construction will move next year’s Preakness to Laurel Park.

The grandstand has been condemned, but there shouldn’t be an issue with the starting gates. They had plenty of trouble with them in the opening days of the brief meet.

On Friday, a no-contest was declared after the gate to the 7-post opened before the others. One day later, they had troubles again, with the 7-post unlocking, followed by No. 6 and No. 8, then the rest of the gates, leading to another no-contest.

That sort of technical malfunction happens once in a blue moon, not twice on consecutive days. Horse racing can’t afford for that error to show up on one of the biggest race days of the year. If it does, at least there’s plenty of beer in the infield.

it’s officially preakness week!!!@PreaknessStakes 150 🌼 pic.twitter.com/UdRjPQAbPO

— Shoe Eats Turf for Breakfast (@barshoelife) May 12, 2025

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