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India’s Delhi–Dehradun Expressway Revolution as People can Travel to Dehradun, Mussoorie and Haridwar in Under 3 Hours — Boosting Tourism,...

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Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Hosts Tamkeen Forum in Dakhliyah, Driving Tourism Sector Growth with their Aligned Training and Enhanced...

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Malaysia Airlines Increases Brisbane Flights to Daily Service – What This Means for Travel Between Malaysia, Australia & Beyond!Malaysia Airlines,...

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United States joins Spain, Germany, and Italy to Report Massive Gains from Cruise Tourism — How Royal Caribbean and Carnival...

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Google Messages has silently added the Satellite SOS feature on Galaxy S26 series in the US. A consumer posted on Reddit the interface screenshots, showcasing how the feature works when you are not in the reach of networks.

Samsung Messages is gone, and Google Messages is the only SMS service on the Galaxy S26 series, which also offers Satellite SOS in the US. It allows you to send an emergency SOS even if you are not connected to a cellular network.

It’s a pretty useful feature and becomes a boon when you are in need. You may have faced a situation where network is not available, but you need to contact to your friends, family or loved ones to share the status.

The post contains three screenshots, with the first displaying the setup page of satellite service. An in-app pop-up card appears with a brief description of the feature and tapping “Continue” opens the satellite detection page.

Google Messages assists you in aligning your phone according to the positioning of the satellite. It will showcase a proper guide to turn your phone left/right/up/down in order to bolster the strength of the signal transmitted through satellite.

To make the Emergency SOS even more reliable, Google Messages can also minimize the satellite alignment page to the app’s header. It displays the connectivity status in real time, while allowing you to send SMS through the app.

Tapping “End” allows you to disconnect the app and revert to cellular. The app mentions that mobile data, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi will turn off when the satellite is connected and revert to normal after the end of the satellite connection.

The post Galaxy S26 gains Satellite SOS in Google Messages appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ Kids Edition launches in the US as a purpose-built tablet for younger users, while still staying firmly inside the broader Galaxy ecosystem.

The Galaxy Tab A11+ Kids Edition is a proper Galaxy tablet with meaningful hardware upgrades. You get an 11-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate.

Samsung pairs that screen with quad speakers and Dolby Atmos support. This features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is something parents will quietly appreciate.

Under the hood, the tablet packs a 7,040mAh battery that Samsung says can push up to 15 hours of video playback. When it finally runs out, 25W fast charging gets it back up without much downtime.

Storage starts at 128GB, which already covers most needs. If that is not enough, microSD expansion goes all the way up to 2TB.

Samsung is promising up to seven generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades, along with seven years of security updates. The device will evolve alongside One UI 8 and beyond, keeping it relevant deep into the future.

You get a protective Kids Cover with customizable stickers, a Crayo-pen with tether for drawing and creativity, and a Samsung Kids setup guide. The software side focuses on parental controls, letting you manage screen time, apps, and content.

If you are wondering about the price, the Galaxy Tab A11+ Kids Edition comes in at $350 in the US. Retail availability spans Samsung’s official store, Experience Stores, and Best Buy. Amazon sales kick off on April 23, 2026.

The post Samsung launches Galaxy Tab A11+ Kids Edition tablet in the US appeared first on Sammy Fans.

Oppo’s Find X10 series is expected to debut later this year, and several details about the lineup have already surfaced through leaks. A new leak has now revealed some details about the Find X10. The series is expected to include the Find X10, Find X10 Pro, and Find X10 Pro Max. Tipster Digital Chat Station has revealed new details about the Find X10, suggesting that the device could pack a massive 8,000mAh battery. The tipster also claims that the phone will feature a dual 200MP rear camera setup. Earlier leaks indicated that the Find X10 may sport a 6.59-inch display with a...

The post Everything Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse Has Said About XRP in 2026 appeared first on Coinpedia Fintech News

XRP is trading well below its January highs. The broader crypto market has been volatile, geopolitical uncertainty has kept risk appetite suppressed, and the regulatory clarity that everyone has been waiting for keeps getting pushed back by a few more weeks.

None of that has moved Brad Garlinghouse.

The Ripple CEO has given a string of major public appearances in 2026, and the message has been remarkably consistent across all of them. Not defensive. Not cautious. Quietly confident in a way that either shows conviction or extraordinary discipline, possibly both.

January: Davos and the Institutional Gap

Garlinghouse opened 2026 at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he framed XRP not as a speculative asset but as neutral financial infrastructure for a world increasingly fragmented by sanctions and geopolitical tension.

He pointed to stablecoin transaction volume growing from $19 trillion in 2024 to $33 trillion in 2025, roughly 75% year-over-year growth, as evidence that the infrastructure story was already playing out in the numbers. At the same time, he made a point of noting that institutional interest from firms like BlackRock and Vanguard had not yet been fully reflected in prices.

“I don’t think institutional interest is priced into the crypto market as much as I would have expected right now,” he said.

XRP was pulling back from around $2.40 toward $1.85 at the time. He did not flinch.

February: Fox Business and an 80% Bet on Congress

On Fox Business, Garlinghouse put his credibility behind a specific prediction. He estimated an 80 to 90% chance the CLARITY Act would pass Congress by April, described XRP as one of the best-performing major cryptocurrencies, and said the broader sector would soon get the regulatory certainty it needed.

At the XRP Community Day, he outlined Ripple’s plan to slow acquisitions and focus on integrating the $4 billion worth of companies acquired during 2025.

March: Three Continents, Five Days, and a Record Quarter

In March, Garlinghouse travelled to three continents and four global offices in five days. He then announced Ripple Prime had tripled its revenue run rate and described the company as being on a tear.

His message on XRP remained unchanged.

“Making XRP more useful, more trusted, with higher utility, that is our North Star,” he said.

April: End of May and a Compromise Is Coming

At the Semafor World Economy Summit on April 13, Garlinghouse addressed the stablecoin yield dispute that has been holding up the CLARITY Act. His read on the political situation was characteristically direct.

“When people are at their peak of frustration, that’s when they finally compromise, and it gets done. I think we’re there,” he said.

He pushed his CLARITY Act timeline to the end of May, his third revision of the year. But the direction has not changed. He told the audience that CLARITY passing would unlock banks globally to participate fully in crypto, something he called far bigger than anything Ripple itself could do alone.

The Boston Red Sox didn't play a game on Thursday, but that doesn't mean there wasn't anything to watch for fans of the organization. 

High-A Greenville had a game with No. 5 prospect Juan Valera on the mound. Any time you have a 19-year-old top prospect on the mound who can throw 101.7 miles per hour, it's appointment viewing, if possible.

Unfortunately, though, Valera was forced to exit the game early on Thursday for Greenville. MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo reported that the reason why Valera was forced out of the game was due to "elbow inflammation."

"Pitching prospect Juan Valera left his start at Greenville with elbow inflammation, source says. He was recently ranked as Baseball America's No. 100 prospect in baseball," Cotillo wrote. 

Any time you hear about an elbow issue of any kind for a hurler, it's not great. Over the next few days, there should be more information. Hopefully, this is nothing long-term for the young flamethrower. While not likely for the big league club this season, if he can pitch to his potential, making it all the way up to Triple-A Worcester should be very possible.

More MLB: Red Sox–Cardinals Trade Looks Like Major Boston Win

Universidad de Chile has taken a strategic step in consolidating its sports project for 2026. The club officially announced the signing of the first professional contracts for three of its young prospects: Diego Vargas, Elías Rojas, and Matías Riquelme, who have already featured for the first team this season.

Export-ready profiles and a sense of belonging

The three youth players represent the success of the development process at the CDA. Diego Vargas (19), a versatile full-back, has already logged 120 minutes in the top flight; Elías Rojas (18) stands out for his physical presence in midfield; while Matías Riquelme (18) brings technical quality and attacking vision. Manuel Mayo, sporting director, emphasized that these players have "lived" the club’s culture since the youth ranks.

Identity as the central pillar

With this move, the institution is not only rewarding performance, but also seeking to inject identity into the professional squad. The contractual protection ensures that homegrown talent will be the foundation of the blue side’s long-term planning.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Paul DePodesta came prepared with more than remarks.

The Colorado Rockies president of baseball operations offered a grin and then a joke and then a laugh. Why not? He’s eager to see what kind of stamina he has; or how much is still there.

The 53-year-old remembers how long a season can be. The spring training. The games. The travel. The scouting. The deadlines. The hours.

But recollections — after spending the past decade working for the NFL’s Cleveland Browns — and actually experiencing all those things aren’t the same. DePodesta knows that. He’s still excited by all of it.

“It’s been really good to be back,” DePodesta said Thursday. “Not only in the big league stuff, but the minor league stuff and some of the amateur scouting stuff. … Looking forward to getting through the calendar, at least one full time, and I think it’ll slow down for us.”

But right now? Well, there isn’t any time to stop. There’s too much to do and too much to see. Players, coaches, farm system coordinators. There are already plans to log plenty of miles. And not just in terms of altitude.

Along with the Rockies’ base in Denver, there have been — and will be — trips to Albuquerque, where DePodesta was on hand Thursday to see the Isotopes rally for a 9-5 comeback win over Oklahoma City. A day game that saw Vimael Machín drive in three runs, reach base three times and score twice, Blaine Crim hit a game-tying single in the seventh and Adael Amador knock a season-high three hits, including the go-ahead single in the eighth.

Along with Albuquerque, DePodesta is planning visits to Connecticut, Washington state, California, Arizona and even Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic to see the organizations’ other farm system teams.

It’s part of the rebuild DePodesta, the man who rose to prominence during the Oakland Athletics’ Moneyball era, has been put in charge of to align the Rockies with Denver’s other major professional teams.

It’s a large task, and a difficult one.

While the Denver Nuggets and the Colorado Avalanche have each won a championship in the past five years, and the Denver Broncos were on the cusp of a Super Bowl appearance this past season, the Rockies have been stuck in a quagmire. One Colorado seems unable to get out of.

All this comes while playing home games a mile above sea level and in the same division as the free-spending Dodgers — according to the MLB commissioner’s office, the Dodgers spent a record $515 million in its World Series-winning 2025 season — as well as the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks, each of whom have had spurts of success.

DePodesta has his work cut out for him as he takes over a franchise that seems to have plenty of drawbacks and certainly detractors. The Rockies, after all, had the worst run differential (-424) and starting pitcher ERA (6.65) in the majors last season.

The Rockies are coming off three straight 100-loss seasons. Last year’s 119 tied the 2003 Detroit Tigers for the third most in the modern era. In its 33 years of existence, the franchise has pulled together three consecutive winning seasons only one time: 1995-97.

“I think we have to be ourselves,” DePodesta said. “If you look at those different situations around our division, they’ve all done it a little differently and yet, they’ve all been pretty successful teams. We have to focus on ourselves ultimately.

“… But there are things that we’re going to have to do that will be unique to Denver, unique to playing in altitude, that will ultimately help us be successful.”

How quickly that uniqueness comes to fruition, or what it will look like will be determined by the “groundwork” DePodesta is trying to set. Really, it’s a philosophy that sees the entirety of the organization moving in a singular direction no matter the level, no matter the players, no matter the coaches.

In other words, everything is intertwined and needs to be treated as such. It certainly couldn’t hurt to try and the Rockies don’t have a lot to lose.

“That’s actually what we want it to be is one organization, from the big leagues down to the Dominican, and even into all of our scouting operations,” said DePodesta, who views a big league roster as 50 to 60 players deep. “We’re really looking for it to be a unified operation. So the way we do things in Denver is going to be the way we do things in Albuquerque and the way we’re going to do in Boca Chica. And that’s something I think is really important for us to try to get right.”

It’s why the trips to the various minor league affiliates — like he did with Albuquerque on Thursday — to check on things and communicate has been and will continue to be important.

The Rockies know something different needs to happen. DePodesta just needs to see it through. It’s just a matter of how quickly all that past stamina comes back.

Oh, and how quickly the tangible results present themselves in Denver.

“That’s what everybody’s after is trying to find good young players,” DePodesta said. “Those are foundational players for the organization. We feel like we have that opportunity here with some of the players we have coming through the system, even with some of the players already in Denver. But we still need to actually make that happen.”

David Glovach covers New Mexico United and other sports for the Journal. Reach him at dglovach@abqjournal.com or via X @DavidGlovach

LOVB Salt Lake is one win away from its first championship.

LOVB Salt Lake defeated LOVB Austin 22-25, 25-21, 22-25, 27-25, 16-14 in Game 1 of the 2026 LOVB championship series on Thursday in Long Beach, California. LOVB Austin now must win Game 2 on Saturday to force a decisive golden set to keep its back-to-back title hopes alive, otherwise LOVB Salt Lake will hoist its first Tiffany championship trophy.

LOVB Austin and LOVB Salt Lake entered the championship series on equal footing. Both teams finished tied for third place in the regular season with identical 10-10 records. Both clubs split their four meetings during the regular season and each club survived a fifth, golden set in the semifinals to advance to the championships.

Like both semifinal rounds, Game 1 of the championship series also came down to a golden set. The decisive fifth set featured nine ties between both clubs. LOVB Austin had a 13-11 lead, but LOVB Salt Lake closed the match on a 6-1 run to win and deliver a blow to the defending champions.

LOVB Salt Lake outside hitter Alexa Gray said her squad had to get "a little bit of jitters out," but praised the team's resilience in coming back to force a fifth set and ultimately win the game.

"I don't think it was our best volleyball," said Gray, who finished with a game-high 28 points, 24 kills and seven blocks. "But I thought we stuck together as a group and did what we could do even through the weird, but just really proud of how we stayed in it and fought."

LOVB Salt Lake racked up 32 errors in the win, compared to 22 for LOVB Austin. LOVB Austin had an advantage in blocks (19-14) and Aces (7-1), but LOVB Salt Lake was able to piece together a run when it mattered most.

The evening started with a special guest. Zhuri James, the daughter of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and Savannah James, delivered the honorary first serve ahead of Game 1 of the LOVB championship on Thursday.

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LOVB Salt Lake takes 1-0 lead over LOVB Austin in championship series

Tigers' Colt Keith delivers first MLB game-winning hit, sweeps away Royals on season's first hit off changeup originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After not facing a left-handed starting pitcher for the opening 16 games of the MLB season, the Detroit Tigers faced their second southpaw in three days Thursday, sending utility specialist Colt Keith to the bench for both outings.

Keith remained patient.

Waiting through two rain delays for a right-handed reliever to enter Thursday's game at Comerica Park, Keith's left-handed swing finally earned a summons from Tigers manager A.J. Hinch.

With the Royals leading by two runs entering the bottom of the ninth inning, Riley Greene fueled the comeback with a game-tying double, followed by Keith's first career game-winning hit, capping a 10-9 victory. The Tigers (10-9), winners of six straight for the first time since 2024, earned the three-game sweep by securing a trifecta of come-from-behind, one-run victories.

Keith's decisive RBI single to right field Thursday proved to be his first hit off a changeup this season.

"We're being clutch and playing clean," Keith told Detroit SportsNet during a wet post-game interview.

Tigers' Colt Keith hitting like breakout candidate

For the first time in his three-year career, Keith did not stumble out of spring training, hitting .163 in April as a rookie and .186 during the opening month as a sophomore.

This season has been different. While Hinch tends to keep Keith on the bench against left-handed starters, the versatile infielder remains one of the lineup's top candidates for an All-Star-type breakout. In his opening six starts, he batted .364.

On Thursday's game-winner, Keith said he was looking for a changeup.

"They've been doing it to me all series," said Keith, who was hitless in five at-bats during the first two games of the series.

Scheduled to open a series against the host Boston Red Sox on Friday, Keith led the Tigers with a .317 batting average and seven doubles. He had yet to connect on a home run in 60 at-bats, but through his opening 15 appearances, Keith ranked fifth in the league in exit velocity (93.5 mph).

Keith still doesn't start against lefties, but he came up clutch Thursday and remains patient for a breakout. 

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Macklin Celebrini had a goal and two assists to break Joe Thornton's San Jose record for points in a season with 115, helping the Sharks rout the Winnipeg Jets 6-1 on Thursday night in the finale for both teams.

The 19-year-old Celebrini had 45 goals and 70 assists in 82 games in his second NHL season. Thornton had 114 points in 2006-07, also playing 82 games. Last season, Celebrini had 63 points in 70 games, with 25 goals and 38 assists.

San Jose missed the playoff for the seventh consecutive season, finishing 39-35-8.

The Jets were 35-35-12 to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22. They are the fifth NHL team to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the best regular-season record and not qualify for the playoffs the following season.

William Eklund also had a goal and two assists for San Jose. Will Smith had a goal and an assist, Collin Graf, Igor Chernyshov and Michael Misa also scored, and John Klingberg added three assists. Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 25 shots.

Cole Koepke scored for Winnipeg.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

The 2026 NFL Draft is one week from tonight, or the first round is, at least. When Day Two of this year’s selection meeting rolls around in Pittsburgh, a face with some local flavor is going to be announcing the picks for our favorite team.

Offensive tackle Brian O’Neill has been announced as the person who will be announcing the Vikings’ picks on Friday for this year’s Draft. The NFL has had legends and current players announcing picks on Draft Friday for the past few years, and O’Neill has gotten that honor for the Vikings this season.

O’Neill, who played his college football at the University of Pittsburgh, was himself selected on Day Two of an NFL Draft, as the Vikings selected him in the second round back in 2018. With the Panthers, he was a First-Team All-ACC selection as a senior, and has gone on to earn two Pro Bowl berths as a member of the Vikings since joining them.

As it stands right now, barring any trades, O’Neill will get to announce three picks for the Vikings, one in Round 2 and two in Round 3. If the Vikings keep that second-round pick, it will be the first selection they’ve made in Round 2 since 2022, when they selected both Andrew Booth and Ed Ingram. The Vikings did not have a second-round pick in 2023, 2024, or 2025 because of trades they had made.

College football recruiting experts are calling the class that BYU added last December the best in school history.

It was led, of course, by four-star quarterback Ryder Lyons of Folsom, California, and four-star tight end Brock Harris, from St. George’s Pine View High in southern Utah.

Those highly regarded players are currently on missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Orlando, Florida (Lyons), and Spokane, Washington (Harris), and both have said that they will return in time to join the BYU football program before the 2027 season.

“I loved the way the team worked, and we had some new faces come in … who are going to be great contributors to our team. … Even some true freshmen will play. They are good enough to play.”

BYU coach Kalani Sitake

Other signees from that 2026 class that 247Sports ranked as the 18th best in the country, and second best in the Big 12, are also on church missions or will be serving shortly, most notably Olympus High three-star linebacker Adam Bywater, brother of former BYU standout linebacker Ben Bywater.

However, a large number of those signees have already enrolled at BYU and participated in the recently completed 15 spring football practices. The only player in that group who has yet to join the team is Antonio Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 170-pound cornerback from Fort Worth, Texas.

One of the signs that this truly is an extraordinary signing class for head coach Kalani Sitake is that several of the prospects who signed last December could end up playing right away, Sitake and coordinators Kelly Poppinga and Aaron Roderick said when camp wrapped up on April 2.

“I loved the way the team worked, and we had some new faces come in … who are going to be great contributors to our team,” Sitake said. “… Even some true freshmen will play. They are good enough to play.”

A lot of the newcomers the head coach was talking about come from the transfer portal. Guys such as Oregon receiver Kyler Kasper, USC tight end Walker Lyons, Oregon tight end Roger Saleapaga and Cal linebacker Cade Uluave have been profiled by the Deseret News in recent weeks and surely will make their marks this fall, along with returning stars LJ Martin, Bear Bachmeier, Sione Moa, Faletau Satuala and Keanu Tanuvasa.

Returned missionaries such as linebacker/defensive end Adney Reid, quarterback Enoch Watson and receiver Jett Nelson could also see the field, although generally it takes players a bit of time before they are back to full strength and fitness after missionary service.

Then there are the true freshmen. Up to a half-dozen, maybe more, could log playing time this fall, and not because the roster of returning players is thin. As Sitake said, these new, young guys are good.

Going off what coaches said about them in spring camp, and what was observed by media members, the list of true freshmen who could play right away includes offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo, linebacker Braxton Lindsey, receiver Legend Glasker, running back Devaughn Eka and athletes Kennan Pula and Jaron Pula, twin brothers.

“What’s been different this year is having all the high school kids that are already with us now,” Sitake said. “Every one of them has been enrolled with us early, and got here in January, except for Antonio Johnson. He’s joining us in June. So we got a jump start on it, and that’s huge for them and their development.

“There is a huge upside to them. There is no ceiling, so we got to push it, and see how far we can get these guys to improve physically, mentally, spiritually and in all aspects of their life,” Sitake concluded.

Here’s a closer look at five of the freshmen BYU fans could get to know better this fall:

Receiver Legend Glasker

Hardly a day went by when media members were allowed to watch portions of spring practices when the Lehi High product didn’t make a remarkable play, or wasn’t mentioned by coaches as one of the standouts of camp. The three-star recruit, who is the cousin of BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker, is pushing to make the six-receiver rotation that receivers coach Fesi Sitake likes to use.

“I know they are freshmen, but there are some ready-made guys who I think, if they stay on their trajectory, can fill in any type of void we have,” Fesi Sitake said, referring to Glasker and returned missionary Jett Nelson, among others.

Said Roderick: “I will probably forget about somebody, but Legend Glasker is somebody who has really stood out this spring. I expect him to contribute this fall.”

Glasker could also get on the field as a kick or punt returner. He caught 37 passes for 676 yards and nine touchdowns at Lehi as a senior and 37 passes for 781 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

Linebacker/defensive end Braxton Lindsey

Freshmen who play defense seem to get on the field faster at BYU if they are in the secondary, but look for the 6-3, 230-pound Lindsey to push Tausili Akana and Nusi Taumoepeau for playing time at the rush defensive spot. A three-star recruit out of Arkansas, Lindsey had nine sacks his senior year of high school and also scored 14 touchdowns as a two-way player at Rogers High.

“Braxton has had a really solid spring, especially for a freshman coming in,” Poppinga said. “In this day and age of college football, it is really hard for a freshman to play. … But I think for what we’ve done, Braxton’s done a good job of (learning the defense), and I think he has a bright, bright future here. He’s made a ton of plays.”

Running back Devaughn Eka

Roderick has said that BYU will give superstar running back LJ Martin at least 20 carries a game, and probably five or so more touches beyond that. Next up is Sione Moa, who has been outstanding when he hasn’t been injured. Preston Rex is probably RB3 right now, especially after Jovesa Damuni was injured in spring camp.

After that, look for the 5-11, 190-pound Eka to move onto the depth chart and ahead of some guys who have been in the program for two or three years.

“Devaughn Eka has had a good spring, and I think he’s going to play for us this year,” Roderick said. “… With the skill position, it just comes back to proving to us that you deserve to play. Prove to us that you can do something that can help us win, and then it is up to us to find a way to use those guys in whatever personnel groupings we can come up with.”

A three-star recruit out of Lehi, Eka rushed for 3,276 yards and recorded 861 receiving yards in his prep career.

Safety Kennan Pula

BYU has a plethora of experience at the safety positions, led by junior Faletau Satuala and senior Raider Damuni. Sophomores Jarinn Kalama and Tommy Prassas are also in the mix. But don’t be surprised if the 6-2, 195-pound Pula doesn’t make his way onto the depth chart by the time the Cougars host Utah Tech on Sept. 5.

The athlete out of Lone Peak High, who can also play offense, like his twin brother Jaron, might be too good to keep off the field, Poppinga said two weeks ago. Kennan Pula was a four-star recruit who had offers from dozens of Power Four programs before flipping from Utah to BYU.

Kennan Pula made a one-handed interception in the 6A state football playoffs for Lone Peak that was so incredible that it went viral and was featured on ESPN’s Top Plays of the Day that day.

“Kennan Pula is another guy who has come along (quickly) that we’ve been really pleased with,” Poppinga said. In an interview with the Deseret News on April 3, Satuala said Pula was the most impressive newcomer in spring camp.

Offensive lineman Bott Mulitalo

BYU is pretty set at the tackle positions, with senior Andrew Gentry manning the right side and Washington transfer Paki Finau earning the starting spot on the left side. Look for the 6-5, 300-pound Mulitalo to get on the depth chart on one of those two sides before September rolls around.

The former four-star recruit from Lone Peak moved from defense to offense his senior season, so he is still a bit raw as an offensive lineman. But he’s massive, strong and athletic — much like former BYU tackle Kingsley Suamataia of the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Some of these new offensive linemen we got are really, really good,” said defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa. “Bott, man, he’s so strong, has great feet. He’s tough. He’s got some things to learn, but he’s already on the right track.”

Mike McCarthy will take over for Mike Tomlin as the Pittsburgh Steelers coach in 2026. The latter was a legend in the NFL and Steel City, continuing a dominant franchise in the AFC North.

Tomlin followed Bill Cowher as Steelers coach in 2007. He led the team to eight division titles and they appeared in the playoffs 13 times under his guidance.

How did the Steelers do in the first round of the NFL draft during the Tomlin era? A look at the picks and how they worked out, grade-wise.

2007

Player: Lawrence Timmons

College: Florida State

Position: LB

Grade: B

2008

Player: Rashard Mendenhall

College: Illinois

Position: RB

Grade: C+

2009

Player: Evander Hood

College: Missouri

Position: DT

Grade: C

2010

Player: Maurkice Pouncey

College: Florida

Position: C

Grade: A+

2011

Player: Cameron Heyward

College: Pitt

Position: DE

Grade: A+

2012

Player: David DeCastro

College: Stanford

Position: Guard

Grade: B+

2013

Player: Jarvis Jones

College: Georgia

Position: OLB

Grade: F

2014

Player: Ryan Shazier

College: Ohio State

Position: LB

Grade: Incomplete

2015

Player: Bud Dupree

College: Kentucky

Position: LB

Grade: B

2016

Player: Artie Burns

College: Miami

Position: CB

Grade: D-

2017

Player: T.J. Watt

College: Wisconsin

Position: LB

Grade: A+

2018

Player: Terrell Edmunds

College: Virginia Tech

Position: S

Grade: B-

2019

Player: Devin Bush

College: Michigan

Position: LB

Grade: C

2020

No pick

2021

Player: Najee Harris

College: Alabama

Position: RB

Grade: A

2022

Player: Kenny Pickett

College: Pitt

Position: QB

Grade: F

2023

Player: Broderick Jones

College: Georgia

Position: DT

Grade: C

2024

Player: Troy Fautanu

College: Washington

Position: OT

Grade: B

2025

Player: Derrick Harmon

College: Oregon

Position: DT

Grade: B-

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Mike Tomlin's Steelers first-round draft picks reviewed

No sooner had Atletico Madrid eliminated Barcelona from the Champions League than their fans turned their attention to Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.

"We'll give everything to win the cup -- spirit of '96'," read a banner they unfurled, harking back to Atletico's historic La Liga and Copa double 30 years ago under Radomir Antic.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone had a similar idea to the fans. 

There was no time to celebrate downing the Catalans, even if Antoine Griezmann said he was craving "a cold beer".

"(The joy) was short-lived because Cholo (Simeone) cut us off a bit," explained the Frenchman, who is desperate to leave the club with a farewell trophy -- or ideally two.

Griezmann, 35, Atletico's all-time top goalscorer, is leaving for MLS side Orlando City at the end of the season, and Simeone said he would love for the forward to depart with his ambitions fulfilled.

"I hope that God and destiny give him what he's looking for in the time he has left in the game," said the Argentine coach.

"We'll only realise over time that we had and still have a football genius."

Griezmann flirted with an early exit from Atletico in March but with the Copa del Rey and Champions League trophies still on the line, he could not bring himself to depart.

"(Playing in the Copa final) is my dream, my objective, and I hope we can do something big," said Griezmann a few weeks ago when announcing that he would stay until the end of the season.

The forward has been one of Simeone's most reliable soldiers during his long reign in the Spanish capital.

"I've been here 14 years at the club and I never stop getting emotional," said Simeone after reaching the Champions League semis.

"I told the players when the game ended -- thank you, thank you. I'm completely grateful as a coach for the way they play, for their drive, for their heart, for the belief we have, for what we do.

"And now rest, rest, because on Saturday we have a very important match."

- Long awaited return -

Competing with giants Barcelona and Real is an uphill struggle but Simeone has led Atletico to La Liga titles in 2014 and 2021.

While winning the Champions League cannot be expected of Atletico, the club's lack of success in the Copa del Rey is a different issue, and one the Argentine coach can legitimately be criticised for.

Atletico have won the trophy 10 times, but only once under Simeone -- in 2013 against city rivals Real Madrid, which was also the last time they reached the final.

Since then, Real Sociedad, Valencia, Real Betis and Athletic Bilbao have all won the trophy. Sevilla, Alaves, Osasuna and Mallorca have finished as runners-up.

Sociedad, their opponents at La Cartuja stadium in Seville, won the 2020 edition, which was played in 2021 without fans because of the covid pandemic.

That ended a wait of over three decades for a major trophy, but winning it in front of their fans this time would be even better.

Since American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo was appointed in December, they have rediscovered their belief and resuscitated a drab season.

"I want (the fans) with us during the whole game -- before, during and after, because we want to win it with them," said La Real defender Jon Martin.

Both teams like to strike fast on the counter and it could be an intense and entertaining battle.

Ideas about Simeone's side being durable and defensive are outdated, as was shown in the thrilling European tussle with Barca, whom Atletico also eliminated in the Copa semi-final.

"Over the years we've evolved into different game approaches because of the different characteristics of our players," explained Simeone.

"We're a team that attacks better than it defends and we need to attack."

rbs/bc

Rangers' 121-HR hitter asked for release, and Texas let him go originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Texas Rangers brought aboard Mark Canha this offseason in hopes that the veteran utility man could win a spot on the MLB roster.

Instead, Canha missed out, and he hasn't made it out of Triple-A yet.

Presumably because of a clause in his contract allowing for this if he wasn't in MLB yet, Canha was granted his release on Thursday night, the Rangers announced.

Canha will become a free agent, able to sign with any team.

The 37-year old is a career .248 MLB hitter with 121 home runs out of 879 hits.

MORE: A magical no-hit bid for the Cleveland Guardians

He played in 46 MLB games for the Royals in 2025 but really struggled with just a .537 OPS.

At his peak, Canha was particularly known for his ability to hit well against left-handed pitching and play multiple positions.

It's not clear if Canha has much left in the tank this late in his career, but it seems like someone would at least give him a chance.

He has played for the A's, Mets, Tigers, Brewers, Giants and Royals.

MORE: This second-generation relief pitcher is on an absurd wins pace

Canha had yet to appear in a game this regular season, not even down at Triple-A.

Whenever a release like this happens, there's always some wondering about retirement. Canha can't have that much more baseball to play.

But at least right now, him requesting and being granted his release suggests he's looking for another chance. It just won't happen with Texas.

More MLB news:

• Explaining the absurdity of 2 MLB players named Max Muncy
• This hitter has a worse OBP than his batting average
• Mets have most depressing stat of this entire MLB season
• This slider is really good and moves the entirely wrong direction
• Sal Stewart breaks Johnny Bench's all-time Reds record

Title-chasing Manchester City face leaders Arsenal in a seismic showdown at the top of the Premier League on Sunday.

Troubled Chelsea desperately need a win against Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification, while Liverpool are also in search of a morale boost in the Merseyside derby. 

AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the weekend's action:

Arsenal must improve in 'defining' moment

Declan Rice doesn't care what the critics say about Arsenal's untimely loss of form, but the midfielder is well aware they must improve to win their "title-defining" clash with Manchester City.

Mikel Arteta's side travel to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday nursing a a six-point lead over second-placed City as they target a first English title since 2004.

Arsenal have spluttered in recent weeks, losing the League Cup final against City, suffering a shock FA Cup quarter-final defeat against second tier Southampton and crashing to a damaging loss against Bournemouth in the top-flight.

Even Arsenal's progress to the Champions League semi-finals came with an asterisk after they laboured to a nervy goalless draw that secured a 1-0 aggregate victory against Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.

The Gunners have won just one of their last five matches in all competitions, while City are approaching top gear, having beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in their last three games.

"There's no beating around the bush. We have to perform better than we did against Bournemouth and probably Sporting as well," Rice said.

"Recently, we have made too many errors. The Etihad is the ultimate test but it's why we play this game. So, bring it on. 

"It's beautiful. I can't wait. When you're a kid, you're watching the Premier League, you see these big matches, these title-defining moments and it comes down to if you're going to be ready and how much do you want it?"

Chelsea Man Utd

Rocked by a miserable run of just one win in their last seven league games, Chelsea are on the brink of falling out of the battle for Champions League places.

Liam Rosenior's sixth-placed side have no margin for error in Saturday's game against third-placed Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

They are seven points behind United, who lost to Leeds in their last match, and four adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool with six games to play.

A defeat against United would put Chelsea's Champions League hopes in grave danger, increasing the pressure on boss Liam Rosenior after his team were booed off following last weekend's 3-0 loss to Manchester City.

Blues midfielder Andrey Santos insisted the players are determined to turn the tide.

"We understand the fans are frustrated," he said. "We are frustrated too. When you talk about Chelsea, you talk about winning games, which we're not doing. 

"It's a difficult moment but we have to work hard and keep going. Of course we believe we can finish in a Champions League place."

Wounded Liverpool face Everton test

Unceremoniously dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, Liverpool aim to make amends in their first appearance at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday.

Arne Slot's side lost 4-0 on aggregate to PSG, turning the heat up on the Liverpool boss.

Slot suffered another blow this week when France striker Hugo Ekitike was ruled out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury.

But Reds midfielder Ryan Gravenberch knows beating Everton in the first Merseyside derby at their plush new arena would lift Liverpool's anxious fans and, more importantly, strengthen their bid to qualify for the Champions League.

"We have to pick ourselves up as Sunday is waiting," he said.

"We just want to play in the Champions League next year. We have to give it our all."

Fixtures:

Saturday (1400 GMT unless stated)

Brentford v Fulham (1130), Leeds v Wolves, Newcastle v Bournemouth, Tottenham v Brighton (1630), Chelsea v Manchester United (1900)

Sunday (1300 GMT unless stated)

Aston Villa v Sunderland, Everton v Liverpool, Nottingham Forest v Burnley, Manchester City v Arsenal (1530)

Monday

Crystal Palace v West Ham (1900)

smg/dmc

As if World Cup tickets weren't expensive enough, fans who plan to attend games at two east coast venues are faced with another looming price increase.

That would be transportation to the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Local authorities in each state want to charge fans a considerable amount of money just to get to the venues for World Cup games in June and July.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority first made headlines on April 6, when it announced that a roundtrip ticket to Gillette Stadium would cost a spectator $80, some four times the usual rate that individuals pay to travel to New England Patriots' NFL games.

On April 14, the Boston Host Committee announced a plan for shuttle buses to take fans to and from matches. The price is $95 per person.

There is limited parking at Gillette, with spots starting at $175 each for each of the seven World Cup matches.

Up, up and away

As bad as that sounds, the New England situation is actually small potatoes to what is transpiring in New Jersey, with roundtrip train tickets from Penn Station to the Meadowlands costing at least $100, a seven-fold increase, and as much as $150, a 12-fold increase, per person per match, according to The Athletic.

NJ Transit has discussed the possibility for a return train ticket close to or around $150, the website reported on Thursday. A regular ticket costs $12.90, the same amount that it cost fans to journey to the venue for the FIFA Club World Cup last summer.

There will be no parking at MetLife during the World Cup as FIFA will use its parking lot for security measures and logistical arrangements.

One parking option for fans is at the American Dream mall near the stadium. Parking spots will cost $225 per car and must be reserved prior to matches, according to NewJerseyNews12. Fans can use a dedicated walkway to get to the stadium.

MetLife Stadium will host eight games, including the July 19 final. Tickets for the championship have been mired in controversy for weeks as the top price for a tier one ticket cost nearly $11,000.

That has kicked off a political storm in New York and New Jersey, with politicians pointing fingers at FIFA, soccer's world governing body, and fans feeling that they are being fleeced by FIFA on the tickets, and by the local government on transportation.

The governor chimes in

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill claimed that FIFA needs to pump in some money to help cut down costs.

“When it comes to moving people into the game at the FIFA World Cup, and FIFA intends to make about $11 billion on this, they need to defray some of this cost,” she said on the debut episode of the “Ask Governor Sherrill” call-in show on WNYC on Wednesday, April 15, the Gothamist reported.

Sherrill said that she will approve the fare increase if FIFA doesn't step in.

“I will, if that’s what it takes, because I’m not putting this on the back of New Jerseyans,” she said, according to ESPN.com.

Sherill added on a video on X: “I won’t stick N.J. commuters with that tab for years to come, that’s not fair. FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don’t, I’m not going to let N.J. commuters be taken for one.”

And so does a senator

New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said on Monday that FIFA should help pay for World Cup transit costs.

"FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer's World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill," he wrote on X. "The least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am demanding FIFA step up."

FIFA’s response

FIFA responded to Sherrill’s video by issuing a statement of its own, according to Adam Crafton of The Athletic. The organization claimed the host city had agreed to provide free or at-cost transportation to fans at all matches.

“We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s approach today on fan transportation. The original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches. Recognizing the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023 FIFA adjusted the Host Agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All Match Ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport [public or additionally planned transport] at cost to allow travel to Stadiums on match days.

“FIFA worked for years with host cities on transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation.

“FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with related economic impact. Many fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled. FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

A final decision on the rail fare is expected to be made on Friday, April 17.

It should be noted that NJ Transit did not make many friends in New York or New Jersey on April 6, when it announced that parts of Penn Station will be closed to its commuters for four hours before the kickoff of the eight matches at MetLife, so that World Cup ticketholders can be transported to the venue. Penn Station is the busiest transportation center in North America.

Commuters using other train services such as Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road will be allowed into the facility.

This report doesn’t include the cost of souvenirs and food at the stadiums. If it follows recent history, they are expected to be sky high.

Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X (formerly Twitter) and Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter's perspective, will be published this spring.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Troy Terry scored on a power play with 2:54 left, and the Anaheim Ducks beat the Nashville Predators 5-4 Thursday night putting them close to clinching the third seed in the Pacific Division for the postseason.

The Ducks came into the regular-season finale third in the Pacific with five different scenarios still possible to lock down the final playoff slots. This win, combined with Edmonton needing only a point against visiting Vancouver, means Anaheim likely starts the first round Monday at Edmonton.

Anaheim also took the season series against Nashville 2-1, though the Ducks go into the postseason 2-6-2 over their final 10.

Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Alex Killorn and Tristan Luneau scored for Anaheim. Mikael Granlund had three assists.

Steven Stamkos scored twice and had an assist for Nashville, giving him 42 goals this season. Filip Forsberg scored two goals, giving him 40, and the Predators a pair of 40-goal scorers. Luke Evangelista and Ryan Ufko added two assists apiece.

Gauthier scored 96 seconds into the game to put Anaheim up with a snap shot for his 41st of the season.

The Predators, eliminated from contention Monday night, answered with Stamkos scoring his 41st midway through the first off an assist from rookie Cole O'Hara, making his NHL debut.

Forsberg scored on a tip-in on the man advantage at 15:54 for a 2-1 lead. LaCombe's shot from near the blue line got through traffic tying it at 2 with 20.8 seconds left in the first.

Killorn's slap shot gave the Ducks a 3-2 lead at 4:33 of the second. Forsberg tied it at 14:37 with a shot from the slot, then Stamkos put Nashville up 4-3 with a wrister just outside the left crease on the power play.

Luneau tied it at 4:17 of the third scoring off the rebound of Granlund’s shot.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Iowa Cubs

The Iowa Cubs plundered the Columbus Clippers (Guardians), 11-10 in ten innings.

Matthew Boyd started this game on a rehab assignment. He got into trouble in the second inning when he gave up three runs, but was strong otherwise. The final line on Boyd was three runs on four hits over 3.2 innings. Boyd struck out six and walked just one, which is the most positive number. He threw 64 pitches and 46 were for strikes.

Will Sanders did not pitch as well, but ended up getting the win despite blowing an 8-3 lead. Sanders pitched four innings and allowed five runs on eight hits. He struck out five and walked three. One of those three walks was intentional.

Iowa scored three runs in the top of the tenth and Ryan Jensen got the save because he only gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning. Jensen gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits over one inning. He struck out two, walked one and hit one batter.

In defense of all these pitchers, the wind was howling out to left at 15 miles per hour.

Second baseman Pedro Ramirez had a big day. First, he had an RBI single in the top of the first inning. Next, Ramirez hit a three-run home run in the second inning, his fifth on the young season already. (His career-high for a season is eight.) Finally, he knocked in the third run in the top of the tenth with an infield single. Ramirez went 4 for 6 with two steals. He had the five RBI and scored twice.

Shortstop Ben Cowles cranked a solo home run in the eighth inning. Cowles also had an RBI double in the third inning and a sacrifice fly in the tenth. Cowles went 2 for 4 with the sac fly and the three runs batted in.

Third baseman James Triantos was 2 for 6 with a double to lead off the game. He scored on the Ramirez single. Triantos also stole a base.

Left fielder Owen Miller was 2 for 5 with a double. He scored once and drove in one.

Center fielder Brett Bateman was 2 for 5. He scored twice and had one run batted in.

The Ramirez home run went 394 feet.

Ben Cowles’s RBI double.

Cowles’ home run.

Knoxville Smokies

The Knoxville Smokies stuffed and mounted the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Marlins) on their mantel, 10-9.

Starter Nick Dean put the Smokies behind early when he gave up three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Dean’s final line was three runs on two hits over four innings. One of those two hits was a two-run home run. Dean walked two and struck out four.

The Smokies fell behind 8-2 when Erian Rodriguez got shelled for five runs in the fifth inning.

But the Smokies fought back and scored six runs in the top of the eighth to tie the game. However, Tyler Ras allowed a run in the bottom of the eighth to give Pensacola the lead back. Ras then got the win when the Smokies struck back with two runs in the top of the ninth. The final line on Ras was one run on two hits over 2.1 innings. He walked two and struck out four.

Vince Reilly pitched the bottom of the ninth and got the save. He issued a leadoff walk, but that runner was thrown out trying to steal. Reilly struck out the other two batters he faced to close out the win.

First baseman Edgar Alvarez gave the Smokies an early lead with a solo home run in the top of the second. Alvarez was 1 for 2 with three walks and two runs scored.

DH Alexis Ramírez hit a two-run single in the top of the ninth that ended up being the difference in the game. Ramírez went 1 for 4 with a walk and a sacrifice fly in the eighth, giving him three runs batted in tonight.

Right fielder Andy Garriola was 2 for 3 with an RBI double in the second inning. He was also hit by a pitch. Garriola reached on catcher’s interference and scored in the six-run eighth inning.

Some Smokies highlights from the eighth inning.

South Bend Cubs

The South Bend Cubs won their sixth-straight game, 7-5 over the Beloit Sky Carp (Marlins).

Starter Nazier Mulé gave up just one run on four hits over 3.1 innings. Mulé walked three and struck out four.

Brayden Spears pitched the next 2.2 innings and got the win because Mulé didn’t go five innings. But Spears deserved the W because he allowed no runs on just one hit and no walks. Spears struck out three.

Kenyi Perez pitched the final two innings and picked up the save. Perez did not permit a hit or a run, but he did walk two and hit a batter while striking out two.

DH Owen Ayers homered in his fourth-straight game and his fifth on the year. Ayers’ home run came with a man on in the fourth. He was 2 for 5.

Third baseman Reginald Preciado hit a two-run double in the third inning. He was 1 for 4.

South Bend only had four hits in this game, but scored seven runs because they walked eight times and were hit by pitches twice. The Sky Carp also committed two errors which led to four unearned runs.

Ayers’ home run.

Myrtle Beach Pelicans

The Myrtle Beach Pelicans suffered a direct hit by the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (White Sox), 9-4.

Starter Noah Edders went three innings and took the loss after allowing one run on three hits. He struck out five and walked one.

The game got out of hand when reliever Riely Hunsaker gave up five runs in the fourth inning and one more in the sixth. Hunsaker’s final line was six runs, four earned, on six hits over three innings. He walked two and struck out four.

First baseman Josiah Hartshorn went 1 for 4 with a two-run double in the bottom of the ninth. Hartshorn also walked once.

Myrtle Beach managed just four hits, but drew nine walks.

Coach Mark Few and the Gonzaga Bulldogs’ incoming transfer portal class could be gaining one of the most coveted big men available, joining Houston Cougars freshman guard/wing Isiah Harwell.

First reported by Gonzaga Bulldogs on SI’s Andy Patton, Arizona State Sun Devils freshman center Massamba Diop plans to be in Spokane, Washington, this weekend from April 18-19 for his official visit. Along with the Zags, Diop is highly considering coach Rick Pitino and the St. John’s Red Storm out of the Big East Conference. He reportedly will also go on an official visit to Queens, New York, per The New York Times’ Adam Zagoria.

The 7-1, 230-pound standout from Rufisque, Senegal, jumped on the scene in Tempe, Arizona, this past season. Diop averaged 13.6 points per game on a shooting split of 56.9 field goal percentage/30.8 three-point percentage/71.5 free throw percentage. In 33 starts for the previous coach Bobby Hurley, he grabbed 5.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game (ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference).

Diop has the NBA build and skillset to be massively successful at the next level. He’s looking for a college destination to continue to develop. Gonzaga has been widely known for doing exactly that with big men over the course of the last 15 years or so. Just look at San Antonio Spurs’ Kelly Olynyk, Sacramento Kings’ Domantas Sabonis, Memphis Grizzlies’ Brandon Clarke, Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren, and many others.

As for the Zags, the coaching staff needs an immediate replacement for Graham Ike’s minutes and production. Diop, being paired with redshirt junior Braden Huff in next season’s frontcourt, is quite possibly an even more dangerous duo due to his defensive and rim-protecting intensity, plus lob threat abilities. That’s something that will balance well alongside Huff’s low-post scoring prowess.

Gonzaga has lost seven-foot sophomore center Ismaila Diagne to the portal and desperately needs size. This looks to be a win-win situation for both parties at the start of the Pac-12 Conference era.

Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho

The one 1st-round draft pick silver lining to Panthers' nightmare season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Florida Panthers entered this season hoping to three-peat as Stanley Cup champions.

Instead, they ended the campaign as one of the 10-worst teams in the NHL.

It was an odd year, with injuries right from the outset paired with declines of key players. The Panthers just never found their stride.

There's pretty much just one silver lining, and it has to do with their first-round draft pick for the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Panthers traded that pick away, sort of.

When they got Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks, this pick went to Chicago, top-10 protected. That means if it ends up in the top-10 picks this year, Florida keeps it (and conveys their 2027 pick to the Blackhawks instead).

At the time of the deal, it sure would've seemed like the Panthers would've been in the playoffs again and be giving the Blackhawks a pick in the back half of the first round.

Now, the Panthers have a good chance of keeping the selection and hopefully jumpstarting a bounceback season by adding a talented young player.

MORE: Maple Leafs' president brought AI trade pitches to deadline meetings

The Panthers seem most likely to end up with the eighth-best lottery odds. If that happens, the pick can end up no worse than 10th, and it would stay with Florida.

The eighth-best lottery odds include a 6.0% chance of the first pick, 6.2% chance of second, 0.2% chance of third; and then 54.4% chance of eighth, 30.0% of ninth and 3.2% of tenth.

Chicago would then be hoping the Panthers are oddly bad again in 2026-27 to give them a high-slotting pick instead of getting back to their winning ways and having it way at the end of the first round.

At least for now, it looks like Florida will get to keep this year's pick.

More NHL news:

• Sabres' playoff ticket costs are mind-blowing

• Alex Ovechkin reveals his retirement plans

• A Brady Tkachuk trade warning is in play

• Offseason trade still might be coming for Sabres

• Red Wings take over Sabres' depressing playoff status

Caleb Downs’ elite versatility makes him a top-10 lock in NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In a draft class loaded with defensive talent, Caleb Downs has separated himself as the clear-cut top safety — and arguably one of the most complete defensive prospects available, regardless of position.

Downs’ case begins with versatility. Whether lined up as a deep safety, in the box, or covering the slot, he consistently impacts the game at a high level. His football IQ jumps off the film, as he diagnoses plays quickly and positions himself to make stops before they develop. That instinctive play style allows him to erase big plays while also creating opportunities for turnovers.

What truly sets Downs apart is his balance between coverage ability and physicality. In coverage, he shows fluid hips, strong anticipation, and the range to patrol sideline to sideline. He rarely looks out of position and has the ball skills to capitalize when quarterbacks make mistakes. Against the run, he is just as effective — a reliable tackler who takes smart angles and doesn’t shy away from contact.

In today’s NFL, where offenses are built to exploit mismatches, safeties who can do everything are invaluable. Downs fits that mold perfectly. He can match up with tight ends, help over the top against elite receivers, and still step into the box to stop the run. That kind of positional flexibility makes him more than just a safety — it makes him a defensive centerpiece.

Another factor boosting Downs’ draft stock is his consistency. While many prospects flash potential, Downs delivers week after week. Coaches can trust him to execute assignments, communicate on the back end, and serve as a stabilizing presence in the secondary.

The argument for a top-10 selection comes down to value. Elite safeties who can transform a defense are rare, and Downs projects as exactly that type of player. His skill set translates immediately to the next level, reducing the typical developmental curve seen with defensive backs.

For teams picking in the top 10, passing on a player with Downs’ combination of intelligence, versatility, and production could prove costly. He isn’t just the best safety in the class — he’s one of the safest and most impactful picks available.

The Minnesota Twins dropped a 9-5 game to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday at Target Field, snapping a stretch where they had won eight of nine and looked like one of the surprising stories in baseball.

The loss moves Minnesota to 11-8, still good enough to lead the American League Central, while Boston climbed to 7-11 and sits at the bottom of the AL East.

It was a messy afternoon for the Twins, but one player who finally turned a corner was Byron Buxton, and he was honest about the last few weeks.

Buxton Opens Up on a Rough Start

Buxton opened the year in a real funk, and he admitted after the game that trying to force his swing did not help.

Byron Buxton becomes the all-time home run leader at Target Field 👏 pic.twitter.com/GcCM4rq1Vh

— MLB (@MLB) April 14, 2026

He finished the opening stretch hitting .182 with ten hits in 55 at-bats and no home runs through 14 games, an OPS under .550 that had people wondering if the slow spring had caught up with him.

"Obviously, three weeks and nine at-bats, that'll set you back a little bit," Buxton said. "I think I tried to rush my swing back within the first couple weeks. It was like, 'I know you ain't got it, but we're still going to go out here and get a hit.' But it's not that easy. It's baseball. My teammates did a good job of keeping me sane."

Buxton was referring to the layoff that started at the World Baseball Classic, where he got only a handful of at-bats for Team USA and came home without much rhythm.

He tried to force things before admitting the timing was not there yet.

The Power Finally Shows Up

Things clicked on Monday.

Buxton hit his first homer of the year against Boston, a 420-foot shot to straightaway center that also happened to be his 85th career homer at Target Field, the most by any player in the ballpark's history.

Byron Buxton AGAIN!

He's 4-for-4 with 2 homers 👏 pic.twitter.com/HEgyaD9a4x

— MLB (@MLB) April 15, 2026

He followed it up Tuesday with a four-hit night and two more home runs off Sonny Gray, making it the 18th multi-homer game of his career and pushing his slash line to .246/.306/.462 with three homers on the season.

Wednesday was quieter in a Twins loss, but the bat looks alive again, and that matters for a lineup that needs him in the middle of it.

Josh Bell is carrying a strong early line with five doubles, three home runs and 14 RBIs, and when Buxton is locked in next to him, the lineup plays different.

Why Staying in Minnesota Was the Right Call

All of this happens against the backdrop of a winter where Buxton's name floated through trade rumors even though he holds a full no-trade clause.

He wanted the front office to be louder about keeping him around.

Staying put looks like the right decision.

He is the face of the franchise, coming off a 35-homer Silver Slugger season, and at 11-8 the Twins are winning games nobody thought they could.

The early returns say Buxton made the right call by digging in with Minnesota.

In our first episode of our newest K League United Podcast K League Conversations, Matthew Binns sits down with TNT FC CEO Kim Taeryung, 

Introducing K League Conversations, A K League United Podcast dedicated to hearing from and showcasing interviews with players, club officials, media and more in order to get a more insightful picture into K League.

Our first guest is the CEO of TNT FC, Kim Taeryung. A former K League player himself, Kim's involvement in TNT FC has helped see the K5 League team develop into one of Korea's more unique clubs, where talent comes to train and develop to keep these players within football.

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After winning the K5 League last season, in addition to the prestigious Club of the Year from the Korea Football Association, Kim talks us through the season ahead and the club's position in Korean football.

All this, plus some insight into our pre-match meals, on this week's episode of From Outside The Box!

Starting center Jarrett Allen has been able to practice two straight days without limitation and Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson says there are no restrictions. But Allen admitted Thursday — about 48 hours before Game 1 — that his problematic right knee is still not full strength. “A little pain,” Allen said following practice. “It’s not going to go away immediately. That’s something that’s going to have to linger for a while. It’s enough where I can play at a high level, I believe.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Jarrett Allen was able to practice two straight days with no restrictions

“When the adrenaline starts going, the pain goes away,” Allen said. “You can say that for everybody. When you’re scoring the ball, when the crowd’s yelling, things start to stop hurting, things start to just go from your mind and you’re so focused on the next play.”

Cleveland Plain Dealer

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “You can say that for everybody. When you’re scoring …

MrBuckBuck: Zohran Mamdani, when asked about the high cost of Knicks playoff tickets vs Atlanta: "I would say that I blame Trae Young... and I think it's always important to blame Trae Young"

journal-topics.com

Zohran Mamdani, when asked about the high cost of Knicks playoff tickets vs Atlanta: "I would say that I blame Trae Young... and I think it's always important to blame Trae Young"

Via: https://t.co/E7EN07I2QXpic.twitter.com/4YG37kvdD1

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) April 16, 2026

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Zohran Mamdani, when asked about the high cost of …

Trae Young: Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that City had my name in his mouth during a time like this… . #DontBlameMeWhenItHappensAgain

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Remember what happened the last time the Mayor of that …

Duane Rankin: Suns injury report vs. Warriors: QUESTIONABLE: Mark Williams (left foot soreness) and Grayson Allen (left hamstring strain) #Suns #DubNation

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Mark Williams (left foot soreness) and Grayson Allen …

Kendra Andrews: BREAKING: Napheesa Collier is signing a one-year $1.4 million super max contract with the Minnesota Lynx, sources tell ESPN. She’s the third player in the WNBA to sign a super max deal.

x.com

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Napheesa Collier is signing a one-year $1.4 million …

Despite standing as the highest-ranked program in the country as recently as Sunday, No. 3 Maryland women’s lacrosse suffered a total team collapse in one of its worst losses in recent memory.

With the Terps shooting 13.3% on the night and failing to stop No. 11 Michigan’s fiery attack, they suffered their second-largest loss since 2021. Following a 13-0 start to the season, Maryland dropped its second straight game, a 15-4 blowout defeat Thursday in Ann Arbor.

Michigan’s prized attacker Emma Bradbury opened up the scoring 42 seconds into the contest before scoring ceased for the following eight minutes. Each team failed to score on five shot attempts during that stretch.

Then Maryland’s offense exploded for a pair of goals. Kristen Shanahan netted the Terps’ first — a point-blank strike with seven minutes left in the opening frame — before Lauren LaPointe matched her a minute later. 

But those were the only two scores it mustered in the period. Head coach Cathy Reese has emphasized a 50% shooting percentage goal for all her players, but Maryland fell well short Thursday, scoring twice on seven total attempts in the first quarter.

These misfires allowed Michigan to launch a 6-0 run on just seven shots in a six minute span. The Wolverines completely dismantled JJ Suriano, who posted a 27.2% first-half save percentage in one of her worst performances of the year as shot after shot slipped past the junior’s extended stick. 

Coming off her best offensive performance to date, Kayla Gilmore struggled to control possession in the circle during this stretch. Michigan claimed three of the five draw controls over this period and kept that aspect of the game competitive — Maryland won 11 of 20 draws.

Following the destructive run, Shanahan stopped the bleeding on yet another highlight-reel shot. The graduate student curled around the crease and was checked to the ground, but still found nylon from a seated position a meter outside the cage with 10 minutes left in the half.

However, this was the bright spot of the first half for the Terps, as a whole-field collapse settled the game. The backline only caused a single turnover over 30 minutes, and lost the first-half ground ball battle, 5-2. Meanwhile, Maryland couldn’t find the frame, only shooting 6 of 14 attempts on goal. It struggled to claw back, falling to a five-goal deficit.

The Wolverines offensive dominance was largely due to a faulty Terp man-to-man concept. Michigan’s attackers employed isolation tactics, putting immense pressure on individual Maryland defenders to perform. 

This allowed the Wolverines to continue their momentum into the third frame, scoring two goals in 13 seconds four minutes into the half.

Both recent Terp draftees struggled mightily in Thursday’s bout. Kori Edmondson logged just one point and was a large factor behind the offensive stagnation, committing three of Maryland’s 14 turnovers. Maddy Sterling stumbled in her role as well, struggling to mark Bradbury all night long and as the attacker notched four goals.

The Wolverines exploded once more in the third quarter, going on a 5-1 run with a precise 55.5% shooting percentage. Maryland outshot Michigan 10-9 in the frame, but the Terps only put four of those shots on frame and scored just once — on a LaPointe snipe with seven minutes left in the period. 

With Calli Norris securing a hat trick just two minutes into the fourth quarter, the officials instituted a running clock as Reese shrugged on the sideline. After a swift, painful fourth quarter, Maryland sulked off the field following the first loss to Michigan in program history.

Three things to know

1. Couldn’t find the net. Despite boasting one of the nation’s strongest attacks and netting double-digit goals all but once this season, the Terps failed to put the ball in the goal. A nine-save performance from Michigan’s Elizabeth Johnson combined with lackluster shooting and passing saw Maryland tying its lowest single-game goal total since 1982.

2. First round bye slipping away. The Terps have led the Big Ten standings since the start of conference play, but back-to-back losses have all but removed them from contention in the race for the lead. Even a win on Saturday at Ohio State will still likely leave Maryland in second place in the Big Ten heading into the conference tournament.
3. Mental lapses. Reese claimed that locker room vibes remained positive following the narrow loss to Northwestern and that the team was focused on cleaning up strategic and on-field errors. But after Thursday’s monumental loss, the Terps may struggle to stay positive and patch up exposed holes for a quick two-day turnaround.

Red Wings know what 1st-round pick they lose to Blues from Justin Faulk trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The simple way to sum up the Detroit Red Wings' season is this: 

At the trade deadline, they traded a first-round pick to the St. Louis Blues for Justin Faulk. And now that first-rounder is in the lottery.

The Red Wings missed the playoffs.

They collapsed after the deadline in a way that seemed almost unfathomable at the time.

And it's a big gain for the Blues.

MORE: Maple Leafs' president brought AI trade pitches to deadline meetings

With the regular season wrapping up, that pick has slotted in to the 15th-best lottery odds for the Blues.

The Blues also have their own first-round pick that's higher up in the lottery. It's a great chance to boost their organization for the future.

That pick that slots with the 15th-best lottery odds has a 1.1% chance to be the No. 5 pick, a slightly greater than 0 chance to be No. 7, a 97.9% chance to be No. 15 and a 1.1% chance to be No. 16.

So yeah, it's probably 15, but that's still a pick the Red Wings would love to have but now don't.

The Blues are still moving around based on Thursday night's final results with their own first-rounder, but it looks like it'll slot anywhere from the 9th-11th lottery odds. Those comes with slim chances of landing one of the top-three picks.

If the lottery goes the way of St. Louis, it'll be a big deal for the Blues' future -- and it'll add insult to injury for the Red Wings.

More NHL news:

• Sabres' playoff ticket costs are mind-blowing

• Alex Ovechkin reveals his retirement plans

• A Brady Tkachuk trade warning is in play

• Offseason trade still might be coming for Sabres

• Red Wings take over Sabres' depressing playoff status

WNBA free agency tracker 2026: Live updates on breaking news, signings and trades originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Armed with a new CBA -- forged by weeks of negotiating and years of labor organizing -- the WNBA is set to be filled with fireworks when free agency kicks off in earnest on April 9.

Sides were already locked in negotiations with restricted, reserved or core-eligible players. Signings won't filter in for good until April 12.

Free agency often is an action-packed affair. In 2025, Satou Sabally, Alyssa Thomas, Kelsey Plum and Jewell Loyd landed in different spots, as did the rights to Storm standout Dominique Malonga. One year on, movers and shakers have already made their presence felt. Angel Reese's trade to the Dream proved the kindling to a spring like no other in recent WNBA history. With more than 100 players set to hit the open market during the offseason, expect free agency -- and all the moves surrounding it -- to be a blazing inferno.

With that, The Sporting News is tracking live updates on all things WNBA free agency. Follow below for an updated list of players to land new contracts in 2026.

MORE: Live grades, analysis of WNBA free agency

WNBA free agency news, updates on signings and trades

Napheesa Collier signs supermax to return to Lynx

• Date: April 16
• Source: Kendra Andrews

A day after Wilson signed a super max deal, Collier became the third player to sign a super max deal. Hers allows her to return to the Minnesota Lynx on a one-year deal that will be worth $1.4 million. 

Collier is a five-time WNBA All-Star, was the WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2019 and the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. She will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season, and is not coreable. 

A'ja Wilson signs supermax to return to Aces

• Date: April 15
• Source: Shams Charania

A'ja Wilson is the highest-paid player in WNBA history. The Aces supernova agreed terms to a three-year, $5 million supermax. A four-time WNBA MVP, Wilson rightfully takes her place at the top of the league's pay charts.

Chennedy Carter to return to WNBA, signing one-year deal with Aces

• Date: April 15
• Source: Jackie Powell

Carter is back in the W, landing with Aces on a one-year deal. Carter hasn't played in the WNBA since the 2024 season, but emerged as one of the league's better guards during her time.

Sky continue retool, bring in DiJonai Carrington on one-year deal

• Date: April 12
• Source: Alexa Philippou

Chicago landed another gemstone to its collection late Sunday afternoon, agreeing terms to a one-year deal with DiJonai Carrington. The 2024 WNBA Most Improved Player, Carrington averaged 8.6 points in 11 appearances with the Lynx last season after being traded from Dallas.

Lynx, Natasha Howard agree terms to two-year deal

• Date: April 12
• Source: Ramona Shelburne

Mercifully, Minnesota made its first free agent signing, bringing in Natasha Howard on a two-year deal. A two-time All-Star and former WNBA Defensive Player of the Year winner, Howard averaged 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 44 games for the Fever last year.

Kayla McBride takes hometown discount to re-sign with Lynx

• Date: April 12
• Source: Ramona Shelburne

Kayla McBride will return to the Lynx on a discounted deal, according to Shelburne. A five-time All-Star, McBride was eligible for a max contract. However, she opted to take less, looking to open up space for Minnesota to add to its roster.

Ezi Magbegor re-signs with Storm

• Date: April 12
• Source: Seattle Storm

Seattle locked up four-time WNBA All-Defensive team selection Ezi Magbegor on a contract extension. The Australian big is one of the sport's most harrowing presences on defense. She averaged 8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game in 2025.

Janelle Salaun, Cecilia Zandalisini, Iliana Rupert to return to the Valkyries on multiyear deals

• Date: April 12
• Source: Golden State Valkyries

Golden State is bringing back its all-international trio of Janelle Salaun, Cecilia Zandalisini and Iliana Rupert on multiyear deals, the franchise announced on social media on Sunday. Each player proved pivotal to pushing the side to a postseason berth in its first season of existence.

Courtney Williams to return to Lynx on max deal

• Date: April 12
• Source: Alexa Philippou

After seeing a spate of gifted role players leave for greener pastures, the Lynx finally locked down some of their homegrown talent, securing veteran guard Courtney Williams to a two-year, max deal.

Gabby Williams signs multiyear deal with Valkyries

• Date: April 12
• Source: Noe Delaunay

Gabby Williams will take her talents to Golden State, inking a multiyear deal to join the Valkyries. Williams spurned the Aces and Lynx to land in Golden State.

Kelsey Plum takes discount to stay with Sparks

• Date: April 12
• Source: Shams Charania

Kelsey Plum is signing a one-year, $999,999 deal to return to Los Angeles. Plum was eligible for the $1.4 million supermax contract, but decided to take a pay cut to build a contender with Los Angeles.

Sophie Cunningham returns to Fever

• Date: April 12
• Source: Alexa Philippou

After spending the 2025 season with Caitlin Clark and the Fever, Sophie Cunningham is running it back with Indiana, signing a one-year deal with the organization. She joins guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull as Fever returners. Cunningham averaged 8.6 points, playing in mostly a bench/depth role for Indiana.  

Satou Sabally agrees to join Liberty

• Date: April 11
• Source: Alexa Philippou

After leading the Phoenix Mercury to their first WNBA Finals since 2021, Satou Sabally will shift coasts and join the New York Liberty. She played just one season in Phoenix after being traded from the Dallas Wings, where she spent five seasons. In 2025, Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.

Sparks re-sign Dearica Hamby

• Date: April 11
• Source: Alexa Philippou

Dearica Hamby announced she is re-signing with the Los Angeles Sparks after averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game last season

Sky acquire Jacy Sheldon from Mystics 

• Date: April 11
• Source: Alexa Philippou

The Mystics are trading guard Jacy Sheldon to the Sky for a 2028 first-round pick.  The 25-year-old Sheldon appeared in only two games with the Mystics after coming over from the Sun and averaged 7.5 points per game.

Fever re-sign Lexie Hull to multi-year deal

• Date: April 11
• Source: Alexa Philippou

After taking on a larger role as the Fever dealt with injuries in 2025, Lexie Hull is re-signing with Indiana on a multi-year deal

Sky bring back Azura Stevens

• Date: April 11
• Source: Alexa Philippou

The Sky are re-signing forward Azura Stevens to a three-year deal after a breakout season in which she finished second in Most Improved Player voting.

Brittney Griner joins Sun on seven-figure deal

• Date: April 10
• Source: Alexa Philippou

Former Mercury and Dream star Brittney Griner is signing a "seven-figure deal" with the Connecticut Sun in their final season before moving to Houston.

Jewell Lloyd finalizing deal with Aces

Date: April 10

Source: Andraya Carter

Six-time All-Star Jewell Lloyd is returning to Las Vegas on a three-year deal, per Carter.

Naz Hillmon re-signing with Dream

Date: April 10

Source: Kendra Andrews

Naz Hillmon, the WNBA's reigning Sixth Player of the Year, has landed a new three-year deal with Atlanta, per Andrews.

Arike Ogunbowale signing 'seven-figure' deal with Wings

Date: April 10

Source: Alexa Philippou

Star guard Arike Ogunbowale is returning to the wings on a "seven-figure, multi-year deal," per Philippou.

While Ogunbowale was eligible for the $1.4M supermax, she is reportedly taking less than that for Dallas "to be able to build a quality roster."

Allisha Gray re-signs with the Dream

Date: April 10

Source: Sean Hurd

Allisha Gray is returning to the Dream on a three-year deal that will be worth "max-plus" money, per Hurd.

Natisha Hiedemen 'expected' to sign with Storm

Date: April 10

Source: Khristina Williams

Williams reports that Seattle is expected to sign guard Natisha Hiedeman. The 29-year-old averaged 9.1 points and 2.8 assists per game for the Lynx last season.

Alyssa Thomas returning to Mercury

Date: April 10

Source: Sean Hurd

Phoenix is bringing back Alyssa Thomas, per Hurd, finalizing a deal with the forward who averaged around 15 points per game last season.

Tempo agree to deals with Marina Mabrey, Brittney Sykes

Date: April 10

Source: Alexa Philippou

Toronto has agreed to terms with guards Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes, per Philippou. Both agreed to two-year max contracts, making them the first known million dollar backcourt duo.

Dallas re-signing Awak Kuier

Date: April 10

Source: Khristina Williams

Per Williams, 2021 second-overall pick Awak Kuier is re-signing with the Wings, having last appeared in the WNBA in 2023. In 2025, Kuier competed in the Turkish Women's Basketball Super League.

Sky 'exploring' sign-and-trade with Ariel Atkins, Rickea Jackson

Date: April 10

Source: Khristina Williams

Per Williams, Chicago is "exploring" sign-and-trade framework involving Ariel Atkins, with Rickea Jackson set to come from Sparks as part of the potential deal.

Nneka Ogwumike to sign with Sparks

Date: April 10

Source: Nneka Ogwumike

Ogwumike is heading back to Los Angeles, she announced in a social media post captioned, "It was always see you later, now I’ll see you soon."

After two seasons in Seattle, the star forward is returning to her longtime Sparks team. In her first stint with the franchise, she became an eight-time WNBA All-Star, an MVP and won a championship in 2016.

Las Vegas stays busy, re-signs Jackie Young

Date: April 9 

Source: Alexa Phillippou

The Aces stayed busy on Thursday and are finalizing a deal to re-sign Young. It is reportedly a one-year deal worth the regular max which is $1.19 million after the new CBA. The veteran guard has spent the entirety of her seven-year career with Las Vegas. Last year, Young started all 44 games and averaged 16.5 points with 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. 

Aces announce re-signing of Kiersten Bell

Date: April 9

Source: Team X account

The Aces are re-signing Kiersten Bell. She has spent all four years of her career in Las Vegas. Last season, Bell played in 35 games and averaged 4.2 points with 1.8 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per game. 

Damaris Dantas to re-sign with Fever

Date: April 9

Source: Roberta Rodrigues, Forbes

The Fever are slated to bring back Damaris Dantas, who has spent each of the past two seasons in Indiana. Dantas, 33, averaged 4.6 points and 2.4 rebounds in 38 games in 2025.

Sky, Sparks engaged in talks over Ariel Atkins-Rickea Jackson swap

Date: April 9

Source: Annie Costabile, Front Office Sports

The Sky and Sparks are working on a trade that would see Ariel Atkins sent to Los Angeles in exchange for 2024 No. 4 pick Rickea Jackson. The trade hasn't been agreed yet. But an announcement is expected to be made in the next few days.

Atkins averaged 13.1 points, 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 24 games with Chicago last year. Jackson, meanwhile, averaged 14.0 points and 3.6 rebounds in 38 games in Los Angeles.

Liberty interested in Defensive Player of the Year Team center Alanna Smith

Date: April 9

Source: Madeline Kenney, New York Post

The Liberty are rumored to be interested in Lynx center Alanna Smith, per Kenney. Smith was the league's reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year (alongside A'ja Wilson).

MORE: Latest 2026 WNBA mock draft

Li Yueru, Grace Berger to return to Wings on qualifying offers

Date: April 8

Source: Meghan L. Hall, USA Today

Dallas will bring back rotation pieces Li Yueru and Grace Berger, per Hall. Yueru averaged 20.0 minutes, 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 22 games for the Wings after joining the Wings via trade. Berger, meanwhile, is a former first-round pick who averaged 22.3 minutes per game with Dallas last year.

Nneka Ogwumike to sign with Minnesota?

Date: April 8

Source: Alexa Philippou, ESPN

Source: Former WNBA MVP Nneka Ogwumike is slated to test the waters in free agency after seeing her contract with the Storm expire. A local balloon company looked to have broke news that Ogwumike was signing with Minnesota. However, the image appears to show the Lynx's pitch to Ogwumike. It is not confirmation of Ogwumike's signing, however.

Satou Sabally not expected to re-sign with Mercury, per report

Date: April 7 

Source: Annie Costabile, Front Office Sports

For the third time in three seasons, Satou Sabally will be on a new roster. Per Costabile, Sabally is not expected to re-sign with the Mercury, the team she landed on via trade last offseason. Sabally immediately becomes one of the most coveted players on the market, with Costabile reporting that the three-time All-Star and one-time All-WNBA first teamer is expected to have a host of meetings in the coming few days.

Core designations filter in

Date: April 7

Source: Underdog WNBA

Ahead of the formal start of free agency negotiations, a slew of players have picked up Core qualifying offers. This is the WNBA's answer to the NFL's franchise tag, giving teams exclusive rights to negotiate with a player on their roster who would enter free agency otherwise. In return, the player lands a one-year deal at the supermax salary (last year, $249,244; this year, $1.4 million). Teams can still iron out long-term agreements with the player in question. The Core designation also serves as a way for teams to protect their assets, helping ensure a team gets something in return for its best player.

Here's a look at the players who have been offered Core qualifying deals by their respective organizations:

• Kelsey Mitchell (Fever)
• Ariel Atkins (Sky)
• Sabrina Ionescu (Liberty)
• Allisha Gray (Dream)
• Arike Ogunbowale (Wings)
• Ezi Magbegor (Storm)
• Napheesa Collier (Lynx)
• Kelsey Plum (Sparks)
• Marina Mabrey (Tempo)
• Bridget Carleton (Fire)

Dream acquire Angel Reese in trade with Sky

Date: April 6

Source: Taylor Rooks, Amazon Prime

The Sky dipped further into their rebuild on April 6, dealing two-time All-Star Angel Reese to the Dream in exchange for a 2027 first-round pick, 2028 first-round pick and 2028 second-round pick swap.

MORE: Angel Reese trade grades

The move spells the end of Reese's two-year stint in the Windy City. She emerged as the league's preeminent rebounder during her time in Chicago colors. She'll look to offer similar exploits in Atlanta, where she'll join Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Bri Jones.

Jonquel Jones to re-sign with Liberty

Date: April 5

Source: Jackie Powell, The XI Sports

New York is slated to bring back star big Jonquel Jones, according to Powell. The Bahamian-born talent is one of the WNBA's finest players, having captured MVP honors during 2021 and Final MVP honors during the Liberty's title run in 2024. A five-time All-WNBA selection, Jones is one of multiple New York standouts that was slated to hit the open market, although the likelihood remains that Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu will stay in Liberty colors for the long-run.

Fire, Tempo complete expansion draft

Date:

Source: Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo forged the building blocks to their rosters over the weekend via expansion draft. The Fire selected Bridget Carleton with the first pick, while the Tempo went with Marina Mabrey. Here's a full look at their rosters following the conclusion of their draft:

Portland Fire roster:

Toronto Tempo roster:

MORE: WNBA Expansion Draft grades 2026

Aces set to offer A'ja Wilson supermax

Date: March 18

Source: Callie Fin, Las Vegas Review-Journal 

Days after the WNBA and its player union announced that it had reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement, the Aces are already making plans to lock up four-time MVP A'ja Wilson.

MORE: WNBA supermax contract, explained

Wilson, like many of the league's player population, is slated to his the open market in free agency. It seems unlikely she'll leave, however, with Las Vegas slated to make her the sport's highest-paid player.

While the Boston Bruins had a bad 2024-25 season, Morgan Geekie was certainly one of the big bright spots from it. The 6-foot-3 forward broke out in a major way for Boston this past season, as he had 33 goals, 24 assists, and 57 points in 77 games. This was after he had 17 goals and 39 points in 76 games during his first season as a Bruin in 2023-24. 

Following Geekie's impressive 2024-25 season, the Bruins signed the 27-year-old to a six-year, $33 million contract. Now, with the first regular-season of this contract done, there is no question that this decision has been paying off in a big way for the Bruins. 

Geekie hit another new level this season with the Bruins, and the truth can be seen with his stats. In 81 regular-season games for Boston this campaign, he set new career highs with 39 goals, 29 assists, and 68 points. He also had five goals in his final four games of the season, which included him recording a hat trick against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 7.

When noting that Geekie only has a $5.5 million cap hit and is locked up until 2030-31, it is hard not to love this move by the Bruins. He proved this season that his breakout year in 2024-25 was not a fluke, and his contract is looking like a real bargain now because of it. 

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said this year's draft board aligns well with Baltimore's roster needs, reducing the likelihood of major conflicts between best-player-available decisions and positional fit.

DeCosta pointed to the class's overall depth as a factor that gives the Ravens flexibility at key positions.

"Yes, that's factored in, of course. We've sort of had some of those discussions. In some years, that would be a real problem for us. I don't see that necessarily in this draft because I think that the fertile aspect of this draft kind of adheres to our needs or what we think might be some of our needs. And so, we look at it, and it's deep. It's good. The positions we need, we feel really strong that we can address in the draft."

"The positions we need we feel really strongly we can address in the Draft." pic.twitter.com/SrgLTfywOl

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 15, 2026

For Baltimore, DeCosta's comments suggest the team views this year's class as one that naturally aligns with several roster priorities without requiring major adjustments to its draft strategy.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Eric DeCosta says deep 2026 draft matches Ravens' needs

Instead of the Pittsburgh Pirates making it a bigger deal than it needed to be, the organization is fully getting behind their skipper. Don Kelly came out and said that he had decided to make the move in the second game of the four-game set against the Washington Nationals because he felt confident that the move was correct when he pinch-hit Nick Yorke for Brandon Lowe. 

While it didn't work out. Lowe, a veteran who has been around this league for a very long time and has proven that he can hit anybody who's on the mound, could have taken that as a sign of disrespect.

Instead of that being the case, he was asked about it again, as it seemed others thought he’d view it as disrespectful, but he gave the same response he did when it happened.

Lowe could have made this a much bigger deal than it is, but he admitted that for the Pirates to be the team they're looking to be, they need guys to be bought in. Lowe also understands that he, as the big offseason addition, needs to keep his head down and do what this organization is asking him to do. 

Whether that be starting every game, coming in for a pinch-hit at-bat, or even getting platooned in random scenarios, he needs to be a good teammate and help out.

“There really is no other option,” Lowe said, per MLB.com. “If you want to have a good clubhouse, if you want to have a good team, you have to trust your guys who are making the calls. If you start to second-guess what’s going on, that’s a cancerous attitude that leaks through the rest of the team, and it gets bad…

“You put your faith in every guy in this clubhouse, including Donnie and the coaching staff,” Lowe said, per Jason Mackey of MLB.com. “You have to be 100% in each other’s corner. That’s the only way to go about it.

With a mindset like this, the Pirates will simply be a better team because of how they're acting. 

In years past, it seems like a veteran being told he was going to be pinch-hit for would lead to an issue. Instead of Lowe making it one, he's ready for the Pirates to jump back on the field and win a game, which they did on Wednesday in an impressive two-run victory.

Spencer Strider sharp in rehab start, takes step closer to Braves return originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Atlanta Braves received an encouraging update on ace Spencer Strider following his latest rehab assignment, as the right-hander turned in a strong and efficient outing while continuing his path back to the rotation.

Strider pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out three. He threw exactly 50 pitches, 27 of them for strikes, showing both command and control for much of his appearance. The outing marked another positive step for a Braves team eager to regain one of its most dominant arms.

Early on, Strider looked sharp and composed, attacking hitters with confidence and working ahead in counts. His fastball velocity sat between 95 and 97 mph right in line with expectations at this stage of his recovery  an encouraging sign that his arm strength is returning.

Through the first three innings, Strider demonstrated solid rhythm and efficiency. Before taking the mound for the fourth, he had thrown 22 of his first 36 pitches for strikes, consistently locating in the zone and limiting hard contact. His ability to generate swings and misses, even in a controlled rehab setting, underscored his potential to quickly reestablish himself at the major league level.

Strider flashes dominance, but late fatigue raises questions in rehab return

However, there were also signs of natural fatigue as the outing progressed. Strider appeared to lose some sharpness late, which is typical for a pitcher still building stamina after time away. The Braves opted not to push him further, pulling him after 3 1/3 innings as part of a measured approach to his workload.

For Atlanta, the priority remains long-term health over short-term results. Even so, the overall performance offered a glimpse of what Strider can bring once fully stretched out. His velocity, command, and ability to navigate innings efficiently all point in the right direction.

As the Braves continue to monitor his progress, Strider’s return appears increasingly within reach — and if this outing is any indication, he could soon provide a major boost to Atlanta’s pitching staff.

The Philadelphia Phillies have a lot of young talent, and that could make this World Series window much bigger than it currently seems. 

While the current core of the Phillies doesn't seem good enough to get the job done, that doesn't mean the Phillies can't retool a bit around some of these young guys and keep some of the veterans around to try to go in a different direction. 

I expect that if the Phillies struggle this season, they'll move on from a couple of guys and bring up some other youngsters. Among the top options outside of guys like Andrew Painter, Aidan Miller, Justin Crawford, and others, Gage Wood jumps off the page. Wood, a right-hander who has an electric fastball, has proven throughout his young professional career that he can be a very good arm.

Unfortunately, he's only thrown 13.1 innings, and 11.1 of those have come during the 2026 minor league season. 

The harsh reality here is that Wood is nowhere close to making his Major League debut, at least in terms of the next few months. 

He's only 22 years old and barely has any innings under his belt, so even if the Phillies want to move him up quickly throughout the minor league system, he probably needs to at least get to Double-A.

However, the early returns of the right-hander seem to be very encouraging, as he's done nothing but throw his fastball at a high level, as well as showing that he has some elite offspeed stuff.

“In 11 1/3 professional innings, the 26th selection in the 2025 Draft has struck out 19 while giving up just one run on four hits (only one extra-base hit) and five walks, good for an 0.79 ERA. In his third start of the season, Wood generated eight whiffs at a 27.6 percent rate. MLB's No. 98 overall prospect leaned heavily into his 70-grade four-seamer, throwing it at a 63.8 percent clip. And the offering was effective, sitting at 95.6 mph with 17.3 inches of induced vertical break and topping out at 96.7 mph.

“While seldom thrown, Wood's two biggest works in progress -- his 45-grade slider and 45-grade changeup -- were effective. The slider generated a 50 percent chase rate, while his changeup averaged 14.3 inches of horizontal break and netted a strikeout of Peyton Williams (Blue Jays) to start the fourth,” Clark Fahrenthold of MLB.com wrote.

Wood will need to improve some of his offspeed stuff to be the arm he wants to be in Major League Baseball, especially that slider and changeup that Fahrenthold brought up, but with his fastball being as good as it is, as long as he can pair those two pitches off his heater, he should be more than fine.

The nightmare Maple Leafs draft pick scenario with Bruins no one is talking about originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It's been easy to focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft that is top-five protected.

If it falls outside the first five picks, it goes to the Boston Bruins as part of last year's Brandon Carlo trade.

Except wait a second -- if it ends up in the top-five, which has about a 44% chance in the lottery -- the Bruins still get a pick. It's just not this year.

And that's something no one has really talked about.

The Maple Leafs, if they keep their pick in 2026, convey an unprotected 2027 first-rounder to Boston.

The hope, of course, is that it'll be later in the first round after Toronto has a bounceback season.

But what about the nightmare season where they don't?

MORE: Maple Leafs' president brought AI trade pitches to deadline meetings

They might not want to enter into a rebuild, even if it gets ugly, because next year's first-rounder would then be going to Boston no matter what.

There's at least a case that losing their pick this year isn't the absolute worst-case scenario.

The absolute worst-case outcome is keeping the pick this year, being even worse next year and giving Boston a pick in the top couple spots of the draft.

Is that likely? Not really. The Maple Leafs have too much talent to be that bad... right?

Well, this season showed maybe anything is possible.

It's just something to keep in mind.

More NHL news:

• Sabres' playoff ticket costs are mind-blowing

• Alex Ovechkin reveals his retirement plans

• A Brady Tkachuk trade warning is in play

• Offseason trade still might be coming for Sabres

• Red Wings take over Sabres' depressing playoff status

GLENDALE – A home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers have experts and fans alike throwing concern and questions at Phoenix Suns superstar Devin Booker. In Tuesday’s Play-In game, the five-time All-Star scored 22 points on seven-of-17 shooting, with only three points scored in the fourth quarter. The usual late-game aggressor was passive, electing to not take the final shot in the final seconds and passing it to Jalen Green.

An injury-riddled year, with some slouches along the way, have people thinking Booker isn’t the same player he was during the team’s last NBA Finals run in 2021. However, that certainly isn’t true and one subpar playoff performance doesn’t erase his recent success.

Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) argues with a referee against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Devin Booker stats since return from injury on March 3rd:

Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

March onward is usually when the 29-year-old is playing his best ball and it’s the same this season. Booker is scoring 2.9 more points than his season average and shooting better from the field and beyond the arc. The success expands farther than this six week stretch, as his past three-year playoff performances has been an outlier compared to the rest of the league.

Booker in a playoff atmosphere is averaging more points on better efficiency. This includes playoff runs from 2024, 2023 and 2022, not even taking into account the franchise’s Finals run. A mediocre performance against the Trail Blazers, who has had the best defensive rating in the NBA for the past 15 games, is nothing to be ashamed of or looked down upon.

On Friday, the Suns will face off against the Golden State Warriors, who is 21st in defensive rating since March 16th. Golden State won’t have the bodies to throw at Booker to slow him down that Portland had. If Booker has a repeat performance of Tuesday on Friday, then a serious evaluation of him and the roster this offseason is due.

Apr 14, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) and forward Dillon Brooks (3) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

However, the likely outcome is what Booker has been doing for the past 20 games: scoring. He has the third highest points per game average in the NBA since his return on March 3rd with the most games played of anyone in the top 10. The concern for Booker is a minute point compared to an bigger offensive problem the team has experienced since getting healthy.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports

The New York Yankees are hopeful they'll get healthier over the next few weeks to months. Reports indicate that Gerrit Cole will begin a rehab assignment, that Anthony Volpe seems to be returning at the end of the month, and that the only one who really remains is Carlos Rodon.

Rodon has proven during his time with the Yankees that he can be the arm they hoped for, as he had an excellent 2025 campaign. Unfortunately, Rodon was dealing with an injury during the year and had to undergo offseason surgery. He had bone chips removed from his elbow and has yet to really ramp it up on the mound.

However, according to the latest, it sounds like Rodon is trending in the right direction. He's set to throw another live batting practice and did so on Monday at Yankee Stadium.

“Before Wednesday's game, Boone said Carlos Rodón, who underwent left elbow surgery to remove bone chips in October, will throw another live batting practice session Saturday rather than begin a rehab assignment. The left-hander threw 50 pitches in a simulated setting Monday at Yankee Stadium.

“While Rodón has not pitched in a game since the postseason in October, the 35-year-old Cole appeared in two games during spring training, logging 2⅔ innings. The six-time All-Star and 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner had previously not pitched in a competitive game since starting Game 5 of the 2024 World Series,” Jorge Castillo of ESPN wrote.

It's good to hear that Rodon is at least getting back on the mound, but it also sounds like we're still probably at least a month or two away from him being in Yankee Stadium as a starter for this organization. The Yankees will need him to throw in at least a couple of rehab starts, so that will likely take another two to three weeks.

Sometimes when it comes to the NFL Draft, teams outsmart themselves. They overanalyze, overpick, and end up passing on a guy who was right in front of them the whole time. And if Beanie Wells is right, that could easily happen with Ty Simpson, and it would be a mistake.

"I think the NFL would be absolutely crazy to let him get out of the first round...

He has the highest ceiling of any QB in the draft. He has a big arm. He reminds of Josh Allen."@BeanieWells26 praises @AlabamaFTBL QB prospect Ty Simpson pic.twitter.com/afx9xYLINn

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) April 15, 2026

When you hear someone say, “the NFL would be crazy to let him get out of the first round,” that’s not just hype. That’s someone recognizing raw ability and long-term potential. And with Simpson, that potential is real. He’s not just another college quarterback coming out of a big program like Alabama Crimson Tide, he’s a guy with tools you simply can’t teach.

First off, the arm talent jumps out immediately. Simpson has that kind of arm that makes throws look effortless. Deep balls, tight windows, off-platform throws, it’s all there. You can’t coach that kind of natural ability. It’s something you either have or you don’t, and Simpson has plenty of it. That alone is going to have NFL scouts paying attention.

But what really makes this conversation interesting is the comparison to Josh Allen. That’s not a casual comparison. Allen came into the league as a high-upside quarterback with a big arm, some raw edges, and questions about consistency. Fast forward a few years, and he’s one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the entire NFL.

That’s the blueprint people are starting to see with Simpson.

He may not be a finished product right now, and honestly, most college quarterbacks aren’t—but the ceiling is what separates him. Some guys come into the draft already close to who they’re going to be. Simpson isn’t that. He’s the kind of player who could develop into something much bigger with the right coaching, the right system, and a little patience.

And that’s where teams have to be careful.

If you’re drafting late in the first round and need a quarterback, passing on a guy like Simpson because he’s not “perfect” yet could come back to haunt you. The league has already seen what happens when a quarterback with elite physical tools gets developed the right way. It turns into franchise-changing talent.

At the same time, there’s always risk. Banking on potential doesn’t always work out, and teams know that. But the difference here is that Simpson’s potential isn’t just based on flashes, it’s backed by real, tangible traits that translate to the next level.

At the end of the day, this comes down to how teams view upside versus polish. If you’re looking for a safe pick, maybe you go another direction. But if you’re looking for a quarterback who could eventually take over games, lead a franchise, and become one of the best in the league, then Ty Simpson deserves to be in that first-round conversation.

Because if he falls too far, someone’s going to get a steal, and a lot of teams are going to wish they hadn’t overthought it.

Tonight, another week of The Eternal Glory came to a close, and we bring you the star, the surprise, and the disappointment of the matchday.

Flamengo keep moving forward with confidence

In their debut at the Maracanã, Mengão showed no mercy against Independiente Medellín and won on a great night for Giorgian de Arrascaeta.

The Uruguayan stood out with a goal and an assist, just like Bruno Henrique, who was another of the standout performers. The remaining goals came from Paquetá and Pedro, making it clear that Flamengo are going for back-to-back titles.

Carrascal shocked everyone

And speaking of Flamengo, the big surprise for everyone was the unbelievable chance Jorge Carrascal missed.

Paquetá made a phenomenal play and laid it on a plate for him from 50 centimeters out, but the Colombian had a blunder that will keep him up tonight.

Peñarol disappointed at home

Without a doubt, the Campeón del Siglo experienced one of its toughest nights today, because a win was expected and the setback was significant.

Platense pulled off the surprise with goals from Mainero and a penalty from Zapiola, which left Eric Remedi as the main villain of the night. And with this win for El Calamar, things are getting even spicier in the group.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Logan Mailloux scored the go-ahead goal with 2:57 left to play and Robert Thomas had a hat trick as the St. Louis Blues beat the Utah Mammoth 5-3 in the regular-season finale for both teams on Thursday night.

Mailloux scored unassisted on a backhand shot from 20 feet out to make it 4-3 in a back-and-forth game. Thomas' third goal, an empty-netter with 38 seconds left, capped the scoring.

Pavel Buchnevich had the other goal for St. Louis and Joel Hofer made 20 saves.

Michael Carcone, Lawson Crouse, and Kailer Yamamoto scored for the Mammoth. Karel Vejmelka and Vitek Vanecek combined for 24 stops.

Clayton Keller assisted on two Utah goals to become the third NHL player this season with at least one assist in 10 straight games.

St. Louis struck first at the 3:45 mark of the first period when Buchnevich tapped in a wrist shot at the post. Utah equalized when Carcone snapped in the puck with 3:05 left in the first.

Crouse put the Mammoth in front 45 seconds into the second period, tapping in a deflected puck after MacKenzie Weegar fired a shot down the middle.

Thomas scored twice later in the period to help the Blues retake the lead. He leveled the score on a wrist shot at the 8:14 mark and then tipped in the puck with 8:53 left in the second.

Utah equalized again with 1:07 remaining in the second on Yamamoto’s blast down the middle.

Up next

Blues: Their season is over.

Mammoth: Visit Vegas for Game 1 of their NHL Playoffs first-round series on Sunday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Key Points

• USA Today has fired NFL reporter Crissy Froyd over her comments on the resignation of Dianna Russini from The Athletic.
• Russini and New England Patriots Coach were seen holding hands and hugging at an adults-only resort in a Page Six story, which prompted Russini's resignation.
• "Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Froyd wrote on social media, saying that what she believes Russini has been "up to for years" comes at a "detriment to women in sports."

USA Today is parting ways with an NFL reporter following her commentary on a still-unfolding scandal involving The Athletic reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.

Crissy Froyd, who covered professional football on a contract basis for USA Today, was fired on Thursday. "USA TODAY Sports has ended its contractor relationship with Crissy Froyd effective immediately," read a post from the outlet shared on X the same day. "Her recent statements do not reflect our commitment to professionalism or uphold our principles of ethical conduct."

The move came just two days after Froyd effectively celebrated the resignation of Russini, an NFL reporter with the New York Times-owned The Athletic, following the publication of photos depicting her hugging and holding hands with Vrabel.

"I'm sure you were told to submit this or that you'd get fired instead," Froyd wrote in response to Russini's circulation of her resignation letter. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you've been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way."

I’m sure you were told to submit this or that you’d get fired instead.

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. We know who you really are and what you’ve been up to for years. It does so much detriment to women in sports who have done things the right way. https://t.co/dswaHZjIHL

— Crissy Froyd (@crissy_froyd) April 14, 2026

Russini shared her resignation letter on social media on Tuesday. Addressed to Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg, Russini wrote, "I have covered the NFL with professionalism and dedication throughout my career, and I stand behind every story I have ever published."

Formerly of ESPN, and nearing her third anniversary with The Athletic, Russini pointed to the Page Sixstory from April 7 that kicked off the whole scandal. The exposé contained photos of Russini holding hands, hugging, and lounging at an adults-only resort with Vrabel. Both Russini and Vrabel are married to other people.

"When the Page Six item first appeared, The Athletic supported me unequivocally, expressed confidence in my work and pride in my journalism," Russini continued. "In the days that followed, unfortunately, commentators in various media have engaged in self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts... and I have no interest in submitting to a public inquiry that has already caused far more damage than I am willing to accept."

Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.

One hour after USA Today shared the news of Froyd's termination, the reporter took to social media to defend her words.

"I regret zero of what I said and stand beside it," she wrote. "I feel I've been very transparent and did nothing wrong... Be bold and speak out. Will it make a martyr out of you? Maybe. But some things are worth it and some are not. This was."

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Froyd, Russini, and a representative for Vrabel for comment.

Russini and Vrabel both shared statements with Page Six when reached for comment for the April 7 exposé.

"The photos don't represent the group of six people who were hanging out during the day. Like most journalists in the NFL, reporters interact with sources away from stadiums and other venues," Russini told the outlet, while Vrabel added, "These photos show a completely innocent interaction and any suggestion otherwise is laughable."

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly

Some executives have made a name for themselves as incredible drafters and team builders. The Philadelphia Eagles are very fortunate that Howie Roseman is the man making those decisions, as he's done nothing but build elite teams on both sides of the ball. 

It's tough to say, however, that Roseman has done everything right throughout his career. In his defense, there's quite literally not an executive who has made all the right moves throughout their career, as it is literally impossible. 

However, Roseman has been just as close as anybody could have hoped for, and, funny enough, some of his previous mistakes seem to be the reason why. Despite making many of the right decisions, Roseman acknowledged that he's made some wrong ones along the way, and much of that has fueled him to be better in the draft, in free agency, and in trades. 

Speaking about that recently, it sounds like he's ready to go for the 2026 NFL Draft and is doing whatever he can to ensure that he makes the right moves.

“Yeah, a lot,” he said, per NBC Sports Philly. “You know, I think about the first-round picks that I've missed on, I don't know, every day, really, if I'm being honest with myself…

“I think that sometimes when I think about those picks and think about the reasons that I miss on those picks, sometimes I even overcompensate, you know,” he said. “So if you're bringing me somebody that may look like one of those guys, I'm going to be asking a lot of questions and I'm going to be skeptical and I'm going to be skeptical of my own report on those guys.”

This is more so an entire Eagles thing rather than just Roseman. While he's done a lot of good, he also credited the people in the building with him. Philadelphia has done a really good job of building an incredible front office from top to bottom, and Roseman understands that he needs people around him to keep him in check when he's making these moves. If they can help him get better at this, he wants their input on what he should do.

“I feel like they've helped me really get better at my job and I think if it wasn't for those mistakes, I think a lot of successful picks may not have happened,” he said.

“So, you know, I can't go back and change the past. I'm very comfortable kind of understanding that as much as I'm trying, I'm not going to be perfect, but I'm going to try my hardest to be as perfect as I can be.”

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star George Pickens had an incredible year with the Dallas Cowboys. 

While Pickens had no questions about his talent and everything to do with what he does on the field, at times, by acting inappropriately, he seemingly figured that out last season in Dallas. Whether that was due to getting the football at the level he wanted, putting up the numbers he was hoping for, or trying to be on his best behavior because he knows he needs to get paid, Pickens did what he had to do in a very big year.

However, similar to how the Steelers seemingly felt about him as they traded him to the Cowboys, it sounds like Dallas could also be in a position to move on from him. Recently, when discussing what the trade market looks like for the former Steelers star, Stephen Jones, Jerry Jones' son, said there has been no interest in Pickens.

"You hate to get into things like that, but no, we've had no one call with interest in George Pickens," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, per NFL.com.

It remains uncertain whether the Cowboys even want to move on from Pickens, but the contract situation plays a major role in this. Kevin Patra of NFL.com had the latest on what all of this could mean, though he added that there's been no indication that the Cowboys are close to a long-term deal with him. That could ultimately lead to a trade.

“Not receiving any calls with interest and not being interested in trading him are two separate thoughts. Thus far, there have been no indications that the Cowboys are close to a multiyear extension with the wideout. The franchise tag is set to pay Pickens $27.29 million in 2026. Owner Jerry Jones said during the Annual League Meeting in March that the club had long-term plans for the wide receiver.

“Dallas' propensity to drag its feet on extensions could elongate the situation. A year ago, the contract talks with Micah Parsons unraveled, leading to the blockbuster trade to Green Bay. The Cowboys have until July 15 to work out an extension with Pickens or he'll play the season on a one-year deal,” Patra wrote.

The San Jose Sharks close the season versus the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre.

Igor Chernyshov and Will Smith and Collin Graf and Michael Misa and William Eklund and Macklin Celebrini scored, and the Sharks won 6-1.

Their 39 wins this season equals the total wins from the last two seasons combined.

Period 1

Congrats on 700 games, Klinger! pic.twitter.com/A8zFd6DF70

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 17, 2026

Koepke goal: Ferraro can’t handle a low-to-high Regenda pass, Koepke jumps on it, breakaway.

Top PP unit is Cagnoni-Celebrini-Smith-Eklund-Chernyshov.

Chernyshov goal: What an entry pass by Celebrini, behind-the-back, through Lowry’s legs, who thought he had Celebrini trapped. Eklund point shot, Chernyshov on top of it. 113 points for Celebrini.

8 left: Nice spin move here by Cagnoni, eludes Lowry, gets it down to Goodrow.

I feel like I’m seeing glimmers of more offensive confidence from Ostapchuk. Hope to see him take a big leap there next fall, it’s what he’s missing.

Dickinson penalty: Was going to say, you want Dickinson to just skate, keep up with Scheifele, but Remenda says it wasn’t a true trip. Worth noting, as Graf has a SH chance, he’s had only one goal in his last 16 games.

Smith goal: Like my recent Smith article, about his improvements notes, he just knows where the soft spots are. Nice for Klingberg to get an assist, and Celebrini has tied Joe Thornton for a franchise record with 114 points.

Period 2

4 in: Pretty pass into open lane by Mukhamadullin. Nice touch, right where Eklund can skate into it, he has a step. Eklund returns the favor, Mukhamadullin in blue paint.

Graf goal: As I was saying! Graf forces turnover and jumps on the loose puck. Blueline to blueline, Kurashev forces Jets defender to stay with him all the way down to Comrie. Graf takes that space in the slot with impressive authority and cranks it by Comrie. Impressive shift.

8 in: Nice keep-in by Cagnoni.

10 in: Good battle win by Kurashev, gets in front of a Jet. Hungry for puck.

8 left: San Jose Sharks just survive that, Vilardi had an open net, hit the post, and Jets had it for the full two.

5 left: Orlov sends a telegraphed pass, trying to enter, to Kurashev. Not a good read, easy for Jers to jump and counterattack.

4 left: Good two-man forecheck from Regenda and Goodrow, Jets turnover, and almost a Grade-A counterattack chance.

Misa goal: Jets got caught, four men down-low, turnover, and Misa and Sherwood have a clear-cut 2-on-1. Sherwood does a good job occupying the defenseman, and Misa gets two shots, first and the rebound.

Eklund goal: Counterattack track meet between both teams, and Jets have hit like three or four posts in their period. But here, Eklund makes a stutter move on entry that sends Vilardi into the Phantom Zone. Hits Ostapchuk in slot for a one-timer, Comrie save. But Sharks stick at it, Ferraro point shot, Eklund and Ostapchuk crashing net, Eklund jumps on it. Sorry, Draft lottery spot.

Period 3

Celebrini goal: Like I wrote a month ago about the Chernyshov-Celebrini-Smith line, welcome to your next decade, Western Conference. He’s now the San Jose Sharks’ record-holder for most points in a season, 115, and second for goals with 45.

The post That’s a Wrap: Celebrini Breaks Thornton Record, Sharks Rout Jets 6-1 in Season Finale appeared first on San Jose Hockey Now.

The Virginia Tech Hokies have been on a roll recently on the recruiting trail. While the 2026 squad has been busy with spring practice, head coach James Franklin and his staff have hosted numerous recruits. It’s led to three commitments since March 19 — all out-of-state players and defensive linemen.

On Thursday, the Hokies added another one, as four-star defensive lineman James Buchanan became Virginia Tech’s latest commitment. Buchanan, a 6-foot-3.5, 260-pounder from the McDonogh School in Owings Mills, Maryland, plays on the edge currently, but possesses the type of frame to eventually move inside.

Several colleges were recruiting Buchanan as a defensive tackle, but will Tech give him a chance at defensive end. Buchanan weighed in on his position earlier this year.

Here’s Buchanan’s commitment announcement:

How impressive was this addition? Regardless of position, Buchanan had offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, LSU, Georgia, Oregon and Tennessee, among others.

Again, Virginia Tech wasn’t even in the conversation for these types of players before James Franklin arrived. His arrival, alongside defensive line coach Sean Spencer and VT’s renewed commitment to football has the Hokies in a much better position moving forward.

Spencer joins Alexander Taylor (Baltimore, Md.), Brock Frisby (Severn, Md.), and Xavier Perkins (Durham, N.C.) in Virginia Tech’s 2027 recruiting class.

With the spring game on Saturday, who knows, more good news could be coming for the Hokies.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the process as a team of replacing two of their best players ever, and general manager Jason Licht understands the challenges ahead.

When Mike Evans signed a three-year, $60 million deal with theSan Francisco 49ers last month, the Bucs lost their all-time leading receiver.

When Lavonte David announced his retirement two weeks later, the Bucs lost their most productive linebacker outside of Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks.

The 2026 season will be Tampa’s first without Evans since 2014 and first without David since 2011. But Licht is confident Tampa has the leaders it needs to move forward.

Licht told a team reporter with the Bucs' official website Wednesday that he feels good about the players Tampa Bay has coming back, with quarterback Baker Mayfield leading the way.

“We have got Tykee (Smith), Calijah (Kancey), the entire offensive line, Bucky (Irving),” Licht said. 

There’s another player Licht named-checked as essential to the team going forward: Vita Vea.

Vea is entering his ninth season with Tampa Bay, and Lichit said the 6-foot-4, 347-pound defensive tackle is a leader "in his own way."

Licht then mentioned three of Tampa’s offseason signings, one for each phase of the game: linebacker Alex Anzalone, running back Kenneth Gainwell and defensive back/special teams All-Pro Miles Killebrew.

Anzalone came over after five seasons with the Detroit Lions. Gainwell signed with the Bucs after a team-MVP campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Killebrew, also from the Steelers, is re-uniting with Danny Smith, who was Pittsburgh’s special teams coordinator for 13 seasons before coming over to Tampa for the same position.

“I think all of those guys have been really good leaders so that will help supplement what we have,” Licht said.

For the Bucs to reclaim primacy in the NFC South, Mayfield must be the leader Licht feels he is.

Mayfield was one of the best quarterbacks in the league for the first half of 2025, throwing 16 touchdowns to just two interceptions through the first nine games, after which the Bucs had a 6-3 record.

In the final eight games of the season, Mayfield had 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and the Bucs went 2-7 to finish 8-9 and concede the division to the Carolina Panthers, who also went 8-9, but went to the playoffs due to a tiebreaker.

As David pointed out on a recent podcast appearance, Mayfield was playing with a variety of injuries throughout the season, some of which were not widely known. 

If Mayfield plays like he did in the first half of 2025 and carries that over for a full season, it’s hard to argue that the Bucs are the team to beat in their division.

Tampa has owned the NFC South throughout the 2020s, winning it every year from 2020 to 2024. Evans and David were a big part of that success, and each of them is a likely a lock to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Evans, 32, can build on his case in San Francisco. For David, the clock has already started, and it’s just a matter of how many voters feel he’s Hall of Fame worthy.

In any case, the Bucs will need leadership to get back to where they were, and it will be more challenging to find it without Evans and David. 

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At the Maracanã, Flamengo thrashed Independiente Medellín 4-1 this Thursday (16), in the second round of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores.

The truth is that the match was completely under Flamengo’s control from the start, including when the Colombians managed to equalize.

After just three minutes, Carrascal missed what was probably the easiest goal of the year. He was completely free inside the six-yard box and with no goalkeeper in sight.

But it didn’t take long for Lucas Paquetá to strike in style with a classy angled finish to open the scoring.

Arrascaeta then began to put on a show with his talent on the pitch.

The Uruguayan star threatened from outside the box, sent a free kick toward the top corner that was stopped by the goalkeeper, and hit the post.

However, in a fortunate sequence that began with Carrascal carelessly losing the ball in midfield, Yony González silenced the Maracanã.

But, as mentioned earlier, Arrascaeta was having one of those special nights and, after breaking through on the left, he crossed onto Bruno Henrique’s head to put Flamengo back in front.

Even though Independiente Medellín also hit Rossi’s post in the first half, the Bruno Henrique-Arrascaeta duo clicked once again after halftime.

The Uruguayan star set up the forward and then ran into the box to receive the return assist and score Flamengo’s third.

Léo Pereira even found the net for the fourth, but a razor-thin offside call by VAR ruled the play out.

And the rout was sealed by Pedro, in the final play of the match, scoring his 164th goal in Flamengo’s red-and-black shirt.

🚦 Standings

With the result, Flamengo took over the top spot in Group A with six points, leaving Estudiantes in second place.

Independiente Medellín remain third with one point, while Cusco are still pointless at the bottom of the group.

In the Libertadores, Flamengo still have matches against Estudiantes (04/29 - away), Independiente Medellín (05/07 - away), Estudiantes (05/20 - home) and Cusco (05/26 - home).

Currently second in the Brasileirão, Flamengo return to action next Sunday (19), when they host Bahia at the Maracanã at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) in the 12th round.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.

The San Jose Sharks played their final game of the 2025-26 season on Thursday evening north of the border in Winnipeg, Manitoba, against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Sharks made quite a few changes to their lineup, as it seemed like they were evaluating talent that could potentially depart the organization this summer. Philipp Kurashev, Pavol Regenda and John Klingberg were among those who rejoined the lineup, all of whom are pending free agents, either restricted or unrestricted. Meanwhile, veterans Tyler Toffoli, Alexander Wennberg, and Vincent Desharnais sat out.

Cole Koepke quickly gave the Jets an early lead, as he beat Alex Nedeljkovic with a shot from the slot less than four minutes into the game. Nino Neiderreiter gave the Sharks an opportunity to answer back almost immediately, as he was awarded the first penalty of the night for high-sticking Sharks defenseman Sam Dickinson. The Sharks did just that, as Igor Chernyshov got his ninth of the season. Macklin Celebrini recorded his 113th point of the season on the play, putting him just a single point behind Joe Thornton for the franchise record.

Dickinson would take a penalty of his own, as he tripped Mark Scheifele, with 6:20 remaining in the opening period. The Sharks’ penalty kill has struggled to end the season, and it allowed the Jets to generate quite a bit of pressure early in the kill. Ultimately, though, they would successfully keep the Jets’ power play off the board for the time being.

Will Smith gave the Sharks their first lead of the night off a feed by Celebrini. Celebrini’s assist tied him with Joe Thornton for the franchise points record.

The Sharks seemed motivated to help Celebrini break the record, as they brought a lot of offensive pressure to start the second period, getting six shots before the Jets recorded one. 

Collin Graf extended the Sharks’ lead with his 21st goal of the season 5:51 into the second period, making it 3-1.

Just past the halfway point in the second period, the Sharks were given a bench minor penalty for too many men on the ice. Once again, the penalty kill held strong and maintained the Sharks’ lead. 

Michael Misa scored on his own rebound to make it a 4-1 game with just under two minutes remaining in the middle frame. With five seconds remaining in the period, William Eklund joined the party with a goal of his own, extending the Sharks’ lead to 5-1.  

Celebrini broke the record early in the third period with his first goal of the night, making it 6-1 and forever etching his name in Sharks history.

Shakir Mukhamadullin was called for holding against Gabriel Vilardi just over five minutes into the final frame, giving the Jets another opportunity on the power play. Again, the Sharks’ penalty kill stood tall and nullified the Jets’ man-advantage.

Sharks forward William Eklund went down the tunnel with just under two minutes remaining in the game after a high-stick by Ville Heinola, which earned the Jets’ defenseman a double-minor.

The Sharks mainly held onto the puck as time expired, ending the season with a 6-1 victory over the Jets.

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Asia-Pacific Travel Disruptions Deepen as Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and China Face Airline Cutbacks Amid Middle East Fuel...

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Convene Hospitality Group Welcomes Jonathan Ojany with Years of Expertise as the New Chief Financial & Operating OfficerJonathan Ojany appointed...

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Air Travel Setbacks Across China, Japan, Thailand and Singapore Shake Asia-Pacific Tourism Momentum Amid Airline Capacity Cuts — Key Insights...

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Flair Airlines Gets CTA Green Light for Cuba Flights — Can It Revive Tourism Amid Deepening Fuel Crisis?Flair Airlines, Air...

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ID. Unyx 08 launches from 33,300 USD: Volkswagen and Xpeng's joint EV hits Chinese market.

The post Volkswagen launches ID. Unyx 08 starting from 33,300 USD, first mass-produced model from VW-Xpeng collaboration appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.

Xiaomi plans to stay out of the entry-level EV segment as smart driving technology increases production costs, according to CEO.

The post No cheap EVs: Xiaomi rules out sub‑13,800 USD models as CEO confirms no budget plans appeared first on CarNewsChina.com.

Today Spotify has announced that it's revamped its tablet interface - for both Android tablets and iPads. The "new app experience" is tailored for tablets from the ground up, and is "designed to make listening, watching, and discovery feel more natural on larger screens", according to the official press release. The redesigned tablet UI isn't just a scaled up phone version as before. Instead, it's designed to take advantage of the extra screen real estate, "so you can browse and discover new favorites right alongside what you're already playing". The UI...

Cristiano Ronaldo has been the cornerstone of Al Nassr’s recent surge, but his blistering goalscoring streak came to a halt Wednesday against Al Ettifaq. Following a uncharacteristically quiet performance from the club’s captain, head coach Jorge Jesus revealed that Ronaldo’s abrupt exit to the locker room was the result of “stomach pains” the forward had been battling since before kickoff.

After returning from a hamstring injury in March, Ronaldo had been flawless, netting a brace against Al Najma and a clinical strike against Al Okhdood to keep Al Nassr’s title hopes alive. However, his impact against Al Ettifaq was far more subdued; despite registering seven shots, only two found the target, and he uncharacteristically squandered a golden opportunity in the 47th minute.

Ronaldo was eventually subbed off in the 89th minute for Abdullah Al-Hamdan, but rather than joining his teammates on the bench, the Portuguese icon headed straight down the tunnel. While his departure initially sparked speculation regarding his frustration with the substitution, Jorge Jesus was quick to clear the air during his post-match press conference.

When asked about his star player, the Portuguese manager admitted that Ronaldo was nearly omitted from the lineup entirely. “I considered leaving him out; he simply wasn’t in good shape,” Jesus said. “He was suffering from stomach pains and general fatigue. When I finally substituted him, he went straight to the dressing room and threw up.“

Jesus assured reporters that Ronaldo was recovering well after the match, explaining that his absence from the post-game celebrations following the 1-0 victory was simply because he was still indisposed. Although his scoring run has ended, the veteran striker is expected to be back in the selection for the club’s next fixture.

One step closer to the SPL title

Wednesday’s hard-fought victory moves Al Nassr within touching distance of the Saudi Pro League title. The club currently sits atop the table with 76 points through 29 matches, fueled by a staggering 15-game winning streak in league play. Al Hilal remains in second place with 68 points and a game in hand, but they now face a daunting eight-point mountain to climb.

Riding the momentum of 17 consecutive wins across all competitions, Jorge Jesus reflected on the culture shift he has implemented in his debut season. “Al Nassr are not used to competing for titles, but now the players feel they are close to winning the league. I have won 24 titles, so I consider myself among the best coaches in the world. We have a great feeling and sense that we’re close to the title, but our focus now is to take it one match at a time,” he stated.

The situation surrounding Christian Pulisic continues to evolve at a delicate moment for both the player and Milan, with uncertainty growing around his future and form. As the season approaches its decisive phase, every development off the pitch feels just as important as what happens during matches.

Pulisic’s struggles in 2026 have become impossible to ignore, especially after another frustrating outing in the 3-0 defeat against Udinese. The American forward has not scored since late December, and that drought has begun to affect both his confidence and his overall influence.

Despite his earlier form, his performances in recent months have lacked the sharpness that once defined his game. Injuries and tactical adjustments have played a role, disrupting his rhythm at a time when consistency was needed most.

Even at international level, the difficulties have followed him. Reflecting on his form, Pulisic admitted: “It’s frustrating, but I am just going to stay positive. I have a lot of big things ahead, and I know I’m going to get to the other side and things are going to click.”

Fresh contract update comes to light

Away from the pitch, questions about Pulisic’s future at Milan are becoming increasingly prominent. According to MilanPress, his agent has been spotted twice in the city of Milan during the past month, yet contract renewal talks remain on hold.

The report indicates that these visits were not directly tied to negotiations, with no formal meetings taking place at the club’s headquarters. Instead, discussions of a new deal appear to be on hold, leaving his long-term situation unresolved.

This delay adds another layer of complexity, particularly as Milan must soon decide whether to secure his future or consider other options. Timing is crucial, as the value of any potential transfer could change significantly depending on how long the situation remains unresolved.

Premier League ready to pounce

Pulisic’s uncertain contract status has not gone unnoticed across Europe. Clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham have reportedly shown interest, seeing an opportunity to bring him back to the Premier League. At the same time, Milan’s financial position could influence its decision-making.

With his contract running down, the club may consider a sale if an offer in the region of $70 million arrives, though that valuation could shift depending on results and performances. The possibility of missing out on Champions League qualification further complicates matters. Without that revenue, Milan may be forced to make difficult choices involving key players.

The mood around Christian Pulisic has shifted dramatically in recent months, with uncertainty beginning to cloud what once looked like a defining season at Milan. As the club enters a crucial stretch, questions are growing about how the American forward could be impacted by what lies ahead. What initially seemed like a temporary dip in form now carries wider implications, both for the team and for players like Pulisic who once looked untouchable in the lineup.

The American’s campaign has unfolded in two completely different chapters, each telling its own story. Between August and December, he scored eight goals and provided two assists, establishing himself as one of the club’s most reliable attacking threats.

Since the start of 2026, however, the numbers have taken a sharp downturn. He has failed to score a single goal this year, registering just one assist in 14 appearances, a drought that has mirrored Milan’s own struggles. His last goal came in late December against Hellas Verona, a moment that now feels distant.

What followed was a combination of reduced efficiency and a brief injury setback that disrupted his rhythm at a critical time. Milan’s broader situation has intensified the spotlight on Pulisic. Just weeks ago, the club appeared on track for a strong finish, but a series of poor results has left the Rossoneri’s position increasingly fragile.

A heavy defeat to Udinese exposed deeper issues, and the race for a top-four finish has tightened significantly. With only six matches remaining, every point carries enormous weight for the club’s future. “The Champions League quota is around 73 points,” Allegri warned, underlining the challenge ahead. Milan now finds itself chasing that target under mounting pressure, with little room for further mistakes.

What would happen if Milan misses out?

Missing the top four would trigger wider consequences across the squad. As per Calciomercato, contract renewal talks across the squad have already been put on hold, affecting several key players.

More importantly for Pulisic, there is a growing possibility that players could be put on the market if the club misses out on the Champions League. Financial consequences play a major role in this scenario, as participation in the competition brings in significant revenue.

Milan already felt the impact of missing out on approximately $65 million to $75 million in Champions League income this season, which contributed to key departures in the squad, including Theo Hernandez, Malick Thiaw, and Tijjani Reijnders. Without that financial boost again, difficult decisions could follow.

How it directly affects Pulisic

For Pulisic, the stakes could hardly be higher, the report goes on to add. His form, combined with the club’s results, may determine whether he remains a central figure or becomes part of a wider reshuffle.

Interest from abroad and his reputation as a high-profile international player make him a valuable asset in the transfer market. If Milan is forced to balance finances, players in his position could attract attention from clubs willing to invest.

At the same time, a strong finish to the season could completely change the narrative. A return to form, especially in the final six decisive matches, would reinforce his importance and potentially secure his long-term place in the project.

Morant and Catch12, his media and business venture company, have purchased a stake in the Levallois Metropolitans French basketball team, ClutchPoints has been told. Over the last couple of years, the NBA and FIBA have quickly progressed towards a partnership to bring a new basketball league to Europe. Morant and his team have been monitoring those conversations, and the minority ownership signals Morant’s interest building out his business portfolio outside of traditional means.

Clutch Points

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Ja Morant purchases stake in French basketball team

“I’m excited about how this first season with the Metros is going,” Ja Morant told ClutchPoints. “They represent the culture, just like we do. I like what we are building and hopefully we get to take it into NBA Europe.”

Clutch Points

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “I’m excited about how this first season with the …

Justin Gaethje is set to headline one of the most significant UFC events ever this summer, but it could be a difficult night for him.

The interim lightweight champion will attempt to unify the division against Ilia Topuria at the UFC White House card, though he enters as a heavy underdog. He earned his belt by defeating Paddy Pimblett in January at UFC 324, while Topuria’s last bout was a win over Charles Oliveira in June.

Gaethje headlines the nation’s 250th birthday celebration at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Covington, a long-time critic of Gaethje, feels the fight plays right into his strengths and expects him to deliver.

Colby Covington says Justin Gaethje ‘on his way down’ vs Ilia Topuria at UFC White House

When the UFC White House card was revealed, Colby Covington’s absence surprised quite a few fans. Over the past decade, he’s made his support of Donald Trump a central part of his public persona.

He wasn’t impressed with the lineup and said that Justin Gaethje is facing a tough task in the main event. Both Charles Oliveira and Max Holloway – fighters who have previously beaten Gaethje – have been knocked out by Topuria.

Speaking with Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel, Covington explained: “I think the fans have spoken. The UFC, I love them and they’ve always got great plans, but they’ve promised six or seven title fights to President Trump.”

Covington added: “It’s the celebration of the 250th birthday of the greatest country on God’s green Earth; America, you know?

“You’d think there’d be more American fighters on it from top to bottom, you’d think that there’d maybe be some favourable matchups for the Americans. To send Gaethje out there to get slaughtered by Topuria who’s the best fighter on the planet right now? No one can dispute that.

“The way he’s finishing these guys like Holloway, Volkanovski and Oliveira, he’s just on another level right now and he’s in his prime. Gaethje is on his way down and there’s no beating father time.

“So I just feel like they could have put more Americans in bigger fights and they didn’t put the best Americans on the card. Gaethje is a good American fighter but there are great American fighters.

“I’m happy Sean O’Malley is on there, he’s going to put on a good show for sure, but Michael Chandler at 41 or 42-years-old [he’s 39]? He’s a punching bag now, so it’s another guy getting sent to slaughter on our birthday for America.”

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The MMA gods did not reward Darragh Kelly for replacing countryman Paul Hughes in his PFL Belfast main event Thursday against , with the Irishman suffering a left-hook knockout in the opening exchanges of the bout.

After stunning the SSE Arena into silence, Wilson called for a showdown with the recent challenger to Usman Nurmagomedov’s lightweight crown, Alfie Davis. 

“There’s a little Alf in this division who needs a beating,” said Wilson. “So, Alfie Davis, I’m coming for you June in San Diego — lets do it!” 

Although it was a left hook that dispatched Kelly 37 seconds into the contest, Dan Hardy heaped praise on the left body kick Wilson landed before going upstairs and landing the final punch. 

“One of my friends, his name is Said, and I call that ‘the Said kick’. He just fought last week, and he broke a guy’s ribs with the same kick,” Wilson told Hardy after the contest. 

“I landed [the kick], and then I stepped back and caught him.” 

No stranger to big nights in Belfast, UFC veteran Rhys McKee scored a routine win over Alex Lohoré in the co-main event, finishing out a stellar 3-0 night for Belfast’s Fight Academy Ireland gym. 

Although Lohoré started the encounter in command, landing well-placed calf kicks on the Ballymena man’s lead leg, McKee grew into the contest and scored a big knockdown at the beginning of the third round. An exhausted Lohoré looked to bring the contest to the canvas for the remainder of the round, with McKee breaking free and landing another big shot just before the contest ended. 

“Alex played his part, but listen, he was never going to get it done,” McKee told Dan Hardy in the cage after the contest. “No offense, that was the punch [he] was waiting for all those f***ing years!” 

Tyson Pedro nearly had a fairytale return after putting former PFL champion Dovlet Yagshimuradov on skates in the final round of the main-card opener. Dovlet had to hang on for dear life as he was peppered with shots before landing a takedown that allowed him to hear the final bell. 

The rally came too late for the UFC veteran, who was competing in mixed martial arts for the first time since his retirement in March 2024, as Yagshimuradov’s measured performance won him the nod on all three judges’ scorecards.

The undercard boasted a number of notable performances. 

UFC veteran Caolan Loughran drew some of the biggest cheers of the night after submitting regional rival Alan Philpott after an intense war of words in the build-up to their featherweight fight. 

Loughran’s fellow former Cage Warriors alum, Omran Chaaban, recorded a second-round submission in his promotional debut debut against Chequina Noso Pedro.

While Irish eyes were smiling for the most part with big wins for SBG Belfast via Eoin Sheridan and Pedro Carvalho, as well as a debut win for Fight Academy Ireland’s Masoliver, the most shocking knockout of the night saw 37-year-old Dean Garnett stop previously undefeated Ciaran Clarke. 

Clarke went into the contest 10-0 but tasted defeat for the first time after eating a picture-perfect spinning elbow from the Liverpudlian stalwart. 

Main card

• Jay Jay Wilson def. Darragh Kelly via KO (left hook) at 0:37 of R1

• Rhys McKee def. Alex Lohoré via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

• Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Tyson Pedro via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary card

• Eoin Sheridan def. Chris Mixan via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• Caolan Loughran def. Alan Philpott via submission (crank) at 1:11 of R1

• Omran Chaaban def. Chequina Noso Pedro via TKO (knee and punches) at 4:16 of R2

• Dean Garnett def. Ciaran Clarke via KO (spinning elbow and punches) at 1:52 of R1

• Pedro Carvalho def. Sergio Cossio via unanimous decision 29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

• David Martinez def. Giannis Bachar via submission (rear-naked choke) at 0:53 of R2

• Sean Gauci def. Liam Gittins via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

• Eoghan Masoliver def. Shane Mullen via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:55 of R1

• Chelsea Hackett def. Andrea Vazquez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Two Iranian women footballers who sought asylum last month during the Asian Cup said Friday the support they had received in Australia gave them hope of being able to "live and compete in safety".

Seven members of Iran's delegation at the tournament sought sanctuary after being branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem at their opening game soon after war erupted in the Middle East.

With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran's leaders but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds and returned home.

Only Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh stayed, despite activists accusing Iranian authorities of pressuring the women's families including summoning their parents for interrogation.

In a joint statement, the pair thanked the Australian government for "granting us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country". 

"The compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety," they said. 

"We are overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora community in Australia. Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition. 

"At this stage our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives," they added. 

"We are elite athletes and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia. However, we are not yet ready to speak publicly about our experiences."

A week after seeking asylum the pair were pictured smiling and training with Australian club Brisbane Roar. They have not been seen since and are being housed at an undisclosed location.

The plight of the rest of the team remains unclear after their return to Iran.

AFP reporters saw them cross into their homeland from Turkey on a bus wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.

Soon after, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the players and their support team were "children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them". 

By returning, they had "disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements", he added.

mp/oho/pst

The Ravens unveiled modern new uniforms on Thursday night, releasing a sparkling new matte black helmet to their colorways for the 2026 season. As part of a fresh start under the moniker 'Next Flight', the Ravens unveiled a crisp, sharp new look in front of a packed audience of fans and media members at a PSL event on Thursday, April 16, at Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The evening event included a performance from cover band Go Go Gadjet and appearances by current players and more than a dozen Ravens Legends, including Terrell Suggs, Todd Heap, Qadry Ismail, Jamal Lewis, Jermaine Lewis, Michael McCrary, Edwin Mulitalo, Ray Rice, Jimmy Smith, and Matt Stover.

The full lineup 🔥 pic.twitter.com/m0fZAkkwEh

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 16, 2026

The Next Flight takes off pic.twitter.com/qLggrzB5Fi

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 16, 2026

A look the Ravens’ new uniform collection pic.twitter.com/eAMDQs2pd8

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 16, 2026

Baltimore previously added an alternate 'Purple Rising helmet for one game each season, and the new design was met with praise and excitement from fans and players alike. On Thursday, they debuted the 'Next Flight" uniforms, and the new threads will go on sale on Friday, April 17.

Players reacted to the new uniforms, with quarterback Lamar Jackson "wishing he could speed up time" because he badly wants to play in the look jerseys. With the uniforms now unveiled and set to a huge reaction, we're ranking the 12 colorways from best to worst.

1. All Black jersey, black pants, new Black helmet

The new Matte Black helmet is fire, and takes this combination to the top

Ocho pic.twitter.com/aWScv8Xg24

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 17, 2026

2. Purple rising jersey/purple rising helmet

𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 royalty pic.twitter.com/ZkRbnf0lDL

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 17, 2026

3. New purple helmet, white pants, and white jersey

A new addition, the purple rising helmet with an all-white jersey look, is outstanding.

The Ravens’ new purple helmet and white jersey, which has Baltimore on the front and wings around the collar pic.twitter.com/7sguser9nV

— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) April 17, 2026

4. New purple rising helmet, white jersey, purple pants

5. Black jersey, purple pants

6. All Purple Color rush, with regular helmets

7. White jersey, purple pants

8. Black jersey, white pants

9. white jersey, black pants

10. White jersey, White pants, regular helmet

11. Purple jersey/Black Pants

12. Purple jersey, white pants

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Baltimore Ravens unveil new uniforms: Ranking the 12 combinations

When you pick up commitments from blue-chip players early in the recruiting cycle, it always becomes a challenge to try to hang on to them throughout the season and up to the national signing period in December. However, it's always nice to see those commits shut down their recruitment early and take that worry off of the table.

That's what happened for the Oregon Ducks this week with a pair of their top commits in the 2027 class. Both 4-star DL Zane Rowe and 4-star EDGE Cam Pritchett announced that they would be shutting down their recruitment and focusing solely on the Ducks going forward, which likely means they won't be taking any other visits or entertaining pitches from other prospective teams.

Rowe is one of the top players in Oregon's class so far, standing at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds. He is rated as the No. 93 overall player and No. 9 defensive lineman in the class. He committed to Oregon in early March.

Oregon EDGE commit Zane Rowe is shutting down his recruitment 🦆 🔒 pic.twitter.com/bWLlEH0vSL

— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) April 16, 2026

Pritchett is the other Duck who shut down his recruitment. Pritchett is the longest-standing commit in Oregon's 2027 class, coming into the fold in June of last year. He is rated as the No. 136 overall player and No. 16 EDGE in the nation, standing at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds.

Oregon 4-star EDGE commit Cam Pritchett (@Cam_Pritchett_) is shutting down his recruitment 🦆 🔒

Joins 4-star DE Zane Rowe pic.twitter.com/aoZNLZv6el

— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) April 16, 2026

Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.  

This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon Ducks receive major recruiting news for pair of 2027 commits

CLEVELAND (AP) — Parker Messick took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, José Ramírez homered for the third time in four games and the Cleveland Guardians opened a seven-game homestand with a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday night.

Making his 11th major league start, Messick (3-0) faced one batter more than the minimum through eight innings before Leody Taveras led off the ninth with a grounder that just eluded diving second baseman Juan Brito and went into right field for a single.

Blaze Alexander followed with a line-drive single to center before the rookie left-hander was removed to a standing ovation from the crowd of 14,748.

Taylor Ward's single off closer Cade Smith loaded the bases, and Gunnar Henderson's sacrifice fly drove in Taveras. Pete Alonso hit an RBI double that put runners at second and third with one out.

Smith then retired pinch-hitter Colton Cowser on a fly to center and Samuel Basallo on a grounder for his fourth save.

The 25-year-old Messick walked two and equaled a career best with nine strikeouts. He was charged with two runs in eight-plus innings, his longest outing in the majors. He threw 112 pitches, 78 for strikes.

The most recent no-hitter in the majors was Sept. 4, 2024, when Shota Imanaga and two Chicago Cubs relievers combined to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-0 at Wrigley Field.

Cleveland has the longest current gap between no-hitters. The team’s last one was Len Barker’s perfect game on May 15, 1981, against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Chase DeLauter walked in the first and Ramírez drove a first-pitch fastball from Shane Baz (0-2) into the right-center stands to give Cleveland a 2-0 lead.

Steven Kwan hit an RBI single in the fifth and George Valera added a run-scoring single in the sixth.

Up next

Orioles RHP Chris Bassitt (0-2, 9.00 ERA) faces Guardians RHP Tanner Bibee (0-2, 6.38) on Friday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

GLENDALE – A week away from the NFL draft and Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and head coach Mike LaFleur spoke to the media on Thursday, giving some clarity towards the franchise’s plan. The biggest story entering the draft for Arizona isn’t even the third overall pick, it’s whether Ossenfort will trade back into the first round to select Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson.

The Cardinals have heavy interest in Simpson, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, and it could make a trade up from 34th overall into the first round. Ossenfort is known for keeping his agenda close to his chest, but he did confirm one thing on Thursday: No QB starter has been named.

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort during a pre-draft news conference on April 16, 2026, at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe.

Ossenfort assessing the quarterback situation ahead of draft:

“We’re not really naming anybody, and we’ll see how that room looks by the time we get [to] August. That’s where we are right now. And I think that with every position that we have, we’re going to look to add competition. Whether that’s the draft, whether that’s after the draft, there’s [a] player acquisition period that never ends.

“We’re going to always look to improve every room no matter what it is. So that’s where we are right now. Is that how it looks going into training camp? I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur during a pre-draft news conference on April 16, 2026, at the Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe.

LaFleur later confirmed Ossenfort’s sentiment, stating the team isn’t focusing on naming a starter this early in the offseason. The competition, as of now, is Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Brissett started 11 games last year and helped the franchise move on from seven-year starter Kyler Murray this offseason. The 33-year-old performed well in his starts, but still finished 1-11.

Minshew has a similar career archetype to Brissett, early starting opportunities but soon fell into a career backup role. Each are capable QBs under center to run an NFL offense but isn’t enough to win at a high level, which Arizona seems fine with because of its projected cap space in 2027.

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The number will be over $100 million, and add in a expected high draft pick to select from a much better quarterback class, Ossenfort is in a good position. However, will the fourth-year Cardinals general manager actually be there to see the vision play through? Unclear if the roster underperforms yet again under his watch.

The fear of job security could have Ossenfort take a reach at Simpson in the first round to try and show owner Michael Bidwill there is a hopeful prospect under center for fans to believe in. His words on Thursday help buy into that narrative, and he could look towards Simpson, as the second-ranked quarterback in the draft, to be a savior of a roster that just went 3-14.

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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports

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As the Jacksonville Jaguars' Travis Hunter continues to work his way back from a knee injury sustained last season, he has been documenting his recovery and has shared his journey on YouTube.

Hunter sustained the non-contact knee injury in practice prior to the Jaguars' Week 9 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Surgery to repair the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in Hunter's right knee would follow shortly after.

Now several months removed from the injury and surgery, Hunter is progressing well. GM James Gladstone recently provided an update and timeline for Hunter's return to the practice field.

"He'll be, for all intents and purposes," Gladstone said, "a limited participant throughout the offseason program with eyes on return to play at full tick in training camp."

Both Gladstone and Liam Coen have made it clear that Hunter will continue to play both ways upon his return. However, given the construction of the Jaguars' roster at the moment, there may be more opportunities on defense for him this season compared to last.

As of now, Hunter is likely to step in at the starting cornerback role opposite of Montaric Brown. While on offense, the Jaguars also have Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, and Parker Washington at wideout, so the need for Hunter to take on a heavy workload offensively isn't as high as it seems to be on defense.

Voluntary offseason programs for the Jaguars begin on Apr. 20th.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Behind the scenes look at Travis Hunter's recovery from knee injury

LIV Golf is preparing to make structural changes that "might surprise some people," CEO Scott O'Neil said Thursday, as the embattled breakaway league scrambles to fend off rumors it could soon collapse without Saudi funding.

Multiple outlets this week reported that Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund will shortly stop bankrolling the divisive league, which has spent billions to lure top golfers away from the traditional PGA and DP World tours.

The league has said its current season will continue "full throttle," and this week's Mexico City tournament began Thursday as planned, although coverage was hit with a lengthy broadcast blackout due to local power outages.

"I talked about some structural changes. They're coming," said O'Neil, in an interview broadcast during the Mexico City event.

"You can ask just about the 50 people I met in Augusta," he said, referring to last weekened's Masters venue.

"I rolled out the plan. We have one, and it is... It might surprise some people."

The Saudi-backed tour, which features major winners including Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm, and a focus on faster, geographically diverse and team-oriented competitions, has bitterly divided the world of golf since its 2022 launch.

Seeking to tap into markets beyond the United States, it has attracted strong crowds to tournaments in countries including Australia and South Africa, but has struggled to bag lucrative television deals.

The Saudi wealth fund is estimated to have spent around $5 billion on LIV Golf. But at a five-year plan presentation this week it said it would focus on "increasing the efficiency of investments."

O'Neil said Thursday that the LIV Golf tour would "probably" have to raise money.

He pointed to a previously touted strategy of selling stakes in LIV Golf's 13 team franchises, and said he had received "two calls this morning" on the topic.

The league plans to replicate sports like Formula 1 with separately owned teams. 

Sales of minority or even controlling stakes in two teams to wealthy individuals or companies were being explored this year prior to the reports of a possible Saudi withdrawal.

In January, Bloomberg reported that the league was targeting valuations up to $300 million per team. There is currently no public valuation of what the teams are worth.

O'Neil also pushed back on media coverage of LIV Golf in recent days, in particular a story from Britain's Telegraph newspaper reporting that executives had been called into an emergency meeting in New York.

"It's a lot of reaching and grabbing for headlines and clickbait and stories," said O'Neil.

"Will there be a change in how we operate? Of course," he added.

amz/rcw

Analyst offers interesting QB name for Steelers to draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Pittsburgh Steelers remain a fascinating watch as the NFL Draft edges closer, with the franchise looking to hit the ground running under Mike McCarthy.

Of course, whether or not the franchise can is down to what Aaron Rodgers decides to do. With a week until the draft, we should be getting a decision from Rodgers soon.

In the meantime, there have been many mock drafts that have the Steelers taking Alabama's Ty Simpson in the first-round to give McCarthy another young quarterback to develop.

And for ESPN's Ben Solak, he thinks Simpson is a good idea, but he offered up another name Pittsburgh should look at, too.

"I've advocated for the Steelers to take Ty Simpson at No. 21 to prepare for life after Aaron Rodgers (if he's back), but that looks increasingly unlikely," Solak writes. "Still, a developmental quarterback would serve their long-term roster health. LSU's Garrett Nussmeier is the son of Doug Nussmeier, who worked for Mike McCarthy in Dallas. He's a nice scheme fit with some preexisting familiarity."

More: Ravens' draft plans easy to predict for ESPN

Do Steelers need a QB?

There's no harm in grabbing a quarterback with a late round pick, say in the fourth or fifth-round. Yes, they are dart throws, but we have seen several times those selections hit.

As far as Simpson in the first round, some have that as a little bit of a reach; others think the Steelers should look to bring him into McCarthy's system. Again, that is predicated on Rodgers not returning.

With Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster, the Steelers could have an open competition for the starting role under McCarthy, and that might be what the franchise needs at the position.

Will that be the long-term solution? Maybe, and it's at least worth a shot at trying to find the next franchise quarterback for McCarthy.

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Patriots Predicted To Draft 27-Sack Pass Rusher To Bolster Front Seven originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots will be a team to keep an eye on during the first round of this year's draft, as they may look to scoop up a talented pass rusher who is dropping down the board.

This year's pass-rushing class appears deeper than in previous years, which could lead to a player typically projected in the top 15 slipping into the later part of the first round. This scenario puts the Patriots, sitting at No. 31, in a favorable position to snag a player who might not normally be available at that spot.

On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski published a mock draft, predicting that the Patriots will select Texas A&M pass rusher Cashius Howell with the 31st overall pick.

"The New England Patriots pass-rush improved as the season progressed, particularly during the squad's run toward Super Bowl LX. The team's options among their edge-rushers remains suspect, though," Sobleski wrote.

"In fact, New England finished among the league's bottom seven in sacks during the regular season. Harold Landry III is only one remaining who managed more than four last season. Cashius Howell's lack of length and ability to set the edge can be questioned all day long, but his relentlessness to get after opposing quarterbacks can't."

Howell dedicated five years to his college career, playing three seasons at Bowling Green before joining the Aggies for two more seasons. He recorded 35.5 tackles for loss and 27 sacks over the course of 56 games, making him a solid addition to New England's front seven.

More NFL: Patriots Reporter Recommends Different Move Over Trading For A.J. Brown

The Chicago White Sox squandered a late lead, suffering a 5-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday in front of 10,128 at Rate Field.

The Sox entered the ninth ahead by one run. But the Rays scored three times in the inning on the way to sweeping the Sox (6-13).

Junior Caminero hit a tying home run leading off the ninth against Sox closer Seranthony Domínguez. Hunter Feduccia and Taylor Walls drew bases-loaded walks against reliever Lucas Sims.

Here are three takeaways from Rate Field.

1. It was a tough ninth inning for the Sox bullpen.

Domínguez found trouble right away against Caminero, beginning the at-bat with three straight balls. He got a sinker off the plate for a called strike and then went back to the pitch again. Caminero connected for the solo home run that just got over the left-field wall.

Domínguez struck out Cedric Mullins, but the Rays then loaded the bases with a single, a walk and a batter getting hit by a pitch.

“I think it’s one of those where he didn’t have his best stuff,” Sox manager Will Venable said. “He wasn’t able to command the ball.”

Sims entered and struck out Jake Fraley looking on a pitch that initially was called a ball on a 3-2 count but was overturned to a strike on a challenge. But Feduccia walked, giving the Rays a 4-3 lead. And Walls followed with another walk, extending the lead.

Those runs were charged to Domínguez, who suffered his second blown save of the season while falling to 1-2.

“Every time I come in, I just try to do my thing,” Domínguez said, “and unfortunately I didn’t do my job today, but I have to do it next time.”

2. The Sox made the most of their ABS challenges.

The Rays had a chance for a potential big inning earlier in the game, loading the bases with two outs in the third.

Sox pitcher Anthony Kay, who followed opener Jordan Leasure, fell behind in the count 2-0 to Yandy Díaz. The next pitch was initially called a ball. Catcher Edgar Quero challenged, and it was overturned to a strike.

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The following pitch again was called a ball. Quero challenged, and again it was overturned to a strike. With a 2-2 count, Kay got Díaz to pop out to end the inning.

“That was huge, especially with the bases loaded,” Kay said.

Quero said part of his strategy when challenging includes, “recognize the zone, recognize where I am in the box behind the plate. And at the same time, trying to be a little bit lucky with the pitch.”

Quero was also helpful at the plate with an RBI double in the sixth that at the time gave the Sox a 2-1 lead. It was his first extra-base hit and first RBI of the season.

“I finally got my first RBI,” Quero said. “I can help the team a little bit and keep doing my stuff and get better to keep helping the team.”

3. Everson Pereira ‘feeling good at the plate’ while contributing against his former team.

The Sox acquired Pereira as part of an offseason trade with the Rays. The outfielder returned from the injured list (left ankle sprain) Tuesday and hit a three-run home run in the third inning of the 8-5 loss in the series opener.

Pereira connected for a solo home run in the eighth inning Wednesday, putting the Sox briefly ahead 3-2. Pereira went 2-for-3 with a walk in the game.

“I’m feeling good at home plate too,” Pereira said through an interpreter. “I’m just trying to help the team.”

Pereira appeared in 23 games with the Rays last season. He said playing against them for the first time “was the same as any other team. A different team and we’re just trying to beat them.”

The Sox showed some power in the series — they hit two home runs Tuesday (Pereira and Munetaka Murakami) and two Thursday (Miguel Vargas and Pereira) — but big hits as a whole eluded the team.

“We haven’t had a ton to show for it, but we’ve been hitting the ball hard,” Venable said. “Whether it’s too much on the ground or at guys. (The Rays) have really good defenders, too, made a ton of plays.

“Stringing some good things for the offense. Still just missing that big hit to put some of these crooked numbers up there. But just have to keep going.”

Apr. 16—Rodney Heath Jr. hasn't played an organized football game since 2019, but two years removed from a decorated college track career, the Lakota East High School alumnus got the itch to try to make it to the NFL.

The sprinter turned professional in track after wrapping up at Louisiana Tech in 2024 and now will give it a try in football.

Heath, the son of former Bengals cornerback Rodney Heath Sr., has been training with his dad, East football coach Jon Kitna and Kitna's son, former University of Alabama-Birmingham quarterback Jalen Kitna, to get ready for free-agent workouts.

Heath participated in the UAB Pro Day with Jalen Kitna a few weeks ago, then got a call from the Bengals inviting him to their local player pre-draft workout. He was among the 32 players with local ties to Cincinnati who participated in the event Tuesday at Paycor Stadium.

"Just grace of God, the opportunity presented itself, and then I just opened the door, and I just walked through it," Heath said.

Cincinnati Bengals: Xenia grad Gerhardt feels at home during local players workout

Heath, who won the 2020 Indoor State Championship in the 60-meter dash as a senior at East, began his collegiate track career with two years at the University of Kentucky before transferring to Louisiana Tech.

He earned NCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors in 2023, qualified for the NCAA Championships while setting a school record in the 100-meter dash with a 9.99-second time and earned multiple gold, silver and bronze medals at the Conference-USA Championships in 2023 and 2024.

Following his last meet in 2024, Heath turned pro in track and continued racing until this past indoor season.

"I sat out indoor because of the buzz about me coming back to football," Heath said. "I just decided to do it, and then, like I said, the opportunity, when it opened, I just took it."

Aside from not playing college football, Heath is trying to make it at a position he wasn't even well-known for in high school. Playing for an East team that relied on a running game in a traditional triple-option offense, he had just three catches for 22 yards among the Hawks' mere 32 passes completed for 521 yards in 2019.

Heath played more cornerback than wide receiver and finished with two interceptions as a senior, but felt his best chance in the NFL would be on offense.

"When I came on the other side to play receiver, it was kind of like, mentally, it's kind of easier for me because I have a defensive mindset coming up with the offensive side of the ball," Heath said.

Because Heath is now almost two years removed from college, he enters the pool as a free agent and can be signed by any team. His dad knows something about trying to make it to the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

Rodney Heath Sr., a Cincinnati native, came out of the University of Minnesota in 1997 and joined the Bengals in 1999. After three seasons with the Bengals, he went to the Atlanta Falcons for the 2002 campaign before finishing his professional career in the Canadian Football League and eventually getting into coaching. He's been East's track coach since 2018.

Jalen Kitna, son of former Bengals QB, participates in team's pre-draft workout

"Sometimes when he's telling me something or trying to teach me something, then he'll bring it (his NFL career) up, and then he'll let me know," Heath said. "I mean, he told me about guarding Marvin Harrison and things of that nature, and it was fun to hear those stories."

Heath hopes to have his own stories to share someday, but he knows he faces an uphill battle.

Working out in front of the Bengals coaches, scouts and front office on Tuesday gave him a chance to at least turn some heads. He stayed a while after the workout ended to do some extra drills, and at the end, he was asked to run a 40-yard dash.

Heath doesn't know what time he ran but hopes it was 4.3 or lower. The fastest time at the NFL Combine this year was a 4.26-second dash.

"Football is a tough sport, but my dad always taught me mental toughness, so when I came here, it was just mentally locked in," Heath said. "I just came and showed them that I can run, I can catch, and I'm coachable."

Apr. 16—The Dayton Flyers hosted Mississippi sophomore guard Travis Perry for a visit this week and will soon have Quinnipiac sophomore forward Grant Randall on campus, according to a source.

Dayton has not yet received a commitment from a transfer this spring. It has five returning players on the 2026-27 roster and three incoming freshmen. It could add as many as seven more players. There is a 15-player limit on the roster.

Perry, a 6-foot-1 guard from Eddyville, Ky., averaged 5.3 points and 1.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game for Ole Miss. He appeared in 35 games and made 16 starts. He shot 35.3% (48 of 136) from 3-point range.

Perry played his freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats, averaging 2.7 points in 9.7 minutes per game.

Perry finished his high school career as the all-time leading scorer in Kentucky with 5,481 points. He won the Kentucky Mr. Basketball award in 2024 when he helped lead Lyon County High School to a state championship. He averaged 32.2 points per game that season.

RELATED: Thomas, Friery will return to Dayton for 2026-27 season

Randall, a 6-9 forward, averaged 11.4 points and 6.6 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game as a sophomore. He appeared in 32 games and started 31.

Randall is a native of Queens, N.Y., but played high school basketball at the Mount Pisgah Christian School in Georgia. He then played for two programs during a post-graduate year: the Mont Sports Academy in Florida and the Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut.

Randall will visit Dayton on Sunday. He also has visits scheduled with Cincinnati and George Mason, according to recruiting analyst Sam Kayser.

DAYTON — The feeling started long before the first pitch.

By the time Badin senior right-hander Caleb Driessen stepped on the mound Wednesday, he already knew something was different.

“I was just so locked in,” Driessen said. “From school that day, to the bus ride, to warmups — everything just felt right.”

That feeling carried all the way through seven innings — and into history.

Driessen tossed a no-hitter against Chaminade Julienne, overpowering a respected lineup and leading the Rams to a dominant 5-0 road win in a performance that blended precision, emotion and control.

“He was Caleb Driessen tonight,” Badin coach Brion Treadway said. “He was on. What else is there to say about him?”

From the outset, Driessen attacked with confidence. Even an early defensive miscue — a first-inning error — did little to disrupt his rhythm. He responded immediately with a double play and a strikeout to end the threat.

That sequence set the tone.

“I got a little hyped after that,” Driessen said. “I was like, ‘OK, here we go.’”

From there, he settled into a groove, mixing strikeouts with weak contact as the innings passed. By the fourth inning, everything he had felt in warmups was translating to the game.

“What was working in the pen was coming onto the field,” said Driessen, who finished with 10 strikeouts.

Driessen didn’t allow himself to think too far ahead — at least not for long. The thought of a no-hitter briefly crept around the fifth inning, but he quickly shut it down.

“I’ve seen what that does to people,” he said. “So I just told myself to keep executing, keep doing your thing.”

That mindset carried him into the seventh, where the challenge intensified. Facing the top of the Chaminade Julienne order, Driessen turned inward.

“I told myself, ‘Who wants it more?’” he said. “And I decided it was going to be me.”

Pitch by pitch, he dug deeper.

A strikeout. A fly out. And then — with another strikeout — history.

Driessen didn’t rush off the mound. He paused, soaking it in, before unleashing a roar toward the sky.

“I just cherished it,” Driessen said. “Every second of it.”

Despite the magnitude of the moment — his first no-hitter at the high school level — the celebration was relatively subdued. That, Driessen said, speaks to the standard inside the Badin program.

“It’s almost like they’re used to it,” he said chuckling. “Not the no-hitter, but just winning and playing well. We’ve got great coaching, great defense, great offense. Everybody just does their job.”

That defense played a key role behind him, turning balls in play into outs and preserving the gem.

“It was a great night all around,” said Driessen, a Miami University commit. “Our guys were stellar.

“This one was special.”

Rodney Heath Jr. hasn’t played an organized football game since 2019, but two years removed from a decorated college track career, the Lakota East High School alumnus got the itch to try to make it to the NFL.

The sprinter turned professional in track after wrapping up at Louisiana Tech in 2024 and now will give it a try in football.

Heath, the son of former Bengals cornerback Rodney Heath Sr., has been training with his dad, East football coach Jon Kitna and Kitna’s son, former University of Alabama-Birmingham quarterback Jalen Kitna, to get ready for free-agent workouts.

Heath participated in the UAB Pro Day with Jalen Kitna a few weeks ago, then got a call from the Bengals inviting him to their local player pre-draft workout. He was among the 32 players with local ties to Cincinnati who participated in the event Tuesday at Paycor Stadium.

“Just grace of God, the opportunity presented itself, and then I just opened the door, and I just walked through it,” Heath said.

Cincinnati Bengals: Xenia grad Gerhardt feels at home during local players workout

Heath, who won the 2020 Indoor State Championship in the 60-meter dash as a senior at East, began his collegiate track career with two years at the University of Kentucky before transferring to Louisiana Tech.

He earned NCAA All-American Honorable Mention honors in 2023, qualified for the NCAA Championships while setting a school record in the 100-meter dash with a 9.99-second time and earned multiple gold, silver and bronze medals at the Conference-USA Championships in 2023 and 2024.

Following his last meet in 2024, Heath turned pro in track and continued racing until this past indoor season.

“I sat out indoor because of the buzz about me coming back to football,” Heath said. “I just decided to do it, and then, like I said, the opportunity, when it opened, I just took it.”

Aside from not playing college football, Heath is trying to make it at a position he wasn’t even well-known for in high school. Playing for an East team that relied on a running game in a traditional triple-option offense, he had just three catches for 22 yards among the Hawks’ mere 32 passes completed for 521 yards in 2019.

Heath played more cornerback than wide receiver and finished with two interceptions as a senior, but felt his best chance in the NFL would be on offense.

“When I came on the other side to play receiver, it was kind of like, mentally, it's kind of easier for me because I have a defensive mindset coming up with the offensive side of the ball,” Heath said.

Because Heath is now almost two years removed from college, he enters the pool as a free agent and can be signed by any team. His dad knows something about trying to make it to the NFL as an undrafted free agent.

Rodney Heath Sr., a Cincinnati native, came out of the University of Minnesota in 1997 and joined the Bengals in 1999. After three seasons with the Bengals, he went to the Atlanta Falcons for the 2002 campaign before finishing his professional career in the Canadian Football League and eventually getting into coaching. He’s been East’s track coach since 2018.

Jalen Kitna, son of former Bengals QB, participates in team’s pre-draft workout

“Sometimes when he's telling me something or trying to teach me something, then he'll bring it (his NFL career) up, and then he'll let me know,” Heath said. “I mean, he told me about guarding Marvin Harrison and things of that nature, and it was fun to hear those stories.”

Heath hopes to have his own stories to share someday, but he knows he faces an uphill battle.

Working out in front of the Bengals coaches, scouts and front office on Tuesday gave him a chance to at least turn some heads. He stayed a while after the workout ended to do some extra drills, and at the end, he was asked to run a 40-yard dash.

Heath doesn’t know what time he ran but hopes it was 4.3 or lower. The fastest time at the NFL Combine this year was a 4.26-second dash.

“Football is a tough sport, but my dad always taught me mental toughness, so when I came here, it was just mentally locked in,” Heath said. “I just came and showed them that I can run, I can catch, and I'm coachable.”

Apr. 16—The Dayton Flyers women's basketball team added its first transfer of the spring Wednesday, April 15, announcing the signing of Cori Allen, a 5-foot-10 junior guard.

Allen, who has one season of eligibility remaining, averaged 6.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 30.8 minutes per game last season at Memphis. She shot 37.4% from the field.

Allen started her career at Illinois, playing two seasons for former Dayton coach Shauna Green and averaging single-digit minutes both seasons.

A Nashville, Tenn., native who attended Hillsboro High School for two years, Allen played her final two seasons of high school basketball at Montverde Academy near Orlando, Fla.

In other Dayton women's basketball news:

—Brittany Parker joined Tamika Williams-Jeter's staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on Thursday, April 16. She spent the last four seasons at Virginia Commonwealth, which fired head coach Beth O'Boyle in February during her 12th season.

"Brittany is a huge win for Flyer Nation!, Williams-Jeter said in a press release. She brings a high standard of winning, recruiting connections and will ignite dominant post play in the A-10 conference. Brittany has built her name in our business off intentional relationships and hard work."

—Dayton handed out team awards this week at a banquet. Nayo Lear won the MVP award.

Other players honored were: Molly O'Riordan (Most Improved Player); Maliah Johnson (Linda Walz Courage Award); Ajok Madol (Flyer Award); Olivia Leung & Nicole Stephens (Scholar Award)

—Sophomore guard Kamryn Grant announced April 6 that she would enter the transfer portal. She averaged 1.0 point and appeared in 22 games in two seasons at Dayton.

Two Iranian footballers who were granted asylum in Australia have said the country has given them "hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety".

Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh were among seven members of the Iranian team who were originally granted humanitarian visas while in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup - but the other five changed their minds and returned home.

It was feared the team would face repercussions for declining to sing the Iranian national anthem at their opening match, days after the war began.

In their first public statement, Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh thanked supporters for their compassion and asked for privacy.

"At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives," the statement read.

"We are overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora community in Australia. Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition," they added.

The pair also thanked the Australian government for providing them "a safe haven in this beautiful country" and officials from the Home Affairs staff for their "dedicated" assistance.

Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh - who have been pictured training with A-League Women's team Brisbane Roar - said they hope to continue their elite sporting careers in Australia.

The drama around the Iranian team unfolded against the background of the war back in their home country which erupted on 28 February when Israel and the US launched joint air strikes.

Concerns grew about the team's safety after footage emerged of a host on state TV calling them "traitors" who ought to be punished for their silence during the anthem on 2 March.

The players were moved to Brisbane, about an hour's drive north from the Gold Coast where they had been staying with their teammates before giving minders the slip and going into the protection of Australian Federal Police.

Human rights activists have said the women who returned to Iran may have been pressured to reverse their decisions through threats against their families.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke at the time said the Australian government could not "remove the context in which the players are making these incredibly difficult decisions".

Iran's sports ministry said that they had "defeated the enemy's plans" against them through their "national spirit and patriotism", and accused Australia's government of "playing in Trump's field".

News agency Tasnim - which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps - meanwhile reported the players had faced "psychological warfare, extensive propaganda and seductive offers" in Australia.

• Inside the Australian hotel where Iranian footballers escaped to claim asylum
• Iranian footballers return home after dropping Australian asylum bids

On Thursday, a friend of the Texas women's basketball program became a foe.

According to a report by On3, former UT guard Jordan Lee has committed to South Carolina. Lee entered the transfer portal last week and was seen at a South Carolina baseball game earlier on Tuesday.

As a first-time starter, Lee made significant strides during the 2025-26 season. The six-foot sophomore was the Longhorns' second-leading scorer at 13.2 points per game, and she made 72 of the team's 164 3-pointers (no other Longhorn made more than 23 deep shots). Lee was additionally one of UT's top perimeter defenders this past season.

More:Subscribe to the Statesman's Texas sports newsletter

But Lee also suffered through a notable shooting slump during the middle of the season, and she then missed 21 of the 26 shots that she took during UT's Elite Eight and Final Four games.

Neither Lee nor UT coach Vic Schaefer have publicly commented on her decision to transfer from Texas. That, though, will be an unavoidable storyline this upcoming winter. The Longhorns and Gamecocks will play at least once during the 2026-27 season, and multiple meetings should probably be assumed. Due to the NCAA Tournament, SEC Tournament, the Players Era event in Las Vegas and the SEC's regular-season scheduling, Texas and South Carolina have played each other seven times over the past two seasons. 

Both Lee and Texas forward Justice Carlton, who were respectively the No. 9 and No. 12 prospects in the 2024 recruiting cycle, have left the Longhorns and entered the transfer portal this offseason. Guard Aaliyah Crump has also reportedly moved on to Duke after one year with the Longhorns.

Why NFL Draft trades will be less likely in 2026 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NFL Draft is a major event in the sports calendar. More so than any other sports' draft. This is true for several reasons. The NFL is exceedingly popular, the league has done an admirable job marketing themselves, they also took something fans typically didn't track early and turned it into a television event. 

Another reason it's popular is the possibility for wheeling and dealing. Who's trading up, who's trading down, what is the compensation, who is it for and who won the trade? This is even wired into fantasy sports. Most fantasy players/owners enjoy proposing and fielding trades. It's an opportunity for a regular fan to play virtual GM. 

On April 16, ESPN reported Chiefs GM Brett Veach believes there will be "a lot of trades". Which reads more like gamesmanship than logical as Kansas City has a few reasons to want to trade up. The question is, will they trade away a 2027 first rounder to do so. 

Draft picks are currency in the NFL, but that currency has a value. In 1991 Dallas Cowboys head coach Jimmy Johnson and Cowboys executive Mike McCoy introduced the "Draft trade chart" attempting to put real number values on draft picks. 

The 'chart' applied point values to each pick creating a numerical road map for draft trades. The concept is simple. If Tampa Bay picking at 15 wants to trade for the No. 1 pick, there is a difference of 1,950 points Tampa has to offer (No. 1 pick = 3000 points, No. 15 pick = 1050 points). Tampa needs to include a series of picks that add up to at least 1,950, for Las Vegas to consider the offer. 

In recent years, NFL GMs have abandoned the Draft trade chart and offer what they are willing to, regardless of what the chart says, but there is still a perceived value applied to picks. That's the first issue. Its less mathematical now. The other big issue specifically this year is what is on the other side of the would-be trade offer. 

For a team to move up from 15 to 1, there is an understanding that the team moving up will need to back up a virtual Brinks truck to sell the trade. The only way to narrow the gap of value is to include high valued picks. This usually will include a future first or second round pick to make up ground in value. 

The first trade in last year's Draft involved Jacksonville moving up from No. 5 overall to No. 2 overall. The compensation package included the No. 5 pick overall, the 36th pick overall (4th pick in the second round), No. 126th overall (3rd round pick) as well as Jacksonville's 2026 first round pick (which turned out to be the 24th overall pick in this Draft). It is highly unlikely we see a compensation package that big or one that includes a 2027 first. 

2027 looks too good to trade away

The largest hurdle in Draft day trades in 2026 will be what the draft prospects look like in 2027. Typically, teams are less resistant to trading away a future first round pick because they like the player this year enough to sacrifice the would-be player next year. That concept is inverted in 2026. 

There have been some comments made by NFL teams, draft analysts and even former players about this draft. After Fernando Mendoza, this is not a great quarterback draft. This is a good offensive line draft, just not for Left Tackle. There is no Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson in this draft. For those positions often coveted at the top of the first, this is not the year to take big swings. 

Just considering quarterbacks, this year Mendoza is the only prospect viewed as a franchise quarterback. Yet in 2027 there could be as many as ten. Depending on how the season shakes out. Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, Arch Manning, CJ Carr, Jayden Maiava, LaNorris Sellers, Sam Leavitt, DJ Lagway, Dylan Raiola, Darian Mensah just to name the first ten that come to mind. 

Left tackle should be a similar story. Running backs should have at least five prospects expected in the top 50 picks. Edge rushers are another group often prioritized in the first round that should be equal to if not better than 2026. Where this gets interesting is at the wide receiver position. 

Cam Coleman, Ryan Williams, RJ Moore, Mario Craver, Ryan Wingo and that's before we even mention Jeremiah Smith's name. Smith will not only be the best wide receiver prospect in the 2027 draft, but he also very well could be discussed as potentially being the greatest WR prospect we've ever seen. Even ahead of names like Randy Moss or more recently Ja'Marr Chase. 

Trades require trade partners

The lack of high profile trades this draft won't be because there is no one to trade up for. Las Vegas, barring something unforeseen, are not moving off of Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 for almost anything. However, there is plenty of draft stock, hype, excitement for players like Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Jeremiyah Love, David Bailey and others to suggest teams would be willing to trade up. What they're not likely willing to do is trade a 2027 first round pick to do so. 

On April 15, the biggest draft discussion or rumor has been would Jerry Jones and the Cowboys be willing to trade both No. 12 and No. 20 to Cleveland to move up to No. 6 for a shot at Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese or David Bailey if either slide? According to the trade chart they no longer use, 12 and 20 for 6 is a slight overpay by Dallas.

Twelve and 20 works out to 2,050 while the Browns No. 6 pick is only worth 1,600. However, it would likely take both of Dallas' first round picks to make that deal. Specifically, because it does not include a 2027 first round pick. 

The fact of the matter is there are very few players, in the first round, teams would be willing to go get if it means parting with a 2027 first or second round pick. Therefore, moving up a considerable amount is highly unlikely. Once the Draft gets into the late teens or early 20s of the first round, we could start to see more trades. All because the perceived value of moving up from the middle of the draft forward, would take less compensation to agree to. 

More college football news: 

• Jordon Hudson turns heads with 'barely there' rope dress at Maine charity event
• USC asked Heisman winner to unretire jersey several times: 'Absolutely f-ing not'
• Deion Sanders buyout, contract details as Colorado Buffaloes coach
• Steve Sarkisian blasts Ohio State players for not going to class
• Ohio State's Ryan Day faces backlash after NFL Combine

The 2025 National Football League season for the Denver Broncos was its best in a decade and it culminated in an American Football Conference Championship berth and nearly a Super Bowl appearance.

Although the Broncos came up short against the New England Patriots, losing 10-7 in brutal weather conditions, it was a great steppingstone for what’s to come in quarterback Bo Nix’s career. Speaking of Nix, the team probably comes away victorious if he doesn’t break his ankle at the end of the AFC divisional round against the Buffalo Bills.

Having to play one of the best teams in the league with your backup QB that hasn’t seen game reps in over two years is tough to do, but because of how good the rest of the team is, the Broncos were in the game the whole time and had opportunities to score more points.

Because this team has no roster holes, especially after re-signing several key players and trading for star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle during the offseason, ESPN’s Ben Solak found it hard to determine how the Broncos could ace its draft. Denver doesn’t have a first- or third-round pick, but it can use the second- and later-round picks to address future departures.

While Denver’s offensive line is one of the best in the league that features All-Pro tackle Garett Bolles and All-Pro guard Quinn Meinerz, Bolles and several other linemen are getting older, and the team needs to account for that during the draft.

“Left guard Ben Powers is turning 30 and has one year left on his deal; right tackle Mike McGlinchey is turning 32 and has two expensive years left on his contract, and his play has begun deteriorating,” Solak wrote Thursday. “I like developmental offensive lineman at No. 62 more than any other position -- especially because Denver has spent exactly one fifth-rounder and two seventh-rounders along the offensive line in the past four drafts.”

Really the only position group that is a bit depleted when it comes to depth is offensive line, so adding at least one or two linemen that can be molded into the next Bolles, Meinerz or McGlinchey would set the Broncos up for much more success in the coming years.

Solak believes that other than offensive line, seeking depth at linebacker and cornerback wouldn’t be a bad idea. Linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad are often targeted in coverage by opposing teams, so finding a guy who is more of a coverage LB would be beneficial, as would bringing in outside corner depth because CB Riley Moss often gets picked on in coverage as well.

The Broncos have the No. 62, 108, 11, 170, 246, 256 and 257 picks to use in next week’s draft.

The Golden State Warriors have put together their teams through a variety of ways over the years, yet few approaches have proven as successful as the NBA draft. More than anything else, the most talented players to represent the Warriors have arrived in Golden State either by being selected directly in the annual draft or through trades executed on that same night.

The Golden State Warriors have taken many of their top stars through the draft, but have also landed a number of notable players over the years as well. From tiny colleges to blue blood programs, these alumni have contributed significantly to the team's roster over the years. So, we chose to take a closer look at which Dubs came from which schools over the years.

So without further ado, let's take a look at every player who has been drafted by the Warriors out of Bowling Green.

Johnny Payak - guard

Draft year and position: 11th round (10th pick, 76th overall), 1963 NBA Draft

Seasons at Bowling Green: unknown

Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team

Nate Thurmond - center

Draft year and position: first round (third pick, third overall), 1963 NBA Draft

Seasons at Bowling Green: three

Seasons played with Warriors: 11 - Hall of Fame

Walt Piatkowski - forward

Draft year and position: eighth round (seventh pick, 99th overall), 1968 NBA Draft

Seasons at Bowling Green: three

Seasons played with Warriors: did not make the team

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Every Bowling Green player drafted by the Warriors

The Brooklyn Nets have 52 jersey numbers worn by over 600 different players over the course of their history since the franchise was founded in 1967 as a charter member of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when the team was known as the "New Jersey Americans".

Since then, that league has been absorbed by the NBA, with the team that would later become the New York Nets and New Jersey Nets before settling on the name by which they are known today, bringing their rich player and jersey history with them to the league of today.

To commemorate the players who played for the Nets over the decades wearing those 52 different jersey numbers, Nets Wire is covering the entire history of the franchise's jersey numbers and the players who sported them since the founding of the team.

And for today's article, we will continue with the first of eight people to wear the No. 55 jersey, forward alum Albert King. After ending his college career at Maryland, King was picked up with the 10th overall selection of the 1981 NBA Draft by the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets.

The Brooklyn, New York native played the first nine seasons of his pro career with New Jersey, coming to an end when he signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in 1987.

During his time suiting up for the Nets, King wore only jersey No. 55 and put up 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Nets jersey history No. 55 - Albert Kings (1981-87)

The Houston Rockets have had players donning a total of 52 different jersey numbers (and have one not part of any numerical series for Houston assistant coach and general manager Carroll Dawson) since their founding at the start of the 1967-68 season, worn by just under 500 players in the course of Rockets history.

To honor all of the players who wore those numbers over the decades, Rockets Wire is covering the entire history of jersey numbers and the players who wore them since the founding of the team all those years ago right up to the present day.

With seven of those jerseys now retired to honor some of the greatest Rockets of all time to wear those jerseys, there is a lot of history to cover.

And for today's article, we will continue with the fourth of 16 who wore the No. 12, guard alum Jaren Jackson Sr. After ending his college career at Georgetown, Jackson went unselected in the 1989 NBA Draft, instead signing with the (then) New Jersey (now, Brooklyn) Nets that same year.

The New Orleans, Louisiana native played the first seasons of his pro career with New Jersey. He also played for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers, and Philadelphia 76ers before he signed with the Houston Rockets in 1996. His stay with the team lasted until he signed with the (then) Washington Bullets (now, Wizards) that same fall.

During his time suiting up for the Rockets, Jackson wore only jersey No. 12 and put up 2.0 points per game.

All stats and data courtesy of Basketball Reference.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets jersey history No. 13 - Jaren Jackson Sr. (1996)

Guardians’ rookie Parker Messick took a no-hitter into the 9th inning, but couldn’t complete the first Cleveland no-hitter in 25 years, settling for a 4-2 victory over the Orioles, Thursday.

Messick game into the bottom of the 9th with only two walks allowed and nine strikeouts on 106 pitches. He tried to sneak a cutter past Leody Taveras, only for the Orioles’ CF to slash to the ball back up the middle toward right-center, just out of the reach of 2B Juan Brito, for the Orioles first hit of the night.

The relief of no longer having a 0 in the hit column helped spark a mini rally for Baltimore in the top of the 9th. Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt left Messick in to face Blaze Alexander, who rewarded that decision by lining a single to center field. That forced Vogt to turn to closer Cade Smith, who allowed the O’s to further claw back in the game. Taylor Ward worked a full count against Smith, and then loaded the bases when he line a 3-2 fastball into center.

Gunnar Henderson then came to the plate representing the tying run for Baltimore. The star SS just missed hitting a game-tying grand slam as well, getting just out in front of a Smith splitter and sending a 355-foot sac fly to deep right-center. Pete Alonso then took his own chance at being the Orioles’ hero, attacking a first-pitch fastball and sending it ricocheting off the top of the wall in right field for an RBI double. Had Alonso’s sinking line drive been five feet higher and five feet to the left, it would’ve been a three-run homer that tied the game. Instead, he had to settle for putting the tying run at second with one out.

As minds in Birdland began to turn to the Orioles magical no-hitter to walk-off winner Houdini act last September against the Dodgers, Colton Cowser stepped in as a pinch hitter. After fouling off some tough pitches from Smith, Cowser just got under a ball, sending a hard-hit shallow fly to left-center for the second out. That left the fate of the comeback to rookie Samuel Basallo, who sent a 108mph grounder screaming up the middle, only for Brito to grab it and toss the ball over to first for the final out.

The fact that the O’s made Thursday’s loss look respectable came as a surprise after Messick left them utterly befuddled for eight innings. The stocky, 25-year-old lefty had Orioles swinging through fastballs, flailing and changeups and pounding easy groundouts to shortstop all night. The only really loud outs of the game on a Ward flyout in the 3rd that died right up against the centerfield fence, and a nifty snag in foul territory by José Ramírez in the 8th. The complete lack of good swings from the Orioles against Messick made it look like they could go 100 ABs against the southpaw and never sniff a hit.

To say Orioles starter Shane Baz had a bad outing in Cleveland would probably be a little harsh, but he certainly paled in comparison to his counterpart, Messick. Coming off a lackluster outing against the Giants, Baz didn’t start the game with his best stuff against the Guardians. After punching out Steven Kwan to start the game, he walked Chase DeLauter on five pitches and then made a big mistake to perennial All-Star Ramírez. Baz threw a first-pitch fastball down the heart of the plate, and the Guardians’ all-time leader in games played smashed it to deep left-center for a two-run blast.

The 26-year-old right-hander quickly but that blunder behind him, though. He got out of the first thanks to a diving stop by Jeremiah Jackson at second and a lineout to Pete Alonso. The Polar Bear then made a great snag on a grounder to start the 2nd, before Baz punched out Austin Hedges on a foul-tipped cutter and ended the inning with a pop out to short.

The Orioles’ right-hander breezed through the 3rd inning thanks to a pair of grounders and a pop-up to the catcher. He’d open the 4th by striking out Kyle Manzardo looking, before giving up a single to George Valera, ending a streak of seven consecutive Guardians retired. The O’s defense would pick up their starter to end the 4th, as Coby Mayo stabbed a hard-hit grounder at third and started a 5-4-3 double play.

Baz picked up his fourth punchout of the night to begin the 5th, snapping off a knuckle curve below the zone to get Juan Brito. After getting Hedges to ground out on another good knuckle curve, the hard-throwing Texan ran into some bad luck to end the 5th.

Shortstop Brayan Rocchio grounded a ball to the right side that just barely eluded the pocket of Jackson’s glove, skipped off the glove into right field and allowed Rocchio to skamper to second for a double. After a double with an xBA of .120 kept the inning alive, Kwan lined a single to RF Johnathan Rodríguez. The Orioles’ outfielder fired a frozen rope to home plate, beating Rocchio, but the Cleveland infielder just barely slid under the tag of Samuel Basallo to score the Guardians’ third run.

Cleveland would add their fourth run against Baz in the 6th, thanks to another rally started by Ramírez. The Guardians’ best player led off the inning by working a 10-pitch walk. He then moved to third on a line drive by Manzardo to right, before scoring on a single to left off Valera’s bat. The Oriole’s starter would limit the damage, finishing the inning with two more Ks and a groundout to short. That closed Baz’s line at 6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB and 6 K.

The Orioles will look to end their second three-game losing streak of the season tomorrow when Chris Bassitt takes the bump in Cleveland. First pitch is set for 6:10pm ET.

The Kansas City Royals were defeated by the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, losing by a final score of 10-9. Offense told the story of the game. The Royals' lineup has endured ups and downs this season, but their performance on Thursday was a big step in the right direction. Bobby Witt Jr. had three hits and scored three runs in what was an impressive performance. However, the star shortstop has yet to hit a home run this season.

Witt has now appeared in 19 total games in 2026. He hit at least 20 homers in each of his first four seasons at the big league level. In 2024, Witt recorded a career-best 32 home runs. The 2025 campaign saw Witt hit 23 long balls. 

Through his 19 contests in 2026, though, Witt has not hit a single home run. He has only five total extra-base hits as well. Witt is still seeing the ball well, as he has 20 total hits and has recorded a .282/.366/.352 slash line. His OPS is .718 overall. 

It is surprising to see his lack of power this year. His track record suggests he will turn things around of course, but it is difficult to ignore his performance up to this point.

Why is Bobby Witt Jr. Struggling to Hit Home Runs This Year?

Witt is hitting the ball harder than ever. His 53.7 hard-hit percentage represents a career-best mark. There is one obvious reason Witt's home run total is down, however.

Heading into Thursday's game, he held a career-low 18.5 percent fly ball rate. His previous career-low mark for fly balls hit was 27.9 percent.

Witt is also going the other way on a consistent basis, doing so 29.6 percent of the time -- which is also a career-high mark. It is not clear if he attempted to change his hitting approach during the offseason or not. Either way, Witt is hitting the ball hard without any long balls to show for it.

Is there reason to panic? In all reality, there is not.

Bobby Witt Jr. has a proven track record. It isn't as if he is in a slump. The fly balls will come. The home runs will come. There is no reason to worry at the moment. After all, it still is only April.

Nevertheless, Witt would surely love to hit his first home run of the 2026 MLB season sooner rather than later.

Sustained success, revenue generation, and a fanbase that spans the farthest reaches of the globe — these markers separate an average team from Bayern Munich.Therefore, Die Rekordmeister attracts footballing talent to Munich the way a bright light draws a swarm of insects. Committing that talent to pen and paper is, however, a different story.

But how complex can bringing a player to an elite side like Bayern be? Surprisingly, very. Max Eberl knows the nuances of signing players better than anyone else — it is his job, after all. He doesn’t point out a player he likes, get out his wallet and pay. No, this isn’t as simple as breaking out the piggy bank, walking into a toy store, and picking out the one you like. Eberl needs permission from mom and dad.

“First, I talk to Vinnie and Christoph about the player, and then in discussions with Jan (Dreesen), the financial aspect comes into play,” the Bayern board member for sport explained (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “Furthermore, I talk to the supervisory board, including Herbert Hainer, Uli, and Kalle, who inevitably get involved when the sums of money get bigger. Discussions with them are simply “FC Bayern.” They want what’s best for the club. Just like me.”

To ink one player, Eberl must coordinate six times the amount of people — seven including himself. Now consider the fact that all seven party members need be on the same page, and that’s not even taking the financial aspect into account. It’s no wonder transfers take so long to complete.

Transfers are complex. They are mechanisms powered by hundreds of gears that differ in shape and size, but all fit together. One bad fit, missing, or damaged cog, and the whole mechanism collapses. Think about that the next time you feel impatient when Bayern are in the process of signing a player.

Pitching was supposed to be the strength of Arizona’s 2026 team, but then life happened.

It started with the departures of two coaches who were instrumental in assembling and developing the staff, including one only a few weeks before the season began. Then a series of arm injuries popped up, most notably to closer Tony Pluta.

This had a major effect on the Wildcats’ bullpen, where roles had to be redefined and new pitching coach Sean Kenny had to learn on the fly who could be trusted in what situation. Not surprisingly, the results during the first half of the season reflected all this uncertainty.

But as it heads into a 6-game Big 12 homestand, Arizona’s pitching has started to perform as expected despite all the change. The staff ERA over the last five games—which includes four wins, three on the road—is 3.27, and no opponent has managed more than five runs or eight hits in that span.

That includes Monday’s 11-inning win at ASU, which saw six UA pitchers hold one of the most potent lineups in the country to three runs and seven hits.

It doesn’t get any easier for Arizona (14-22, 5-10), though. Kansas State (23-14, 7-8) leads the Big 12 in hitting in conference games in batting (.344), on-base percentage (.440) and slugging (.586).

“This weekend is a huge weekend against another good team in our conference, and we have to play good baseball,” UA coach Chip Hale said. “We know with our starting pitching, they’re going to give us a chance to have a chance to win and late in the game, like we’ve been doing.”

Arizona’s starting rotation of Owen Kramkowski, Smith Bailey and Luc Fladda have averaged just over 5.5 innings in Big 12 play, with Kramkowski going six or more in his last three starts. That has enabled Hale and Kenny to line up the bullpen arms in a particular order, with seven getting into at least four conference games.

Garrett Hicks has established himself as the closer, with three saves and a 2.61 ERA in Big 12 play. He’s also thrown 11.1 consecutive scoreless innings, including three at the end of Monday’s win at ASU.

“Garrett Hicks was not 100 percent to start the year,” Hale said. “He’d gotten hurt in the fall and we had slow played it, bringing him back. Sean was very careful how he used him early on in the year. What Sean has figured out, as has the rest of us, is (Hicks) is probably better with a lot of work.”

Most of Arizona’s top relief arms are upperclassmen, the exception being freshman right-hander Benton Hickman. He holds a 3.45 ERA in 12 appearances totaling 15.2 innings, and his opposing batting average of .175 is lowest among regulars.

“He really hasn’t struggled with guys hitting him,” Hale said. “His stuff is very hard to hit, but what you don’t factor into it is, can you throw enough strikes. We maybe overshot what he could do to start with. There were people that said he could be our closer when Tony went down.”

Hickman’s first career appearance, against Oregon State in Surprise, saw him hit the first two batters he faced, picking up the loss. He hit six batters in his first three outings.

“I definitely got the experience my first outing at U of A,” Hickman said. “It was a good first outing. It got (me) a lot of experience.”

Hickman, from Litchfield Park, Ariz., has worked with a pair of ex-MLB pitchers in Todd Stottlemyre and Stephen Randolph to help him transition to a college reliever.

“I kind of leaned on them, especially early, when I was going through struggle,” he said. “I called them and talked to them, and they got me refocused on my mental game. I think my biggest part of my game for relievers are the mental side. I mean, coming in with bases loaded or coming in with guys on is never the easiest situation. But I think when I talked to them, I definitely got a better grasp of reminding myself who I was and how that’s my role as a pitcher. That’s my strong suit.”

That’s showed in recent outings, like at ASU when he was brought into a 2-run game with the tying runs in scoring position and one out. He got a strikeout then, after an intentional walk to load the bases, induced an inning-ending groundout to preserve a 3-1 lead at the time.

“He’s gonna be better than I am,” Pluta said of Hickman. “He’s really impressive. His stuff is elite. It’s way better than my stuff is. If he keeps doing what he’s doing, if he can find a way to recover after the bad outings and just stay in a good mental space, I mean, he’s gonna be absolutely dominant. I’m understating it more than anything, I think he’s gonna be a really good player.”

After hosting Kansas State, Arizona welcomes BYU to Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats are currently in 13th place in the Big 12, with only the top 12 making the conference tournament, but are only a game out of 10th.

Gilbert Burns vs. Mike Malott

Mandel Nallo vs. Jai Herbert

Marcio Barbosa vs. Dennis Buzukja

Allan Nascimento vs. Mitch Raposo

The New England Patriots have identified the former franchise great who will present one of their draft picks on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, former Patriots wide receiver Deion Branch will announce one of the Patriots’ selections between rounds 2-3 of the NFL draft as part of the NFL’s Legends initiative.

Branch was selected by the Patriots with the No. 65 overall pick in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. The Louisville product played for the Patriots from 2002-05, and then from 2010-12.

Branch won two Super Bowls with New England and was named the Super Bowl XXXIX MVP.

The Patriots are in the market for a wide receiver, off-ball linebacker and an offensive lineman on the right side of the ball in the draft. New England owns the No. 63 overall pick in the second round, as well as the No. 95 overall pick in the third round this year.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots two-time Super Bowl champ to announce team's Day 2 draft pick

In pursuit of a better-rounded roster, the Texas Longhorns hosted Long Beach City College edge Paul Kouame on Thursday, extending an offer during the official visit.

The 6’3, 240-pounder was a full qualifier out of high school with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

The Inglewood product recorded 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 10 games as a freshman, better production than he achived as a senior in high school, earning offers from Eastern Washington after an official visit, Idaho, and New Mexico.

A consensus three-star prospect, Kouame is the No. 262 JUCO player nationally and the No. 26 edge, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Rick Bowness agreed to a one-year contract extension to remain as coach of the Blue Jackets, team president and general manager Don Waddell said on Thursday, April 16.

"If you look at the body of work that happened here over the last 37 games, I'm very pleased with Rick's work," Blue Jackets president of hockey operations/general manager Don Waddell said. "I've said all along the strengths of this organization from a coaching standpoint has been the communication he's had with the players and getting the players ready to play on a regular basis."

More Blue Jackets news: Coach Rick Bowness rips team after playoff miss: 'They don't care'

Bowness, 71, took over the bench from Dean Evason on Jan. 12 and guided the Jackets to a 21-11-5 record that nearly took them from last in the Eastern Conference when he accepted the job to a playoff spot. In fact, they climbed as high as second in the Metropolitan Division before a 3-9-1 finish.

"It's always interesting when you do make changes, how players are going to respond, and even through all the exit meetings that have happened so far, every player to a man said they loved playing for Rick, they respect Rick and they were all hoping he'd come back for another year," Waddell said. "So, we're very pleased to announce that signing."

Bowness' first season ended with some turbulence after his meltdown following a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals in a season finale that didn't mean anything to either team in the standings. After bashing a wall outside the interview room at Nationwide Arena, presumably with a hockey stick, Bowness boiled over at a news conference that prompted pushback from players the next day.

“All you’ve got to do is look at the stat sheet,” Bowness said after the final game. “Three hits. Twenty-three giveaways. Like, I don’t know if I’m back, but if I’m back, I’m changing this culture. These guys, they don’t care. Losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them. Like, how can you go out and play like that?”

Those words resonated throughout a fan base that has felt largely the same way over much of the franchise's 25-year history. The Blue Jackets have qualified for the playoffs only six times and have won only one playoff series, a 2019 sweep of the heavily favored Tampa Bay Lightning.

They also upset the Toronto Maple Leafs in a five-game postseason series held inside the league's 2020 Toronto "bubble" during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that was just to qualify for the official playoff field.

Rick Bowness furious following the 2-1 loss to Washington.

The Blue Jackets finish the season losing six straight at home, barely missing the playoffs, more tonight @nbc4i#CBJpic.twitter.com/o7We2CEmTY

— Joe Nugent (@joenuge) April 15, 2026

The Blue Jackets haven't sniffed the playoffs since, extending their drought to six years after replacing former president of hockey operations John Davidson and former general manager Jarmo Kekalainen with Waddell in May 2024, and replacing head coaches Brad Larsen in 2023, Mike Babcock in 2023, Pascal Vincent in 2024 and Evason in January.

The initial goal in promoting Larsen to replace John Tortorella in 2021 was to maintain the winning culture built under Tortorella while doing so with a kinder, gentler approach that some feel is better suited to the NHL's youngest players. Larsen lasted two seasons before Kekalainen replaced him with Babcock, who had left his previous stop with the Maple Leafs under scrutiny for bullying allegations.

Babcock made it 78 days with the Blue Jackets before a forced resignation following allegations that he violated players' privacy by scrolling through their cellphones. That led to Vincent being promoted as an emergency fill-in option on a two-year contract, and Waddell opted not to let him coach a second season after replacing Davidson/Kekalainen.

That led to Evason's hiring, and he lasted only halfway into his second year before Waddell plied Bowness out of retirement to finish the season. Now, Bowness' turn at the rudder.

"Coming in, I knew, 'OK, this is a pretty good team, a lot of good pieces,'" Bowness said. "We had some success early and that made it a lot of fun, but it just scratched the itch a little bit more and I'm very excited ... because I am anxious to come back and finish the job that I came here to do, and that's to get the Columbus Blue Jackets in the playoffs."

As Bowness pointed out, things cruised along nicely during a 19-3-4 start to Bowness' tenure, boosting the Jackets into second place of the Metro, but the bottom soon fell out. Bowness bit his tongue through most of the collapse, slipping just once following a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on April 2 in Raleigh, North Carolina, but all he had pent up came out following the season finale.

“Should’ve done this about a month ago,” Bowness said. “But this is why we are where we are. This is why we’re out of the playoffs, that kind of effort. Losing ... you have to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t … care. Show up and compete. Three hits! Twenty-three giveaways! What else you want to know?”

Two days later, Bowness was asked if he regretted anything about the outburst and shook his head.

"No," he said. "Did I push the bar a little bit? Yeah. I know that, but that's me, right? So, I've got to live with myself. I'm not going to walk in here and say, 'Oh, I should've done this and I shouldn't have ..." did I push it? Yeah, I pushed that envelope a little bit, but that's who I am. I'm not going to come in here and B.S. you people, right? I'm going to tell you what I see and what I don't like, and was that a little over the top? Probably. I'll be the first to admit that, but I've got to live with myself, too, man."

Players pushed back while meeting with reporters during their first day of exit interviews April 15, saying they do, indeed, care about losing. Those who were asked about Bowness' future, however, all said they hoped to keep playing for him and that no fences needed mending.

"I'd be ecstatic if 'Bones' is back," defenseman Damon Severson said. "He's the best coach I've personally ever had. I've had a couple really good coaches. I've had some really ... not good coaches. Bones has been the best one so far. I read a little bit of the guys' comments (after the rant), who were around here with the media, and I think that was the biggest thing they said was, 'We're all big fans of Bones.'

"We just let the team down, we let the organization down and the fans down by not being in the playoffs, but Rick Bowness is not the issue at all. He's going to be part of the solution here."

Severson, who missed the final 10 games with a season-ending shoulder injury, met with reporters April 16 via teleconference. Mathieu Olivier did, too, after missing the final eight games with a fractured bone in his hand. His thoughts on Bowness echoed Severson.

"I'd love for him to be back, and I know my teammates feels the same way," Olivier said. "I just love the passion and the energy that he brings every day, and the communication with everyone. It's been really good to have him around. I've been working with him and we've started to build a really good relationship with him and the coaching staff, and everyone here. I'd be really excited for him to be back."

Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets agree to contract extension with Rick Bowness

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The NBA is sending Denver and Indiana to Mexico City for a regular-season game on November 7, the league said Thursday.

The game will be the 35th in Mexico, all since 1992, and the 16th regular-season contest there. Other than the U.S. and Canada, no nation has played host to more NBA games than Mexico.

“Hosting the 35th game in the country reflects the depth of the NBA’s relationship with Mexico and the role this event plays in bringing the global game closer to fans locally, throughout Latin America, and around the world,” said Raul Zarraga, senior vice president of NBA Latin America.

Denver has played in Mexico once before, that being a preseason game against Golden State in Monterrey in 2006. The Pacers are heading to Mexico for the first time, set to become the 23rd NBA franchise to play a game in that country.

The game will be played during the week of the Day of the Death celebrations in Mexico.

The NBA will also play regular season games in Paris and Manchester, England, next season.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Michigan State women's basketball has made a splash in the transfer portal, adding a new member to their roster for the upcoming season, landing a local product.

Anna Wypych has made the decision to transfer to Michigan State. A freshman at Butler this past season, she is a 6-foot guard that is a native of Rockford, Michigan. In her first year of college basketball, she averaged 6.5 points on 44-percent shooting from the field, while shooting 38-percent from three.

With three years of eligibility remaining, and major conference experience, she is someone that Robyn Fralick can really build around as she continues building the Spartan program.

Go Green 💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/FGLzjXhIBr

— Anna Wypych (@anna0wypych) April 16, 2026

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State lands commitment from Butler guard, local product

The NFL is less than a week away from the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams will gather with fans in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for one of sports’ greatest spectacles not played on the field.

Teams have worked on this draft since the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. A full year of scouting, evaluating, and projecting college football talent has led to this latest chapter in NFL history.

The Washington Commanders took a disappointing step back in 2025. After Jayden Daniels’ sensational rookie season, injuries limited him throughout the year, and the team finished 5–12.

MORE: Los Angeles Rams roasted by fans for underwhelming new logo

His absence played a major role in that decline, but the Commanders’ defense also regressed significantly.

After ranking 18th in points allowed in 2024, the unit fell to 27th in 2025. Head coach Dan Quinn, a defensive-minded leader, will likely target reinforcements on that side of the ball in this draft.

He may get his wish. Reports suggest the Commanders plan to select the best available defensive player with the ninth overall pick.

Who will that be? It’s anyone’s guess. Teams guard their draft boards closely, and the Commanders are no exception.

MORE: NFL draft guru Todd McShay rips ‘scumbag’ Ollie Connolly for Rueben Bain report

Ohio State standouts Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles have emerged as two of the most intriguing names linked to Washington. Both defenders possess elite talent and could anchor the Commanders’ defense for years to come.

Miami (FL) EDGE rusher Rueben Bain Jr. has also drawn attention as a potential target, though some concerns make his projection less certain.

Regardless, prioritizing defense would be a smart move. The Commanders surrendered 55 points in the 2024 NFC Championship Game, despite Daniels leading an offense that scored 23.

A stronger defense could push Washington back into Super Bowl contention in 2026. The question remains: which prospect will become the cornerstone of that turnaround?

Cleveland's rookie pitcher Parker Messick almost made history on Thursday night by dealing the first no-hitter in Cleveland baseball history in nearly 45 years. 

Many thought that Messick's rookie season couldn't get any better. He came into Thursday's game against the Baltimore Orioles with a 2-0 record and a 0.51 ERA in three starts. 

Those gaudy stats weren't an accident. In his first three starts, he faced the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago Cubs, and the Atlanta Braves. Each one of those teams has visions of being a contender in the National League come September and October.

Thursday night didn't get off to the best start as Messick walked the first batter of the game. After that, he locked in.

He retired the next 14 batters before another walk in the top of the sixth that never posed a threat. He worked out of that inning thanks to a 6-4-3 double play.

After that walk, he retired eight straight Orioles to set up a ninth inning to accomplish a historic achievement that hasn't been done in Cleveland in 45 years. Baltimore wasted no time, as on the very first pitch of the inning, center fielder Leody Taveras took his first pitch into right field for a base hit to end the no-hit bid.

Messick received a standing ovation from the crowd and a mound visit from pitching coach Carl Willis to calm him down. It didn't work as the very next batter, shortstop Blaze Alexander, laced a line drive into center field, and the Guardians found themselves in a game.

The ninth inning started with the Guardians holding a 4-0 lead thanks to a Jose Ramirez two-run home run in the first inning. That was followed up with a fifth-inning RBI single and a George Valera RBI single in the sixth.

What felt like a comfortable victory heading into the ninth was anything but that in the ninth.

After Messick left the game, closer Cade Smith took the mound, and it was nervous moments on the corner. 

Taylor Ward singled to left field, which was a frozen rope, so no one scored, but it welcomed Gunnar Henderson to the plate with the bases loaded. Henderson put a charge into one and flew out to the warning track, just feet away from a game-tying grand slam.

It didn't end there. With runners on the corners, Pete Alanso stepped to the plate and again wasted no time. He hit a rocket down the right field line, and he, too, missed a game-tying home run off the top of the wall that knocked in another run. 

Smith dug deep and got the next two batters to strand runners in scoring position. The final out of the game was a web gem from Juan Brito to get the Guardians out of the jam and add another mark in the win column.

Messick moves to 3-0 on the season with an ERA of 1.05. Baltimore's Shane Boz takes the loss after surrendering four earned runs on six hits over 6.0 innings pitched.

Cleveland and Baltimore take the field on Friday night with a 6:10 first pitch.

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Kayla Harrison’s MMA journey has often drawn comparisons to Ronda Rousey, but the two have rarely seen eye to eye.

Rousey hit back in the way she’s known for, firing shots at Harrison, and neither one was willing to back down from the exchange.

The UFC bantamweight champion specifically dismissed the idea that the main event of Netflix’s first MMA event is the biggest female fight of all time.

Kayla Harrison says Amanda Nunes fight is the real ‘GOAT’ matchup in response to Ronda Rousey’s comments

Kayla Harrison has already fired back at Ronda Rousey following a recent rant, telling the former UFC star that if she wants to settle things, they should meet in the cage.

Rousey continues to promote her upcoming fight with Gina Carano as one of the biggest in women’s MMA history, but that hasn’t changed Harrison’s stance.

The reigning bantamweight champion is set to defend her title against Amanda Nunes once she returns from injury and used that fight as another way to push back against Rousey’s claims.

She took to social media to address Nunes directly, posting on X: “Good morning @Amanda_Leoa (Nunes)! I can’t wait for us to have the greatest fight of all time and take women’s MMA to a whole new level. The best vs. the GOAT!”

“I don’t think it was meant as an insult,” she said. “I think what she was trying to say is there are so many great female fighters now that it’s hard for anyone outside of Kayla or Amanda Nunes or maybe someone else, like Alexa Grasso now, who knows.”

Nunes and Carano weren’t set for Netflix 3 until recently after Juliana Peña pulled out due to injury. That led fans and fighters alike suggesting it shouldn’t headline over Harrison vs. Nunes.

In March 2024, Harrison mentioned she was waiting on a CT scan result that would determine when she could resume training after neck surgery earlier in the year.

Read more:

The decisive Matchday 18 Liga BetPlay clash between Deportivo Pereira and Atlético Nacional will be played behind closed doors. The news was confirmed after the serious incidents recorded at Santiago de las Atalayas stadium during the recent derby against Once Caldas, where clashes in the stands forced police intervention and put the completion of the match at risk.

A tale of contrasts

The match, scheduled for Saturday, April 25, finds the two teams in completely different situations. While Pereira is going through a deep crisis and is still without a win in the tournament, the "Verdolaga" side arrives with 37 points and the chance to reach a record points tally in the history of Colombia’s short-format tournaments.

Match details

Unable to guarantee security, the authorities decided that the ball will start rolling at 4:00 p.m. in an empty stadium. Nacional will look to strengthen its historic lead in an atmosphere of absolute solitude in the stands.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

Jay-Jay Wilson is back with a vengeance.

On Thursday, Wilson squared off against the undefeated Darragh Kelly in the main event of PFL Belfast at the SSE Arena in Northern Ireland. And after just 37 seconds, Kelly was undefeated no more, thanks to a savage left hook from “The Maori Kid.”

Wilson and Kelly wasted no time getting into the action, with Helly pressing in aggressively on Wilson. But Wilson landed a sharp body kick that drew Kelly in, and then flattened him with his left hand and follow-up shots, scoring the fastest finish of his career.

The loss is the first of Kelly’s career as the fighter out of SBG Ireland was 9-0 as a professional heading into this bout. It was also an important rebound win for Wilson, who lost his last time out in the PFL cage, dropping a decision to Archie Colgan.

Check out the full PFL Belfast results below.

Jay-Jay Wilson def. Darragh Kelly via KO (left hook) — 0:37, Round 1

Rhys McKee def. Alex Lohore via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Tyson Pedro via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Eoin Sheridan def. Chris Mixan via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Caolan Loughran def. Alan Philpott via submission (face crank) — 1:11, Round 1

Omran Chaaban def. Chequina Noso Pedro via TKO (knee and punches) — 4:16, Round 2

Dean Garnett def. Ciaran Clarke via KO (spinning elbow and strikes) — 1:52, Round 1 (highlights)

Pedro Carvalho def. Sergio Cossio via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

David Martinez def. Giannis Bachar via submission (rear-naked choke) — 0:53, Round 2

Sean Gauci def. Liam Gittins via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Eoghan Masoliver def. Shane Mullen via submission (rear-naked choke) — 1:55, Round 1

Chelsea Hackett def. Andrea Vazquez via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

Red Halo is a privacy-first personal safety app that turns a single tap into a lifeline by sending an alert, capturing a photo, and creating a live Guardian Page for trusted contacts. They can view your location, see updates, and respond in real time, with optional video or audio for added context.

Built with user control and data privacy at its core, Red Halo shares information only with the people you choose. It helps you preserve clear evidence, coordinate fast help, and support safer communities.

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Klipbit lets you hold Bitcoin and stablecoins in a self-custody vault with no KYC or paperwork. Your keys are generated and stored on your device, protected by biometrics, so neither Klipbit nor any third party can access or freeze your funds.

Use ChainHop to convert USDC or EURC to native Bitcoin in one tap for a 0.9% fee, with no on-chain link between purchase and your wallet. Send and receive easily, keep your data off exchanges, and maintain full control from a simple mobile app.

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Australia Joins Malaysia, Japan, China and India In Strengthening Air Travel Networks as Flight Capacity Expands Across Key Tourism Corridors...

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Lima Welcomes Humano Hotel Bringing Authentic Luxury to MirafloresHumano Lima hotel opens in Miraflores boosting Peru tourism with authentic local...

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Read full article: https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/saudi-arabias-sar34-7b-tourism-spend-jumps-8-madinah-82-jeddah-59-occupancy-fuels-flynas-saudia-routes-to-150m-visitor-dream/

Saudi Arabia’s SAR34.7B Tourism Spend Jumps 8% – Madinah 82%, Jeddah 59% Occupancy Fuels Flynas & Saudia Routes to 150M...

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Google's Gemini can now create more personalized images using Nano Banana 2 and your Google Photos library, which you of course need to connect to Gemini for this to work. The context of your library is integrated into Nano Banana 2 to give you the opportunity to create images with prompts that don't have to be extremely long and detailed. You can also skip uploading a reference photo to give Gemini some context - having access to your Photos library will provide that instead. There's no extra setup required if you use Personal Intelligence in Gemini and have connected your Photos library....

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is still awaiting its April 21 unveiling, but there are units in the wild, which means we get videos like this one. It's an unboxing of the Oppo Find X9 Ultra in its Hasselblad Explorer Master Edition. The video is just 2 minutes long and goes through the accessories you'd get in this premium photography kit. Unlike vivo, Oppo went with a single teleconverter lens for its Find X9 Ultra, and it sits exactly in the middle of vivo's two lenses at 300mm equivalent. The kit features a case with an integrated grip, with various controls and a shutter button, a...

Apple Intelligence is getting enhanced in iOS 27, which will be unveiled this June at the company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference, and will be released in September when the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max launch. Four new features coming to Apple Intelligence have been discovered in "backend code", and shared today. First, Visual Intelligence will get the ability to scan food nutrition labels to get more information, and this could integrate with the Health app. Another new Visual Intelligence feature will offer to add printed phone numbers and/or addresses to your...

Cristiano Ronaldo may soon receive another boost at Al-Nassr, with fresh reports suggesting the club is close to securing the future of Marcelo Brozovic. The experienced midfielder has become one of the most important figures in the squad, and talks over a new agreement appear to be moving in the right direction.

Keeping a player of Brozovic’s quality would be an important step for Al-Nassr as the Riyadh outfit continues building around elite talent. According to reports from Al Youm newspaper, Al-Nassr has reached an agreement with Marcelo Brozovic over a contract renewal. The understanding would keep the Croatian international at the Saudi club for the foreseeable future.

The report suggests club officials worked hard behind the scenes to prevent any uncertainty surrounding the midfielder’s future. After weeks of discussions, both sides are now said to be aligned on the main terms of the extension.

This development would be welcomed across the club, especially by a dressing room that values stability and leadership. Brozovic’s presence in midfield has helped give balance to a side filled with attacking stars.

What still needs to happen before it becomes official

While the agreement is reportedly in place, one final step remains before everything can be announced publicly. Al-Nassr is now waiting for the player’s representative to arrive to complete the remaining formalities and finalize the official announcement. That means the deal is close, but not yet signed off in full.

Once those final administrative details are completed, the club is expected to make the extension official. In modern soccer, these last stages can often move quickly once the major terms are settled. For Al-Nassr fans, that creates optimism that confirmation may arrive soon.

Why Brozovic matters so much to Al-Nassr

Brozovic is widely viewed as a key pillar of the Al-Nassr lineup. His composure on the ball, tactical awareness, and ability to control tempo have made him one of the side’s most reliable performers. Unlike more attacking stars who often dominate headlines, the 33-year-old’s influence is seen in the structure of the team.

He helps connect defense to attack and gives freedom to creative players further forward. For a club aiming to challenge domestically and internationally, keeping a midfielder with that profile is a major priority. His consistency has made him difficult to replace.

The Croatian midfielder has featured regularly throughout the campaign. Brozovic played 34 matches in all competitions this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

The future of club ownership in Saudi soccer is shifting quickly, and the ripple effects are already being felt around some of the league’s biggest names. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both central figures in this evolving landscape, a new chapter appears to be unfolding behind the scenes at the highest level of the game.

The turning point came when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) made a decisive move regarding one of its flagship clubs. Al-Hilal has now seen its ownership structure transformed after a majority stake was sold to Kingdom Holding Company, a firm led by a prominent Saudi investor.

The deal valued the club at approximately $373 million, signaling both confidence in the league’s growth and a willingness to shift toward private ownership. In a statement, the new ownership emphasized the broader vision behind the move.

“Al-Hilal is a national symbol and a source of pride for the Saudi people,” the statement read. “This acquisition expresses our deep belief in the power of sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for national development.” The message was clear: soccer in Saudi Arabia is entering a new phase, one driven by strategic investment and long-term sustainability.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s club could be next

While the spotlight initially fell on Karim Benzema’s new environment, attention quickly turned toward Cristiano Ronaldo’s club. Behind the scenes, discussions have reportedly begun over a similar restructuring process. According to Sportksanet, it has emerged that there is a plan to sell up to 50% of Al-Nassr’s shares to external investors, including a mix of international companies and Saudi businessmen.

This potential move would mark another major shift in how top clubs in the league are operated and financed. Such a transition could redefine the club’s future, especially given Ronaldo’s global influence and the commercial weight he brings.

Why PIF is changing strategy

The reasoning behind these decisions lies in a wider economic vision, as per journalist Abdulkarim Al-Zamil. PIF has played a central role in transforming the Saudi Pro League, injecting funds that helped attract global stars and elevate the competition’s profile.

Now, the focus appears to be on maximizing returns and redistributing capital within the domestic economy, while encouraging private sector involvement. In an official explanation, the fund outlined its long-term intentions.

“The sale aligns with PIF’s strategy to maximise returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy,” the statement noted. “PIF is unlocking opportunities to make a transformative impact in the Saudi sports sector and deliver positive, long-term results.”

What does it mean for the league?

These ownership changes could have far-reaching consequences for the league as a whole. Clubs transitioning to private ownership may gain greater flexibility in decision-making, particularly in transfers and commercial partnerships.

At the same time, the presence of global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo ensures that any structural change will be closely watched. His influence extends beyond the pitch, making Al-Nassr one of the most visible clubs in world soccer.

For Al-Hilal, now linked with Karim Benzema, the new ownership could open doors to different investment strategies and partnerships. That, in turn, may reshape competition within the league as clubs adapt to new financial realities.

Bitcoin consolidates between $73,000 and $75,000 as liquidations trigger a short squeeze, but weak spot demand keeps the upside momentum in check.

Bitcoin’s futures funding rate has remained negative even as BTC bounced back above $75,000. Should traders be worried?

Stark's departure from the Ethereum Foundation is the most high-profile exit from the organization since its shakeup in the first quarter of 2025.

An appellate court is expected to reach a decision after hearing arguments from Kalshi and lawyers representing the state of Nevada.

The Bitcoin miner will use the proceeds to expand GPU capacity and data centers as it scales its high-performance computing business beyond mining.

Journalist David Ornstein has delivered a definitive blow to Arsenal’s summer transfer hopes, revealing there is “no chance” of the Gunners securing the signature of PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Speaking during a fan Q&A on The Athletic website (subscription required) on Thursday, Ornstein addressed the growing speculation linking Mikel Arteta’s side with the 25-year-old winger.

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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia unlikely to join Arsenal

Despite Arsenal’s desire to bolster their attacking options following a season that has seen them reach the Champions League semi-finals and challenge for the Premier League title, a move for the Georgian international appears completely off the table.

“Everyone loves Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but I fully expect him to stay at PSG,” Ornstein wrote, quelling the rumors that had excited the North London faithful.

“He seems extremely happy there, and they are certainly extremely happy with him. I don’t think Arsenal or anyone else has a chance at the moment.”

The update comes as a disappointment to those who viewed Kvaratskhelia as the final piece of Arteta’s offensive puzzle.

Since joining PSG from Napoli in January 2025 for €80 million, Kvaratskhelia has become an indispensable figure for Luis Enrique.

His direct style and technical brilliance were on full display during the recent Champions League quarter-final win over Liverpool, where he scored in the first leg to help dismantle the Reds.

Plenty of interest from Premier League for Kvaratskhelia

Arsenal are far from the only Premier League club to have registered an interest. Liverpool have been long-term admirers, with the Reds reportedly considering a hijack attempt shortly before his move to Paris.

Their interest in the versatile attacker remains, with Ben Jacobs recently reporting that the Reds have a genuine appreciation towards the 25-year-old.

Chelsea have also been keen, with a recent report stating that the Blues are preparing a mega bid for the Georgian wizard.

With Kvaratskhelia under contract until 2029 and his importance to the Parisian project at an all-time high, Ornstein’s assessment suggests that any potential suitor would need to provide an outrageous offer to even open negotiations.

For now, it seems the Georgian will remain the jewel in PSG’s crown as they chase European glory.

The post David Ornstein drops big Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Arsenal update appeared first on CaughtOffside.