Kia ora, Talofa lava, Ma’lelei, Bula, Aloha and Welcome to Season 11 Episode 39 of Breakfast Bites, by TEIVOVOdigital.com – a wrap of Pasifika people’s sports news, on Friday morning 15 November 2024.
 
Happy birthday Troy – husband of Clarissa.
 
Coming to you with tons of hanisi from the 180th meridian, in the middle of the Blue continent, where it is crazy warm 24 degrees Celsius again at 5am this morning.
 
In Rugby Union: Are you locked in for all the big rugby union Tests this weekend in Europe?
 
So, our world famous tips are: Ireland to argiebargie Argentina, Scotland to slomo Portugal, South Africa to debrexit England, the New Zealand All Blacks to franjelico France, Fiji to frisco Spain, Romania to robocop Canada and Tonga to MAGA USA in France.
 
In Rugby League: “I am surprised that they’re not trying to sign Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady,” Peter V’landys said in response to a claim by former Rugby Australia boss, Hamish McLennan that Nathan Cleary and Payne Haas, plus a host of other NRL stars, were keen to make a code switch in May 2025.
 
This, after Joseph Suaalii snared a three-year contract worth an eye-watering A$5Million to switch codes.

“I would be more concerned if I was them, with their A$80M worth of debt that they have created, which puts the whole game in financial turmoil.”

In Football: Harry Kane says he is disappointed by the high number of withdrawals from the England squad this week, insisting the national team must come first.

Eight players withdrew from England’s initial 26-man squad for their Nations League game in Athens, including Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer.

The Euro 2024 runners-up head to Greece for Thursday’s must-win Nations League match before a Wembley meeting with Ireland on Sunday.

In Sports Biz: While Disney reported US$22.6Billion in total revenue for its fiscal fourth quarter, up 6% from the comparable period a year ago and beating analyst projections.

Operating income rose 23% to US$3.7B, boosted significantly by the company’s entertainment division. 

Their sports division, led by ESPN, had a flat revenue figure of US$3.9B, and operating income fell 5% to US$929Million, with higher programming and production costs related to college football cutting into earnings.

On both a quarterly and annual basis, ESPN’s domestic operations remain profitable while its international activities are a drag on the balance sheet. 

ESPN+ subscriptions increased 3% to 25.6 million, restoring a growth pattern to the streaming platform.

ESPN+ also posted its second straight quarter of profitability.

In Combat Sports: Almost 20 years after his last professional fight, Iron Mike Tyson is returning to the ring in this Saturday’s hyped showdown against Jake Paul in an exhibition boxing match, featuring six other fights on the undercard from 1pm.
 
Tyson and Paul are expected to walk out around 4pm Fiji time, which you can catch live and exclusive on Netflix at no extra charge.
 
Let’s get ready to call 911 for an ambulance!
 
And that’s a wrap Peeps!
 
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Mahalo and Ka kite; for TEIVOVOdigital.com, I’m Culden Kamea tanking you all too mas for all your love and support.
 
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