The Week by the Numbers: January 12-18, 2014
By Matt Phifer
3 – Golden Globes for “American Hustle”
“American Hustle” led the way at the Golden Globes, collecting three prizes, “Best Musical or Comedy”, “Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy” for Amy Adams and “Best Supporting Actress in a Drama, Musical or Comedy” for Jennifer Lawrence. The movie “Dallas Buyers Club” and TV shows “Breaking Bad” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” all won two Golden Globes. “12 Years A Slave” won the Golden Globe for best drama.
85 – Age Martin Luther King Jr. would have turned on January 15th
Wednesday marked what would have been Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 85th birthday. The former civil rights leader who made his iconic “I have a dream” speech just over 50 years ago was remembered throughout the later part of the week in the lead up to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
$30.7 Million – Amount of money Clayton Kershaw will make per year according to his new contract
The Los Angeles Dodgers re-signed their ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw to a seven year deal worth a whopping $215 million. Kershaw’s contract, in which he’ll make an average of $30.7 million per year, is the largest contract ever given to a pitcher in Major League history. Kershaw won his second Cy Young Award in 2013 while leading the majors with a 1.83 earned run average and topping the National League with 232 strikeouts.
$765 Million – Concussion settlement by the NFL was rejected by a federal judge
U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody questioned whether the NFL’s $765 million settlement with more than 4,500 former players over concussions was enough compensation. She asked for detailed financial information on a plan that would cover over 20,000 players for 65 years. She wrote that she had concerns about the “fairness, reasonableness and adequacy of the settlement.” Brody was also concerned that not all players suffering from degenerative brain disease and similar ailments would receive help with their medical costs.
$1.1 Trillion – Spending bill approved by the House of Representatives
A $1.1 trillion spending bill for the fiscal year was approved by the House of Representatives in a 359-67 vote on Wednesday. The 1,582 piece bill was introduced on Monday night. Despite Tea Party and conservative groups such as Heritage Action and Club for Growth’s warnings, 166 House Republicans voted for the bill. The Democratic-controlled Senate will vote on the bill early this week.