Tag: sports

Taxpayers forced to foot billion-dollar-bill for FIFA World Cup games

On last night’s episode of The Ezra Levant Show, B.C. director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation Carson Binda discussed how Canadian taxpayers are being forced to spend approximately $1 billion to host part of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

Canada will host 13 matches during the World Cup, which runs across North America from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The matches will be split between two Canadian host cities: Toronto (6 matches) and Vancouver (7 matches).

Binda condemned federal, provincial and municipal politicians for allocating such huge sums of taxpayers’ hard-earned funds on a sporting event like this.

“Politicians are wasting a million dollars per minute hosting a handful of international soccer games,” he said. “This is an outrageous amount of money coming right from your pocket going out the door on these soccer games,” Binda continued.

“FIFA is leaving taxpayers with big pocketbook pain, without the promised economic gain,” he added.

The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates the total public cost at approximately $1.07 billion, with the federal government contributing $473 million and the remainder covered by provincial and municipal governments.

More than one million visitors are projected to travel to Canada for the World Cup matches in Toronto and Vancouver. Toronto’s hosting budget stands at $380 million, covering operating and capital costs such as stadium upgrades and event services.

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Hah! Woke Mob Calls Out Megan Rapinoe for Luxury World Cup Ticket Pitch

Perpetually outraged and angry former women’s soccer player Megan Rapinoe is getting flamed by her woke fans for getting paid to shill a luxury World Cup ticket in the rarified air of the wealthy.

Her fans, who love her consistent woke torch-carrying and her endless expressions of Trump Derangement Syndrome, are not loving her appeal to the 1%.

In an ad for FIFA shared on her Instagram, Rapinoe touts the perks of having money, “Here’s everything a @fifahospitality package gets you. It’s the experience of a lifetime. #FIFAWorldCup.”

“With hospitality, you get a guaranteed ticket with premium seating.”

As visuals show champagne being passed, she adds, “With hospitality, you get a ticket plus dedicated entry, unlimited food and drinks, and plenty of time before and after the match to enjoy it all.”

According to Fox News,  you can get it for the low, low price of $6,050 PER TICKET to attend the June 12 USA-Paraguay match in Los Angeles with access to the Pitchside Lounge.

Clearly out of range for most Americans.

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Mother of Trans Track Star Criticizes New Policy Allowing Girls to Share First Place Podium

The mother of a transgender high school athlete publicly trashed California’s policy allowing girls to share the first place podium if they came in second.

AB Hernandez came in first at three events during Saturday’s California Interscholastic Federation’s Southern Section championship final: long jump, high jump and triple jump. Despite that, girls who came in second were allowed to share the podium due to a new California policy, per Fox News.

Trans athlete AB Hernandez won first place in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section finals on Saturday. So too did the girl who would have finished first, based on a rule enacted last year that awarded any female athlete that finished behind a trans athlete a higher placement.

The CIF enacted a pilot program for the state finals last May that awarded any female athlete that finished behind a trans athlete one higher spot, which resulted in girls sharing podium spots with Hernandez for the championship. The program also ensured any female athlete who finished one spot out of qualifying for the state finals in events that included a trans competitor, to compete for the title as well.

Nereyda Hernandez, the mother of AB, decried the new policy on social media when she shared a post from Rainbow Families Action.

“All these big, tough ex-athletes at CIF, and the most courage they could muster was to hand this to coaches at AB’s meet today,” the group wrote. “Not one of them was brave enough to look her or her mother in the eye and say: ‘This whole project of violating Ed Code is aimed at you. A child.’”

Hernandez also wrote that her “heart was full watching A.B compete.”
“Today at the CIF Track & Field Finals my heart was full watching A.B compete,” she wrote after her son’s competition.

“No matter how differently she may be seen by some, she continues to walk onto that field with the most beautiful smile on her face, gives EVERY event her ALL, and carries herself with grace, determination, and sportsmanship,” she wrote.

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Vancouver spends $182K on ‘gender safety’ bureaucracy for FIFA World Cup

The City of Vancouver is preparing to spend more than $182,000 on so-called “gender safety” and “vulnerable resident initiatives” tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to a newly posted contracting notice.

Under a Notice of Intent to Contract posted to the procurement site MERX, the city says it plans to award multiple vendors funding for “additional community organizations event time capacity” connected to the city’s “Host City Human Rights Action Plan.”

The contract runs from May 26 to July 19, 2026, with a listed value of $182,184.

According to the notice, the money is specifically earmarked to “implement gender safety, accessibility and vulnerable resident initiatives” during the World Cup festivities.

The timing is raising eyebrows, especially in a city that has spent years aggressively promoting gender ideology policies while downplaying public concerns about women’s spaces, public disorder, and safety issues tied to addiction and homelessness.

Now, with the eyes of the world arriving for the FIFA tournament, city hall suddenly appears eager to showcase its commitment to “gender safety” — and is paying outside organizations to help manage the optics.

The procurement notice does not clearly define what “gender safety” initiatives will involve, which organizations are expected to receive funding, or how success will be measured.

Nor does it explain why existing city staff and public safety infrastructure are insufficient to handle these responsibilities during a six-week international sporting event.

The spending falls under Vancouver’s broader Human Rights Action Plan tied to its role as a FIFA host city, a framework that has increasingly blended public event management with activist-driven social programming.

Why does a soccer tournament now require taxpayer-funded “gender safety” consultants and advocacy programming, particularly at a time when Vancouver residents continue to grapple with rising living costs, public safety concerns, drug crises, and strained city services.

The original procurement notice can be viewed on MERX procurement listing.

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NBA Legend Magic Johnson’s Gushing Endorsement of Failed LA Mayor Karen Bass Totally Backfires After X Users Uncover This Damning Fact

NBA all-time great and self-made billionaire Magic Johnson made a completely boneheaded political decision that is coming back to haunt him after X users pointed out an inconvenient truth.

On Sunday, Johnson issued a gushing endorsement of failed LA mayor Karen Bass in a video posted on her X account. After first noting their personal connection (Johnson has known Bass for three decades), Johnson lavished praise on her supposed ‘accomplishments,’ including her record on homelessness and crime.

Then, Bass appeared on screen. In a clearly rehearsed stunt, the two embraced before Johnson slobbered over Bass some more.

“Listen, you took on a tough job here, and you’ve done a fabulous job, and all of us appreciate your effort and what you’re doing, and we look forward to helping you continue your mission and the things that you have in store, your vision for the city,” he tells her. “And tell me what I need to do.”

Bass then praises Johnson in response before the retired basketball star hails her for creating jobs as the video ends.

After the video went viral, X users quickly discovered that Johnson lives in a huge mansion in Beverly Park, a gated community in Beverly Hills. Perfectly cordoned off from all of the problems that ordinary Angelinos face.

Moreover, Beverly Hills is its own city and has its own mayor. This means he cannot even vote for Bass for mayor.

There’s also another factor regarding Johnson’s home: it lies in a high fire-hazard severity zone, just like Pacific Palisades, which burned under Bass’s watch. Giving her the seal of approval is like having the arsonist serve as the firefighter.

Just imagine if Bass gets re-elected and, during her second term in office, Johnson and his neighbors’ homes get torched in an inferno. Talk about digging your own grave.

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19-year-old Padres prospect self-deports to Mexico after pleading guilty to human smuggling charge

Humberto Cruz, a high-ranking pitching prospect for the San Diego Padres, has reportedly self-deported to Mexico after pleading guilty to a federal misdemeanor charge involving the transportation of illegal aliens.

According to reports from the San Diego Union-Tribune, the now-19-year-old athlete, who was ranked as the organization’s fifth-best prospect by MLB Pipeline, admitted to authorities that he had responded to a social media advertisement seeking drivers to “pick up people for easy money.”

Cruz disclosed that he was offered $1,000 per person and acknowledged his awareness that the individuals were in the country illegally. While Cruz was initially in the United States on a legal work visa, the conviction triggered a near-certain deportation process and long-term consequences for his professional career.

Legal experts and team officials indicate that Cruz will likely be barred from reapplying for a U.S. work visa for at least ten years, though he may be eligible to petition for a return after five years — provided he demonstrates consistent good behavior during his time abroad.

The legal proceedings stem from an incident in October last year, when law enforcement officers stopped the pitcher in Lukeville, Arizona, on suspicion of transporting illegal aliens into the United States. Following his guilty plea, Cruz was sentenced to 30 days in prison, a term satisfied by the credit he received for time already served in custody.

In a lengthy statement released through the San Diego Padres organization, Cruz expressed deep remorse for his actions and offered an extensive apology for the lapse in judgment that led to his arrest and subsequent deportation.

“To my teammates, the organization, our fans, and my family, I want to express my sincere regret for a recent lapse in judgment that has caused disappointment to many people I deeply respect,” he began in the statement. “I understand that my actions have fallen short of the standards expected of me as a professional and as a representative of this organization. I take responsibility for my conduct and recognize the impact it has had on my teammates, the club, and those who support us.

“To my teammates and coaches, I apologize for becoming a distraction and for not upholding the level of professionalism you deserve,” he continued. “To the fans, I am sorry for letting you down and for failing to meet the trust placed in me. Your support means a great deal, and I regret not honoring it in the way I should have. To my family, I am grateful for your continued support and understanding during this difficult time.

“I regret the stress and disappointment this situation has caused. I am committed to reflecting on this moment, learning from it, and taking the appropriate steps to move forward in a positive and responsible manner. I will cooperate fully with the organization and any steps required of me, as I remain focused on personal growth and accountability. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with support and honesty. I understand that trust must be earned, and I am prepared to do that through my actions going forward.”

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Billionaire Bucks Co-Owner Alleges $1 Billion Blackmail Plot After Affair With China-Born Entrepreneur

Wesley Edens, billionaire investor and co-owner of the Milwaukee Bucks, replied to a 2022 LinkedIn message from Changli Sophia Luo, a China-born founder of a small Manhattan nonprofit that produced interview videos. Their exchanges turned personal; by June 2023 they met at her apartment and had sex, according to the Wall Street Journal, citing prosectuors.  

What followed, authorities say, became an extortion case. Luo was indicted for allegedly trying to extract over $1 billion by threatening to release explicit images and videos. Prosecutors claim she repeatedly contacted Edens’s relatives, warned she would approach investors, and vowed to ruin him. She faces four charges, including blackmail and evidence destruction, and has pleaded not guilty. Released on $500,000 bond, she awaits trial.

Edens was not initially named, but a spokesman confirmed he is “Victim-1.” He reported the matter over safety concerns and is expected to testify. His side declined further comment: “Mr. Edens will be making no comment on the case as the indictment speaks for itself with respect to the charges against the defendant.”

The WSJ writes that Luo’s attorneys argue she sought accountability for what they describe as “an inappropriate and aggressive sexual encounter,” asking the court to dismiss the case. Federal prosecutors have not commented.

The dispute highlights reputational risks when personal relationships involving high-profile figures unravel. Victims often hesitate to involve authorities, partly because cases can expose private details.

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Female Athletes Slam Gavin Newsom Over California Trans Athlete Controversy

As the girls’ high school track and field championships approach, a trans athlete is set to compete in this year’s girls’ tournament.

The main controversy centers on AB Hernandez, a biological male high school student at Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County. Hernandez qualified for and competed in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track & Field Championships in Clovis in the girls’ long jump, high jump, and triple jump.

Hernandez is seeded first in the upcoming tournament.

Last year, Hernandez won 1st place in high jump and triple jump and took 2nd place in the long jump.

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Former NFL Player Sentenced to Prison for $197M Medicare Fraud

The Department of Justice announced that former NFL player Joel Rufus French, 47, was sentenced to 16+ years in prison and ordered to pay $110,753,619 in restitution after a years-long scheme to bilk Medicare and the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) out of nearly $200 million.

He also forfeited approximately $17 million that the government seized from bank accounts and other assets.

French was an All-American tight end at Ole Miss before briefly playing in the NFL for the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers.

According to the DOJ, French, who owned a marketing company and was the beneficial owner of eight durable medical equipment (DME) companies, was selling patient information and sham doctors’ orders for orthotic braces that patients did not want or need.

Assistant Attorney General Colin M. McDonald of the Justice Department’s National Fraud Enforcement Division. shared, “Fueled by lies, bribes, and overseas telemarketers, this corrupt scheme preyed on senior citizens and disabled veterans to flood the country with unnecessary medical devices — and then billed the taxpayer for it.”

“Today’s sentence makes clear that if you target America’s elderly, sick, or vulnerable — and rob America’s purse doing so — you will be targeted and brought to justice.”

“The defendant orchestrated a brazen, yearslong scheme that preyed on elderly patients and the families of disabled and deceased veterans to steal millions from Medicare and CHAMPVA.”

Acting Deputy Inspector General for Investigations Scott J. Lampert of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG) added, “By hiding behind overseas call centers, sham telemedicine companies, and straw‑owned DME suppliers, he exploited some of the most vulnerable people these programs were created to protect.”

“This lengthy sentence underscores the seriousness of his crimes and sends a clear message: HHS‑OIG and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in safeguarding taxpayer‑funded programs and ensuring those who seek to defraud them will be found, stopped, and held accountable.”

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Transgender athlete AB Hernandez dominates three jumping events at California postseason track meet

A California postseason track meet on Saturday opened with a “Save Girls’ Sports” rally outside the gates and ended in familiar fashion, as one athlete again separated from the field in the jumping events, highlighting growing concerns over competitive fairness in girls’ sports.

Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries in Yorba Linda drew attention before competition began, with demonstrators protesting California’s policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

Inside, the focus turned to the jumping events, where biological male AB Hernandez, a senior from Jurupa Valley, competed against women and finished first across all three competitions with dominant performances.

Hernandez, a trans multi-sport athlete (previously involved in girls’ volleyball), won the Long Jump Division 3 Prelim and Triple Jump Division 3 Prelim by wide margins and tied for first in the High Jump Division 3 Prelim with Reese Hogan, an athlete with past ties to Hernandez.

The long jump result separated the field. Hernandez posted 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches. The next closest finishers reached 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches and 18 feet, 7 inches.

More than a foot separated first from second.

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