Disney attorneys want to question former administrator in lawsuit with DeSantis appointees
Disney attorneys want to question a previous administrator of the Walt Disney World governing district as part of its defense against a lawsuit brought by a board made up of appointees of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Disney World workers criticize DeSantis appointees' decision to eliminate free passes
Employees of Walt Disney World’s governing district are criticizing new board members appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis for a decision to eliminate free passes and discounts to the theme park resort for 400 of its district workers.
Judge refuses to dismiss lawsuit against Disney’s efforts to neutralize governing district takeover
A judge in Florida has refused to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Gov. Ron DeSantis appointees against Disney’s efforts to neutralize a takeover of Disney World’s governing district by the Florida governor.
DeSantis proposes Disney trial schedule that puts start date in 2025, after elections
Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis have asked that a trial involving Disney be postponed until the middle of 2025, well after the GOP presidential nomination race wraps up and voters have picked a winner in the November 2024 general election.
Disney-DeSantis war of words heats up at annual meeting
Disney CEO Bob Iger on Monday said any retaliatory actions by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature against the company that threaten jobs or expansion at its Florida resort is not only “anti-business but anti-Florida.”
Disney World board picked by DeSantis hints future actions
Five board members appointed by DeSantis on Wednesday hinted at future controversial actions they may take, including prohibiting COVID-19 restrictions at Disney World and eliminating two cities that were created when the Florida Legislature in 1967 approved the theme park resort’s self-governance.
DeSantis’ new Disney World board hints at future controversy
The first meeting of the new board of Walt Disney World’s government — overhauled by sweeping legislation signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as an apparent punishment for Disney publicly challenging Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill — dealt with the rote affairs any other municipal government handles.
Disney World unions vote down offer covering 45,000 workers
Union members voted down a contract proposal covering tens of thousands of Walt Disney World service workers, saying it didn’t go far enough toward helping employees face cost-of-living hikes in housing and other expenses in central Florida.
Memo: Disney pauses COVID-19 vaccine mandate in Florida
Disney has paused its policy requiring Florida-based employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine following new laws passed by the state’s legislature last week that limit employers’ power to require vaccinations, according to a memo sent to employees.
Where’d summer go? Halloween begins Tuesday at Walt Disney World
Halloween has officially commenced at Magic Kingdom inside of Walt Disney World in Orlando, despite the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases across the state. Spooky, colorful, and haunted decor will be unveiled on Tuesday to mark the start of the fall season.
Disney 1Q profit falls but beats expectations due to Disney+
FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2019, file photo, guests watch a show near a statue of Walt Disney and Micky Mouse in front of the Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. But the results Thursday surpassed Wall Street's expectations thanks to subscribers flocking to Disney+ and other of the entertainment giant's streaming services. Disney+ subscribers totaled 94.9 million at the end of the quarter, more than double the subscriber base a year ago, when the service had been operating for only about two months. For Disney's fiscal first quarter, net income totaled $17 million, or 1 cent per share, compared with $2.1 billion or $1.16 cents per share a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, net income totaled 32 cents per share, compared with $1.53 per share in the prior-year quarter.
Jessica Korda rallies to beat Kang in playoff at LPGA opener
It was the sixth LPGA victory for the 27-year-old Korda, her last one coming nearly three years ago. “I knew I was going to have to go low today,” said Jessica Korda. Saturday, Jessica Korda became the sixth player in LPGA history to shoot 60 or better with her sparkling 11-under 60. Jessica Korda had owned the back nine all week (she would play it in 21-under par despite her three closing bogeys Friday). Kang, also seeking her sixth LPGA victory, had spoken all week about not being able to prepare for the event as she normally would.
Jimmy Butler: ‘I’m ready to hoop’ and ‘our goal is to win it all’
I’m ready to hoop. When I’m out there in practice I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m ready to go. I think our goal is to win it all. As for KZ Okpala, Butler said, “I think like everybody else the whole thing is understanding and feeling like you belong.
Antetokounmpo says he wanted to repay Milwaukee's loyalty
So the reigning two-time MVP decided to show his loyalty to the place where he’s spent his entire NBA career. “It’s the place I want to be,” Antetokounmpo said Wednesday, one day after signing a supermax extension with the Bucks. “I know he’s dancing right now,” Antetokounmpo said. “It’s tough because at the end of the day, nowhere you go, nowhere you are is a guarantee to win a championship,” Antetokounmpo said. “Being able to give back to this city and this organization means a lot,” Antetokounmpo said.
Jimmy Butler excited to ‘go through’ Giannis & Bucks
FILE - Miami Heat's Goran Dragic, bottom left, Jae Crowder, top left, and Jimmy Butler (22) defend as Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during the first half of an NBA basketball conference semifinal playoff game inin Lake Buena Vista, Fla., in this Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, file photo. Theyre hoping an offseason overhaul of their roster will help them earn the title that has eluded this franchise since 1971 and make sure two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo stays in Milwaukee for years to come. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)MIAMI – Jimmy Butler is ready for the challenge. The Milwaukee Bucks signed Giannis Antetokounmpo to a $228M supermax extension on Tuesday. Bucks matchup.”The two teams did meet inside the NBA Bubble with the Heat beating the Bucks in 5 games.
The Latest: Washington-Oregon football game canceled
___Utah State’s men’s basketball team is pausing full team activities and has canceled its game against Weber State on Saturday due to positive COVID-19 tests within the program. Texas (6-3, 5-3) returned three positive tests after blowing out Kansas State last week, prompting school officials to shut down practice. ___Citing a surge of positive COVID-19 cases and contact tracing in the football program, West Virginia has paused all football activities for the next seven days and will not host No. ___South Carolina has called off its men’s basketball game at George Washington on Monday because of a positive COVID-19 test. ___Georgia has canceled its women’s basketball game against Radford because of a positive COVID-19 test within the Highlanders’ program.
NBA coaches attire: Masks are in, jackets are optional
FILE - In this Aug. 2, 2020, file photo, San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich reacts during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. Suit jackets or sport coats will not be required but coaches wont be able to wear the short-sleeved shirts that most donned for games in the bubble, either. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File)MIAMI – For NBA coaches, masks are required this season. “That’s why I continued to wear masks during the playoffs, during the finals, even when we were not required to wear them during our media sessions,” Spoelstra told The Associated Press. The league, with limited exceptions, also will require coaches to wear masks “at all times” inside their team facility, while traveling and during practices.
NBA players approve plan to start season on Dec. 22
FILE - In this July 29, 2020, file photo, a security guard wearing a face mask stands near a basketball arena inside thre NBA bubble at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The NBA draft is scheduled for Nov. 18 and the plan presented to players — and now approved by the team reps — calls for training camps to begin on Dec. 1. The NBA wanted the Dec. 22 start date over a mid-January notion for many reasons, revenue being foremost among them. The Dec. 22 start also means that the NBA's traditional Christmas schedule of games will be possible, something the league and its broadcast partners wanted. The season is also expected to conclude before the start of next summer's Tokyo Olympics, meaning NBA player participation in those games remains possible.
The NBA offseason begins, with 1 major question: Now what?
From China to Disney, this was an NBA season like none other — and quite probably like none ever again. The NBA offseason has officially started, the bubble at Walt Disney World is closed and the Lakers have their 17th championship. But while a difficult season is over, the difficulties the league and players face are not. The players fight against racial inequality and their quest for social justice, which were top priorities of this NBA restart, continue. And while nobody knows when the next NBA game is, the Lakers’ LeBron James began looking forward during the trophy ceremony celebrating his fourth title.
Finals notebook: Around the world, fans are watching
They’re huge LeBron James fans there as well, as evidenced by where the clicks are coming from. When James turned 35 this past December, the NBA did a video of the top 35 plays of his career. That’s the first time since 2014 that there were no sweeps in the conference semifinals, conference finals or NBA Finals. JAMES’ NUMBERSLeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 5 of the NBA Finals just 25 points away from matching Karl Malone for No. GAME 5 REFSMarc Davis, Kane Fitzgerald and Eric Lewis got the officiating assignment for Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
A moment of rest finally arrives at the NBA Finals
Like it or not, the NBA Finals are on hiatus until Friday — the first two-day break in this series between the Lakers and Miami Heat. When Game 5 happens, the Lakers will enter with a 3-1 series lead and on the brink of their 17th NBA championship. “For me, I mean, at this point in the season, I don’t care about rest,” James said. James’ teams — two in Miami, one in Cleveland — are 3-0 in finals games when they stand a win away from a championship. “I know Spo going into Game 5,” James said.
Lakers top Heat 102-96, take 3-1 lead in NBA Finals
James and the Lakers are back in control of these NBA Finals, one win away from the franchise's 17th championship. James finished with 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists, Anthony Davis' 3-pointer with 39.5 seconds left finally settled matters and the Lakers beat the Miami Heat 102-96 in Game 4. The Lakers lead 3-1 and can win the title when the series resumes Friday. 3-1 LEADSThis is the 36th time that a team has held a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals. It was just the third time in the last 26 NBA Finals games that neither team reached 50 points in the first 24 minutes.
Heat drop Game 4 to Lakers 102-96, now on brink of elimination
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Miami Heat came up short in Game 4 of the NBA Finals and now must win three straight games to claim the franchise’s fourth championship. The Heat fell 102-96 to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, falling behind 3-1 in the best-of-7 NBA Finals. LeBron James led all scorers with 28 points, adding 12 rebounds and eight assists and a steal. Jimmy Butler had another solid game for the Heat, nearly picking up his second straight triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Game 5 will be Friday night at 9pm on Local 10.
Heat rule Dragic, Adebayo out of Game 3 of NBA Finals
Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo, watches play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of Game 2 of basketball's NBA Finals, Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic have been ruled out of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, meaning the Miami Heat will be depleted once again Sunday night. Adebayo was ruled out with a neck injury. Both were injured in Game 1, and neither played in Miami's Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The decision on Adebayo and Dragic was made about two hours before game time. Both arrived at the arena with their teammates, and Adebayo has been lobbying the team with hopes of letting him play.
Comforts of NBA bubble not lost on Lakers' Danny Green
That’s just fine with Los Angeles Lakers guard Danny Green. Sunday would be his 257th career postseason appearance, two shy of matching Derek Fisher for the most in NBA history. He entered Game 3 of the NBA Finals seven free-throw attempts shy of matching Shaquille O’Neal (2,317) for another postseason record. It’s the 20th NBA Finals game for Foster, the 10th for Brothers and the first for Fraher. It’ll be the eighth finals game for Zarba, the fifth for Goble and the first for Brown.
Short-handed Heat fight hard, but not good enough in Game 2
Their defense just wasn't good enough and their veteran forward let them know it during a timeout in the third quarter. He wanted to play, but the Heat decided he needed to rest injuries to his left shoulder and neck. Butler insisted the Heat needed to find a way to win anyway, and he took his best shot. Tyler Herro, a 20-year-old rookie, became the youngest player to start an NBA Finals game and scored 17 points. Guard Kendrick Nunn, at 6-foot-2, blocked a shot by Davis, who stands 8 inches taller, in the fourth quarter.
Heat rule Adebayo, Dragic out for Game 2 of NBA Finals
Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (23), left, takes the ball as Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo (13) winces during Game 1 of basketball's NBA Finals Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Adebayo had to leave the game with a left shoulder strain. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic were both ruled out of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Friday with injury, leaving the Miami Heat down two starters for their matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. Adebayo is dealing with issues with his left shoulder and the left side of his neck. Dragic tore his left plantar fascia in Game 1. There has been no final determination for the availability of Adebayo and Dragic for Game 3 of the series on Sunday night.
Adebayo, Dragic leave with injuries as Heat routed in Game 1
Bam Adebayo (left shoulder strain) and Goran Dragic (left foot) departed with injuries and Jimmy Butler played through one in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. In case things weren't bad enough by then, Butler appeared to be hobbling again after going back into the game in the fourth quarter. Dragic averaged 22.8 points to lead the Heat in their first-round sweep of Indiana in the first round. 5 Heat to the finals as the lowest-seeded team since that year, when the Spurs beat the No. The Heat then jumped on LeBron James and the Lakers with a quick 13-0 run — all but three points coming from Adebayo, Butler and Dragic — to open a 23-10 lead.
Lakers make bold opening statement, dominating Heat 116-98 in Game 1 of NBA Finals
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – The Miami Heat got off to a quick start against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday. Miami jumped out to a 25-12 first quarter lead before the Lakers took the game completely over, taking a 17-point advantage by halftime en route to a 116-98 victory. Anthony Davis led all players with 34 points, including a perfect 10-for-10 on free throws, adding nine rebounds, five assists and three blocks. LeBron James nearly came away with a triple double, finishing with 25 points, 13 boards and nine assists. The Heat will hope to regroup ahead of Game 2, which will be on Friday at 9 p.m. on Local 10.
Silver: NBA still hoping to open next season in arenas
“It's certainly our goal," Silver said, referring to playing in arenas. “I don't have expectations of labor issues ... there's no doubt there are issues on the table that have to be negotiated," Silver said. “I think while no doubt there will be issues and difficult negotiations ahead, I think we'll work them out as we always have." Her hope is that the NBA and NBPA figure out a deal in November, which would allow for next season to begin sometime in early 2021. Now, having said that, the players want to make sure we can save our season again.”___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports