Latest news with #Blankenship
Los Angeles Times
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Los Angeles Times
Verge Motorcycles' U.S. Rollout Includes Century City Location
European technology company Verge Motorcycles' first U.S. store opened at Westfield Century City Shopping Center on June 1. Verge's second store opened at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in San Jose on June 6. Verge Motorcycles' international retail strategy is being driven by retail technology visionary George Blankenship, who was instrumental in developing Apple and Tesla's highly successful, ground-breaking showrooms. 'I see the same potential in Verge as I did at Apple two decades ago and Tesla one decade ago when those companies set out to completely redefine their industries,' said Blankenship, who now serves as Verge's chief revenue officer. 'I want Verge to be positioned wherever lots of people are spending time on a regular basis finding new things they might be surprised to see. Westfield Century City is one of the best shopping centers in the world, making it a perfect place for us to start our store operations in the United States.' Verge Motorcycles sees the West Coast as having all the right conditions to successfully launch its U.S. business. Motorcycling is popular in the region, and California also has the most extensive electric vehicle charging network in the country. In June of last year, Verge confirmed its plan to utilize Tesla's NACS charging connector, which means all bikes from day one will be able to utilize the expansive Tesla Supercharger network. 'The United States is already seen as one of our most important markets,' said Pekka Parnanen, chief operating officer of Verge USA. 'Many of the pre-orders for our bikes have come from the western region of the U.S. and California consumers, in particular, are widely known for appreciating and adopting new innovations. Our new stores in Los Angeles and San Jose will begin the rollout of our Verge experience to as many American motorcycle enthusiasts as possible.' In November 2024, at the LA Auto Show, Verge launched its new Starmatter platform, which brings software updates, sensor technology, artificial intelligence and an advanced user interface to motorcycling for the first time. At CES in Las Vegas, Verge announced an update to its flagship model with Starmatter Vision features, including multiple cameras and high-resolution radar, making Verge TS Ultra the first motorcycle equipped with the sense of sight. Information sourced by Verge Motorcycles. To learn more, contact press@
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Reed Blankenship Calls Out Dolphins Players Amid Vic Fangio's Departure
Eagles' Reed Blankenship Calls Out Dolphins Players Amid Vic Fangio's Departure originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Dolphins saw their 2023 defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, win a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. With how the Dolphins' 2023 season ended, Fangio and the Dolphins parting ways, the Eagles' defensive performance in 2024 came as a surprise. Advertisement During an interview on Sports Radio 94 WIP, Eagles safety Reed Blankenship was asked what it's like being coached by Fangio. His answer was a subtle jab at the Dolphins players who complained about Fangio from the 2023 season. "I've never had a problem with him." Blankenship said. "Whatever was said in Miami, that's their locker room. Our locker room is completely different, I believe in my opinion. We've got guys that like to be coached and like to be held accountable, and obviously that shows on the field." Blankenship's comments indirectly paint the Dolphins, who complained about Fangio, as players who don't like to be coached hard or held accountable. That subtle jab stings more, since the Eagles' defense, led by Fangio, was one of the best units in the NFL in 2024. Advertisement Dolphins defensive backs Cam Smith and Jevon Holland shared posts on social media, essentially celebrating Fangio's departure following the 2023 season. Holland posted a video of him kicking rocks shortly after Fangio left, and Smith posted an emoji, signifying he'll be unlocked following Fangio's departure. Neither Smith nor Holland was the only source to showcase that the Dolphins' players weren't upset at Fangio departing for Philadelphia. His former players celebrated Fangio's departure, and things were heightened after Drew Rosenhaus, in a comment to Miami Fox affiliate WSVN-Channel 7, claimed multiple Dolphins players didn't get along with Fangio. Advertisement The Dolphins players weren't big fans of Fangio. Holland, Smith, and other Dolphins players were "celebrating" his departure. The Dolphins' defense, led by Fangio, was the 10th-best unit by yards allowed. They allowed the seventh fewest yards in the run game as well. But, they also allowed the 11th most points, and the seventh most passing touchdowns. Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vic Fangio at a press conference at the PSD Bank Lee-Imagn Images While not a terrible unit defensively, the Dolphins' 2023 season didn't go as well as the team had hoped. Finishing 11-6, the Dolphins made the playoffs, but were bounced after Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins couldn't beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Blankenship's subtle jab at the Dolphins players comes in defense of his defensive coordinator. With how Blankenship and the Eagles performed under Fangio, it's easy for him to question the Dolphins players for not replicating the Eagles' success with Fangio. Advertisement His comments called out the Dolphins players after Fangio's departure. He essentially said the Dolphins players don't like to be coached, nor do they like to be held accountable. Related: Dolphins Get Bad News on Projected Jalen Ramsey Trade Package Related: Dolphins Legend Dan Marino Questions Aaron Rodgers' Mindset This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox Sports
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Five things to watch for in UFL conference championship weekend
Unable to land a roster spot for a full season last year, Rodrigo Blankenship decided to pursue a blueprint to get back his NFL dream job that former UFL kickers Brandon Aubrey and Jake Bates successfully took advantage of in spring football. "There's definitely been a precedence established where if you can kick at a really high level in a spring league, it can definitely provide opportunities for you," Blankenship told FOX Sports. "Jake Bates last year had some really big kicks. Branden Aubrey, when he was with the Stallions, was just automatic for them for a couple [of] years, and then he got his opportunity and is crushing it as well. "That definitely gave me a lot of hope and a lot of inspiration to see that if you can execute and do your job, then hopefully the opportunities are going to be there for you when it's all said and done." Blankenship signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks in January after attending a UFL showcase in San Diego hosted by former NFL kicker John Karney the month prior. His plan has so far worked to perfection. The Georgia product went 21-for-22 on field goals during the regular season with a long of 56 yards. The only kicker close to achieving those results in the UFL was the Birmingham Stallions' Harrison Mevis, who made 20 of 21 field goals with a long of 54 yards. The lone miss for Mevis was from 63 yards, while Blankenship had a 58-yard field goal bounce short off the crossbar. Blankenship won the Lou Groza Award as the best kicker in college football in his final season at Georgia in 2019. He entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the Indianapolis Colts, eventually earning the starting job. However, Blankenship suffered a hip injury during his second season that landed him on IR. He was waived after the season opener of his third season with the Colts, missing a 42-yarder that would have won the game in overtime. Blankenship appeared in a game with the Arizona Cardinals in 2022 and lost a kicking competition to Chase McLoughlin with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during training camp 2023. He finished 47-for-56 (83.9%) on field goals with a long of 53 yards during his three seasons in the NFL. Blankenship is fully healthy after having surgery to fix his hip injury in January 2023. He and his wife relocated to Birmingham, Alabama, where his longtime kicking coach, Mike McCabe, resides. The year away offered a time to work on his craft and reflect on his career. Blankenship posted weekly updates of his workouts last year on social media. "It was different," he said. "It was a little frustrating, to not get a phone call throughout the entire season, but it was a time for me to have to grow mentally and emotionally — to have to persevere and have to stay the course. Just to trust that whatever plans are in store for me are unfolding the way they are supposed to." Blankenship has been one of the main reasons the Battlehawks are a league-best 8-2 heading into the postseason. St. Louis hosts the DC Defenders (6-4) in the XFL Conference title game on Sunday (6 p.m. ET on FOX and FOX Sports app), followed by the defending champion Stallions (7-3) will host the Michigan Panthers (6-4) in the USFL Conference title game (3 p.m. ET). Here's a closer look at what else to watch for during conference championship weekend. XFL Conference title game: Battlehawks vs. Defenders The two teams split during the regular season, as the Defenders defeated the Battlehawks by double digits, 27-15, in St. Louis in Week 3 when Manny Wilkins was still the starting quarterback. However, the Battlehawks took care of the Defenders in the final game of the regular season, 13-8, with both teams resting key players for the playoffs. St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht is 15-6 (including the postseason) in two years in the UFL and finished with a 7-3 record during his one season in the legacy XFL. Defenders interim head coach Shannon Harris is 6-4 in his one season at the helm. The Defenders hold a 4-3 all-time record against the Battlehawks. Key matchup: Battlehawks defense vs. Defenders QB Jordan Ta'amu A strength for St. Louis this season has been the team's potent pass rush, led by UFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate Pita Taumoepenu (7.5 sacks). The Battlehawks have held teams to a league-low 16.3 points per game and finished tied for a league-high nine interceptions on the year. However, St. Louis faces the best playmaking quarterback in the UFL this season with league MVP frontrunner Ta'amu. The Ole Miss product finished first in the league in passing touchdowns (17) and second in the UFL in passing yards (2,153). Keeping Ta'amu from creating explosive plays will be a top priority for St. Louis' defense. Key stats: Battlehawks running back Jacob Saylors finished second in the UFL in rushing yards with 499, leading a St. Louis offense that topped the league in rushing, averaging 144 rushing yards a contest. St. Louis receiver Jahcour Pearson led the league in punt return yards with 294. St. Louis QB Max Duggan leads all signal-callers with 300 rushing yards and totaled five rushing touchdowns during the regular season. Defenders receiver Chris Rowland led the UFL in all-purpose yards (1,100) during the regular season. Rowland's teammate Cornell Powell topped the league in receiving touchdowns with seven. Derick Roberson and Andre Mintze finished with a team-high 5.5 sacks each, while All-UFL linebacker Anthony Hines III led the Defenders with 53 combined tackles. UFL Conference title game: Stallions vs. Panthers The Stallions are seeking their fourth consecutive spring football championship, having won back-to-back USFL titles and the first UFL championship last season. "With the 2025 team, I'm only trying to win one championship with this team," Birmingham head coach Skip Holtz said. The Stallions are 39-7 under Holtz. On the other side, Michigan head coach Mike Nolan has led the Panthers to the playoffs for a second straight year, posting a 17-15 record overall in two seasons. This is the eighth meeting between the two teams, and Birmingham owns a 7-0 all-time record. The Panthers enter this weekend's contest on a two-game losing streak. However, All-UFL QB Bryce Perkins had missed the last three games with an ankle injury but is expected to play Sunday. The Stallions swept the season series this year and defeated the Panthers in the USFL Championship Game last season, 31-18. Key matchup: Stallions defensive line vs. Panthers rushing offense Michigan's best chance at stunning the Stallions is controlling the line of scrimmage by establishing the running game, playing keep away from a Birmingham offense that has averaged 33 points a contest over the past four games. The Panthers are second in the UFL in rushing, averaging 128 rushing yards a contest. Michigan has the best short yardage running back in the league in Toa Taua, who led the league with six rushing touchdowns. And the return of Perkins gives the Panthers a dynamic, dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his feet and his arm in space. Key stats: Panthers receiver Siaosi Mariner led the UFL in receiving yards with 528. All-UFL cornerback Kedrick Whitehead Jr. led Michigan with 66 combined tackles. The Panthers committed 12 turnovers with seven lost fumbles and five interceptions during the regular season. The Stallions have forced 16 turnovers this season, tied for third in the UFL. Birmingham sack leader Bradlee Anae (4.0 sacks) is expected to return to the lineup after missing two games due to a hamstring injury. Linebacker Kyahva Tezino led the Stallions with 57 tackles, including five tackles for loss. Tezino also finished with one sack, one pass breakup and one forced fumble. QB J'Mar Smith helped lead the Stallions to a USFL title in 2022 and has been the savior of Birmingham's offense since his midseason return, going 52-for-80 for 758 yards with six touchdowns and one interception in four games played. Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, covering the Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers for ESPN and the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him at @eric_d_williams . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily ! 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Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eagles' 'Exciting Whites' Turn Championship Buzz Into Chart-Topping Podcast
Eagles' 'Exciting Whites' Turn Championship Buzz Into Chart-Topping Podcast originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The nickname started as a playful nod to something rarely seen in today's NFL — two white defensive backs anchoring the same secondary. Now, Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean have turned their 'Exciting Whites' moniker into multimedia gold with the launch of their podcast, Exciting Mics. Advertisement Just one month after its debut, the show has already climbed to No. 10 among football podcasts in the United States, according to Podscan data — a remarkable feat for two players still early in their NFL careers. The podcast grew naturally out of the chemistry between Blankenship, 26, and DeJean, 22, whose on-field bond helped anchor Philadelphia's Super Bowl–winning defense. 'They kind of brainstormed the idea, the name of it, and we checked off on it and just ran with it,' Blankenship said to the Philadelphia Inquirer during DeJean's recent charity softball game in Iowa. The project was developed in partnership with sports agency Athletes First, digital production group GOAT Farm Media, and the ALLCITY Network. The duo has already welcomed high-profile guests, including Eagles teammate Saquon Barkley and Philadelphia rap legend Gillie Da King. For DeJean, the podcast offers a new outlet to build connections with teammates and fans. 'I get to have good conversations outside of the locker room, which is awesome, with some teammates and some other people within the city,' the former Iowa star said. Advertisement Blankenship views the podcast as a deeper extension of locker room culture. 'You don't always get to sit down and have a personal talk with everybody,' he said. 'This kind of gives us that chance.' The 'Exciting Whites' nickname, initially coined by fans, has become a badge of honor — literally. The pair wore matching '90s-style T-shirts with the phrase ahead of a Thursday Night Football win against Washington, which only fueled the brand's rise. 'You look around, you see everybody wearing those shirts,' Blankenship said. 'And it's funny, because the fans are the ones that came up with the nickname; we kind of embraced it and just ran with it.' Coming off a Super Bowl victory that immortalized their partnership in Eagles lore, both players are using their platform to engage with the Philadelphia community while staying locked in on football. 'Just to feel love from the city, for us to have success last year — and obviously, win the Super Bowl — was awesome,' DeJean said. 'Now we've got to get back to work and try and do it again.' Advertisement Related: Eagles Have Firepower to Repeat But One Major Concern Could Derail It All Related: Eagles Should Resist Kyle Pitts Trade Temptation and Trust Dallas Goedert This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Blankenship travels from the beach to cheer on the Pilots
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — LSU-Shreveport head basketball coach Kyle Blankenship might be the baseball team's biggest fan. The Pilot baseball team is fresh off an unbeaten National Championship season. Blankenship started the World Series in Florida, on vacation with his family. He jumped on a plane and flew across the country to Lewiston, Idaho to support his friend and colleague Brad Neffendorf and the Pilots as they won the National Title. Perfect season, 1st national championship for undeafeated LSU Shreveport At the National Championship celebration, Neffendorf spoke fondly on his relationship with his basketball counterpart. 'I think ever since I've gotten here our families have hit it off,' said Neffendorf. We're in full support of each others programs, our guys go to every one of his games and his guys come out and watch ours.' In Neffendorf's tenure at LSUS, the Pilots are 3-0 in Lewiston with Blankenship in attendance. 'Kyle brought to my attention today, he's undefeated in Lewiston,' said Neffendorf. 'As far as I'm concerned he's got to be with us with a special assignment or assistant coach it doesn't matter.' Shreveport celebrates LSUS perfect ending, historic season Upon returning to Florida and rejoining his family on vacation, Blankenship posted a video to social media congratulating the baseball team on an historic season. 'Well I'm not in Idaho anymore but the flags are still flying purple and gold here in Florida baby' said Blankenship while showing the beach's yellow and purple flags for the gulf's water conditions. 'Congrats to LSUS Baseball on your history making, record setting 59-0 NAIA World Series National Championship. Let's go Pilots.' Blankenship traveled over 5,000 miles to essentially be in two places at once. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
