MLB is the latest sports league to fall out of favor with Republicans following its decision to out of Atlanta.By the numbers: In mid-March, MLB's net favorability rating among Republicans was 47%, the highest of the four major U.S. sports leagues. Since then, it has plummeted to 12%, dropping the league below the NFL and NHL, according to from Morning Consult.The big picture: "Baseball isn't the first sport to see its net favorability among Republicans significantly decrease as a result of ... embracing social justice issues," writes Morning Consult's Alex Silverman.Of note ... Republicans...…MLB is the latest sports league to fall out of favor with Republicans following its decision to out of Atlanta.By the numbers: In mid-March, MLB's net favorability rating among Republicans was 47%, the highest of the four major U.S. sports leagues. Since then, it has plummeted to 12%, dropping the league below the NFL and NHL, according to from Morning Consult.The big picture: "Baseball isn't the first sport to see its net favorability among Republicans significantly decrease as a result of ... embracing social justice issues," writes Morning Consult's Alex Silverman.Of note ... Republicans...WW…

Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)A year ago today, Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert returned a positive COVID-19 test, triggering the sports shutdown of 2020.The backdrop: During the week prior, the U.S. had surpassed 100 cases (March 2), the world had surpassed 100,000 (March 6) and sports leagues had closed their locker rooms to media members.Timeline:Go deeper:Monday provided two major reasons for optimism about the global pandemic recovery.Driving the news: Real-world data from Israel was at least 97% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 cases, and President Biden signed a $1.9...…Photo: Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)A year ago today, Utah Jazz star Rudy Gobert returned a positive COVID-19 test, triggering the sports shutdown of 2020.The backdrop: During the week prior, the U.S. had surpassed 100 cases (March 2), the world had surpassed 100,000 (March 6) and sports leagues had closed their locker rooms to media members.Timeline:Go deeper:Monday provided two major reasons for optimism about the global pandemic recovery.Driving the news: Real-world data from Israel was at least 97% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 cases, and President Biden signed a $1.9...WW…

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosGlobal fears of China's authoritarian rise are overshadowing the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and sparking calls for a boycott. Why it matters: By openly flouting human rights norms while claiming leadership of the international system, China is cracking the foundation upon which global traditions such as the Olympics are based.Driving the news: A coalition of 180 rights groups have for a traditional boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympics, citing human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China.The Beijing 2008 Summer Games were China's...…Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosGlobal fears of China's authoritarian rise are overshadowing the upcoming 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing and sparking calls for a boycott. Why it matters: By openly flouting human rights norms while claiming leadership of the international system, China is cracking the foundation upon which global traditions such as the Olympics are based.Driving the news: A coalition of 180 rights groups have for a traditional boycott of the Beijing 2022 Olympics, citing human rights abuses against ethnic minorities in China.The Beijing 2008 Summer Games were China's...WW…

Courtesy: Betty LabsLocker Room, a social audio app where fans can talk sports and spontaneously join live conversations, launches Tuesday on the .The state of play: The company behind Locker Room, , has raised $9.3 million in seed funding led by Google Ventures with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and the Alexa Fund, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Locker Room sits at the nexus of major sports media trends like the "second screen" companion, the audio/podcasting boom, and the rise of multicasts and broadcast customization.How it works: Locker Room functions similarly to...…Courtesy: Betty LabsLocker Room, a social audio app where fans can talk sports and spontaneously join live conversations, launches Tuesday on the .The state of play: The company behind Locker Room, , has raised $9.3 million in seed funding led by Google Ventures with participation from Lightspeed Venture Partners and the Alexa Fund, Axios has learned.Why it matters: Locker Room sits at the nexus of major sports media trends like the "second screen" companion, the audio/podcasting boom, and the rise of multicasts and broadcast customization.How it works: Locker Room functions similarly to...WW…

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosAmerica's pro sports leagues sputtered back to life in 2020 with bubbles, comprehensive testing programs and a host of other changes that still seem unimaginable after the fact.The state of play: The leagues succeeded because they have enormous wealth and were operating mostly in "salvage the season" mode — but now comes the hard part: Figuring out how to do it again — this time from an even worse financial position and amid a third coronavirus wave.The state of play: If 2020 had been a normal year, the NBA and NHL would already be in the midst of their...…Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosAmerica's pro sports leagues sputtered back to life in 2020 with bubbles, comprehensive testing programs and a host of other changes that still seem unimaginable after the fact.The state of play: The leagues succeeded because they have enormous wealth and were operating mostly in "salvage the season" mode — but now comes the hard part: Figuring out how to do it again — this time from an even worse financial position and amid a third coronavirus wave.The state of play: If 2020 had been a normal year, the NBA and NHL would already be in the midst of their...WW…

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosIn a document sent to players on Tuesday, the NBA provided a detailed look at what life will be like when play resumes inside the league's "bubble" at Walt Disney World in Florida next month.Why it matters: Players will be tested for COVID-19 "regularly." When someone tests positive, they will be placed in isolation, where they will remain for at least 14 days. Once they test negative twice in a span of more than 24 hours, they can leave isolation.The NBA will use video technology to help with contact tracing. Anyone who was within six feet of someone who...…Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosIn a document sent to players on Tuesday, the NBA provided a detailed look at what life will be like when play resumes inside the league's "bubble" at Walt Disney World in Florida next month.Why it matters: Players will be tested for COVID-19 "regularly." When someone tests positive, they will be placed in isolation, where they will remain for at least 14 days. Once they test negative twice in a span of more than 24 hours, they can leave isolation.The NBA will use video technology to help with contact tracing. Anyone who was within six feet of someone who...WW…

A young Highlanders fan. Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty ImagesThis weekend, New Zealand's Super Rugby league will become the world's first major sports league to return from the shutdown without crowd restrictions.The state of play: Some 20,000 fans are expected to be on hand in Dunedin when the Highlanders host the Chiefs, the first Super League game since mid-March.The backdrop: There are currently of COVID-19 in New Zealand, and the country largely opened up its society on Monday, including stores, restaurants and public transportation.Meanwhile, in Australia ... Australian rules football...…A young Highlanders fan. Photo: Martin Hunter/Getty ImagesThis weekend, New Zealand's Super Rugby league will become the world's first major sports league to return from the shutdown without crowd restrictions.The state of play: Some 20,000 fans are expected to be on hand in Dunedin when the Highlanders host the Chiefs, the first Super League game since mid-March.The backdrop: There are currently of COVID-19 in New Zealand, and the country largely opened up its society on Monday, including stores, restaurants and public transportation.Meanwhile, in Australia ... Australian rules football...WW…

After a grueling four months of football, Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs out of the darkness and into the Miami sun, where the 49ers football machine awaits them in the Super Bowl. "The Gunslinger" Mahomes is 24 years old, arguably the best player in football and he just toppled Tom Brady as the top seller of NFL merchandise. A star has already been born — now he has the biggest stage in sports to showcase his brilliance. By the numbers: Through four career playoff games, Mahomes has 11 TD and zero picks, giving him the highest QB rating in postseason history since the merger. Go...…After a grueling four months of football, Patrick Mahomes has led the Chiefs out of the darkness and into the Miami sun, where the 49ers football machine awaits them in the Super Bowl. "The Gunslinger" Mahomes is 24 years old, arguably the best player in football and he just toppled Tom Brady as the top seller of NFL merchandise. A star has already been born — now he has the biggest stage in sports to showcase his brilliance. By the numbers: Through four career playoff games, Mahomes has 11 TD and zero picks, giving him the highest QB rating in postseason history since the merger. Go...WW…