When Nick DeMarinis turned on ESPN during the 2024 Pop-A-Shot National Championship, his reaction could've been the wistful, career-focused adult's, "Ah, maybe in another life."

• Instead, the South Tampa dad and WeWork executive thought to himself, "Why not me?"

Why it matters: DeMarinis, 43, has mastered the art of not taking himself too seriously — and that ethos sparked a pretty remarkable journey for a guy just liked to shoot hoops at arcades for fun.

State of play: DeMarinis is one of two players from Tampa who will compete in the Pop-A-Shot National Championship this Friday in Orlando.

• It'll be his second time in the tournament, after his debut last year.

The big picture: Illinois-based Pop-A-Shot is a brand of arcade basketball that claims to have invented the game in 1981 and held tournaments in the 1980s, the Peoria Journal Star reported.

• After a hiatus, and under a new owner, the company brought back the national championship in 2024 and pitched it to ESPN for airing.
• It joined ESPN8: The Ocho, an annual slate of programming featuring obscure sports ("sports") like sign spinning, lawn-mower racing and cornhole.

How it works: Pop-A-Shot hopefuls have to win one of eight qualifying tournaments scattered across the country to make it to the championship.

• Those rounds are open to anyone 21 and up, but perhaps because of the game's '80s and '90s heyday, the competition has attracted a bit of an *ahem* older crowd.
• "The field is stacked with dads," a Pop-A-Shot spokesperson told the Peoria newspaper.

Enter DeMarinis, who has the dad card courtesy of his twin 8-year-old sons.

Yes, but: Making it to the nationals was a bit harder to come by.

• DeMarinis, known in the Pop-A-Shot world as Nicky Bucketz, swept his first qualifying tournament in San Antonio to make last year's championship.
• This year, though, it took a little more persistence and a whole lot of air travel. He went to Atlanta first. No dice. Then came New York, where he lost to fellow Tampeño Cary Jordan.
• So he made a casual day trip across the country to Portland, Oregon, to give it another go. He celebrated his ticket to the championship on a red-eye flight home.

By a lot of standards, that's an unhinged amount of effort for an arcade game.

• But consider DeMarinis, who since last year has broken two miniature basketball-related Guinness world records and whose drive to break out of his comfort zone has led him on past adventures like moving to Hong Kong and interviewing Justin Bieber.

The bottom line: "I keep doing crazy s--t," he said, "to keep me young."

If you watch: The championship will air live on ESPN2 at 7pm Friday.

Tell a dad

Florida's property tax referendum needs a rewrite, a judge ruled on Monday.

Why it matters: The November ballot question would give homeowners a tax break by increasing the non-schools homestead exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 by 2027 — and then to $250,000 by 2028.

• Local governments stand to lose billions in revenue, leading several public safety groups to oppose it.

Driving the news: A Leon County Circuit Court judge ruled that the title of the referendum, "Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes," was too political, the Florida Phoenix reports.

• The ballot summary language was deemed to be misleading for stating that it would benefit taxpayers and ensure funding for core services, per the outlet.
• "Whether the amendment would 'benefit' taxpayers is the central policy question voters are being asked to decide," Circuit Judge David Frank wrote.
• Florida law requires "fairness and accuracy" in ballot questions, so voters can make an informed decision, Frank said, per the Florida Trib.

What's next: If the state doesn't appeal, it has until Aug. 14 to correct the referendum, the Phoenix reports.

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👷‍♂️ Visible construction has begun at Port Tampa Bay on its new cruise terminal, the first added in a quarter-century. Workers are filling the Metroport site where the Banana Docks once stood. (WFLA)

❌ The New College Foundation Board voted recently to dissolve the school's alumni association, despite objections from alumni leaders who say the change will eliminate an independent voice. (Tampa Bay Times)

🏡 South of Gandy will be the site of 13 new three-to-four-bedroom townhomes as part of a gated community being built by Tampa-based OX Development called Palm Park South. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

🦟 A second case of dengue fever has been reported in Hillsborough County, prompting officials to conduct surveillance and prevention efforts and urge residents to take steps to avoid mosquito bites. (Bay News 9)

It's been a sweltering summer, but that's no reason to be a homebody. Here are some Tampa-area options for getting out there this weekend.

American Idiot: The Tony-winning musical based on Green Day's hit 2004 album is at the Straz Center's Jobsite Theater Thursday-Sunday, exploring consumerism and media manipulation.

• 7:30pm Thursday-Saturday; 2pm Sunday. Prices vary.

Old School Reggaeton Party: The Ritz Ybor hosts a late-night party featuring classic reggaeton, dancers, confetti and "many surprises."

• Friday, 10pm– 3am. Tickets start around $13.

Tampa Noles Block Party: Ybor City's Italian Club hosts the Tampa Bay Seminole Club for a 21+ FSU fundraiser. Food and swag come with the ticket. Features the Marching Chiefs Alumni Band.

• Saturday, 2pm–6pm. $30 for general admission, $100 for VIP.

LEGO Fan Expo: This kid-friendly convention and expo at the Florida State Fairgrounds features jumbo-sized LEGO displays, plus games, contests, build zones and more.

• Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 10am-4pm. Tickets start at $18.

Crowbar held its final shows on Friday, ending its run as Ybor City's last independent concert room.

• But owner Tom DeGeorge is starting to plan his next venue — and he wants Tampa's help.

State of play: DeGeorge announced this week that he's raising money for a down payment to buy a building in Tampa to "protect, cultivate and grow independent live in Tampa Bay for generations to come."

• DeGeorge rented the Crowbar space and opted to end his lease due in part to the pressures facing indie venues, including the expansion of entertainment giant Live Nation, which is planning a venue in Ybor.

Find DeGeorge's Kickstarter here.

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