World’s Best Athletes and Squads To Compete In 2018 Major League Triathlon Series

Charlotte, NC – Major League Triathlon is proud to announce new squad-based teams and franchises for 2018. Major League Triathlon will welcome 5 squads and 3 composite teams for the 2018 season.

“This new squad based system will bring the World’s top athletes to MLT”, said Daniel Cassidy, CEO of Major League Triathlon. “We will have virtually every single USA athlete that is favored to race in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the league this year. We will also have some of the top international athletes competing, including the reigning World Champions of Mixed Team Relay, the Australians.”

MLT teams will carry a roster with a minimum of 6 athletes. During each round of the series, the top 4 athletes from each team will compete.

The following squads will race for MLT:

1. San Diego Stingrays- Represented by Paulo Sousa’s Squad
2. Arizona Kingsnakes- Represented by Jono Hall’s Squad
3. Colorado Peaks– Represented by Neal Henderson’s Squad
4. Toronto Freeze – Represented by Craig Taylor’s Squad
5. Atlantic City Waves – Represented by Ian O’Brien’s Squad
6. Carolina Gliders – Represented by Composite Team #1 (Captain Ben Kanute)
7. Florida Sun- Represented by Composite Team #2 (Captain John O’Neill)
8. Australian Franchise-TBA– Represented by an Australian Composite Squad

MLT rosters will have the top ranked US Male athletes including, but not limited to:

Ben Kanute
Matt McElroy
Kevin McDowell
Eric Lagerstrom
Eli Hemming
Jason West

MLT rosters will also have some of the top US Female athletes including, but not limited to:

Summer Cook
Taylor Spivey
Lindsey Jerdonek
Tamara Gorman 
Chelsea Burns

Beyond the US based powerhouse athletes, MLT will also feature international stars on team rosters, including:  

Paula Findlay
Dominika Jamnicky
Joanna Brown
Matt Sharpe
Tyler Mislawchuk
Jason Wilson

In addition, Major League Triathlon will be offering amateur ambassador teams for fans and athletes to support and interact with their local pro team franchise. MLT will be releasing more information about amateur ambassador teams in the coming weeks.

Major League Triathlon

Major League Triathlon is the first and only professional triathlon league in the United States. Major League Triathlon hosts races in major cities across the United States. Major League Triathlon was formed in 2016 with the goal of creating a more spectator-friendly version of triathlon. Major League Triathlon aims to grow the sport of triathlon on both an amateur and professional level. For a complete list of Major League Triathlon events, visit www.majorleaguetri.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

NBA to move All-Star Game from North Carolina over LGBT law

Charlotte, NC-July 21st 2016- A North Carolina law limiting the state’s anti-discrimination protections has prompted the NBA to move next year’s All-Star Game from Charlotte.

League commissioner Adam Silver warned last month at the NBA Finals and again earlier this month that the law, which has caused an uproar in the gay and transgender community, could prompt such a move.

Among the problems the NBA and other critics have with House Bill 2 (HB2) is that it mandates transgender people use public restrooms corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates and omits gay and transgender people from discrimination protection.

“While we recognize that the NBA cannot choose the law in every city, state, and country in which we do business, we do not believe we can successfully host our All-Star festivities in Charlotte in the climate created by HB2,” Silver said in a statement.

“The NBA will make an announcement on the new location of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game in the coming weeks.”

NC’s cancelled gigs

A host of high-profile entertainers have already cancelled concerts in North Carolina in protest of the anti-discrimination laws.

Silver said the NBA removed the game from Charlotte “with the hope of rescheduling for 2019,” but added, “provided there is an appropriate resolution to this matter.”

An attempted compromise bill did not go far enough to satisfy league concerns.

“We do not endorse the version of the bill that we understand is currently before the legislature,” an NBA statement said earlier this month.

“We remain committed to our guiding principles of inclusion, mutual respect and equal protections for all.”

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest LGBT (Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender) organization, hailed the NBA’s decision.

“The NBA and commissioner Silver sent a clear message that they won’t stand for discrimination,” HRC president Chad Griffin said.

“The NBA repeatedly warned state lawmakers that their hateful HB2 law created an inhospitable environment for their 2017 All-Star Game and other events.”

Silver said he had been working with city and state officials and business leaders trying to avoid the “enormous economic damage” of losing the All-Star weekend spectacle.

“Since March, when North Carolina enacted HB2 and the issue of legal protections for the LGBT community in Charlotte became prominent, the NBA and the Charlotte Hornets have been working diligently to foster constructive dialogue and try to effect positive change.

“We have been guided in these discussions by the long-standing core values of our league. These include not only diversity, inclusion, fairness and respect for others but also the willingness to listen and consider opposing points of view,” he said.

Months of advance preparation are needed for the NBA’s mid-season showcase, putting pressure on the NBA not to wait for North Carolina politicians to return from a summer break.

Silver said he was confident the environment at home games of the Charlotte Hornets, owned by retired NBA legend Michael Jordan, would be inclusive for all.

“Charlotte and the Hornets organization have sought to provide an inclusive environment,” Silver said.

“The Hornets will continue to ensure that all patrons — including members of the LGBT community — feel welcome while attending games and events in their arena.”

AFP