The Knicks’ postseason hopes may have suffered a significant blow with Kristaps Porzingis tearing his ACL, but don’t expect James Dolan’s pockets to take much of a hit. For the first time ever, all 30 NBA teams are worth at least $1 billion, Forbes revealed Wednesday. The average team is now worth a record $1.65 billion, 22% more than last year, according to Forbes. The Knicks once again lead the pack, with the team worth a record $3.6 billion. Despite the Knicks likely headed for a fifth straight losing season, the team has increased 9% in value from last season. Reality sinking in for Knicks as life without Porzingis begins The Knicks brought in $426 million in revenue this past year. The Nets rank 6th in the NBA at $2.3 billion, up 28% over the last year. The significant increase in value comes on the heels of majority owner Mikhail Prokhorov selling a 49% stake in the team to Joseph Tsai, co-founder of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, for $1.2 billion in … [Read more...] about Every NBA team worth $1 billion for first time in history
First time
Waterston returns to ‘Law & Order’ for the first time since 2010 in ‘SVU’
While reviewing the latest season of Netflix’s Grace and Frankie to prep for this interview with Sam Waterston, we noticed that the actress playing the marriage counselor to Waterston’s character is played by Lorraine Toussaint, a veteran guest star from the early seasons of … (dun dun)Law & Order.“I guess Law & Order is connected to everything,” we said aloud.“And everything is connected to Law & Order,” confirms Waterston, who returns as District Attorney Jack McCoy Wednesday on L&O spinoff Special Victims Unit (9 ET/PT) for the first time since the original series ended in 2010. He’s back to deliver the eulogy for Ben Stone (Michael Moriarty), the first prosecutor on Dick Wolf’s long-running New York crime procedural. More: Sam Waterston set to appear on 'L&O: SVU'“I literally got chills when Sam walked onto the set,” Michael Chernuchin, a longtime writer on the original series … [Read more...] about Waterston returns to ‘Law & Order’ for the first time since 2010 in ‘SVU’
Fact check: President Trump’s claim that ‘wages are now, for the first time in many years, rising’
"Something that I've been talking about for two years - campaigning, and everyone said, 'You'll never do it' - after years of wage stagnation, wages - so what happened two days ago and a month ago - wages are now, for the first time in many years, rising. In fact, more companies are pursuing pay increases right now than at any time in the last long period of time - they actually say, 'in the 21st century.' Can you imagine that? It's amazing what people with some good ideas can do. It's amazing what we've all done together."- President Trump, remarks during a speech in Cincinnati, Feb. 5, 2018 --- According to The Fact Checker's database of Trumpian claims, the president in his first year eight times falsely suggested that wages were finally rising because of his policies. He also made a similar claim in the State of the Union address. After his statement in Cincinnati, several readers suggested it was time for a substantive fact check, with a Pinocchio rating, rather than simply … [Read more...] about Fact check: President Trump’s claim that ‘wages are now, for the first time in many years, rising’
To celebrate Signing Day, athlete’s 7-year-old friend walks for the first time
When tears filled high school athlete Chasten Whitfield's eyes during her Signing Day ceremony, it wasn't because she had decided on a college. The happy crying came as a result of the athletic accomplishments of someone else. As a surprise, her seven-year-old friend Easton Gonzalez showed up to Manatee High to walk for the first time. Gonzalez, who was born with spina bifida, shows Whitfield how he can now use a walker to get around. Their friendship began two years ago when Whitfield taught him how to fish. Lena Blietz: 817-390-7571; @lenablietz … [Read more...] about To celebrate Signing Day, athlete’s 7-year-old friend walks for the first time
Egypt opens border with Gaza temporarily, first time in 2018
EL-ARISH, Egypt (AP) — Egyptian officials say the country has opened its border with the Gaza Strip for the first time this year. The two officials said Wednesday the Rafah crossing point would operate for three days on a humanitarian basis. Both spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to brief the media. The Palestinian embassy in Cairo confirmed the opening of Gaza's main gateway to the outside world. Thousands of Gaza residents are on travel lists — most of them medical patients, students and holders of residency permits of other countries. Only a few thousand will make it out in the time allotted. The announcement comes amid warnings of a health-care crisis in Gaza, home to 2 million people. Egypt has kept Rafah mostly closed since Hamas took over the territory in 2007. … [Read more...] about Egypt opens border with Gaza temporarily, first time in 2018