Denver Broncos owner Greg Penner has made a bold and exciting move, extending an official invitation to pop sensation Taylor Swift to collaborate with the legendary Backstreet Boys for a performance in Denver. The proposal, which was sent directly to Swift’s management, is an ambitious attempt to bring two of the biggest names in music together for an unforgettable event.
With both Swift and the Backstreet Boys enjoying iconic status in the music industry, Penner believes that such a collaboration would be a major event for both the Denver community and the music world at large. The performance, tentatively scheduled to take place at Empower Field at Mile High, would not only bring together two chart-topping acts but also serve as a powerful statement about Denver’s status as a major hub for entertainment.
“A Unique Opportunity for Denver”
In a statement to the press, Penner expressed his excitement about the potential collaboration, emphasizing that it could be a historic event for the city. “Denver has always been a place that embraces music, sports, and entertainment, and we believe that a collaboration between Taylor Swift and the Backstreet Boys would be something truly special,” Penner said. “This would be a unique opportunity for the people of Denver to witness a performance like no other — one that bridges generations and brings together two incredible musical forces.”
Empower Field at Mile High, home to the Broncos, has hosted major events in the past, but Penner envisions this performance as one of the most significant in the venue’s history. “Having Taylor Swift and the Backstreet Boys perform here would not only be a major event for the fans but also a celebration of Denver’s vibrant culture,” Penner added.
“Bringing Legends Together”
Taylor Swift, whose music continues to break records, and the Backstreet Boys, who remain one of the most beloved boy bands of all time, are both known for their incredible fanbases and chart-topping hits. Penner sees this collaboration as a way to blend generations of music fans and create an unforgettable concert experience. “Both Taylor Swift and the Backstreet Boys have a lasting impact on the music industry, and bringing them together would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the fans,” Penner stated.
While it remains to be seen whether Swift will accept the offer, the idea has already created a wave of excitement among fans of both artists, with social media buzzing about the potential collaboration. Many fans have expressed their hopes for the concert, with some suggesting that it could even become a major annual event for Denver.
“A Concert to Remember”
If the collaboration comes to fruition, it would undoubtedly be one of the most highly anticipated concerts in recent years, with fans eagerly awaiting a show that features both the pop sensation and the legendary boy band. With both Swift and the Backstreet Boys known for their high-energy performances and passionate fanbases, this concert promises to deliver a spectacular night of music, memories, and magic.
For now, all eyes are on Taylor Swift’s response to Greg Penner’s invitation. If she agrees, the concert in Denver could be a game-changer, not only for the entertainment industry but for the city’s reputation as a major player on the global music scene.
When Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy still says he’d play every game if he was allowed, it’s difficult to tell exactly how much he’s joking.
Vasilevskiy is the workhorse of his era in terms of goaltenders. Take away two seasons ago, when he missed the first 20 games due to back surgery, and he has averaged 62 starts dating to 2021-22. And no one will forget the three-year stretch in which he played 71 postseason games, winning 48 of them in helping the Lightning to three straight Stanley Cup finals.
But Vasilevskiy is now 31, and he’s gradually adapted his training routine, learning the value of rest. He’ll be the first to tell you that a goaltender’s work is no walk in the park, and the older you get, physical ailments continue to creep up.
But he jokes that it would be fun to play all 82.
“I’m not 20 years old anymore, so I need a little bit more here and there, just to, you know, to fill up my tank a little bit,” Vasilevskiy said following Sunday’s practice at Benchmark International Arena. “But still, I will play 82 games. I mean, I want to, to be honest. I want one season when I play 82 games.
“Maybe before my last season in the league I’ll ask to play 82 games.”
A month into the season, Vasilevskiy is playing his best hockey. After going winless in his first five starts (0-3-2), he enters Wednesday’s home game against the Rangers 5-1-0 in his last six, posting a 2.00 goals-against average and .923 save percentage.
Vasilevskiy’s best game of the stretch might have been Saturday’s 3-2 win over Washington when he held off the Capitals in the third period, including two big back-to-back saves on Alex Ovechkin and Jakob Chychrun in the final two minutes.
“I think Vasy has gone the way our team’s gone,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “And when we struggled early, I can’t sit here and say Vasy struggled. We left him out there. But I thought as our team’s game improved, you know, Vas, he’s been good for us.
“It’s the saves in big moments when you need them, and that’s what Vas has done for us. So you can see his numbers are starting to creep into the area they should be and usually are, and that’s a good sign.”
Vasilevskiy rarely practiced during training camp as he dealt with an undisclosed physical issue. He’s going to have to manage some ailments as he gets older and figuring out how is a part of his growing process. But he feels like whatever he was going through in the preseason is behind him.
“I feel like every professional athlete is dealing with some sort of injury and all these minor scratches,” Vasilevskiy said. “So obviously, in my case too, it probably will never get away at this point while I’m still playing hockey. So at this point, I just can manage it. But at least it doesn’t bother me too much during the game now.”
Even when Vasilevskiy was struggling early in the season, he knew he was playing well enough to get a win and “stayed calm” even as the losses piled up. But the Lightning’s recent surge certainly helps.
“It boosts my confidence, our confidence overall,” he said. “… But I don’t think we are playing our greatest hockey so far.”
The Lightning have worked to get more days off for Vasilevskiy, and Cooper has said that this season’s compacted schedule due to the Olympic break will make backup goaltenders more important.
And they have leaned on backup Jonas Johansson, and not just because the schedule included three early back-to-backs. Last week, the Lightning started Johansson for a Monday afternoon road game in Utah to give Vasilevskiy extra time off after playing the previous Saturday night and with the team starting a three-game road trip.
For Vasilevskiy, finding that balance between getting his work in and the right times to rest is a constant work in progress.
“If I’m not playing, just like, it’s just too boring to me,” he said. “Like, I don’t know what to do. And I feel there’s days when, yeah, it’s good to practice. But for example, after the game, I’m usually so exhausted, and I sleep only for a few hours. I struggle to sleep after the game, so that obviously doesn’t help, so sometimes my body feels (bad).”
“I feel like my body is tired, but my brain is just still spinning,” he said about winding down after games. “The adrenaline’s pumping, so I can’t let it calm down like I know it should. …
“I still feel that the goalie is kind of doing a high-intensity job. It’s all 60 or even more minutes on the ice doing all these … stupid splits and stuff. So obviously, it doesn’t really help the body to feel better after the game. But again, I’ve kind of gotten used to it over the last 11 years doing it. So at this point, I can’t complain.”