Travis Hunter NOT Elite, Friday Night News, NFL Division Picks
Happy Friday Night Edition... Have a great weekend!
Happy Friday… Night! Got caught up this afternoon so here I am making sure I don’t miss a day… Writing a newsletter at 10:30 PM - or is this my AI Bot in action?!?
I did get to workout today… One of the cool things about working out at Lake Nona Performance Club (LNPC) is seeing some of the country’s top college athletes training for the NFL combine. Right now, there are about 25 of them working out there, getting ready for their shot at going pro.
I was talking with the gyms director the other day, and she shared just how intense their training is. These guys are constantly pushing themselves—working out nonstop, needing extra recovery massages, and doing whatever it takes to prepare. You can feel their drive every time they walk through the gym.
Today, as I was leaving, I overheard two of them chatting. One of them said, completely serious:
"You know, Travis Hunter is not even that elite."
That stopped me in my tracks and I had to do that stall thing so I could eavesdrop a bit more lol. If you follow college football, you know Travis Hunter is seen as one of the best—dominant on both sides of the ball. But hearing that opinion from two future pros made me think.
Is it just confidence from guys chasing their own dreams? Or do they see something in him that the rest of us don’t? Personally, I still think Hunter is a rare talent. But it’s always interesting to hear how peers view each other.
What do you think? Is Travis Hunter elite, or do these guys have a point?
Below are the news stories and press releases you won’t want to miss across our four pillars.
Fox to stream Super Bowl for free on Tubi for the first time [SPORTS, BUSINESS] — Wait? Is the Super Bowl not always on for free? I guess I never really thought about that.
Women's college basketball teams to be paid for playing NCAA Tournament games [SPORTS, BUSINESS] — So it begins… They will get “performance units”. NCAA is all about money now folks!
Costco Customers Come to Blows Over Popular Trading Cards [SPORTS] — this story reminds me of the post-covid boom when there would be like 20 people every morning at 6:00 am waiting outside of Walmart to see if it was “restock day”. That’s a story for later! Adding it to the list. For now, don’t be “that guy” from this Costco story.
FanDuel Sportsbook launches in Puerto Rico [BUSINESS] — The U.S. market-leading sports betting platform FanDuel Sportsbook is now available in Puerto Rico.
Report: Investors seeking $5 billion to launch international basketball league, advised by Maverick Carter [SPORTS, BUSINESS] — I’m sure you all saw the news about this. How would this type of league do? An F1 for basketball?
MetaBet inks Gentoo Media partnership to enhance flagship sites [BUSINESS] — a day late on this news, but better late than never. Congrats to my friends at MetaBet and Gentoo.
If you have a news story to submit, or are a PR company and consistently have news stories for us (in our 4 pillars) — send them over to ryan@knup.com anytime!
Word of the Day (Night): Connect
Connection is one of the most important things in life—and it’s something I’ve always taken pride in. Whether it’s building relationships with no agenda or just genuinely caring about others, connecting has always come naturally to me.
Here’s the thing about connection: you never know where it might lead. A lunch with a client could turn into a friendship or a future opportunity. A simple “how are you doing?” to a coworker could make their day—and strengthen your bond.
For me, being a connector isn’t about networking or trying to get something in return. It’s about building meaningful relationships and letting things unfold naturally. Most of the best opportunities in my life have come from a connection I didn’t even realize I was making at the time.
So, take that chance to connect. Have the coffee. Ask the question. Show you care. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about what you know—it’s about who you connect with, and how you make them feel along the way.
What connections will you make today?
Got a nice easy win yesterday with the POD! That felt nice.
Today we are going to give quick picks for the four NFL games this weekend. Since we don’t do the newsletter on weekends - that felt like a natural fit.
Lets just say… Chiefs win but Houston covers. That seems like the same narrative all season long, so why not stick with it. I have zero doubt the Chiefs win the game but will take the Houston +9 in this one.
I think we see an opposite narrative in Detroit. Lions win and cover big. They are relentless and I don’t think a rookie QB can pull this one out. Give me Detroit -9.5 in the Motor City.
Eagles -6 is probably my play of the weekend. Although the Rams did prove me wrong last week, I like this Eagles team at home.
Finally, Bills beat the Ravens. This should be a fun game. I’m planning on watching this one on (with my Bills hoodie in affect) from Boxi Park here in Orlando if you wanna come out and say hey.
PICKS: Texans +9, Lions -9.5, Eagles -6, Bills +1
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Knup, The Accidental Food Influencer?
It’s Friday Night so lets keep it light!
Turns out, I might be a food influencer. Who knew? Last year, my Google reviews racked up a whopping 759,504 views. That’s a lot of people checking out my thoughts on restaurants and places I’ve visited. Maybe I should start asking for free appetizers? (Kidding… kinda.)
Take that Florida seafood spot I raved about—absolute perfection. Seriously, any guesses where that was? Go!
If you haven’t been, you’re missing out. And today, I kept the streak alive with lunch at Fish on Fire here in Orlando. It was a great meal, made even better by catching up with a long-time industry contact. Connecting at it’s finest!
I’ll admit, I need to do a better job of reviewing every spot I visit. It’s too easy to forget after a great meal. But who knows? Maybe this whole Google-review thing turns into a side hustle. If I can share my favorite places and help people find their next go-to spot, I’m all in. Until then, keep an eye out for my next foodie adventure.
I love connecting with chefs…
They’re always dishing out great advice!
Happy Birthday to... Prakash Janakiraman, J. Michael Bass, Brittnee Hensley, Anna Dmytriieva, Bryan Upton, Moritz Maurer! 🎉
Check out our full calendars we update weekly: Sports Calendar | iGaming Calendar
That’s it for today’s Knup Letter! Have a great weekend and enjoy the football games—it’s shaping up to be an exciting one. As for me, I’m heading to Tampa to catch some D2 hoops and hang out with my kids, who go to UT. Always a good time when I get to combine sports and family.
What are you up to this weekend? Let me know—I love hearing how you’re spending your time! See you back here on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend!
Cheers,
Knup