Queen of Sports

LA Lakers Top Forbes’ List Of Most Valuable NBA Franchises For 2012

Despite the NBA lockout this season, the value of the average team has increased to a record $393 million, a 6.5% increase from last year according to Forbes magazine.

At the top of the highest earning franchise list is the Los Angeles Lakers, who stole the top spot from the New York Knicks. The Lakers’ 20-year TV deal with Time Warner Cable worth $200 million a year upped their value to an NBA high of $900 million.

The Knicks come in at No. 2 with a current value of $780 million.

At the bottom of the list? The Milwaukee Bucks, who are valued at $268 million but operate on a negative income.

Overall, the NBA’s TV ratings increased last year by over 50%.

Athlete Sighting: Alex Rodriguez

Alex Rodriguez was spotted in normal fashion last night, walking several steps ahead of his new girlfriend, Torrie Wilson, after leaving a private party at a Miami hotel.

The pair were seen hanging out at a table with Sammy Sosa and other friends. Rodriguez has been spotted all over town with Wilson, an ex-WWE wrestler. They were even caught kissing in his pool earlier this month. So, why does he still insist on leaving her in the dust if the secret’s out?

Photo: Momo/JCFL/Splash News

Audi Touches On Vampire Craze In Super Bowl Commercial

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Audi didn’t just release a teaser for their Super Bowl commercial this year, they had fans get involved via social media to “unlock” the full 60 second spot by piecing together a 60-piece puzzle. Now, the full spot has been posted on their YouTube channel.

The commercial, which is centered on the new 2013 Audi S7 and the brand’s signature LED headlight technology, jumps on the vampire bandwagon but adds a twist. Check out the commercial above.

Rashad Evans: Hot Or Not?

“Suga” Rashad Evans will be stepping into the Octagon this weekend, facing Phil Davis in a light heavyweight bout that will be aired on Fox.

Evans is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion with six years experience in the UFC. Many know him not only from his fights, but as a frequent host on ESPN’s “MMA Live.”

Evans was born in Niagra Falls, New York where his athletic prowess found him as a two-way player on his high school football team, and as a two-time All-State wrestler. Evans went on to wrestle at Michigan State University where he earned a degree in psychology and later became assistant coach of the school’s wrestling team. His amateur career in MMA started out with five wins and no losses, which he led him to be selected to complete the UFC’s competition reality show, The Ultimate Fighter 2. Evans defeated his opponent on the show’s finale, earning a three-year, six-figure contract with the UFC.

Evans currently holds a record in the UFC of 16 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw.

Evans is married, with three children. He calls Lansing, Michigan home but fights out of Boca Raton, Florida.

So, what do you think? Rashad Evans…hot or not?

Photo: TitoMedia.com.au / Splash News

Kris Humphries Shows Off His New Bachelor Pad

After girls go through a break-up that involved cohabitation, they are prone to sprucing up their spaces with all the girly things they weren’t allowed to keep with their man around. Flowery blankets and pink everything are once again allowed. For guys? They seek the ultimate bachelor pad.

After Kris Humphries’ break-up with Kim Kardashian, he decided to boost his spirits by transforming the basement of his Minnesota home into the ultimate bachelor pad. And, to show off how happy he is with his new digs he let Life & Style magazine in for some exclusive photos of his space.

The place was designed with help from Jason Cameron and former NFL player Tony Siragusa of the DIY Network’s show “Man Cave.” You can watch the revamping of Kris’ space on the DIY Network this Friday at 6 pm PST, and check out more photos of the space in Life & Style.

Suzuki Previews “Sled” Super Bowl Commercial

Another automotive company has released a preview of its Super Bowl commercial. This time, Suzuki shows off their 2012 Kizashi sports sedan, a sequel from last year’s 2011 “Wicked Weather” commercial for the 2011 version of the sports sedan. This year’s commercial is much better, check it out:

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Photo: PRNewsFoto/American Suzuki Motor Corp.

Slovenian Skier: My Undergarments Are “Not Your Business”

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After the Swiss Ski Federation launched an investigation into Slovenian skier Tina Maze’s undergarments, she fired back with a message to them: “not your business.” Before a World Cup super-G race, Maze stripped down to expose her sports bra to the cameramen, where she had written the message across her chest.

Maze finished second at a super G race in Austria before her alleged “performance enhancing undergarments” were questioned by the ski federation. The group eventually ruled the undergarments were ok and did not in fact make her more aerodynamic.

You tell ‘em, Tina Maze!

Sports Date Of The Week: NHL All-Star Game

The NHL’s top players will gather in Ottawa on Sunday, Jan. 29 to compete in this year’s NHL All-Star Game.

The two captains named for each team are Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators. They will choose their teams tomorrow at the All-Star Player Fantasy Draft.

NHL star Alex Ovechkin decided this week he would not participate in the All-Star game after the NHL suspended him for a “launching head shot” against a Pittsburgh Penguins player. James Neal of the Penguins is replacing Ovechkin.

All-Star goalies are Jonathan Quick of the LA Kings, Brian Elliot of the St. Louis Blues, Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings, Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens, and Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.

Drake has been announced as the major performer, the Grammy-award nominated rapper will take the stage during the second intermission.

Tune in at 1 pm PST on ESPN on Sunday to catch the game.

Anna Kournikova Covers Russian Magazine

Former tennis star and Biggest Loser trainer Anna Kournikova covered the Russian magazine Tatler this month. For the cover photo, Kournikova is sporting a Bottega Veneta swimsuit and loads of accessories, make-up, and probably some airbrushing too (not that she needs it.) The styling feels overdone, but we’re loving some of the playful looks featured inside the magazine. Kournikova got decked out in clothing from Fendi, Prada and Anna Sui, with jewelry and accessories by Lorrain Schwartz, Kenneth Jay Lane, and Chopard. Check out the photos below:

Vh1′s Basketball Wives Making A Pitch For Vanessa Bryant

It seems obvious that Vanessa Bryant would be the basketball wife most sought by Vh1′s “Basketball Wives” producers. So, why is Vh1 reportedly prepared to make a major pitch for Vanessa now?

Well, TMZ is reporting that now that Vanessa has split from Kobe, she may be more receptive to the idea. Plus, the show has a larger budget now that it’s one of the network’s highest rated shows. Vh1 is preparing an “extremely lucrative pitch” for Vanessa to come on the show as a recurring character.

Let’s be honest though, Vanessa won’t exactly be strapped for cash after the divorce and will likely turn down any offers from the network.

Photo: Travis Jourdain / PR Photos