Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, was 27 when he inherited power in 2011, taking his place in a Kim dynasty founded by his grandfather. The following account   adapted from " The Great Successor: The Divinely Perfect Destiny of Brilliant Comrade Kim Jong Un ," a new book by The Washington Post's Beijing bureau chief   reveals previously unreported details about Kim's odd and lonely early life, which revolved around power, prerogatives and privilege. 'Little princes' The six-year-old Kim Jong Un stood by the billiard table in the games room of the royal residence at Sinchon, south of Pyongyang, one of dozens of palatial compounds reserved for North Korea's first family. He and his older brother, Kim Jong Chol, were waiting for their father to come out of a meeting with some officials. Subscribe to the Post Most newsletter: Today's most popular stories on The Washington Post They were dressed in child-sized military uniforms, olive green suits complete with gold buttons and red piping. They had moon-shaped hats on their heads and gold stars on their shoulders. They were little generals. When their father entered the room, they stood to attention and saluted him, serious expressions on their chubby faces. Kim Jong Il was delighted and wanted to introduce the boys to the officials and the household staff before they went into the dining room next door. Everyone lined up to meet the boys, who were referred to as "little princes." Kenji Fujimoto, who had moved from Japan to North Korea to make sushi in the royal households, was at the end of the line. He grew more and more nervous as the princes got closer, his heart beating faster with every step they took. Jong Chol was first. Fujimoto extended his hand, and the eight-year-old reciprocated with a firm shake. Then Fujimoto put out his hand to the younger child. This one was not so well mannered. Instead of shaking Fujimoto's hand, Jong Un glared at him with "sharp eyes" that seemed to say, "You abhorrent Japanese." The chef was shocked and embarrassed that a child would stare down a forty-year-old man. After a few seconds that stretched out painfully for Fujimoto, Kim Jong Il intervened to save the situation. "This is Mr. Fujimoto," Kim Jong Il said, prompting "Prince Jong Un" to finally agree to shake hands, although without much enthusiasm. The chef thought there may have been some name recognition. Perhaps the boys had eaten the sushi he had prepared and heard that it had been made by "Fujimoto from Japan." Fujimoto was just one member of a team of chefs who prepared lavish meals for Kim Jong Il and his families. They made grilled pheasant, shark fin soup, Russian-style barbecued goat meat, steamed turtle, roast chicken and pork, and Swiss-style raclette cheese melted on potatoes. The royal family ate only rice produced in a special area of the country. Female workers handpicked each grain one by one, making sure to choose flawless grains of equal size. Sushi was on the menu once a week. Fujimoto made lobster sashimi with wasabi soy sauce and nigiri sushi with fatty tuna, yellow tail, eel, and caviar. Seabass was Kim Jong Il's favorite. Even in the 1980s, before the Soviet Union collapsed and before famine struck North Korea, the population was riven with hunger. But Kim Jong Un experienced none of its privations and probably never saw the suffering of his fellow North Koreans in person. Instead, he grew up in a world of walled compounds where everything revolved around him and life was pure luxury. In the kitchens, there were cakes and French pastries, smoked salmon and pate, and tropical fruits like mangoes and melons. They wore clothes made especially for them with British fabric that arrived by the Samsonite suitcase load. They brushed their teeth with imported Colgate, according to memoirs by two relatives who lived in the household of Kim Jong Un's older half brother. Limitless toys There were Sony televisions, computers, and video games so they could play Super Mario. There were pinball machines and grand pianos, Yamahas and Steinways, in every house. The children had huge playrooms filled with more toys than any European toy store. There were mountains of Lego and Playmobil; boxes of jigsaw puzzles, more than they could ever get through; and plastic pistols with surprisingly realistic bullets, according to the memoirs. There was every kind of four-wheeled toy imaginable, but Kim Jong Un also had a real vehicle and a real gun: a car his father had had specially modified so the little boy could drive it at age seven. He also had a Colt .45 pistol that he wore on his hip when he was eleven. The houses had large, soundproofed cinemas with wood paneling to improve the acoustics and a black velvet curtain that would open when the lights went down. The children could sit in the soft armchairs and watch "Ben Hur," Dracula, or James Bond movies. There were gardens so large that they called them parks, with artificial waterfalls running into artificial lakes. They got around in golf carts or on mopeds. There were bears and monkeys in cages. Some of the compounds had large swimming pools; some had indoor and outdoor shooting ranges. But Kim Jong Un's favorite pastime was playing basketball on courts at the official residences   often with kids brought in especially to play games with the princes. The boy would obsessively analyze the basketball games. He would point out players' strengths and weaknesses, praising those he deemed to have played well and scolding those who had not. He seemed to be practicing the art of command, and he was enjoying the terror that his absolute authority could inspire. It was, however,a solitary childhood. He and Jong Chol were schooled at home by tutors and they had no friends   they didn't even play with their older half brother, Jong Nam, who lived his own entirely separate sequestered life. The little sister, Yo Jong, was too young to make her a good playmate. 'A bit lonely' Even a princeling who wanted for nothing wanted friends. "He was a bit lonely when he was little," Fujimoto told me over lunch in the sleepy town in the Japanese Alps where he was living when I went to see him in 2016. Now, he's back in North Korea, running a small sushi restaurant in Pyongyang, and maybe slicing fish for the current leader. This loneliness seems to have led Kim Jong Un to seize on any opportunity for outside company. "I became a kind of playmate to him; we became like friends," Fujimoto told me. The presence of the sushi chef in the royal household was a contradiction in the regime. While North Korea's existence was based on its rejection of the United States and its vision for a democratic world order, it was also built on a hatred of Japan. Korea had suffered greatly during its colonization by Imperial Japan in the first half of the twentieth century. It formally annexed the Korean Peninsula in 1910, starting thirty-five years of often-brutal colonial rule. When Japan was defeated in 1945, it had to give up control of the peninsula to the victors. In both halves of the peninsula, the memories of this period run deep. To this day, North Korea still regularly demonizes Japan in its state media. But there's one important detail that state propaganda never reported: Kim Jong Un has a strong personal connection to Japan. His beloved mother, a woman who would later be crowned "The Mother of the Great, Military-First Korea," was born in Japan. In 1929, when the Korean Peninsula was under Japanese colonial rule, a young man called Ko Kyon Taek moved from the southern Korean island of Jeju to Osaka, a Japanese city that was becoming home to an increasingly large Korean community. Then, after World War Two, Ko and his wife started a family: first, a son and then, on June 26, 1952, a daughter that they named Yong Hui. Yong Hui went by the Japanese name of Hime Takada at her public elementary school in Osaka. She loved to perform and sang hymns in a church choir every Sunday. Four years later, a sister arrived. Her name was Yong Suk. But their father soon got in trouble with the police. He was rumored to be operating an illegal boat connecting Osaka and Jeju and was reportedly ordered to be deported. There was talk that Ko was also a womanizer and had multiple children by different mistresses. To cut ties with these other women and get himself out of hot water, Ko decided to hightail it out of Japan. Conveniently, North Korea had begun encouraging ethnic Koreans to return from Japan at the end of the 1950s. North Korea, the potential migrants were told, was a socialist paradise on earth   a country that offered free housing, education, and healthcare, where jobs were guaranteed, where Koreans would suffer none of the prejudice that they endured in Japan. Between 1959 and 1965, more than 93,000 people fell for the Kim regime's sales pitch. The Ko family joined the tide, boarding a repatriation ship bound for the North Korean port city of Chongjin. For many ethnic Koreans who had left a country that was rapidly turning itself into a world economic power after the war, coming "home" was a huge disappointment. Some killed themselves on arrival when they realized they'd been duped. Pyongyang's version of the life that the returnees led in North Korea was, of course, very different. As part of its efforts to pretend life was rosy, the North Korean magazine Korean Pictorial featured the Ko family in its December 1972 issue, under the headline "My Happiness-Filled Family." The story mentions that the eldest girl, a certain Ko Yong Hui, was a member of the Mansudae Art Troupe and had been awarded a medal from Kim Il Sung. It does not mention that the beautiful dancers from the Mansudae troupe were often asked to attend the boozy parties that Kim Jong Il held and to perform for the men in his court. Royal family travels Kim Jong Il became smitten with Ko Yong Hui, asking her to sit with him at the parties, another dancer in the troupe later recalled. "Kim Jong Il took such a fancy that he came often into rehearsal rooms to watch her practice," the dancer wrote in a memoir after defecting from the regime. Ko was absent from practice more and more often, and gossip started flying around among the other dancers that she was living with Kim Jong Il or that she had given birth to his baby. She "married" Kim Jong Il   their union doesn't appear to have been official, but this is how her sister later described it to me   in 1975. But the dancer was more than a trophy wife. She was often up late at night, poring over paperwork with Kim and offering her opinions. Once, when a bodyguard was drunk and waved his gun at Kim Jong Il, Ko is said to have thrown herself between the men. She may have been born in Japan, but she had proven herself a true patriot, loyal not just to North Korea but to her powerful husband. She also bore him two sons   prized in North Korea's Confucian society as heirs who could carry on the family line. She doted on them. Soon after Kim Jong Un had stared down the Japanese sushi chef, everyone was in the huge garden at the family's compound in Sinchon. The boys watched enthralled as Fujimoto flew a kite. "That's good. Thanks to Fujimoto, the kite is flying," Ko Yong Hui said to her sons. Kim Jong Un was excited. About a month later, the chef said, he was asked to become the boys' "playmate." He was very surprised. He was a grown man, and they were little boys. But it was impossible for him to say no. He wondered if it was because he was a foreigner and therefore somewhat exotic to the boys. But perhaps Fujimoto just seemed to offer a bit of fun. After all, the boys had few other options in their isolated royal court. Whenever he could, Fujimoto took Ko Yong Hui and the two "princes" angling for seabass on Kim Jong Il's private boat. Every time Fujimoto caught a fish, the young Kim Jong Un, still in elementary school, would demand to hold the fishing rod and then cry out happily, "I caught it!" The boys' interest in Japan heightened after traveling there with their mother in 1991, when Kim Jong Un was seven years old. With fake Brazilian passports in hand, they took off for Tokyo. While the regime spurted forth anti-Japanese hate, Ko Yong Hui went shopping in Ginza, the upmarket district in central Tokyo that was world famous for luxury, and got her hair done by people known at home as "imperialist aggressors." She took the boys to Tokyo Disneyland, where they were drawn to a 3-D attraction with a moving chair. The boys loved it so much that Ko had her staff inquire about its cost. She wanted to get one to take back to North Korea for her children. But even for the North Korean royal family, the price was prohibitive. Still, for years after, they talked about their trip to Tokyo Disneyland and all the rides they had been on, trying to decide which one was the most fun. Despite this fascination with Japan, and even as Fujimoto became a fixture in the royal household, Kim Jong Un reminded the sushi chef of his place. While Jong Chol addressed him with an honorific Korean suffix that loosely translates to "Mr.," Jong Un continued to refer to him by the disrespectful "Fujimoto" only. If Kim Jong Un had been any other child or, rather, any other rich kid, such episodes would be considered normal spoiled-brat behavior. But because there is so little other information about him, these stories have taken on an outsized significance. Analysts and experts pore over such anecdotes for evidence of character flaws or influences that might somehow have shaped the man who leads North Korea today. They look for signs of psychological deficiencies as they try to game out how he might react in a time of crisis or, for example, in talks with leaders of enemy nations. Fujimoto described a time when Kim Jong Un defied his mother's orders to remain seated at the table while everyone else finished their dinner. "Let's go, older brother," he said to Jong Chol, and they ran outside. Bowing to the heir Certainly, the boy grew up thinking he was special. Jong Un's eighth birthday party took place in a party hall at the royal compound in Wonsan. It was attended by high-level officials rather than other kids. Kim Jong Un was dressed in a black suit and a bow tie and was presented with bouquets of flowers. From that moment on, even high-ranking officials bowed and deferred to Kim Jong Un whenever they saw him, his aunt and uncle told me when I met them in the United States almost 20 years after they deserted the regime. It was impossible for the boy to grow up as a normal child when the people around him were treating him like that, they said. And he quickly got used to giving commands. As a boy, Kim Jong Un had been mad about all sorts of machinery, model planes and toy ships in particular. He wanted to know how they flew, how they floated. Even when he was eight or nine and still in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un would stay up all night doing experiments with his machinery   and insisting on speaking to some expert or other even in the wee hours of the morning if he couldn't figure things out by himself. When he had questions or when something didn't function well, he would call for a nautical engineer to come and explain it to him, no matter how late it was, his aunt told me. This, for her, revealed an aspect of his personality that had two sides: on the one hand, he had an incredible level of concentration, but on the other, he had a tendency to get hooked on an idea and take it too far. She didn't use the word "obsessive," but this was the trait she described. In fact, when later living with them in Bern, the boy always wanted his aunt and uncle to buy him model planes from the toy store or to take him to a park where enthusiasts used to fly their crafts, and the obsession would last long into his adult years. For fun, the man who played with model planes as a child now flies himself around in the light aircraft at his disposal. His regime even claims to be building planes that are very similar to the American-made Cessna 172 Skyhawk. North Korean television showed Kim inspecting and then appearing to fly one of the small planes, cheered on by a crowd of air force pilots, in 2015. "The plane built by our working class had the topnotch performance; it was easy to maneuver, and the engine sounded just right! Well built!" he told the engineers. In 2017, when analysts were combing through satellite images to figure out whether North Korea was going to launch a missile, one of the things they looked for was Kim Jong Un's personal plane at a nearby airstrip. North Korea's own official accounts of Kim Jong Un's childhood have confirmed the versions of events told by Fujimoto and by his aunt and uncle. One day in 2010, when he was heir apparent, he told a military official who asked his advice about a new model of gun that he had "formed a close attachment with planes and warships" as a child. "As a boy, I happened to get a bagful of toy planes somewhere," he said, according to the North Korean publication "Anecdotes of Kim Jong Un's Life." The boy made a runway in the backyard and played with the toys often. "Listening to this interesting story, the official was convinced that [Kim Jong Un's] hobby and his view of life were connected with military affairs," the book continues. In any other country on earth, such an anecdote would be nothing more than a childhood recollection. But in the parallel propaganda universe of North Korea, it became a crucial part of his legitimacy myth. It wasn't a story about a boy and his toys. It was incontrovertible proof that the little boy was a military genius who was destined to be leader. anna.fifield@washpost.com


Neymar has been banned, again, as the Brazilian has continued to lash out literally and figuratively. Paris Saint-Germain's forward has been handed a three-game ban (with a further two suspended) after he hit a fan following their French Cup final defeat to Rennes. PSG will appeal the decision, but Neymar is now getting a reputation as someone who is bringing the law into their own hands. Neymar, 27, reacted to a fan coming close to him as he walked up the steps in the Stade de France, and struck the supporter in the face. His manager, Thomas Tuchel, condemned Neymar's actions and after a lengthy spell out with a foot injury this season, things are starting to turn sour for the former Barcelona star. This latest incident comes hot on the heels of Neymar being handed a three-game ban by UEFA for next season, after his abusive comments towards match officials following PSG's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 defeat to Manchester United in March. All in all, it appears Neymar is doing everything he can to fall out with pretty much everyone in Ligue 1 and at Paris Saint-Germain. I wonder why that could be? Those 'Neymar to Real Madrid' rumors aren't going to disappear anytime soon… Follow @JPW_NBCSports


While Apple has made some movement toward limiting ad tracking for its apps , the process isn't foolproof. This can be especially troubling when it comes to kids, who are more vulnerable to advertising and more likely to volunteer sensitive information. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal , Apple is planning to announce new limitations to third-party tracking for kids' apps, and the obvious opportunity for that is at Monday's 2019 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Ad tracking is the process by which third-party companies   either app vendors or marketers associated with them   gather and share information about your browsing habits, phone, etc. This information can be used to specifically target your interests. For example, if you've recently searched for sites about birds, you may start to see ads for binoculars. According to The Wall Street Journal 's Joanna Stern, a children's iOS app called Curious World was sending info on her son's name, age, and books to Facebook. And while the company claimed it was a glitch, she and a colleague found trackers in 79 out of 80 iPhone apps. There have been a number of recent reports about how much data is actually being passed on from iPhones to third parties. Geoffrey Fowler at The Washington Post found that his apps were sending out data to marketing companies   including his phone number and exact location   at night when they were supposedly dormant. In April, Apple caused some consternation among parents by placing a ban on apps that helped parents monitor what their kids can do on a phone. It may be time for Apple to pay attention to its claims that privacy matters It may be time for Apple to pay attention to its claims that "privacy matters." (There are some things you can do right now to protect your privacy   at least to some extent. Check out our article on how to block ad tracking on your iPhone .) There has been no confirmation from Apple about what its response will be. We will let you know if we hear from the company. Otherwise, we'll hopefully find out more during Monday's WWDC keynote.


The group stage for the 2019/20 FA Women's Continental League Cup - usually simply known as the Conti Cup - has been made, with opening fixtures to be played on 21/22 September. Contested by the 23 clubs in the top flight FA Barclays Women's Super League and the second tier FA Women's Championship, the geographical split sees northern clubs drawn into Group A and Group C, with southern clubs placed in Group B and Group D. The #ContiCup group stage draw has been made! Fixtures to follow shortly - the opening round takes place on 21/22 September! pic.twitter.com/43Ob012lRP   The Barclays FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) July 26, 2019 Already set to face each in the opening WSL game of the season, Manchester United and cup holders Manchester City have both been drawn into a tough Group C alongside fellow WSL clubs Birmingham and Everton, and Championship side Leicester. Chelsea also find themselves in a potentially tricky group alongside West Ham and Tottenham, both of whom are strengthening significantly ahead of the new campaign. Arsenal would hope to qualify comfortably from Group B, with Bristol City and Brighton the only two other WSL club standing in their way, while Liverpool are the sole WSL team in Group A. A Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Coventry United, Durham, Liverpool, Sheffield United B Arsenal, Brighton & Hove Albion, Bristol City, Charlton Athletic, London Bees, London City Lionesses  C Birmingham City, Everton, Leicester City, Manchester City, Manchester United D Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Lewes, Reading, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United


The Day in Sports: Tuesday, June 25, 2019 MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) runs in from the outfield during the sixth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. NCAA Baseball: College World Series Vanderbilt Commodores catcher Philip Clarke (5) celebrates after hitting a home run during the seventh inning against the Michigan Wolverines in game two of the championship series of the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. MLB: Washington Nationals at Miami Marlins Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly (8) attempts to hold back shortstop Miguel Rojas (19) after he is thrown out of the game for arguing with Home Plate umpire Mike Estabrook (83) in the eighth inning against the Washington Nationals at Marlins Park. Soccer: CONCACAF Gold Cup-Jamaica at Curacao Curacao forward Jafar Arias (19) and Jamaica midfielder Je-Vaughn Watson (15) battle for the in the second half during group play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at Banc of California Stadium. The teams played to a 1-1 tie. MLB: Oakland Athletics at St. Louis Cardinals Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien (10) blows a bubble during the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Syndication: Nashville Vanderbilt outfielder Isaiah Thomas (8) jumps through the legs of outfielder Walker Grisanti (17) as the bench players clown around in the middle of the fifth inning in the 2019 NCAA Men's College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Omaha, Neb. Giv413 MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Houston Astros Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley (23) makes a catch on the warning track against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fifth inning at Minute Maid Park. MLB: Tampa Bay Rays at Minnesota Twins Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Willy Adames (1) forces out Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco (11) at second base and throws the ball to first base for a double play in the fourth inning at Target Field. Syndication: Nashville Michigan right fielder Jordan Brewer (22) pulls in a fly ball hit by Vanderbilt catcher Philip Clarke (5) in the second inning in the 2019 NCAA Men's College World Series Finals at TD Ameritrade Park Tuesday, June 25, 2019, in Omaha, Neb. Gw5495 MLB: Oakland Athletics at St. Louis Cardinals Oakland Athletics right fielder Stephen Piscotty (25) receives a standing ovation from fans prior to his first at bat during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.


Editor's note: The opinions in this article are the author's, as published by our content partner, and do not necessarily represent the views of MSN or Microsoft. Democrats fell all over themselves at Wednesday's televised House hearings to thank the former special counsel Robert Mueller -- deservedly -- for his service as a decorated Marine, a career public servant and a patriot, while Republicans impugned his integrity and that of his investigation and his team. Although Mueller showed loyalty to his team, he did not show loyalty to his country. Whether he was cognitively impaired (as he seemed not to know the names or positions of some of his key witnesses, notably the former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski) or had simply misplaced his spine, he appeared to be lost. Why the man who showed such courage on the battlefield showed such timidity and hesitation Wednesday, requiring members of Congress to read him a bedtime story because he would not even read his own words aloud, is unclear. Americans needed a definitive, plain-language, nonlegalistic statement from Mueller about one and only one question: Did the President and his henchmen and women commit a crime? Did his participation in the dissemination of information from emails stolen by Russians and leaked by Wikileaks, with Trump's encouragement, violate campaign laws? Or was it treason, namely helping a hostile foreign power -- our chief adversary over 70 years -- attack our bedrock democratic institution, elections? Did Trump commit any of the 10 counts of obstruction Mueller laid out in his report to cover up those or any other crimes? And did he commit any other felonies, such as witness intimidation, as he had clearly indicated in the report? If the answer to any of those questions had been an unequivocal yes, the House would have been required under the Constitution to hold impeachment hearings. If the answer were indeterminate, the House might still hold hearings to question the witnesses themselves, so it could decide, as the public watched, whether this was a "witch hunt" or a legitimate investigation. If the answer were no, Democrats might disagree, but they would better spend their time electing a Democrat in 2020. Instead of answering any of the questions we Americans had hired him to answer, Mueller pleaded "no contest." This was not a "neutral" political move. It provided Republicans good reason to argue that the investigation was a two-year, multimillion-dollar waste of time. Sure, his investigation put a half-dozen other people in prison for one crime or another, but Mueller chose to immunize the person who may well be the fulcrum for those crimes, allowing him to remain in the highest position in the land without a trial. And sure, other state and federal prosecutors may ultimately indict Trump, in or out of office, or perhaps, like Nixon, he will face a reckoning a year or two after he is re-elected. But as a taxpaying Democrat, as of this moment, I have to agree with Republicans that this was a waste of my time and money -- not, as they would argue, because the Mueller report made no determination about "collusion" or obstruction. It was a waste of time and money because we hired a prosecutor who, after agreeing to serve his country one last time, chose to go missing in action.


Six years ago, Atelier Cologne founder Sylvie Ganter was presented with a challenge by her husband and business partner Christophe Cervasel: to create a signature scent for Majestic , a five-star hotel located in the heart of Barcelona , in celebration of its 100-year anniversary. She had six years of developing, conceiving, and perfecting fragrances for her consumers. But for a building? "I had no clue where to even start," she recalls. "I had never done anything like this." The first step was immersing herself in the hotel. With her family, she stayed at Majestic over a long weekend, soaking up every detail, like the history (Hemingway and other legendary figures were, famously, longtime residents), the decor (intricate moldings, bold fixtures, Art Deco accents), and the overall aesthetic (luxurious but not ostentatious, traditional yet timeless). It crystallized what felt like an impossibly abstract task, allowing her a glimmer of how she could capture the spirit of the hotel and distill it into a fragrance. Once she established the mood she wanted to evoke muted, masculine, chic, elegant, timeless, relevant she turned her attention to the ingredients. In order to use elements from the hotel's surroundings to anchor the fragrance to the region, she landed on Mediterranean-grown clary sage, a form of musk, and fig leaf for a salty seaside note, before loading it up with Atelier Cologne's signature citruses like lemon and bergamot. "I designed it like I would have for the skin because that's what I know," says Ganter. "And then we adapted it so it could be diffused through air conditioning by making it brighter and less concentrated." She adds that the concentration of traditional fragrances is 18 percent oil, but for the hotel, it was diluted to less than 10 percent. "You want something that smells good in the space, not overwhelming, like you're swallowing it when you enter the hotel." "You want something that smells good in the space, not overwhelming, like you're swallowing it when you enter the hotel." Musc Imperial launched at the Majestic in 2015, and soon after, guests demanded it in perfume form. And then a candle. The hotel requested that it be made into an amenities line, ending Bulgari's reign as its sole vendor. In 2019, the scent was awarded Niche Fragrance of the year the only hotel-inspired fragrance to ever win an award by the Cosmetic Executive Women, a trade organization for the cosmetics, fragrance, and personal care industry. But for the most part, Ganter believes the majority of Majestic guests probably don't even notice the scent. "It's subliminal," she says. "Now that there are amenities and a candle in all the rooms, it makes it more official as the scent of the hotel. And if you bring home the shower gel, it transports you back to the place where you had a really good time." Which is precisely the whole point of signature scents for hotels: creating an olfactory memory that, when presented again, can trigger nostalgia. Rachel Herz , psychology professor at Brown University and Boston College and author of The Scent of Desire , says the use of a fragrance to achieve this effect can be traced to the late '90s with the launch of AromaSys, the first company to provide environmental scenting through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems at large resorts and hotel chains in major U.S. cities. As technology evolved and more companies began to tap into indoor-scenting machinery, the demand for a specific smell increased among hotel properties. Because unlike random fragrances or candles sold to guests at boutiques, a scent that's specially designed for a hotel is intended to forge an emotional association and, ultimately, drive repeat business. "Guests may not pay that much attention to the scent, but they're aware it's there when they walk into the lobby," says Herz, who has studied the psychological association with scent for almost 30 years. She says we adapt to smell within 15 to 20 minutes, which is why it's of the utmost importance for hotels to streamline the lobby scent with its toiletries. "It creates a memory trinket; the scent is a marker and a reminder for them to return to the hotel for their next visit." For Lisa Chung, an avid traveler and former travel marketer, scent is one of the first things she notices. She recalls two vivid olfactory experiences: a stay at the The Draftsman in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Hotel de Nell in Paris. The smells were vastly different from one another (the former was bright, the latter warm), but they had the same impact. "You're welcomed first with the scent and it feels akin to entering a spa: It's calming and it makes me feel like I can relax, that my vacation has started," she says. "Each one spoke to the hotel's design and feel." The alignment between a hotel's personality and the signature scent is an important one. When there's a disconnect, it could potentially lead to disastrous results, like repelling guests and, ultimately, hurting its brand identity. Offensive notes, too, don't help, such as artificial materials like peach or calone, or anything overtly feminine or masculine. It's much easier when a hotel can harness one or two special characteristics and extract them into a scent. In the case of Monteverdi Tuscany , a boutique hotel in the Val d'Orcia region of Tuscany , its location alone proved to be rife with inspiration. The stunning landscape is replete with rolling hills, vast vineyards, groves of olive trees, fields of poppies and gold-colored grains. It was the starting point for perfumer Maria Candida Gentile, who gathered scent profiles from the flora, the gravel, the lavender, the sage, and, after more than two years, boiled it all down to a single formula: "The Essence of the Val D'Orcia," which launched earlier this year. But not every hotel property has the luxury of a one-of-a-kind historical landscape at its disposal. So what about bigger chains? Marriott International , the largest hotel chain in the world, has 30 brands in its portfolio and among them, half have a signature or a scent program. With its focus on wellness and health, Westin was the first to roll out its signature White Tea scent (a blend of white tea, wood cedar, and vanilla) and amenities line done with fragrance manufacturer Mane more than a decade ago with the goal of energizing its guests. As for W Hotels , the trendy chain that redefined modern luxury, the idea was to match its super-charged energy (and its equally super-charged guests) with a fragrance that could cultivate a "fresh, chic environment." For 16-plus years, that has been its "Signature Citron No. 5" scent with notes of Italian figs, jasmine, and sandalwood. "When creating our signature scents, we have to think about the desired atmosphere or feeling we are trying to create for that brand experience," says Tina Edmundson, global brand officer and luxury portfolio leader at Marriott International. "Should the scent balance comfort with a quiet sexiness? Does it need to be energizing or calming? How will it blend with the colors and textures used in the design? We like to think of our signature scents in the same way you might think about choosing a perfume or a cologne it must be organic and authentic." Still, scents are incredibly subjective. And building a fragrance for a hotel property with locations all across the globe seems like a rather risky undertaking. But Herz suggests looking at it from a brand identity perspective. "Take the logo," she says. "It doesn't have meaning, but it becomes a part of the brand and how it's recognized by people. The whole idea is to increase brand awareness." Another Marriott hotel that's using scent to further its brand message is St. Regis and its signature "Caroline's Four Hundred," which was created with Arquiste in 2015 and inspired by Caroline Astor, the matriarch of the founding family. (The name refers to the 400 guests she would invite to her parties at the turn of the 20th century.) "The scent captures the exotic woods of her ballroom, along with notes of her favorite flower American Beauty roses as well as the potted palms and apple blossoms that would line the hallways of her legendary Gilded Age parties," says Edmundson No one will know for certain how a custom fragrance will be received, but when done right, it enhances the overall experience. For Ganter, it paid off when she dreamed up "Musc Imperial." And when she stays at other hotels, she can't help but notice the scent. "When I stayed at Hôtel Costes in Paris, it has a very distinct, very deep smell," she says. "It has a very strong personality and it makes a lasting impression. It's something that has stuck with me for the longest time. And when I burn a candle from the hotel, I feel like I'm there."


It's a topic that was discussed at the beginning of the NFL offseason, but could Gerald McCoy be a quality option at defensive tackle for the Eagles? Rick Stroud broke the news that the Buccaneers do intend to release the former top-3 pick. BREAKING: DT Gerald McCoy has been informed by the Bucs of their plans to release him after nine seasons. The team decided not to pay him the $13-million salary he was owed for 2019. - Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) May 20, 2019 The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro is 31 years old, and with his play declining, the Buccaneers have no interest in paying the $13 million base salary he was due. McCoy is halfway through a seven-year, $93 million contract he signed in 2014 and will forfeit the $33,432,253 over to him over the next three seasons (none guaranteed) if cut. he Eagles acquired two more defensive tackles during the draft, signing Timmy Jernigan back and then trading a late round pick to the Colts for Hassan Ridgeway. Jernigan if healthy should make the team, while Ridgeway as a run-stuffer and guy who can allow Cox to rest is also possible. The Eagles will likely carry 5 tackles and 5 edge rushers. With Chris Long retiring, there's a roster spot available. With the Eagles chasing Super Bowls and prepping for the future, could the Birds look for even more depth from a talented veteran? MORE: Browns players quickly start recruiting freshly cut DT Gerald McCoy Injury to Reuben Foster could help Chiefs, Redskins strike a deal James Holzhauer's lastest 'Jeopardy' win saved Tom Brady from eating a strawberry VIDEO: Louisiana coach goes viral with 'Daddy Ball' speech on toughness NBA Free Agency 2019: The top players


Here's the most recent top news you may have missed in Denver. Denver City Council adopts plan to guide growth of northeast City Council voted unanimously to approve the development plan that will govern northeast neighborhoods for the coming decades. Read the full story on DenverWestword . Denver couple accused of running short-term rental scheme using Airbnb A Denver couple is accused of illegally running a short-term rental scheme through Airbnb. The Denver District Attorney's Office said Tuesday that Alexander Neir, 45, and Stacy Neir, 43, claimed two homes as their primary residences. Read the full story on KDVR . Denver Zoo shares love story of same-sex pair of flamingos named Lance Bass and Freddie Mercury "Chilean flamingo Lance Bass and American flamingo Freddie Mercury have paired up for several years," zoo officials tweeted Tuesday. Read the full story on CBS Denver . Denver to host 44 more asylum seekers transported from New Mexico this week Another 44 asylum seekers are expected to arrive in Denver late Tuesday or early Wednesday morning from New Mexico, the second time nonprofits coordinated the transport to Denver. Read the full story on Denver Post . This story was created automatically using data about news stories on social media from CrowdTangle , then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback.


LONDON   If all had gone to plan, Britain would be starting its first summer out of the European Union and Prime Minister Theresa May would be looking forward to a well-earned vacation. Instead, May stepped down Friday as leader of a Conservative Party in turmoil and a country in limbo   half in, half out of the EU. She will remain as caretaker prime minister for a few weeks during a party leadership contest to choose her successor. May will be remembered as the latest in a long line of Conservative leaders destroyed by the party's divisions over Europe, and as a prime minister who failed in her primary mission: to lead Britain out of the EU. But history may also see her as a leader who faced a devilishly difficult situation with stubborn determination. The daughter of a rural Anglican vicar, May attended Oxford University and worked in financial services before being elected to Parliament in 1997. She was quiet and diligent, but also ambitious. One university friend later recalled that May hoped to be Britain's first female prime minister, and "was quite irritated when Margaret Thatcher got there first." She was not a natural political campaigner; her stiff public appearances as prime minister landed her the nickname "The Maybot." Her only touches of flamboyance are a fondness for bold outfits and accessories like brightly patterned kitten-heel shoes. But she soon established a reputation for solid competence and a knack for vanquishing flashier rivals. May served for six years in the notoriously thankless job of home secretary, responsible for borders, immigration and law and order. In 2016, she beat flashier and better-known politicians to become Britain's second female prime minister. May was the surprise winner of a Conservative leadership contest triggered when Prime Minister David Cameron stepped down after voters rejected his advice to remain in the EU, instead voting 52%-48% to leave. In her first speech as prime minister in July 2016, May sketched out plans for an ambitious policy agenda. She spoke of giving the poor a helping hand and lifting barriers to social mobility. But Brexit soon crowded out almost all other policies. Like Cameron, May had campaigned to remain, but in office she became a champion of Brexit. "Brexit means Brexit" became her mantra   a meaningless one, said her detractors, as it emerged that undoing 45 years of ties with the bloc would be a fraught and complex process. Attempting to win the support of Conservative Brexiteers suspicious of her past pro-EU leanings, May set out firm red lines in negotiations with the EU: Britain would leave the bloc's single market and customs union and end the right of EU citizens to live and work in the U.K. For a time, May's resolve helped her unite the warring factions of her party, which for decades has been divided over policy toward Europe. But she then gambled on a snap election in June 2017, in an attempt to bolster her slim majority in Parliament and strengthen her hand in Brexit negotiations with the EU. The move backfired. May ran a lackluster campaign on a platform that included plans to cut benefits to pensioners and change the way they pay for long-term care   quickly dubbed a "dementia tax." The Conservatives lost their majority, and May had to strike a deal with 10 lawmakers from Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party to stay in power. The DUP's support became a complication when the border between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland emerged as a major issue in Brexit negotiations. The unionist party strongly opposed special measures to ensure the border remained free of customs posts and other barriers, worrying they might weaken the bonds between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. May pressed on and in November 2018 struck a divorce agreement with the EU, setting out the terms of Britain's departure and establishing a transition period of almost two years for the two sides to work out their future relations. All that remained was for the British and European Parliaments to ratify it. And that is where May's best-laid plans came undone. Her careful compromise of an agreement was rejected by both sides of the Brexit debate. Brexiteers felt it gave too much away and left Britain bound to EU rules. Pro-EU lawmakers wanted a softer Brexit that kept close economic ties to the bloc. In January, May's deal was rejected by 230 votes, the biggest government defeat in British parliamentary history. Whatever her flaws, May was no quitter. Late last year she likened herself to Geoffrey Boycott, a cricketer who was famous for his dull but effective batting style. "Geoffrey Boycott stuck to it and he got the runs in the end," she said. She tried again to get her Brexit deal approved, losing by 149 votes. A third attempt narrowed the margin of defeat to 48. She tried talks with the Labour Party about securing a compromise, but managed only to further alienate her own lawmakers with her concessions to the opposition. A promise to let Parliament vote on whether to hold a new EU membership referendum was the final straw. Most Conservatives, even those sympathetic to her plight, concluded that May was the problem and would have to leave before Brexit could be sorted out. Now almost a dozen Conservative lawmakers are competing to succeed her as Conservative leader and prime minister. Party members and lawmakers are scheduled to choose the winner by the end of July. The leading candidates, including Brexit champion Boris Johnson, Environment Secretary Michael Gove and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, all vow to succeed where she has failed and lead Britain into the sunlit uplands outside the EU. Only May, perhaps, knows how hard that will be. "To succeed he or she will have to find consensus in Parliament where I have not," May said in her May 24 resignation statement. "Such a consensus can only be reached if those on all sides of the debate are willing to compromise." ___ Follow AP's full coverage of Brexit at: https://www.apnews.com/Brexit


The City of Puyallup says it is lacking overnight resources for the homeless. That's why the city started a program this month that connects up to 14 people experiencing homelessness in Puyallup with services located at the Salvation Army in Tacoma. Major Martha Sheppard with the Salvation Army says they can house eight women in one room and six men in another room. "When the police or the outreach team finds somebody that really kind of is at their end, and they want to change their life, then they give them options and we are one of the options that is being provided," Major Sheppard explained. Puyallup is paying the Salvation Army $65,000 for a yearlong contract that connects those who want help with a place to stay, meals, treatment services, and employment counseling. Police officers can provide a ride for people who want to enroll in the Salvation Army program in Tacoma. "Instead of returning homeless persons to our streets, where their situation likely will not change, we are offering them a real alternative," said a spokesperson for the Puyallup Police Department. Four people have already enrolled in the voluntary program which began this month. Two decided to leave, but the other two are still receiving help from the Salvation Army in Tacoma. Clay Keith lives in Puyallup. He has been homeless for about five years. He says he has learned how to navigate the city, and finds what he needs most of the time. "We have a shop down here for homeless, New Hope. They have a good selection of the programs that are here in Puyallup," Keith said. New Hope is a day shelter. The city says it does not have any overnight facilities. The only exception is when local churches open their doors on the coldest nights. "It's just the freezing nights from November until March," Keith said. The rest of the year, he often searches underneath overpasses for a spot to sleep. "We don't want to ever see somebody not have an option of a place to stay at night. That's just not okay with us," said Major Sheppard. "We just look at it as a countywide issue, not a citywide issue."


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is thought to be wary of pursuing a big-money move for Ajax star Matthijs de Ligt as he does not want the Dutchman's wage demands to cause problems amongst his current squad. Many of Europe's elite sides are keen to secure a deal for De Ligt, which could spark a monumental bidding war as teams fight to offer the 19-year-old the highest possible salary. Whilst Liverpool are desperate to sign De Ligt, The Mirror state that the Reds would have to make him their highest-paid player ever, which Klopp is said to be incredibly wary of doing so. With Manchester United thought to be ready to offer £236,000-a-week and Paris Saint-Germain suggesting £256,000-a-week, Liverpool may need to commit to an even higher wage to win the race for De Ligt, which would see the youngster earn far more than current stars Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. Klopp is said to believe that such a situation could lead to plenty of problems in the dressing room. United have found themselves in a similar mess in recent months as a result of Alexis Sanchez 's mammoth £500,000-a-week deal, with star players demanding similar terms if they are to remain at Old Trafford. Ander Herrera has already left the club, whilst David de Gea has also been tipped to depart amid concerns over his salary, and Klopp does not want to see a similar situation unfold at Anfield. That being said, the German still wants to bring De Ligt to the club, and it is even suggested that he could offer the likes of Salah and Van Dijk improved contracts to avoid any unnecessary problems. De Ligt is expected to make a final decision on his future after the Netherlands' UEFA Nations League final against Portugal on Sunday, with the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich joining the Premier League sides in awaiting his final choice.


Photo gallery by photo services Federal prosecutors in New York are scrutinizing tens of thousands of documents relating to Donald Trump's inauguration in a sign that the investigation into the committee's finances is advancing. The President's Inaugural Committee handed over the cache of documents over the course of several weeks in response to a wide-ranging subpoena seeking documents, records, and communications concerning the inaugural's finances, vendors, and donors sent in February by the US attorney's office with the Southern District of New York. The last set of documents was produced within the last month, people familiar with the matter said. The end of the document production indicates the investigation is moving into the next stage. Authorities are investigating whether any of the record $107 million in donations for the inaugural was misspent, used to improperly benefit certain individuals, or came from foreign donors in violation of campaign finance laws that prohibit foreign money in US elections, people familiar with the inquiry said. The ongoing investigation is one of several into Trump's businesses or campaign-related activities the White House is facing on multiple fronts, despite the end of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. What prosecutors find could also shed more light on any attempts by foreign governments or businesses to influence the President as the 2020 campaign gears up. Prosecutors have interviewed at least one inaugural planner, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, whose firm, WIS Media, was paid $25.8 million for event production. Wolkoff, a New York City planner who has been involved in events such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala, known as the Met Gala , was also a close friend of Melania Trump. RELATED: New York Times: Former Trump inauguration official says she was 'thrown under the bus' The pace and direction of the investigation is unclear. So far prosecutors have not interviewed some of the top finance organizers of the inaugural or asked the Trump Organization for documents, according to people familiar with the investigation. Other people familiar with the investigation say there is no obviously damaging information in the documents. Representatives for the US attorney's office and inaugural committee declined to comment. It is not publicly known who else authorities have spoken with. Rick Gates, who was deputy chairman of the inaugural committee, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy and lying to investigators about unrelated conduct. Prosecutors in Washington have said Gates is continuing to cooperate with the Justice Department. Under his plea agreement he is obligated to cooperate with any federal inquiries. The federal investigation is not the only one facing the inaugural. State attorneys general from New Jersey and Washington, DC , have also issued subpoenas for records. They are looking at the committee from its status as a nonprofit and whether it violated any laws in how it spent the funds. Stems from Cohen raid The federal investigation grew, in part, from a recording prosecutors obtained in the raid of Trump's personal attorney Michael Cohen. Cohen recorded a conversation he had with Wolkoff. Wolkoff expressed concern in the recorded conversation about how the inaugural committee was spending money, The Wall Street Journal reported. Wolkoff was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in Manhattan in October and met with prosecutors, according to people familiar with the investigation. Wolkoff's attorney declined to comment. The investigation escalated in February when prosecutors sent the subpoena to the inaugural committee, which was led by longtime Trump friend Tom Barrack, for any documents and communications it had related to any "benefits" offered to donors, including "tickets, photo opportunities, and/or small group receptions." Barrack was not named in the subpoena. It also requires the committee to turn over information about donations made directly to vendors, as well as communications discussing that possibility. And it seeks records related to virtually every donor or donation, attendee at a committee event, piece of paperwork related to the legal requirements attached to donations and even "the possibility of" donations made by foreign nationals. The inauguration raised a record amount and spent it lavishly on dinners and events, including $1.5 million at the Trump International Hotel in Washington. WNYC and ProPublica , citing emails, reported last year that Wolkoff was concerned about the rates the Trump hotel was quoting. The subpoena singled out only one person by name: Imaad Zuberi and his investment firm, Avenue Ventures LLC. It isn't clear what attracted prosecutors to Zuberi, a Los Angeles-based venture capitalist, but the long time donor to Democrats did an about face after the election, piling money into Republican coffers. His company donated $900,000 to the inaugural fund, according to Federal Election Commission records, giving him access to two glitzy dinners. While Zuberi's donation to the inaugural was large there were 47 individuals and companies that exceeded his contribution. Zuberi also attended two events that gave him proximity to the president and separately crossed paths with Cohen. In one conversation with Cohen they discussed a potential Manhattan real estate project but it never materialized. Zuberi also has business ties to the Qataris. In the three months since the subpoena was sent to the inaugural committee Zuberi has not heard from federal prosecutors in New York, his spokesman told CNN. Zuberi is under investigation by federal prosecutors in Los Angeles for tax matters unrelated to the inaugural.


The Golden State Warriors can't play a game without someone walking off the court with some sort of injury. Several Warriors players are playing hurt, have missed games with injuries or are currently missing games with injuries this entire postseason. Kevon Looney went down in the first half of Game 2 with a collar bone injury, and now it appears as if Klay Thompson could miss, at the very least, the end of Game 2 with what appears to be a hamstring injury. After a 3-point attempt, Thompson landed awkwardly. A few plays later, you can see Thompson limp after a Quinn Cook made three. He calls for his teammates to draw a foul to stop the action, then he starts grabbing his hamstring before heading into the locker room. You can watch his limp here. Klay Thompson begins limping after this play. pic.twitter.com/E43HmHjMw7 - RealGM (@RealGM) June 3, 2019 We'll update this post once there is more information about Thompson's injury. UPDATE: Klay Thompson will not return for Game 2 of the NBA Finals with hamstring tightness. Klay Thompson has left hamstring tightness and will not return tonight - Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) June 3, 2019 MORE: A spoiler-filled 'Jeopardy!' clip leaked, and it appears to show the fate of James Holzhauer Roundup: Google and Amazon Facing Antitrust Scrutiny, Cruise Ship Crash Video, $344 Powerball Winner Report: Suns, Bulls offering lottery picks for Lonzo Ball Byron Pringle emerging as secret superstar for Chiefs Raiders WR Tyrell Williams named 'breakout star' of OTAs


Before Chris Paul was shipped off to Oklahoma City for point guard Russell Westbrook, there were rumors about a contentious relationship between Paul and his running mate James Harden. Many assumed that the allegations were true because there have been reports of Paul getting under the skin of teammates before, but there was nothing definitive about what exactly was causing the tension in the relationship. On an episode of Brian Windhorst's podcast discussing the trade, the ESPN reporter gave us a small glimpse as to what was going on between the two stars. "I did hear this story about that Warriors series. Chris and James got into it on the court, and it was just over a schematic thing where it was a spacing issue. Chris was trying to post up, and he was standing too close to James, and it was allowing too easy of a double team, and Chris barked at James. "And James turned to him - this was described to me by another player - and he said, 'with you, it's always effing something.'" While this isn't a huge deal in a vacuum, it certainly points to what may have been a larger issue surrounding both players. Without the ability for either guy to manage his own ego, taking direction from the other could have caused their relationship to dwindle. Paul has always been the kind of guy who controlled the whole offense when he was on the floor, but in Houston, Harden was so much of the offense it was impossible for Paul to have that much influence. At least with Westbrook, he does have some experience resequencing the reigns to the offense with both Kevin Durant and Paul George. There's no telling whether things will work between those two, but it's very clear that it wasn't going to work with Paul and Harden anymore. MORE: Michael Bisping's cageside reaction to Urijah Faber's stunning KO was too good Trysten Hill may be crowning point on Cowboys star-studded defense Are Colts a possible trade destination for Browns RB Duke Johnson? 2020 Madden Ratings: See where the Lions players are rated Woj: With only 1 open roster spot, Lakers unlikely to sign J.R. Smith


Tony Kanaan isn't expecting to shine in this weekend's Indianapolis 500 despite his starring role in last year's event, even though he believes it can be the best race of AJ Foyt Racing-Chevrolet's season. Last year, Kanaan and Matheus Leist qualified 10 th and 11 th , and the 2013 Indy winner went on to lead 19 laps but suffered a puncture. During his recovery drive, he spun and shunted, while Leist came home 13th. It was by far the most competitive performance by the Foyt team in a wretched season that saw the veteran and rookie finish 16 th and 18 th in the championship. This season didn't look any better until Leist finished fourth in the rain-affected IndyCar Grand Prix on the IMS road course, and Kanaan doubts he can replicate his last Indy performance. He and Leist line up 16 th and 24 th for the 103 rd Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge. "This year has been a very difficult year for us," he replied to Motorsport.com. "We had a very rough start. I don't think we're as competitive as we were last year here, unfortunately. I believe a lot of the teams actually stepped up. "Last year we were in the top eight every day, and in the race, we led for a few laps. To be honest, I would love to tell you yes. I think anything can happen, but I don't feel like we're there. We will be working on it, and this still can be our best race this year. We've been fighting a lot of demons and trying to get going towards the right direction. "I mean, look at Simon [Pagenaud, polesitter and IndyCar GP winner]. I think he's one that I always look up for. The first couple races he's been up, and he's been really good, and then all of a sudden it's like, 'What's going on?' But I haven't done anything different. For us, the importance of having a good race here is high. I think we had all the focus over the winter as far as the team, we focused on the ovals, especially here. "My boss is like Simon's boss. That's all he cares about   this place. Everything else comes second. I think we still have a pretty good possibility to have a good result. Am I going to have as good a car as I had last year? I don't think so, but it is what it is. Sometimes that's the way it goes." Asked how that affects his strategy and preparation, he responded: "That changes everything. I think when you have a car to win, you race one way. When you have a car to finish in the top 10, you race in a different way. You're more aggressive. "So to me, for us, it's important to get a solid result. You know, like I said, we've been finishing 12th, 13th. I mean, Matheus had a pretty good run in the rain at the GP. He got extremely lucky with the strategy, but he drove well in the rain. We got a top 4 finally. So I think for us that's what we need. "I think I'll be a little bit more conservative in the race. They're not expecting me to be conservative on the start and restarts, but that's just what I do, and we'll see. Twenty laps to go if we're in the mix in the top five, I'm going to go for it, but if not, I think, a realistic top 10 for us here would be a pretty good result." Tony Kanaan, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Chevrolet with son Photo by: Scott R LePage / LAT Images


Franz Beckenbauer is number 37 in 90min's Top 50 Great Managers of All Time series. Follow the rest of the series over the course of the next eight weeks. You can find Robbie Copeland's Der Kaiser career overview here . Franz Beckenbauer will always be best remembered for a playing career that saw him win literally everything, and a good deal of it more than once. In his six years as Germany manager and title-winning spells with Bayern and Marseille, however, he worked with some incredible players that would define his standalone legacy as one of the greatest managers ever. Some he coached for more-or-less the duration of his career, while other greats only had a taste of working under the Kaiser, but when you put it all together, you get a team that would strike fear into the heart of any of the best teams in the world over the years - especially under Beckenbauer's tutelage. Here is Franz Beckenbauer's best XI, featuring some players who might surprise you. Goalkeeper and Defenders Oliver Kahn (GK) - Arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time, the legendary careers of Kahn and Beckenbauer only crossed over very briefly between April and June 1996, during the latter of the Kaiser's two spells in the Bayern Munich dugout. Nonetheless, it was successful, as they won the UEFA Cup together, before Beckenbauer once again stepped down. Thomas Berthold (RWB) - Generally Beckenbauer's first choice on the right of his back five throughout his six years as Germany manager, Berthold was a capable, accomplished player who was elevated to a new level under his international boss - though narrowly missed out on working with him again after signing for Bayern Munich in 1993. Basile Boli (RCB) - Perhaps best remembered for headbutting Stuart Pearce while playing for France at Euro 92, Boli was coming into a purple patch during which he was one of the world's leading centre-backs when Der Kaiser joined Marseille in 1990. He'd go on to win back to back league titles, and score the winning goal in the 1992 Champions League final against Milan. Klaus Augenthaler (SW) - Augenthaller was entrusted with playing the 'Beckenbauer role' for most of his time in charge of Germany, and was the first choice sweeper throughout their 1990 World Cup winning campaign. He would go on to serve as his assistant manager in both of his spells in charge of Bayern. Christian Ziege (LCB) - Admittedly shoehorned in here due to being the best left-sided defender available not named Andreas Brehme, Ziege was only 18 when Beckenbauer stepped down as Germany manager, but would go on to feature heavily in his two spells at Bayern. A prolonged career beyond Bayern would see him win trophies with Milan and Liverpool, while also featuring for Middlesbrough, Tottenham and 'Gladbach. Andreas Brehme (LWB) - The left wing back's penalty, one of three goals he scored during the 1990 World Cup, was the beating of Argentina and cemented Beckenbauer as one of the great managers in history. A mainstay of his Germany tenure. Midfielders Jan Wouters (CM) - Another who only briefly crossed over, Wouters featured throughout Beckenbauer's first spell as Bayern boss, but is best remembered for vastly successful spells with Ajax and the Netherlands, where he won various trophies including Euro 88. In England, however, he's the 'Dutch thug' who broke Paul Gascoigne's cheekbone with a not-so-sly elbow during qualifying for the 1994 World Cup. Lothar Matthäus (CAM) - Most of the entries on this list are debatable, due to the vast pool of talent to choose from, but leaving Matthäus out would have been a travesty. Beckenbauer's 5-3-2 Germany set-up was built around his intelligent movement between the lines, and the four goals he scored at Italia 90 saw him named European Footballer of the Year. Thomas Häßler (CM) - Players remembered better for their international careers than their club are a rarity in football, but it speaks to the Kaiser's influence that so many of his Germany players fall into the category. Häßler is one, as another important part of the 1990 World Cup winning side and a mainstay for his country throughout a successful spell in the 90s. Forwards  Rudi Voller (CF) - 47 goals in 90 appearances for West Germany make redundant any case for leaving the striker out. He was another key part of the World Cup winning side of 1990, and at the peak of his powers throughout Beckenbauer's tenure. Eric Cantona (CF) - There is virtually nothing in terms of ability separating Cantona from Jurgen Klinsmann, but the surprise that Cantona had worked with Beckenbauer - coupled with the fact I've only included one player from his Marseille days so far - affords the French enigma the win. The two worked together throughout the 1990/91 season, before the Kaiser stepped down, and Cantona left for Nimes. From there, he would join Leeds in 1992, before an uneventful, controversy-free five years at Manchester United . Number 50: Marcelo Bielsa: The Argentina Manager's All Time Best XI Number 49: Vic Buckingham: The English Manager's All Time Best XI Number 48: Claudio Ranieri: The Tinkerman's All Time Best XI Number 47: Bill Nicholson: The Tottenham Legend's All Time Best XI Number 46: Sven-Goran Eriksson: The Former Lazio Manager's All Time Best XI Number 45: Sir Alf Ramsey: The World Cup Winer's All Time Best XI Number 44: Antonio Conte: The Fiery Italian's All-Time Best XI Number 43: Kenny Dalglish: The King of Anfield's All-Time Best XI Number 42: Massimiliano Allegri: The Six-Time Serie A Winner's All-Time Best XI Number 41: Sir Bobby Robson: The Legendary Fighter's All-Time Best XI Number 40: Luis Aragones: Spain's Most Important Manager's All-Time Best XI Number 39: Herbert Chapman: The Yorkshire Tactician's All-Time Best XI Number 38:  Carlos Alberto Parreira: The World Cup Hero's All-Time Best XI


Harley-Davidson cut its full-year operating margin outlook and global bike shipment forecast, signaling trouble for its strategy of growing motorcycle sales overseas to offset slumping U.S. demand. Weak worldwide sales and the impact of tariffs dented second-quarter earnings, prompting the Milwaukee-based manufacturer to slash its shipment forecast this year to 212,000 to 217,000, from a previous range of 217,000 to 222,000. Harley was caught in the crossfire of trade disputes last year when it announced plans to shift some U.S. production overseas to sidestep higher tariffs imposed by the European Union. The move earned the wrath of President Donald Trump, who blasted off angry tweets criticizing the manufacturer and even hinted at inciting a boycott. The EU imposed a 31% tax on U.S.-built motorcycles as retaliation for the president's steel and aluminum levies. That has compounded the longer-term demographic problems Harley faces as it struggles to attract younger buyers and reverse a 2 and 1/2-year slide in U.S. sales. Efforts to grow share overseas are being hampered by tariffs and weaker global consumer demand, which suggests a turnaround may be a long way off for the biker brand. Related video: Harley's international business looks concerning (provided by CNBC) "Plummeting demand in the U.S., which made up 58% of 2018 deliveries, is structural," said Kevin Tynan, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. "Achieving a goal of attracting 2 million new riders by 2027 will be challenging even without elevated tariffs." The company's adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter of $1.46 beat the $1.41 average analysts expected, and were up from $1.45 a year ago. But operating income fell 26% in the quarter as the impact of tariffs eroded profits. That prompted Harley to lower expected 2019 operating margins from motorcycles to 6% to 7% of revenue, from a previous 8% to 9%. Retail sales in the U.S., Harley's biggest market, fell 8%, the 10th consecutive quarter of declines, while worldwide sales dropped 8.4%. European deliveries, which had resisted steep declines in recent quarters, tumbled 12.5%. "Retail sales were far worse than expected overseas," said Sharon Zackfia, an analyst with William Blair in Chicago. "Lackluster" U.S. sales drove Harley's market share down 180 basis points to 46.6%, she noted. The motorcycle maker said it won approval from European regulators to ship bikes from Thailand in order to sidestep a 31% tariff on U.S.-made bikes, but the approval process took "considerably longer" than expected. That delay in obtaining regulatory approval and softer than expected European retail sales were the "key drivers" of the company's decision to cut guidance for 2019, the company said in a statement. In an effort to showcase Harley's technology and reach new and younger buyers, earlier this year Chief Executive Officer Matt Levatich rolled out LiveWire, the company's first wholly electric-powered motorcycle. "Caught between an aging customer base and next-generation technology, the company's Livewire electric bike will eventually appeal to younger riders, once the starting price is reduced to a level that spurs a volume recovery," Tynan said.


SEATTLE (AP) Raul Ruidiaz and Harry Shipp scored to help the Seattle Sounders beat Atlanta United 2-1 on Sunday. Shipp bounced a header into the net to break a 1-1 tie in the 71st minute. Jordan Morris stole a pass from Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in the attacking half and tapped it to Nicolas Lodeiro, whose though pass led Morris toward the end line. Morris chipped a first-timer to Shipp for the finish from the corner of the 6-yard box . Ruidiaz chest-trapped a pass from Cristian Roldan, beat one defender and lobbed it over another before finishing with a volley from the center of the area to make open the scoring in the 58th minute. Josef Martinez headed home a corner kick from Gonzalo Martinez to tie it in the 65th. Josef Martinez has eight goals in his last five starts and 13 overall. Atlanta (9-8-3) is winless in its last three games. Seattle (10-5-5) is unbeaten at home this season and has won three of its last four overall. Over the past five seasons, the Sounders rank first in MLS in points at home with 187 and their 58 wins are tied with the New York Red Bulls for most in the league. The Sounders mostly controlled the action, finishing with 56.7% possession and outshooting Atlanta 18-12, including 6-2 in shots on goal, but came away empty-handed on several chances. Ruidiaz pushed a side-footer just outside the post in the opening minutes, goalkeeper Brad Guzan turned away a shot by Roldan from point-blank range in the 29th minute and defender Miles Robinson made a sliding block of what appeared to be a 1-on-1 opportunity for Shipp after a through pass by Lodeiro in the 32nd. Ruidiaz bounced a header off the outside of the near post in the 66th. Former Seattle Mariner Edgar Martinez, a seven-time All-Star who will be inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 21, led the Sounders in Scarves Up prior to kickoff.


Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. A motorhome is an all-inclusive way to travel with your bed, living room, kitchen even bathroom. You can tour the country and park overnight with all the conveniences of home right with you. For many drivers, a motorhome can even be easier to drive than a truck with a travel trailer , especially when it comes to backing up and parking. It takes some research to understand the different types of motorhomes that are available and choose the right one for your budget and plans. The smallest ones aren't much bigger than a minivan; large diesel coaches can be as big as an interstate bus. Indeed, some companies that make buses, like Prevost, also make motorhomes. Crashes and especially rollovers are a particular concern with motorhomes due to their size and sometimes limited occupant protection. The most common causes for rollovers include underinflated tires, tire blowouts, overcorrection or oversteering, and inexperienced drivers. (Key lesson here: Buy quality tires and inspect them regularly.) Even though motorhomes have seats for several passengers, you don't have the same level of protection that you'd get in a pickup truck being used as a tow vehicle for a travel trailer. This is especially a concern when traveling with children, who need to be secured in car seats. Advanced safety features are becoming commonplace in cars, but they're rare among motorhomes. That will soon change. Ford, the primary supplier of powertrains and platforms for popular Class C motorhomes, announced that its next-generation chassis will be available with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and more for 2020, following the trend seen in cars and increasingly with commercial trucks. Class C motorhomes have a traditional van cab. Mercedes-Benz has several advanced safety systems available on its chassis cab, the barebones chassis with the driving compartment that's supplied to RV and truck companies for conversion into motorhomes and other vehicles. And some RV makers are installing aftermarket systems. Rearview cameras are now common, and there are some models with side-view cameras to reduce blind spots. Look for an RV with these advances, especially if you plan to own it for many years. There are three core types of motorhomes, and each class is signified with a letter. Within each class is a wide range of sizes and prices. The class designation describes the vehicle structure used for the motorhome's construction. While there are always variations within a theme, each class has typical accommodation and design trade-offs. Here's the most common breakdown: Class A: Medium to large RVs. These are the bus-shaped models. The class spans from alternatives to Class C all the way to extremely luxurious and large coaches. Class B: Camper vans that are based on a van. These RVs are typically the most expensive per foot. They pack a lot into a small space and often are based on a Mercedes-Benz platform. Class C: These often have a cutaway chassis with a van cab front, with an RV shell that typically includes an over-the-cab sleeping area. Class C can be the most affordable all-in-one models. A few major RV brands dominate, such as Coachmen, Forester River, Jayco, Thor, Tiffin, and Winnebago, but there are many smaller brands to choose from. There are some clever niche models, like Advanced RV's one-off Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van-based creations that never need to be plugged in for power. Others, like Lazy Daze, follow a traditional heritage-inspired design. Choices aren't limited to just a brand and model of motorhome, though. A model can come in a variety of floor plans and lengths. And often there's a choice of interior décor, along with seating, entertainment, and other options. This guide below will help you make the key decisions on the road to RV ownership. Class A Motorhomes Class A motorhomes offer the widest variation in size and price. They excel at providing a lot of space for their size. Many have slides, sections that can extend out when the motorhome is parked to create a wider interior. The variety of lengths and floor plans can make choosing a Class A nearly overwhelming. Interior furnishings can range from basic to resembling a gilded yacht cabin. A vast majority of moderately priced motorhomes are built on a Ford chassis using a gas-powered V10 engine; RV companies build out the living quarters. Larger motorhomes often use a large, commercial chassis built by Freightliner or Spartan. A few smaller Class A motorhomes use the same chassis as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. Other companies, including the relatively affordable Tiffin brand and the top-end custom bus builders Newell and Prevost, build their own frame and use an engine from manufacturers such as Cummins or Volvo. Motorhomes come with either gasoline or diesel engines. Gasoline engines require less expensive maintenance; you don't have to hassle with the advanced emissions systems needed to keep modern diesel engines clean. Still, diesels tend to get better fuel-economy and have more torque, which is helpful for moving that big box down the road. The engine can be mounted in the front or the rear. A front-mounted Ford V10 is a common configuration among modestly priced Class A models. A rear-engined motorhome is called a "pusher" because the engine basically propels it. Pushers are almost always diesels. Generally speaking, diesel pushers are the most expensive and luxurious models. They tend to be much quieter to drive and have impressive towing capabilities. Safety varies based on the RV design and features. The driver's portion of a Class A motorhome isn't designed to meet the same crash safety standards as the van cab found in other motorhome types. The front two seats have shoulder and lap belts, but most of the other seats in the coach only have lap belts and can face various directions. And advanced safety features remain uncommon in Class A motorhomes. Electronic stability control is relatively rare, and forward collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB) are recent innovations with limited availability. Motorhome buyers may want to add an aftermarket FCW system. How are they built? They're a box on wheels. The motorhome company builds the entire body and upper structure, which is mounted atop a frame and drivetrain components from another manufacturer. How big are they? Sizes can range from about 25 feet long up to nearly 50 feet long, but they are typically around 30 to 36 feet long. (Some national parks have limits for an acceptable RV length.) How many can they sleep? Typically six to eight people. How much do they cost? Prices start around $90,000 and go up to $400,000 or more for large, premium models. (Some, such as the Newmar King Aire, approach a million dollars.) Pros: Most space per foot of any motorhome type, thanks to their width and shape. Variety of sizes, prices, and finish levels. Diesel pusher models typically have a long life if properly maintained. Can have generous storage space. Cons: Typically large and bulky to drive and park. Owners may want to tow a car to make getting around locally easier, but that erases the advantage of not having to tow anything. May not fit in smaller campsites. Relatively low fuel economy. Often few seats with full seat belts (shoulder and lap belts). Diesel pushers, with their commercial bus-level components, can be expensive to purchase and maintain. The wide variety of chassis options means that hunting down parts for some models can become a hobby as they age. Buying a popular model from a long-established company can have its advantages. Class B Motorhomes While Class A and Class C motorhomes cover a wide variety of designs, Class B motorhomes are rather homogeneous. That's because they're built fully within a commercial van's bodywork. That structure strictly limits how much space you have to work with. These vans are usually less than 7.5 feet wide a foot less than many RVs and they're much shorter. Accommodations are more purposeful than plush; you won't find fake fireplaces or big recliners here. But being built within that structure helps a lot with quality. After all, the exterior is completely painted metal, just as it came from Ford, Mercedes, or Ram. This reduces the chance of leaks and deterioration. Class B vans are the safest choice for motorhomes. All of the vans have stability control and front airbags; the Mercedes is available with FCW, AEB, blind spot warning (BSW), and lane keeping assist (LKA). Class B vans can be equipped with full seat belts for multiple passengers up to seven people, and they have front and side airbags. Given the small size, they can sometimes seat more passengers than can they can sleep. Class B vans aren't the most generous RVs for camping, but they excel at touring. That's why they're sometimes called "traveling coaches." In fact, some affluent families use them to shepherd kids to soccer games, and they make the ultimate tailgate party van. Driving one isn't much harder than driving a regular minivan. They just about fit in normal-sized parking spots, and you can find a suitable spot in almost every campground. How are they built? Based on a van body shipped from the vehicle manufacturer (Ford, Mercedes-Benz, or Ram). How big are they? Between 20 and 26 feet long, but not much wider than a minivan. How many can they sleep? Usually only two people comfortably; sometimes four will fit. How much do they cost? They're expensive for their size (between $85,000 and $150,000), but they hold their value better than most RVs. Pros: Very easy to drive and park. Best fuel economy of any RV; can get up to 20 mpg. Full metal body construction, right from the automaker, helps durability. Advanced safety equipment is available. Best resale value of any RV type. Cons: Not much room inside; usually only sleeps two people comfortably. Short on amenities, including small bathrooms, no ovens, etc. Expensive for their size. Relatively few floor-plan choices. Once you choose to go with a Class B, you can pick from one of three vans. Over the last decade, a vast majority of Class B motorhomes have been built with Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. But in recent years, the front-wheel-drive Ram Promaster has entered this market, and the Ford Transit is also used by some motorhome manufacturers. There are pros and cons to each: The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter offers the longest available body length, available four-wheel-drive, a diesel engine, and a long list of available automotive-grade safety features. Most motorhome manufacturers are familiar with the van, so you'll find a wide variety of brands and floor plans. The diesel emissions system can be finicky. Because it's a Mercedes, service can be expensive, and in rural areas it can be tough to find dealers. Freightliner dealers also sell and service Sprinters. The Ram Promaster is considerably less expensive. It sits lower to the ground, thanks to its front-wheel-drive layout, which makes getting in and out easier. Dealers are plentiful, and service for the familiar Pentastar 3.6-liter V6 engine, found in hundreds of thousands of Chrysler vehicles, is relatively inexpensive. Its typically shorter length makes the Promaster easier to park, and it's wider inside than the Sprinter. The diesel engine uses an unrefined dual-clutch transmission. The Ford Transit drives particularly well. The 3.5-liter gas-powered EcoBoost V6 engine is a powerhouse; a five-cylinder diesel is also available. Advanced safety features, such as AEB and FCW, are available on new models. A vast Ford dealer network is available in rural areas. The Transit is the best-selling van in the U.S. Relatively few motorhome builders have taken to outfitting this design. Class C Motorhomes Class C motorhomes are the least expensive option. They're built on a "cutaway" chassis; the front of the van remains to the end of the front doors, with only exposed framework past that point. RV manufacturers build the remaining structure and interior atop that frame. Many Class C motorhomes have a "cab over" sleeping area, which is a bed over the front seats. That's the rooftop bulge that sticks out front. Class C motorhomes without this bed (or bulge) are increasingly common. For marketing purposes, they're often called "Class B+" motorhomes, although structurally they're in Class C. A vast majority of Class C motorhomes are built on a Ford E-Series cutaway chassis; it's been an RV staple for very long time. A handful of Class C motorhomes are built with the front end of a pickup truck. This creates more room in the cab because the truck's engine is fully out front under the long hood. Luxury compact Class Cs are often built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis; these are increasingly popular among Class A owners looking to downsize. A handful of Class C motorhomes are built on the Ram Promaster chassis, but its low payload capacity limits it to smaller coaches. Some manufacturers use the Ford Transit chassis, but because it has a lower payload capacity than the Ford E-Series, it too is limited to smaller coaches. Again, the next-generation Ford Transit chassis used for Class C RVs promises to offer advanced safety features. Going the other way, "Super C" motorhomes are built on medium-duty truck platforms, just like larger moving trucks. These have beefier frames, commercial-grade engines, and much higher payload and towing ratings than other Class C motorhomes. But they're large and expensive. The range of available lengths means that there's plenty of variety in available floor plans. And while there are a few high-end Class C builders such as Coach House, most Class C motorhomes stop short of the decadence shoppers can get in Class A coaches. How are they built? The front and frame are from a van or truck, and the rest of the body is built by the RV manufacturer. Most use a Ford cutaway chassis with a V10 engine. How big are they? Usually 22 to 35 feet long. How many can they sleep? Typically four to eight people. How much do they cost? $70,000 to $200,000. Pros: Least expensive way to get a motorhome. Overhead bed adds sleeping space while keeping length down. Wide variety of floor plans. Shorter Class C motorhomes (under 25 feet long or so) are relatively easy to drive and park. Cons: Cab area can be relatively cramped due to the "doghouse" engine cover that intrudes into the space on van-based models. Moderately priced cab/engine options are relatively limited. Bottom Line A motorhome combines the mechanics of a truck with the infrastructure and furnishings of a house. Conduct a thorough investigation of any motorhome you're considering including whether it's new to make sure everything works before you leave the lot. And be prepared for the demands of maintaining a motorhome. Unlike passenger vehicles, rear seats in motorhomes aren't held to federal motor vehicle safety standards for occupant protection. Rear bench seats may have available seat belts, and these are anchored to the chassis, but they can offer a false sense of security because their wooden bench supports can collapse in a crash. Additionally, the different configurations of the bench seats (rear- or side-facing) aren't recommended for car seats or seating passengers. The safest option for additional passengers is to ride separately in a passenger vehicle or opt for a truck and travel trailer instead. Finally, if you buy a used motorhome, you'll find that many have surprisingly few miles on them. That doesn't mean you can relax when purchasing. Time also takes a toll on components; replacing a set of six motorhome tires because of dry rot can be costly. (And this is not an area where you'll want to scrimp.) A thorough mechanical inspection, as well as making sure that everything in the "house" part of the coach works, is important. Consider hiring an independent RV mechanic or inspector to help. Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2019, Consumer Reports, Inc.


It's a fear that has lingered over the heads of Buffalo fans for much of the 21st century - an apprehensive thought that rears its ugly head once every few years. The Bills are not safe. In a contemporary NFL that favors large markets and glamorous stadiums, Buffalo is a relic of the past. With a metro population of 1.1 million , it's the league's second-smallest market. Only five teams play in older venues than the 45-year-old New Era Field. According to Forbes, the Bills are the NFL's least valuable franchise. On a surface level, relocation does not seem like an erroneous outcome for Buffalo, something that has prompted national media outlets to question the team's long-term stability in western New York. "The drums are getting louder, Buffalo," Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio tweeted earlier this summer . "And the message from the league is clear: Pay for all or part of a new stadium, or else the Bills will eventually move." SB Nation's Adam Stites further added to the conversation with a recent article in which he identified the Bills as a potential candidate for relocation . Buffalo's uncertain stadium situation serves as the basis of Stites' argument, noting that New Era Field is aging and hasn't undergone significant renovations in some time. Stites also writes that team owner Terry Pegula "sounds . . . committed to staying in Buffalo." The only problem? Stites isn't sure who's going to foot the bill for a new stadium. "Despite Erie County already setting aside $500,000 to begin saving for the cost of a new stadium, that'll be a drop in the well," Stites wrote. "So if the city of Buffalo balks at the idea of pledging a large amount of taxpayer money for a new stadium, it's very plausible that another city would step in with an offer of its own. "Until the Bills figure out where they will play and who will pay for it, a long-term future in Buffalo isn't a sure thing." With the evidence presented, the logic is sound. Buffalo's stadium situation is in flux, and until a definitive plan is approved, the beloved franchise is in danger of relocating. But that's an incredibly elementary point of view. Though stating that the Bills are in no danger of relocating would be ignorant, I will say that we'll likely see pigs fly before we see the team up and move. One doesn't have to look any further than Pegula for evidence that the team isn't going anywhere. The billionaire is the sole owner of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. His company, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, also owns the NLL's Buffalo Bandits, this in addition to owning and operating numerous restaurants throughout downtown Buffalo. Pegula was also behind the construction of the Harbor Center, a ~$170 million state-of-the-art facility that opened in 2015. The Harbor Center has attracted a number of prestigious hockey tournaments to downtown Buffalo, perhaps most notably the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2019 Frozen Four. Combine this with the property that Pegula owns throughout the city, and it's easy to see that he's incredibly committed to Buffalo. The team's ownership group has taken strides toward resolving its stadium uncertainties in recent months, as well, hiring CAA Icon to conduct a " comprehensive study " of options in November 2018. The purpose of the study is to guide the Pegulas to the most efficient outcome: build a new facility somewhere in Western New York, or renovate the near half-century old New Era Field. And both are realistic options at this point. A downtown stadium has been a fantasy of many Bills fans for years, something that would help the city of Buffalo take the next step in its revitalization. Or perhaps renovations to the already-serviceable New Era Field would suffice. Though the stadium lacks the glitz and offerings of the some of the league's newer venues, there's a special charm about it. Age and a lack of corporate boxes top of the list of national complaints about the facility, but age is not a suitable critique of a stadium. Barcelona's Camp Nou is 61 years old. Manchester's Old Trafford broke ground in 1909. New Era Field is not deteriorating. It certainly could not be classified as a modern venue, but extensive renovations could easily help it reach contemporary standards. The Bills have options in Western New York - and leaving the region does not appear to be one of them. Though a surface-level analysis would suggest that Buffalo could soon lose its NFL team, a deeper dive quickly disproves this theory. To say that the Bills are in danger of relocating would be to blatantly ignore Pegula's contributions and commitment to the region. Though NFL relocation is always an interesting topic to discuss, Buffalo truly has no business being in the conversation. With a passionate fanbase and incredibly-committed ownership, the Bills will call Buffalo home for the foreseeable future. MORE: Poker player loses brutal 31 million chip hand with pocket aces at 2019 WSOP Main Event Three Potential Landing Spots for Chris Paul News: Major trade target at safety, levels to Cowboys WRs, NFL's best RB NBA Depth Charts After Packers pass on Jalen Thompson, focus shifts to Natrell Jamerson