Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell celebrates a 145-134 overtime win against the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 2, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Donovan Mitchell has offered a surprising explanation for one of the greatest scoring performances of his career: a few drinks on New Year’s Eve.

Mitchell recalled his career-high 71-point game against the Chicago Bulls during a recent appearance on the “Cousins” podcast with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard said he had a few drinks the night before the Jan. 2, 2023, game and believes the unusual routine may have contributed to his historic performance.

“I’ve never drunk before a game in my life. It was New Year’s. So I did have a drink, a few drinks, the night before the game,” Mitchell said. “Never done that in my career. Haven’t done it since.”

Mitchell suggsted the drinks may have helped produce the performance.

“So I tell people like that was probably what, you know, allowed me to have the night I had,” he said.

Funnily enough, Mitchell started a bit slow in that game. At halftime, Cleveland trailed by 20 points, and Mitchell had scored 16 points. He said on the podcast that he was already feeling exhausted and initially set a modest goal for the second half: simply make the game competitive.

Then, he scored 24 points in the third quarter and another 18 in the fourth, including the basket that tied the game with 3 seconds remaining and sent it to overtime. He added 13 points in overtime as Cleveland pulled away for a 145-134 victory.

The 71 points came on 22-of-34 shooting, including seven 3-pointers, while Mitchell also converted 20 of 25 free-throw attempts.

The free throws were an important part of the scoring outburst, Mitchell acknowledged, but the guard also described a stretch in which shots that had been missing for days suddenly started going in.

“Now I’m scoring. Now the shots that I’ve been missing for the past week are starting to fall,” Mitchell said.

The 71-point night remains Mitchell’s career high and one of the defining performances of his NBA career.

(Images: Heineken)

Heineken 0.0 is giving Serena Williams fans a chance to turn old US Open ticket stubs into new memories through a nationwide promotion ahead of this year’s tournament.

The nonalcoholic beer brand announced Monday the launch of Second Serve Tickets, a campaign that invites fans to submit ticket stubs from any Serena Williams US Open match for a chance to win seats in the Heineken Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2026 US Open.

To enter, fans must upload a photo of a past Serena Williams US Open ticket along with a personal story about the memory at heineken.com/secondservetickets. Winners will receive tickets to this year’s tournament as part of Heineken’s ongoing “Fans Have More Friends” campaign.

“Looking back at my career, some of my favorite memories happened on the courts at the US Open,” Williams said in a news release. “Reflecting on those moments this year has reminded me what made those wins truly unforgettable: the energy of the fans cheering me on from the stands.

“That’s why I’m so thrilled to partner with Heineken 0.0 for Second Serve Tickets,” she added. “It’s an incredible concept that celebrates the fans who were right there with me, giving them a place to come together, share their own stories, and build new friendships.”

In addition to the contest, Heineken 0.0 will release limited-edition cans inspired by the ticket designs from Williams’ six US Open championship victories. The collectible cans will be sold exclusively at the 2026 US Open beginning Aug. 24 while supplies last.

“Serena Williams has brought some of the most passionate sports fans together year after year to celebrate greatness, connection and the joy of the game,” Heineken USA CEO Maggie Timoney said. “With the continued demand for non-alcoholic options, we are proud that Heineken 0.0 is at the center of the action offering a premium, no-compromise option to stay refreshed throughout every moment of the US Open.”

According to Heineken, sales of Heineken 0.0 at the US Open have sold out during the tournament over the past two years as demand for nonalcoholic beverages continues to grow.

Heineken 0.0 said that fans who don’t have an old Serena Williams ticket can learn about separate ticket giveaways via the brand’s Instagram feed.

The 2026 US Open begins Aug. 24 in New York.

The Final Four logo is seen on the court prior to the NCAA college basketball tournament national championship game between UConn and Michigan at the Final Four on April 6 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

The NCAA is opening its championship broadcasts to liquor and energy drink advertising to help finance the expansion of the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments.

The governing body lifted its longstanding ban on television commercials for distilled spirits and energy drinks during NCAA championship events effective July 1, USA Today reported Wednesday. The policy change was negotiated alongside the NCAA’s agreement with its broadcast partners to expand both March Madness tournaments from 68 to 76 teams beginning in 2027.

The move gives broadcasters greater flexibility to sell advertising inventory while helping fund an agreement expected to generate an additional $300 million over the next six years.

“The NCAA Division I Board of Directors changed these policies to maximize the revenue the Association returns to member schools as they are investing more and more in student-athletes on their campuses,” NCAA Senior Vice President of Basketball Dan Gavitt told USA Today.

Under the new rules, the NCAA has eliminated its previous alcohol-by-volume restrictions, which had effectively prohibited liquor advertising during championship broadcasts thanks to a a 6%-ABV cap on products that could be advertised. The organization also doubled the amount of alcohol advertising permitted during NCAA championship programming from 60 seconds per hour to 120 seconds per hour.

The policy change applies only to television commercials during NCAA championship events, including March Madness, the College World Series and the Frozen Four. It does not permit on-site signage from liquor or energy drink companies, nor does it make those brands eligible to become official NCAA sponsors, according to the report.

The NCAA also confirmed it quietly tested the policy by allowing energy drink commercials during the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments before permanently adopting the change.

The shift represents a significant reversal for an organization that has long argued liquor and energy drink advertising conflicted with its mission of promoting healthy values among student-athletes.

Ironically, while energy drink companies can now advertise during NCAA championship broadcasts, schools still are prohibited from providing energy drinks to athletes, as caffeine remains on the NCAA’s list of banned stimulants above certain thresholds.

The NCAA said it will continue to prohibit advertising related to sports betting and daily fantasy sports during championship events. Alcohol advertisements also remain subject to content restrictions requiring them to be respectful and free from reckless behavior or excessive sexual imagery.

Erling Haaland of Norway in action during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Norway and England at Miami Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo: Liu Lu/VCG via Associated Press)

Roy Keane reignited his decades-long feud with Alf-Inge Haaland by joking that Erling Haaland’s father was too busy drinking alcohol to accurately remember Norway’s World Cup loss to England.

The Manchester United legend made the remark while discussing England’s 2-1 victory over Norway on the Stick to Football podcast after Alf-Inge Haaland claimed his country had been “robbed” by the officiating.

“Will he remember the game?” Keane said, according to Goal.com. “Because he always seems to be drinking alcohol at the matches, the dad.

“No, he does! If you’re having a drink then you’re seeing the game differently.”

Keane’s comments came after Alf-Inge Haaland criticized the referee following England’s quarterfinal victory, which was powered by two goals from Jude Bellingham.

After the match, Alf-Inge Haaland posted on social media: “Well done Bellingham and referee.”

He later responded to journalist Henry Winter’s analysis of the game, writing: “Saved by the referee. Hope you win the WC now. But feel we got robbed today.”

Norway’s biggest complaint centered on a disallowed goal after Erling Haaland was penalized for pushing an England defender before a corner kick.

While Keane acknowledged England may have received the benefit of a few close decisions throughout the match, he rejected the idea that the decisive call was controversial.

“I think the referee was giving England a lot of calls, 50-50s,” Keane said. “I’m not talking about the major ones. He seemed to be just on the side of England.

“I’m not sitting here going, ‘He’s cost Norway,’ absolutely not.”

Keane added that the foul leading to the disallowed goal was clear-cut.

“Listen, I’ll always be trying to go the other way [against England] a little bit if it’s 50-50, but the push is a push and then he heads it, so there you go.”

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was even more dismissive of Haaland’s complaints, calling Erling Haaland’s challenge “a ridiculous push” and saying the referee made the correct decision. Gary Neville also backed the officials’ ruling.

Keane’s jab added another chapter to one of English soccer’s most famous rivalries.

The Irishman and Alf-Inge Haaland have been at odds since their Premier League playing days. In 2001, Keane was sent off after a studs-up challenge on Haaland during the Manchester derby.

Keane has long maintained the tackle was an act of revenge after believing Haaland mocked him following a knee injury in an earlier meeting between Manchester United and Leeds United.

Although the challenge is often blamed for ending Haaland’s career, it later emerged that the former Leeds United and Manchester City midfielder had longstanding problems with his left knee. Keane’s tackle struck his right knee.

(Image: Heineken)

Scottish soccer fans flooding Boston for the 2026 World Cup are drinking Boston dry, and beverage brands are capitalizing on the issue with marketing pushes that help fans get the alcohol they need. Heineken and White Claw have both in to help keep the celebrations going as local bars continue to face surging demand.

The influx of Scottish supporters — known as the “Tartan Army” — has transformed parts of the city into unofficial fan zones, with packed bars, street celebrations and beer sales running well above typical weekend levels following Scotland’s opening matches.

In response, Heineken launched a “Fan Rescue” effort across Boston, sending branded mobile deliveries directly to Scottish fan gatherings at local bars ahead of a 6 p.m. kickoff against Morocco. The initiative was designed to ensure supporters could continue celebrating without interruption as demand for beer remained elevated across the city.

Heineken said the activation is part of its global “Fans Have More Friends” campaign, which emphasizes shared fandom and spontaneous connections among sports supporters.

“No fans deserve to cheer thirsty,” the company said, framing the effort as a way to support an unexpectedly high-energy fan presence in the city.

White Claw also joined the response, positioning itself as an alternative for fans as some venues reported running low on beer during peak hours. The brand promoted a limited offer giving fans access to complimentary drinks in select areas of the city, supported by digital billboard promotions and social media outreach.

(Image: White Claw)

The coordinated brand activity follows a weekend of heavy demand across Boston’s hospitality sector. Local bars and restaurants reported sales far above normal levels as thousands of Scottish fans arrived for the team’s first World Cup appearance in 28 years, contributing to packed venues and extended operating capacity across multiple neighborhoods.

Boston Beer Company said its flagship Samuel Adams Boston Taproom saw consumption spike to roughly four times a typical four-day holiday weekend, prompting emergency beer restocks. Other establishments reported similar surges as visiting fans turned matchdays into citywide celebrations.

One downtown Boston bar said sales had reached levels typically only seen during major holiday periods, with some venues temporarily selling out of certain beer brands before restocking.

The surge has extended beyond individual locations. Bars across the city received significant additional inventory ahead of Scotland’s matches, though even those increased shipments have struggled to fully match demand at peak times.

Scottish supporters have developed a long-standing reputation for traveling in large numbers and turning international tournaments into extended celebrations, a trend that has been on full display throughout the opening stages of the World Cup in Boston.

With additional group-stage matches still scheduled in the city — including high-profile contests involving England, France and Norway — hospitality operators and beverage brands alike are doubtlessly preparing for continued elevated demand in the days ahead.

People walk by Wrigley Field before a baseball game between the Chicago Cubs and the Athletics, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Chicago. (Photo: AP Photo/David Banks)

The worlds of additive-free tequila and Major League Baseball are colliding this summer in the Windy City.

On Tuesday, Cambio Tequila announced that it has been tapped to create an exclusive bottling for the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Rolling out now at Wrigley Field and participating local retailers, the spirit is hitting shelves at a suggested retail price of $34.99 and is bottled at 80 proof. Beyond that, however, fans will have to discover the details for themselves. The announcement doesn’t specify whether the tequila is a blanco, reposado or añejo, though it does say it’s made using “many of the same exacting practices” as the brand’s flagship offerings.

Cambio is a surprising choice of collaborator for the Chicago Cubs, if only because the brand doesn’t have the A-list corporate backing of competitors like Jose Cuervo or Casamigos.

Launched by Chicago native Chef John des Rosiers in 2024, Cambio belongs to a new generation of tequilas focused on additive-free recipes and old-school production methods. Rosiers carries 25 years of fine-dining experience at acclaimed restaurants like Charlie Trotter’s and Gabriel’s, and set out to create a brand that could live up to high culinary standards.

Cambio is well-loved in niche tequila enthusiast circles, particularly for its Cellar Reserve series. The experimental single barrels play with all sorts of twists rarely seen in the agave spirits space, fan favorites including a blanco aged in white burgundy wine casks and a tequila finished in dual-use rye and gin barrels.

“The way you make tequila matters and Cambio takes this seriously every step of the way,” Rosiers said in a statement.

“We harvest only mature agave piñas which are cut and cooked on the same day. Then we roast, ferment and distill longer and at lower temperatures. Cambio tequilas get the best flavors from our piñas, and we barrel age our Blanco, Reposado and Añejo tequilas in French oak wine barrels for exceptional character and flavor.”

If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to check out our full interview with John des Rosiers.

(Photo: Kevin Ho/Patrón)

New York City has been left reeling from a historic NBA Finals win against the San Antonio Spurs. With a championship parade scheduled to take place within a matter of days, locals are still celebrating with abandon across the streets of the Big Apple — and one particular player got a special bottle fit for the occasion.

Following the Knicks’ 94-90 win on Saturday, Josh Hart was gifted a bespoke decanter of Patrón El Alto bedazzled with a colorful homage to victory. The nearly foot-and-a-half-tall bottle was encrusted with diamonds from top to bottom and featured an image of Hart mid-throw on its front. Engraved along the side, the words “HART OF THE CITY.”

The bottle was spotted in a recent Instagram post, cameoing alongside Hart, Jordan Clarkson and Tyler Kolek in a photo taken at the Flyfish Club in Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

“This has been such an incredible season and I feel so proud to have made it to this championship with this team,” Hart said in a statement. “We worked for this all year, so when it came time to celebrate, I made sure I was doing it right with Patrón. Patrón knows what it’s like to be on a journey of making something great, just like us and that’s what this year has been all about for me.”

(Photo: Olav Stubberud/Patrón)

The moment represents an incredibly lucky splash of marketing foresight for Patrón. The tequila maker first partnered with Hart earlier this year, rolling out an ad spot that — at the time — didn’t benefit from the unrivaled viewership boost of a Knicks championship win. Patrón got its foot in the door early, and the results are already speaking for themselves.

Hennessy Cognac is the official spirit of the NBA, while Maker’s Mark is an official partner of the New York Knicks. Though Maker’s Mark did release a limited-edition bourbon decked out in shades of orange and blue, neither brand has released a post-victory bottle commemorating the occasion. We’d be willing to guess that it’s only a matter of time.

The most widely shared clip showed South Korean fans being stopped from bringing a bottle of tequila into the stadium in Guadalajara. Rather than let the bottle go to waste, they opened it outside the venue and invited nearby Mexican fans to join them. The impromptu celebration quickly spread across social media, with fans from both countries singing, laughing and raising glasses together.

¡JOYA DE HISTORIA ENTRE COREANOS, MEXICANOS Y EL TEQUILA!

A los aficionado ya no les dejaron pasar la botella en el primer filtro rumbo al estadio, entonces optaron por el fondo.

LO MEJOR: Terminaron invitando a los y cantando “Coreano, hermano ya eres mexicano”. pic.twitter.com/YM8FxnBjhG

— ESPN.com.mx (@ESPNmx) June 12, 2026

Other videos showed Mexican supporters chanting “Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano” (“Korean brother, you’re already Mexican”).

Para quem ainda não entendeu o que é a Copa do Mundo: Mexicanos cantando “Irmão Coreano, você já é mexicano” em um bar no México.

pic.twitter.com/DLLX4LVTvS

— DataFut (@DataFutebol) June 11, 2026

In another clip, Mexican fans tossed a South Korean fan high into the air while celebrating victories for both nations on the tournament’s opening day.

TRENDING: Mexican fans were throwing a Korean fan up in the air during the World Cup…

How can you not love the beautiful game pic.twitter.com/vzSV8arej4

— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) June 11, 2026

Later that night, Mexican fans were recorded celebrating and dancing to South Korean artist Psy’s global 2012 hit “Gangnam Style” alongside Korea fans.

Mexicans dancing and singing GANGNAM STYLE with the Koreans in Mexico after South Korea’s World Cup win pic.twitter.com/Of06aDWsTG

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) June 12, 2026

While the scenes appeared spontaneous, the friendship between the two fan bases dates back to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

That year, Mexico advanced to the knockout stage after South Korea stunned defending champion Germany 2-0 in the group stage. The result allowed Mexico to progress despite a heavy loss to Sweden earlier that day. Mexican fans responded by celebrating South Korea’s victory around the world, including outside the South Korean embassy in Mexico City, where the now-famous chant “Coreano, hermano, ya eres mexicano” was born.

The opening day of the 2026 tournament showed that the bond apparently remains strong.

The friendly atmosphere comes as both teams find themselves in a strong position in Group A. Mexico opened its campaign with a 2-0 win over South Africa, while South Korea rallied from behind to defeat Czechia 2-1.

The two nations are scheduled to meet in Guadalajara on June 18 in a match that could go a long way toward determining who advances to the knockout stage.

(Photos: Maker’s Mark)

Celebrity spirit collaborations have a bad reputation, and for the most part, it’s earned. Too often, a famous face slaps their name on a middling product and calls it a day. So when Maker’s Mark announced its limited-edition Private Selection bourbon with Los Angeles Sparks guard Kelsey Plum last month, you’d be forgiven for tempering expectations.

But we tasted Plum’s Maker’s Mark release and are happy to report that it’s not bad, nor average — it’s excellent.

“Yam Jam by Kelsey Plum,” released May 7 at select Los Angeles retailers, is the real deal. Bottled at 111.3 proof (55.65% ABV), it delivers a quality pour.

What separates this release from the celebrity-spirits pack begins with the process. Plum traveled to Star Hill Farm in Kentucky and worked through Maker’s Mark’s Private Selection program, choosing 11 finishing staves to shape the final expression. It’s the same customization program that Maker’s Mark offers its most serious trade and collector partners, and the quality suggests Plum took the selection process seriously.

The stave selection she landed on — a combination of Baked American Pure 2, Seared French Cuvée, Maker’s Mark 46, Roasted French Mendiant, and Toasted French Spice — resulted in a truly delicious bourbon that we can’t get enough of.

How It Tastes

The nose opens with an inviting wave of cocoa powder, cinnamon and vanilla bean — warm, rich and memorable. On the palate, the bourbon has a thick, luxurious viscosity, with big vanilla and caramel at the center surrounded by lighter notes of oak, orange peel, raisins and tiramisu. On the finish, buttercream frosting and oak give way to banana bread, cherries, espresso and cinnamon in a long, satisfying conclusion.

It’s one of those bourbons that goes down easy despite the high proof — one you’d like to sip on all night, but know you’d pay for that decision the next morning, so you muster up the willpower to replace the red wax-dipped cork in the bottle. It may not be the most complex whiskey in the world, but it didn’t leave us wanting anything more; sometimes, it’s nice to just relax with a well-proofed, simple but delicious glass of bourbon.

To find our full tasting notes and to see what score we gave it, click here for our full review.

Bourbon for a Cause

Maker’s Mark also donated the first barrel — yielding about 275 bottles — to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation for charitable auctions and events. In light of the LA fires earlier this year, it’s a worthwhile cause that especially makes sense given Plum’s location and position n th

Should You Buy It?

If you’re in the Los Angeles area and can find it, yes — without hesitation. “Yam Jam” is available now at select LA retailers. If you’re a fan of Plum or the Sparks, this is a no-brainer, but even if you just like bourbon, this is worth picking up.

More broadly, this is a reminder of what Maker’s Mark’s finishing stave program can do in the right hands. It also sets a high bar for what a celebrity bourbon collaboration should look like. Here’s hoping others have a similar interest in quality rather than just making a quick buck.

(Photos: Chivas Regal)

On Wednesday, Scottish whisky brand Chivas Regal announced the release a 16-year-old expression developed in collaboration with Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc as part of the brand’s expanding push into global sports partnerships.

The limited-edition release, available nationwide at a suggested retail price of $69.99, marks Leclerc’s debut signature blend and represents the first time the Scotch brand has released a whisky with a 16-year age statement.

The project centers on the number 16, which has defined Leclerc’s racing career. The blend combines 16 different whiskies, each aged at least 16 years, reflecting a concept the driver helped shape alongside Master Blender Sandy Hyslop.

“16 has always been more than a number to me – it’s something I’ve carried my whole career,” Leclerc said in a news release. “Going to Scotland, seeing the distilleries, understanding the obsession behind every cask inspired me to create my own blend. Chivas Regal and I share the same belief that the standard you set today is just the starting point. I pushed Sandy to go further. He pushed me to think differently. Chivas Regal 16 felt like the natural next step in our partnership, creating something truly extraordinary together.”

According to the company, the whisky was developed through a hands-on process, with Leclerc actively involved in tasting, selection, and final blend decisions rather than serving in a traditional ambassador role.

Chivas Regal says that during development, Leclerc, a global ambassador for the brand, identified sherry cask-matured Longmorn single malt as a key component, influencing the whisky’s overall profile. The resulting blend emphasizes layered fruit and spice characteristics, with citrus, dried fruit, and baking spice notes carrying through to a long, textured finish.

The release was accompanied by the following video spot:

The release was unveiled Wednesday in Miami ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix, aligning with Chivas Regal’s ongoing partnership with the Scuderia Ferrari team.

The launch underscores the brand’s strategy of linking product innovation with global sports audiences, particularly through high-profile ambassador collaborations.

The 16-year-old expression expands Chivas Regal’s core range, which includes established age statements such as 12, 18, and 25 years. Internally, the release has been positioned as a step forward in both innovation and storytelling, built around a “challenge-driven” development approach.

The whisky is now available nationwide.