Verdict: Manchester City win Best Odds: 1/1 Bookmaker: Dachbet In what looks set to be a season-defining showdown from the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City will host a struggling Arsenal. Manchester City Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might still have a major job on their hands in the race to recapture their […]
Hugo Ekitike described his Achilles tendon rupture as “unfair” after the Liverpool and France forward saw his World Cup dream dashed. The France Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday that Ekitike would miss this summer’s tournament in North America, after sustaining a serious injury in Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Ekitike looked distraught […]
Liam Rosenior believes Chelsea are “running out of time” in the Champions League race, ahead of their crucial clash against Manchester United this weekend. The Blues are currently sixth in the Premier League, four points off fifth-placed Liverpool and seven behind United in third. Since the start of March, no side in Europe’s top-five leagues […]
On Wednesday, Iowa basketball posted to social media that Jaidyn Coon has now signed with the program, making a highly-anticipated move official. With this signing, Ben McCollum has landed an elite prospect to add to a young, intriguing 2026-27 roster.
Coon was originally committed to Creighton, but decommitted following the announcement that longtime Blue Jays head coach Greg McDermott was retiring. The Storm Lake, Iowa, native decided to stay in-state and buy into the program that McCollum is building, verbally committing to Iowa on April 2. He's the 49th-best small forward in the 2026 class and the third-best player in the state of Iowa, according to 247Sports.
The 6-foot-6, 180-pound wing had offers from Iowa State, Illinois, and Nebraska as well, making it an even bigger win for McCollum and the program. With Bennett Stirtz off to the NBA and Tavion Banks potentially not getting a fifth-year waiver, there's going to be plenty of important minutes to go around. While Coon will have to earn those minutes over other talented options, it's not crazy to think that he could have a huge impact on next year's Hawks.
McCollum is building something special in Iowa City, and Coon is one of the first to buy into it. It looks like he could do a lot of winning in the black and gold before his collegiate career is done.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney
“He’s lightning fast” – Liverpool considering move for Premier League forward
Liverpool Consider Move for Newcastle Forward Anthony Gordon
Liverpool’s search for attacking reinforcements has brought renewed focus to Anthony Gordon, with the Anfield Index podcast featuring Dave Davis and Spencer Mossman exploring his potential fit. With Gordon expected to leave Newcastle United this summer, Liverpool’s long standing interest has come back into focus.
As Davis noted during the discussion, “there’s a real split element on Anthony Gordon,” reflecting the divided opinion among supporters and analysts alike.
Anthony Gordon Profile and Key Strengths
Mossman’s evaluation leaned into qualities that go beyond basic output. “I would rate him above Touré for just the stuff that you don’t even see in the data,” he explained, pointing to attributes that are harder to quantify.
Among those, Gordon’s attacking instincts stand out. “He is pretty good at finding shots and finding good quality shots,” Mossman said, highlighting a forward who consistently puts himself in dangerous positions.
More impressively, he emphasised Gordon’s efficiency in turning possession into opportunities. “He’s one of the best wingers in the Premier League in terms of generating xG based on where he receives it,” underlining his ability to improve the quality of chances through movement and decision making.
Physical Profile and Liverpool Fit
A major part of the argument in favour of Gordon centres on his athleticism. Mossman described him as “still really fast, in open space he’s lightning fast,” reinforcing his value in transition.
This aligns closely with Liverpool’s recruitment model. “If you look at the players that Liverpool typically sign, they all have the pace that they have,” he explained. Gordon fits that mould perfectly, combining speed with endurance.
In fact, Mossman highlighted that Gordon offers multiple physical advantages, stating, “he’s just a top end athlete,” and adding that he ranks highly in “sprints and sprint speed and even distance covered.”
That combination makes him particularly appealing in a high intensity system where pressing and recovery runs are essential.
Photo: IMAGO
Tactical Role and Versatility
Gordon’s versatility also plays a key role in his appeal. While primarily operating from the left, he offers flexibility in attacking roles. Mossman noted he can function as “a winger or more of like a winger striker hybrid.”
This adaptability allows Liverpool to deploy him in different tactical setups, particularly in systems that require fluid front lines and positional rotation.
Importantly, Mossman suggested that Gordon’s current environment has limited his output. “He’s doing a lot with a little,” he said, referencing Newcastle’s struggles this season. That context implies there may be more to unlock in a stronger attacking structure.
Liverpool Transfer Context and Final View
The repeated links between Liverpool and Gordon are not accidental. Mossman believes they are grounded in clear recruitment logic. “He’s homegrown and his physical level… those are all legitimately good reasons to be excited about him,” he explained.
With Gordon expected to move on from Newcastle, Liverpool face a decision. His profile offers Premier League experience, elite athleticism and tactical flexibility, all traits that fit the club’s current direction.
While opinions may remain divided, the data and analysis suggest a player capable of thriving in the right environment. For Liverpool, the question is whether they see Gordon as a key piece in their evolving attack or simply one option among many.
Preview: Palace look toward Conference League semi-finals as they take big lead to Florence
Oliver Glasner’s side head to Italy with one foot in the Semi-Finals after a stellar display at Selhurst Park saw the Eagles take a three goal advantage into the second leg.
It has been a rollercoaster 10 months for Crystal Palace, after lifting the FA Cup, their first ever piece of silverware the Eagles were controversially kicked out of the Europa League due to issues relating to multi-club ownership rules.
They have since battered and grinded their way though the Conference League and sit on the verge of making even more history. A stunning performance and result at home to the Italians that ended in goals from Tyrick Mitchell, Ismaïla Sarr and a returning Jean-Philip Mateta to take the tie from a potentially nervy one to one that the Eagles can be very confident going into.
This comfortable victory hasn’t come as too much of a surprise considering how poor Fiorentina have been this season, the Italian side currently sit in 15th place which is actually a remarkable turn of fortune considering that at one point this season they sat rock-bottom.
Paolo Vanoli’s team have been seriously disappointing this season having qualified for Europe in the previous campaign. Three wins in their last five has softened the blow recently, but the side which includes former Premier League players Jack Harrison and David De Gea have had a season to forget.
As for Palace, a strong start to the season was massively de-railed by the news that captain Marc Guéhi, manager Oliver Glasner and lead striker Jean-Philip Mateta would all not be at the club come the start of next season. It’s news that’s likely to rock any side to it’s core and it certainly did for Palace.
The Eagles won just one of their next five games and slumped down to 14th in the table where they’ve remained up until this week. Now with any chance of retaining Europe all but off the cards, Palace can fully focus their efforts on the Conference League where they are looking increasingly like the favourites.
Another thing helping the Eagles in recent weeks has been a return to fitness for a large majority of their players. Despite this, forwards Evan Guessand who was brought in from Aston Villa, and Eddie Nketiah will both miss the tie and possibly the rest of the season. Other than this Glasner has his full squad to pick from.
As for Fiorentina, former Everton striker Moise Kean has been ruled out with a thigh issue and winger Dodô will also be missing from the line-up after he accumulated one too many yellow cards. Another former Premier League player who has been ruled out has been Tariq Lamptey who has been out for ages with a knee injury.
Thursday’s game could give Crystal Palace a real chance at attaining European glory whereas for Fiorentina it’s a chance for them to salvage something what has been a fairly ugly campaign overall.
The game will take place at 8pm (UK Time) and is live on TNT Sports.
Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki celebrates scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Celta Vigo and SC Freiburg at Estadio de Balaidos. Miguel Lemos/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
A stunning volley from Igor Matanović and Yuito Suzuki's double marked Freiburg's surge into the Europa League semi-finals after the Germans defeated Celta Vigo 3-1 away and 6-1 on aggregate on Thursday.
The Black Forest outfit were 3-0 up from last week's home leg but still went on the offensive in the quarter-final second leg in north-west Spain.
They easily sealed a semi-final meeting with another Spanish team Real Betis or Portugal's Braga.
Celta fans initially created a febrile atmosphere inside the three-sided Estadio Balaidos but around 1,200 Freiburg supporters also made themselves heard in the early kick-off.
The away section had even more to cheer when Croatia striker Matanović superbly latched on to Jordy Makengo's knock-down from 20 metres on 35 minutes. A rogue offside flag delayed the celebrations.
Japan's Suzuki soon made it 2-0 in the Galician sunshine and added another after the interval. Williot Swedberg's goal in stoppage time for Celta meant little.
The German side, who went with the same team from the first leg, have never been this far before in European competition and fans will now be dreaming of overall glory in Istanbul on May 20. They have never won a major trophy.
Celta were contesting their fifth UEFA Cup/Europa League quarter-final but have only ever made one last-four appearance.
Winning the Europa League offers a spot in the Champions League, a feat Freiburg - eighth domestically - have never managed. Their success over Celta also helps in Germany's bid to snatch a fifth Champions League berth next season from Spain.
Celta are sixth in LaLiga.
Betis host Braga later after a 1-1 draw in Portugal last week. Europa League specialist Unai Emery's Aston Villa are 3-1 up from the first leg when they welcome Bologna and Nottingham Forest entertain twice champions Porto, with the scores locked at 1-1.
Freiburg's Yuito Suzuki celebrates scoring his side's second goal with teammate Jan-Niklas Beste during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Celta Vigo and SC Freiburg at Estadio de Balaidos. Miguel Lemos/ZUMA Press Wire/dpaFreiburg's Igor Matanovic celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Celta Vigo and SC Freiburg at Estadio de Balaidos. Miguel Lemos/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
Report: Tottenham Hotspur star already plotting summer exit despite relegation battle
Cristian Romero Exit Talk Gathers Pace Amid Tottenham Turmoil
Tottenham Hotspur’s season continues to spiral, and fresh revelations from Sports Boom, credit to their reporting, have added further weight to the growing sense of instability in North London. The latest development centres on Cristian Romero, whose future now appears increasingly detached from the club’s uncertain trajectory.
Relegation Clause Raises Stakes
According to the original report, “Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is heading for a dramatic Spurs exit after being ruled out for the rest of the season.” That update alone would concern supporters, but the situation becomes more critical when paired with another key detail, “SportsBoom understands he has a clause in his current deal that allows him to leave if Spurs go down.”
This contractual nuance shifts the narrative significantly. Tottenham are not merely battling poor form, they are confronting a scenario where elite players can exit without resistance. Romero, still contracted until 2029, suddenly becomes one of the most attractive free agents in European football should relegation occur.
Sources cited suggest “he has no interest in playing Championship football,” a stance that feels both predictable and revealing. For a player of Romero’s pedigree, ambition remains non negotiable.
Photo IMAGO
Eventful Spurs Career Nears Turning Point
Romero’s journey in North London has been anything but quiet. As highlighted in the original article, his spell has been “eventful,” featuring 156 appearances and 13 goals across competitions. His aggressive style and leadership credentials saw him evolve into a central figure and eventually captain.
Yet, this season has exposed cracks. “A poor disciplinary record has seen Romero miss key games through suspension,” while his “outspoken criticism of the club on social media” has amplified internal tensions. These details paint a picture of a player increasingly misaligned with the club’s direction.
From a broader perspective, Romero’s situation reflects a dressing room under strain. When key figures begin to disengage publicly and privately, it often signals deeper structural issues.
Transfer Interest Builds Across Premier League
Romero’s potential availability has not gone unnoticed. The report states that “Manchester United are understood to have made early enquiries,” identifying him as a “ready made solution.” That description feels apt, given his experience in both Serie A and international football with Argentina.
Interest does not stop there. “Crystal Palace and Newcastle United are also understood to have made tentative checks,” alongside unnamed European clubs. A defender of Romero’s calibre becoming available on a free transfer represents a rare market opportunity.
One could argue that this situation encapsulates the harsh economics of modern football. When instability meets contractual loopholes, elite talent quickly becomes mobile.
Club Direction Under Scrutiny
Tottenham’s broader struggles form the backdrop to this unfolding saga. The report references “managerial upheaval and a run of disastrous results,” factors that have contributed to the club’s alarming decline.
It is difficult to ignore the symbolic weight of Romero’s potential exit. A captain departing under such circumstances would not merely be a squad loss, it would represent a deeper failure in planning, leadership, and cohesion.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Tottenham supporter’s perspective, this report lands heavily. Romero has been one of the few players who embodies fight and intensity, and seeing him linked with a departure underlines how far standards have slipped.
There is a sense of frustration that it has come to this. If the clause is real, then questions must be asked about how such terms were allowed in the first place. It suggests a lack of long term foresight at boardroom level. Fans expect ambition to be protected, not exposed.
Romero’s attitude may divide opinion. His discipline issues and public comments have not helped, yet many supporters will feel his frustrations mirror their own. When performances drop and direction becomes unclear, tension is inevitable.
The idea of rivals circling is particularly difficult to accept. Manchester United showing interest only sharpens the concern. Losing a captain to another Premier League club would feel like a direct blow, not just a rebuild step.
Ultimately, this situation reflects a club drifting without clear identity. Supporters want accountability and a plan, not another high profile exit that resets progress yet again. If Romero leaves, it must trigger meaningful change, not another cycle of decline.
PREVIEW | Roma vs Atalanta: team news, lineups, predictions (Serie A 18/04)
Roma host Atalanta this Saturday at the Stadio Olimpico on Match Day 33 of the Serie A. The match will be broadcast live at 19:45 on DAZN.
Roma currently have 57 points and lie in 6th position. In their last match, Gian Piero Gasperini's team prevailed 3-0 against Pisa (Serie A 2025/26).
Atalanta have won 53 points to date and are placed in 7th position. In their last encounter, Raffaele Palladino's team were beaten 0-1 by Juventus (Serie A 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Atalanta winning 1-0.
Bruno Guimaraes could return to the Newcastle squad this weekend after over two months out
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has a chance of returning to the squad this weekend after over two months out of action, according to Craig Hope.
The Geordies will be happy to have their captain back for this run-in as they bid to secure a European slot in the final six games of the season, despite sitting in 14th.
The Brazilian international is a key player for Eddie Howe and has been particularly missed in the past three games.
Howe has tried different combinations in the engine room, but they have all failed woefully.
The Toons have lost three on the spin, recording only one win in their last six outings.
Guimaraes will likely start from the bench when Newcastle host Bournemouth at St James’ Park this weekend.
Hopefully, he can get some playing time towards the end of the game.
Off the pitch, there has also been noise surrounding Guimaraes’ future, with reports in Brazil linking him to a potential move to Saudi Arabia.
However, those claims have little substance. Newcastle have no intention of selling their skipper, particularly not to a Saudi-owned club, per the report.
Given the club’s ownership structure and UEFA’s financial regulations, there is no incentive to sanction such a deal.
Profits from transfers involving PIF-linked entities would not be recognised in the same way.
As it stands, Guimaraes remains central to Newcastle’s project and leadership group.
Only a significant structural change, such as Saudi clubs operating independently of PIF, would alter that stance.
Guimaraes is not for sale, and his immediate focus will be on helping the side rediscover form in the closing weeks of the campaign.
Italiano: ‘Bologna must be clinical and make Aston Villa uncomfortable’
Vincenzo Italiano wants Bologna to be ‘more clinical in front of goal’ against Aston Villa and make sure the Europa League quarter-final ‘isn’t a comfortable night for them.’
It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
The situation is extremely difficult after losing the first leg 3-1 at home last week, although once again the performance was considerably better than the result would suggest.
Italiano wants courageous Bologna
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“It’s a fantastic environment, the team is strong, I expect a different match to the one that we saw on Thursday, but we’ll play our cards. The important thing is to match their intensity, try to cause problems for them when we’ve got the ball, and we’ll see what happens.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 09: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, talks with Federico Bernardeschi of Bologna prior to the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Bologna FC 1909 and Aston Villa FC at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara on April 09, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Curiously, Bologna only lost two Europa League matches this season, and they were both against Aston Villa, after the September 25 defeat in Birmingham to open the league phase.
“We must try to keep the ball, as Aston Villa let you keep it for a bit, and we need to quality to attack with everyone we can get into the box, also be wary when we lose the ball, and be more clinical in front of goal than we were in our last two trips here.”
Jhon Lucumi is suspended, with Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez injured, but Martin Vitik returns from his ban.
“Aston Villa will have their usual approach, they even have a two-goal advantage, so will be the same as the previous meetings. When we defend, we’ve got to defend well, but above all must prove that we can hurt them when we’ve got the chance. I believe we can do that.”
There are also some options that Bologna can call from off the bench at Villa Park.
“We have Odgaard, Sohm and Pobega who can attack, Cambiaghi and Orsolini, so we’ll see how the game develops and then evaluate.
“I want to see the maximum desire to cause them problems, to ensure this isn’t a comfortable night for them, try to improve the result and leave here with our heads held high. I think courage is the right word, what we need in this stadium and against this opponent.
“These lads always bring out something extra at the crucial moments, and I believe they’ll do it again tonight,” concluded Italiano.
Team Scotland has condemned "abhorrent" racist abuse aimed at its models who showcased the new outfits for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Glasgow.
Numerous racist comments have been made about the models online, accusing them of not being Scottish.
Commonwealth Games Scotland said discrimination had no place in sport and society and gave its full support to the models involved.
One comment on X said: "Modelled on people who aren't Scottish despite Scotland being 96% white. Where's the representation for Scots?"
Another said: "How representative. Any chance the models could actually be Scottish?"
A Team Scotland spokesman said: "Commonwealth Games Scotland condemns in the strongest possible terms the abhorrent online abuse aimed at the models who featured in our Ceremonies Outfit reveal this week.
"Discrimination has no place in sport or society, and we will continue to stand alongside anyone subjected to such comments.
"Adam and Victoria have our full and ongoing support."
Adam, the male model in the photos, wrote on Instagram: "I did not expect this amount of blatant hate and racism.
"I was honoured to have landed the job as the model for the launch of the ceremonial Commonwealth Games outfit of my home country and host nation."
He said he was saddened by the comments which he did not believe were representative of Scottish society.
"I take pride in being from Scotland," he said. "And take pride in the kind, warm and open-minded nature of the people.
"However, it's clear we still have a long way to go.
"If your family, colleagues friends are racist, be the one to break the chain for posterity.
"Please continue to be actively anti-racist in your day-to-day life."
Sharron Davies entered the uniform row, saying the female outfit was "overtly sexualised" [Getty Images]
Many more online comments accused Team Scotland of being sexist as some of the photographs showed the female model wearing a mini-kilt and heels.
Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies was among those joining the backlash against the outfits.
In a post on X she said: "As a past female elite athlete personally there is no way on earth I'd want to totter around of (sic) 4 inch heels at a long opening ceremony before I was to compete. It was an unwise choice."
She accused Team Scotland of "missing the point somewhat", adding that most people were "having a go at but the overtly sexualised outfit that was chosen for your female athletes".
A post from someone else said: "Come on - mini skirt and heels? Just leeringly creepy for sporting competition."
Team Scotland has pointed out that a longer kilt is also an option for female athletes but the shorter kilt had proven more popular with them.
It said shoes were not provided so athletes could choose their own footwear.
The Team Scotland spokesman said: "We do not issue footwear to athletes or team staff as part of the Ceremonies outfit - again they are free to choose the style of footwear they feel most comfortable in."
The spokesman added: "This summer, Glasgow will welcome 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories across the Commonwealth.
"Glasgow 2026 will be a festival of celebration: the most inclusive, community-driven and connected Games yet.
"We look forward to celebrating the power of sport, and our inspiring athletes, in the months to come."
Other comments accused the organisation of hiring a misogynist male designer.
Siobhan Mackenzie, seen here meeting the King last year, believes criticism of her designs is itself sexist [Getty Images]
The designer was in fact a woman - award-winning Siobhan Mackenzie, who also designed outfits for the 2018 and 2022 Games.
In a statement to BBC Scotland, she said there were three lengths of skirt and which one to wear was a matter of preference for individuals.
"Athlete and team staff feedback underpins every decision. If anyone had been uncomfortable with a design, it simply would not have been chosen," she said.
"I wear the 18 inch length kilts myself. Does that undermine my credibility, professionalism, or accomplishments? Absolutely not. Suggesting otherwise is outdated and unacceptable.
"Claims that these designs are about sexualisation are entirely unfounded. They ignore a process driven by athlete choice and preference.
"Telling women in 2026 that they should not wear a shorter skirt, when that is exactly what athletes have chosen as one of the options, is the real issue.
"Women have the right to decide what they wear. These length options exist to support that, nothing more, nothing less," she added.
Browns General Manager Andrew Berry has heard the same speculation about his plans for the No. 6 pick as everyone else.
That speculation has centered on the Browns trading down in order to add more picks that can be used to replenish their roster ahead of Todd Monken's first season as the team's head coach. At a Thursday press conference, Berry smiled while saying that he loves "how everybody last year thought we weren't trading down and everybody this year assumes that we are" before going on to say that the dynamics are different than when the team traded out of the No. 2 pick last year.
Berry landed the Browns a a second first-round pick this year in that trade and said that his only goal with the team's top pick in 2026 is to make sure they maximize their return regardless of whether they stay put or make a move.
"I'd go back to what I’ve said in the past," Berry said. "Our mindset going into the draft with our most valuable asset isn't about, hey, just trade it away. It's maximizing the asset. And that can, at different times, take different forms. It can be selecting a player. It could be trading up for a veteran. It could be trading down. It could be trading up. We will continue to work through all those possibilities up until, really, we get on the clock on Thursday night. But I'd say we're working through a number of different scenarios at this point."
The first five picks will have something to do with the direction the Browns choose to go once the time comes for Berry to stop considering the choices and make his decision, but Berry should have a good idea of what will be on the table by the time next Thursday rolls around.
As of Thursday night, the Houston Texans own the 28th overall pick, but given general manager Nick Caserio, conversations about moving back into Round 2 have already begun.
For the third straight year, the Texans will pick in the back half of the 20s. Now the only question is, will they stay there for the first time since the winning started with C.J. Stroud? Houston traded away the pick initially in 2024 to land Will Anderson Jr. at pick No. 3 in 2023. Then last season, the Texans shifted out of Day 1 to allow the New York Giants to move up and select on Day 2.
Throughout the past two decades, teams haven't had the most amount of success with pick No. 28. Most players have either underperformed or been transformed into nothing more than depth pieces on different teams.
Here's every player drafted 28th overall since 2006
2020-2025
2020 - Baltimore Ravens: LB Patrick Queen
2021 - New Orelans Saints: DE Payton Turner
2022 - Green Bay Packers: DE Devonte Wyatt
2023 - Cincinnati Bengals: DE Myles Murphy
2024 - Kansas City Chiefs: WR Xaiver Worthy
2025 - Detroit Lions: DL Tyleik Williams
Outside of Queen, no one has become a staple of their franchise. Turner is a backup on the Lions, while Worthy, Wyatt and Murphy have been role players for their respective franchises. Williams had a promising rookie season, but he's only one year into the deal and still isn't a full-time starter.
Queen might have taken a step back last season, but he's a two-time Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. He might not become the next Ray Lewis, but the pick was warranted in 2020 by the Ravens for a consensus top 20 linebacker who had two elite seasons.
2010-2019
2010: Miami Dolphins: DL Jared Odrick
2011: New Orleans Saints: RB Mark Ingram
2012: Green Bay Packers: LB Nick Perry
2013: Denver Broncos: DL Sylvester Williams
2014: Carolina Panthers: WR Kelvin Benjamin
2015: Detroit Lions: OG Laken Tomlinson
2016: San Francisco 49ers: OG Josh Garnett
2017: Dallas Cowboys: DE Taco Charlton
2018: Pittsburgh Steelers: DB Terrell Edmunds
2019: Los Angeles Chargers: DT Jerry Tillery
Two players ended up suiting up for Houston before their careers ended. In 2021, Ingram, who earned Pro Bowl honors with the Saints, played for the Texans before eventually being traded back to New Orleans to close out his career. Tomlinson, who bounced around from San Francisco to New York and Baltimore, started seven games for the Texans before being waived in early November.
Outside of those two, Edmunds had a decent career with the Steelers as a strong safety, but for the most part is better served as a backup.
2006-2009
2006: Jacksonville Jaguars: TE Mercedes Lewis
2007: San Francisco 49ers: OT Joe Staley
2008: Seattle Sehawks - DE Lawrence Jackson
2009: Buffalo Bills - OL Eric Wood
They really don't make them like they used to, do they? Wood and Staley ended up playing for over a decade, helping their franchises return to some form of stability in rebuilds. Staley ended up becoming a six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro on the 49ers' offensive line for 13 years. Wood, a former All-American at Louisville, earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2015 before calling it quits in 2017. Meanwhile, Lewis, a standout for UCLA, just finished his 20th season with the Denver Broncos, proving that age is simply nothing more than a number.
The Oklahoma City Thunder held practice on Thursday. They continue to await who they will face in Round 1 of the 2026 NBA playoffs. It's down to two possibilities — the Phoenix Suns or the Golden State Warriors.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace talked to the local media after practice.
Gilgeous-Alexander talked about OKC's odds of going back-to-back; Holmgren discussed entering the NBA playoffs with health; Wallace talked about recently attending the 2026 WNBA draft to support girlfriend Kiki Rice.
Here's what else happened at OKC's Thursday, Apr. 16 practice:
Another Thunder practice today. Will either face the Suns or Warriors in the playoffs pic.twitter.com/pVlrdtEADN
SGA on going back-to-back: “It’s a cool opportunity. I think going through last year and realizing that’s so far down the line. So many things have to happen before we get to the Finals-clinching game.” pic.twitter.com/3F4mg8FnuA
SGA on physically preparing for the playoffs: “You just gotta win and chip away at it. Hopefully you build enough muscles… That’s what the regular season and summer is for me. Making sure my body is right.” pic.twitter.com/TRjzJnJkPC
Chet Holmgren on his upcoming playoff run: “I’m extremely excited. Last year was very challenging. I don’t think I felt the best physically. I feel really good right now.” pic.twitter.com/kulWpu3O11
Chet Holmgren on separating last year’s title run from this year’s playoffs: “You have to try and carry over the experiences that you learn from. But you can't carry over the result. The result means absolutely nothing.” pic.twitter.com/qzEf7SGVcO
Chet Holmgren on making an All-Defense Team: “Individual awards are great. I think they're around to reward players for the hard work that they put in… I’d be lying if I said I didn't want to earn something like that. But at the end of the day, my focus is on our team.” pic.twitter.com/sxbSCsRg4x
Cason Wallace on Ajay Mitchell: “He's definitely an underrated defender. He can switch on the main guys. We have confidence in him knowing that he’s gonna do the job. Whenever he's on the defensive end, we don't have to worry too much.” pic.twitter.com/b5PrFokG30
Cason Wallace on attending the WNBA draft to support Kiki Rice: “A lot of fun. Just seeing my lady get drafted, her and her family have fun.” pic.twitter.com/YmFWR6YKdy
DENVER (AP) — The bruise and redness under his right eye taught Jared Bednar an important lesson: Keep your hands out of your suit pockets while on the bench.
The Colorado Avalanche coach is off the injured list and back with the team for the regular-season finale Thursday against Seattle after taking a puck to the face last weekend. Bednar missed the Avalanche's two-game trip to undergo further evaluation. He was diagnosed with facial fractures and a corneal abrasion.
“That’s why you've got to keep your head on a swivel and your hands out of your pocket,” said Bednar, whose squad has the top record in the NHL this season.
Bednar was standing behind the Colorado bench when the puck flew off the stick of Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar, caromed over the boards and hit Bednar in the right cheek early in the third period. Bednar was helped to the locker room by a trainer.
“I would have had to have been Derek Jeter to not get hit with that one,” Bednar said in reference to the New York Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop. “Whenever you get hit the face or the head, it always stinks.”
Bednar underwent a series of tests and “got good news right away on the scans,” he said. “Then it was just waiting for a couple days to make sure my eye was OK. ... It seems to be all good."
Any chance he will wear a helmet while coaching from behind the bench?
“No," said Bednar, the winningest coach in franchise history. "It’s just part of the game. There’s a lot of close calls, and when they don’t make contact, you're like, ‘Oh, that was close.’"
With Bednar away, Avalanche assistant coaches Nolan Pratt and Dave Hakstol helped lead the squad. Colorado went 2-0 on the road swing, beating Edmonton 2-1 in a shootout and then Calgary 3-1. Bednar tuned in to watch.
“It was interesting to listen to the opposing teams' broadcast talk about our team and talk about their teams as well, which I don't really get to do very often," Bednar said.
While Bednar is back, the Avalanche remain without defenseman Josh Manson (upper body) and forward Nazem Kadri (finger). Any concern with the playoffs starting for Colorado on Sunday?
“I expect our whole roster to be options for Game 1 of the playoffs,” Bednar said.
The San Francisco 49ers don't have any clear needs, but they certainly have a lot of areas that need to be addressed in the 2026 NFL draft. Offensive line, receiver and edge are all positions that should be considered with any number of the team's six picks, and The Athletic's Dane Brugler did just that in his new seven-round mock draft.
However, Brugler's ordering of which positions go when was interesting. He prioritized the offensive side of the ball early and only took two defensive players in the entire class. The oddest decision, meanwhile, was waiting until the No. 138 pick to take an edge rusher despite the 49ers' clear lack of depth at the position with Nick Bosa and Mykell Williams recovering from ACL injuries.
Here is Brugler's full class for the 49ers from his seven-round mock draft:
Round 1, Pick No. 27: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Reports indicate the 49ers won't target an offensive lineman with this selection, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't take the best player available at the position. Lomu could start over Trent Williams if the team moved on from him, or he could be a developmental lineman for the future of the team.
Round 2, Pick No. 58: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Despite the additions of Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, the 49ers need to shore up their receiver room. Evans will be 33 when the season starts and Kirk will be 30 later this year. There isn't much depth behind those two, either, besides Ricky Pearsall. Bernard is productive (2,203 yards and 13 touchdowns on 155 receptions in four years), fast and has good size (6-foot-1, 206 pounds) — he'd be a solid WR3/4 in 2026 who would develop into a WR2.
Round 4, Pick No. 127: Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M
Cornerback depth is never a bad thing, but the 49ers don't really need another one this early in the draft. Lee III is a tall outside cornerback at 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds who had eight passes defensed in 2025 but no interceptions. He finished his college career with four picks and 24 passes defensed in 36 games over three seasons.
Round 4, Pick No. 133: Beau Stephens, G, Iowa
The 49ers have an open starting spot at left guard, and Stephens played 820 snaps there during his time at Iowa. His 6-foot-5, 315-pound frame is solid, but he lacks the arm length that teams like to see in interior linemen. But in the fourth round, the 49ers could find themselves a player who could push for a starting role.
Round 4, Pick No. 138: George Gumbs Jr., Edge, Florida
Finally, the 49ers address edge rusher. Gumbs is a raw prospect, as evidenced by the fact that he transitioned from receiver to edge rusher in 2023 when he played at Northern Illinois. Gumbs had just 11 total sacks in the past three seasons but 21 tackles for a loss. He would need some time to develop.
Round 4, Pick No. 139: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
Endries has good experience during his time at Cal and Texas, but he projects as a backup tight end in the NFL who could develop into a solid F tight end that lines up inline or out wide. He caught 124 receptions for 1,376 yards and seven touchdowns in his three seasons in college.
“Rick has done an outstanding job since his arrival and it was obvious to all of us that he is the right person to lead our club as head coach,” President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell said in a statement. “Rick developed strong relationships with our players who will continue to benefit greatly from his leadership as we look to learn from the hard lessons of this season and work towards our goal of competing for a Stanley Cup.”
The Blue Jackets were in last place in the Eastern Conference when Bowness arrived. They went 18-2-4 in Bowness’ first 24 games and moved into a playoff spot after collecting a point in 12 straight games.
But Columbus struggled down the stretch, going 3-9-1 to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the sixth straight season.
Bowness gave his players a lot to think about after a 2-1 season-ending loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. He launched into a 3-minute rant on the team's effort and that “losing is not important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them."
He also said that if he was back "we’re changing this freaking culture. I’ve been around long enough to know. I’ll find ways. I’ve got enough experience. I’ve dealt with this. I’ve dealt with it before. If we’re back, we’ll straighten it out.”
Bowness is expected to be the league's oldest coach at 71 when next season begins. He has a 331-419-48-42 record in stints with the Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets (twice), Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins.
Columbus went 40-30-12 this season, the first time it has posted 40 games two straight seasons since 2018-19. The 92 points this season are the fifth-highest point total in club history, but the first time the team had at least 90 points and didn't make the playoffs.
The Blue Jackets have Zach Werenski, who led the team with 81 points and is among the favorites for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman.
Center Charlie Coyle and left wing Mason Marchment, along with captain Boone Jenner, will be unrestricted free agents. Adam Fantilli, the third pick in the 2023 draft, is a restricted free agent in line for a lucrative extension.
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Sean Payton had a pre-draft conference call on Thursday, exactly one week before the big event in Pittsburgh.
After trading for wide receiver Jaylen Waddle last month, Denver now holds seven picks in this year's draft, but that could change if there are more trades. Following free agency, the Broncos are now poised to fill out the 90-man offseason roster with rookies (both draft picks and undrafted free agents) in the coming weeks.
Here are five quick takeaways from Paton and Payton's call on Thursday.
Broncos pre-draft takeaways
1. Denver could trade up during NFL draft: As usual, Paton did not rule out moving up (or down) during the draft. The Broncos are currently slated to pick at No. 62 overall in the second round. Paton said it would be "unlikely" to trade all the way into the first round because that would take "quite a haul," but he noted that moving up in the second round could be in play. Given his history, it wouldn't be surprising to see Paton move up and down the board multiple times during the draft.
2. Broncos focused on six prospects: Paton said there are six players Denver has been focused on as potential targets at pick No. 62. We don't know exactly who those prospects are, but fans and pundits will be making calculated guesses leading up to Round 2. We know that the team has met with more than 100 prospects leading up to the draft.
3. Evan Engram's stock is trending up: There's been plenty of buzz about the Broncos potentially adding a tight end during the draft, perhaps even with their second-round pick. Payton, however, said the team will "continue to find ways" to add to Engram's workload in 2026. It's possible that both things could be true — Denver could target a tight end early in the draft and still increase Engram's workload this fall.
4. Denver's rookies could have limited impacts: Because the Broncos have such a deep roster that was one game away from the Super Bowl last season, Paton said "it's going to be hard" for a rookie to come in and start on Day 1. That's a sign of Denver's impressive depth that will help the team (generally) target the best player available at each pick instead of reaching for big needs.
5. Final year for Broncos' current draft room: Denver's in the process of building a new training facility and headquarters that is set to be completed this summer. "RIP to this draft room," Payton said of the current building. "This is the last one." Next year, the Broncos will draft in their new building, and they believe 2027 will be a deep class.
Following the NFL draft (April 23-25), clubs can hold a rookie minicamp from May 1-4 or May 8-11. Denver has not yet announced its rookie camp schedule, but veterans are scheduled to report for the start of the offseason program on May 4.
For months, Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza has been written in Sharpie as the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Las Vegas Raiders won the sweepstakes, winning not only the right to take their franchise quarterback but the extra time to spend on the rest of the draft, too.
In a league driven by parity, it's soft factors like those that make the first pick in an easy class all the more important.
Mendoza isn't the most promising passer to hear his name called first in recent memory. He's not the biggest, or the strongest, or the fastest. But after his tantalizingly efficient season, a successful Heisman campaign, and a championship to his name, Mendoza is a well-deserving inaugural selection.
The only question for the Hoosier faithful is how many of his teammates will join him in Round 1.
Is Omar Cooper Jr. a first-round pick?
Wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. was a late entry into the early-round conversation. He didn't start the year as the top receiver on Indiana's depth chart, nor did he have the freakish athleticism or measurables to put him on the map before the draft cycle began.
Cooper seemingly arrived out of nowhere, catapulting up boards with one of the craziest catches of the season.
Almost immediately, evaluators flocked to Cooper's film and came away impressed. He was an early Day 3 pick, then a Day 2 prospect, and, before long, in the first round of mock drafts. But should it stick?
The good news for Cooper is that he checks plenty of boxes, mitigating the risk of his hype being the result of an over-weighted piece of evidence. Cooper is well-liked by the film community, citing toughness over the middle and an ability to impact every level of the field. His usage suggests he can play both inside and out, his YAC was among the best in the country, and his platform season ended with 937 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
Cooper blossomed in 2025, surpassing teammate Elijah Sarratt and making key plays for a team destined for the history books. After the season, his stock continued to rise thanks to strong athletic testing numbers.
Running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash with an average (6'1", 196 pounds) frame is impressive, and he backed it up with a good 10-yard split and vertical jump, putting his excellent athleticism on paper.
At the next level, Cooper projects as an instant starter in the slot whose quarterback-friendly skill set should earn him a high target share. He gets his hands dirty in traffic, turns routine catches into explosive plays, and has few drop issues to speak of. That combination could very well land him in the back half of Round 1, as we've seen so many receivers do in recent years.
While it's enticing to send the Hoosier receiver to Las Vegas at the beginning of Round 2, several playoff teams will be liable to roll the dice before the Raiders get that chance. Cooper's a top-45 prospect with real first-round hype, and as the draft approaches, he's the best bet to join Mendoza in Round 1.
Nov 15, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks into Sanford Stadium before a game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Two of the top prospects in the country are on the Forty Acres on Thursday as the Texas Longhorns host the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver, Monshun Sales, and the No. 1 cornerback, John Meredith III.
Out of Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North, Sales is ranked as the No. 7 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, making him one of the most coveted players in the country with almost 40 offers. Any visit from a prospect of Sales’ caliber is a significant development, but the timing is also notable — the Longhorns didn’t extend an offer to the 6’5, 195-pounder until April 6, so getting Sales on campus so quickly is a sign of his interest in Steve Sarkisian’s program.
On Thursday, Sales posted a picture with quarterback Arch Manning and wide receiver Cam Coleman.
Texas is also set to host Sales for an official visit this summer with other official visits scheduled to Alabama, Indiana, Miami, and Ohio State. After taking a number of unofficial visits last fall and during the winter, Sales is at an advanced place in his recruitment reflective of his prospect status, so the Horns have a lot of ground to make up on Thursday and during his official visit in June as wide receivers coach Chris Jackson tries to add another elite wide receiver prospect to a class that already includes Easton Royal, the nation’s No. 2 wide receiver, who continues to take visits despite his commitment status.
With Meredith, Texas is in a much better position after hosting him on a visit last week. After starting his high school career at Euless Trinity, Meredith will spend his senior season at Fort Worth North Crowley. Before Meredith’s senior season starts, he’ll take official visits to Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. Miami is the other school officially in his top five. As an in-state prospect ranked as the No. 2 player nationally, Meredith is one of the top targets in the 2027 class for the Longhorns because of his elite cover skills and prototypical size at 6’2, 175 pounds.
After a quieter first couple months of the year, commitments are starting to pick up as crucial spring visits are leading 2027 prospects to early decisions.
That, along with multiple ranking updates across the recruiting industry, has led to some frequent changes in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Early on, the Southwest continues to dominate.
Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma have each held the top spot at various points this cycle, but it’s the Aggies that currently sit atop the rankings, as of April 16. The top 10 is loaded with usual suspects like Ohio State, USC, Miami and Oregon.
Things will only ramp up from here, meaning the rankings will fluctuate heavily across the next few months. Below is a look at where things stand, as of April 16:
The Aggies added a pledge from four-star WR Jaden Upshaw this week and now have six top-100 overall prospects in the mix early on. Forstall pledged at the end of March and flanks five-star safety Kamarui Dorsey at the top of the class. A&M has an elite defensive back haul in Dorsey, four-star CB Raylaun Henry and four-star safety JayQuan Snell, all three of whom are top-50 recruits.
7 total commits 1 five-star | 5 four-stars | 1 three-star Top Commit: DL Jalen Brewster, No. 1 NATL.
Joey McGuire and the Red Raiders have announced their arrival on the recruiting trail. Four top-50 commitments, headlined by Brewster, the nation’s top-ranked recruit, are in the boat thus far. Brewster has been in the mix since October and was joined by four-star QB Kavian Bryant and four-star WR Benny Easter Jr. a month later. Earlier this week, TTU landed elite EDGE Anthony Sweeney, who’s now the No. 21 overall prospect and will likely retain five-star status as the rankings expand later this year.
20 total commits 1 five-stars | 11 four-stars | 8 three-stars Top Commit: OT Cooper Hackett, No. 16 NATL. (No. 3 OT)
The Sooners have nearly filled out their entire class before official visit season. No program has more commits than OU, but that’s not what has the SEC program pushing for the No. 1 ranking. Nine top-200 prospects are committed. Headlining the haul is the OT duo of Hackett and four-star Kaeden Penny. The blue-chip linebacker duo of Cooper Witten and Taven Epps highlight the defensive side of the ball. Keldrid Ben is the No. 5 RB in the class, while Seneca Driver is the No. 1 TE in the Rivals300.
9 total commits 2 five-stars | 4 four-stars | 3 three-stars Top Commit: EDGE David Jacobs, No. 4 NATL. (No. 1 EDGE)
Jacobs’ commitment in December had plenty of twists and turns, but it was Ohio State that made a late move to beat Miami for the Five-Star Plus+ prospect. Five-star WR Jamier Brown, the No. 1 recruit in Ohio, has been pledged to the Buckeyes since November 2024 and he remains rock-solid. Another elite in-state commitment came from four-star IOL Kellen Wymer, the nation’s No. 5 IOL, in November. Five top-200 recruits are committed to OSU thus far.
10 total commits 1 five-stars | 5 four-stars | 4 three-stars Top Commit: ATH Honor Fa’alave-Johnson, No. 19 NATL. (No. 1 ATH)
After signing the No. 1 class in the 2026 cycle, Lincoln Riley and the Trojans are back in the mix in 2027. In-state recruiting has been key to this point. All but one commit in the class hails from the Golden State thus far. Fa’alave-Johnson pledged last month and could play numerous positions on both sides of the ball at the next level. Four-star WR Quentin Hale and the four-star CB partnership of Danny Lang and Aaryn Washington are the other top-100 recruits committed thus far.
The Bulldogs won out for Spell, a former Penn State pledge, on Feb. 2. He’s now a Five-Star Plus+ prospect and is the consensus top-ranked RB in the nation. Last summer, UGA won out for five-star CB Donte Wright. Others are pushing for a flip but he’s still locked in with Kirby Smart and Co. to date. Four-star CB Jerry Outhouse and four-star OT Kelsey Adams are both top-150 recruits and top-20 players at their respective positions.
No program is currently hotter on the trail than Florida. Jon Sumrall and his staff have now landed Hiller, a Five-Star Plus+ prospect, four-star QB Davin Davidson and four-star CB Aamaury Fountain this month. Fountain, the No. 25 recruit and No. 4 corner in the Rivals300, flipped from South Carolina. Davidson is the No. 10 QB in the cycle. Last month, UF landed four-star ATH Tramond Collins for the second time. Collins is the No. 114 recruit overall.
10 total commits 0 five-stars | 6 four-stars | 4 three-stars Top Commit: WR Nick Lennear, No. 26 NATL. (No. 6 WR)
It’ll be tough for another ACC program to leap past the Hurricanes. Mario Cristobal and Co. have closed on numerous top targets early on. Lennear was trending toward The U for a long time and finally committed last month. He’s one of eight in-state commits in the class already. Earlier this month, elite QB Israel Abrams, now the No. 2 passer in the nation, locked in with Miami. Other top commits include four-star IOL Sean Tatum and four-star safety Jaylyn Jones. Tatum is the No. 9 IOL in the cycle.
No program is more synonymous with building recruiting classes early than Notre Dame. The Irish are in great position to ink another top-10 haul this cycle. Hasan, four-star CB Ace Alston and four-star safety Khalil Terry form an elite defensive back trio atop the class. Four-star IOL James Halter is the No. 7 IOL in the cycle. Last month brought two blue-chip RB commitments via Isaiah Rogers and Lathan Whisenton.
The Ducks have made some big moves this month, landing a trio of of blue-chip commitments from Streets, four-star CB Ai’King Hall and four-star CB Josiah Molden. Hall is the No. 10 corner and No. 1 player in Alabama, while Molden checks in as the No. 1 recruit in Oregon. Zane Rowe and Cam Pritchett are both four-star D-linemen in the mix. Rowe is the No. 104 recruit and No. 11 DL in the nation. February brought a commitment from four-star RB Cadarius McMiller, the No. 10 RB in the cycle.
The 68-year-old made four suggestions to McIlroy to ensure that the 2026 menu meets his standards.
“The most important thing is what we are having for dinner. So I’ve got a couple of suggestions. We need Dublin Bay prawns. I love them,” Faldo said.
“Now, when I won in Killarney, there’s a restaurant in town, and they would take lobster, cook it, and mix it with some Cognac and cream secret sauce and put it back in the shell. That was fabulous.
“Then the other thing – please go to Lough Erne because the chef there had the finest chocolate mousse in the world.
“I promise you [it’s the best] in the world, because he gets his cocoa beans from France and all this sort of thing. He told me all about that. It’s gorgeous, even better than the French can do.
“And I think, even better, we should have a nice bottle or two of Rioja because Seve would have been 70 that week. So there are my suggestions.”
Who knows whether McIlroy will take any of Faldo’s advice when choosing his dishes next year?
Of the four suggestions, it seems most likely that the Northern Irishman would appreciate the idea of the Seve Ballesteros tribute.
McIlroy is a keen golf historian and has always spoken highly of Ballesteros – another of Europe’s greatest golfers.
Real Madrid want to offload homegrown defender this summer – report
Real Madrid’s recent loss to Bayern Munich and subsequent exit from the UEFA Champions League will have major ramifications.
There are already reports of the club’s hierarchy wanting to replace not just some key players in the dressing room but also on the operational front, with even Juni Calafat facing the heat.
As part of the expected overhaul, one of the players who is facing an uncertain future at the club is Raul Asencio.
Real Madrid want to get rid of Asencio
According toEl Mundo, Real Madrid are ready to make big changes in the coming summer, and one of them would be to get rid of Asencio.
The defender had initially made a huge impression, with many hailing him as the lightning spark for the resurgence of La Fabrica talents breaking into the first team.
However, after that initial flurry, Asencio’s spark has faded and the player has turned into more of a utility man than anything else.
End of the road for Asencio at Real Madrid? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
In the current setup, Asencio is largely considered the fourth choice centre-back, behind Dean Huijsen, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, while occasionally serving as a makeshift right-back.
With his importance waning in the first team, Real Madrid want Asencio to leave the club in the coming summer.
Despite his recent struggles, Real Madrid are perhaps aware that the Spaniard may still fetch a sizable sum in the transfer market, having already attracted interest from several clubs across Europe.
With a long-term contract, Real Madrid have a sizable leverage should they negotiate with other clubs and the sale of Asencio can then subsequently be utilised to fund other transfer market moves in the summer.
The Baltimore Orioles are 9-9 to begin the 2026 MLB season, and while it's not perfect, and behind both the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees in the AL East, there's plenty of reason to be optimistic about the team this season.
And a big reason for the success of the team this season is the production of five players formerly on the New York Mets roster. With the Mets struggling at 7-12, these five positive contributors for the Orioles would be big helps for the Mets.
As The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal points out, the five former Mets producing for the Orioles this season are Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, Jeremiah Jackson, Anthony Nunez, and Rico Garcia.
Orioles getting great contributions from ex-Mets
"First baseman Pete Alonso and closer Ryan Helsley are the most prominent Baltimore Orioles who previously were New York Mets," Rosenthal writes. "But three other players who last were with the Mets organization - second baseman Jeremiah Jackson and relievers Anthony Nunez and Rico Garcia - also are making an early impact in Baltimore."
While the Mets continue to struggle, the Orioles are looking like a solid team, thanks to the production from a couple of former Mets players.
Alonso, the Mets franchise leader in home runs, is hitting just .197 this season for Baltimore with two homers and seven RBIs with his .677 OPS. He's not playing well, but even he'd be an upgrade for the Mets this season.
Helsley was a disaster for the Mets last season, but this year for the Orioles, he's posted a 2.45 ERA with 11 strikeouts in eight appearances with five saves, and zero blown save opportunities.
Jeremiah Jackson, meanwhile, is hitting .340 with four homers and 14 RBIs this season. He's one of the hottest hitters in the sport, going 11-for-21 in the last five games with four homers and 10 RBIs, including a Grand Slam against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Rico Garcia has been nearly perfect this season, posting a 0.00 ERA with 10 strikeouts in nine outings with just three walks allowed. Garcia hasn't allowed a hit this season, meaning he's thrown a complete-game's worth of no-hit innings.
Anthony Nunez hasn't been so dominant, but even he has a 1.04 ERA and 11 strikeouts in eight outings this season across 8.2 innings pitched.
Any one of these players, with production this good, would be a huge piece for the Mets. Instead, they're all playing well for the Orioles.
The Orioles have won the player exchanges with the Mets in the past year in a major way. The Cedric Mullins trade, which landed Nunez, and the claim of Garcia after being DFA'd were savvy moves that have been huge positions for the Orioles, and net negatives for the Mets.
He did so, though, with a challenge from the two-way superstar.
“Twenty minutes before first pitch, he said, ‘Hey, go hit a home run today,'” Rushing recounted after the game to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain. “I said, ‘Alright Sho. I got you.’ Sure enough, it happened in the last at bat.”
Dalton Rushing said that Shohei Ohtani told him to hit a home run before the game and Rushing responded by hitting a Grand Slam:
"20 minutes before first pitch he said: Hey, go hit a home run today. I said alright Sho. I got you. Sure enough it happened in the last at bat." pic.twitter.com/bANLLM7hKQ
Rushing entered the batter’s box in the bottom of the eighth inning with three men on base and no outs. He took the first pitch from Devin Williams 412 feet to center field.
Rushing is batting .529 with eight RBIs this year.
Wednesday night was his first grand slam, but he’d blasted three homers already this year.
He also has hit two doubles, including one Wednesday night.
Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Dalton Rushing celebrates after hitting a grand slam home run in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What’s the outlook for Dalton Rushing and the Dodgers?
Barring an injury, Rushing is likely to remain in a limited role.
It’s possible, though, that he could continue to DH when Ohtani pitches.
The MVP even complimented Rushing’s performance when interviewed about his pitching-only role after the game, as reported by Courtney Hollmon of MLB.com.
“Yeah, totally,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “I mean, we had a really good DH today, so I’m very open to that.”
Having a hitter like Rushing waiting in the wings, though, is depth that many other teams can’t match.
True, part of the plethora of talent on the Dodgers is due to a high payroll, but Rushing and starting catcher Will Smith were both drafted by the Dodgers out of the University of Louisville, making them homegrown talents, not splashy free-agent signings.
This is why the Dodgers are the best-run franchise in baseball.
Andrew Friedman, rather than trading his prospects, keeps them and figures things out later.
He kept Dalton Rushing even with Will Smith in the fold, and now Rushing is breaking out. pic.twitter.com/Gl2X8rnHCo
As explained by Dodgers Nation’s Nelson Espinal, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman’s ability to both develop and acquire talent is what sets the team apart.
“This is why the Dodgers are the best-run franchise in baseball,” Espinal wrote. “Andrew Friedman, rather than trading his prospects, keeps them and figures things out later. He kept Dalton Rushing even with Will Smith in the fold, and now Rushing is breaking out.”
The 2026 NCAA women’s gymnastics championships will go down this weekend at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, but first, we must find out who will be hitting the mats with a shot at the national championship.
On Thursday, April 16, the semifinals will be held, with participating teams split into two sessions. The first session will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the evening session will take place in primetime.
In the first session, LSU and all-around sensation Kailin Chio will be going up against Florida, Georgia, and Stanford. In the evening session, the defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners face off against Arkansas, Minnesota, and UCLA, which includes Olympic champion Jordan Chiles.
Jan 30, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins Jordan Chiles warms up prior to the gymnastics meet against the Washington Huskies at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The national championship takes place on Saturday, April 18, at 4:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
All of the information you need to watch the semifinals of the NCAA women’s gymnastics championships can be seen below.
2026 NCAA women’s gymnastics championships semifinals TV & viewing info
Mar 7, 2025; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers Kailin Chio on the floor during the meet against the Georgia Bulldogs at Maravich Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Date: Thursday, April 16 Start Time: 4:30 p.m. ET (Session I) | 9:00 p.m. ET (Session II) Location: Fort Worth, Texas Venue: Dickies Arena TV Info: ESPN2 Live Stream: Fubo (free trial)
Session I
Florida
Georgia
LSU
Stanford
Session II
Arkansas
Minnesota
Oklahoma
UCLA
NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships Finals
Apr 19, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners gymnast Audrey Davis performs on floor exercise during the 2025 Women’s National Gymnastics Championship at Dickies Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Round 14 of the SuperMotocross World Championship at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, is the second consecutive daytime race, so if you enjoyed a little qualification with brunch and some race action for lunch last week, you're in luck. The race will be carried live on NBC, so set your alarm clocks and catch every minute. Peacock will continue to broadcast all the action, beginning with Race Day Live at 9 a.m., followed by the gate drop for the afternoon program at 3 p.m. ET.
This week, fans will be thrilled with the third Triple Crown format of the season.
For only the second time, Cleveland, Ohio, hosts a Supercross round, and the action will be three times as exciting this week.
Dan Beaver
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Hunter Lawrence's victory last week in Nashville puts him in a great position with four rounds remaining, but in a season where the unexpected has become expected, anything can happen.
Eli Tomac faces an uphill battle to reclaim the red plate after falling out the top 10 last week for the second time in 2026. If he fails to gain points on Lawrence this week, his chances of winning the title go way down.
Meanwhile, Ken Roczen continues to be hot and is the only rider other than Lawrence who controls his fate.
Devin Simonson’s career-best finish prior to 2026 was an eighth in his rookie season of 2021.
Dan Beaver
,
The 250 riders have another standalone race, but the Triple Crown format and potential for rain on Saturday leave unanswered questions in that class as well.
Here are the pertinent details for watching Round 14 of the 2026 SuperMotocross season at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio:
(All times are ET)
BROADCAST/STREAMING SCHEDULE:
TV coverage of Supercross Round 14 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio, will begin live Saturday, April 11, at 9:00 a.m. ET on Peacock, and the NBC Sports App. The feature program coverage starts at3:00 p.m.ET, live on NBC and Peacock, featuring qualification coverage. An encore showing will air Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
Here are the start times and schedule for Saturday’s Supercross race
Qualification
8:30 a.m.: 250 Group C Qualifying 1 (First 2 Minutes Free) 8:47 a.m.: 250 Group B Qualifying 1 (First 2 Minutes Free) 9:04 a.m.: 250 Group A Qualifying 1 (First 2 Minutes Free) 9:21 a.m.: 450 Group A Qualifying 1 (First 2 Minutes Free) 9:38 a.m.: 450 Group B Qualifying 1 (First 2 Minutes Free) 9:55 a.m.: 450 Group C Qualifying 1 (First 2 Minutes Free)
10:22 a.m.: 250 Group C Qualifying 2 10:39 a.m.: 250 Group B Qualifying 2 10:56 a.m.: 250 Group A Qualifying 2 11:18 a.m.: 450 Group A Qualifying 2 11:35 a.m.: 450 Group B Qualifying 2 11:52 a.m.: 450 Group C Qualifying 2
The top 18 times from Qualifying in both classes transfer directly to the Evening Program
12:19 p.m.: 250 Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) – 5 Minutes/Plus 1 Lap 12:29 p.m.: 450 Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) – 5 Minutes/Plus 1 Lap
It all started Wednesday night with Spencer Steer and J.T. Brubaker, and it continued into Thursday with more from Steer and then some Connor Phillips and Willy Adames action.
It ended with Phillips ejected on Thursday, but there was more to it than that.
The Cymru Premier will have 16 teams from next season [FAW]
Bala Town and Colwyn Bay have won their appeals to be granted a Football Association of Wales (FAW) Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season.
Bay are currently fourth in the JD Cymru Premier table while Bala are 11th and battling it out with Flint Town United to avoid relegation with one game remaining.
Both clubs were refused licences on personnel and administration grounds.
Colwyn Bay, who are in the hunt for European qualification via the play-offs, have also been awarded an Uefa licence for next season.
Holywell Town, who have guaranteed a top-three finish in the JD Cymru North, will play in the Cymru Premier next season after winning their appeal.
Caerau Ely, currently fourth in the Cymru South and competing with Ammanford for the third promotion slot were also successful with their appeal, as were Carmarthen Town.
"It has taken a significant collective effort to ensure 22 clubs have gained a Tier 1 licence ahead of the 2026-27 season and the relaunch of the Cymru Premier," the FAW's head of domestic leagues, Jack Sharp, said.
"Massive credit must go to every club that has invested the time, commitment and resources required to meet these standards.
"When we announced the new Cymru Premier structure in September 2024, I recognised the scale of the challenge to deliver a 16-team league defined by sporting merit.
"To get to this moment has required careful strategic planning and strong collaboration with our clubs."
Awarded Uefa Men's Licence for 2026-27 season
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Caernarfon Town
Cardiff Met
Colwyn Bay
Connah's Quay Nomads
Flint Town United
Haverfordwest County
Penybont
The New Saints
Refused Uefa Men's Licence for 2026-27 season
Llanelli Town – Refused on Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial
Awarded FAW Men's Tier 1 Licence for 2026-27 season
Aberystwyth Town
Airbus UK Broughton
Ammanford
Bala Town
Barry Town United
Briton Ferry Llansawel
Caerau Ely
Caernarfon Town
Cambrian United
Cardiff Met
Carmarthen Town
Colwyn Bay
Connah's Quay Nomads
Flint Town United
Haverfordwest County
Holywell Town
Llandudno
Llanelli Town
Newtown
Penybont
The New Saints
Trefelin BGC
Refused FAW Men's Tier 1 Licence for 2026-27 season
Llantwit Major - Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration and Financial
Newport City - Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration, Legal & Financial
Penrhyncoch - Refused on Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel & Administration and Financial
Withdrawn FAW Men's Tier 1 Licence Applications for 2026-2027 season
It has been all quiet on the New England Patriots front since second-year head coach Mike Vrabel became the subject of some less-than-ideal public attention.
Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf was the first member of the organization to address the media following the Dianna Russini scandal. The press conference spanned 17 minutes, and reporters were friendly to the Patriots’ pseudo-general manager, keeping the questions focused on the football happenings leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft.
The one question that delved into the Vrabel direction dealt with his involvement with the team during this pivotal juncture in the 2026 season.
“Very involved. Business as usual,” Wolf said. “I’d say he’s been in there with us this round, probably a little more than he was in there last year. “He’s been in there. He’s been contributing. He’s watched a ton of the players.”
This is exactly what Patriots fans needed to hear leading into next Thursday’s draft.
In Vrabel’s first season at the helm, many games were won during the three-day draft. He and Wolf hit on a starting left tackle and left guard, a heavily featured running back, a wide receiver who contributed in packages and on special teams, and a fourth-round safety who led all defensive backs in tackles.
It’s a hard performance to follow up, but with higher expectations than last year, everyone in New England’s war room needs to be at the top of their game.
For the first time in six years, the Champions League semifinals will be without both La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, as the two iconic Spanish clubs were eliminated earlier than anticipated.
While a flawed Madrid side fell to new favourites Bayern Munich in an impressive display of attacking acumen from the Bavarians, Barcelona were surprisingly downed by Atletico Madrid as they were beaten 3-2 on aggregate.
The Blaugrana were felled 2-0 in the first leg at home, leaving them with a multi-goal deficit to overturn on the road. Hansi Flick's side managed a 2-1 victory at the Metropolitano, but were unable to get over the hump and do enough to reverse the aggregate scoreline.
A number of adverse refereeing decisions went against the Spanish giants in the two matches, including a red card to a Barcelona player in each game. The outcome has angered Barcelona hierarchy enough to force them into action, and the club has submitted an official complaint regarding the events across the 180 minutes.
The Sporting News discusses the action Barcelona have taken, how UEFA have responded, and what it is that Barcelona are upset about.
Barcelona complain to UEFA over Champions League referees
Following harsh words from president Joan Laporta in the immediate aftermath of the defeat, Barcelona have lodged an official complaint with FIFA over the officiating across both legs of their Champions League quarterfinal matchup against Atletico Madrid.
In an official club statement released on April 16, Barcelona claimed that refereeing crews led by veteran officials Istvan Kovacs (first leg) and Clement Turpin (second leg) significantly impacted the results of the matches.
"FC Barcelona has submitted a complaint to UEFA regarding the refereeing performance in the Champions League quarter-final tie played against Atletico Madrid," the club revealed in its official statement.
"The club considers that, across both legs of the tie, several refereeing decisions were made that did not comply with the Laws of the Game, resulting from an incorrect application of the regulations and a lack of appropriate intervention by the VAR system in incidents of clear significance.
"According to FC Barcelona, the accumulation of these errors had a direct impact on the course of the matches and on the final outcome of the tie, causing significant sporting and financial harm to the club.
"Through this complaint, the Club reiterates the requests previously made to UEFA and, at the same time, offers to collaborate with the organisation with the aim of improving the refereeing system to ensure a more rigorous, fair and transparent application of the Laws of the Game."
What refereeing decisions are Barcelona angry about?
There were a few key decisions across the two legs that Barcelona will be particularly furious with.
Pau Cubarsi red card
The biggest decision that went against Barcelona in the two Atletico Madrid matches was the 44th-minute red card to Pau Cubarsi in the first leg. It not only left Barcelona playing down a man for half of the first leg, but also left them without their best defender for the second leg due to suspension.
Cubarsi was sent off for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity (DOGSO) when he fouled Giuliano Simeone, who was clean through on goal. While referee Istvan Kovacs initially produced a yellow card, VAR recommended a review for DOGSO, and Kovacs changed his decision to a red.
Kovacs initially believed the cross was behind Simeone enough that the foul did not necessarily prevent a chance on goal, but upon review, he changed his mind. In the end, Cubarsi has no one else to blame but himself here, and there's little gripe Barcelona can have in this regard, even if they don't believe the decision rose to a "clear and obvious error."
A nightmare few minutes for Barcelona.
First, Pau Cubarsi is shown a red card — and then Julian Alvarez gives Atletico Madrid the lead with a delightful free-kick. pic.twitter.com/FNvNjExSye
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 8, 2026
Marc Pubill handball incident
In the first leg, Barcelona were extremely upset that Atletico Madrid defender Marc Pubill, who was in as a substitute to replace an injured David Hancko, was not sent off.
In the 54th minute, with Pubill already on a yellow card for a 45th-minute shove on Robert Lewandowski, Atletico Madrid had a goal kick after Fermin Lopez fired a shot wide. Goalkeeper Juan Musso appeared to kick the ball to Pubill to trigger the restart of play, but Pubill did not notice this happen, and bent down to stop the ball with his hand.
After the match, Giuliano Simeone explained that the goalkeeper is never the one to take goal kicks for Atleti, and therefore Musso was kicking the ball to Pubill so he could put the ball in play. Unsatisfied with the explanation, Barcelona submitted an official protest to UEFA over the incident, which the European governing body dismissed as "inadmissible."
🚨 Barcelona want to file a COMPLAINT to UEFA over the Atletico Madrid hand-ball incident. ⚖️
Marc Pubill handled the ball after Musso’s kick-off and then took the restart again 😳
The Catalans are FURIOUS they weren’t awarded a penalty 😡
Just like in the first leg, a Barcelona defender was sent off in the second leg for a similar incident. 25-year-old captain Eric Garcia, who was deployed at centre-back while Ronald Araujo sat on the bench, was sent off for DOGSO after he fouled Alexander Sorloth.
And just like in the first leg, the initial on-field decision of yellow card was changed to red upon review. This time, Clement Turpin initially believed that Jules Kounde was close enough to cover the action, but on review decided Garcia was the last man and red was the correct call.
In the end, the judgement here is the same as Cubarsi's dismissal. While Barcelona maybe could argue that VAR should not have intervened as there was enough to negate the "clear and obvious" threshold, in the end Garcia did enough to create doubt. Kounde was slightly behind Sorloth at the moment of the foul, and proximity to goal just outside the penalty area meant red was probably the right decision in the end, even if it's not as blatant as some might wish for VAR to intervene.
At this point, UEFA has not responded to the complaint or Barcelona's accusations.
The Sporting News has reached out to UEFA for comment, and will update this section if a response is received.
UEFA have already dismissed two prior complaints from Barcelona regarding this two-legged tie. They deemed the protest over the Marc Pubill handball incident to be "inadmissible," while they received frustrations from Hansi Flick over the state of the Metropolitano pitch prior to the second leg, although no official complaint was reportedly filed over that.
How much money do Champions League semifinalists get?
The "significant financial impact" Barcelona claim to have lost by failing to reach the Champions League semifinals begins with the prize money UEFA hands out to the four clubs who reach that stage.
By beating Barcelona and qualifying for the semifinals, Atletico Madrid will have banked €15 million ($16.6m), with the potential to earn a further €25 million ($27.8m) or €18.5 million ($20.5m) by reaching the final, depending on their eventual outcome.
In addition to prize money lost, the elimination of both Barcelona and Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals could significantly impact La Liga's chances of securing a fifth qualifying spot in next year's competition.
England have already mathematically confirmed one of the two extra places created in the new format of competition which are awarded based on the competitive achievements of two member nations across all UEFA competitions. That leaves just one other spot, with Spain currently chasing Germany for the place.
The Los Angeles Rams nearly made a run all the way to the Super Bowl last season, coming up just short against the eventual champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game. They’ve since made notable additions to their roster with Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, while simultaneously losing minimal talent in free agency.
The Rams are positioned well to push for another ring next season, especially holding the 13th overall pick and three in the top 100 of this year’s draft.
Because Los Angeles is in win-now mode, ESPN’s Ben Solak argues the Rams should be aggressive in the draft and target players who are ready to contribute now. In his piece about how each team can ace the draft, Solak wrote this about the Rams, urging them to “trade up aggressively.”
It's rare that I write this in the predraft process, but here goes: Don't draft for the future. Draft for the now. Trade up aggressively. Find the last infinity stone. Every year with Stafford might be your last. Eventually the Rams will need a quarterbacking heir, but coach Sean McVay is well-compensated and regarded for a reason -- he'll help solve that problem when it comes. For now, just win.
The bottom line: Push for the Super Bowl. Draft pro-ready players, ideally at tackle, wide receiver and linebacker. Trade up!
Les Snead has already said it’s unlikely that the Rams will trade up from No. 13 in the first round, but that doesn’t mean he was being 100% truthful. It could have been a smoke screen to throw everyone off, or if there’s a player they covet that falls into their range, Snead could strike by moving up.
Either way, Solak’s argument is sound. Teams are always drafting for the future and the Rams should still account for that with whoever they pick. However, not every team is in position to win a Super Bowl like the Rams are, while also picking in the top 15.
If someone like Carnell Tate or Sonny Styles were to fall to, say, No. 10, the Rams should strongly consider giving up a Day 2 pick to go get them. They’d immediately make the team better, and at this point, Los Angeles should be aiming for quality, not quantity.
Snead said last month that the Rams were comfortable trading away Day 3 picks in this year's draft for McDuffie because they feel the class is a bit thin in the later rounds. By that logic, they shouldn't mind giving up additional picks to go up for a potential All-Pro talent.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 19: WR Omar Cooper Jr. #3 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs with the ball during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game Presented by AT&T on January 19, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
NFL teams are going through various exercises ahead of the NFL Draft. The goal is to prepare yourself for any potential unexpected scenario while you’re on the clock.
We’ll work through a scenario I did with Rob Lowder, where we labeled each prospect “hot,” “lukewarm,” and “cold” in each round.
If it’s not self-explanatory, “hot” prospects are the players you’d run to the podium for if they’re still on the board. We listed some players in this category as those rated higher who may slip down the board in a trade-up scenario.
Lukewarm prospects fall under “good but not great.” Players you’d rely on to start and contribute, but come with an obvious floor.
If you’re listed as cold, we identified enough red flags that it’s either a reach, not a good fit, or a combination of both, while we factored in the value.
You’re going to find different opinions consistently when talking about players. Five people could watch a wide receiver run one route, and each person could have a different conclusion. Keep that in mind when you’re reading through this and any other draft evaluation or critique of a player.
Potential 1st rounders for the 49ers: ‘Hot’ prospects
The untouchables:
Georgia OT Monroe Freeling Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson
While unlikely, if either Freeling or Tyson fell to the early 20s, these are two players the 49ers should consider moving up for. Tyson’s injury history may scare some away, but he’s in the cluster of players who project to be a WR1. Freeling could end up being the best tackle in this class, the way he grew this past season. He’s a clean prospect that is still ascending.
The other players we discussed were Auburn’s Keldric Faulk. He’d give the Niners what they’ve been missing since Arik Armstead departed. The other is a wild card. It’s defensive tackle Caleb Banks out of Florida. He broke his foot at the NFL Combine.
Banks only played in a few games this past season. But man, the ways he won in those three games would make me want to roll the dice on his talent. Think of it like this: I’d rather have DT1 than WR5 in the first round. Banks would be a best-player-available scenario.
Potential 1st rounders for the 49ers: ‘Lukewarm’ prospects
Realistically, when you’re selecting at the end of the first round, you’re going to end up drafting a player you’re lukewarm on, outliers aside. Here’s the lukewarm list:
Washington WR Denzel Boston Arizona St OT Max Iheanchor Clemson OT Blake Miller Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion
Two wideouts who couldn’t be any more different, but would also help the Niners offense right away. Boston would be the red zone, free access, jump-ball wideout to take over for Mike Evans eventually. Brock Purdy would love playing with a couple of twin towers like Evans and Boston.
Concepcion would have thrived in the playoff game against the Eagles. He can run away from anybody. However, Concepcion isn’t limited to just a speed threat. He’s good off the line of scrimmage, can find the soft spot in zones, and win at every level. He’ll drop the pass where there is nobody around him, but then you’ll see Concepcion hold on to passes where he takes a big hit. Plus, he has 70 career carries. Kyle Shanahan could line Concepcion up in the backfield.
I just watched Miller go against Georgia’s defense in 2024. He went head-to-head against Mykel Williams a good bit in that game. Miiller was overwhelmed by the athleticism, but still held his own. That’s who he is—a guy who finds a way.
Iheanachor’s upside might be better than anybody at the position in the class. If it clicks, he can be a star. His ability to figure things out so quickly at the power level is a sign that the raw prospect just needs more seasoning to turn into a solid pro.
Potential 1st rounders for the 49ers: ‘Cold’ prospects
Ironically, some of the most popular players being mocked to the 49ers are listed here:
Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell Utah OT Caleb Lomu UCF EDGE Malachi Lawrence
I believe Cooper Jr. is benefiting from the offense he played in, specifically as the quarterback. He ran a 4.42, but the 10-yard split was in the 48th percentile. The arm length is in the 11th percentile. You did not know his name until this season. And now I’m supposed to believe this prospect is a 1st rounder? Good luck with that. I’ll let somebody else be wrong about him.
Fun fact: Howell has the same arm length as Cooper. Speed-reliant players don’t do it for me. Maybe it’s a me problem. But after watching what wins in the NFL, and seeing the 49ers go the route of speed-first players for a couple of years and now try to pivot away from that after struggling to get off the field two seasons in a row, I couldn’t imagine spending a first pick on the same player you just couldn’t win with.
Lomu is not a bad player. Talent-wise, he belongs in the lukewarm group. But if I were a general manager, I would not be in the business of hoping a player gets stronger and grows into his body.
Potential 2nd rounders for the 49ers: ‘Hot’ prospects
The later we get into the draft, the less the 49ers should be concerned with positional needs and the more they should focus on drafting good football players. Here’s the list in the second round:
Louisville WR Chris Bell Arizona State CB Keith Abney Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton
I’ll either be hilariously wrong or unbearable if Bell ends up being what I believe he will be. Players that big, who run that fast and aren’t hindered by physicality, with the tracking ability Bell has, don’t lose in the NFL.
Abney wouldn’t fit a “need,” but it gives the Niners a defensive back with the instincts and athleticism to run any coverage. I’m surprised Abney hasn’t been thought of higher. He does everything well.
Dennis-Sutton played as a freshman at a big-time school. His pressure numbers got better every year. He’s getting lost in the shuffle because the school didn’t fare well in a chaotic season with a coaching change, but Dennis-Sutton, not the EDGEs listed in the first round, is the type of player the 49ers are looking for.
Potential 2nd rounders for the 49ers: ‘Lukewarm’ prospects
Personally, these three are some of my favorite players to watch in the draft. They are listed here because they need to be in ideal situations. But they’d all flourish in San Francisco:
Illinois EDGE Gabe Jacas LSU S A.J. Haulcy Notre Dame WR Malahci Fields
Jacas’s competitiveness makes it easy to stick up for him. He’s on the smaller side, and that’ll occasionally show, but he is as much of a plug-and-play prospect as you’ll get late in the second round.
Haulcy would lead the team in interceptions as a rookie. Let him play behind the 49ers’ defensive line, and he’ll look like a player who was severely underdrafted.
Fields is the YAC, big-bodied wideout that would improve the 49ers’ running game with his blocking. He’d also squeeze out a few extra yards from any underneath pass. Fields won’t be for everybody, but he should be on the 49ers’ radar.
Potential 2nd rounders for the 49ers: ‘Cold’ prospects
A short list here:
Oklahoma EDGE R Mason Thomas Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell
I wanted to like Brazzell. Watching him during the season, Brazzell was thought of as a 1st rounder. A 6’4″ receiver running a 4.37 being available in the late 2nd round should ring the alarms. The theme is consistent with players in this section. Brazzell is anti-physicality. That will not play well at the next level.
Thomas was an outstanding collegiate player, but he’s a difficult projection at his size. It’s hard to find where he’ll win over and over again as a pro, which is why he’s here. Again, small is not the direction to go.
Potential 4th rounders for the 49ers: ‘Hot’ prospects
The Niners have four swings in the fourth round. If two make the roster, the Niners did well. If one steps on the field and plays meaningful snaps as a rookie, you’re impressed. Here are some prospects who might be able to do that:
Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling Washington RB Jonah Coleman Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson Georgia CB Daylen Everette Miami OT Markel Bell Iowa OG Beau Stephens
Stribling was my favorite wideout to watch in this class. No receiver plays as hard as Stribling did. He’s an A+ blocker, is sneaky good after the catch, and can win at every level.
The running backs would give the Niners a boost in the passing game. They also have enough wiggle as runners to make something out of nothing. I have them as the second and third best running backs in the class.
Everette played as a youngster at Georgia and has plenty of experience. He may be a special teamer, but could play in a pinch—like if Shanahan needs to get in Renardo Green’s ear.
Stephens played at a program that prepares you for the NFL.
Bell is 6’9 1/4″ and 346 pounds. Despite that size, he played over 1,000 snaps in 2025. If there’s a player along the line that the 49ers should draft, it’s Bell, regardless of which round. I’d bank on him being better than a lot of the prospects going in the first two days of the draft.
After Iowa women's basketball secured its second transfer portal commitment of the offseason by way of former Oklahoma State guard Amari Whiting, Hawkeye fans took to social media to celebrate the newest addition to the program.
Last season, the 5-foot-10 senior-to-be from Burley, Idaho, averaged 9.6 points per game on 42.5% shooting from the field, 32.1% from 3-point range, and 71.6% from the free-throw line. Whiting also averaged 5.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.8 steals per game with the Cowgirls.
As the addition of Whiting helps bolster the guard depth on the Hawkeyes squad, here are some of the best social media reactions from Hawkeye fans to the commitment:
https://x.com/StavrosForever/status/2038736820976939Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Thursday's edition of MMA Junkie Radio with "Gorgeous" George and "Goze" is here.
On Episode 3,660, the OGs welcomed in a trio of guests: UFC Winnipeg headliner Gilbert Burns, UFC 327 winner Aaron Pico, and UFC Fight Night 272 winner Darrius Flowers. Plus, they discussed the big MVP news conference for the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight on Netflix, the latest news and much more. Tune in!
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2026 NFL Draft, where they're slated to have seven picks, including four in the Top 89.
The Bears have the 25th overall pick and a pair of second rounders, including the 60th overall selection after trading wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills. Chicago has a slew of needs to address on their roster, but it'll all come down to how the board falls for general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson.
When looking at the history of the No. 89 pick, there are some hidden gems that have turned into impact players. But given Poles' history drafting in the third round, there are questions whether he can find an impact contributor with the 89th overall pick.
Every player selected 89th overall in NFL draft since 2016
2025: Wyatt Milum, OL, Jacksonville Jaguars
2024: Tykee Smith, DB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2023: Kobie Turner, DT, Los Angeles Rams
2022: Terrel Bernard, LB, Buffalo Bills
2021: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
2020: Cameron Dantzler, CB, Minnesota Vikings
2019: Bobby Okereke, LB, Indianapolis Colts
2018: Joseph Noteboom, OT, Los Angeles Rams
2017: D'Onta Foreman, RB, Houston Texans
2016: Javon Hargrave, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers
Possible picks for Bears at 89th overall
The Bears have a slew of positions to address in the draft, so depending on what they do in Round 1, there will be options across the board on Day 3. With this 89th pick, it might be the perfect spot to take a center, including Kansas State's Sam Hecht, Auburn's Connor Lew, Florida's Jake Slaughter and Iowa's Logan Jones.
French striker Karim Benzema left Al-Ittihad to join Al-Hilal (Abdel Ghani BASHIR)
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund announced Thursday the sale of its majority stake in Saudi Pro League football club Al-Hilal, where French striker Karim Benzema plays.
The PIF, which also owns English Premier League side Newcastle United, sold 70 percent of Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding Company (KHC), the firm run by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire businessman and member of the Saudi royal family.
The deal values the share capital of Al-Hilal at 1.4bn Saudi riyals ($373m).
The sale comes amid scrutiny over the PIF's investment in LIV Golf, with reports circulated that the breakaway tour is on the verge of collapse due to the possible withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financing.
"Al-Hilal is a national symbol and a source of pride for the Saudi people," Bin Talal said in a statement.
"This acquisition expresses our deep belief in the power of sports as a unifying force and a catalyst for national development.
"By applying our global investment standards and cultivating strategic partnerships, we will unlock Al-Hilal's full potential while preserving its history and identity."
The PIF, a wealthy public fund managed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, acquired a majority stake in the Riyadh-based club in 2023, along with three other teams in the Saudi league -- Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad -- as part of the kingdom's sports investment policy.
This capital injection enabled Al-Hilal to attract numerous foreign players, notably Brazilian star Neymar, before his departure in January 2025.
French striker Benzema joined Al-Hilal most recently after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad.
"The sale aligns with PIF's strategy to maximize returns and redeploy capital within the domestic economy," the PIF statement read.
"This strategy supports PIF's wider efforts to drive the development and diversification of Saudi Arabia.
"PIF is unlocking opportunities to make a transformative impact in the Saudi sports sector and deliver positive, long-term results."
The PIF added that it had "led the transformation of Al-Hilal... empowering it to achieve significant growth in value.
"As a remaining shareholder, PIF will continue supporting Al-Hilal's growth journey."
Glasner: ‘Fiorentina more attacking than’ Crystal Palace expected
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admits Fiorentina have a ‘more attacking side than we expected’ in the Conference League quarter-final. ‘We know how they’re going to play and what we want to do.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).
Crystal Palace make only one change from the side that played in London, and that is forced, as Evann Guessand picked up an injury.
“We rotated against Newcastle, so the three players in the front and two midfielders should be fresh. In defence they are doing so well, so it’s all good,” Glasner told TNT Sports.
Glasner notes Fiorentina changes
CRAWLEY, ENGLAND – JULY 25: Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner looks on ahead of the pre-season friendly match between Crawley Town and Crystal Palace at Broadfield Stadium on July 25, 2025 in Crawley, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
The Viola have a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park, especially as they are missing suspended Dodo, plus injured Moise Kean, Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini.
With nothing left to lose, Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli has chosen a very attacking 4-2-3-1 formation with two creative midfielders supporting Jack Harrison, Albert Gudmundsson, Manor Solomon and Roberto Piccoli.
“Maybe it’s a bit more attacking than we expected, Solomon is more of a winger than Gudmundsson when he played in that position, he’s more of a Number 10, where we expect him today,” confessed Glasner.
“Comuzzo of course is a centre-back and not as attacking as Dodo. I think in April, you can’t change the way you are playing, so you have to rely on the things you are doing well.
“We know pretty well how they are going to play, and we know what we want to do against them.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Giovanni Fabbian of ACF Fiorentina is challenged by Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Crystal Palace FC and ACF Fiorentina at Selhurst Park on April 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Fiorentina are on home turf with a 3-0 deficit to overturn, so they are going to come flying out of the blocks.
“We expect them to be more aggressive than at Selhurst Park, going man for man, making a lot of pressure, you always try to find the pockets, with flick-ons, one touches, the inverted wingers try to cut in and then deliver the cross, with three players in the box,” noted Glasner.
“That is how they are playing. Similarly, we want to move it to the side quickly and find space, then we will create opportunities.
“When you play two legs, this is the situation, but we trust ourselves and the way we are playing. We saw yesterday in the Champions League, at this stage of the competition they are always tight games, and that is what we expect here as well.”
“We know pretty well how they’re going to play, and we know what we want to do”
Oliver Glasner ahead of tonight’s Conference League second leg against Fiorentina 👀
A former player tied to a major NBA betting scandal wants to switch his stance in one of the federal cases against him.
Key Takeaways
Ex-NBA player Damon Jones is tied to the betting scandal and the rigged poker games.
Jones hasn’t changed his not guilty plea in the other charge.
He allegedly provided bettors with the injury information for LeBron James and Anthony Davis for profit.
Damon Jones originally pleaded not guilty in November 2025 to providing injury information on star NBA players LeBron James and Anthony Davis to bettors. However, he has requested a change-of-plea hearing, according to ABC News, citing court documents.
The hearing has reportedly been scheduled for April 28.
Jones allegedly twice attempted to sell personnel information to a group of bettors that included Marves Fairley and Shane Hennen. Jones, who played 11 seasons in the NBA for 10 teams, was charged by federal prosecutors in the same case involving Terry Rozier in October 2025.
He was also named in the indictment as a part of a rigged poker game with suspended Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups. Jones hasn’t altered his not guilty plea to that charge.
Insider information instance
The first occasion occurred before a February 9, 2023, game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks, when he had a close relationship with James as an unofficial assistant coach.
Jones told the group of co-conspirators that James was going to miss the game. He told them in a text message to “get a big bet on Milwaukee” before the public information on James’ status was released, and Jones asked them to “bet enough” that he would get a piece of the winnings.
James indeed sat out. The Lakers lost the game, and the group of bettors profited from nonpublic information, according to the indictment. James, also a former teammate of Jones, was not implicated in the scheme.
“As alleged, the defendants turned professional basketball into a criminal betting operation, using private locker room and medical information to enrich themselves and cheat legitimate sportsbooks,” U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said in a statement last year. “This was a sophisticated conspiracy involving athletes, coaches, and intermediaries who exploited confidential information for profit.”
Other alleged improprieties
In January 2024, Fairley paid Jones $2,500 on a peer-to-peer transaction app for injury information reportedly on Davis, who was listed as probable for the game.
The conspirators thought Davis would sit, but he played, and the Lakers won. Fairley asked for his money back, but Jones claimed it was “credible” insider information, the indictment notes.
Fairley has also pleaded not guilty and said he didn’t benefit from Jones’ nonpublic NBA player injury information.
In the other case, Jones is accused, with Billups, of luring poker players into a game rigged by the mob. The defendants, who have also pleaded not guilty, allegedly used sophisticated electronic equipment to cheat players out of millions of dollars, according to the indictment.
Atletico Madrid star comments on Barcelona’s denied penalty appeal – ‘UEFA has already given its version’
Earlier today, FC Barcelona filed another formal complaint with UEFA over the inconsistent and controversial refereeing across their two-legged Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid.
One of the biggest grievances that Barça had in the tie was the penalty they were denied in the first half for a handball by Marc Pubill.
The Atletico Madrid right-back stopped the ball with his hand after receiving a pass from his goalkeeper Juan Musso, with the Rojiblancos and referee Istvan Kovacs maintaining that the ball was not in play at the time.
Pubill breaks his silence
Pubill, who missed the second leg of the quarter-final tie due to suspension, spoke to the media today, where he broke his silence about the incident.
“UEFA has already given its version, so there’s no need to elaborate. My opinion is clear: you can never whistle for that, so I have nothing more to say,” he stated, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Pubill’s handball was not called by the referee or the VAR. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Pubill also described last Tuesday’s second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano against Barcelona, which saw Atlético qualify for the Champions League semi-finals, as “magical”.
“Doing it in front of our fans was beautiful,” he added.
Barcelona had lost the first leg of the quarter-final tie 2-0, after being reduced to ten men because of Pau Cubarsi’s red card.
Had Pubill’s handball been called by the referee, not only would the Blaugrana have earned a penalty, but the Atletico Madrid star would also have been sent off, meaning both teams would have been left with ten men.
However, it was not to be, much to the frustration and anger of Barcelona, who will now look to focus on sealing the La Liga title.
Ipswich Town said its fan advisory board was consulted during the pricing process [PA Media]
A football club that is on the brink of promotion to the Premier League has divided fans' opinions after significantly raising its ticket prices.
Adult season tickets at Ipswich Town Football Club will cost about 12% more next season, whether the club remains in the Championship or gets promoted.
The club has frozen season ticket prices for under-12s for the third year, and said adult tickets would be cheap compared to other Premier League clubs.
Fans on social media called the decision "outrageous" and "shameful", while others said it was "understandable" and they were "more than happy" to pay.
The Tractor Boys are currently second in the Championship and eyeing promotion back to the Premier League [PA Media]
The club was last promoted to the top flight in 2023, for the first time in 22 years, but were relegated last season.
In comments under the season ticket renewal announcement on X, one fan accused the club of "exploiting loyalty" and another said Ipswich was "fleecing the fans".
However Sandra Cummingham, a fan of 44 years, said: "I still think compared to some, it's pretty reasonable."
She said: "If we are promoted, you would have four fewer games [in the Premier League], but you're paying for a superior product. You could be watching Arsenal, not Lincoln or Stockport.
"I'm desperate for my club to do well. Clubs have to comply with rules about profit and financial sustainability."
She added: "Nobody ever likes a price increase - we have a cost-of-living crisis, so I hope it doesn't stop people renewing.
"It would be horrible if anyone is priced out."
"It leaves a little bit of a sour taste," said Craig Finbow, who has been supporting the club since 1982.
He presents the Blue Monday podcast for fans of the club, and said other fans he had spoken to "felt the increase was higher than it needed to be".
Finbow said his ticket would cost £581 next season compared to £510 this year – and that comes after a rise last year.
"It's been a 25% increase over the last two years combined, it is a bit of a jump," he said.
"I don't know how that sits with other similar sized clubs, whether it puts us in line with them."
"You could argue that the club needs more money if it stays in the Championship, to attract players – but if we get promoted, the ticket sales pale into comparison with all the money you get from the Premier League.
"It feels a bit like profiteering," he added.
The club added that in many areas of the Portman Road stadium, its 26/27 prices would be similar or lower than the league average.
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As is tradition, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announces the picks for the first round of the NFL draft. But after the first round, the NFL gives teams plenty of leeway when it comes to who calls the picks. It can be players, past or present, celebrities and even super fans. On Thursday, the NFL released the names of who will be making many of the picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and Day Two is a star-studded lineup for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
According to a post by ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the Steelers will have a different guest picker for each of their four Day Two picks as they stand now. The team will have three former players, Jerome Bettis, Joey Porter Sr. and John Stallworth calls picks as well as current Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. make a selection.
Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr to announce Penn State’s Drew Allar.
The San Francisco 49ers went deep in their bag of franchise legends to find a player to announce their second-round pick at the 2026 NFL draft.
Former 49ers punter Andy Lee will take the stage in Pittsburgh to let fans know which player San Francisco is selecting with their scheduled No. 58 overall pick. It's their lone choice on Day 2 of the draft barring a trade.
Lee was a sixth-round pick of the 49ers in 2004 after wrapping up his college career at the University of Pittsburgh. He wound up spending the first 11 of his 18 NFL seasons in San Francisco and put together an outstanding tenure in the Bay Area.
His 49ers career featured three Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro nods and a Second-Team All-Pro selection. In 2011 he led the NFL with 50.9 yards per punt.
Lee's attachment to the 49ers coincides with some of the worst years in franchise history where his exploits as a punter made him the team's best player across multiple seasons. As a 2004 draft pick, Lee didn't experience a winning season until 2011, and in his first seven seasons the club went a combined 39-73.
The 49ers aren't liable to select a punter on Day 2 when Lee announces the pick, but they'd love to find a player who is equally as successful as Lee was in San Francisco for more than a decade.
Sunrise, Fla. — The Red Wings are expected to clean out their lockers Friday, with players talking with media for the final time this season before heading off to all parts of North America and Europe.
That'll be almost 48 hours since the Wings ended their season with a terrible 8-1 road loss to the Florida Panthers, which was one of those rare times where the score was nicely indicative of how this game transpired.
These were two teams with nothing to play for and closing out their seasons. But Florida — playing a mainly minor-league lineup — simply played with more passion and desire. The Wings did not.
Coach Todd McLellan was blunt and short, approximately 45 seconds, talking with reporters afterward, likely biting his tongue rather than offering truly choice words about the effort.
"I'll tell you that both teams came in with nothing on the line and you could see their championship pedigree," McLellan said. "So I'll compliment the Panthers, it runs throughout their organization. They came and played and it meant something to them."
Did it hurt to watch his team play that way?
"Yep," McLellan said.
Was McLellan and the team embarrassed?
"Yeah, we all should be," McLellan said before walking away.
The locker room was quiet, with players quickly moving into changing areas and the trainers' room. The Wings played without captain Dylan Larkin, a late scratch, after aggravating an injury that kept him out of seven March games.
But with or without Larkin, this wasn't a performance the Wings wanted to go into the offseason with.
"Horrible, there's really not much else to say about it," forward J.T. Compher said. "No one in that room should be anywhere near proud of waht happened on the ice.
"We didn't play like we had respect for the game. That was the result when you don't respect an opponent or anything in this league. That's what happens."
Said forward James van Riemsdyk: "We're representing our city, our organization, our fans, ourselves in here in the locker room. That's obviously not acceptable, the level we played at. It's definitely disappointing."
The Wings concluded the season losing six of seven games. With the season at its most important, they played some of their weakest hockey, including losing several games late when they appeared to be headed to overtime and chances to earn the full two points.
It all added up to missing the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season.
"When you're not consistent enough, you're going to find ways to beat yourself,” van Riemsdyk said. “So it's about finding that consistency to that level that we showed we could play at, and unfortunately, when you get down the stretch, the margins get tighter and when you're not giving yourself a chance game to game, shift to shift and period to period, you kind of roll the dice and leave the game up for chance."
Consistency was an issue with the Wings, especially the second half of the season. They only won eight of their final 24 games (8-12-4) and plummeted down the standings. Within the game, scoring at even strength, more defensive breakdowns, and streakier goaltending became issues.
"The consistency of all our details all over the ice need to be better every night," Compher said. “We have been in the position where every point and every single play throughout the year matters, and it was kind of the same thing this year."
General manager Steve Yzerman is expected to address the media at a later date. Yzerman's offseason is expected to be a busy one, what with holes among several spots among the forwards, and a need to find more offense.
Wednesday's night defeat showed plenty of surgery remains to be done on this roster.
MACCABI TEL AVIV players celebrate their 3-2 victory over Maccabi Haifa in the State Cup semifinal at Teddy Stadium. (photo credit: YEHUDA HALICKMAN)
The Israeli Classico, one of the biggest matches that the Holy Land can offer between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, is always an anticipated clash.
Maccabi Tel Aviv bested Maccabi Haifa 3-2 to punch its ticket to the Israel State Cup final, where it will meet Hapoel Beersheba.
Dor Peretz opened the scoring, but Eitan Azulay found the equalizer as the first half ended all knotted up at 1-1. After a triple substitution by Ronny Delia, Tyrese Asante gave the yellow-and-blue the lead while Roy Revivo doubled the advantage. Silva Kani pulled back a late goal for Barak Bachar’s side, which wasn’t enough as Maccabi closed out the victory.
The Israeli Classico, one of the biggest matches that the Holy Land can offer between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, is always an anticipated clash that attracts fans from not only the two rivals but from across the spectrum. That’s especially true when the contest also happens to be part of the Cup, as was the case this year when the two met in the semifinals at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem. However, this version of the Classico was unlike any of the others due to the number of fans being limited by the Home Front Command to roughly 5,000.
Prior to a massive game in the capital that would normally attract 30,000 supporters, the shopping center and local establishments would be teeming with people taking up every nook and cranny. With only a fraction of that number, that was certainly not the case as restaurants were not busy and parking, which is usually at a premium in the area, was fairly easy to find. The same was true when entering the stadium with Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in the south stand, Maccabi Haifa supporters in the north stand, and the VIPs located in the west stand.
A serene quiet could be felt around the stadium at halftime as both sets of supporters needed a few minutes to take a breather after an exhilarating half that saw chances galore at both ends.
GONZALEZ SCORES for Beitar Jerusalem just 30 seconds into the derby, sending his club on its way to a 2-0 win. (credit: YEHUDA HALICKMAN)
Cedric Don, who used to dance on this same field for Hapoel Jerusalem, had the chance of a lifetime to give the Greens the lead, but somehow he sent the ball way over the bar.
As Haifa continued to hold all of the cards, Ronny Delia’s Maccabi made a trio of substitutions to freshen up its attack. In no less than two minutes, the yellow-and-blue went right after the Greens, received a corner kick that Revivo promptly put into the box for Tyrese Asante to head it home and take a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute.
Triple substitution leads to Maccabi penalty
The triple substitution is always lethal, a trio of new players with plenty of energy to burn entering the fray, while in this case, Haifa coach Bachar made no changes to his lineup to counter, which led to a Maccabi penalty. With the chance to add an insurance marker, Shahar stepped up and skied the ball into the yellow-and-blue supporter section, giving Haifa a sliver of life.
Now with the chance to rectify the substitution debacle, Bachar quickly inserted a pair of new players, and with that, the Greens raced downfield and created a pair of incredible opportunities, but just came up short as the match hit the 70th minute.
Elad Madmon began the attack, sent the ball to Varela, who in turn passed it to Revivo, who scored to put Tel Aviv up 3-1. Haifa pulled a very late goal back as a result of a scrum in front of the goal via Kani, but it was too little, too late as Maccabi Tel Aviv headed to the State Cup final, and a duel with Hapoel Beersheba for the coveted trophy.
See more Israeli sports coverage at www.sportsrabbi.com/en
With Penn State women's basketball moving in a new direction under Tanisha Wright, her new staff is continuously growing to include many different members with many different experiences. Now, the staff includes a former head coach with tons of playing experience.
On Wednesday, the Lady Lions announced that they would be adding Octavia Blue, who brings with her a highly unique experience. Not only has she played at a high level collegiately, but also has international experience as well, playing in countries such as Israel, Greece, and Poland. She also was drafted in the first round of the WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, making history for the first time in her career as the first Miami Hurricane to get drafted. That would not be the last piece of history she made.
Throughout her coaching career, Blue has taken on many different roles, starting out at St. Thomas University, then moving to St. John's, before ultimately landing with her alma mater, and then getting a chance to be a head coach with the Kennesaw State Owls. While Blue ended her time with them with a losing record(61-89), she also became the fastest head coach in the program's history to reach 30 wins as well.
While Blue has had a crazy career, the Lady Lions hope that she will be a guiding force in the new era of Penn State women's basketball.
Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Manninger played for numerous clubs across Europe including Premier League side Arsenal (CHRISTOF STACHE)
Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who played for Austria at Euro 2008, died on Thursday after his car was hit by a train, his former club Red Bull Salzburg said.
The 48-year-old died when a train hit his car while crossing the tracks in the Salzburg region, the Austrian news agency APA reported.
"We mourn our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident," Red Bull Salzburg posted on its Facebook page.
"Our thoughts are with his family and his friends. Rest in peace, Alexander."
Both the Austrian Football Association and Arsenal also expressed condolences.
"With him, the world of football has lost a very special person," the Austrian Football Association said on X.
"Everyone at Arsenal is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic passing of former goalkeeper, Alex Manninger," Arsenal posted on X.
The cause of the accident, in which no one else was injured, is still under investigation, according to police.
Manninger made 64 appearances for Arsenal between 1997 and 2002, winning the Premier League and FA Cup.
He spent most of his time with the Gunners as understudy to David Seaman.
Manninger, however, played a key role when the England goalkeeper was injured in helping the north London club complete a Premier League and FA Cup double in the 1997/98 campaign -- Arsene Wenger's first full season as Arsenal manager.
"He did amazingly well," Seaman told Britain's Press Association news agency.
"He was just a young lad when he broke into the first team. For a 20-year-old to come in and play for Arsenal in the way that he did was really special.
"The fans loved him. And I must admit it was touch and go as to whether I would get back in the side. He was a massive player for Arsenal."
Manninger also won 33 caps for Austria and represented his country on home soil during the 2008 Euros.
He started his career with hometown club Red Bull Salzburg and in addition to Arsenal played for teams across Europe, including the Italian trio of Siena, Juventus, Udinese as well as German club Augsburg.
Aged 39, Manninger signed a short-term deal with Liverpool in 2016 but did not play a first-team game for the English giants.
The Green Bay Packers have done a mini roster rebuild this offseason, with several veteran starters exiting via trade or free agency. The roster has been left with holes, and possessing only eight picks in the 2026 NFL draft -- including six on Day 3 and no first-round pick -- provides a difficult intersection of needs and draft capital.
However, the roster holes look quite clear, and Brian Gutekunst's proven ability to find quality starters outside Round 1 provides an opportunity for the Packers to plug some short- and long-term needs with the 2026 draft class.
Instead of simply ranking roster needs, let’s categorize the individual needs into the four tiers: rookie contributors, long-term developmental players, positional depth and no clear need.
Need rookie contributors
These are positions where the Packers likely need a rookie to play right away.
Interior defensive line: Who plays nose tackle for Jonathan Gannon's front? It's possible the Packers see veteran Javon Hargrave as an option, and Jonathan Ford and Nazir Stackhouse return. But this is a glaring hole on the roster, and the right rookie could be called on to fill it early in 2026. Overall, the Packers have only four roster locks at defensive tackle entering the draft, and none are true two-gapping nose tackles, so there is a real opportunity for a draft pick to come in and earn a role in the new 3-4 front.
Need developmental players
These are positions where the Packers must find capable rookies to play early and develop into the future.
Cornerback: One could easily argue this position belongs a tier above, but the Packers will return Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Javon Bullard, an experienced trio who handled most of the starting snaps at cornerback a season ago. Is an upgrade required? Almost certainly, and both Nixon and Valentine are entering contract years. The Packers will take a corner at some point in this draft, and that rookie should be given every opportunity to play snaps early on. Finding a future starter from this class is absolutely vital.
Defensive end: Gone are Rashan Gary and Kingsley Enagbare, who played almost 1,200 combined snaps on the edge last season, and Micah Parsons is recovering from ACL surgery and likely to miss time to start the 2026 season. While the Packers have Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver returning, this position could use another investment via the draft. You can never have enough pass-rushers, and Van Ness, Sorrell and Oliver are each a variant of unknown at this point in their development.
Running back: Emanuel Wilson departed in free agency, and MarShawn Lloyd is a massive question mark after two injury-plagued seasons. Throw in the fact that Josh Jacobs has over 2,000 career touches in the NFL and an uncertain contact situation past the 2026 season, and running back becomes a position where the Packers could see fit to add competition and depth with a draft pick. A rookie would have a chance to be a legitimate backup option behind Jacobs in 2026 and a future starter as soon as 2027.
Offensive line: Both offensive tackle and the interior offensive line qualify here. The Packers have invested big (via dollars or draft capital) in their five expected starters, but competition and long-term depth planning is always a priority along the offensive line, and nothing is fully settled at guard or center past 2026. Finding a versatile, multi-position player in the draft could make for a valuable contingency plan.
Need positional depth/competition
These are positions where competition down the depth chart might be required.
Wide receiver: The Packers lost Romeo Doubs in free agency and traded away Dontayvion Wicks, but their departures were made possible by the long-term planning done a year prior. Matthew Golden and Savion Williams are now expected to slide into more prominent roles during Year 2 seasons. While Christian Watson and Jayden Reed are entering contract years, both are prime extension candidates. The addition of Skyy Moore provides a veteran option down the depth chart, and Bo Melton -- despite a position change to corner -- still only played receiver last season. Still, the Packers could use depth and the stability of a new, four-year rookie contract at receiver. Don't be surprised if the Packers take another swing in the middle rounds.
Tight end: Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave and Josh Whyle will all enter contract years in 2026. While Kraft is almost certain to get a new deal, the depth behind him is a long-term concern the Packers might address via the draft this year. Adding a blocking type with receiving potential is a possible path.
Linebacker: The Packers swapped Quay Walker for Zaire Franklin at linebacker. With Franklin, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty'Ron Hopper, Nick Niemann, Kristian Welch and Jamon Johnson on the roster, linebacker looks mostly set, especially in a 3-4 front. Franklin's contract and Hopper's slow development does provide an opportunity for long-term planning here, however.
Quarterback: With Malik Willis now in Miami, only Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord are on the roster behind Jordan Love. Is this the draft class to invest in a long-term backup plan? Or will the Packers look at veteran free agency following the draft, when comp picks are no longer in question? Green Bay is in a win-now window and would probably prefer the veteran option.
No clear need
These are positions that don't have an obvious short- or long-term need.
Safety: This isn't to say the Packers couldn't attempt to upgrade at safety, especially with Javon Bullard now playing in the slot, but this position remains rock solid. Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams are an excellent starting duo, Bullard has the flexibility to play deep and Kitan Oladapo is entering his third season as a slot/safety combo. The Packers did lose Zayne Anderson, so there might be room for a special teams type at safety.
Kicker/punter: Daniel Whelan emerged as one of the NFL's best punters in 2025, and the Packers backed Brandon McManus over and over again despite some injury issues and late-season struggles. There really is no "long term" discussion of the kicker position; you either have one for the upcoming season or don't. For better or worse, McManus appears to be the guy for 2026.
CLEARWATER, FL: Felix Reyes of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the Toronto Blue Jays at BayCare Ballpark on March 21, 2026. (Photo by Nathan Ray Seebeck/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
MLB Photos via Getty Images
Philadelphia Phillies’ prospect Felix Reyes turns heads with his outstanding ability to hit a baseball. Heads turn away, however, at the sight of him batting away balls with his glove.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound slugger was a disaster at third base, somewhat passable at first, and is beginning to get the hang of things in the outfield.
Now in his sixth minor-league season since signing for $75,000 at age 19 in 2020, Reyes has yet to make an error in 16 games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2026. That’s good news to the Phillies, who would not mind adding his bat to the big-league lineup.
READING, PA: Felix Reyes was bubbling with enthusiasm before the Reading Fightin Phils' game against the Somerset Patriots at FirstEnergy Stadium on July 3, 2025. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Minor League Baseball via Getty Images
That came after Reyes was named the Double-A Eastern League’s 2025 MVP. He won the batting title with a .335 average for the Reading (PA) Fightin’ Phils and had 34 doubles, 15 homers and 65 RBI in 95 games before being promoted to Triple-A last September.
Thomson also defended Reyes’ defense. “He’s a lot more athletic and he’s faster than people give him credit for, and he handles himself very well in left field,” he said. “His first base play has improved greatly. He’s really under control, and he never gets sped up, it seems to me. So he’s a pretty impressive kid.”
A Short Stop At Shortstop
The Phillies have always worked on Reyes’ defense. Shawn Williams, manager of the Phils’ team in the Florida Coast League, believes Reyes can do more than hit.
In 2024, he gave minor-league writer Larry Shenk his assessment of Reyes’ future:
“Played some shortstop in extended spring. Has good hands and arm, we figured it could only help him to get a few innings there and it did, made some very athletic plays. Always has a smile, great personality. Loves the game, so refreshing to watch someone like that play. He can hit, has power and bat to ball skills. Big body, can play both corners and the outfield.”
Bullish Philly Fever
Reyes’ game will instantly remind Phillies fans of another defensively-challenged outfielder who won an MVP award at Reading a generation ago.
Greg Luzinski of the Philadelphia Phillies in 1980. (Photo by Louis Requena/MLB via Getty Images)
MLB via Getty Images
In 1980, Greg (The Bull) Luzinski hit .325 with 33 homers and 120 RBI at Reading. Called up that September, The Bull bashed 223 homers in a Phillies uniform through 1980, when he helped the team win The World Series for the first time – in the franchise’s 98th season.
From 1975 to 1978, Luzinski averaged .295, 32 homers and 112 RBI. He also accumulated a poor 29 errors in left field over that span. That was better than the 11 he made there in 1972.
Luzinski went to the Chicago White Sox in 1981 and retired at age 33 in 1984 with 307 homers, 1,128 RBI and a .276 average.
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Dick Stuart in the early 1960s.
Bettmann Archive
In 1965, the Phillies had one of the biggest bats and worst fielders in history. Dick Stuart had hit 66 homers in a single minor-league season in 1956. He hit 35 for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1961, 42 and 33 for the Boston Red Sox in 1963 and 1964. For the Phillies, he swatted 28 and had 95 RBI.
Stuart earned the nickname “Dr. Strangeglove” with good reason. At first base, he led the league in errors in each of his first seven seasons beginning in 1958. He had a whopping 29 for Boston in '63.
Reyes’ Philadelphia Phillies’ Future
MLB.com does not have Reyes ranked among the organization’s top 30 prospects. The chief reason, in addition to his ordinary defense, is his history of swinging – and often missing – at any pitch at any time.
In 372 minor-league games, Reyes has only 76 walks to 254 strikeouts. That’s not good but far, far better than many players these days. For example, veteran outfielder Jose Siri has played 373 big-league games with 76 walks and 442 strikeouts.
CLEARWATER, FL: Felix Reyes of the Philadelphia Phillies runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Toronto Blue Jays in a Spring Breakout game at BayCare Ballpark on March 21, 2026. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Diamond Images/Getty Images
That’s a big reason why Siri and other players like him have bounced from team to team and up and down to the minors. Players like that often succeed against lower quality pitching and struggle against big-league stuff.
And while some are clamoring for Reyes to be called up now, the Phillies want him to keep working on improving his defense and pitch selection. He has not made an error in 107 innings this season. That’s progress.
The Phillies signed free agent outfielder Adolis Garcia to a $10 million contract in December to help the power-packed lineup that includes all-stars Trea Turner, Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Johan Rojas, who looked so good as a rookie in 2023, is currently out, suspended 80 games for using a performance-enhancing drug on the MLB banned list.
Thus far Garcia has hit only .231 with five RBI. The team will stick with him longer before deciding to make a move.
Felix Reyes is on the Philadelphia Phillies’ radar because he often hits baseballs out of range. With some more refinements, Reyes may make the big time later this year.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Fantastic Freiburg thump Celta Vigo to reach Europa League semi-final
SC Freiburg secured their place in the Europa League semi-final after beating Celta de Vigo 6-1 on aggregate. The Bundesliga representatives will now wait for the winners of Braga and Real Betis.
Despite the great atmosphere inside the stadium, the first half-hour was uneventful in both boxes. That suited Julian Schuster’s team rather well, with their three-goal advantage from the first leg last week still intact in the tie.
And they pretty much finished the job by scoring from their first two shots on target in the next ten minutes. Igor Matanović opened the scoring with a dream goal from outside the box, which needed a VAR check to be cleared from a potential offside in the buildup.
A long ball to Jordy Makengo initiated the first goal, and Philipp Lienhart winning the ball high up the pitch created the second. Yuito Suzuki doubled Freiburg’s advantage after a swift one-two with Jan-Niklas Beste. The slight deflection by the vastly experienced Marcos Alonso made it even more difficult for Ionuț Radu to save the Japanese midfielder’s effort.
In a dream night for Freiburg and Suzuki, the visitors extended their advantage early after the restart. Before the four half-time substitutes by Claudio Giráldez settled in the game, the in-form attacker made it 6-0 on aggregate.
Sergio Carreira denied Johan Manzambi on the goalline after a superb run down the right flank by the Swiss midfielder, but Vincenzo Grifo set up Suzuki’s simple finish from the follow-up.
Noah Atubolu made a few decent saves after that, but he was denied another clean sheet following an injury-time strike by Williot Swedberg. After scoring from each of their three big chances, Freiburg managed to see out the result to secure their place in the last four.
With Germany and Spain fighting for an extra Champions League spot, Freiburg winning both legs against a LaLiga side secured a big advantage for Bundesliga. Following a home Bundesliga game against bottom-placed Heidenheim, Freiburg will face neighbours Stuttgart in the Pokal semis.
Following an ACC title, bowl win and 9-5 season, Duke will have some former players hear their names be called during the 2026 NFL Draft, which takes place on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh, Pa.
In The Athletic’s latest mock draft for all seven rounds, three former Blue Devils, led by cornerback Chandler Rivers, are set to make the transition from college to the NFL after stellar careers with the Blue Devils.
Rivers, who recorded 59 total tackles (37 solo) with 3.5 tackles for a loss, eight passes broken up, two interceptions, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble during the 2025 season, is predicted to go with the 99th overall pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round. Rivers followed up his First Team All-ACC honors in 2024 with Second Team All-ACC in 2025.
Offensive line stalwart Brian Parker is predicted to be the next former Duke player to go, with him selected with the 132nd overall pick (4th round) by the New Orleans Saints.
Finally, Wesley Williams, fresh off a season in which he produced 44 total tackles, 16 quarterback hurries, nine tackles for a loss, two sacks, one pass broken up and one blocked kick, is set to go to the Carolina Panthers in the fifth round with the 158th pick.
Metro’s particular style of post-apocalyptic bleakness and misery is back with Metro 2039, and I’ve already reinstalled Metro Exodus to get in the mood.
Metro remains one of the best and most immersive shooter franchises of its era, and Metro 2039 looks to absolutely continue that tradition. 4A games offers us our first glimpse in partnership with Xbox.
Lord of Hatred is spoiling its own secrets. Why I think Blizzard’s marketing risks killing the hype for it's own expansion by revealing too much story content.
Sihoo, a global leader in ergonomic furniture dedicated to using advanced technology to provide high-quality seating solutions, is set to launch the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 in April, a major evolution of its ergonomic chair series designed for modern professionals, gamers, and home office users. Positioned as "The First Full-Body Dynamic Ergonomic Chair," the Doro C300 Pro V2 delivers real-time, full-body dynamic support rather than static, one-position ergonomics.
Traditional ergonomic chairs are built around fixed support points that work only when the user remains still. The Doro C300 Pro V2 instead uses a DynaCore System for full-body dynamic support and a SyncroFlex System for personalized fit and dynamic tracking, so the chair responds the moment the body moves. As the official brief describes it, the Sihoo Doro C300 Pro V2 "tracks your body's movements in real time, evolving support from fixed points to full-body coordination," redefining ergonomics from "chairs adapting to a standard body" to "chairs actively conforming to you."
PLAION REPLAI, a leading global publisher and developer of retro video games and consoles announced today the return of a legend, with the NEOGEO AES+ (Advanced Entertainment System) returning to homes ready for Holiday 2026. With pre-orders opening today, and the launch date set as 12th November 2026, the NEOGEO AES+ has been produced in collaboration with SNK, the producers of the original hardware.
Celebrating 35 years of arcade perfection, the iconic NEOGEO AES stood as a beacon of excellence, with the 24-bit luxury super console a world apart from rival 16-bit systems, designed for gaming connoisseurs who refused to accept compromised homeports of arcade classics. With each title representing a 1:1 direct replica of the original arcade board used on SNK's MVS (Multi-Video System), NEOGEO cartridges would differ significantly from traditional console games typically shipped on a 4 Mb or 8 Mb cartridge, with the largest NEOGEO game weighing in at an incredible 708 Mb, and games which exceeded 100 Mb in size giving birth to the infamous '100Mega Shock' moniker.
PROMISE Technology, a global leader in high-performance storage for media and entertainment, will showcase next-generation Thunderbolt 5 solutions and AI-optimized platforms at NAB Show 2026.
"The Pegasus line has evolved with each generation of Thunderbolt to become a flagship storage system for PROMISE and a well-established brand within the creator community." said Alice Chang, Chief Marketing Officer for PROMISE. "As M&E production technology evolves, we continue to keep pace, not only with Thunderbolt but also with the leaps in performance required for AI optimized storage systems."
Intel has officially unveiled its "Wildcat Lake" Core 300 series of processors for the entry-level PC segment. These CPUs are designed for value-oriented buyers looking for good CPU performance and basic GPU output in small form-factor commercial and edge AI PCs. Officially rated at 40 TOPS, these processors are capable of Copilot+ AI PC certification, meaning Intel has managed to provide basic local AI processing functionality to entry-level buyers. As part of the Core 300 series non-Ultra family, Intel's main selling point is all-day battery life in laptops with local AI processing. There are three segments, each featuring a hybrid core configuration, pairing two "Cougar Cove" P-cores with four LPE "Darkmont" cores.
The actual SoC package integrates two dies. The first and most important one, built on the 18A internal Intel node, features a 6-core CPU configuration, NPU 5 with 40 TOPS of INT8 data, Xe display and media engine, and a GPU that includes up to two Xe3 cores. This die also contains the memory controller and cache pool, supporting LPDDR5X memory running at 7,467 MT/s or up to 6,400 MT/s for DDR5. The memory-side cache includes 4 MB to help tasks "buffer" into this cache before and after accessing memory. Intel dedicates the second die to I/O handling, as the platform supports 6 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, two Thunderbolt 4 connections, two USB 3.2 connectors, and up to eight USB 2.0 connectors. For Wi-Fi, there is the Wi-Fi 7 standard, and Intel also includes Bluetooth 6.0.
The EXLink MB409A5 adapter card is designed to bridge PCIe Gen 5 x8 slots that support lane bifurcation with next-generation MCIO 8i (SFF-TA-1016) connectivity, delivering up to 256 Gbps of total bandwidth for high-speed NVMe signal transmission in advanced storage applications. By integrating a PCIe redriver and optimized signal conditioning, the MB409A5 allows system designers and integrators to deploy MCIO-based NVMe solutions with greater flexibility, even in platforms requiring longer trace lengths or cable connections.
Designed for Flexible PCIe Gen 5 Architecture
With a PCIe 5.0 x8 interface, the MB409A5 is designed to work with motherboards that support lane bifurcation (x4 / x4). When enabled, this allows the PCIe x8 interface to be split into two independent x4 NVMe links through MCIO connectivity, supporting up to two NVMe SSDs via compatible cabling.
Take flash-based memory cards, for example. Building on data from a PCWorld investigation, Tom's Hardware recently found that memory card and USB drive prices have increased by an average of 123% compared to last year. And that's just the median – in one extreme example, a 256GB Lexar Blue microSDXC...
Alexander Hagenah previously exposed issues affecting Windows Recall with his TotalRecall tool, prompting Microsoft to redesign the feature around stronger architectural principles. Now, the security researcher is once again highlighting Recall's weaknesses with TotalRecall Reloaded. The updated tool can reportedly bypass protections in Recall and access private user data stored...
If you were waiting to buy the flagship AMD Zen 5 X3D chip, you can pre-order it before it launches officially. AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition Listed On Amazon for $999; Newegg Lists it As Well, but No Pre-Order Option At $899 official MSRP, the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 was already too expensive, but at $999, the Dual Edition has become the most expensive mainstream CPU in the current generation. After revealing the Ryzen 9 9950X3D2 Dual Edition, AMD announced that it's going to see a retail launch on April 22, which is roughly six days away from now. The […]
All of Apple’s notebook competitors have been raising the prices of their products left, right, and center, leaving the Cupertino giant’s MacBook series the only viable option if exceptional value is what you’re searching for. Who would have thought that in the year 2026, Apple would become the only brand in the world whose portable Macs are the only sane alternative to purchase? What’s even better is that the M5 MacBook Air prices aren’t just stabilized, but some 13-inch and 15-inch configurations are available for $150 off on Amazon, meaning that from just $949, you can become the proud owner of […]
TSMC, in its Q1 2026 earnings call, talked a bit about Intel as a competitor in the foundry business while stating the benefits of its A14 process node. TSMC Posts Record Revenues But Acknowledges Its Competitors & Their Respective Technologies Good For The Industry For Q1 FY26, TSMC is reporting a revenue of $35.9 billion, up 6.4% Q-Q. During the earnings call, TSMC's Chairman and CEO, C.C. Wei, highlighted the company's current foundry ventures, updates on upcoming nodes, and also stated what he thinks about the competition & the situation regarding the current supply chain. Starting first with Intel, and […]
NVIDIA has pushed the latest drivers to get players ready for Pragmata, the latest third-person action game from Capcom which is set to release tomorrow, April 17, 2026. The new drivers help players with all tiers of NVIDIA gear, though anyone sporting the latest RTX 50 Series graphics cards will undoubtedly have the best experience as they can take full advantage of the game's support of DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation and DLSS Ray Reconstruction. With path-tracing and DLSS 4 both on, players with that high-end hardware can hit upwards of 200 FPS according to NVIDIA. It's also worth […]
Apple silicon has truly come of age, and if any skeptic still requires an incontrovertible proof, look no further than the performance cores within the new M5 Pro chips, which are now going toe-to-toe with similar cores within Intel's Panther Lake chips, but at a fraction of their overall power draw. The SPEC integer rate metric shows the Apple M5 Pro chip's performance cores go toe-to-toe with similar cores within Intel's Panther Lake chips, while being incredibly efficient For the benefit of those who might not be aware, Apple introduced a new fusion architecture with its M5 Pro and M5 […]
The next entry in 4A Games' Metro franchise, Metro 2039, was fully unveiled today by the development team during a dedicated streaming event. It will be released this Winter on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox app). First and foremost, it won't be an open world game, unlike Metro Exodus, which featured semi-open world environments. 4A Games is returning to a handcrafted experience that focuses mainly on Moscow's tunnels. Another significant change is that Artyom, the protagonist of the first three games, has been replaced by the so-called Stranger. This is perhaps not so surprising to those […]
We analyze the approaches of PsiQuantum and Xanadu, who are each developing their own approaches to quantum photonic communications, with a vision that extends beyond 2029.
ChatGPT citations favor pages that rank well, match the query in their headings, and stay tightly focused, according to an AirOps study of 16,851 queries. The top retrieval result was cited 58% of the time, and pages that answered the main query more narrowly outperformed broader, more comprehensive guides.
Why we care. This study clarifies how to earn ChatGPT citations: win retrieval, mirror the query in your headings, and answer one question extremely well. In this study, that mattered more than breadth.
The findings. Retrieval rank was the strongest signal. Pages in the top search position were cited 58.4% of the time, versus 14.2% for pages in position 10.
Heading relevance was the strongest on-page factor. Pages with the strongest heading-query match were cited 41.0% of the time, compared with roughly 30% for weaker matches.
Focused pages also beat comprehensive ones. Pages that answered the main query more narrowly outperformed broader, more comprehensive guides, undercutting the usual “ultimate guide” approach.
What drove ChatGPT citations. In this study, pages that won citations usually ranked well, used headings that closely matched the query, and stayed focused on answering it.
Structure helped, but only slightly: Pages with JSON-LD markup posted a 38.5% citation rate versus 32.0% for pages without it, and articles with 4 to 10 subheadings performed best.
Beyond a certain point, length hurt performance: Pages between 500 and 2,000 words performed best, but pages longer than 5,000 words were cited less often than pages under 500 words.
Freshness helps, up to a point. Pages published 30 to 89 days earlier performed best, while pages newer than 30 days performed worse. This suggests new content may need time to build retrieval signals.
Pages more than 2 years old were cited less often, which suggests that content refreshes could help if you’re already ranking for the right queries.
About the data. AirOps said it scraped ChatGPT’s interface, not the API, and analyzed 50,553 responses generated from 16,851 unique queries run three times each. The dataset included 353,799 pages and more than 1.5 million fan-out detail rows across 10 verticals and four query types.
Google announced Chrome updates that let searchers use AI Mode in a more engaging, deeper way. Chrome lets you do it all without switching tabs and potentially losing your place.
What’s new. Chrome added three new features:
Search side-by-side: In AI Mode on Chrome desktop, clicking a link opens the webpage next to AI Mode. That makes it easier to visit relevant sites, compare details, and ask follow-up questions without losing the context of your search. Here’s what it looks like:
Search across your tabs: On Chrome desktop or mobile, you can tap the new “plus” menu on the New Tab page, or the existing plus menu in AI Mode, to add recent tabs to your search. That lets AI Mode deliver more tailored responses and suggest more sites to explore.
Multi-input and easy tool access: You can also mix and match multiple tabs, images, or files like PDFs and bring that context into AI Mode. Tools like Canvas and image creation are also available wherever you see the new plus menu in Chrome.
Why we care. These new Chrome-specific features for U.S. English users unlock more AI Mode capabilities. Again, they’re limited to Chrome users for now, but they show the direction Google is taking AI Mode.
Oceania Cruises has shared new details of La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, its dining venue debuting aboard the Oceania Sonata next year. In a press release, Oceania described La Table as the most exclusive fine dining venue at sea, noting that it will offer an experience that embraces classic French techniques and innovative pairings to only 18 guests. “At Oceania Cruises, our dedication to cuisine is rooted...
American Joins United, Delta, Ryanair, Lufthansa in Revolutionising Boarding Pass with New Technological Upliftment for Seamless Passenger Services, New Update...
Samsung has launched Food Can cases for the Galaxy Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro earbuds in the U.S. These cases come in three themes – Sardines, Sweet Corn, and Tomato Soup.
A unique thing about these cases is their design. Their themes resonate realistically with added cuteness. For instance, the Sardines case has a Sardine connected with a lanyard, which could be used as a keychain, and can be hooked onto a bag or belt loop.
These cases fit perfectly on Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro without complicating the process. When you don’t need it, the case comes off effortlessly by pressing it out from the bottom.
The Food Can Cases for Galaxy Buds 4 and 4 Pro are available at $29.99 (each unit) via the official online shop. Customers can also opt for $7.50 in 4 installments.
There is finally a clean way to shut out Shorts on YouTube. After months of testing and controls, the platform has started rolling out a zero-minute limit for Shorts, effectively removing the feature from your feed on both Android and iOS.
The change builds on YouTube’s earlier time management tools, which originally capped Shorts usage at a minimum of 15 minutes. Now, setting the limit to zero does exactly what many users have been asking for: it stops Shorts entirely.
Back in January, YouTube expanded Shorts limits for supervised accounts, with a promise that stricter options were on the way. According to YouTube spokesperson Makenzie Spiller, that promise is now fulfilled, via TheVerge.
Once you hit the limit, or set it to zero from the start, the Shorts tab goes blank. You get a simple message saying you have reached your limit. More importantly, Shorts also disappear from the Home feed in many cases.
Infinite scroll formats like Shorts are designed to keep you hooked. One video becomes ten, then fifty, and suddenly half an hour is gone. Samsung users already have Digital Wellbeing tools baked in but those controls often sit one layer above the app.
Google officially launched Android 17 Beta 1 on February 13, 2026, and the tech world has shifted its focus to Samsung’s next major move: One UI 9. Even though the One UI 8.5 rollout is yet to start, Samsung’s internal test servers are already showing early builds for its next-gen software.
Here’s the breakdown of what to expect from the One UI 9 rollout.
When will One UI 9 launch?
We expect One UI 9 to make its official debut around July 2026, likely alongside the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8.
However, if you own a recent flagship like the S26 Ultra or S25 series, you won’t have to wait until July to see the software. A public beta phase is rumored to kick off as early as May 2026. This gives users a chance to test Android 17’s new features before the stable build hits the masses.
The Eligibility List: Is your Galaxy safe?
The big question is always: “Will my phone get it?” While there is no “official” list from Samsung yet, the seven-year update promise makes the math simple.
The upcoming Galaxy S26 series will be the first to test One UI 9 Beta this May. Joining it in the confirmed category are the Galaxy S25 and S24 series, both of which are in Samsung’s internal Android 17 testing.
The same logic applies to the foldable family. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are already being used for internal One UI 9 “Now Nudge” testing, and the upcoming Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 (along with the rumored “Wide Fold”) will likely launch with this software out of the box this July.
For the A-series, the lines are a little blurrier but still promising for newer models. The Galaxy A56 and A36 are expected to stay in the loop, likely receiving the stable updates toward the end of 2026. Premium tablets; the Galaxy Tab S10 and S11 lineups are now on the same high-priority support track as the S-series phones, making them safe bets for One UI 9.
One surprising entry might be the Galaxy S23 series. Technically, the oldest active flagship will receive One UI 9 as its fourth and final major OS upgrade. If you are still rocking an S23, you have likely got one more big year left.
Now for the tough news. As of early February 2026, Samsung has officially moved the Galaxy S22 series and the Galaxy Z Fold 4 to a quarterly security schedule. These devices, along with the S21 FE and A53, are expected to stop at One UI 8.5.
If your device is on that list, it won’t stop working, but you will be missing out on the new AI-driven “Ask AI” browser tools and system-level resizability features that Android 17 is bringing to the table. If you are looking for a reason to trade in for the S26 this month, this might be it.
Samsung hasn’t confirmed if those older models will get a test of Android 17, so keep an eye on the Samsung Members app for a formal roadmap later this spring.
Important disclaimer:
This is not an official Samsung confirmation for One UI 9 eligibility. No device list has been published by Samsung for this specific update as of February 2026. Eligibility depends on how many major OS versions remain in each device’s promised cycle, regional variations, carrier involvement, and final decisions from Samsung. Policies can change, and some features (especially advanced Galaxy AI ones) may be limited to newer hardware. Always wait for Samsung’s official announcement, check website, newsroom, or the Samsung Members app for the real confirmed list when it drops. Don’t base any purchase or upgrade solely on this info.
DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4 vs Pocket - a full specs and features deep dive into the next generation of handheld cinematography. Featuring a new 1-inch sensor with 14 stops of dynamic range, 4K/240fps slow motion, and 107 GB of built-in storage, the Pocket 4 marks a massive shift toward professional workflows. From the true 10-bit D-Log profile to ActiveTrack 7.0, we compare the official specs, battery endurance, and ISO performance to see if the Pocket 4 is the ultimate upgrade for creators.
The Redmi Buds 8 have been officially announced. They are positioned as affordable wireless earbuds with support for 50dB wideband noise cancellation. There's an 11nm dynamic driver setup, and Xiaomi also highlights their comfort-forward design.
Oppo has revealed the key specifications for its upcoming compact tablet, dubbed the Pad Mini. Powered by the admirable Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC with up to 12 GB of RAM, the 8.8-inch Pad Mini measures in at just 5.39-mm thick and weighs just under 280 grams or 9.88 ounces.
The upcoming Honor 600 and Honor 600 Pro have now been listed on a European retailer platform ahead of their launch on April 23. This has revealed their approximate prices in the Eurozone - €604.90 for the Honor 600 with 256GB of storage, €651.89 for the one with 512GB of storage, and €930.90 for the 600 Pro which only comes with 512GB of storage apparently.
According to these listings, the Honor 600 will have 8GB of RAM and the 600 Pro gets 12GB. Interestingly, if you buy the Honor 600 you are getting a free Honor Watch 2, but the Honor 600 Pro has no such promotional...
Amid a difficult season, Virgil van Dijk has reportedly decided not to renew his contract with Liverpool FC, entering the final year of his deal. As a result, the Reds appear to be leading the race to sign Marcos Senesi as his short-term replacement in the squad.
Liverpool are facing one of their most difficult seasons in recent years. Not only are they not in contention to win the Premier League, but they were also eliminated from the UEFA Champions League. In addition, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have announced their departures. Adding further complications, Virgil van Dijk has reportedly decided not to renew his contract, forcing the club to pursue the signing of Marcos Senesi.
According to James Pearce, via The Athletic, Virgil van Dijk has decided not to renew his contract with Liverpool. Although he is an undisputed starter for head coach Arne Slot, the Dutch defender has decided to leave the team at the end of the 2026-27 season, as he has one year remaining on his contract. With this, the Reds could face significant uncertainty, as Joe Gomez’s contract also expires that same season and Ibrahima Konate has not yet renewed his contract.
Amid uncertainty surrounding Ibrahima Konaté, the Reds have already secured the signing of Jérémy Jacquet, paying €63.6M to Stade Rennes, with the defender joining Giovanni Leoni as part of the club’s future core. However, the potential departure of van Dijk has forced Liverpool to prioritize the signing of Marcos Senesi, leading the race for his signature ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United, according to Pete Hall and Mark Douglas via The iPaper.
At 28 years old and with four years of Premier League experience, Marcos Senesi would represent an immediate solution for the Reds. By securing his arrival, Liverpool FC would add one of the top left-footed defenders in England, who could benefit from a season alongside Virgil van Dijk to fully adapt to the team. Additionally, the Argentine could play a key role in allowing Giovanni Leoni time to develop, as both share a similar left-footed profile.
Marcos Senesi of Bournemouth holds of the challenge from Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
Virgil van Dijk’s departure could mark the end of an era at Liverpool
Following the arrival of Arne Slot, Liverpool have undergone a major squad rebuild, with the departures of Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold among the first. Far from ending there, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have also announced their exits at the end of the season, losing several key leaders. On top of that, the potential departures of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker would mark the end of an era at the Reds.
With contracts running until 2027, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker are reportedly not expected to renew and could leave as free agents, meaning Liverpool FC would lose key figures from its leadership core. As a result, the Reds face the difficult challenge of replacing their on-field impact, with Giorgi Mamardashvili seen as the successor to the Brazilian, while Marcos Senesi could step in for the Dutchman.
Lionel Messi is at the center of a $7M breach of contract lawsuit against the Argentina FA following the star's absence from last year's friendly against Venezuela in the U.S.
Lionel Messi finds himself at the center of a new controversy surrounding the Argentina Football Association (AFA), this time involving a high-stakes legal dispute over the October international window. After the Inter Miami star failed to appear in a friendly against Venezuela, the AFA is now reportedly facing a $7 million lawsuit for breach of contract regarding matches scheduled on U.S. soil.
The dispute stems from an agreement with VID, a Miami-based events company, which allegedly paid $7 million in August for the exclusive rights to Argentina’s October friendlies. The world champions were originally slated to face Venezuela on October 10 and Puerto Rico on October 14.
However, the international break clashed with a pivotal stretch of the MLS season. With Inter Miami chasing the 2025 Supporters’ Shield, a match against Atlanta United was rescheduled for October 11. Despite being officially “ruled out due to injury” for the national team’s clash with Venezuela, Messi started for the Herons against Atlanta just one day later, netting a brace and adding an assist in a dominant performance.
While Messi eventually joined the national team to play the full 90 minutes in a 6-0 rout of Puerto Rico at Chase Stadium, the damage was already done. His absence from the Venezuela fixture, where he was spotted watching from a VIP suite with his family, reportedly led to disastrous financial consequences for VID, triggering the multi-million dollar legal action.
Lionel Messi of Argentina and his family attend the International Friendly against Venezuela.
AFA and the infringements of the original deal
According to local reports, the AFA and Messi are facing 10 different charges in the suit. A key stipulation in the contract, as reported by The Athletic, required Messi to play at least 30 minutes in both matches unless sidelined by a legitimate injury or illness, citing his massive commercial draw as the primary value of the deal.
The lack of star power for the Venezuela game resulted in a box-office catastrophe. Hard Rock Stadium saw a dismal turnout of approximately 15,000 fans, representing just 23% of the venue’s total capacity.
Furthermore, the relocation of the Puerto Rico match from Chicago to Miami reportedly dealt another financial blow to VID. The company claims it lost over $1.3 million in promotion and logistics costs for the original Chicago venue. Following the move to Chase Stadium, the promoters allege the AFA breached its contract by failing to refund a portion of the upfront payments as agreed upon.
In an attempt to salvage the partnership, reports suggest the AFA initially promised future U.S. matchups in June 2026 to compensate for the losses. However, those promises appear to have fallen through, and a third-party agent involved in the negotiations has also been accused of fraud.
The current counts against the AFA include negligent misrepresentation and multiple breaches of the $7 million contract. While the total damages sought by VID have not been fully disclosed, the company maintains that the fallout from the October window resulted in millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Although his start to the season was strong, Marcus Rashford’s drop in form at Barcelona has been significant, with the club reportedly deciding against signing him permanently. As a result, the Englishman is now open to a return to Manchester United, shifting his stance.
Despite his strong start at Barcelona, Marcus Rashford has experienced a noticeable dip in form during the second half of the season. With just 5 goals and 1 assist in 2026, the Englishman has become one of the most criticized players in the squad. After his underwhelming performance against Atlético Madrid, he may have effectively ended his chances of staying with the Blaugrana, opening the door to a potential return to Manchester United.
According to El Nacional Cat, Barcelona sporting director Deco has informed Marcus Rashford that the club will not trigger the €30M purchase option from Manchester United. Not only do they consider his valuation to be too high, but they also do not believe he fits the sporting project. After failing to make a decisive impact in the tie against Atlético Madrid, the Englishman has been fully ruled out by the Spanish side.
In the absence of Raphinha due to injury, Marcus Rashford took the his place in the starting lineup for the Champions League quarterfinals. Given a major opportunity to shine, the Englishman delivered a heavily criticized performance, missing key chances in the first leg and being relegated to the bench in the second leg. As a result, Barcelona now appear to have decided against signing him, focusing instead toward a young, high-potential left winger.
With the reported decision by the Blaugranas, Marcus Rashford has decided to change his stance, expressing openness to a return to Manchester United—a move to which coach Michael Carrick is reportedly quite receptive, reports Simon Stone, via BBC. However, the Reds are unwilling to discuss his return to the roster until they have secured their Champions League spot. The English forward could be a key asset in competing against world-class teams.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona smiling prior a game.
Marcus Rashford reportedly attracts interest from Juventus
Marcus Rashford remains under contract with Manchester United until 2028, meaning he would be expected to return to the club at the end of the season. However, theRed Devils could face difficulties covering his high wages and may look to sell him if they fail to secure a spot in the 2026–27 UEFA Champions League. As a result, Juventus FC are reportedly emerging as a clear solution for the Englishman.
According to SportsBoom, the Vecchia Signora are open to signing Rashford if either Manchester United or Barcelona decide not to keep him in their squad. Despite being 29, the English forward could provide a decisive boost to Juventus’ attack, having proven his ability to deliver both goals and creativity. That said, his salary remains a significant hurdle and would likely need to be reduced.
Marcus Rashford of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports match.
is one of the most skilled fighters in the sport today, but in the eyes of world-class trainer, Robert Garcia, there is one fellow American he believes could be the man to hand the Newark southpaw his first career defeat. Stevenson dominated Teofimo Lopez to become a four-division world champion back in January and ever […]
Beşiktaş'ta Gedson Fernandes transferinde sıcak saatler yaşanıyor! İlk kez gazetemizin duyurduğu Spartak Moskova flörtünde pazarlıklar artık son aşamaya geldi. İlk etapta düşük görülen dönüş ihtimali ibreyi tamamen siyah-neyazlılar lehine çevirdi. Teknik direktör Sergen Yalçın'ın; savunmada Ndidi'nin sertliği, merkezde Gedson'un dinamizmi ve hücumda Orkun Kökçü'nün zekasıyla kurguladığı "rüya orta saha" projesi için geri sayım başladı.
İlk kez gazetemizin duyurduğu Beşiktaş'ın Gedson Fernandes için Spartak Moskova ile yürüttüğü pazarlıklar haberinde kritik eşik aşıldı. Görüşmelerde yaşanan somut ilerleme, transferin gerçekleşme ihtimalini bir hayli kuvvetlendirdi.
BEŞİKTAŞ İHTİMALİ ARTIYA GEÇTİ
Transfer süreci başladığında masadaki ihtimali % 30/70 şeklinde yorumlanıyordu... gelinen noktada dengeler değişti. Kulüpler arasındaki yoğun temaslar ve oyuncunun kariyer planlamasıyla birlikte bu oran, Beşiktaş lehine %55/45 seviyesine yükseldi.
NDIDI-GEDSON-ORKUN ORTA SAHASI
Beşiktaş yönetimi, Gedson’un yanına eklenecek yeni parçalarla ligin en dominant orta sahasını kurmayı hedefliyor. Sergen Yalçın’ın gelecek sezon kurgusunda merkez orta saha için kafasındaki ideal şablon Wilfred Ndidi, Gedson Fernandes ve Orkun Kökçü’den oluşuyor. Rakiplerine hem fiziksel hem de teknik üstünlük kurmayı hedefliyor.
PEKİ BU ÜÇLÜ NELER VAADEDİYOR
Peki, camiayı heyecanlandıran bu üçlü orta saha kurgusu neler vaat ediyor?
- Orta sahanın en gerisinde konumlanacak Ndidi, savunma hattının önünde süpürücü görevi görecek. Top çalma ve pas arası özelliklerini konuşturacak. Gedson ve Orkun’a ofansif özgürlük tanıyacak.
- Beşiktaş’ın motoru Gedson olacak. Topu savunmadan alıp üçüncü bölgeye taşıyacak. Ndidi’nin kazandığı topları dikine driplinglerle rakip yarı sahaya taşıyıp oyunun hızını belirleyecek.
- Sistemin "beyni" Orkun Kökçü olacak. Pas vizyonu, set oyunundaki yaratıcılığı ve ceza sahası dışından etkili şutları, Beşiktaş’ın kapalı savunmaları açmasındaki en büyük kozu olacak. Duran toplardaki ustalığı ise skoru her an değiştirebilecek bir tehdit oluşturuyor.
Trendyol Süper Lig ekiplerinden Kocaelispor, kaleci Serhat Öztaşdelen'in sözleşmesini 2028 yılına kadar uzattı.
Kulübün açıklamasında, futbolcunun sözleşmesindeki opsiyonun kullanılarak sözleşmesinin 2027-28 sezonunu kapsayacak şekilde 30 Haziran 2028'e kadar uzatıldığı ifade edildi.
Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği'nin Portekizli milli kalecisi Ricardo Velho, Dünya Kupası hayalini açıkladı.
Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği'nin Portekizli milli kalecisi Ricardo Velho, ülkesinin Dünya Kupası kadrosunda yer almayı çok istediğini söyledi.
Velho, Beştepe İlhan Cavcav Tesisleri'ndeki antrenman öncesi basın mensuplarına açıklamalarda bulundu.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında Galatasaray ile önemli bir maça çıkacaklarını belirten Velho, "Evimizde oynuyoruz, 3 puan almak için bu maça çıkacağız. Bütün hafta boyunca çok iyi çalıştığımızı düşünüyorum. Tüm arkadaşlarımızın motivasyonu yerinde. Herkes bu maçta kendini göstermeye çalışacak. Kümede kalma hedefimiz var. O açıdan da çok önemli bir maça çıkıyoruz." değerlendirmesinde bulundu.
Her müsabakada takımına katkı sağlamaya çalıştığını vurgulayan Velho, "Zirve yarışındaki takımlara karşı oynadığınız zaman ekstra motivasyon her oyuncuda oluyor. Ama ben her hafta aynı hazırlandığımı düşünüyorum. Çünkü benim sporcu, kaleci olarak bu kulübe bir borcum var ve bunu ödemem lazım. Her hafta bunun için çalışıyorum. Bu da o haftalardan biri ama başta da dediğim gibi motivasyonlar farklı olabiliyor."
Gençlerbirliği'ndeki performansıyla adından söz ettiren ve Portekiz Milli Takımı'nın Meksika ve ABD ile oynadığı hazırlık maçlarının kadrosunda yer alan Velho, 2026 FIFA Dünya Kupası hedefine ilişkin soruya şu yanıtı verdi:
"Tabii bunun hayalini kuruyorum. Zorlu bir hedef. Bu zorlu hedef için şu ana kadar çok çalıştım. Seçildiğimde de iyi bir iş çıkardığımı düşünüyorum, orada güzel zamanlar geçirdim. Devamının gelmesini istiyorum. Devamının gelmesi için buradaki işlerin de yolunda gitmesi, sezonu iyi bitirmemiz lazım. Bu hayalimi gerçekleştirmek için her şeyi yapıyorum. Umarım gerçekleşir."
"Uğurcan dünya çapında kaleci"
Galatasaray'daki mevkidaşı Uğurcan Çakır'ın "dünya çapında" kaleci olduğunu dile getiren Velho, "Hem Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde hem de ligimizde gösterdiği performans gerçekten etkileyici. Kendisini çok beğeniyorum. Şu ana kadar Türkiye liginde izlediğim kalecilerin neredeyse hepsini beğendim."ifadelerini kullandı.
Sarı-kırmızılı golcü Victor Osimhen'in Gençlerbirliği'ne karşı oynamama ihtimalini avantaj görmediğini aktaran Portekizli kaleci, "İlk maçta da oynamadı ama Galatasaray'ın birçok kaliteli ismi var. Hangi isim oyuna girerse oynamayan futbolcunun yerini doldurabiliyor, belki daha iyisini bile yapabiliyor. Dolayısıyla bunun avantaj olduğunu düşünmüyorum." diyerek sözlerini tamamladı.
Gazetemizin aylar önce duyurduğu Semih Kılıçsoy hamlesi için resmi temaslar başladı! Galatasaray yönetimi, Mauro Icardi'nin yerini dolduracak ismi Beşiktaş'ın alt yapısından yetişen yıldızda buldu. Beşiktaş'tan Cagliari'ye kiralanan genç yetenek Semih Kılıçsoy için hazırlanan akılalmaz plan, hem hukuk duvarlarını aşmayı hem de ezeli rakibi saf dışı bırakmayı hedefliyor.
Galatasaray, gazetemizin aylar önce duyurduğu transfer piyasasını sarsacak dev hamle için düğmeye bu kez resmi olarak bastı. Sarı-kırmızılı yönetim, Beşiktaş’tan Cagliari’ye kiralanan Semih Kılıçsoy için İtalyan ekibiyle temasa geçerek ezber bozan bir teklif sundu.
TRANSFER HİLESİ OLMAYACAK
Sarı-kırmızılı kurmaylar, İtalyan ekibine gönderdiği mesajda transferin yol haritasını şöyle çizdi:
- Semih’in opsiyonunu kullanın ve 12 milyon Euro’yu ödeyin; biz de hemen ardından sizden 13 milyon Euro karşılığında bonservisini alalım.
İtalyan ekibinin bu transferi gerçekleştirme hakkı hukuken var. Galatasaray’ın bu operasyonu Cagliari üzerinden yürütmesi "transfer hüllesi" tartışmalarını da beraberinde getirebilir.
BEŞİKTAŞ'IN HERHANGİ BİR HAKKI YOK
Beşiktaş cephesinde ise durum oldukça kritik. Genç oyuncunun sözleşmesinde "Türkiye’ye dönerse öncelik hakkı Beşiktaş’ındır" şeklinde bir maddenin bulunmadığı öğrenildi. Bu boşluk, Galatasaray’ın operasyonu tamamlaması halinde Beşiktaş’ın hukuki olarak sürece müdahale etmesini imkansız kılıyor.
Gelen bilgilere göre Galatasaray Teknik Direktörü Okan Buruk bu transferin gerçekleşmesini en çok isteyen isimlerin başında geliyor. Doğrudan Osimhen’in birinci alternatifi olarak düşünüyor.
Hatta tecrübeli teknik adamın, Semih’in takıma katılması durumunda taktiksel anlamda ayrılığı beklenen Icardi’den çok daha fazla fayda sağlayacağına inandığı gelen bilgiler arasında.
GAZETEMİZ 20 MİLYON EURO DEMİŞTİ
Bu gelişme aslında yeni bir sürecin devamı niteliğinde... Gazetemiz, Şubat ayında yaptığı haberde "Semih Kılıçsoy tamam! 20 milyon Euro'ya Galatasaray'a" başlığıyla bu transferin fitilini ateşlemişti. Ancak süreç mali açıdan Galatasaray'ın avantajına işliyor.
Fenerbahçe formasıyla Rams Park'a rakip olarak dönmeye hazırlanan Kerem Aktürkoğlu, 'sessiz fırtına' hazırlığında. Rizespor maçında göreceği tek bir sarı kartla derbi hayallerinin suya düşebileceğinin farkında olan milli yıldız, saha içindeki öfkesini dizginlemek için özel bir strateji belirledi. Rize maçında hakemle polemiğe girmeme, sertliğe karşılık vermeme ve riskli hamlelerden kaçınma sözü veren Kerem, yakın çevresine tek bir mesaj veriyor: Galatasaray'ı bana bırakın.
Dört sezon boyunca çimlerini ezdiği Galatasaray'ın stadı Rams Park'a bu kez Fenerbahçe formasıyla dönmeye hazırlanan Kerem Aktürkoğlu, "sıfır hata" parolasıyla hareket ediyor. Sarı-lacivertli oyuncu eski yuvasına dönüş anlamına gelen büyük randevuyu kaçırmamak için adeta kendi iç dünyasında bir seferberlik başlattığı konuşuluyor.
ÖFKE KONTROLÜ ÇALIŞMASI YAPIYOR
Rizespor karşılaşması öncesi sarı kart sınırında bulunan Kerem, kart görmesi durumunda derbide cezalı duruma düşecek. Rams Park'ta sahaya çıkmayı kariyerinin en kritik dönemeçlerinden biri olarak gören milli futbolcu, Rizespor karşısında kendisini dizginlemek için yoğun bir öfke kontrolü çalışması yürütüyor. Kerem derbi hayallerinin suya düşmemesi adına uygulayacağı stratejiyi de belirledi.
3 ANA MADDE ÜZERİNDE DURUYOR
- Kararlar ne yönde olursa olsun hakemle herhangi bir polemiğe girmeyecek.
- Kendisine yönelik sert müdahaleler karşısında sakinliğini koruyacak ve asla fiziksel bir karşılık vermeyecek.
- Oyun içinde riskli ve sert hamlelerden kaçınarak kart görme ihtimalini minimize edecek.
DERBİYİ BEN KAZANDIRACAĞIM
Yakın çevresine ve takıma olan motivasyonunu her fırsatta dile getiren Kerem Aktürkoğlu'nun, dev derbiye olan inancı ise tam. Sürekli olarak "Galatasaray maçını ben kazandıracağım" diyerek kendisini bu hedefe odaklayan yıldız oyuncu, Rams Park’ta galibiyetin mimarı olmak için önce Rizespor engelini kart görmeden aşmayı, ardından da derbide sahanın en etkili ismi olmayı hedefliyor.
Ezeli rakiplerin Divan kurulları öncesi rüzgar yön değiştirdi. 18 Nisan Cumartesi günü aynı anda toplanacak olan Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe'nin yüksek istişare organlarında yaşanacaklar şimdiden çok merak ediliyor. Nisan başında seçim ilanı ve başkan adaylarının sert düellosuyla sarsılması beklenen Fenerbahçe Yüksek Divan Kurulu'nda sular durgun. Galatasaray'da ise fırtına gündemde.
Galatasaray ve Fenerbahçe için nisan ayı, konuşulan senaryoların aksine oldukça hareketli ve şaşırtıcı bir gündemle cayır cayır yanıyor. Her iki kulübün de yüksek istişare organlarında rüzgarın yön değiştirmesi bekleniyor. Cumartesi günü için kriz işaret ediyor. Nisan başında Fenerbahçe cephesinde beklenen "fırtına" yerini sükunete bırakırken; Galatasaray’da sakin olan beklenti yerini sert bir rüzgara bırakmaya hazırlanıyor.
GALATASARAY'DA RÜZGAR DÖNDÜ
Hem Galatasaray'da hem de Fenerbahçe'de Divan Kurulu toplantıları Cumartesi (18 Nisan) gerçekleştirilecek. Toplantı öncesinde Galatasaray camiasındaki genel beklenti, Başkan Dursun Özbek’in mevcut projeler ve gelecek planları üzerine rutin bir sunum yapacağı yönündeydi. Ancak son gelişmelerle birlikte rüzgar tersine döndü.
Toplantıda Özbek’in projelerinden ziyade; yönetimsel kararlar ve kulübün son durumunun yoğun eleştirilere maruz kalması bekleniyor. Hatta takımın bu eleştirilerden etkilenme ihtimaline karşılık Divan Kurulu toplantısının gününün değişmesi durumu dahi masada bulunuyor.
FENERBAHÇE'DE İŞLER DEĞİŞTİ
Şaşırtıcı tablo Fenerbahçe Yüksek Divan Kurulu (YDK) toplantısı için de geçerli. Nisan başında sarı-lacivertli camiada tansiyonun oldukça yüksek olması öngörülüyordu. 18 Nisan'daki YDK'da seçim tarihinin netleşmesi, Aziz Yıldırım ve Ali Koç cephelerinin Sadettin Saran’a yönelik sert eleştirilerde bulunması, toplantının oldukça gergin bir atmosferde geçmesi bekleniyordu.
Fakat Fenerbahçe cephesinde de "tersine dönen" bir süreç yaşandı. Beklenen o sert tartışma ortamı yerini daha farklı bir gündem akışına bıraktı. Bir anda şampiyonluk yarışının içine yeniden dahil olan takımın moralini bozmamak adına bütün planlar rafa kaldırıldı.
Galatasaray'da Barış Alper Yılmaz transferinin neden gerçekleşmediğine dair dosya yeniden açıldı! Milli yıldız NEOM ile 35 milyon Euro'ya el sıkışan yönetimin planı, Keçiörengücü'ne mi takıldı? Kasaya girecek net rakamı artırmak için devreye sokulan formülü neden ters tepti? West Ham için hazırlanan '2+2 yıllık kiralama' planının tüm ayrıntıları ilk kez gün yüzüne çıkıyor. İşte çarpıcı iddialar...
Galatasaray’ın yıldızı Barış Alper Yılmaz’ın transfer süreçlerinde yaşananların dair perde arkası bilgileri aralanıyor. Sarı-kırmızılı yönetimin kasasını dolduracak hamlelerde karşılaştığı ilginç engeller gün yüzüne çıkıyor. Buna göre sezon başında NEOM ile el sıkışan yönetim "protokol maddesi" nedeniyle işi bitiremedi.
KASAYA SADECE 28 MİLYON EURO GİRECEKTİ
Bu iddialara göre sezon başında Suudi Arabistan temsilcisi NEOM, milli futbolcu için 35 milyon Euro’yu gözden çıkardı. Galatasaray yönetimi bu rakama onay vermeye hazırdı... ancak önlerinde ciddi bir mali engel bulunuyordu.
Barış Alper’in eski kulübü Keçiörengücü ile yapılan anlaşma gereği, satış bedelinin %20’si (7 milyon Euro) Başkent ekibine ödenecekti. Bu durumda Galatasaray’ın kasasına net 28 milyon Euro girecekti.
ARAPLAR, KEÇİÖREN'LE GÖRÜŞMEDİ
Transferin tıkanma noktası ödeme planında yaşandı. Galatasaray tarafı, Araplara; "Bizim payımız olan 28 milyon Euro’yu bize verin, kalan 7 milyon Euro için Ankara ekibiyle siz anlaşın" teklifini sundu.
NEOM yetkilileri, Keçiörengücü ile doğrudan masaya oturmayı kabul etmedi. 35 milyon Euro’luk operasyon rafa kalktı. Eğer Suudlar görüşmeyi kabul etseydi, Barış Alper bugün Arabistan yolunu tutmuştu.
TOPLAMDA 30 MİLYON EURO
Bir diğer detay ise West Ham ile yapılan görüşmelerde saklı. Galatasaray’ın bir önceki sezonda Barış Alper için Premier Lig ekibine ilginç bir teklif sunduğu da ortaya çıktı. İddialara göre Keçiörengücü’ne ödenecek satış payını devre dışı bırakmak adına şu planı masaya koydu: İlk 2 yıl kiralama için 15 milyon Euro. Sonraki +2 yıl kiralama: 15 milyon Euro daha.
WEST HAM'A BEDELSİZ GİDECEKTİ
Bu formülle toplamda 30 milyon Euro kazanılacak, ancak resmiyette bir "satış" gerçekleşmediği için Ankara ekibine ödeme yapılmayacaktı. Dört yıllık kiralama süresinin sonunda ise Barış Alper, West Ham yolunu bedelsiz olarak tutacaktı. Ancak bu stratejik plan da somut bir transfere dönüşmedi.
Uluslararası Atletizm Federasyonu (World Athletics), Türkiye adına yarışmak isteyen Jamaikalı atletlerin, Türk vatandaşı statüsünde uluslararası yarışmalara katılamayacaklarını açıkladı.
İçlerinde Roja Stona, Rajindra Campbell ve Jaydon Hibbert gibi Olimpiyat şampiyonu ya da Olimpiyat kürsüsü görmüş üst düzey 11 Jamaikalı atleti Türk vatandaşlığına geçirip, uluslararası organizasyonlarda Türkiye adına yarışmalarını sağlama girişimi sonuçsuz kaldı.
Bugün toplanan Uluslararası Atletizm Federasyonu’nun vatandaşlık talep dosyalarını inceleyen kurulu, Türkiye adına yarışmak isteyen 11 Jamaikalı atletin milliyet değiştirme başvurularını değerlendirip karara bağladı. Kurul, Jamaikalı atletlerin başvurularını konuyla ilgili düzenlemelerle örtüşmediği için reddedip, Türk statüsünde yarışmalara katılamayacaklarını açıkladı.
Kararın gerekçesinde, sürecin koordine edilmiş bir transfer stratejisinin parçası olduğu ifade edildi. Açıklamada, bu stratejinin Türk hükümeti tarafından tamamen devlete ait ve devlet tarafından finanse edilen bir kulüp aracılığıyla yürütüldüğü, yabancı sporcuları cazip sözleşmelerle ülkeye kazandırılmasının hedeflendiği vurgulandı.
Fenerbahçe, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında yarın sahasında Çaykur Rizespor ile karşılaşacak.
Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında yarın sahasında Çaykur Rizespor ile karşılaşacak Fenerbahçe, hazırlıklarını tamamladı.
Kulübün açıklamasına göre, Can Bartu Tesisleri'ndeki idman, salondaki core çalışmasıyla başladı. Sahada çabukluk, koordinasyon ve pas uygulamalarıyla devam eden antrenman, taktiksel ve bireysel çalışmalarla tamamlandı.
Sarı-lacivertliler, kampa girerek maç saatini beklemeye başladı.
Galatasaray ve Trabzonspor'da forma giyen eski futbolcu ve teknik direktör Rigobert Song, TFF'ye ziyarette bulundu.
Galatasaray ve Trabzonspor'da forma giyen eski futbolcu ve teknik direktör Rigobert Song, Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) Başkanı İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu ve TFF Başkan Vekili Mecnun Otyakmaz ile bir araya geldi.
TFF'nin açıklamasına göre Riva Hasan Doğan Milli Takımlar Kamp ve Eğitim Tesisleri'nde gerçekleşen ziyaretin ardından Song, Başkan Hacıosmanoğlu ve Başkan Vekili Otyakmaz'a Kamerun Milli Takımı forması verdi.
TFF Yönetim Kurulu üyeleri Tahir Ediz Kıray ve Bilal Arslan'ın da yer aldığı ziyarette TFF Başkan Vekili Mecnun Otyakmaz, Rigobert Song'a isminin yazılı olduğu A Milli Takım forması hediye etti.
Bu gün Azərbaycan Basketbol Liqasında (ABL) 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 1/4 final mərhələsinin ikinci oyunlarına start verilib.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, ilk oyun günündə iki qarşılaşma baş tutub.
“Ordu” “Gəncə”nin qonağı olub. Gəncə İdman Sarayında baş tutmuş görüş meydan sahiblərinin qələbəsi ilə bitib – 85:78.
Xatırladaq ki, ilk görüşdə “hərbçilər” üstün olmuşdular – 108:106.
Günün ikinci matçında NTD və “Neftçi” komandaları münasibətlərə aydınlıq gətiriblər. Bakı İdman Sarayında keçirilmiş bu görüşdə də “Neftçi” 119:99 hesablı qələbəyə sevinib.
Bu komandaların ilk görüşündə də NTD qalib gəlmişdi – 97:94.
Beləliklə, hər iki cütdə yarımfinala yüksələcək komanda üçüncü görüşdə müəyyənləşəcək.
Xatırladaq ki, ABL-də 1/4 final mərhələsinin digər qarşılaşmaları aprelin 17-də baş tutacaq. Cütlərdə iki qələbəyə daha tez çatan tərəf yarımfinala yüksələcək.
“Bayern”in (Almaniya) fransalı cinah hücumçusu Maykl Olise UEFA Çempionlar Liqasında (ÇL) bu həftənin ən yaxşı futbolçusu seçilib.
Arena.az bu barədə UEFA-nın rəsmi saytına istinadən xəbər verir.
Olise ÇL-in 1/4 final mərhələsinin cavab oyununda “Real”a qarşı keçirilmiş matçın (4:3) sonlarında həlledici qola imza ataraq komandasının qələbəsində və yarımfinala yüksəlməsində böyük pay sahibi olub. Futbolçu səsvermədə Usman Dembele (PSJ), Martin Subimendi (“Arsenal”) və Dani Olmonu (“Barselona”) qabaqlayıb.
“Bayen” UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının yarımfinalında Fransanın PSJ klubu ilə üz-üzə gələcək. Digər yarımfinal cütündə isə London “Arsenal”ı Madrid “Atletiko”su ilə finala vəsiqə uğrunda mübarizə aparacaq.
Xatırladaq ki, “Bayern” Maykl Oliseni 2024-cü ilin iyul ayında İngiltərənin “Kristal Pelas” klubundan 53 milyon avro müqabilində heyətinə qatıb. 23 yaşlı futbolçunun Münhen klubu ilə 2029-cu ilin 30 iyununadək müqaviləsi var.
Olise “Bayern”in heyətində 98 oyuna çıxıb, 38 qol və 52 məhsuldar ötürmə müəllifi olub.
Olise daha öncə “Kristal Pelas” və “Ridinq” klublarının uğurları üçün çalışıb.
Fransanın U-18, U-21 və U-23 yığmalarında da oynamış futbolçu 2024-cü ilin sentyabr ayında əsas millidə debüt edib. O, Fransa millisinin heyətində 15 oyun keçirib, 4 qol vurub, 3 məhsuldar ötürmə verib.
“Transfermarkt” internet-portalı 24 yaşlı hücumçunun transfer dəyərini 140 milyon avro məbləğində qiymətləndirir.
Rigobert Song, Türkiye'de eski kulüpleri Galatasaray ve Trabzonspor'da forma giyen eski futbolcu ve teknik direktör olarak Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu Başkanı İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu ve Başkan Vekili Mecnun Otyakmaz ile bir araya geldi.
TVF'nin açıklamasına göre Efeler Ligi play-off final ve 3-4 etabı maç programı belli oldu. 5 maç üzerinden oynanacak final serisinde 3 galibiyet alan takım, 2025-26 sezonu şampiyonu olacak.
Crypto analyst Dan Gambardello is watching four altcoins right now. The setups forming across Ethereum, Cardano, SUI and DOG on Bitcoin are sitting at oversold levels he has not seen since previous cycle bottoms.
“I’m not saying that the bottom is in. I don’t play that game anymore. I’ve done it and I’ve been wrong,” he said. “However, every cycle so far, these same indicators have basically been the bottom.”
Ethereum: The November 2024 Fractal
Ethereum is forming a structure on the daily chart that closely mirrors the November 2024 setup before that year’s breakout. Higher highs and higher lows are building at the confluence of the 20 and 50-day moving averages.
Gambardello is watching $2,800 as the first resistance level, which corresponds to the 200-day moving average. If Ethereum can hold the current support zone and break the range, he sees it as the asset most likely to lead the altcoin move.
Rejection back to the moving average confluence remains possible, but the fractal structure is intact for now.
Cardano: MACD Squeeze Building
Cardano’s daily MACD is showing a squeeze that looks nearly identical to the October and November 2024 structure that preceded ADA’s breakout. Gambardello is waiting for one specific signal: the histogram closing green above the zero line with genuine momentum behind it.
He said fakeouts are possible, pointing to a false signal in September 2024 before the real move arrived. But the setup is there and he is watching closely.
SUI: 85% Down and Monthly Stoch RSI Fully Oversold
SUI has declined 85% from its swing high. The monthly Stochastic RSI has been in oversold territory for over a year, an unusually extended reading for a quicker-moving momentum oscillator.
Gambardello said this kind of prolonged oversold condition does not happen often. If a reversal comes, he is watching $1.50 as the short to medium-term target.
DOG on Bitcoin: 91% Drawdown, Number One Meme Coin
DOG has fallen 91% from its all-time high, placing it in a similar drawdown category to ADA and SUI. Gambardello described it as the number one meme coin on Bitcoin and added it was the most engaged meme coin on X last week.
Bitcoin is currently trading at: $ 74,362.85641645
Bitcoin holds strong near $70K in 2026, signaling accumulation. A breakout above $75K could drive BTC toward $120K–$150K this cycle.
BTC remains range-bound between $67K–$75K, with strong demand below. Analysts predict a bullish expansion toward $150K+ before 2026 ends.
Bitcoin’s consolidation phase in 2026 reflects accumulation, not weakness, with long-term forecasts targeting $250K+ and up to $900K by 2030.
Three months into 2026, Bitcoin price continues to hover around the $70K–$80K zone, and the market is starting to realize that this isn’t weakness, it’s a phase of positioning. Despite multiple attempts, BTC has struggled to sustain moves above the $72K–$76K resistance, while every dip toward the $67K–$69K range is being absorbed quickly. This behaviour reflects a market where selling pressure is no longer dominant, but buyers are also not chasing price aggressively. At the same time, capital rotation across the crypto market remains selective.
Large-cap assets like Bitcoin continue to hold relatively stable, while broader participation remains uneven, a pattern often seen when the market is rebalancing rather than trending. What’s also notable is the steady demand during dips. Recent price action shows consistent buying interest near support, suggesting that stronger hands are gradually building positions, while the lack of breakout continuation indicates that liquidity above remains heavy.
This push-and-pull dynamic has resulted in a tight compression structure, where volatility continues to contract and price action becomes increasingly controlled. Such phases don’t reflect weakness, they reflect preparation. With Bitcoin spending extended time within this range, the structure suggests that the market is building pressure near a key inflection zone, where the next move could define the broader trend for the months ahead.
With that in focus, let’s move into Bitcoin’s price prediction for 2026 and understand what lies ahead.
Bitcoin is holding firm near the $74K–$75K region, but the current structure is not just about stability, it is about whether this consolidation resolves into a continuation move. After reclaiming the $72K–$73K zone earlier this month, price has managed to sustain above it, indicating that demand is stepping in on dips rather than reacting late. This shift in behavior is important, as it reflects accumulation rather than distribution at current levels.
At the same time, the broader backdrop is not entirely supportive. Global macro conditions remain mixed, with lingering uncertainty around interest rate direction, liquidity conditions, and risk appetite across markets. These factors are not directly reversing Bitcoin’s trend, but they are slowing the pace of expansion, keeping price action more controlled rather than impulsive.
Within this environment, the market is not fully trending yet. The $76K–$85K range continues to act as the immediate resistance band, where price is encountering short-term supply. However, pullbacks remain shallow, suggesting that buyers are still active and willing to defend higher levels despite external headwinds.
This is where the setup becomes constructive. If Bitcoin continues to hold above the $73K–$74K base while gradually absorbing selling near resistance, the probability of a breakout increases toward the latter part of the month. In that case, a move toward the $80K mark by April end becomes a realistic extension, driven by steady participation rather than sudden volatility.
However, if macro pressure intensifies or resistance continues to hold, the move may take longer to develop, keeping BTC within a tighter range before any expansion. Overall, Bitcoin is not showing weakness, it is consolidating under resistance within a mixed macro backdrop, and once that ceiling is cleared, the move toward $80K is likely to follow with momentum.
Coinpedia’s Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2026
Bitcoin’s price structure in 2026 points toward a transition year, where the market is gradually shifting from consolidation into expansion rather than entering a fresh bearish phase.
The first key trigger remains the $75K–$85K range. A sustained reclaim of this zone would indicate strengthening momentum, allowing BTC to move toward the $90K–$100K region, where the next resistance is likely to emerge. If price stabilizes above this level, it would confirm a shift out of the current range, opening the path toward the $110K–$130K zone in the later part of the year.
At the same time, external uncertainties continue to keep the upside controlled. Periodic spikes in geopolitical tensions, sudden liquidity shifts, and risk-off reactions across global markets are creating intermittent pressure, preventing immediate breakout continuation. This is one of the key reasons why Bitcoin, despite holding strong support, is still struggling to trend decisively.
However, what stands out is the consistency in demand. Every dip toward lower levels is being absorbed, suggesting that the market is building a base rather than weakening. This kind of structure typically forms before expansion, especially when downside follow-through remains limited. On the downside, failure to hold the $67K support zone could trigger a temporary correction toward the $60K–$62K region. But unless this level breaks decisively, the broader structure remains intact.
Overall, 2026 is shaping up as a rebuilding and controlled expansion phase, where Bitcoin is stabilizing under external pressure while gradually preparing for its next major move.
Bitcoin Price On-chain Outlook
Bitcoin’s on-chain data is currently reflecting a strong shift in supply dynamics and holder behavior, aligning closely with the ongoing range-bound structure on the chart. One of the most notable developments is the decline in Bitcoin reserves on major exchanges like Binance, which have dropped to their lowest levels since the start of 2026. This reduction in available supply suggests that coins are increasingly being moved off exchanges into cold storage or long-term holdings, effectively reducing immediate selling pressure in the market.
At the same time, a contrasting trend is visible on platforms like Upbit, where reserves have climbed to their highest levels since 2024. This divergence highlights a shift in liquidity distribution, where global supply is tightening while regional trading activity, particularly in the Korean market, is increasing, often acting as an early signal of rising demand or short-term volatility.
Alongside this, holder behavior is undergoing a significant transition. Data shows that Bitcoin accumulated during late 2025 has now crossed the 155-day threshold, moving into the long-term holder (LTH) category. This shift indicates that a large portion of previously active supply is no longer being traded, but instead held with conviction. Historically, the transition from short-term holder dominance to long-term holder dominance marks a move away from speculative trading toward accumulation-driven phases. The current environment reflects a similar pattern, where conviction-based holding is beginning to outweigh short-term market activity.
Taken together, these on-chain signals suggest that Bitcoin is in a phase where supply is tightening while holding behavior is strengthening, even as price remains range-bound. This kind of setup typically forms when the market is building a base, where reduced sell pressure and increasing long-term conviction gradually set the stage for a stronger directional move ahead.
Recent Events Affecting Bitcoin’s Price
The shift from late 2025 into 2026 has completely changed Bitcoin’s momentum. After hitting its peak near $120K+, the market entered a cooling phase as profit-taking kicked in and the price slipped into a prolonged consolidation. This marked the transition from a high-momentum rally into a structure-building phase, where volatility started to compress.
The biggest trigger in recent months has been the ongoing Iran conflict, which has injected uncertainty across global markets. Rising tensions, drone strikes, and threats around the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted energy markets and increased volatility, keeping risk assets like Bitcoin, capped despite strong support.
At the same time, the Trump factor has played a direct role in Bitcoin’s short-term moves. Announcements around delaying strikes on Iran or initiating negotiations have repeatedly triggered relief rallies, pushing BTC back above $70K. However, the lack of sustained resolution has also caused sharp reversals, keeping the price locked in a range.
Institutional behavior has also influenced price direction. Earlier outflows and profit booking created downward pressure, but recent sessions have shown renewed positioning near lower levels, preventing deeper breakdowns and supporting the current range-bound structure.
Another layer of uncertainty comes from ongoing regulatory developments in the U.S., where delays and debates around crypto legislation continue to impact sentiment. Proposals affecting stablecoins and broader market rules have created hesitation among investors, limiting aggressive upside momentum.
Meanwhile, global markets themselves remain unstable. Fluctuations in oil prices, shifts in bond yields, and defensive positioning by investors have created a mixed environment, where Bitcoin is reacting to both risk-on and risk-off signals without a clear trend.
Bitcoin Crypto Price Prediction 2026 – 2030
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($
Potential High ($)
2026
100k
150k
180k
2027
170K
250K
330K
2028
200K
350K
450K
2029
275K
500K
640K
2030
380K
750K
900K
Bitcoin Price Prediction 2026 Forecast
The BTC price range in 2026 is expected to be between $100K and $180K.
BTC Price Prediction 2027
Subsequently, the Bitcoin price range can be between $170K to $330K during the year 2027.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2028
With the next Bitcoin halving, the price will see another bullish spark in 2028. Specifically, as per our Bitcoin Price Prediction, the potential BTC price range in 2028 is $200K to $450K.
BTC Price Target For 2029
Thereafter, the BTC price for the year 2029 could range between $275K and $640K.
Bitcoin (BTC) Price Prediction 2030
Finally, in 2030, the price of Bitcoin is predicted to maintain a positive trend. Indeed, the BTC price is expected to reach a new all-time high, ranging between $380K and $900K.
The long-term projection assumes Bitcoin (BTC) sustains relevance in overall cryptocurrency adoption and the continued development of blockchain payment solutions, with growth moderating over time as the asset matures.
Year
Potential Low ($)
Potential Average ($)
Potential High ($)
2031
540,830
901,383
1,261,936
2032
757,162
1,261,936
1,766,711
2033
1,059,945
1,766,711
2,473,477
2040
5,799,454
9,665,757
13,532,059
2050
161,978,188
269,963,647
377,949,106
Bitcoin Prediction: Analysts and Influencers’ BTC Price Target
“Jack Dorsey, former Twitter CEO (now X), predicts Bitcoin could exceed $1 million by 2030 due to its ecosystem growth and increasing adoption.”
Cathie Wood, CEO of Ark Invest, projects Bitcoin to reach $1.5 million by 2030, driven by institutional adoption and its position as digital gold.”
“Wall Street broker Bernstein believes 2026 will mark the start of a tokenization “supercycle,” maintaining its $150,000 Bitcoin price target for this year and $200,000 for the 2027 cycle peak.”
“Brad Garlinghouse, the Ripple CEO, predicts Bitcoin will hit $180,000 in 2026, due to favorable market and regulatory conditions.”
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FAQs
What is the Bitcoin price prediction for 2026?
Bitcoin is expected to range between $100K and $180K in 2026, with bullish momentum building as consolidation near $70K shifts into expansion.
How much will 1 Bitcoin be worth in 2030?
Bitcoin could range between $380K and $900K by 2030, with an average target near $750K as adoption, scarcity, and institutional demand grow.
What will 1 BTC be worth in 2040?
By 2040, Bitcoin could range between $5,799,454 and $13,532,059, with an average estimate near $9,665,757 as adoption and scarcity increase.
How much will Bitcoin be in 2050?
Bitcoin in 2050 could range from $161M to $377M, with an average estimate near $269M, driven by long-term adoption, scarcity, and global demand.
Is it safe to invest in Bitcoin today for long-term?
Bitcoin can be a strong long-term asset, but it remains volatile. Investing gradually and holding long-term may reduce risk and improve potential returns.
Is it worth putting $100 into Bitcoin?
Yes, investing $100 in Bitcoin can be a good start. It allows beginners to gain exposure, learn the market, and benefit from potential long-term growth.
Pi Network’s official account posted a pointed message this week aimed directly at how the crypto industry measures growth, and the argument is harder to dismiss than most project updates.
The network says it has surpassed 18 million identity-verified users on its Mainnet. But the post was less about celebrating the number and more about challenging how that number should be interpreted compared to user figures from other crypto networks.
The Main Argument
Most blockchain networks measure growth in wallet addresses or accounts. Creating one costs nothing, takes seconds and can be done thousands of times by a single person or automated entirely by bots. The user counts that projects routinely cite in press releases and growth announcements reflect this reality, whether they acknowledge it or not.
Pi’s position is that its figure means something different. Every user counted in the 18 million has completed a KYC identity verification process, confirming they are a real and unique individual.
“Pi recognised the importance of identity verification early on and that unverified account creation is simply not enough,” the team wrote. “Verified identities are needed for any meaningful transactions, especially in real-world economies.”
The practical case behind the argument is straightforward. Any time an asset transfers hands, the same question arises: who is sending it and who is receiving it. Without verified identity, confirming that a transaction is valid or reaching the correct person becomes difficult.
What It Means in Practice
A fully KYC-verified network theoretically produces measurable differences in how the ecosystem functions. Spam is harder to execute when bot accounts cannot pass identity checks. Trust between participants is higher when every counterparty is a confirmed individual. Applications built on top of the network inherit a compliance layer that most crypto projects have to build separately or do not have at all.
As regulatory pressure on digital assets increases globally, KYC compliance is shifting from a competitive advantage to a baseline requirement for projects operating in regulated environments. Pi’s approach embeds that requirement at the infrastructure level rather than leaving it to individual developers to solve.
Why Now?
Pi Network has faced years of scepticism about its timeline, its mainnet progress and whether its large user base would translate into genuine economic activity. The 18 million verified user figure is the project’s most concrete response to that scepticism.
Whether verified users translates into network utility, transaction volume and sustainable token demand is still being tested. The identity infrastructure is in place. The harder question of what gets built on top of it remains open.
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”İnter”in ulduz müdafiəçisi Alessandro Bastoni həm fiziki, həm də psixoloji yorğunluq səbəbindən “Kalyari” ilə oyunda heyətdə yer almayacaq.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu gərginlik fonunda “Barselona” transfer təklifini masaya qoyub.
“La Gazzetta dello Sport”un məlumatına görə, Bastoninin son oyunlardakı performansı və üzləşdiyi mənfi rəylər onun qısa müddətli “fasilə” verməsini qaçılmaz edib. Baş məşqçi Kristian Kivu futbolçunu qorumaq məqsədilə onu heyətdən kənar saxlayıb.
Bastoninin klubdakı qeyri-müəyyən vəziyyətindən yararlanmaq istəyən “Barselona” rəsmi təklif göndərib.
Kataloniyalılar transfer qiymətini aşağı salmaq üçün nağd pulla yanaşı, gənc müdafiəçi Hektor Fortun mübadiləyə daxil edilməsi planlaşdırır.
”İnter” Bastoninin qiymətini 60 milyon avro civarında qiymətləndirir və ulduz oyunçunu dəyərindən ucuz satmaq niyyətində deyil.
”Arsenal”, “Yuventus” və “Liverpul” kimi nəhəng klubların keçmiş qapıçısı Aleks Manninger 48 yaşında faciəvi şəkildə həyatını itirib.
Futbolpress.az Avstriya mətbuatına istinadən xəbər verir ki, hadisə Zalsburq yaxınlığındakı kənddə baş verib.
Manninger idarə etdiyi avtomobillə qorunmayan dəmiryolu keçidindən keçərkən qatarla toqquşub. Hadisə yerində göstərilən ilkin tibbi yardıma baxmayaraq, təcrübəli idmançının həyatını xilas etmək mümkün olmayıb. Qatardakı sərnişinlər isə xəsarət almayıblar.
Avstriya Futbol Federasiyası Manningerin vəfatı ilə bağlı başsağlığı mesajı yayımlayıb:
“Aleks Manningerin ölüm xəbəri bizi şoka saldı. Futbol dünyası çox xüsusi bir insanı itirdi”.
“Çelsi” dayaq yarımmüdafiəçisi Moyzes Kaysedo ilə olan müqavilənin müddətini uzadıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, bu barədə insayder Fabrizio Romano xəbər yayıb.
“Zadəganlar” 24 yaşlı ulduz futbolçunun müqaviləsini 2033-cü ilə qədər yeniləyib.
Kaysedo bu mövsüm “Çelsi” forması ilə ümumilikdə 42 rəsmi matçda meydana çıxıb. Ekvadorlu yarımmüdafiəçi bu qarşılaşmalarda komandasına 4 qol və 1 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə töhfə verib.
Dünya futbolunun əfsanəsi Lionel Messi karyerasında yeni və maraqlı bir səhifə açır.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, ulduz futbolçu İspaniya klublarından birini tamamilə öz mülkiyyətinə keçirməyə hazırlaşır.
Məşhur insayder Fabrizio Romanonun yaydığı məlumata görə, Messi İspaniya üçüncü divizionunda mübarizə aparan “UE Kornella” klubunu satın alır. Klubun yerləşdiyi Kataloniya bölgəsi Messinin uzun illər “Barselona”da çıxış etdiyi və onun üçün doğma sayılan bir məkandır.
Xəbərdə qeyd olunur ki, Messi klubun səhmlərinin 100%-nə sahib olacaq.
O, kluba yeni nəfəs gətirməyi və gənc istedadların yetişdirilməsi üçün yeni bir sistem qurmağı hədəfləyir.
Oskar Kardozo 42 yaşında aktiv futbol karyerasını sonlandırdığını rəsmən açıqlayıb.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, Paraqvaylı forvard bu qərarını sosial media hesabından paylaşıb.
2014-2016-cı illər arasında “Trabzonspor”un formasını geyinən Kardozo güclü fiziki hazırlığı və usta qolçuluğu ilə qısa zamanda azarkeşlərin sevimlisinə çevrilmişdi. O, Türkiyə təmsilçisinin heyətində çıxdığı 66 matçda 28 qol və 6 məhsuldar ötürmə ilə yadda qalıb.
Kardozonun Avropa karyerasındakı ən parlaq dönəmi Portuqaliya nəhəngi “Benfika” ilə bağlıdır. O, bu klubun heyətində 293 oyunda 172 qol vuraraq Avropa futbolunun ən qorxulu hücumçularından biri kimi adını tarixə yazdırıb.
Karyerasının son illərini Paraqvayın “Libertad” klubunda keçirən ulduz futbolçu burada da yaşın sadəcə rəqəm olduğunu sübut edib. O, “Libertad” forması ilə 352 matçda 136 qol və 37 asistlik möhtəşəm göstəriciyə imza ataraq futbolu zirvədə tərk edib.
Of those 24 games, the left-back only started 11, as Gasperini largely preferred to shift Wesley over to the left flank rather than use Tsimikas.
This was even after the other choice for that side, Angelino, was ruled out for several months by a bout of pneumonia.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates with his teammate Kostas Tsimikas after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
It is however a little unusual that he would do this when the season is still going.
The Giallorossi haven’t had the best of luck with their loans, sending Leon Bailey back to Aston Villa after just six months, and Evan Ferguson will not be purchased outright from Brighton and Hove Albion either.
Roberto De Zerbi is using a traditional Italian team-building exercise with Tottenham Hotspur, even though a similar approach already failed for Igor Tudor.
The Italian coach has become the third different boss at Spurs during this cursed campaign, and with his team in the Premier League relegation zone, is trying everything to get them working together quicker.
De Zerbi takes Tottenham out to dinner
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, shakes hands with Richarlison after the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
According to Telegraph Sport, De Zerbi took the entire squad out to dinner at Bacchanalia restaurant in Mayfair this week.
This is a common tactic used in Italian football to build team spirit, both during moments of crisis and in general during a season.
Former Juventus, Udinese and Lazio coach Tudor learned the approach in Serie A too and tried it with Tottenham in February, but to limited results, as he parted company with the club after failing to win a single Premier League game.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks down during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“My job now is not to coach a style, with or without the ball, but try to give the players what they need in terms of mentality,” said De Zerbi after losing on his debut to Sunderland.
“My style is to trust the confidence of the players. During the week, they play better because they are clean in their heads, but in the game it is different. My work must be to get them to show what they are doing during the week in a game.”
The tactician only took the job last summer and currently has them in third place in Serie A, on track for a Champions League spot.
However, the drop down from second after back-to-back defeats with Napoli and Udinese prompted some question marks over his future, especially if he is offered the Italy bench.
Gabbia and Milan players stand by Allegri
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 11: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is hugged by Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, after being substituted during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Everyone in the squad thinks this. He has a way of handling moments, both good and bad, that is just incredible! His experience, his knowledge of what to say, the buttons he has to press, it’s second to none.
“Then it is up to us to go on the field, assimilate what he asked for, and do the best we possibly can. Allegri has been a very important figure for us this season. We are all very happy with him and his staff.”
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 24: Matteo Gabbia of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 24, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It is what the whole team wants, not just what I think. I am speaking here on behalf of the entire squad, we are super happy with the coach and hope he can remain with us for a long time.
“Right now, the most important things are the results, which decide everything. We’ve got to follow him 100 per cent, then it will all go the right way.”
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Massimiliano Allegri Head Coach of AC Milan looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The former Juventus boss has taken some sabbaticals in recent years, but the Milan players have been very impressed with his man-management skills.
“His ability to understand the various moments, especially negative ones, means he knows when he has to go in hard, or when to relax the tension,” continued Gabbia.
“I was honestly really surprised by the way he prepares the matches, because often times he will tell us about situations that genuinely do happen, so we can recreate the response perfectly.
“There are many situations where he can keep surprising us with his working method.”
Chelsea have secured a massive long-term boost as world-class midfielder Moises Caicedo has reportedly “given the green light” to a lucrative new contract, snubbing interest from European giants Real Madrid in the process.
Moises Caicedo gives green light for new Chelsea deal
The breakthrough in negotiations comes at a vital time for Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership.
With the club enduring a turbulent 2025/26 campaign under manager Liam Rosenior, securing the commitment of their most vital assets has become a priority to stabilise the project.
Romano posted on X: “Breaking: Chelsea are closing in on new deal for Moisés Caicedo! The agreement will be valid until June 2033 with final details being sorted, as @CLMerlo reports. Caicedo has given green light to #CFC stay for long term.”
?? BREAKING: Chelsea are closing in on new deal for Moisés Caicedo!
The agreement will be valid until June 2033 with final details being sorted, as @CLMerlo reports.
The deal follows in the footsteps of captain Reece James, who also recently penned a long-term extension.
For Caicedo, the move represents a clear show of faith in Chelsea’s future, despite the club currently sitting 6th in the Premier League and facing a battle for Champions League qualification.
Reports from Spain suggested that Florentino Pérez was prepared to launch a massive bid for the ‘world-class‘ midfielder.
However, Caicedo recently moved to shut down the rumors, telling El Chiringuito TV that his only focus is on becoming a “Chelsea legend.”
By committing to a nine-year deal, Caicedo has effectively ended any speculation regarding a move to the Santiago Bernabéu, ensuring he remains the centerpiece of the Blues’ midfield for the next decade.
Having won the Champions League last season, Paris Saint-Germain remain strong contenders for the trophy again, as their double over Liverpool in the quarterfinals clearly shows. Though Ousmane Dembele scored both goals for the Ligue 1 champions against their Premier League counterparts, the midfield section certainly played its part. Joao Neves is simply unbelievable when […]
There was plenty of excitement in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal blockbuster between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Bayern had won the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu by 2-1, and it all kicked off straight away as Arda Guler struck for Real in the first minute. Aleksandar Pavlovic equalized only five […]
Marco Senesi, soon to be a free agent as his contract with Bournemouth nears its expiration date, has been linked with a host of top clubs. Juventus and Atletico Madrid are said to be keen on the 28-year-old, while Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to be options for him to remain in England. However, […]
The Big Ten women's volleyball automatic qualifier will be decided in a new way this fall.
As first reported by Big Ten Network's Emily Ehman, the Big Ten is unveiling a women's volleyball conference tournament to be played from Nov. 20-25 at Fishers Event Center in Fishers, Indiana. The tournament will feature the top 15 teams from the 18-team conference's regular-season standings and will offer the winner an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
“We look forward to bringing the nation’s top talent together for an entire week of exhilarating competition culminating in the crowning of the inaugural Big Ten Volleyball Tournament Champion,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said in a statement.
Based on the announced schedule, the tournament appears to operate similarly to the women's basketball tourney, offering double byes to the top four seeds in the conference and byes to seeds 5-9. The number of regular-season conference games will also drop from 20 to 17 per team, with each team playing each Big Ten team once per season.
HUGE news in the volleyball world 🔥 The B1G Volleyball Tournament is coming November 2026! ➡️ @emilyehman breaks down the format: pic.twitter.com/vl6CXhd1sW
The Big Ten is one of the most dominant conferences in women's college volleyball, with representatives in six of the last 10 NCAA title games. Penn State is the most recent Big Ten team to win a national championship, going 35-2 under coach Katie Schumacher-Calway in 2024.
"I am truly proud to be part of a conference that continues to push boundaries, set new standards and lead with innovation and purpose," Schumacher-Calway said in a release. "The introduction of the first Big Ten Volleyball Tournament marks a significant milestone, and it is a testament to the vision and growth of this league. Most importantly, it provides our student-athletes with an even greater platform – putting them center stage and showcasing their talent, dedication and passion at the highest level."
Since USC won the first NCAA Division I women's volleyball national championship in 1981, Big Ten teams have won 22 national titles (though UCLA's four titles and USC's three titles all came when neither school was a part of the Big Ten). Penn State is the most successful long-time member of the conference with 18 Big Ten titles and eight national titles, followed by Nebraska, with six conference titles and five national titles.
Nebraska won the Big Ten in 2025 going 20-0 in conference play and finishing the regular season undefeated, but the 1-seed Cornhuskers lost to the eventual champions, Texas A&M, 3-2, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan State has won two conference titles (1995-96) while Michigan hasn't won any. The Wolverines did make the national semifinal in 2012.
The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, 30, showed off his brutal scars for the first time since undergoing surgery after tearing his ACL in the final two minutes of the team's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 14, 2025.
In new photos shared Monday, April 13, by his wife, Brittany, the dad of three posed alongside his kids for a family getaway to a Texas farm in shorts that revealed the blemishes following the procedure, which was successfully completed one day after he sustained the injury.
Patrick Mahomes shows off his scar while paddle boarding on a lake with his daughter, Golden. Credit: Brittany Mahomes/Instagram
One of Mahomes' scars is first seen on his left leg just below the knee in a photo taken on a paddle board with his youngest child, daughter Golden Raye, 1, who sat beside her dad's legs as they hung out in the water.
The next photo featured the three-time Super Bowl champ holding his eldest daughter, Sterling, 5, as she reached down to pet a white goat on the farm. The size of that scar is lengthy, extending from the top of his kneecap to his upper calf.
The scars were on display in another pic with Golden that featured the daddy-daughter duo standing tall together on the farm. The NFL star lifted his little girl for the photo, propping her up on his shoulder for the shot.
Patrick, who also shares son Bronze, 3, with Brittany, 30, has been enjoying the offseason with his family as he recovers from the season-ending injury. In March, the Mahomes brood jetted off to a tropical locale for a getaway under the sun.
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Patrick Mahomes hangs with his daughter, Sterling, for a fun farm day in Texas. Credit: Brittany Mahomes/Instagram
Mahomes was back to work after the vacation, sharing a video of himself in a training facility throwing a football for the first time since the injury. In the clip, the athlete ran through a quarterback drill, but wore a brace on his left leg that covered up the scar.
"Day by day! Great being able to throw the ball around today! 🎯⏰" he wrote over the post.
The Chiefs' 19-17 loss to the Chargers on Dec. 14 derailed Kansas City's hopes of a postseason run, with the team failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Mahomes broke his silence on his injury a month later and shared his optimistic timeline to return.
"The doctor kind of gives you goals to get to," the NFL star said, sharing he's been "hitting all the checkpoints" in rehab in attempt to be ready for training camp this summer. "I just try to maximize those — they hold me back, because I always want to go a little bit further."
Patrick Mahomes and his daughter, Golden. Credit: Brittany Mahomes/Instagram
Mahomes said he wants to be "ready for Week 1," noting the doctors said he "could be" but couldn't predict what happens throughout the process.
"You want to be out there healthy and give us the best chance to win," he added.
"Every player is different. I will tell you though, I would never bet against him," Reid said of his QB at the NFL's annual meetings on March 31, per ESPN. "He's going to put in the time and effort and always push it but within reason, so he doesn't take steps back."
He added, "So far, it's all been positive. He's doing great."
When MLB launched its automated strike zone (ABS) challenge system, the challenge limit was always going to force teams into taking a strategic approach around deploying those challenges.
Well, it was only a matter of time until teams would come up with some gamesmanship for ABS. Twins catcher Victor Caratini did just that this week, and it was brilliant.
One of the consequences of ABS is that it kind of negates the need for catchers to frame pitches (unless the team is out of challenges). They generally have a good sense of the strike zone, so if an umpire misses a call, the catcher can simply initiate a challenge. But a bad frame job can really throw off the batter when he looks back on a taken pitch.
Caratini put that to the test with Red Sox infielder Andruw Monasterio at the plate, and it worked to perfection. Caratini wildly framed his glove outside the strike zone on a strikeout call, baiting Monasterio to challenge a pitch that was comfortably in the strike zone.
So, just like that, the Red Sox lost their challenge and Monasterio had himself a shameful walk back to the dugout.
We'll surely see other catchers take a similar approach. Those challenges are precious resources, and if catchers can get a batter to waste one on an obvious strike, it makes the pitcher's job so much easier.
PREVIEW | Angers vs Le Havre: team news, lineups, predictions (Ligue 1 18/04)
Angers host Le Havre this Saturday at the Stade Raymond-Kopa for matchweek 30 of the Ligue 1.
Angers currently have 33 points and lie in 13th position. Last time out, Alexandre Dujeux's team slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Rennes (Ligue 1 2025/26).
Le Havre have picked up 29 points and currently lie in 14th position. In their last fixture, Didier Digard's team shared the spoils 1-1 with Nice (Ligue 1 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended with Le Havre winning 2-1.
Richard Hughes wants deal for incredible Premier League rookie of the year
Liverpool have faced turmoil in the striking department this season.
Alexander Isak - a record £125m signing from Newcastle - has yet to really get going. The Swede has only got two Premier League goals to his name in a write-off of a campaign - suffering numerous injury problems inculding a broken leg.
His strike partner Hugo Ekitike meanwhile has got off to a better start at Anfield. The 23-year-old has got 11 top-flight goals to his name - 17 in all competitions - but is now set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Ekitike was hit with what appears to be an achilles tendon injury against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and could be out long-term.
Given Isak’s lack of robustness it could mean Arne Slot and Richard Hughes going back into the market for a striker next summer. Isak isn’t the kind of player to be relied upon to play every game and so the Premier League champions require options.
Liverpool interested in deal for Eli Junior Kroupi
The Daily Mail now claims that Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are in the chase for the young Frenchman - who moved to the south coast from Lorient last summer.
“Kroupi is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs, notably Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as teams in Spain,” the report reads.
Eli Junior Kroupi: Situation summary
Eli Junior Kroupi is a 2006‑born forward who joined Bournemouth from Lorient in 2025 and has quickly become one of the Premier League’s most talked‑about teenage attackers.
Standing around 1.79m and right‑footed, he typically wears No.22 and is already a France youth international while still eligible for Ivory Coast.
He is a versatile attacker who can play as a central striker, left winger or left‑sided midfielder, but is at his best drifting in from the left to finish moves.
His game is built on movement, timing and clean ball‑striking rather than pure physical dominance, with very strong underlying shot volume and goal numbers for his age group dating back to his prolific Ligue 2 season with Lorient.
In 2025‑26 he has produced 10 Premier League goals in just over 1,200 minutes for Bournemouth, posting elite shot and goal metrics relative to other young forwards and cementing himself as their main attacking reference.
That output, on a team expected to be fighting in the bottom half, is fuelling the “wonderkid” tag and heavy interest from bigger clubs.
Inter are looking to land the plane after getting back on track with two crucial victories and continue planning for the summer, which will be livelier than the last one. However, given their abrupt UEFA Champions League elimination, their budget won’t be large. Oaktree will grant €30/40M, and the rest will have to come from the sales, La Repubblica informs.
The Nerazzurri are on the verge of reaching a long-term agreement with coach Christian Chivu. They’ll move on from a few veterans and search for younger replacements. Guglielmo Vicario continues to be their main target for the goal, but everything is on hold for now, considering Tottenham’s precarious situation.
Inter have added Gianluca Mancini to their list of defensive targets. Adding an experienced player wouldn’t hurt, especially if they sold Alessandro Bastoni. He was close to renewing his contract with Roma, but they halted every negotiation to focus on their remaining matches. Oumar Solet and Tarik Muharemovic are squarely on their radar. The Nerazzurri will keep tabs on Nico Paz once Real Madrid bring him back, but his valuation will start from €50M.
As for the likely departures, they seem finally ready to facilitate Davide Frattesi’s exit and are open for business for Luis Henrique and Andy Diouf. Carlos Augusto asks for €4M per year to re-up and would like to feature more.
Our Take on Inter
The links to Mancini are likely just some maneuvering by his agents amid stalled talks, but it’d indeed be risky to go young with every addition. If true, there’ll be no room for big splurges with that budget, but they can rake in a lot of cash without hurting their XI.
A bride and groom have teen athletes to thank for saving their wedding day.
A tornado warning forced the couple and their 400 guests to take shelter inside a gymnasium at the Oklahoma City Convention Center — which happened to be hosting a junior volleyball tournament.
Footage shows the couple walking onto the court as teenage players rush over to pose for pictures before forming a massive celebratory circle around them — even hoisting the groom into the air in a spontaneous show of support.
Check out the video of teen volleyball athletes turning what could have been a wedding day disaster into a celebration!
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Several former Florida football players could hear their names called when the 2026 NFL draft kicks off April 23 in Pittsburgh, and USA TODAY Sports has a projection for where each of them lands.
Ayrton Ostly of USA TODAY Sports released a full seven-round mock draft, projecting 257 players across all rounds. Multiple former Gators made the cut, with defensive tackle Caleb Banks drawing the most attention as the highest-projected Florida player in the piece.
Banks landed with the New England Patriots at No. 41 overall in the second round, the result of a projected trade that had the Cincinnati Bengals sending the pick to New England in exchange for Nos. 63 and 131.
Ostly acknowledged the talent-versus-durability debate surrounding Banks, noting that a foot injury has raised questions about his long-term health.
Offensive lineman Austin Barber was another Gator projected to be taken, landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 100 in the third round. Ostly described Barber as a three-year starter at left tackle for Florida with ideal length and fluid athleticism, projecting him as a standout run blocker with the tools to develop into a potential starter at the next level.
There were a total of seven Florida Gators selected in USA TODAY Sports' 2026 NFL mock draft. Here's where each of them landed.
Why USA TODAY Sports has New England selecting Banks
"Cincinnati sends No. 41 overall to New England for No. 63 and No. 131."
"New England is armed with nearly a dozen picks and weaponizes them to snatch up Banks before he falls much further. The Florida product had a foot injury at the NFL combine, his second in less than a calendar year. That’s raising some questions about his long-term durability in the NFL. Still, the talent is undeniable. He could pair with Milton Williams in the interior for years to come with a massive frame that makes Patriots fans forget about losing Khyiris Tonga."
Why USA TODAY Sports has Jacksonville selecting Barber
"Jacksonville’s offensive line was solid in the regular season before getting exploited in the playoffs. Barber was a three-year starter at left tackle for the Gators with ideal length and fluid athleticism. He’s a standout run blocker with the tools to develop long-term into a potential starter or swing tackle."
Other Gators selected in USA TODAY Sports' NFL mock draft
Round 4
Pick No. 101. Tennessee Titans: CB Devin Moore
Pick No. 121. Chicago Bears (via Steelers): C Jake Slaughter
Pick No. 139. San Francisco 49ers: Edge George Gumbs Jr.
Round 5
Pick No. 143. Arizona Cardinals: Edge Tyreak Sapp
Round 7
Pick No. 255: Green Bay Packers: WR J. Michael Sturdivant
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Messi won the World Cup with Argentina in 2022 [Getty Images]
Argentine legend Lionel Messi has become the new owner of Catalan club Cornella.
The 38-year-old, who helped Barcelona win the Champions League four times and also claimed 10 La Liga titles with the Catalan giants, is currently playing for Major League Soccer side Inter Miami in the United States.
Cornella announced "eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Leo Messi has formalised the acquisition of the club", who are in the fifth tier of Spanish football.
They added: "This move reinforces Messi's close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalonia."
Messi left Argentina for Spain when he was 13 and made his first-team debut for Barcelona aged 17 in October 2004.
He went on to score a club record 672 goals in 778 games before he left for Paris St-Germain in 2021, and he then moved to Inter Miami in 2023.
Messi's former Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, bought a 25% stake in Spanish side Almeria in February.
"Leo Messi's arrival marks the beginning of a new chapter in the club's history, aimed at driving both sporting and institutional growth, strengthening its foundations, and continuing to invest in talent," said Cornella.
"The project is guided by a long-term vision and a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and a strong connection to its local roots."
Manchester City's Bernardo Silva joined the Sky Blues in 2017. Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA
April 16 (UPI) -- Longtime Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer, he announced Thursday on social media.
Silva's future was a subject of speculation throughout the 2025-26 season, the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues. The Portuguese soccer sensation joined the Premier League club in 2017.
He totaled 76 goals and 77 assists over 451 appearances for the Sky Blues
"Cityzens, when I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things," Silva wrote on X and Instagram.
"This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will be forever cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the treble, the four in a row much more ... it wasn't all that bad.
"In a few months, it's time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!"
Silva also thanked the fans, Pep Guardiola and the coaching staff and teammates.
"To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something I will never forget," Silva wrote. "My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life.
"Keep supporting this young team, and I'm pretty sure they'll bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future."
Silva, 31, won 19 major trophies with the Sky Blues, including six Premier League crowns, two FA Cup titles and a Champions League title. He totaled two goals and four assists through 31 Premier League appearances this season.
The Sky Blues (19-5-7), who were eliminated from the Champions League last month, sit in second place in the Premier League standings, six points behind first-place Arsenal (21-4-7). They will host the league leaders at 11:30 a.m. EDT Sunday in Manchester, England.
The Sky Blues will battle Southampton in an FA Cup semifinal April 25 at Wembley Stadium in London.
Oklahoma State guard Lena Girardi (2) dribbles the ball during an NCAA basketball game against St. John's, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 in New York. St. John's won 74-67.
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Vera Nieuwenhuis
For the second time this week, the Utah women’s basketball program got a commitment from a transfer in the Big 12 footprint.
That seems appropriate, considering the Utes have seen four of their players transferring out go to other Big 12 schools.
This time, the commitment came from former Oklahoma State guard Lena Girardi, who announced Thursday on social media that she will transfer to Gavin Petersen’s program.
Girardi is a 5-foot-10 guard from New York who played her freshman season at Oklahoma State and will have three years of eligibility remaining.
As a true freshman for Jacie Hoyt’s club, she averaged 7.8, 2.1 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game.
Girardi shot 43.6% from the floor and was a reliable 3-point shooter for Oklahoma State, making 51 on the season at a 39.8% clip. She averaged nearly two made 3-pointers per game.
She had 11 games where she scored in double-figures, mostly during nonconference play.
Girardi is the daughter of former Major League Baseball player and manager Joe Girardi.
How does Lena Girardi fit into Utah’s 2026-27 plans?
Girardi is an excellent addition to a Utah roster that is in flux after seeing six players — including four underclassmen — hit the transfer portal.
With guards LA Sneed (committed to Oklahoma State), Avery Hjelmstad (TCU), Brooke Walker (Colorado) and Grace Foster all entering the portal, the Utes were in need of some experience in the backcourt.
Only one guard, Ella Todd, is expected to be a holdover from last season for Utah. Todd redshirted as a freshman in 2025-26 because of injury.
Utah will also have a pair of freshman guards joining the program in high school talents Peyton Jones, a four-star talent from Colorado, and Bountiful High’s Milika Satuala, this year’s Deseret News Ms. Basketball recipient.
Wisconsin Badgers safety Preston Zachman (14) celebrates a touchdown that is called back with teammates against the Miami (OH) RedHawks at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin, on August 28, 2025. (Photo by Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Indiana football safety Preston Zachman addressed the media on Wednesday following the Hoosiers’ ninth spring practice.
Zachman, who transferred in from Wisconsin this past offseason, brings plenty of experience to the Hoosiers’ secondary and helps fill a void left by departures from stars like Louis Moore and Devan Boykin. A graduate transfer, Zachman spent the past six seasons with Wisconsin, reshirting as a true freshman in 2020, not appearing in 2021 and seeing an injury-shortened season in 2022 before emerging as a starter in 2023.
Zachman was asked about his path from Wisconsin to Indiana, what he was looking for in a program out of the transfer portal, his relationship with former Badgers teammate and Hoosier Riley Nowakowski, Indiana’s safety room this season, playing against offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan’s offense in practice, his strengths as a player, his age as a college football player and his relationship with former and current teammate Joe Brunner.
For a stretch of time, it looked like Gary Sanchez would be Aaron Judge's slugger buddy for a decade or more.
Instead, though, the New York Yankees moved on from Sanchez four years ago. Judge is still doing his thing, but Sanchez has bounced around before landing with the Milwaukee Brewers.
So far this season, Sanchez is thriving. He's got an OPS above 1.300 in the very early going.
Sanchez is playing some DH, some catcher and some first base. The Brewers have standout catcher William Contreras doing most of the work behind the plate.
The most relevant part of Sanchez to Milwaukee is his bat.
The Yankees once believed greatly in that swing, but they eventually let him go.
The Yankees traded Sanchez to the Minnesota Twins in March 2022 as part of a blockbuster deal.
Both Sanchez and Gio Urshela went to Minnesota in a trade that brought back Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt from the Twins.
Clearly, part of the deal was for the Yanks to get Donaldson and IKF coming back their way.
Really, though, the Yankees seemed to decide it was time to look in a different direction after a season in which Sanchez hit .204 with a .307 on-base percentage and .423 slugging average.
Sanchez had just turned 29 years old before the deal, so he still had some prime years ahead of him, it seemed.
His OPS in 2020 and 2021 was a lot lower than it had been in his standout seasons of 2016, 2017 and 2019, though.
That was coupled with an increasing frustration in New York with Sanchez's catching. He had a great arm, but there were moments when he seemed a bit lazy back there. He did three times lead the AL in errors, so that's definitely not good.
Since the trade to Minnesota, Sanchez has played for those Twins, then the Mets, Padres, Brewers, Orioles and now Brewers again.
It's been a journey, but the bat definitely still plays.
WrestleMania 42 returns to Sin City on April 18 and 19. WWE will host several events during the week, from the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE World, SmackDown, and, of course, WrestleMania.
Pro wrestling’s Super Bowl is not just those two days, but it’s a week-long event. Almost every organization on the independent wrestling scene will travel to Las Vegas to take advantage of the legion of fans flying in from all over the world to watch pro wrestling.
Throughout the week, WWE fans will see Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Becky Lynch, Oba Femi, Rhea Ripley, and more. WrestleMania week also includes wrestlers from other promotions like GCW, CMLL, PROGRESS, and more.
Before and after WrestleMania, there’s something for everyone.
Here's a full breakdown of the wrestling events taking place before, during, and after WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas.
WrestleMania 42 Weekend Schedule
Thursday, April 16
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:PROGRESS Wrestling: Chapter 193 – PROGRESSLas Vegas II - Horseshoe Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT: Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: TJPW LIVE in Las Vegas 2026 - Pearl Theater Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT: New Texas Pro Wrestling: Sin City Stampede - Bizarre Bar, Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT:WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
4 p.m. ET | 1 p.m. PT:Ricky Tenacious Presents The Dropkick Disco - The Center - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT:Organized International Wrestling Association: The Outliers Showcase - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT:St. Louis Anarchy: Let Anarchy Be Anarchy - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT:CMLL Slamfest- Pearl Theater - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: WrestleCon: Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow - Horseshoe Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: RISE Underground Pro Wrestling - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT:Million Dollar Minds Pro Wrestling: All Or Nothing! - The Center - Las Vegas
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT:Delgado Promotions: The Infinity Lucha Libre - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: Devotion Championship Wrestling: Winning Dangerously - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: West Coast Pro Wrestling: West Coast vs. The World - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: Future Stars of Wrestling: WWE ID Showcase - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: WORST WRESTLING SHOW ALL MANIA WEEK - Beer Zombies Las Vegas
10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT:Lucha Memes, Tijuana Wrestling Entertainment & Souris Valley Wrestling: FundMeMania - The Center - Las Vegas
11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT: El Desperado Presents Death Vegas Invitacional - Horseshoe Las Vegas
11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT:House of Glory Wrestling: Culture Clash - Pearl Theater - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT:MicroMania Midget Wrestling - The Nerd - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT:Ladies Night Out 16: Sin City Showdown - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
1:30 a.m. ET | 10:30 p.m. PT:Marvelous Women’s Pro Wrestling - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
2:59 a.m. ET | 11:59 p.m. PT: Game Changer Wrestling: MDK Fight Club - Horseshoe Las Vegas
Friday, April 17
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:ACTION Wrestling: We Gambled Away The Graphix Budget - Bizarre Bar Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: Gringo Loco’s The Wrld on Lucha - Horseshoe Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT:Brawlin Brews: Brawl-In! - Container Park - Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: Underground Sports Entertainment: Dungeon Roulette - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: Oasis Pro Wrestling: NINTH ISLVND II - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT:Versus Pro Wrestling: Bet II Wrestling Mayhem - Container Park - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT: Texas Wrestling Cartel: Sleep With The Fishes - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
5:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. PT:Big Time Wrestling: High Stakes - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT:STARDOM: American Dream 2026 in Las Vegas - Pearl Theater - Las Vegas (Tickets)
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: Game Changer Wrestling: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV - Horseshoe Las Vegas Las Vegas (Tickets)
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT:KingSlayer Wrestling & Impact Zone Wrestling: PWO One World Stage - Container Park - Las Vegas
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT: X Brand Wrestling: Are You Saved? II - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: WWE SmackDown - T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas (Tickets)
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: Relentless Pro Wrestling: Sin City Slam - FSW Arena Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: PrideStyle Pro Wrestling: Out Of This World - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: TIM (This is Manly) Wrestling - Beer Zombies - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: ComptonMania: VegasMania - Container Park - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: Joey Janela’s Spring Break X - Horseshoe Las Vegas (Tickets)
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: Martinez Entertainment & Vago’s Lucha Libre: Welcome to Las Vegas Lucha Libre 2 - 1706 S Industrial Rd - Las Vegas
11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT: Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: MULTIVERSE - Pearl Theater - Las Vegas
12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT:The Sabu Memorial 2-Day Block Party - The Nerd - Las Vegas
12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: Marks R Us: Take My Soul… Give Me Grave - Dive Bar - Las Vegas
12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT - WWE Hall of Fame -Dolby Live at Park MGM - Las Vegas (ESPN | Tickets)
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT: MicroMania Midget Wrestling - The Nerd - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT: Killer Kross Presents FSW Mecca XI - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
2 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. PT: MicroMania Midget Wrestling - Little Darlings - Las Vegas
2:59 a.m. ET | 11:59 p.m. PT: Juggalo Championship Wrestling: Strangle-Mania: Viva Las Violence - Horseshoe Las Vegas
2:59 a.m. ET | 11:59 p.m. PT: SVN Wrestling & The Devil Dred: I’m Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today - Dive Bar - Las Vegas
Saturday, April 18
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: Lucha Libro: Viva Las Pages - West Las Vegas Library - Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: Effy’s Big Gay Brunch 2026 - Horseshoe Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT: World’s Greatest Wrestling: Blackout Watch Party - Beer Zombies - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: WrestleMania 42 – Night 2 - Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas (ESPN | Tickets)
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: PrideStyle Wrestling: Sobre La Luna - Fergusons Downtown - Las Vegas
10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT: Mall Mania Vegas: Battle for Sin City - Neonopolis - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT:MicroMania Midget Wrestling - The Nerd - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: JJSB: The Immortal Clusterf--- - Horseshoe Las Vegas (Tickets)
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT: Killer Kross’ Natural Born Killers 5 - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
2 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. PT: MicroMania Midget Wrestling - Little Darlings - Las Vegas
2 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. PT: New Fear City: MurderMania Las Vegas 2 - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
Sunday, April 19
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: Lucha Libro: Viva Las Pages - East Las Vegas Library
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: SPARK Joshi: Lady Luck II - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: 2econd Wrestling: SYN City - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT: World’s Greatest Wrestling: Blackout Watch Party - Beer Zombies - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: WrestleMania 42 – Night 2 - Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas (ESPN | Tickets)
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT: MicroMania Midget Wrestling - The Nerd - Las Vegas
Monday, April 20
12 p.m. ET | 9 a.m. PT:WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: WWE Raw - T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas (Netflix | Tickets)
Fernando Mendoza didn't lose a game last season. He led the Indiana Hoosiers to a perfect season and a National Championship and ran away with the Heisman Trophy along the way. That season is expected to earn him the top pick in this year's draft with the Raiders poised to select him at that spot with no hesitation. But if you ask ESPN's Jordan Reid, that's not enough to land in in the top five overall prospects in this year's NFL Draft.
Reid put together a massive 500-person big board Thursday. On that list, you have to scroll a bit before you see Mendoza's name. That's because Mendoza doesn't show up until sixth in the ranking.
This is what Reid's top five looks like:
1. Jeremiyah Love, RB Notre Dame
2. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
3. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
4. Arvell Reese, ED, Ohio State
5. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Reid seems to be a big fan of the guys out of Ohio State. Especially their defenders. Which makes some sense. After all, they were the only defense last year to cool off Mendoza and hold the Indiana offense to below 20 points. That was the BigTen championship game. Ohio State still lost that game 13-10 and went on to lose to Miami in the first round of the playoffs. Meanwhile Mendoza caught fire to blow away the field on the way to the National Championship.
What it comes down to here is Mendoza is far and away the top QB in this class. And QB reigns surpreme in the NFL. The Raiders -- and a few other teams -- need one, so he will go at number one overall. So, I suppose give the other top draft talent their flowers?
For what it's worth, Dane Brugler over at The Athletic has Mendoza as the third player on his Big Board behind Arvell Rese and Jeremiyah Love.
NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole will throw around 45 pitches in his first minor league injury rehabilitation start as he inches closer to his return to the mound.
Cole will pitch Friday night for Double-A Somerset in the same game shortstop Anthony Volpe is rehabbing a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Cole, a six-time All-Star and the 2023 AL Cy Young award winner, is returning from last year's reconstructive elbow surgery. He made a pair of one-inning spring training starts on March 18 and 24, and has been facing hitters since.
In his latest session, Cole threw 42 pitches over three simulated innings on Sunday against batters from High-A Hudson Valley.
“I think we’ll get him to a higher threshold initially, but it’s one step at a time,” manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees concluded a four-game series with the Angels on Thursday afternoon. “Looking forward to him starting on Friday and we’ll build him from there and then even when he gets back to us we’ll probably be conservative with him but we’ll probably get him to a higher threshold initially.”
The Yankees anticipate Cole will return in June but will gradually build him up and take advantage of rules about the length of minor league rehab assignments for pitchers coming back from injury.
While position players’ minor league rehab assignments are limited to 20 days, pitchers have 30 days and those recovering from Tommy John surgery may receive three consecutive 10-day extensions.
Cole's last official outing was in Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. He made a pair of spring training starts before undergoing the surgery with Los Angeles Dodgers team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
Cole is signed to a $324 million, nine-year contract through 2028. He has a 153-80 career record and 3.18 ERA over 317 starts with Pittsburgh (2013-17), Houston (2018-19) and the Yankees (starting in 2020).
Besides Cole, Carlos Rodón will face hitters again on Saturday and will likely start a rehab assignment next week. Boone said the left-hander will need three rehab games.
Rodón threw 50 pitches to batters over three simulated innings before Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels. Rodón is recovering from surgery on Oct. 15 to remove loose bodies in his left elbow and shave a bone spur, and his rehab was slowed by right hamstring tightness.
Last year, WrestleMania 41 took place in Las Vegas. This year, WrestleMania 42 returns to Sin City on April 18 and 19. Pro wrestling’s Super Bowl is not just those two days, but it’s a week-long event.
Almost every organization on the independent wrestling scene will travel to Las Vegas to take advantage of the legion of fans flying in from all over the world to watch pro wrestling.
The result? The host city's economy has been significantly boosted.
WWE will host several events during the week, from the WWE Hall of Fame, WWE World, SmackDown, and, of course, WrestleMania 42.
Throughout the week, WWE fans will see Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Becky Lynch, Oba Femi, Rhea Ripley, and more. WrestleMania week also includes wrestlers from other promotions like GCW, CMLL, PROGRESS, and more.
Before and after WrestleMania, there’s something for everyone.
The Sporting News has provided a full schedule of wrestling events, which will be updated frequently — including times, matches, and tickets, when available.
WrestleMania 42 Weekend Schedule
Thursday, April 16
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:PROGRESS Wrestling: Chapter 193 – PROGRESSLas Vegas II - Horseshoe Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT: Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling: TJPW LIVE in Las Vegas 2026 - Pearl Theater Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT: New Texas Pro Wrestling: Sin City Stampede - Bizarre Bar, Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT:WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
4 p.m. ET | 1 p.m. PT:Ricky Tenacious Presents The Dropkick Disco - The Center - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT:Organized International Wrestling Association: The Outliers Showcase - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT:St. Louis Anarchy: Let Anarchy Be Anarchy - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT:CMLL Slamfest- Pearl Theater - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: WrestleCon: Mark Hitchcock Memorial Supershow - Horseshoe Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: RISE Underground Pro Wrestling - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT:Million Dollar Minds Pro Wrestling: All Or Nothing! - The Center - Las Vegas
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT:Delgado Promotions: The Infinity Lucha Libre - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: Devotion Championship Wrestling: Winning Dangerously - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: West Coast Pro Wrestling: West Coast vs. The World - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: Future Stars of Wrestling: WWE ID Showcase - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: WORST WRESTLING SHOW ALL MANIA WEEK - Beer Zombies Las Vegas
10:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. PT:Lucha Memes, Tijuana Wrestling Entertainment & Souris Valley Wrestling: FundMeMania - The Center - Las Vegas
11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT: El Desperado Presents Death Vegas Invitacional - Horseshoe Las Vegas
11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT:House of Glory Wrestling: Culture Clash - Pearl Theater - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT:MicroMania Midget Wrestling - The Nerd - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT:Ladies Night Out 16: Sin City Showdown - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
1:30 a.m. ET | 10:30 p.m. PT:Marvelous Women’s Pro Wrestling - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
2:59 a.m. ET | 11:59 p.m. PT: Game Changer Wrestling: MDK Fight Club - Horseshoe Las Vegas
Friday, April 17
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:ACTION Wrestling: We Gambled Away The Graphix Budget - Bizarre Bar Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: Gringo Loco’s The Wrld on Lucha - Horseshoe Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT:Brawlin Brews: Brawl-In! - Container Park - Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: Underground Sports Entertainment: Dungeon Roulette - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
3 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. PT: Oasis Pro Wrestling: NINTH ISLVND II - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT:Versus Pro Wrestling: Bet II Wrestling Mayhem - Container Park - Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT: Texas Wrestling Cartel: Sleep With The Fishes - FSW Arena - Las Vegas
5:30 p.m. ET | 2:30 p.m. PT:Big Time Wrestling: High Stakes - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT:STARDOM: American Dream 2026 in Las Vegas - Pearl Theater - Las Vegas (Tickets)
6 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. PT: Game Changer Wrestling: Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV - Horseshoe Las Vegas Las Vegas (Tickets)
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT:KingSlayer Wrestling & Impact Zone Wrestling: PWO One World Stage - Container Park - Las Vegas
7 p.m. ET | 4 p.m. PT: X Brand Wrestling: Are You Saved? II - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: WWE SmackDown - T-Mobile Arena - Las Vegas (Tickets)
8 p.m. ET | 5 p.m. PT: Relentless Pro Wrestling: Sin City Slam - FSW Arena Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: PrideStyle Pro Wrestling: Out Of This World - Bizarre Bar - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: TIM (This is Manly) Wrestling - Beer Zombies - Las Vegas
6 p.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: ComptonMania: VegasMania - Container Park - Las Vegas
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: Joey Janela’s Spring Break X - Horseshoe Las Vegas (Tickets)
10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT: Martinez Entertainment & Vago’s Lucha Libre: Welcome to Las Vegas Lucha Libre 2 - 1706 S Industrial Rd - Las Vegas
11 p.m. ET | 8 p.m. PT: Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: MULTIVERSE - Pearl Theater - Las Vegas
12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT:The Sabu Memorial 2-Day Block Party - The Nerd - Las Vegas
12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT: Marks R Us: Take My Soul… Give Me Grave - Dive Bar - Las Vegas
12 a.m. ET | 9 p.m. PT - WWE Hall of Fame -Dolby Live at Park MGM - Las Vegas (ESPN | Tickets)
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT: MicroMania Midget Wrestling - The Nerd - Las Vegas
1 a.m. ET | 10 p.m. PT: Killer Kross Presents FSW Mecca XI - HyperX Arena - Las Vegas
2 a.m. ET | 11 p.m. PT: MicroMania Midget Wrestling - Little Darlings - Las Vegas
2:59 a.m. ET | 11:59 p.m. PT: Juggalo Championship Wrestling: Strangle-Mania: Viva Las Violence - Horseshoe Las Vegas
2:59 a.m. ET | 11:59 p.m. PT: SVN Wrestling & The Devil Dred: I’m Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today - Dive Bar - Las Vegas
Saturday, April 18
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: WWE World - Las Vegas Convention Center (Tickets)
1 p.m. ET | 10 a.m. PT: Lucha Libro: Viva Las Pages - West Las Vegas Library - Las Vegas
2 p.m. ET | 11 a.m. PT:Game Changer Wrestling: Effy’s Big Gay Brunch 2026 - Horseshoe Las Vegas
5 p.m. ET | 2 p.m. PT: World’s Greatest Wrestling: Blackout Watch Party - Beer Zombies - Las Vegas
ESPN's Mel Kiper no longer adheres to the philosophy that NFL teams should not select running backs in the first round of the NFL Draft, especially when a running back is as versatile as Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love.
That is why Kiper's final mock draft of the 2026 NFL Draft cycle has the Tennessee Titans selecting Love with the fourth pick in the first round.
"That was a long, long, long time ago when I started that philosophy (about not selecting a running back in the first round) when I would present stats and people were yelling at me that makes no sense, but that was based on what was happening at that time," Kiper said on a conference call April 16.
Fast forward to today's NFL, and teams are using running backs in a variety of ways, making them more than just ball carriers, which is why Kiper has changed his tune. Not only is he fine with running backs going in the first round, but he believes Love, who had 1,372 yards on 199 carries and 18 touchdowns and 27 catches for 280 yards and three touchdowns in 2025 at Notre Dame, is valuable enough to take very early in the first round.
"These running backs now are so accomplished as receivers that they're much more than just a running back. Just the swing passes or the screen passes, is not Jeremiyah Love. You can put him in the slot, you can put him out wide," Kiper said. "You think about Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Christian McCaffrey, all those backs are more than just a great running back. They are great receivers. They've been using these guys like that for a while now. Jeremiyah Love is much more than just a running back. He's a weapon, he's a fear factor player, and that's why I like him there."
With his combination of running and pass-catching abilities, Kiper believes Love would be an asset for Titans quarterback Cam Ward in Ward's second season, and that is another reason Kiper believes he could end up in Tennessee.
"Cam Ward showed mid- to late-season he can be a great quarterback in this league," Kiper said. "Obviously, he needs to get the ball out a little quicker; he needs to keep developing, which he will. He made some mistakes, all rookies do. He learned from his mistakes and got a lot better. So for me, Jeremiyah Love, a fear factor player, with Ward, a quarterback who is ascending hopefully to where he can be one of the better quarterbacks in the league, then it makes perfect sense."
Why Mel Kiper has the Titans selecting Malachi Lawrence in second round of NFL Draft
Kiper expects the Titans to switch to defense for their second-round selection in the draft and pick UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. Lawrence is among the top-rated edge rushers in the draft, along with Miami's Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor, and Texas Tech's David Bailey.
Lawrence, who is 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, did not receive the same level of attention as some others at his position because he played at UCF, but Kiper says he is in that mix.
"If he would have been at Miami or anywhere in the SEC, with his skill set, he would probably be anywhere in the top 10 to 15 picks," Kiper said. "He tested off the charts, has length as well. Really, for him, I think he could be in the late first (round). But the consensus when I talked to people was more early- to mid-second, so that's why he fell to Tennessee."
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
Colby Covington is not happy with the UFC's matchmaking for the White House event.
A big advocate for U.S. President Donald Trump, Covington (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) was snubbed out of a spot at UFC Freedom 250 on June 14. Headlining the event is a lightweight title-unification bout between champion Ilia Topuria and interim champ Justin Gaethje.
Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) is a big favorite over Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC), and Covington sees it as a mismatch.
"You'd think that there would be more American fighters on it from top to bottom," Covington said on Daniel Cormier's YouTube channel. "You'd think that there would maybe be some favorable matchups for the American, but to send Gaethje out there to get slaughtered – I mean, Topuria is the best fighter on the planet right now.
"No one can, I think, dispute that. The way he's just finishing these guys: (Max) Holloway, (Alexander) Volkanovski and (Charles) Oliveira, he's just on another level right now. He's in his prime, and Gaethje is on his way down, and there's no beating father time."
Covington highlighted another matchup on the card, where the American fighter isn't favored to win.
"I just feel like they could have put more Americans and bigger fights, and they didn't put the best American fighters on the card," Covington said. "They put Gaethje – he's a good American fighter for sure, but there's other 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? 41, 42-year-old Michael Chandler? He's a punching bag now. So, another guy – he's being sent to slaughter on our birthday for America."
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – As Jacob Bridgeman trudged up the 52 steps to the clubhouse at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, it had slipped his mind that Tiger Woods, the tournament host, would be waiting to congratulate him after winning the PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational in February.
Bridgeman, 26, had been in the presence of the 15-time major winner before, including at the Sage Valley Invitational, a prominent junior golf tournament in his native South Carolina, but this time Woods offered a handshake and piece of advice that comes from winning a Tour-record 82 times.
“It was special,” Bridgeman recalled on Wednesday ahead of the RBC Heritage. “I was in shock and after we talked for a second or two I think he realized that I didn’t know what I was supposed to do and he said, ‘Go sign your scorecard.’ ”
Bridgeman has been one of the breakout stars on Tour this season, making the cut in all nine starts and recording three additional top 5s, tied for the second most on Tour and just one behind world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. His T-41 in his Masters debut last week was Bridgeman's first result outside the top 18. Add it all up and it's no surprise that Bridgeman ranks third in the season-long FedEx Cup standings.
“It's been even better than I would have dreamed it to be,” he said.
Bridgeman grew up in the Palmetto State – Upstate as he put it – and learned the game at Woodfin Ridge Golf Course in Inman, just north of Spartanburg, where he idolized pro golfer Tommy Biershenk, who had a cup of coffee on the PGA Tour, playing one full season in the big leagues in 2012 and making 152 career starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, the Tour's top developmental circuit.
When Biershenk would come home from a tournament, Bridgeman and Korn Ferry Tour pro Trent Phillips would call him up and ask if he would play with them. Biershenk recognized raw talent when he saw it and says of Bridgeman, “I knew that as long as he kept working on it that he was going to make it.”
To Bridgeman, Biershenk is still one of the best golfers he’s ever seen and he instilled the confidence that he could do great things in the game. Bridgeman's putting always has been his super power but Biershenk emphasized the importance of the mental game.
“He always said there are a lot more losses than wins and he said he saw in me that I had the mental game to get there,” Bridgeman recalled.
During that one season on Tour, Biershenk tried to play what he termed “perfect golf” and was scared to make mistakes. He played to make the cut and was too concerned with keeping his card rather than winning. “I told him don’t do what I did,” Biershenk said.
After he lost his Tour status and returned home to teach, Biershenk coached Bridgeman, flattening his backswing because he was too steep and tightening his shot dispersion. Bridgeman became an All-American at Clemson University, where Biershenk played before him, and won the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference title and Player of the Year honors.
Two years ago, Bridgeman switched to working with instructor Scott Hamilton, who travels the Tour and has a large stable of pros, but to this day, Bridgeman still does the same drill before he plays, that Biershenk taught him — sticking a head cover in his armpit to prevent him from getting steep.
It hasn't hurt that Bridgeman’s putting has reached new heights this season as he's climbed to first on Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting. Two years ago, he switched from a traditional blade putter he'd used since his youth to a TaylorMade Spider. While his caddie made a 28-hour drive from California to Minnesota for the 2024 3M Open due to the internet blackout that disrupted travel via airlines, Bridgeman grew bored waiting for him and decided to take the mallet-head putter for a test drive.
“Started making everything and decided I'm going to switch to this,” recalled Bridgeman, who shot 63 in his first competitive round with the new short stick. “Putted with it the first few days, decided I wanted some sort of alignment aid, took a Sharpie out, drew a dot on the top, and that's kind of been the putter I've been rolling with since.”
Playing this week at the RBC Heritage feels like a home game, even though it’s about four hours from his stomping grounds. Bridgeman remembers competing in the Junior Heritage here and visits with his grandmother, who had a timeshare nearby that the family would enjoy once a year. He developed a fondness for Harbour Town, where the average green size at the Pete Dye design is just 4,500 square feet, making them some of the smallest on the Tour.
“It’s a place where you have to plot your way around, be strategic off the tee, can't really overpower it with length,” he said. “That's the courses that I prefer.”
Bridgeman also is back on the Bermuda-grass greens that he grew up on, but he seemed to figure out the Poa annua greens at Riviera Country Club near Los Angeles, building a six-stroke lead entering the final round. Biershenk watched from his home while chatting with Bridgeman’s father as Bridgeman’s lead was trimmed to two strokes by the time he reached the last hole.
“As soon as he hit the green at 18, I told his dad now we can breathe,” Biershenk recalled. McIlroy proceeded to can a 30-foot bomb for birdie and when Bridgeman left his birdie putt 4 feet short the possibility of a playoff loomed should Bridgeman miss. Biershenk worried that he may have applied the jinx on his protégé but Bridgeman shook it in for his maiden Tour title.
“First of many, I told him,” said Biershenk, who was Bridgeman's guest to watch him in the opening round of the Masters last week. “The first win is always the hardest but once you get that one under the belt you realize it’s not as hard as you thought.”
Taking wide receivers early on in the NFL draft is far from an exact science. For every Tetairoa McMillan, there's a Xavier Legette—and thanks to that fact, the Carolina Panthers may once again have to allot capital to this position.
While the latest reporting suggests the Panthers may be targeting a safety in Round 1, wide receiver will definitely be on the menu at some point—likely before Day 3. That could mean Legette might end up as the odd man out in Carolina's new-look receiver corps.
According to Bleacher Report, he's one of 10 players around the NFL who may end up getting moved after the draft. Analyst Moe Moton wrote the following of the former 32nd overall pick:
Given his first-round draft pedigree, Xavier Legette's development has been underwhelming... Legette isn't going to draw strong interest following two modest years of production, but the Panthers may look to move on from him if they draft another receiver who can present more upside in a flashier career start.
The trouble is that Legette probably doesn't have the greatest of trade value. He's struggled to find his footing, sometimes literally—amassing just 860 receiving yards and seven scores over his first two seasons.
Carolina's best solution may be to diminish Legette's role and hope that he sticks on eventually, perhaps as an occasional gadget weapon or a contributor on special teams. The Panthers would be silly to pick up his fifth-year option given what they've seen so far, so Legette will have to prove himself in some way in order to justify any kind of a second contract.
As for his replacement, Jalen Coker is the most promising option already on the roster. However, Coker's pair of soft tissue injuries raise a red flag for the future.
The truth is that the Panthers may need to double up at wide receiver in order to meet their long-term needs at this position.
The Cincinnati Bengals, as it turns out, were serious about getting one last NFL draft visit in at the buzzer.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bengals gave NFL draft prospect Kaelon Black an Uber that wound up being a five-hour drive from Chicago after his flight was canceled.
Nice gesture by the Bengals, all things considered, to foot the bill on a single draft prospect’s ride, given the odd circumstances.
We had previously noted Black’s upcoming visit with the Bengals. They have quietly had an eye on running backs during this draft cycle because the depth chart doesn’t have much going on behind Chase Brown.
Brown is an extension candidate this summer, but only has one year left on his current deal. Behind him on the depth chart, Samaje Perine has one year left on his contract, too.
The Bengals have some notable developmental prospects like Tahj Brooks and Kendall Milton. But Black is one too: He just ran for 1,040 yards and 10 scores last season and averaged better than five yards per chance overall.
If nothing else, this saga of events would make for an interesting storyline if the Bengals end up with Black on their roster.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just one week away, and the Chicago Bears are finalizing their draft board before things kick off April 23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Bears have a slew of positional needs and directions they could go with their first-round pick, most notably on defense. ESPN Analytics shared a draft day predictor tool that uses ESPN's mock drafts and prospect rankings to create graphs that show the most likely prospects to be selected by a team at a certain pick.
We compiled a list of the top players who are most likely to be drafted by Chicago at pick No. 25, according to ESPN Analytics. It's a group that consists of defensive linemen, offensive tackles and safeties. Here's a look:
Peter Woods, DT, Clemson
Chance taken: 8%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Woods flashes the ability to win with quickness, strength and hand usage — and the next step in his development is for him to do so more consistently. He offers scheme diversity, although he projects best as a three-/4i-technique DT.
Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M
Chance taken: 7.5%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Howell needs to expand the consistency of his impact beyond winning as a high-side rusher, but his athletic twitch, play speed and violent demeanor make for the type of package you bet on at the position. At worst, he should be a designated pass rusher, with the ceiling of a versatile NFL starter (like Haason Reddick) who can be moved around the front.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo
Chance taken: 6.5%
Dane Brugler's analysis: McNeil-Warren is an impressive size/speed athlete on the back end, who is at his best when roaming to read his keys, flow to the ball and quickly close space. He has the rangy tools to push for starting safety reps as an NFL rookie.
KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
Chance taken: 5.75%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Concepcion must cut down on the drops and fine-tune areas of his game, but he is a versatile playmaker with an innate feel for getting open before the catch and creating after it. He has the receiving talent to become a starting slot or Z while also providing value as a punt returner.
Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
Chance taken: 5.25%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Lomu must get stronger and continue to develop his technique and grit, but NFL teams are understandably intrigued by his movement ability and ready-to-cultivate left tackle skill set. His upside points to him becoming an NFL starter.
Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn
Chance taken: 5.12%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Faulk has more “almost” plays than impact ones on his tape, but you bet on a developing, 21-year-old player with his exciting traits (he’s similar in several ways to Mykel Williams as a prospect). The character and upside are promising, but how early a team drafts him is dependent on its appetite for risk.
Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami
Chance taken: 5%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Mesidor won’t be universally loved because of his age and injury history, but he is a disruptive force off the edge who is always playing 100 mph. He projects as a three-down NFL starter, with interior value on subpackages.
Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
Chance taken: 5%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Miller has an upright play style that could lead to issues vs. NFL competition, but he has the type of profile (physical traits, football IQ, competitive toughness) that teams will bet on every time. He should compete for a starting right tackle role as a rookie.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Chance taken: 4.75%
Dane Brugler's analysis: Thieneman reminds me of Justin Reid because of his scheme-friendly recognition skills and eagerness to get busy as a run defender. He projects as a durable NFL starter and has versatility that should appeal to a variety of defensive structures.
The 2026 NFL Draft is one week away and the anticipation is growing. With Fernando Mendoza widely expected to be the first pick to the Las Vegas Raiders, the intrigue begins behind him. According to one NFL general manager, the first round of the 2026 Draft could be filled with several trades.
“I think the fans will be in for a treat next Thursday,” Veach said. “I think it should be an entertaining night, there will probably be a lot of trades…I think from a fans perspective, they should have a lot of fun next Thursday.”
It doesn’t even include the trades for established NFL players, such as Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver receiver A.J. Brown. While it seems more likely after June 1, it shows that NFL teams can move established stars during the 2026 NFL Draft. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time it has happened.
Even if there isn’t a star moved in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the fanbase should be excited for what’s coming soon. One of the NFL’s best general mangers believes there will be “lots of trades.” If so, the drama and anticipation will continue to grow over the next week.
Arsenal hold a six-point lead at the top ahead of the latest matchday, but City still have a game in hand. Their scheduled match with Crystal Palace, initially due for the penultimate weekend of March, was postponed because of the Carabao Cup final between City and the Gunners. The result of this match, when it finally takes place, could yet have a big impact on the title battle.
The Sporting News looks at the latest on when the game will be played.
The game between City and Palace has not yet been rescheduled. Google lists the fixture on Friday, May 22 at 3 p.m. BST (10 a.m. ET), but the league has not confirmed a date or time.
The match was initially moved because of the Carabao Cup final on March 22, and it has been difficult to find a convenient day due to City being in the latter rounds of the FA Cup and Palace competing in the UEFA Conference League.
Possible dates for Man City vs. Crystal Palace
Palace reaching the quarterfinals of the Conference League has complicated the schedule, even though City were eliminated from Europe by Real Madrid in mid-March.
The Eagles face Fiorentina in the second leg of their matchup on April 16, and as they hold a 3-0 aggregate advantage, they are expected to go through to the semifinals. Those matches will be held on April 30 and May 7, which would rule out holding the City game in those midweeks.
The weekend of April 25-26 is not possible because City face Southampton in the FA Cup semifinals on the Saturday. If City win, they will contest the final on May 16, which also means they will have to move their scheduled league match with Bournemouth.
The likelihood is these two games would be moved to midweek slots in the weeks beginning May 11 and May 18, which is the final week of the Premier League season. However, if City lose to Southampton, the Bournemouth game will not need to be rearranged, and the Palace match could take place in the week commencing April 27 if the Eagles are knocked out of the Conference League.
Projected Man City schedule, including Crystal Palace and Bournemouth games
Date
Match
Competition
Schedule notes
Sunday, April 19
Man City vs. Arsenal
Premier League (MW33)
Confirmed
Wednesday, April 22
Burnley vs. Man City
Premier League (MW34)
Confirmed
Saturday, April 25
Man City vs. Southampton
FA Cup (semifinal)
Confirmed
Wednesday, April 29
Man City vs. Crystal Palace
Premier League (MW31)
Possible date if Southampton beat City + Palace eliminated from Europe
Monday, May 4
Everton vs. Man City
Premier League (MW35)
Confirmed
Saturday, May 9
Man City vs. Brentford
Premier League (MW36)
Confirmed
Wednesday, May 13
Bournemouth vs. Man City OR Man City vs. Crystal Palace
Premier League (MW37/31)
Possible date if City reach FA Cup final + Palace reach Conference League semifinals
Saturday, May 16
Bournemouth vs. Man City
Premier League (MW37)
Confirmed date if City DO NOT reach FA Cup final
Sunday, May 17
Man City vs. Chelsea/Leeds
FA Cup (final)
Confirmed date if City reach FA Cup final
Wednesday, May 20
Man City vs. Crystal Palace OR Bournemouth vs. Man City
Premier League (MW31/37)
Possible date if City reach FA Cup final + Palace reach Conference League semifinals
Top journalist lists Chelsea’s seven big issues under BlueCo perfectly
There is a sense that everything at Chelsea is broken from top to bottom, and when you see it listed it’s pretty stark.
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Henry Winter has been speaking about Chelsea’s ongoing “project” under the new ownership, and the former Telegraph writer has put it pretty plainly:
“Under BlueCo, Chelsea have an inexperienced coach, a team lacking an experienced leader, sporting directors who have produced an imbalanced squad, boardroom issues, disconnect with loyal fans, stadium impasse, concerning financial numbers,” Winter wrote in a Tweet to promote his new podcast.
You can see the show in the video embedded here:
Chelsea’s “broken” project looks beyond repair
Wow. It’s pretty damning, and also pretty hard to disagree with any of that, let alone the conclusion that the Chelsea project is “broken.”
Christian Purslow also chimes in with a very good explanation of why the Chelsea model won’t work – although if you read this website, you won’t need that explained to you again.
The factor of the disconnect between owners and fans was explained thus:
“The non-commercial element of English football takes time for Americans to understand, and even when the understand, they don’t like it” was the summary of a man who has worked with many American owners. Bleak.
In other news…
Jorrel Hato has been solid this season and shows signs of improvement – we look forward to watching him develop.
Van Aanholt called Hato “one of the better left backs in the league” in his quotes.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
With a new CBA, two expansion teams, tons of free agents and the college draft, a lot has happened around the WNBA just a few weeks.
Every WNBA team is either trying to retool, rebuild or run it back. However, not all moves placed teams in a position to accomplish their objective.
Here are the three decisions made by WNBA teams that are, at best, questionable—and maybe even regrettable. Take to the comments and let us know if you agree, while also sharing any moves that left you scratching your head.
The Sparks trade Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins
The Los Angeles Sparks trading Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Ariel Atkins is a perplexing win-now move for a franchise that hasn’t won anything since 2016.
In what world does it make sense to trade away your young talent for an older guard who has accumulated more injuries in recent seasons?
Breaking: The Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to a trade that'll send Rickea Jackson to the Sky and Ariel Atkins to the Sparks, sources told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/2SnRv1sF0y
Sure, the numbers between these two players are comprable. Jackson averaged 14.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game last year, and Atkins ended her 2026 campaign averaging 13.1 points per game and shooting 36.1 percent from 3-point range.
And sure, Atkins is a better defender, but she’ll have to have quite a return to form to not only outplay Jackson but make this trade a win for the Sparks. Simply put, this was poor asset management for LA, and any other rationale at this point is copium.
The Sky trade away Angel Reese
Only the Sky could pull off a great heist by turning Atkins into Jackson and then simultaneously trade away their franchise superstar Angel Reese for pennies on the dollar in the same offseason.
Okay, it was obvious that Angel Reese had to leave. The relationship between her and the Sky was so fractured at the end of last season that her return was unrealistic.
She was honest, fair but critical of the state of the team when she spoke with the Chicago Tribune, saying, “I’m not settling for the same s*** we did this year. We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.”
Reese further explained:
I am very vocal about what we need and what I want. I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me. But while I am here, I’m going to try to stay open-minded about what I have here and maximize that as much as I can.
So sure, she had to go, but for not a single promising player in return?
All you can get back for one of the best rebounders in the WNBA and a superstar athlete is a pair of first-round picks from a likely playoff team in the Atlanta Dream? That’s unacceptable.
The repercussions from this move will be felt for years to come.
The Storm losing most of their starting lineup
The last time the Seattle Storm played basketball, they lost 74-73 to the Las Vegas Aces in the opening round of the playoffs. The entire starting lineup they had in Game 3 is now gone, except for Ezi Magbegor.
Nneka Ogwumike returned to the Sparks, Sklar Diggins joined the Sky, Gabby Williams signed a multi-year deal with the Golden State Valkyries and Brittney Sykes is a Toronto Tempo.
That’s way too much change to create a successful environment in Seattle.
They still have Magbegor, who signed a three-year deal that totals $3.75 million. The Storm also have a top prospect in Dominique Malonga and just drafted Awa Fam with the No. 3 pick before trading for Flau’Jae Johnson—so the future is bright.
However, don’t expect many wins this season. It’s fine that Seattle is going into a rebuild, but letting everyone walk and not setting up a smooth transition seems like a rough way to go from a playoff team to a lottery-bound team.
We’ll see how it plays out, but with the Portland Fire also setting up shop in the Pacific Northwest, ideally, the Storm should be rolling out a better squad as they fight to keep attention in that region of the country. By making such a drastic change, they have opened themselves up to losing some of that market.
Time will tell if these moves are as bad as they currently seem. My guess is that these will be the moves WNBA fans talk about all season long, but for the wrong reasons.
However, Sparks, Sky and Storm fans, defend your team’s decisions and point out the mistakes made by other organizations. Or, share you sense of despair.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 19: Amare Ferrell #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers leaves the field before the 2026 CFP National Championship between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Indiana football safety Amare Ferrell addressed the media on Wednesday following the Hoosiers’ ninth spring practice.
Ferrell is a senior entering his fourth season with the program after signing on as a recruit out of Columbia High School in Florida under Tom Allen. He saw minimal playing time as a true freshman in 2023 before emerging as a starter in 2024 under Curt Cignetti. He started in 15 of the Hoosiers’ 16 games during their run to the national championship in 2025, only missing out on starting the Peach Bowl after suffering an injury during the opening kickoff before returning for the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Miami. He returned and figures to start yet again in a safety room that now includes former Wisconsin transfer Preston Zachman.
Ferrell was asked about the defensive performance in the first scrimmage of spring practice, his role as a leader, the next steps he has to take as a football player, and more.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 11: Josh Hokit of the United States looks on after his victory via unanimous decision over Curtis Blaydes of the United States, not pictured, in a heavyweight bout during UFC 327 at the Kaseya Center on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images
In the ever-shifting MMA landscape, ranking the world’s greatest fighters might seem like a fool’s errand, but that’s exactly what we’ve set out to do with the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. Here, our esteemed panel sorts out the movers and shakers from every division to provide you with the most definitive list of the best fighters on the planet.
Josh Hokit is 2026’s breakout fighter of the year and it’s not even May.
Hyperbole? Maybe. But it’s not a stretch at all to say Hokit is the most talked-about fighter after UFC 327, even with Carlos Ulberg overcoming an injury to knock out Jiri Prochazka and become light heavyweight champion, Paulo Costa deciding he’s going to become a contender in a second division just for kicks (pun intended), and Cub Swanson having a feel-good retirement fight.
Hokit drew all kinds of attention to himself during fight week, good and bad (the over-the-top promos aren’t awful, but I could have done without the racist character and jokes, myself), and when the lights were shining brightest, he delivered in a big way. Eight months after being signed off of Dana White’s Contender Series, Hokit found himself in the cage with perennial top 10 contender Curtis Blaydes and he did not back down for a single second.
The bell rang and Hokit just rushed Blaydes, kicking off a 15-minute back-and-forth battle in which it looked like either fighter could land a knockout flurry—or collapse flat on their face—at any second. And then Hokit won! And got $200,000 in bonus money! Best night ever? Best fantasy draft pick ever???
At 28, Hokit is the definition of fresh blood in a division sorely in need of it. He bursts into the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at No. 7 and already has his next fight booked thanks to a suggestion from President Donald Trump. Hokit is a plus-plus athlete compared to other heavyweights, is uncompromising with how he presents himself (again, mileage may vary), and now gets to face fan favorite Derrick Lewis at the freaking White House in June.
As the man himself would probably put it, what are you going to do when Hokitmania runs wild on you, brother?
Check out the latest edition of the MMA Fighting Global Rankings below.
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 2 Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins (MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano, May 16), No. 3 Ciryl Gane vs. No. 1 LHW Alex Pereira, No. 4 Alexander Volkov vs. No. 6 Waldo Cortes-Acosta (UFC 328, May 9), No. 5 Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tallison Teixeira (UFC Macau, May 30), No. 7 Josh Hokit vs. No. 15 Derrick Lewis (UFC White House, June 14), No. 10 Phil De Fries vs. Marcin Wojcik (KSW 117, April 18)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Valter Walker (5)
Falling out of the rankings: No. 13 Marcin Tybura, No. 15 Reug Reug
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 4 Carlos Ulberg def. No. 3 Jiri Prochazka, No. 14 MW Paulo Costa def. No. 8 Azamat Murzakanov, No. 9 Dominick Reyes def. No. 15 Johnny Walker, No. 14 Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 1 Alex Pereira vs. No. 3 HW Ciryl Gane (heavyweight bout), No. 6 Jan Blachowicz vs. No. 12 Bogdan Guskov (UFC 328, May 9)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Modestas Bukauskas (2), Johnny Walker (1)
Falling out of the rankings: No. 15 Johnny Walker
MIDDLEWEIGHT
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 14 Paulo Costa def. No. 8 LHW Azamat Murzakanov (light heavyweight bout)
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 1 Khamzat Chimaev vs. No. 3 Sean Strickland (UFC 328, May 9), No. 7 Brendan Allen vs. Edmen Shahbazyan (UFC Vegas 118, June 6)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Shara Bullet (1)
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 2 Jack Della Maddalena vs. No. 7 Carlos Prates (UFC Perth, May 2), No. 6 Belal Muhammad vs. No. 15 Gabriel Bonfim (UFC Vegas 118, June 6), No. 8 Sean Brady vs. No. 11 Joaquin Buckley (UFC 328, May 9), No. 14 Yaroslav Amosov vs. Joel Alvarez (UFC 328, May 9)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Jason Jackson (2), Geoff Neal (2)
Falling out of the rankings: No. 12 Ramazan Kuramagomedov (retired), No. 14 Geoff Neal
LIGHTWEIGHT
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 3 Charles Oliveira def. No. 4 Max Holloway, No. 9 Mateusz Gamrot def. Esteban Ribovics, No. 15 Renato Moicano def. Chris Duncan
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 1 Ilia Topuria vs. No. 5 Justin Gaethje (UFC White House, June 14), No. 10 Mauricio Ruffy vs. Michael Chandler, No. 13 Beneil Dariush vs. Quillan Salkilld
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Fares Ziam (2)
FEATHERWEIGHT
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 1 Alexander Volkanovski def. No. 3 Diego Lopes, No. 2 Movsar Evloev def. No. 6 Lerone Murphy, No. 8 Jean Silva def. No. 7 Arnold Allen, No. 15 Aaron Pico def. No. 10 Patricio Pitbull, Kevin Vallejos def. No. 12 Josh Emmett, No. 14 Razhabali Shaidulloev def. Yuta Kubo
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 3 Diego Lopes vs. No. 11 Steve Garcia (UFC White House, June 14), No. 4 Aljamain Sterling vs. No. 9 Youssef Zalal (UFC Vegas 116, April 25), No. 8 Arnold Allen vs. No. 13 Melquizael Costa (UFC Vegas 117, May 16)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Josh Emmett (1), Movlid Khaybulaev (1), A.J. McKee (1), Pat Sabatini (1)
Falling out of the rankings: No. 11 Brian Ortega, No. 12 Josh Emmett
BANTAMWEIGHT
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 3 Umar Nurmagomedov def. No. 7 Deiveson Figueiredo, No. 5 Sean O’Malley def. No. 8 Song Yadong, No. 6 Mario Bautista def. No. 14 Vinicius Oliveira, Mitch McKee def. No. 10 Sergio Pettis, No. 12 David Martinez def. No. 11 Marlon Vera
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 5 Sean O’Malley vs. No. 8 Aiemann Zahabi (UFC White House, June 14), No. 7 Song Yadong vs. No. 9 Deiveson Figueiredo (UFC Macau, May 30), No. 15 Magomed Magomedov vs. Leandro Higo (PFL Sioux Falls, May 2)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Raoni Barcelos (2), Farid Basharat (2), Marcus McGhee (2), Vinicius Oliveira (2), Raufeon Stots (1)
Falling out of the rankings: No. 14 Vinicius Oliveira
FLYWEIGHT
Recent results for ranked fighters (previous ranking shown): No. 15 Charles Johnson def. Bruno Silva
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 2 Joshua Van vs. No. 5 Tatsuro Taira (UFC 328, May 9), No. 3 Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Manel Kape (UFC Vegas 119, June 20), No. 7 Muhammad Mokaev vs. Adriano Moraes (MVP MMA: Rousey vs. Carano, May 16), No. 11 Asu Almabayev vs. No. 15 Charles Johnson (UFC Baku, June 27), No. 13 Alex Perez vs. Sumudaerji (UFC Macau, May 30), No. 14 Steve Erceg vs. Tim Elliott (UFC Perth, May 2)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Tim Elliott (2), Yuya Wakamatsu (2), Tagir Ulanbekov (1)
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 10 Jasmine Jasudavicius vs. No. 15 Karine Silva (UFC Winnipeg, April 18), No. 11 Taila Santos vs. Yan Qihui (PFL Sioux Falls, May 2)
Upcoming bouts featuring ranked fighters: No. 15 Angela Hill vs. Xiong Jingnan (UFC Macau, May 30)
Fighters also receiving votes (number of ballot appearances shown): Denise Gomes (3), Loma Lookboonmee (2)
Falling out of the rankings: No. 15 Denise Gomes
A refresher on the ground rules:
The five-person voting panel consists of MMA Fighting staffers Alexander K. Lee, Guilherme Cruz, Mike Heck, Damon Martin, and Jed Meshew.
Fighters will be removed from the rankings if they do not compete within 18 months of their most recent bout in a given weight class. Updates to the rankings are typically completed following each month’s UFC pay-per-view.
Should a fighter announce their retirement, our panel will decide whether that fighter should immediately be removed from the rankings or maintain their position until further notice. (Let’s put it this way: We’d have taken Khabib Nurmagomedov out of our rankings a lot quicker than the UFC did.)
Holding a promotion’s title does not guarantee that fighter will be viewed as the best in their promotion. Additionally, fighters who regularly compete or hold titles in multiple weight classes are eligible to be ranked in multiple lists.
Thoughts? Questions? Concerns? Make your voice heard in the comments below.
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 15: Brandon Cisse #15 of the South Carolina Gamecocks motions prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on November 15, 2025 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Maria Lysaker/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Dallas Cowboys enter the draft with a pressing need to solidify their defensive secondary. While the current roster features some wild card options, a lack of reliable depth makes the cornerback position a top priority for the front office. Scouting reports suggest that one specific playmaker possesses the rare athleticism and processing speed required to dominate in this aggressive system. Selecting this lockdown defender would immediately boost the unit and give the defense a fighting chance on Sundays.
Cisse began his collegiate career at NC State, where he quickly proved he belonged on the big stage by earning significant snaps as a true freshman and sealing games with clutch interceptions. Seeking to test himself against the best in the country, he transferred to South Carolina and became an immediate standout for the Gamecocks. During his time in the SEC, he transformed into a shutdown threat who routinely held top-tier receivers well below their season averages. His progression from a reliable rotational piece to a premier conference defender has scouts buzzing about his ceiling, especially considering he is still one of the younger prospects in the entire class.
Strengths
The most striking aspect of Cisse’s game is his quick, explosive ability that allows him to mirror receivers through every twist and turn of a route. He possesses incredibly smooth footwork that keeps him balanced even when facing the shiftiest targets in the league. At the line of scrimmage, he utilizes his length effectively, using a long arm jam to disrupt the timing of opposing wideouts and force them off their intended path. This combination of twitchy movement and technical hand usage makes him a frustrating opponent for anyone trying to gain a clean release.
His athletic profile is further enhanced by elite leaping skills that allow him to contest high-point passes against much taller competition. Cisse does an excellent job of keeping his eyes on the ball while it is in flight, showing a natural sense of timing to break up passes at the last possible second. Unlike some cornerbacks who avoid the dirty work, he shows a genuine run support willingness and will aggressively fly downhill to blow up screen passes or limit outside runs. He plays with a high motor and a physical edge that endears him to coaches who value a complete defensive back.
Weaknesses
If there is a concern about his transition to the professional level, it starts with his slender frame, where he may struggle against the more powerful possession receivers in the NFL. This lack of bulk occasionally leads to tackling inconsistencies where he can be dragged for extra yardage or bounced off by stronger ball carriers. Additionally, there are moments on tape where he shows slightly late reactions to complex route concepts or play-action fakes. He will need to sharpen his diagnostic skills to ensure his physical traits are not wasted by a split second of hesitation.
The Fit
Cisse is a tailor-made candidate for the aggressive defensive identity that Christian Parker is building in Dallas. Parker places a high premium on cornerbacks who can combine raw speed with the mental processing required for modern match coverage. Cisse’s background as a two-way player gives him an intuitive understanding of offensive spacing, which aligns perfectly with the pattern-matching principles used by the Cowboys staff. His ability to recover quickly and his competitive spirit make him a natural understudy for the playmakers currently leading the Dallas secondary.
The Final Word
Projected as an early second-round selection, Cisse would only be in play if the Cowboys traded back in the draft, but he’s a prime Day 2 candidate if they want to inject youth and high-end athleticism into their defense. He fits the mold of a versatile defender who can provide immediate value on special teams while developing into a lockdown starter on the perimeter. Cisse offers the explosive burst and competitive fire to thrive in the Dallas spotlight. Taking a chance on this young playmaker would be a nice step in repairing a cornerback room that remains under construction.
Brandon Cisse feels like the epitome of a lengthy, jammy-type corner that the Cowboys scouts have historically desired, but also has the twitchy reactiveness for a Parker system. pic.twitter.com/VEMwNtdSE9
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - APRIL 14: JJ Wetherholt #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Cleveland Guardians at Busch Stadium on April 14, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s been an up and down season so far for the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s entirely reasonable to expect that it will be an up and down season from here on out. We’re all hoping for an outcome that’s special and unexpected, but the likelihood is that we’ll have to live through growing pains. In some ways, JJ Wetherholt’s (very, very) early season results are a microcosm for the roller coaster nature of this team as a whole. This is fitting in a lot of ways, as we all hope JJ Wetherholt will be in St. Louis for a very long time. (Unless you’re somehow anti-Wetherholt?! Please, go ahead and identify yourself so we can turn up our noses at you and cross the street to the other side. Thanks!)
Wetherholt, of course, is an uber prospect. Everybody who ranks prospects (including your pet dog), had Wetherholt as a consensus top prospect in all of the minor leagues. This designation is a bit of a catch-22 for Cardinals prospects. Wetherholt descends from a shaky Cardinals prospect tree that includes names like Carlson, Reyes, Taveras (RIP – a true sliding doors moment for the franchise), and Walker (WOW JORDAN WALKER SO FAR). I’m fine staking my non-existent Cardinals reputation on the fact that Wetherholt is absolutely not going to be a failure. While I’m here giving takes, let me just bring up the spice level. I’d happily bet money that Wetherholt will be in a red jacket someday. How’s that for confidence?
In our last episode of Redbird Rundown, we ranked the top three most untradeable major leaguers on the Cardinals roster and despite Jordan Walker’s thermonuclear start (let’s do it again – WOW JORDAN WALKER SO FAR), Wetherholt remains the top of the heap for me. You may disagree, and that’s part of being an observer! Check out that list and so much more if you’re into audio content – Apple and Spotify!
If you’ve watched any of the games thus far, you’ve seen why I have such confidence in Wetherholt. The guy is a quintessential high-floor player. His approach is elite – maybe even beyond elite? Wetherholt is a one man wrecking crew for opposing hurler’s pitch counts. As such, he’s running a walk rate that is in the 76th percentile. While spitting on balls outside the zone, Wetherholt is hacking at pitches in the zone. In the very early going (Yes, I’m still aware it’s early. Thanks for checking.), Wetherholt is displaying an aggressiveness that he’s never shown as a professional. As of this writing, he’s swinging at 5% more pitches in the zone and 3% more pitches outside the zone.
This newfound aggressiveness, while probably explained by a little rookie pressing to produce at the big league level, does not appear to be serving him well. His bat speed is exactly league average, so to leverage the surprising power he showed last year at Memphis, he’s going to have to swing at exactly the right pitches. Naturally, Wetherholt just had a two homer game two days ago, so there’s all the proof any of us need.
For the season though, his batted ball data is strikingly average. He’s the Michael McGreevy of batted balls so far? Not sure. May need to workshop that. He’s almost exactly 50th percentile in barrel %, hard hit %, average exit velo, and squared up %. All of these numbers last year were much closer to the top of the MiLB system. Obviously, MLB hitters on average are better than MiLB hitters, but this suggests to me that Wetherholt is making contact with pitches he just can’t do as much with. In short, he’s swinging too much right now.
The biggest plague on Wetherholt’s offensive production so far is the sharply hit ball to second base. Now, before you get visions of Victor Scott II dancing in your head, don’t. In general, just don’t do that to yourself. But, Wetherholt is pulling so many more balls than last year. It’s shocking really. Last year he pulled 42.5% of his batted ball events in the minors, this year it’s up to 53.8%. What gives? His opposite field contact has fallen a full 14%. The best version of Wetherholt anyone has ever seen in his very short career (Wetherholt himself is a bit of a short king, no?) has a spray chart that looks like a shotgun blast. It’s all over the field. Right now, he’s pulling far more pitches and suffering from a .245 BABIP. Many of these hard grounders are right at the first and second basemen.
What’s the upshot? JJ Wetherholt is running a 109 wRC+ being a substandard version of his best offensive self. I’m going to chalk it up to rookie pressing. He also has an interesting habit of going through an adjustment period at each new level and then his baseball AI brain recalibrates and he dominates. I’m not sure we’ll see the lofty 154 wRC+ he ran last year in the minors, but I expect him to improve. It’s been an impressive start, even as it’s substandard for him. If that even makes sense.
As you watch him in the coming weeks, pay attention to how aggressive he is in the box. My hope is that he edges down towards his college and minor league seasons when it comes to swing rates. The track record of this more patient player is beyond impressive. I suspect that the Cardinals have a top of the order hitter that will be there for a long time just starting his adjustment period to major league pitching. We’ll see what the future brings.
As always, thanks for reading! It’s been a great experience at VEB so far. Thanks for that! You can usually find me during games hanging out on twitter @mksmith86. I honestly tweet more from our podcast handle @redbirdrundown2. Drop by and say hey!
2027 three-star Buford (Ga.) High linebacker Ethan Hauser finished his visit to Michigan last weekend by immediately locking in a return trip. He will now be among the official visitors during Victor’s Weekend starting June 19 because of the treatment he received on campus.
“My latest visit to Michigan went very well,” Hauser told Maize n Brew. “I was made a priority by the entire staff. I was definitely impressed with the experience.”
Hauser was joined by another Buford linebacker in 2027 three-star Brayden Watson, both of whom will make the flight again in two months. For Hauser, his interest kicked off in mid-February when linebackers coach Alex Whittingham extended an offer. Since then, the two have connected on a personal level.
“I have a very strong relationship with coach Whittingham,” Hauser said. “He has also made it a point to build a strong relationship with my family. I think he is a great coach and also think he is doing a great job in my recruitment.”
Hauser also said head coach Kyle Whittingham is making a significant effort in building a bond.
“Coach Kyle, like coach Alex, is a great guy as well,” Hauser said. “A down-to-earth and well-rounded man who is interested in getting to know my family and I. He also makes me feel like a priority.”
At 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, Hauser’s athleticism at the linebacker position is a big reason why there’s a mutual belief between himself and the Michigan staff that he could play at a high level in the defense.
“After watching practice, I definitely can see myself fitting into Michigan’s scheme, as well as play style,” Hauser said. “I think I fit in pretty well with Michigan’s linebackers. They are versatile and physical. Their communication was very good at practice.”
Heading into the official visit, the Wolverines are sitting comfortably for Hauser.
“Michigan definitely stands out to me after my visit and they are really sitting at the top for me right now,” Hauser said. “I’m excited to get a full look at campus and life as a student and player at the University of Michigan.”
Hauser has other official visits set for Vanderbilt (May 29) and Missouri (June 5).
Apr 15, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Tigers center fielder Wenceel Pérez celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the City Royals in the eighth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Detroit Tigers (9-9) vs. Kansas City Royals (7-11)
Time/Place: 1:10 p.m., Comerica Park SB Nation Site: Royals Review Media: Detroit SportsNet, MLB.TV, Tigers Radio Network Pitching Matchup: RHP Keider Montero (1-1, 1.74 ERA) vs. LHP Kris Bubic (2-1, 2.50 ERA)
This spring, the Cubs have given contract extensions to two key players — Pete Crow-Armstrong and Nico Hoerner.
Other teams have done the same, primarily with young players, some even with players who have yet to play a MLB game.
The Cubs have two veteran players who don’t really fit either category above, but who have both been important contributors to the team in recent years — Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki. Both are free agents after this season. They are almost exactly the same age, born 10 days apart (Happ, Aug. 8, 1994 and Suzuki, Aug, 18, 1994). So both turn 32 later this year.
Happ has been a consistent 4 bWAR player over the past four seasons. He’s won Gold Gloves each of those four seasons, and almost always posts an OPS near his career average of .790. You know you’re going to get around 22-23 home runs every year from him, a lot of walks that produce around a .340 OBP even with a BA in the .240s. He is a respected clubhouse leader. He’s already hit four home runs this year — last year he didn’t hit his fourth homer until June 5.
Suzuki has been a bit injury-prone, but had a breakout 2025 season in which he batted .245/.326/.478 with 32 home runs and 103 RBI. The latter two numbers were career highs, as were his runs total (75), his 31 doubles, and 75 walks. He began 2025 mostly as a DH, but when Kyle Tucker went down with various injuries, Suzuki played 48 games in the outfield and was at least competent. (Granted, he has shown little of the defensive form that had him win NPB’s Golden Glove Award five times.)
Suzuki is off to a somewhat slow start this year, .261/.393/.261 (6-for-23), with five walks giving him a decent OBP. But that’s only six games for Seiya, and I feel certain he’ll come close to matching his 2025 numbers in 2026.
So of these two, which one would you want the Cubs to extend? Or both? Or neither?
Personally, I think I’d rather keep Suzuki. It seems to me that he might provide a bit more power over the next few years than Happ, and he could slide into a DH role if needed.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 20, 2026: Colt Emerson #85 of the Seattle Mariners runs out a ground ball during the first inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 20, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images
After 21 individual articles covering the best of what the Seattle Mariners have to offer in their minor league system, Colt Emerson has officially been crowned as Lookout Landing’s top prospect for the 2026 season, concluding our annual rankings. Having already signed a record-breaking extension earlier this season, Emerson exemplifies everything the Mariners want in a young shortstop and will be a key part of this team for the next decade or longer. His highly anticipated promotion is slated to be at some point this season, and though he’s already making major league money as a 20 year old, expect him to get some additional seasoning in Triple-A before he officially breaks through to the big leagues.
Emerson features premium bat-to-ball skills, budding power, and excellent plate discipline, a prototypical offensive approach of a young shortstop primed to excel at the next level. Perhaps even more important, however, is the fact he’s now a lock to stick up the middle, taking massive strides defensively and looking like a plus defender at the position on a nightly basis. He’s got a big time throwing arm and is fluid in his actions, showing off range that the Mariners have lacked for several years now. He’s a dynamic glove that doubles as an ideal table-setter atop a lineup.
As of now, the goal for Emerson is to polish his offensive approach against veteran pitchers in Triple-A. The lower levels of the minor league typically feature a decent spread of raw “stuff” and can give hitters a taste of how pitches are moving, but Double-A and up is where things really step up. With just north of 200 PA’s at or above Double-A, getting experience against superior stuff is the final step in Emerson’s development and ultimately is what’s keeping him in the minors for now. At just 20 years old, he’s obviously way ahead of schedule and should be given plenty of time to develop regardless of his contract status. The Mariners are in on Emerson for the long haul; messing with his development in order to get him on to a roster that doesn’t have a clear role for him makes little sense and could wind up doing significantly more harm than good.
Thank you to all who have read along with this series! Hopefully the past two and a half months were able to provide some good context on state of the farm system and shine a light on some guys that you hadn’t yet heard of. We’ll still have weekly farm system updates every Monday if your prospect fix hasn’t yet been satiated, providing active updates to your new favorite farm hands. Sound off in the comments and Go Mariners!
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 19: Jarin Stevenson #15 and Luka Bogavac #44 of the North Carolina Tar Heels react during the first half against the VCU Rams in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 19, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ah, life in the portal, where a week can feel like a month with the amount of movement that can happen in such a short period of time. When we last did this exercise, Michael Malone had just been hired as coach, about half the team had entered the portal, and Luka Bogavac was staying (more on him in a moment). But here we are a week later and there is a lot to discuss, so let’s dive in.
Quick reminder that the Portal closes on Tuesday, April 21st — but players do not have to decide by then.
Incoming Players (Players who have committed to UNC)
Neoklis Avdalas
Avdalas becomes the first player to transfer to North Carolina under Coach Malone and based on where the roster stands he will not be the only one. He is the center piece to the new coaching staff and could have a monster year in Chapel Hill if everything breaks right.
Jarin Stevenson
Stevenson never entered the portal, but reconfirmed his commitment. Nonetheless, he is giving Michael Malone an experienced and versatile big to help stretch the floor and make life difficult for smaller wings and post players. The Chapel Hill native started his career at Alabama but will now finish it with the Tar Heels.
Jaydon Young
Young was the first player to commit to Coach Malone’s Tar Heels (Luka Bogavac was technically first, but again, we will get to him), deciding to stay at North Carolina after originally entering the portal. Young, who wanted to finish his career at UNC, brings leadership to the backcourt and could develop into the three-and-D type of player the new team needs.
Players in Flux (Players in the portal that could be part of next year’s team)
Isaiah Denis
As of this writing, Denis is still in the portal, though there seems to be some momentum for him to return to Chapel Hill this year. Denis has decent size for a guard (6’4”, 180 lbs) and he did hit half of his three-point attempts in a season where he only appeared in 10 games (mostly at the end). Denis is the kind of player who could make a sophomore leap and at a minimum provide depth and stability to any backcourt he is a part of.
Kyan Evans
The only reason Evans is in this section is because he has not committed anywhere yet. Of all the players on this past season’s roster, Evans probably is in the most need of a change of scenery. He has visited with Minnesota (his former coach from Colorado State is head coach there now), while also being connected to some other schools as well.
James Brown
Brown also remains in the portal and though reportedly is taking visits to other schools. Brown is coming off a season-ending injury and is from Missouri, so he may look to transfer closer to home after two forgettable seasons in Chapel Hill, where he collected 15 personal fouls in just 50 minutes of play this past season.
Ivan Matlekovic
Matlekovic, who was a late add to Hubert Davis’ team last season, seemed like he would stick around at the end of Coach Malone’s bench. However, he instead decided to enter the transfer portal. The seven-foot transfer from High Point played very little before having his season end with an injury. He is raw but big and could find a role with a mid-major.
Juke Harris
The North Carolina coaching staff met with Harris in Salisbury this past weekend after the transfer from Wake Forest returned from his visit with Michigan. Harris, who has also entered his name in the draft process, is most closely linked to the Wolverines, Tar Heels, and the Tennessee Volunteers, who appear to be the favorites, and would provide defense and shooting to any teams starting backcourt.
Terrence Brown Jr
Brown was in Chapel Hill for an official visit this past Monday and Tuesday. Though he left Chapel Hill without committing, the Tar Heels are still considered a favorite along with Kansas and Kentucky, who he is visiting this week. Brown averaged 19.9 ppg, including 18 20+ point performances, last year in a very tough conference (albeit on a very bad Utah team).
Moving Out (Players who have committed elsewhere)
Derek Dixon
After taking over as lead guard for the Tar Heels last season, Dixon entered the portal and officially committed to Arizona this week. With the Wildcats losing their starting guard to graduation, Dixon should have the opportunity to compete for the starting role on a team that made the Final Four this past season.
Luka Bogavac
After originally stating he was staying, Bogavac reversed course and entered the transfer portal this past weekend. He wasn’t there long, finding a new home with Oklahoma St. The Cowboys should provide Bogavac with the starting minutes he was originally looking for at UNC.
Jonathan Powell
Despite being one of former head coach Hubert Davis’s few trusted players, Powell also entered the portal and was the first to find a new home in Pittsburgh. The Panthers should provide him a starting role and plenty of minutes that would probably not have been available at North Carolina.
Zayden High
Like everyone else on this list, High entered his name in the portal around the same time Malone was introduced as head coach, and even though he left open the possibility for return, the Texas native officially chose to head to South Florida this week (the university in Tampa, not to Miami like a certain NBA player did 16 years ago). High should find a starting role with the Bulls or at a minimum provide energy and depth off the bench.
One final note; in addition to the reconfirming of Maximo Adams and the parting of ways with Dylan Mingo, North Carolina also received a reconfirmation from Malloy Smith, son of UNC legend Kenny Smith. Additionally, as of this writing Henri Veesaar has made no announcements about his future with the Tar Heels.
Leipzig pushing to extend Raum's contract despite strict club salary structures
According to sources from Sky Germany, RB Leipzig wants to secure David Raum's services to the club on a long-term basis beyond his current contract until 2027.
The 27-year-old joined Leipzig in 2022 and has been a regular starter ever since, with the club wanting him for several more years.
However, there are currently no negotiations with Raum, who has made 32 appearances this season while providing a combined 11 goals and assists.
A potential extension for the left-back, whose release clause is set to drop below €40million, is currently hampered by Leipzig's new salary structure.
Marcel Schäfer's new policy ensures that no player's base salary should exceed €5million with performance-related bonuses providing additional income.
It will be interesting to see if RB Leipzig makes a financial exception for Raum or can reach some other agreement with the full-back.
While the ACC consistently fights with the SEC to be recognized as the best baseball conference, the unwieldy size of the conference means that unlike in other sports, some of the top teams don’t face each other during the season. Carolina only had ten conference matchups this year, and they’ve already faced off against ranked teams in Notre Dame, Louisville, and Boston College. Now, though, comes their biggest test of the season: ACC-leading Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets are a 15-3 in the ACC, and they’re on a stunning ten-game win streak in conference. They haven’t lost a conference series all year, and they have swept three straight teams in NC State, Florida State, and Cal. Mixed in there is a run-rule win over Auburn before they played Cal. They are just rolling right now, and they present a prickly challenge for the Tar Heels.
You just don’t get series like this on your home field too often. Last year the Tar Heels faced a number two team in Florida State, but it was down in Tallahassee. Just being able to play a team of Georgia Tech’s caliber at the Bosh should create a fun environment.
The Tar Heels showed they were focused on the here and now in a pretty easy win over UNC-Wilmington Tuesday Night, 14-5. Carolina jumped up 5-0 early and despite UNCW getting some runs late, the Tar Heels ran away with the game to set up this showdown.
A look at the team numbers for Georgia Tech shows they aren’t just winning, they are demolishing, and they’re going to be playing in ideal hitting conditions this weekend as the weather will be warm in Chapel Hill. The team batting average is a full 50 points better than the second-place squad in Pitt, they’ve scored 80 more runs, have nine more homers, lead in slugging by 70 points, have the most walks, and only the seventh most strike outs. They just mash.
That said, Carolina brings the best pitching in the ACC to the table. The team ERA is .60 better than the Jackets, and notably they have given up the fewest home runs of anyone in the conference. They are tied with Boston College in only allowing 25 homers; the bad news is that the team next team on the list — California and their 26 allowed round-trippers — got whomped by the Yellow Jackets 17-2, 7-2, and 9-3. Preventing home runs isn’t any sort of guarantee that it’ll keep Georgia Tech off the board.
The biggest concern for Carolina might be tomorrow night’s starter Jason DeCaro. He had an off night last week in Clemson, only going 2 1/3 and letting the Tigers get rolling with three runs en route to their only win of the series. This is following a short 2 2/3 inning outing against Boston College the weekend before. He needs a strong start to get back to his Friday-starter form, and a good outing against the Yellow Jackets could be just what he needs to build momentum for the rest of the season.
Georgia Tech comes into the series with two players hitting over .400 and six more hitting over .300. Yes, that means just about every single regular hitter for Georgia Tech hits for over .300. Carolina’s pitchers will have their hands full without a doubt.
We’ll see just how much of a claim Carolina has to being one of the top teams in the country if they can avoid the sting of the Jackets. Bring your sunscreen if you plan to head out to the Bosh, as Friday’s game will start at 6 PM but Saturday will be at noon and Sunday will be at 1 PM. Both of the weekend games will be on the ACC Network, while Friday’s game is streaming only. The expectation is for it to be hot and sunny, so be prepared like you’re watching a game in June, not April.
Hopefully the home fans will be treated to some good baseball.
Vinícius Tobias: The Rising Brazilian Star Who’s Enjoying a Resurgence at Shakhtar
At 22 years old, Vinícius Tobias is making waves with Shakhtar Donetsk, and could be the latest Brazilian to make a breakthrough with the club.
From Willian to Fernandinho, from Douglas Costa to Fred, we’ve seen quite a few Brazilian stars make a name for themselves at Shakhtar Donetsk. This Brazilian cohort, which has seen 46 players score nearly 1,000 goals, has proven essential in helping Shakhtar dominate Ukrainian football over the first quarter of the 21st century. Today, there are a number of Brazilian players who are making their mark at Shakhtar, with Marlon Santos and Pedro Henrique emerging as vital figures in defense, and Pedrinho replacing Georgiy Sudakov as the club’s chief midfield playmaker.
Newerton Palmares has filled Kevin’s void down Shakhtar’s left flank following the Brazilian winger’s departure to Fulham for a club-record expenditure of £34.6 million, forming a stalwart duo with his compatriot Alisson Santana. There’s also Kauã Elias, Marlon Gomes, Eguinaldo, Pedro Henrique, Luca Meirelles, Isaque, and Lucas Ferreira, who have proven to be valuable rotational pieces, while Vinícius Tobias is competing for the starting right back position.
Born on February 23, 2004, Vinícius Augusto Tobías da Silva grew up in the Buraco Quente Favela of São Paulo, plying his soccer skills in the Jardim Matarazzo quarter of São Paulo. Oftentimes, he’d pass out at training due to not having eaten enough. He always knew that his way out of poverty was by playing soccer. It’s why he left his family for Porto Alegre at the age of 12 and joined Internacional. Within a year, he gained 16 pounds.
Tobias rose through the ranks for Internacional and Brazil, playing a handful of times for Brazil’s U-15s and U-16s in 2019 before making two appearances for the U-17s in 2021, and he’s since featured three times with the U-20s, and once with the U-23s. It’s why, despite not even playing a single match for Internacional’s senior team, Shakhtar decided to sign the 17-year-old for €6 million in July 2021.
Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images
He was forced to wait seven months before his 18th birthday before making the move to Eastern Europe, undergoing preseason in Türkiye before heading to Ukraine and embracing his new surroundings. But just when he looked set to make his Shakhtar debut, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, kicking off the biggest conflict as well as the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
During this wartime period, FIFA made a special exception and allowed foreign players and coaches to unilaterally suspend their contracts with the Russian and Ukrainian football federations, as well as allowing them to leave on loan despite the transfer window already being shut. Tobias would start a new adventure in Spain with a little club called Real Madrid.
“That was a shock for me, because I was that kid who was fulfilling the dream of arriving at Shakhtar, being able to make my debut, being able to play great games, and unfortunately, the war began and it didn’t come to pass,” said Tobias in an exclusive Urban Pitch interview. “I went to Real Madrid, I stayed for three seasons, and I learned a lot of things there too. Of course, I’ve returned to Shakhtar now, and I’m very happy to be back and continue this dream.”
Upon making the move to the Spanish capital, Tobias played four times for Real Madrid Castilla in 2021-22 before sticking around for another campaign.
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
With a full preseason to prepare for his campaign, Tobias enjoyed a superb season under legendary Real Madrid striker Raúl González. Playing alongside a star-studded roster including Nico Paz, Álex Jiménez, Rafa Marín, and Gonzalo García, Tobias emerged as the starting right back with five assists in 41 appearances. In addition to impressing in the UEFA Youth League, Tobias helped them reach the verge of promotion before losing to Eldense in the finals.
“Honestly, my reaction when I found out that I was going to Real…I didn’t even believe it,” stated Tobias to R.Org. “I had just left Shakhtar because of the war, so, when I heard the news that Real Madrid Castilla wanted me on loan, I couldn’t believe it, because I was taking a huge step forward in my career. I didn’t make my debut for Shakhtar when I arrived, and suddenly I ended up at Real Madrid Castilla. Actually, I was a little shaken at first, but it finally clicked after I got there and did my first workouts. I was very happy and very fulfilled because of that.”
Tobias continued his impressive displays in the Spanish third tier and racked up four assists in 21 appearances, and he would make his debut for the senior team on January 6, 2024, playing 88 minutes in a 3-1 Copa del Rey win against fourth-tier outfit Arandina. After Real declined their €15 million purchase option, Tobias extended his Shakhtar contract through 2029 and finally managed to make his presence felt with the Miners, providing six assists in 26 appearances.
After a season that saw him debut in the UEFA Champions League and win the Ukrainian Cup, Tobias has taken his performances up a notch under Arda Turan, racking up two goals and three assists in 32 appearances this season. While he hasn’t completely displaced Yukhym Konoplia from the starting lineup, he is nevertheless proving essential for a Shakhtar side that, after a dismal third-placed finish last season, is getting back to its best form.
Despite playing their home matches in Kraków, Poland, Shakhtar managed to finish sixth in the UEFA Conference League league phase before knocking out Lech Poznán. And if they can defeat AZ Alkmaar, they will face Crystal Palace or Fiorentina in the semifinals. In domestic league play, the club has played its home matches in Lviv, a 17-hour drive from Donetsk, yet Shakhtar sit atop the Ukrainian Premier League standings, level on 51 points with LNZ Cherkasy with a game in hand.
We caught up with Tobias for a Q&A session discussing his move to Europe at such a young age, finding his home in Shakhtar, and the toughest players he’s faced throughout his career.
Urban Pitch: What do you think are the main attributes that made you stand out enough to earn a transfer to Europe at just 17 years of age?
Of course, I went to Internacional at 12, a very young age, and since then, I’ve always been working hard and striving to be able to play for a team outside the country of Brazil. So I was very happy when that happened because of my hard work and dedication. When the transfer to Shakhtar came up when I was 17, I was very happy. It was a dream come true.
There are a lot of stereotypes about Brazilian soccer players, that they only like to go to the beach, party in the night clubs and have fun off the pitch, do you think that these are founded in reality?
I think it depends on each person. I think everyone knows what they’re doing, everyone knows what they want to achieve, what they desire. Speaking for myself, I’m someone who likes to be focused, who likes to do what’s right in order to earn his place. In short, I think it depends on each person, you know?
When you moved to Shakhtar, what was it like starting a new adventure in such a drastically different part of the world, and what do you remember being the biggest culture shock?
Things have always happened very quickly for me because even at only 17 years old, I received the offer from Shakhtar. Of course, it’s actually very difficult, especially at the beginning. A 17-year-old boy leaving his country, leaving his family, his friends, in order to go to a country where you’re not sure if things will work out or if it will even be feasible. It’s a country you’ll have to completely adapt to, especially because of the cold. Because in Brazil, we already know how hot it is, so moving to Ukraine, a very cold country, where the people you don’t know yet, it’s a big deal.
But of course, when I joined Shakhtar, I had a dream of playing in Europe. And when I arrived at Shakhtar, I had the privilege of meeting my Ukrainian teammates as well, who, despite the language barrier, always try to talk to me and help me, and vice versa. Sometimes we can help each other, so I think that it really helps me to have the support of my Ukrainian teammates, who gave me all their strength when I arrived at Shakhtar.
Who’s the toughest player that you’ve faced, both in an actual game as well as a training session?
There have been some great players here at Shakhtar like Alisson, Newerton, even Kevin when he was here. They’re the type of players who are very difficult to mark because they have so much quality, they have so many technical resources. I think for us defenders, facing those kinds of players is very complicated, but of course, we always find a way, because we also try to defend as well as possible.
Lastly, you’ve made some considerable strides in your game since returning to Shakhtar, but it’s safe to say that you still haven’t edged Yukhym Konoplya to a starting spot. What has it been like competing with this slightly older Ukrainian player for the starting right back position, and what do you think you need to do in order to become an undisputed starter?
I think we’ve all been working hard every single day, and the opportunities are always coming. Of course, as I said here at Shakhtar, we have great players, excellent players, both in terms of the Brazilians and the Ukrainians…they’re perfect players. And as far as Konoplya goes, I think that we have a similar dynamic. We’re always united. It doesn’t matter who’s playing. It doesn’t matter who’s on the bench. Sometimes I think that we’re always together, regardless of the game; we want our team to win and take home the title. So, sometimes I’m happy that he plays too. He’s happy when I play. And that’s how things are. And of course, we’ll always be working so we can always play together.
The Los Angeles Clippers have some big roster decisions to make this offseason.
Multiple key players, like superstar Kawhi Leonard, are either entering the final year of their contract, deciding whether or not to exercise player options or approaching free agency.
“(Clippers coach Ty) Lue is under contract through 2029. (Darius) Garland is the Clippers’ new point guard of the future. They’re not going anywhere, a league source told The Athletic. Everything else is less clear,” wrote Law Murray of The Athletic.
What Roster Decisions Will the Clippers Need to Make?
One of the biggest questions for the Clippers this offseason will be regarding their future with Leonard. He is entering the final year of his three-year, $149.5 million contract with Los Angeles and will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2026-27 season if he does not sign an extension with the Clippers.
Leonard has not revealed whether he plans to stay with the Clippers or enter free agency.
“Let me cry about this loss a little bit more. We’re going to have our discussions when that time comes,” Leonard told reporters after the Clippers’ season-ending 121-126 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday night.
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) leaves the court after being defeated by the Golden State Warriors during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Two outside factors could impact Leonard’s future with Los Angeles: the outcome of the NBA’s investigation into his allegedly fraudulent endorsement deal with Aspiration and which pick the Clippers receive in the NBA draft lottery on May 10.
One of the potential consequences Leonard could face as a result of the investigation is having his contract with the Clippers voided. However, there is reportedly no expectation this will happen, according to The Athletic.
The Clippers could land a No. 5 or No. 6 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft if the Indiana Pacers do not get a top-four pick. If Los Angeles secures a top pick, it may convince Leonard to stick around long-term.
In addition to Leonard, the Clippers have a few other players to make decisions about this offseason.
Forward John Collins will be eligible for free agency if the Clippers do not extend him. Veterans Brook Lopez, Nicolas Batum and Bogdan Bogdanović along with young players like Jordan Miller and Kobe Sanders have team options.
And there is definitely an argument to be had that he is suffering from some form of paralysis by analysis.
Gary Player has been proven right after his Jordan Spieth claim
The great Gary Player shared a really strong warning for Spieth back in 2025.
As reported at the time by The Golfing Gazette, Player explained why Spieth has struggled so badly over the past few years.
“There is a tremendous lack of knowledge with golf. I would say in America today the golf pros that are teaching know less about golf. They have all the equipment and the technology but they are teaching golfers to do this at the top.
“But you can’t once you do that you are gone. Jack Nicklaus won majors for 25 years, I won majors for 20 years, Palmer won for six years because he was shut.
“Look at Dustin Johnson. You haven’t heard of him. When was the last time you heard of Dustin Johnson? The minute you go like this, your golf career is limited. You have got to get the club and your hands under the club.
Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images
“What they are doing, they did it with Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler. Now those two guys. Jordan Spieth I think is the best golfer in the world but in my opinion he was taught the wrong thing. And he just went downhill. He went downhill.
“If you had a man like Ben Hogan teaching Jordan Spieth he would be the best in the world. He’s such a competitor, such a wonderful man. A wonderful guy for golf, the best short game, best course management but he just can’t hit the ball. That is a tragedy.“
While the word tragedy may be a slight exaggeration from Player, nobody can accuse him of being wrong about the situation.
When Spieth was winning majors and PGA Tour events regularly, the position of his clubface at the top of the backswing was far more neutral than it has been over the past few years.
Now look at how laid off his swing path gets at the top in 2022 and how closed his clubface is by clicking here on Mike’s 3D Life YouTube Channel.
The difference is, quite frankly, astonishing.
Jordan Spieth is deluded about his ball-striking
Spieth is ranked 97th in strokes gained off the tee this season, and 33rd in strokes gained approach.
In 2025, he was ranked 33rd and 58th respectively in those two categories.
Photo by Chris Condon/Augusta National/Getty Images
His driver was one of his main strengths in 2024, and he was ranked 15th in strokes gained off the tee, but he ranked well down in 138th in strokes gained approach.
Meanwhile, he was ranked 59th in strokes gained off the tee in the 2022/23 season and 71st in strokes gained approach.
The fact that Spieth keeps telling everyone how much his ball-striking has improved is a concern.
He continues to insist how great he’s swinging the golf club as well. Those kinds of levels of delusion will continue to hold him back.
Maybe the best thing for Jordan Spieth to do will be to go back to the way he swung the golf club in 2015, with more of a neutral clubface position at the top.
Gary Player is certainly not wrong. Those who swing with a closed clubface at the top usually have fairly short windows of success.
Georgia Wood: Forging a career in football and fashion
Brentford Women B captain Georgia Wood is an all-rounder. In a season where she’s led the B team to promotion, she has also made her first forays into producing live football with Sky Sports and the world of content creation.
After a disappointing relegation last season, Brentford Women B have worked extremely hard to win promotion to the Greater London Women’s Football League Premier division with three games to spare.
“The girls are very important to me. It's like a little family so to secure promotion together is really rewarding.
“Relegation last year was tough, but we built from the ground up this season. Having the depth in the squad, along with first team girls coming in for minutes has really strengthened the side."
“Marta Boabonay is the perfect example; she’s a fantastic player who has scored so many goals for us and she has thrived stepping up to the first-team environment.
“Then Paula Holguin and Kirsty Matthews have come in with their game knowledge and experience to strengthen our side.
“They feel like part of that family as well, strengthening the relationship between us on and off the pitch.”
Whilst captaining the side to bounce back with promotion, Wood was part of a prolific front line that has been scoring goals for fun, netting 60 times in 16 games in the league so far.
“I’d gone away for a little bit and to come back into the squad and score three was unreal,” she recalled.
“I spoke to Tommy [Ryan-Maynard] and Will [Blithing] pre-game and they said, ‘We want you to start strong.’ I scored in the first minute!
“We've all got a great relationship with both coaches. They’re always striving for our development, to push us past our comfort zones, and to trust our ability.”
Outside of football, Wood has a busy professional life.
“I've recently become an assistant producer for Sky Sports. I work across Baller League and WSL which has been super rewarding,” said Wood.
“When I first walked into a production gallery, it was crazy to see how manual televised football is.
“You’ve got to be on your game; it's like working on what I'd imagine Wall Street is like. There's lots of different people communicating, it's very loud and busy.
“It's the most rewarding thing I've done career wise. Every time you put on a show, it's your whole gallery of 20 people doing their individual roles coming together to produce live TV that thousands watch.”
As well as her exciting role in TV production, the Brentford forward is also breaking into the content creation space. You can follow Wood on Instagram @gxorgia and TikTok @gxorgiawood.
“I do some sports modelling, and I’m starting to create content around fashion, football and how my personality intersects those things," explained Wood.
“It's so important to be real online because authentic content is what wins and people resonate with the real-life stuff.
“Taking the step is scary but you’ve got to trust yourself and dive in head-first. Without building my confidence at Brentford, I wouldn't have taken those risks in my career.”
'Without building my confidence at Brentford, I wouldn't have taken those risks in my career”
Brentford Women B now prepare for a Capital Cup semi-final against Fulham Under-18s on Sunday 19 April, with free entry at Wheatsheaf Park (2pm kick-off).
“I'm so excited to lead the girls out; we're not to be underestimated,” Wood affirmed.
“We're all so passionate and grateful to have the opportunity to showcase our ability at Wheatsheaf Park; it’s such a lovely pitch and it should be a good contest.
“We're really locked in - we know about the rivalry, and we've got our eyes on the double.”
Rosenior gives worrying half-hearted response to question about dressing room rift
Liam Rosenior has been asked about Enzo Fernandez’s return to Chelsea’s squad and whether it had caused any problems with the group.
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Enzo Fernandez’s two game suspension from Chelsea is over now, and he will almost certainly be back in the team when we play Manchester United this weekend.
Liam Rosenior was asked in his press conference today about the Argentine’s reintegration, and whether it had caused any rifts in his squad.
“Not that I’m aware of, no,” a tense Rosenior replied, without much conviction.
“No, Enzo’s come back to the group this week. The group’s been fantastic in terms of his training, Enzo has as well, and his application to training, and our group’s application to training, so no.”
Rosenior’s words mean less than team’s response
Well no manager is going to admit that training has been sullen and awkward, or of a low standard. Rosenior always says the training has been good, and it’s been no guarantee of good results.
The proof will be on the pitch on Saturday – not only in the result, but in the attitude shown by Enzo and his teammates.
In other news…
Rosenior was quite defensive in his take on the lack of “belief” being showed by his players. It’s not entirely convincing.
MAJADAHONDA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Marc Pubill attends the media day ahead the Copa del Rey Final 2026 at Ciudad Deportiva Atletico de Madrid, on April 16, 2026, in Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
Pubill bizarrely handled after goalkeeper Juan Musso has restarted play but escaped conceding a penalty and being awarded a second yellow card.
The decision left Barcelona furious after the game, but Pubill insists he did nothing wrong.
“I think UEFA has already given their version, so there’s no need to say more,” he told reporters. “My opinion is clear. No, you can never whistle like that. So I have nothing more to add.”
Apr 3, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (3) at the plate during the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
This is going to be a piece about patience and taking it slow. I was going to start it off with a joke about stopping to smell the flowers above the left field wall, but they removed those a season or two ago, and I couldn’t quite come up with another lede, so the seams are showing a bit. And not showing in an effective, “oh god, that’s a Zack Wheeler four-seamer coming at me”, way. Anyhow. Bryce Harper’s first pitch swing percentage is down almost double digits this year.
Specifically, it’s down 9.7%, to 44.4% (all stats cited are taken from before yesterday’s game). He’s gone from swinging at a majority of first offerings to passing on most of them, though he’s still quite eager to get the at-bat started with a mighty hack. Small sample size caveats apply, but that’s still a pretty big change. His overall swing rate is down by 3.4%, so this would seem to be more than a general decision to swing less— it’s concentrated on the first swing. Although Harper’s swing is lethal, you can see the logic in his starting fewer at-bats with one: pitchers really don’t like to give Harper pitches in the zone, and they’re increasingly reluctant to give him the fastballs he feasts on. So why not start off by taking one of those pitches outside, getting into a hitter’s count, and forcing them to give him the fastball?
That would be sensible strategy, but it’s also not what’s happening. His first pitch swing rate is way down, but his first pitch strike rate has barely changed from last year (up 0.8%). Any benefit he’s getting with fewer first pitch whiffs and fouls is being offset by something. The only thing it could be, really, is that he’s getting more pitches in the zone, and thus taking more called strikes. His overall in zone percentage is actually down a bit from last year, though only by the small margin of 2.5%.
But if we look only at pitches on a 0-0 count, his in-zone percentage has increased from 45.8% to 52.8%. As Bryce has dropped his first pitch swings to under 50%, pitchers have raised their first pitch offerings in the zone to over 50%. Hence the lack of change in his first pitch strike rate. Pitchers have also changed which pitches they’re offering him on 0-0 counts: last year he got fastballs for the plurality of his initial offerings, but this year, and for the first time in his career, he’s getting more breaking balls than fastballs to start. Pitchers are starting to pitch Bryce backwards. He seems to be making an effort to swing less at breaking balls this year, and not just in 0-0 counts: overall, his swing rate against the moving stuff has dropped by 10%.
All this raises a question about what we’re seeing. Are pitchers offering Harper more first pitches in the zone because he’s swinging at them less? Or is Harper swinging less at first pitches because of what pitchers are offering him? Unlike the question of the chicken and the egg, we can make some progress towards answering this (also, did the Phanatic, being a bird, come from an egg? That’s beyond the purview of this piece, and also a little uncomfortable to think about).
See, Bryce isn’t alone. Taken as a team, the Phillies have dropped their first pitch swing rate by 7.7%, more than any other team in baseball. In part, that’s the product of a change in team composition: the Phillies parted ways with Nick Castellanos, who swung at a greater proportion on first pitches than anyone else in baseball in 2025, and replaced him with Adolis García, who ranked 100th for first pitch swing %. But it’s not just about the change in personnel:
Player
First Pitch Swing %, 2025
First Pitch Swing %, 2026
Change, Year over Year
Bryce Harper
54.10%
44.40%
-9.70%
Trea Turner
38.40%
30.70%
-7.70%
Alec Bohm
35.30%
28.80%
-6.50%
Adolis García
33.20%
15.90%
-17.30%
Brandon Marsh
32.10%
28.60%
-3.50%
J.T. Realmuto
29.50%
28.60%
-0.90%
Kyle Schwarber
27.50%
22.70%
-4.80%
Bryson Stott
13.40%
11.90%
-1.50%
All of the Phillies starters have dropped their first pitch swing rate from last year. Even Bryson Stott, who swings at first pitches about as often as blue moons appear on leap years, has somehow found a way to do so less often. Part of this is (like everything else in April), small sample size. Case in point, during the time between my starting to poke around this topic and actually writing this, Stott’s decrease in first pitch swing % went from “wow, that’s a big drop” to “that’s a small, but notable drop” to “I’m pretty sure this doesn’t mean anything”. Realmuto’s drop also seems small enough to be negligible. But given that the growing reluctance to swing at the first offering is spread out across the entire team, it seems like there may be something real here.
The Phillies may be telling their hitters to take a more patient approach, to swing less at the first pitch (and not just at the first pitch— they’ve dropped their overall swing rate by 3.1%, more than all but five other clubs). That’s decreased their first pitch strike percentage by a bit (2.8%). I’m not so convinced that the decline in first pitch swing rate for the Phillies with small declines is all that meaningful; Realmuto and Stott’s declines are small enough to be noise, and Marsh and Schwarber’s drops could also turn out to be the same. But Harper and García seem to be genuinely more reluctant to swing at the opening offering, at least in the early going. It’s clear to me why Harper might want to make that change; only Castellanos was more likely to swing at first pitches last year, and pitchers are happy to exploit that. García’s change in approach is a little more surprising, both because of the size of the drop, and because he wasn’t unusually likely to swing at first offerings last year. But García is looking to return to form after an underwhelming 2025, and finding a way to get into more hitters counts certainly couldn’t hurt.
And on a team-wide level, the reasoning may be simple: no team in baseball was less likely to get a pitch in the zone last year. If pitchers aren’t inclined to give you something in the zone, taking fewer swings on first pitches gets you more 1-0 counts, and thus more pressure for the next pitch to be in the zone. Eventually, if pitchers realize giving a Phillie an out of the zone pitch on 0-0 is likely to get them a 1-0 count, then they’ll start off more at-bats with pitches in the zone.
It’s early. Not enough time has passed to gauge precisely how much of this is intentional strategy that’ll stick, and not enough time has passed to see how opposing pitchers will respond. So far, the Phillies are actually somewhat less likely to get pitches in the zone than they were last year. A lot of this could turn out to be noise. Still, it’s worth taking a swing at the first offering of early season data— even the Phillies are taking the opposite approach.
“It’s a massive moment” Arteta reflects on back to back Champions League semifinals
Mikel Arteta has expressed pride in his Arsenal side after they reached the Champions League semi-final in consecutive seasons, despite encountering difficulties against Sporting Club. The achievement marks a significant milestone for the club and reflects their continued development on the European stage.
Before the tie, many expected Arsenal to progress comfortably, yet the contest proved far more challenging than anticipated. Sporting provided resilient opposition, forcing Arsenal to work hard across both legs to secure qualification. The nature of the victory underlined both the team’s determination and the areas where improvement is still required.
Continued European Progress
Since the 2023 to 2024 season, Arsenal have made steady strides in the competition. They reached the quarter final during that campaign, advanced to the semi final last season, and have now repeated the feat, with ambitions of going even further this term.
Standing between them and a place in the final is Atletico Madrid, a side renowned for their resilience in knockout football. Arsenal are aiming to reach their first Champions League final since their defeat to FC Barcelona in 2006, and there is growing belief within the squad that they can achieve that objective.
Atletico Madrid will present a formidable challenge, given their track record in high-pressure European ties. However, Arsenal’s confidence remains high as they prepare for the next stage of the competition.
Arteta Reflects on Achievement
For now, the focus is on appreciating the significance of reaching another semi-final. As reported by BBC Live, Arteta reflected on the accomplishment and the effort required to reach this stage.
He said, “It’s a massive moment. It’s the first time in our history, in 140 years that we are on back-to-back semi-finals, so to be part of those four teams is something very special. You have to earn it. You have to go through a lot of work. Gratitude to the players.”
His remarks highlight both the historical importance of the achievement and the collective effort behind it. Arsenal’s progress in Europe illustrates a team growing in maturity and competitiveness, with the potential to reach even greater heights if it can overcome the challenges that lie ahead.
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Barcelona reach contract agreement with top centre-back target
In a major development, journalist Matteo Moretto on MARCA reports that FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with the camp of Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni over personal terms.
The 27-year-old Italian international is a top target for the Blaugrana heading into the summer transfer window, given the need for reinforcements in defence.
Talks have been taking place between the club and the defender’s entourage for some time now. And, as per the latest update, an agreement over personal terms have now been reached.
There is, however, still the matter of Barcelona agreeing on a transfer fee with Inter Milan for the left-footed central defender.
Contract terms agreed. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
As already reported, the Blaugrana do not wish to spend a big sum on his acquisition, and as such, are considering offering a player in exchange to lower the overall cost.
Hector Fort, to that end, has emerged as an option, with Moretto suggesting that the teenage right-back is a player that Inter Milan like.
So, the two clubs will now need to find a middle ground and finalise an agreement, with the player already agreeing terms to join Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
JJ Redick has outlined Bronny James’ potential role as the LA Lakers prepare for a high-stakes playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
The matchup carries added pressure for Los Angeles, not just because of the opponent, but due to the players they will be missing.
With key contributors sidelined, the focus has shifted toward depth and whether younger players can handle a larger role.
Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
JJ Redick backs Bronny James to step up for Lakers
Speaking ahead of the series via Ben Royer, Redick addressed the need for contributions across the roster.
“We’re gonna have to have all hands on deck for the series. He’s got to be ready. Nick [Smith Jr.] will have to be ready. I think Bronny’s improved a lot.
“I think we trust him. The shooting piece, I’m a believer in, because of how well he shot it in the last two years in the G League,” Redick said.
The fourth-seeded Lakers are set to face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.
With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out indefinitely due to injuries, the team is expected to rely more heavily on its supporting cast.
Beyond offense, Redick also pointed to improvements in other areas of Bronny’s game.
“I know there was a stretch recently where he didn’t shoot it well and of course, he had a nice shooting game against Utah,” he continued.
Redick concluded, stating, “He’s improved a ton defensively in terms of his body positioning, both on and off ball. We want him to continue to evolve as a disruptive defender as well.”
The emphasis on defense reflects the type of role Bronny may be expected to play in the postseason. In a shortened rotation, contributions on both ends of the floor could become critical.
For the Lakers, the situation is clear. Injuries have created an opportunity, and players like Bronny James now have a chance to define their impact in a playoff setting.
After a two-year hiatus, the Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are back for a first-round matchup in the NHL Playoffs.
The Stars won the matchup 4-2 in 2023, and return as the favorites in this matchup. After three straight conference finals losses, Dallas is looking to finally surpass the feat. The first team standing in its way? The Minnesota Wild.
The Wild are no strangers to recent playoff appearances. However, they do have a streak of playoff struggles, losing their last seven first round series, dating back to 2016.
This creates a matchup between two teams that are only separated by four regular season wins, but could not be more different in terms of recent playoff results.
Here's what you need to know to watch Stars vs. Wild, including broadcast information and start times.
Games in the Stars vs. Wild series will air on multiple channels.
Fans can stream every playoff game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Games on ABC and ESPN networks can also be streamed on the ESPN app or fubo, which also has a free trial.
NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026
Here are the key dates to know for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when previous series end.
In addition to bringing in players who fit the current mold of a particular franchise during the offseason, college basketball programs also lose players who are either seeking a larger role or a bigger payday.
In North Carolina’s case, a former four-star recruit is moving on from Michael Malone's Tar Heels and joining the South Florida Bulls.
“Former Tar Heel forward Zayden High has announced his commitment to South Florida,” InsideCarolina reported on X/Twitter Wednesday.
High was ineffective with North Carolina as a freshman, averaging 0.8 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 0.1 assists per game while shooting 31.6% from the field in 23 contests.
The Tar Heels suspended High for the entire 2024-25 season due to off-court issues, but the San Antonio, Texas native returned for the 2025-26 campaign. Although High’s production as a sophomore was far from serviceable, he certainly had his moments.
The 6-foot-10 forward scored in double figures four times and recorded at least one block on five occasions. For the season, which ended in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, High contributed 3.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per contest, shooting 48.1% from the field in 29 games.
Still, as a contributor who was on the outside looking in for most of his tenure with the Tar Heels, it makes sense for him to join South Florida and likely receive an impactful role from the get-go.
The Eureka Ergonomic Opal is a premium design standing desk with solid construction, less-than-satisfactory cable management and cramped drawers, yet a beautiful design.
IPVanish has officially launched its first-ever refer-a-friend program. Current users can earn Amazon or Home Depot gift cards, while new subscribers score a sweet 10% discount on their plan.
DJI seems poised to launch two new entry-level camera drones — a move that seems a little strange given it already offers several cheap, affordable and highly capable models.
As Meghan Markle debuts as a judge on Masterchef Australia 2026 (season 18)here's how to watch MasterChef Australia online and from anywhere around the world with a the right VPN.
Russia’s fight against digital privacy escalates as internet providers agree to freeze the expansion of cross-border channels into Europe. By capping international bandwidth, authorities aim to force telecom operators to either filter VPN traffic or hike prices, making it harder for citizens to bypass state censorship.
The Philips Café Aromis can use larger doses of coffee, and has a 'conversational' assistant that adjusts brew settings automatically to suit your preferences.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream lead programmer Takaomi Ueno has said one of the most challenging aspects of development was Mii interactions and that it took around "six or seven years" to get right.
Amazon is slashing prices on its best-selling tech gadgets, including Fire tablets, Ring Doorbells, Blink cameras, Fire Sticks, and more, starting at just $14.99.
If culture is shaped by TikTok's algorithmic feed, then it's time for us to decide where we draw the line between necessary marketing and inauthentic growth hacking.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that two Americans were sentenced to years in prison for helping the North Korean government place fake IT workers in U.S. companies.
According to CEO Helen Gu, the biggest problem facing the industry today is not just monitoring and diagnosing where AI models go wrong — it's also diagnosing how the entire tech stack operates now that AI is part of it.
Adobe says AI traffic to U.S. retail sites also jumped 269% in March, with visitors converting better and generating more revenue than non-AI shoppers.
That means its AI images can be created using Gemini's understanding of your likes and interests, without those having to be explicitly noted in the prompt.
It's my first time using an ASUS Xbox controller, and there's plenty of positive points. But there's a lot of negative points too — which at this price is a bit unforgiveable.
Hot on the heels of the freshly announced G3 wireless gaming mouse, Keychron has announced two more symmetrical gaming mouse designs in the G4 and G5, both featuring identical performance characteristics with slightly different shell designs and aesthetics. While both mice are symmetrical shapes with mid-hump designs, the G4 has an ABS shell with a retro off-white and reddish-brown color scheme, accentuated by the cute pixelated hardware buttons and toggles on the bottom of the mouse, and the G5 has a carbon fiber shell with a more traditional gamer aesthetic. The G5 is also a fair bit lighter, coming in at 43 g compared to the G4's 55 g, even though the G4 is smaller than the G5. The Keychron G4 is available on the Keychron online store for $79.99, while the G5 costs $109.99.
The G4 and G5 feature identical internals, with the PixArt PAW 3950 sensor running the show and providing 8 kHz polling over 2.4 GHz and wired connections, alongside Bluetooth 5.3 for less intensive use. Both have a 500 mAh battery, although Keychron claims up to 130 hours on a charge for the G4 and 162 hours for the G5 in Bluetooth mode. With a more reasonable 4 kHz polling mode over 2.4 GHz, the G4 is said to last up to 36 hours, while the G5 should deliver 38 hours. At 1 kHz polling, which is the bare minimum for most gaming needs, that increases to 130 hours for the G4 and 153 hours for the G5. Both mice also use the same Huano Transparent Yellow Shell White Dot switches as the G3 that launched just a day prior, delivering MTBF lifespans of 120 million clicks.
NVIDIA has released the GeForce 596.21 WHQL Game Ready driver for PRAGMATA, which launches on April 17 with path tracing, DLSS Multi-Frame Generation, and DLSS Ray Reconstruction. The release also adds Game Ready support for Windrose, bringing DLSS 4.5 Super Resolution, Dynamic Multi Frame Generation, and NVIDIA Reflex. Also, a new NTE (Neverness to Everness) update adding DLSS Super Resolution, Ray Reconstruction, Multi Frame Generation, and path-traced effects. NVIDIA Project G-Assist gets enhanced recommendations and controls.
On the bug fix side, the Arknights: Endfield stutter issue is now resolved. One known issue remains as certain textures in God of War: Ragnarok may intermittently flash white during gameplay.
In Western PC markets, titles ranked 21 and below accounted for 56% of spending in 2025, up from 48% in 2022. Most PC revenue now comes from games outside the Top 20. Over the same period, total PC playtime rose 14%. Games below the Top 20 increased their share of...
PureMac strips system cleanup back to basics, offering full app uninstallation with leftover file removal alongside tools for clearing caches, logs, and other clutter. It's positioned as a free, open-source alternative to CleanMyMac, it runs on-device with no telemetry or subscriptions.
The scale of this shift came into focus after an exchange at an Airbnb property near New York City, where an AI system speaking for hosts named Alexis and Peter responded to a guest message that appeared to test its system instructions.
We all know mass layoffs are a major issue the video games industry has been facing for the last several years. It doesn't matter if you helped develop the best-selling game of the year, or if your game died within a year, game developers cannot trust that their jobs will be safe, and a new survey from Skillsearch has just put some numbers to how it is impacting the way developers navigate the industry. Spotted by GamesIndustry.Biz, Skillsearch's Salary and Satisfaction survey collected data from over 1,000 video games industry professionals across Europe, North America, the UK, APAC, and MENA, […]
Today, Battlefield Studios unveiled the 2026 Battlefield 6 roadmap. Season 3 will begin next month, with two classic maps returning after being reimagined: Season 3 also sees the debut of BR Solos — Battle Royale Solo as an official mode, as well as BR Ranked Play & Leaderboards, launching first in Battle Royale Quads in REDSEC. Battlefield Studios plans to expand the Ranked Play experience to Battlefield 6 multiplayer in future seasons. Season 4 will launch in July, introducing the previously teased Naval Warfare to Battlefield 6. The two new maps are: Naval-specific features include aircraft carriers with operational flight […]
As the AI industry enters the maturity phase, traditional terms have become outdated, which is why NVIDIA suggests that the new ways to think about AI TCO should be evaluated based on "Cost Per Token". NVIDIA Wants Everyone To Rethink AI TCO With "Cost Per Tokens" Metric Tokens are the single most important metric for AI. While yesterday's data centers were evaluated on their raw computing power, today's AI factories are evaluated on their token output. But it's not important for who does the most tokens, efficiency and cost are still the values that matter the most. That is why […]
Apple has turned into the mythological King Midas on memory, coveting it above everything else even as LPDDR5 modules now cost their literal weight in gold. We've been noting ad nauseum that Apple is hoarding memory resources not just to preserve its planned product launch roadmap this year but also to sabotage some of its competitors. Well today, we are placing Apple's memory-related moves within some much-needed context. Apple is all set to consume multiple exabytes of precious DRAM this year, and is not above sabotaging its competitors to get its way We reported on a specific bit of supply […]
Glen Schofield, the Dead Space creator and more recently the founder of Striking Distance Studios, the team behind the Dead Space spiritual successor, The Callisto Protocol, is the kind of industry veteran who is almost always up for sharing his thoughts on what he believes the path forward for the industry is. Last year, while also admitting that the commercial failure that was The Callisto Protocol might have been the last game he gets to direct in his long career, he also talked about the current state of the video game industry and why it's so difficult for anyone looking […]
Meta's Quest 3 lineup was known for offering an excellent value proposition, giving players a powerful, untethered VR experience without breaking the bank. Unfortunately, the AI boom is at the door, and Meta is now raising the price of the Quest 3 by $100, to $600, while the cheaper Quest 3S is getting hiked by $50.
The Jupiter 2 has a massive 14.6-liter build volume and a 14-inch 16K LCD screen that delivers 20 x 26µm XY resolution. It's currently on pre-sale but is expected to arrive after June 30, 2026.
Dageno AI is a GEO data and agent platform for global brands. It connects website data, traffic, prompts, social signals, and brand mentions in one unified layer. With Dageno, teams can understand how AI platforms represent their brand, identify visibility gaps and growth opportunities, optimize content and source coverage, and turn insights into automated execution. Unlike point tools or consulting, it closes the loop from monitoring to analysis to action.
SmoothApply offers a free resume builder with over 90 ATS-friendly templates and AI tools to enhance, proofread, and condense your content. You can edit directly on the preview, switch designs instantly, and export polished PDFs or DOCX files in seconds.
It also includes a cover letter generator, job application tracker, and shareable resume links. You can build on any device, tailor multiple versions for different roles, and get a real-time 11-point ATS score to help your resume pass employer filters.
Royal Caribbean has unveiled a new lineup of sailings on the Spectrum of the Seas for the 2027-28 season, which includes eight- to 10-night journeys from Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong. The company said in a press release that for the first time, guests can sail one way between cities, starting or ending their journey...
Samsung is promoting a new Galaxy AI feature that is currently exclusive to the Galaxy S26 series, but awaited by the Galaxy S25 series users.
Audio Eraser has been one of the widely recognized features of the most recent One UI ecosystem. First introduced with Galaxy S25, it helps to reduce background noises that interrupt the voices and sounds that need your attention.
However, the initial integration was limited to the video player, which later expanded to system apps such as the voice recorder, allowing users to remove the background noises and get nearly clean audio.
The Galaxy S26 series takes the Audio Eraser to the next level with real-time sound separation and optimizations. The phone enables you to not only reduce the unwanted background noises in audio but also let you select the strength of the audio eraser.
The feature lets you focus on the voice by reducing the background music volume and other noises in real-time while boosting the voice. Overall, the improved audio eraser instantly improves the audio experience without waiting for it to download to your device’s local storage.
The best use case of the real-time Audio Eraser would be the YouTube livestreams, and our hands-on experience reveals that the feature works pretty well.
Yet to cover the previous Galaxy S-series devices
Yes, it’s a good feature, but it could have been better if Samsung had announced its support for the previous generation of S-series devices. The Galaxy S26 series, the S25, and the S24 series users are still in the queue to get their hands on the latest Galaxy AI suite.
Both of these lineups, along with the most recent foldable phones, are still testing One UI 8.5 software, and they’re expected to get the stable version starting early May. But the compatibility with the latest Galaxy AI features remains unconfirmed.
Samsung has a new A-series device in the launch pipeline, and Galaxy A27 is one of them, which has been leaked in CAD renders, revealing its furnished design over the predecessor.
A collaboration between HotEUDeals and Onleaks has brought us the first look at the upcoming Galaxy A27 5G. Looking at the front, it brings a flat display with slim bezels all around. The major improvement here is the removal of the water-drop camera cutout, which is replaced by the hole-punch design.
The next thing to see here is the frame; the aluminum design gives it a premium look. The side of the phone has a power + fingerprint reader, a combined button, and a volume adjustment key. The company may have paid special attention to the frame, which is slightly bumped in the physical buttons area, and it’s a special feature of the device.
Samsung Galaxy A27
The bottom side has a USB Type-C interface, speakers, and a SIM card tray. The rear side comes with a pill-shaped camera island, and the lenses are arranged vertically.
Based on the latest details, the Galaxy A27 measures around 162.3 x 78.6 x 7.9mm compared to the 164 x 77.5 x 7.7mm on the Galaxy A26. So, the new phone is slightly wider and thicker than the previous generation.
Despite an unconfirmed specs sheet, the design of the Galaxy A27 is certainly a major leap from the Galaxy A26, and users can look forward to its release.
The Amazfit Active 3 Premium smartwatch is receiving a new update. Firmware version 3.10.0.5 brings new map related features, as well as improvements for navigation. On top of this, Music and Podcasts are now available for more users.
The late-April 2026 PC free game giveaway has been announced on the Epic Games Store. An award winning Metroidvania game released in 2023, Doomblade will be given away for PC gamers on April 23.
Lenovo is finally ready to launch a follow-up to its Legion Y900 tablet announced a few years ago. However, this time, there will be two sizes to choose from when the tablets arrive in May 2026.
Casio has announced a new Oceanus model: the OCW-T2600AP-1A. This radio-controlled analog watch has three subdials dyed blue with a traditional Japanese technique. Its features include support for world time, solar charging and 100 m water resistance.
Six months after the release of version 18, Zorin OS gets updated to 18.1. In this refresh, the Ubuntu-based distro offers better Windows app detection, tiling window improvements, and updates for the desktop panel, which now works seamlessly with right-to-left scripts, enhancing the experience for Arabic, Hebrew, or Urdu users.
Some Saros buyers were anticipating a higher frame rate performance mode in the PS5 Pro version. The PlayStation Blog confirmed that the game will render at 60 fps, like on the base console. Even so, cutscenes will display at 30 fps, without an option to engage in hectic gunplay at 120Hz.
Oppo has revealed some new AI features coming to its ColorOS skin on top of Android 16 on the upcoming Find X9 Ultra, which is due to be unveiled on April 21.
The AI Mind Space introduced with ColorOS 16 now supports AI Bill Manager, which can automatically extract and record key spending details from digital invoices and billing information. To use it, you simply need to enable AI Mind Space by pressing the Snap Key or using a three-finger swipe after making a payment on your phone.
This also works with physical receipts - you just open your camera, activate AI Mind Space with the...
The Motorola Razr Fold has had a troubled launch – it was unveiled way back in early January, but it’s not available yet. That will change this Saturday as Bulgarian carrier Yettel is wrapping up pre-orders for the FIFA edition of the phone.
The phone – the Motorola Razr Fold FIFA Edition England – Ghana with 512GB storage – will officially go on sale on April 18 and you can pick one up for €2,600. There is only one color and only one storage option.
Motorola Razr Fold FIFA Edition England – Ghana
Yettel has branches in Serbia and Hungary, but we didn’t find the phone...
UE Cornella have announced that Lionel Messi has become the club’s new owner.
Lionel Messi continues to take steps toward remaining involved in soccer once his professional playing career comes to an end. His latest move in that direction is the acquisition of a third-division club in Spain, Unio Esportiva Cornella, the third club he is involved in.
“The Argentine footballer and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, Leo Messi, has finalized the acquisition of UE Cornella,” the club announced in a statement published Thursday on their official website. “With this operation, Messi strengthens his close ties to Barcelona and his commitment to the development of sport and local talent in Catalunya.”
UE Cornella are a club founded in 1951 and based in the autonomous community of Catalunya, around 50 miles from Barcelona. They currently compete in the Tercera RFEF (Spain’s third division) and sit third in Group V, five points behind leaders Manresa.
“The arrival of Leo Messi opens a new chapter in the club’s history, with the aim of driving its sporting and institutional growth, strengthening its structure, and continuing to invest in talent. The project includes a long-term vision, with a strategic plan that combines ambition, sustainability, and local identity,” the statement added.
Lionel Messi of Inter Miami
How many clubs is Lionel Messi involved in?
While continuing his professional career — since 2023 with Inter Miami — Lionel Messi has also begun exploring a role that was previously unfamiliar to him: club ownership and management. On more than one occasion, he has said this side of soccer appeals to him more than coaching, as he looks ahead to life after retirement.
Last year, he joined his friend and teammate Luis Suarez in a project of this kind in Uruguay, becoming co-founders and co-owners of Deportivo LSM. The club debuted in the country’s fourth division and, in its first season — 2025 — earned promotion, beginning what looks like a promising path forward.
In addition, the Messi family also founded a club in Argentina: Leones de Rosario FC, based in Leo’s hometown. The project began in 2015 with a focus on developing young talent, but this year took its first professional step by joining Primera C, Argentina’s fourth division.
Messi and Ronaldo follow similar paths
The news of Lionel Messi’s acquisition of UE Cornella comes just months after Cristiano Ronaldo made a similar move. The 41-year-old forward has owned a 25% stake in Almeria since February of this year, another club competing in the lower tiers of Spanish soccer.
Almeria, unlike UE Cornella, are a more established club with greater tradition: they have spent a total of seven seasons in La Liga, most recently in 2024. Messi’s new club, meanwhile, have yet to play in Spain’s top division.
Lionel Messi during the 67th Ballon D'Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet in 2023.
Even though the signing of Alessandro Bastoni by Barcelona initially seemed quite difficult, the Italian’s defender arrival could now be edging closer, as Inter Milan are reportedly interested in including Héctor Fort as part of the deal.
Following the departure of Iñigo Martínez, Barcelona have faced serious defensive issues, which ultimately led to their Champions League elimination. As a result, Alessandro Bastoni emerged as an ideal solution, as he is reportedly looking to leave Inter Milan. While his arrival initially appeared complicated, both clubs have reportedly found a potential solution, with the Nerazzurri showing interest in Héctor Fort as part of the deal.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio,Inter Milan are open to the departure of Alessandro Bastoni in the summer of 2026. Despite being a cornerstone of the team, they are aware of the Italian’s interest in moving to Barcelona, valuing his transfer at €70M (around $82M). However, the Spanish side is reportedly aiming for a deal in the €50–60M range (around $58–70M). As things stand, both parties appear to be moving toward a compromise.
In an effort to reinforce their defensive line, the Nerazzurri are interested in signing Héctor Fort, a Barcelona full-back currently on loan at Elche CF. With this in mind, the Blaugrana could be open to including him in a deal for Bastoni, reducing the overall transfer package, according to Matteo Moretto. Valued at €12M on Transfermarkt, the Spanish full-back could bring the operation down to the €50–60M range that they are looking to pay.
Following his red card with Italy national football team in the last match, Alessandro Bastoni does not appear fully comfortable. Ahead of the next game against Cagliari Calcio, head coach Cristian Chivu acknowledged that the defender is not at his best, both physically and mentally, ruling him out. As a result, he could push the Italian side for a move to Barcelona, potentially forcing a reduction in his transfer fee in the summer of 2026.
Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League.
Barcelona reportedly add Luka Vušković as backup to Bastoni deal
Throughout the 2025–26 season, Barcelona have kept Alessandro Bastoni as their top priority, as his profile is highly valued by sporting director Deco and head coach Hansi Flick. However, his signing could prove quite complex, as Inter Milan maintain a very high valuation. As a result, the Blaugrana have reportedly also turned their attention to Luka Vušković, who has impressed at Hamburger SV.
According to Gabriel Sans, via Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugrana are closely monitoring Luka Vušković. Despite being under contract with Tottenham Hotspur until 2030, the Croatian is not keen on playing for the English side and is seeking a move following his loan spell at Hamburger SV. Should they end up being relegated, the defender could push even harder for an exit, with FC Barcelona interested in securing his arrival.
After impressing at Hamburger SV, Luka Vušković has seen his valuation rise to €60M (around $70M) on Transfermarkt, and it could climb even higher, as Tottenham are keen to keep him. However, his agent, Pini Zahavi, has a close relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta, which could facilitate a move by putting pressure on the English side to negotiate his sale.
Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League.
UAE investors are buying the AI and tech dip, keeping exposure to software, chips and crypto as the Iran conflict stress-tests the Gulf’s bid to be a global tech hub.
Investors in the cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme OneCoin may finally get some relief through a Department of Justice program, some 12 years after the project launched.
Australia’s A$24B digital asset opportunity hinges on regulation. Clear rules could drive tokenized markets, faster payments and institutional investment.
Ukrainian authorities detained a suspect linked to a $100 million cybercrime network targeting the US and Europe, seizing $11 million in assets, of which $3 million was in cryptocurrency.
AllUnity says it is expanding EURAU stablecoin liquidity pools across major DEXs such as Uniswap and Raydium, with trading pairs against USDT and USDT0.
Back said at Paris Blockchain Week that Bitcoin’s post-quantum shift may reveal the true size of the stash held by Satoshi Nakamoto, estimated at between 500,000 and 1 million BTC.
Executives at Paris Blockchain Week said European firms interested in Bitcoin treasury strategies are working around shallower capital markets and tighter constraints than in the US.
Voleybol SMS Grup Efeler Ligi play-off 5-8 etabının ikinci maçında Fenerbahçe Medicana, deplasmanda Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor ile karşılaştı. Fenerbahçe mücadeleyi 3-1 kazandı.
Voleybol SMS Grup Efeler Ligi play-off 5-8 etabının ikinci maçında Fenerbahçe Medicana, deplasmanda Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor'u 3-1 yendi.
Serideki ilk karşılaşmayı da 3-1 kazanan ve böylece 2 galibiyete ulaşan sarı-lacivertliler, 5'incilik, Bursa temsilcisi ise 7'ncilik maçları oynayacak.
Salon: Cengiz Göllü
Hakemler: Sadettin Deneri, Öznur Tosun
Bursa Büyükşehir Belediyespor: Hasan Sıkar, Corre, Gökhan Gökgöz, Mert Cuci, Dirlic, Mestre (Alpay Demirciler, Ümit Demir, Enis Ali Ay, Burhan Zorluer, Vidal)
Bu gün futbol üzrə Azərbaycan Birinci Liqasında 2025/2026-cı illər mövsümünün 22-ci turunun oyunlarına yekun vurulub.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, sonuncu oyun günündə üç qarşılaşma baş tutub.
“Baku Sportinq” – “Şəfa” matçında qapılara qol vurulmayıb. Üç qolun qeydə alındığı “Mingəçevir” – “Difai” oyununda meydan sahibləri qələbə qazanıblar. “Səbail” isə “Şimal”la ev oyununda 4 cavabsız qola sevinib.
Fenerbahçe Medicana, SMS Grup Efeler Ligi 5-8 etabı ikinci maçında Bursa BBSK'yi 3-1 yenerek seride durumu 2-0'a getirdi ve 5-6 etabı oynamaya hak kazandı.
Dogecoin breakout chatter is back but this time, it’s not just noise. After multiple failed attempts, the meme coin has finally pushed through its descending triangle resistance, and the way it happened tells a story traders know all too well: persistence pays… eventually.
Three Attempts That Changed Market Control Dynamics
Let’s break it down, because the sequence matters more than the breakout itself.
First attempt? Rejected. Clean and simple. The candle body didn’t even make it into the resistance zone that means that sellers were firmly in control, no debate there.
Second attempt? Slightly better, but still no cigar. Price managed to close right at the resistance zone. Buyers showed up, sure, but couldn’t push through. Sellers still had the final word.
Then came the third attempt. And this is where things flipped, per analyst TATrader_Alan.
The entire candle closed above resistance. Not a wick, not a tease thats a full-bodied move. That’s not hesitation. That’s conviction. And in technical terms, that’s your confirmation.
Descending Triangle Finally Breaks After Multiple Rejections
Moreover, the Descending triangles are usually bearish structures. Lower highs, flat support and it’s a setup that often resolves downward as trend continuation. But markets don’t always follow the textbook.
This time, Dogecoin price breakout seems to have went the other way. Instead of breaking down, it broke up and not on the first try, but after gradually weakening seller control. Each rejection wasn’t just failure; it was pressure building underneath. By the third attempt, that pressure cracked the ceiling.
Resistance Flip Signals Shift in Buyer Strength
Well, once resistance breaks, it doesn’t just disappear. It flips. That same zone that rejected price twice is now expected to act as support. And that shift from resistance to support is where the real narrative changes.
It’s not just about price moving up. It’s about control changing hands. Buyers aren’t just participating anymore instead they’re kind of dictating.
Bitcoin is at a stage where it is too strong to panic, and too uncertain to celebrate. Sitting around the $74,000–$75,000 range, the market looks calm on the surface, but underneath? It’s a psychological tug-of-war where sentiment, not price, is calling the shots.
When Crowd Cheers Loudest, Trouble Follows Fast
Here’s the uncomfortable truth, per recent Santiment insights, the retail traders tend to peak emotionally right when markets peak structurally. The surge in “rally” and “moon” chatter isn’t just noise; it’s often a warning sign. When everyone’s already in, there’s no one left to push prices higher. That’s your local top.
Flip the script, though. When timelines fill with “crash” and “sell-off,” that’s when things get interesting. Panic drives weak hands out, and liquidity flows straight into stronger pockets. It’s messy, but it’s also where bottoms quietly form.
Bitcoin Price Action Stuck in Neutral Gear
So where does that leave Bitcoin right now? Stuck, more or less. The $74K–$75K region has become a battleground we can say a “line in the sand” where neither bulls nor bears have full control. After the volatility earlier in 2026, this phase looks like classic consolidation.
Volume data doesn’t scream conviction either. Buy and sell pressure feels balanced, almost hesitant. But dig a little deeper, and there’s a twist. Whale vs. retail behavior is diverging. While retail sentiment swings wildly between fear and greed, larger players seem to be playing it smarter by offloading into hype and accumulating during doubt.
Indicators Say Calm… But Not for Long
Technically, things look… fine. Not exciting. Not alarming. Just fine.
The Chaikin Money Flow (CMF) sits at 0.03 which is barely positive, suggesting selling pressure has cooled but strong accumulation hasn’t kicked in either. Meanwhile, the RSI at 59.46 signals momentum without overheating. There’s still room to move higher before things get stretched.
And that’s the catch. Markets rarely stay “balanced” for long.
The 50K vs 90K Obsession Still Lingers
Well, people are still arguing about $50K crashes and $90K moonshots while price floats in the mid-$70Ks. That kind of fixation usually means one thing: the market hasn’t shaken everyone out yet.
As long as traders see every dip as a buying opportunity, the risk of one more sharp shakeout remains. Something to flush out late leverage. Something to reset expectations.
So, what’s next? If geopolitical headlines trigger fear spikes, that could quietly mark the next opportunity zone. But if the crowd starts screaming “90K” before price even gets close, it might be time to tighten risk.
Because in this cycle, Bitcoin price isn’t just reacting to news but it’s reacting to how people feel about it.
The live price of the Cardano token is $ 0.25248110.
Cardano price could see a potential upside toward $5.00 by the end of 2026.
ADA’s long-term expansion scenario points toward $350.00 by 2030.
Cardano (ADA), one of the most research-driven Layer-1 blockchains, is now entering a critical phase of execution after years of development-focused growth. While its earlier roadmap emphasized peer-reviewed innovation and network stability, the current cycle is increasingly centered around scalability, real-world utility, and ecosystem expansion.
The ongoing evolution of Cardano is being shaped by major upgrades, including the introduction of privacy-focused infrastructure through Midnight and scalability advancements targeting significantly higher throughput. These developments are positioning the network to compete more aggressively with leading smart contract platforms, particularly in areas such as DeFi, enterprise applications, and regulated use cases.
As the network transitions into this execution-driven phase, the key question for 2026 is whether these technological advancements can translate into sustained adoption and capital inflows. With fundamentals strengthening beneath the surface, Cardano’s next move may depend on how effectively it converts innovation into measurable network growth and price momentum.
This article delves into Cardano’s 2026 outlook and long-term price prediction, analyzing whether these catalysts can translate into a sustained breakout. Explore this Cardano price prediction 2026 and beyond, filled with expert insights and ambitious forecasts.
Cardano’s recent developments point to a shift from roadmap delivery to early-stage execution.
The rollout of Midnight, a privacy-focused sidechain, introduces confidential smart contract capabilities, expanding potential use cases into regulated and enterprise environments.
At the protocol level, progress around Ouroboros Leios reflects a focused push toward higher scalability, with the aim of improving transaction throughput and network efficiency.
Cardano April Price Prediction 2026
Cardano continues to trade within a constrained range, but the tone of the market is starting to shift as the $0.24–$0.25 region repeatedly absorbs selling pressure, preventing any meaningful downside continuation. While this does not yet confirm a reversal, it signals that the market is no longer willing to price lower aggressively.
The real focus now sits higher. The $0.30–$0.34 zone remains the decisive barrier, where every recovery attempt has stalled. This is the level that defines whether ADA remains stuck, or finally starts moving. A sustained move above this range would not just be another bounce, but a structural shift.
If ADA clears and holds above $0.34, the path toward $0.45–$0.50 in April opens up quickly, marking the first meaningful recovery leg after a prolonged period of compression. Until then, the market is likely to remain range-bound, but with downside risk increasingly limited as long as $0.24 continues to hold.
Coinpedia’s Cardano (ADA) Price Prediction 2026
Cardano’s price outlook for 2026 is increasingly shaped by a transition phase, where prolonged weakness is giving way to a more stable and controlled structure. After months of consistent lower highs, ADA has started to hold firm around the $0.24–$0.25 zone, suggesting that selling pressure is no longer as dominant as before, even as activity across the ecosystem continues to build gradually in the background.
The key challenge remains the $0.45–$0.60 range, which has repeatedly acted as a barrier during past recovery attempts. This zone now carries added significance, as it coincides with a phase where improving network activity, ongoing development upgrades, and a broader shift in market sentiment toward altcoins are beginning to align with price structure.
A sustained move above this range would signal a clear shift in trend, allowing ADA to move beyond consolidation and enter a more defined recovery phase. In such a scenario, the price could gradually expand toward the $1.20–$2.20 range through 2026, supported not only by structural improvement but also by increasing participation and capital rotation within the market.
At the same time, failure to reclaim this resistance may extend the current range-bound phase. Even then, the consistent defense of lower levels, combined with steady ecosystem progress, suggests that downside risk remains limited, with the market continuing to build a base over time.
Overall, Cardano is no longer in a declining phase, it is positioned just below a critical resistance zone, where both structure and underlying momentum are beginning to align, and how it reacts here will ultimately define its 2026 trajectory.
Cardano On-Chain Analysis
Cardano’s on-chain metrics are beginning to align toward a constructive setup, suggesting that underlying conditions may be improving ahead of a broader price expansion phase. The MVRV Ratio (30D) remains in negative territory, indicating that a large portion of holders are currently below their cost basis. From a market structure standpoint, this phase has historically coincided with accumulation zones, where downside risk tends to compress and long-term investors gradually increase exposure.
At the same time, development activity continues to hold steady, reflecting sustained builder engagement despite muted price performance. This consistency reinforces confidence in Cardano’s long-term roadmap, particularly as key upgrades move closer to implementation.
While active addresses (30D) have softened in recent weeks, this can be interpreted within the context of a consolidation phase rather than structural weakness. Periods of reduced activity often precede renewed participation, especially when supported by improving fundamentals and upcoming catalysts.
The combination of undervalued conditions (MVRV), consistent development momentum, and stabilizing network activity suggests that Cardano may be transitioning into an early-stage accumulation phase ahead of potential expansion.
Rather than signaling weakness, current on-chain conditions point toward quiet capital positioning and foundational strength, with the potential for demand to reaccelerate as catalysts begin to translate into real network activity.
Cardano (ADA) Price Prediction 2026 – 2030
Price Prediction
Potential Low ($)
Average Price ($)
Potential High ($)
2026
2.75
3.00
3.25
2027
4.50
4.75
5.00
2028
5.25
5.50
5.75
2029
6.75
7.25
7.75
2030
9.00
9.75
10.25
This table, based on historical movements, shows ADA prices to reach $10.25 by 2030 based on compounding market cap each year. This table provides a framework for understanding the potential Cardano price movements. Yet, the actual price will depend on a combination of market dynamics, investor behavior, and external factors influencing the cryptocurrency landscape.
Based on the historic market sentiments and trend analysis of the altcoin, here are the possible Cardano price targets for the longer time frames.
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FAQs
What is Cardano’s (ADA) price prediction for 2026?
Cardano could trade between $2.75 and $3.25 in 2026, with an average near $3. If bullish momentum strengthens, some forecasts see ADA potentially reaching $4.50.
How much will Cardano cost in 2030?
Cardano could trade between $9.00 and $10.25 by 2030, with an average near $9.75 if adoption grows and the broader crypto market continues expanding.
How high can Cardano go in 2040?
Long-term projections suggest Cardano could reach up to $70 by 2040 if blockchain adoption accelerates and ADA maintains strong ecosystem growth.
What will ADA be worth in 2050?
Some long-term models estimate ADA could reach around $200 on average and up to $350 by 2050, depending on global adoption and market maturity.
Is Cardano a good long-term investment?
Cardano is considered a long-term project due to its research-driven development, scalability upgrades, and focus on decentralization.
What factors could drive ADA’s price higher in the future?
ETF approval, institutional adoption, network upgrades, and improved macro conditions could all positively impact ADA’s price.
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”Milan” hücum xəttini gücləndirmək üçün hərəkətə keçib.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, “Qırmızı-qaralar”ın hədəfində “Yuventus”un serb ulduzu Duşan Vlahoviç var.
“La Gazzetta dello Sport”un məlumatına görə, gözlənilən performansı göstərə bilməyən Kristofer Nkunkunu satmağı planlaşdıran “Milan” onun yerini Vlahoviçlə doldurmaq istəyir.
Transferin pərdəarxasında maraqlı maliyyə detalları var:
Turin klubu illik 12 milyon avro qazanan 26 yaşlı hücumçuya maaşının ciddi şəkildə azaldılacağı qısamüddətli yeni müqavilə təklif edib. Vlahoviç isə bu təklifə qətiyyən isti baxmır.
“Milan” rəhbərliyi ulduz futbolçunu razı salmaq üçün ona hazırkı 12 milyon avroluq maaşından daha yüksək bir məbləğ təklif etməyə hazırlaşır.
Misli Premyer Liqasının XXVIII turun lider “Sabah” səfərdə ən yaxın izləyicisi “Qarabağ”la qarşılaşacaq.
Görüş çempionatda sona 6 tur qalmış qızıl medallar uğrunda mübarizədə həlledici rol daşıyır.
Matçın baş hakimi isə FIFA referisi Elçin Məsiyev olacaq.
Məsiyev bu mövsüm çempionatda 12 oyuna təyinat alıb. O, ötən ilin dekabrında Masazırda baş tutan “Sabah” – “Qarabağ” oyununun da hakimi olub. Bu matçda “bayquşlar” qələbəyə sevinib – 2:1.
Məsiyev bundan başqa, bu mövsüm “Sabah”ın 1, “Qarabağ”ın isə 3 oyununa təyinat alıb. Tərəflər FIFA referisinin idarə etdiyi digər görüşləri qələbə ilə başa vurub.
Elçin Məsiyev ümumilikdə 12 matçda 50 sarı vərəqə, 2 qırmızı vərəqə göstərib. Referi 7 dəfə penalti təyin edib.
“Sabah” Premyer Liqada 66 xalla birincidir. Ehtiyatda bir oyunu olan “Qarabağ”ın isə aktivində 56 xal var.
I Liqada çıxış edən “Cəbrayıl” klubunun əsas komandasının üzvləri üçün danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə mövzusunda maarifləndirici sessiya təşkil olunub.
Futbolpress.az xəbər verir ki, sessiya AFFA-nın Komplayns və danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə şöbəsi tərəfindən həyata keçirilib.
Təlimdə çıxış edən Komplayns və danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə şöbəsinin rəisi, eyni zamanda danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizə üzrə məsul şəxs Naib Əsədov və şöbənin digər əməkdaşı Murad Məmmədli futbolçulara danışılmış oyun anlayışı, oyun zamanı edilən adi səhvlərlə qəsdən manipulyasiya edilmiş davranışlar arasındakı fərqlər, eləcə də bu cür halların futbolun dürüstlüyünə və nüfuzuna vurduğu ciddi zərər barədə ətraflı məlumat veriblər.
Sessiya çərçivəsində futbolçuların yalnız idmançı deyil, eyni zamanda dəyərlərin daşıyıcısı olduğu vurğulanıb, ədalət, dürüstlük, məsuliyyət və nümunə olmaq kimi prinsiplərin futbolçuların peşəkar fəaliyyətində mühüm rol oynadığı qeyd edilib. Danışılmış oyunların əsas motivləri, manipulyasiya hallarının daha çox hansı oyunlarda baş verdiyi, idman mərclərinin bu prosesdə rolu və futbolçulara təsir üsulları təqdimat vasitəsilə izah olunub.
Eyni zamanda, futbolçuların etik borcu, şübhəli və ya danışılmış oyun təklifi ilə qarşılaşdıqda atmalı olduqları addımlar, susmağın da məsuliyyət daşıdığı hallarla bağlı praktiki situasiyalar üzərində müzakirələr aparılıb. Sosial media üzərindən edilən yaxınlaşmalar, manipulyatorların istifadə etdiyi vasitələr və futbolçuların ictimai və şəxsi profillərinin düzgün idarə olunmasının vacibliyi xüsusi diqqətə çatdırılıb.
Sessiya zamanı AFFA-nın 2025-ci ildə qəbul edilmiş İntizam Məcəlləsinin müvafiq maddələri, danışılmış oyunlarda iştirakın, bu cür hallara cəhdin və ya məlumatın gizlədilməsinin ağır intizam pozuntusu hesab olunduğu bildirilib, həmçinin yerli və beynəlxalq təcrübədən konkret nümunələr futbolçulara təqdim edilib.
Maarifləndirici tədbirin əsas məqsədi futbol ictimaiyyətində şəffaflığın və dürüstlüyün qorunması, danışılmış oyunlara qarşı mübarizənin gücləndirilməsi və futbolçuların bu sahədə məlumatlılığının artırılmasıdır.
Tributes continue to pour in from former teammates of Alex Manninger, including Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, while Fiorentina will hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Crystal Palace match.
The Austria international spent much of his career in Italy, making 137 Serie A appearances with Juventus, Siena, Fiorentina, Bologna and Torino.
With this in mind, Fiorentina have been given permission by UEFA to hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
The Viola will also be wearing black armbands in tribute to Manninger, who died at the age of 48.
Manninger remembered by Juventus teammates
AUGSBURG, GERMANY – MAY 14: Alexander Manninger, goalkeeper of Augsburg celebrates with the fans after the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Hamburger SV at SGL Arena on May 14, 2016 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images)
“Dear Alex, every word seems superfluous. Every tear would only be the latest for the loss of a friend and a person I always admired,” wrote Buffon.
“You chosen to remain independent from the bustle of the football world, going to seek your happiness in the simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.
“In a world that is often curved and prone to genuflection, which rewards overdoing things, careerism and easy gains, you always defended your freedom, holding your back straight, with the pride of a man who knows what he wants.
“You had the strength to walk away from all of this and look at us with your sly smile, as if to say ‘you are all crazy, you’ll never get me.’
“I hope, indeed I am certain, that from up there you will continue to guide your splendid children and your young wife. Rest in peace.”
There were more messages from Manninger’s old Juventus teammates, such as current club director of football strategy Giorgio Chiellini.
“Today is a very sad day, we say goodbye to an exemplary teammate and a person of great values. Ciao Alex, rest in peace. My thoughts are with your family.”
SIENA, ITALY – APRIL17: Siena’s goalkeeper Alexander Manninger and Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko in action during the Serie A match between Siena and Milan at Comunale Artemio Franchi, April 17, 2005 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by New Press/Getty Images)
Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner were also among those who posted messages of condolence.
“We have lost not only a great athlete but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism. Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch. Juventus expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Alex Manninger and stands close to his family in this moment of grief.”
A Serie A title winner with the Bianconeri in 2011-12, Manninger spent four seasons in Turin, making 40 appearances during his spell in Turin.
He won the Scudetto in his final season at the club under Antonio Conte.
Manninger also played for Torino, Siena, Bologna and Fiorentina in Serie A, collecting 137 appearances in Italy’s top flight.
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 16: Alexander Manninger of Juventus FC issues instructions during the UEFA Europa League group A match between Juventus FC and Manchester City at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 16, 2010 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
A former Austria international, Manninger also won the Premier League title with Arsenal in 1997-98.
The former goalkeeper had given his last interview to Gazzetta dello Sport just a few days ago, recalling his close bond with Italian football and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, and calling Siena his “home.”
Juventus pay tribute to Manninger after tragic death at 48
Today is a very sad day.
We have lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism.
Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch.
A prominent Tottenham insider on X has shared a much-needed positive update on James Maddison, suggesting the playmaker is finally on the verge of returning to first-team action.
The news comes as a vital lifeline for manager Roberto De Zerbi, whose side is currently sitting in the relegation zone after a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.
With Tottenham’s top-flight status hanging by a thread, the return of their primary creative engine could be the difference between survival and a historic fall to the Championship.
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James Maddison expected to be back in two weeks
The update comes from the well-known insider account, which has been at the forefront of injury news at Hotspur Way this season.
According to insider, the England international is nearing the end of his grueling rehabilitation process.
“Expectation that Madders could be around two weeks from a return to first-team action.”
If this timeline holds, Maddison could potentially be in the squad for the final four games of the season.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham – 2nd May 2026
Tottenham vs Leeds – 12th May 2026
Chelsea vs Tottenham – 17th May 2026
Tottenham vs Everton – 24th May 2026
While De Zerbi has been careful not to rush players back, the desperate situation in the league table may force the Italian’s hand.
Nightmare injury during pre-season
Maddison’s absence has been the black cloud hanging over Tottenham’s entire 2025/26 campaign.
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The incident, which occurred during the club’s tour of South Korea, was initially feared to be a minor knock but was later confirmed as a complex ligament tear.
Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has provided a rare glimmer of hope for Tottenham supporters, revealing that Dejan Kulusevski is set to remain at the club next season even if the unthinkable happens and Spurs are relegated to the Championship.
The North London side currently sits in 18th place with just six games remaining to save their top-flight status.
Following a disastrous 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in Roberto De Zerbi’s debut last Sunday, the pressure has reached a boiling point at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
While a mass exodus of stars this summer is expected, Di Marzio believes the Swedish international is committed to the project.
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Di Marzio: Dejan Kulusevski “definitely” staying
Speaking to bettingsidor.se via Football London, Di Marzio emphasised that Kulusevski’s character makes him the ideal candidate to lead a potential rebuild.
Di Marzio said:
“I definitely think Kulusevski will stay at Tottenham, even if they get relegated. He is a good example for other players and Roberto De Zerbi likes him. He has the right mentality, so I think Kulusevski can be one of the most important players for their project, regardless if they are in the Premier League or the Championship.”
“De Zerbi will really try to keep him. He loves players like him who have a strong identity and personality. He will definitely try to keep him.”
Kulusevski’s time at Tottenham has been marred with injuries
Kulusevski has not played a single minute of competitive football since May 2025 after suffering a severe right kneecap injury against Crystal Palace.
After a secondary minor operation in March 2026 to clean up the joint, the winger is finally nearing a return to fitness, though he is unlikely to feature before the end of the current campaign.
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When fit, his quality is undeniable and easily one of Spurs’ best players. He contributed with 10 goals and 11 assists last season, helping Spurs to a historic Europa League trophy.
Overall, in 146 games for the club, he has scored 25 and assisted another 30, with his performances attracting praise from likes of Pep Guardiola as well.
If Kulusevski stays in the event of relegation, there is no doubt that he will play a massive role in the fight for return to the top tier next season.
Arsenal scraped into the Champions League semi-finals after Wednesday’s goalless home draw sent them through with a 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting CP. Kai Havertz’s late winner in last week’s first leg ultimately proved decisive as Arsenal teed up a last-four meeting with Atletico Madrid, but Mikel Arteta’s side were far from convincing at the […]
Former PlayStation executive Shawn Layden has suggested Microsoft can't save Xbox Game Pass, following comments made by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma about wanting to "evolve" the service.
Forget about the eye-catching design – the D-Link Aquila Pro AI R95 router gets all the basics right, with excellent performance, versatile connectivity, and admirable ease of use.
Marco Senesi, soon to be a free agent as his contract with Bournemouth nears its expiration date, has been linked with a host of top clubs. Juventus and Atletico Madrid are said to be keen on the 28-year-old, while Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to be options for him to remain in England. However, […]
Warnock says Liverpool look ‘anything but controlled’ under Slot
There’s been no shortage of reaction following our Champions League exit, and Stephen Warnock has now offered a particularly critical assessment of where Liverpool stand under Arne Slot.
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Speaking via BBC Sport, the former Red didn’t hold back when analysing both our style of play and how far he believes we are from Europe’s elite right now.
Warnock questions Liverpool identity under Slot
The ex-defender compared us directly to sides like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, suggesting there is a clear difference in identity.
He said: “If I asked you how Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain play, I think you could tell me exactly the style of football they play.
“Slot talks about controlled position, they look anything but controlled in a game at the moment and I think that’s a real concern.”
That’s a pointed criticism, especially given the emphasis our head coach has placed on control and structure since arriving at Anfield.
From what we saw against PSG, there were spells, particularly in the second half, where we looked capable of asserting ourselves, but the overall consistency across both legs simply wasn’t there.
Concerns over Liverpool’s progress
Warnock didn’t stop there either, going further to suggest that despite heavy investment, the gap to the very top may actually have grown.
He added: “They spent £450m in the summer and look further away from Paris St-Germain than they did last year.”
That claim will divide opinion, especially when you consider the context of this season, where injuries to key players and a transitional squad have clearly impacted performances.
Roy Keane, for example, has taken a very different stance, insisting that we cannot be thinking about replacing the manager so soon after success, stating: “Yeah, you can’t be sacking the manager a year after winning the league.”
What Warnock’s comments do highlight, however, is the growing scrutiny around performances and identity, particularly after a European exit that has left us with only the league to focus on.
With a top-five finish still within reach, the next few weeks will go a long way in shaping whether this season is remembered as a step back or simply part of a transition under a new manager.
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin said he wants a new two-year contract from the Washington Capitals.
He was probably joking.
Then again, nothing about Ovechkin's future is all that clear right now after the NHL's career goal-scoring leader finished his 21st season Tuesday. Fans — and even opponents — treated the past few games like they could be his last, but Ovechkin hasn't yet closed the door on returning.
This was the final season of his current contract with the Capitals. When he noted Thursday — in a longer-than-usual session with reporters — that he still needs to speak with coach Spencer Carbery and general manager Chris Patrick, he was asked what he wanted to hear from Patrick about the team's future.
“Two more years," he said, drawing a laugh. "This is the contract. Sign it.”
It would certainly be a surprise if the 40-year-old Ovechkin received that kind of deal. The bigger question is whether he'll keep playing in the NHL at all. He said he'll make that decision based on health, family and the team's outlook for next season.
The Capitals wrapped up their season with a win at Columbus on Tuesday. They had 95 points, which would have tied for the lead in the Pacific Division but left them three points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Young players like Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson have emerged for Washington, and despite a disappointing season, the team seems decently positioned whether Ovechkin retires or comes back.
If he does return, the price would be intriguing after he carried a cap hit of $9.5 million a year on his previous deal. He scored a team-high 32 goals and played all 82 games this season, remarkable numbers for a player his age. But his famous shot from the left circle wasn't the weapon it used to be — he had only five goals on 86 shots on the power play — and his age shows in his two-way game.
Ovechkin was asked if playing elsewhere in the NHL was a possibility.
“I’m a free agent," he said.
When pressed on whether he could see himself somewhere else in the league after spending his whole career so far with the Capitals, he said: “Probably not, no.”
There's been speculation about Ovechkin going back at some point to play in his native Russia, but he said he needs to decide his NHL future first.
“I’m pretty sure it’s not my last game — I hope it’s not my last game, against Columbus. I have to make a decision to see where we’re at — the team, family," Ovechkin said. “Obviously, family are going to support me, like my wife and kids. Kids are already asking, ‘Dad, are you staying or not?’"
And what's his response?
“I tell them, ‘We’ll see,'” he said. ”They want me to come back because they love the city, they love the team, they love the boys.”
The Miami Dolphins’ answer to filling the void left by Jaylen Waddle could be a receiver who will never be confused with Jaylen Waddle.
Whereas Waddle’s game is built around his sprinter’s speed, former Washington receiver Denzel Boston’s eye-catching trait is at the other end of the spectrum. He’s 6-feet-4 and 212 pounds, known not for speed but for toughness and strong hands that helped him score 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
If any of that has you picturing another Puka Nacua, you’re not alone. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein compares Boston to Nacua (6-2, 216), making no apologies in the process.
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations,” Zierlein wrote. “A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route.”
Boston seems fine making a living that way. Ask him his favorite receivers and he’ll list Mike Evans, Tee Higgins and Nico Collins. As for great receivers of the past, he has to go with Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and Calvin Johnson. Perhaps, while reading those seven names, you detected a pattern. Rice, at 6-2, is the shortest of the bunch, with most checking in at 6-4. All are/were 200 pounds or more, all the way up to Johnson living up to his Megatron nickname at 237.
“Guys built like me,” Boston said. “I like to take from their game.”
Denzel Boston projected as late first-round draft pick
Boston is projected as a late first-round pick, meaning he could be in play for Miami’s second selection, 30th overall.
He’s coming off a season with 62 receptions for 881 yards (14.2 average) and 11 touchdowns. His 2024 season was nearly identical: 63 catches, 834 yards (13.2) and nine TDs.
In explaining his style, Boston said, “I would describe it as a giant vacuum. I have very long arms and therefore I have a big catch radius. You put it up there, I’m gonna go get it. You put it out there, I’m also gonna go get it. So, you know, I’ll say a giant vacuum.”
Boston is sometimes mistaken as the son of former NFL receiver David Boston, who briefly played for the Dolphins. In reality, Denzel does come from an athletic family. His father, Chris, is a football coach. A brother, Andrew, tried out with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with Hamilton of the Canadian Football League.
Besides traditional honors such as third-team All-Big Ten, Denzel was included in the Big Ten All-Academic team after majoring in “comparative history of ideas.”
Speaking of comparative history, NFL.com rates Boston a 6.40, “good starter within two years.” Compare that to Nacua, whose draft score in 2023 was just 5.80 (“average backup or special teamer”). Nacua was projected to go in the final two rounds, but the Rams took him in the fifth round. All they got for their trouble was 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and Nacua’s second trip to the Pro Bowl.
“The ball skills and competitive nature he brings to the field give him a fighting chance to make a roster,” Zierlein wrote in Nacua's pre-draft analysis.
Zierlein’s projection for Boston, obviously, is much higher than that.
“He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws,” Zierlein wrote. “Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.”
How big is Denzel Boston?
6-4, 212
Where is Denzel Boston from?
His hometown is South Hill, Wash., although he was raised in Boise, Idaho.
How fast is Denzel Boston?
Good question. He did not run at the NFL Combine and did not do the 40 at Washington’s pro day on the advice of his agent.
What did Denzel Boston do at his pro day?
A vertical leap of 37.5 inches.
What’s this about Denzel Boston’s famous father?
Actually, David Boston, former NFL receiver who briefly played for the Dolphins, is not his father. His dad, Chris, does coach football.
Can Denzel Boston move the chains?
Yet bet. Last season, 79 percent of his receptions produced a first down or touchdown.
The Miami Dolphins’ answer to filling the void left by Jaylen Waddle could be a receiver who will never be confused with Jaylen Waddle.
Whereas Waddle’s game is built around his sprinter’s speed, former Washington receiver Denzel Boston’s eye-catching trait is at the other end of the spectrum. He’s 6-feet-4 and 212 pounds, known not for speed but for toughness and strong hands that helped him score 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons.
If any of that has you picturing another Puka Nacua, you’re not alone. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein compares Boston to Nacua (6-2, 216), making no apologies in the process.
“Two-year starter with elite ball skills that should supersede athletic/speed limitations,” Zierlein wrote. “A Puka Nacua comparison might feel strong, but like Nacua, Boston enters the draft with speed/separation concerns and outstanding competitive toughness. Boston gets off the line with good burst and maintains his top speed throughout the route.”
Boston seems fine making a living that way. Ask him his favorite receivers and he’ll list Mike Evans, Tee Higgins and Nico Collins. As for great receivers of the past, he has to go with Randy Moss, Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens and Calvin Johnson. Perhaps, while reading those seven names, you detected a pattern. Rice, at 6-2, is the shortest of the bunch, with most checking in at 6-4. All are/were 200 pounds or more, all the way up to Johnson living up to his Megatron nickname at 237.
“Guys built like me,” Boston said. “I like to take from their game.”
Denzel Boston projected as late first-round draft pick
Boston is projected as a late first-round pick, meaning he could be in play for Miami’s second selection, 30th overall.
He’s coming off a season with 62 receptions for 881 yards (14.2 average) and 11 touchdowns. His 2024 season was nearly identical: 63 catches, 834 yards (13.2) and nine TDs.
In explaining his style, Boston said, “I would describe it as a giant vacuum. I have very long arms and therefore I have a big catch radius. You put it up there, I’m gonna go get it. You put it out there, I’m also gonna go get it. So, you know, I’ll say a giant vacuum.”
Boston is sometimes mistaken as the son of former NFL receiver David Boston, who briefly played for the Dolphins. In reality, Denzel does come from an athletic family. His father, Chris, is a football coach. A brother, Andrew, tried out with the Kansas City Chiefs before signing with Hamilton of the Canadian Football League.
Besides traditional honors such as third-team All-Big Ten, Denzel was included in the Big Ten All-Academic team after majoring in “comparative history of ideas.”
Speaking of comparative history, NFL.com rates Boston a 6.40, “good starter within two years.” Compare that to Nacua, whose draft score in 2023 was just 5.80 (“average backup or special teamer”). Nacua was projected to go in the final two rounds, but the Rams took him in the fifth round. All they got for their trouble was 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and Nacua’s second trip to the Pro Bowl.
“The ball skills and competitive nature he brings to the field give him a fighting chance to make a roster,” Zierlein wrote in Nacua's pre-draft analysis.
Zierlein’s projection for Boston, obviously, is much higher than that.
“He’s very skilled when it comes to winning jump balls and contested throws,” Zierlein wrote. “Boston also knows how to win in the red zone. Acclimating to NFL competition could take a year, but Boston has the makeup to become a productive possession target with above-average red-zone value.”
How big is Denzel Boston?
6-4, 212
Where is Denzel Boston from?
His hometown is South Hill, Wash., although he was raised in Boise, Idaho.
How fast is Denzel Boston?
Good question. He did not run at the NFL Combine and did not do the 40 at Washington’s pro day on the advice of his agent.
What did Denzel Boston do at his pro day?
A vertical leap of 37.5 inches.
What’s this about Denzel Boston’s famous father?
Actually, David Boston, former NFL receiver who briefly played for the Dolphins, is not his father. His dad, Chris, does coach football.
Can Denzel Boston move the chains?
Yet bet. Last season, 79 percent of his receptions produced a first down or touchdown.
The Lakers’ Luka Dončić and Pistons’ Cade Cunningham will be eligible for 2026 NBA awards after the league and players union ruled in their favor on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenges, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Just in: The NBA and NBPA have ruled in favor of Lakers' Luka Doncic and Pistons' Cade Cunningham on their Extraordinary Circumstances Challenge for the 65-game award rule, making both eligible for all 2025-26 season honors such as MVP and All-NBA teams, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/gUYdUn1q4k
It’s often debated whether hitter hot streaks can be sustained. However, we know that breakout performances come from players with a mixture of luck and skill. To identify the players to discuss, we’ll use the Yahoo Player Rater for the past two weeks to provide a small sample to choose from. Besides those hot hitters on the player rater, we’ll discuss other hitters generating plenty of buzz throughout the fantasy baseball community.
Most of my analysis focuses on hitter skills, luck factors, and other underlying metrics that could be contributing to the player’s outcomes. As we gather more data, I plan to have hitter leaderboards with advanced stats to identify any risers or fallers.
Cam Smith (64% Rostered)
Smith has been providing power and speed this season, as his skills suggest. Plate discipline has been a concern, given Smith’s 72.5% contact rate in 2026, similar to 73.8% (2025). If hitters struggle to make contact, we want them to crush the ball when they finally do. That’s how Smith makes an impact, given his elite 77.6 mph bat speed and 76.2% fast swing rate (percentage of swings at 75 mph or higher). That’s over three mph faster in his bat speed compared to his rookie season in 2025.
Cam Smith bat speed distribution. (Photo by Corbin Young/Yahoo Sports)
We’ve also seen Smith make an adjustment in his batting stance by having a more neutral stance (0 degrees) after being 10 degrees open. He also moved seven inches farther back in the box, helping with potential pitch identification. Although the pull rates (34-37%) and flyball rates (30-34%) have remained similar, Smith has been attempting to elevate and pull the ball based on his swing path metrics.
That’s evident in Smith’s attack angle increasing to 12 degrees (2026) from 8 degrees (2025), plus his pull direction moving 4 degrees toward his pull side.
Cam Smith's 15-game rolling average. (Photo by Cam Smith/FanGraphs)
Smith flashed elite speed (96th percentile) and athleticism in the outfield, being a strong defender, given his 99th-percentile Outs Above Average. That’s notable because Smith’s stolen base opportunity rate spiked to 26% early in 2026, up from 7% in 2025.
All told, Smith possesses the tools to put up a 20/20 season as a floor, if the playing time sustains.
Jordan Walker (87% Rostered)
I’ve mentioned a few times on X/Twitter that Walker has made significant swing and stance changes, especially after spending time at Driveline Baseball throughout the offseason. Walker has been using a significantly narrower batting stance, with 20.8 inches between his feet in 2026, compared to 28.7 inches in 2025. He used to have a batting stance that was 17 degrees open, but became more closed to 11 degrees in 2026, as seen below:
Jordan Walker batting stance changes. (Photo by Corbin Young/BaseballSavant)
The red or wide foot placements indicate his stance when he impacts the ball, or bat-to-ball intercept point, as Baseball Savant labels it.
That helped Walker improve his ideal attack angle rate to 61.1% (2026), up from 47.7% (2025). We highlight that because the ideal attack angle rate is the percentage of swings between 5 and 20 degrees. That suggests Walker is making more consistent swings in those ideal attack angles, which should lead to better outcomes.
In other words, Walker’s inputs and skills have improved, coinciding with positive outcomes.
Jordan Walker's 15-game rolling average. (Photo by Corbin Young/FanGraphs)
Like Smith, Walker’s tools have been known, evidenced by his elite 78.1 mph bat speed. Hitting too many groundballs has been an issue for Walker, but he’s lowered his groundball rate to a career low (33.3%) in 2026, over 10 points below his career average (47%). Where the swing changes and ideal attack angles have translated the most are the barrels, given his 15.7% barrel rate per plate appearance in 2026 after hovering around 6.5% throughout his career.
This is a significant swing change for Walker, which can translate into 35-40 home runs based on his skills. Walker made significant and legitimate changes that are worth buying into, whether as a hold or trade for in fantasy baseball.
Sal Stewart (87% Rostered)
Stewart was a highly touted prospect heading into the 2026 season. So far, Stewart has been productive early, with 7 home runs, 3 stolen bases and a .328 batting average. Though Stewart doesn’t have high-end bat speeds, he combines strong plate discipline (78.4% contact rate) with his ability to barrel the ball (career 13.1% barrel per plate appearance rate).
Leaders in EV50 as of April 15. (Photo by Corbin Young/BaseballSavant)
Furthermore, Stewart ranks 18th in Exit Velocity 50 or EV50 at 104.1 mph as shown above, which is the average of the hardest 50% of the player’s batted balls, giving us a more reliable metric than average exit velocity. That puts Stewart near strong power hitters like Yordan Alvarez, Ben Rice, Elly De La Cruz and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
I wasn’t sure if the 17 stolen bases from Triple-A in 2025 would stick around, but we’ve seen a respectable 13% stolen base opportunity rate, which should lead to 10-15 stolen bases across a full season.
The projection systems aren’t doing Stewart justice since he should be a five-category producer. Stewart’s skills support the early-season production.
Chase DeLauter (83% Rostered)
DeLauter was crushing home runs early in 2026, leaning into a pull-heavy profile (55.6%). He had a 50% rate in the minors in 2024, but it was at 35.5% throughout the minor leagues in 2025. Plate discipline has been a strength for DeLauter, rocking an 83.2% contact rate and 6.9% swinging-strike rate. DeLauter’s 103.3 mph EV50 (No. 31) has been similar to Matt Olson, Matt Wallner, Kyle Schwarber and Pete Alonso.
That’s legitimate power from DeLauter, who boasts average bat speed (72 mph) while swinging in the ideal attack angles 57.4% of the time. The data suggests DeLauter has a strong hit tool with consistent swings to put the ball into optimal launch angles. Groundballs were an issue for DeLauter in the minors in 2025 (45.8%), but he has been hitting the ball in the air more in 2026, given a 44.4% flyball rate.
Injuries have been an issue for him throughout his career, including a core muscle injury that required surgery in 2025, fracturing a bone in his foot in April 2024 and a sprained right big toe in June 2024. That doesn’t include a broken left foot in college at James Madison. DeLauter fouled a ball off his foot in early April 2026, which raised alarms before he hit a home run after resting for a couple of days.
Fantasy managers might want to bail on him, due to the hot start and injury risk. However, DeLauter’s skills have supported the early-season breakout, so it’s not fluky production.
Josh Bell (39% Rostered)
We discussed Bell as a strong hitter waiver wire option heading into Week 3 based on volume. Over the past two weeks, Bell has been rated as one of the best hitters on the Yahoo player rater. Bell’s .324 BABIP has been fueling the .268 batting average in 2026. That’s significantly higher than Bell’s career BABIP at .284, so we know luck has been in his favor. Interestingly, Bell’s contact rate dropped to a career low at 72.8%, nearly five percentage points below his career norm.
Josh Bell's 15-game rolling average in contact rate and BABIP. (Photo by Corbin Young/FanGraphs)
Bell’s contact rate could be small sample noise, especially with the BABIP spike. However, it’s worth highlighting that Bell has been pulling the ball at a career-high rate (48.4%) and hitting more flyballs (47.5%) in 2026. For context, Bell’s pull rate sits over seven percentage points higher than his career average, with the flyball rate (52.5%) nearly 20 points above the career norm.
That further aligns with Bell’s career-high 32.4% pulled air rate, over two times his career average (14.1%).
Josh Bell's 15-game rolling average in pull and flyball rates. (Photo by Corbin Young/FanGraphs)
If hitters often hit the ball on the ground, we want them to crush flyballs and line drives. Unfortunately, Bell’s 93 mph exit velocity on flyballs and line drives in 2026 dropped from 96.7 mph (2025), 93.6 mph (2024) and 94 mph (2023). Like the totality of Bell’s career, there have been inconsistencies with his production and underlying metrics, showing 2025 might be an outlier.
Use Bell as a hitter streamer, though he can be replaceable for another hitter streamer later in the season. Essentially, ride his production for as long as it lasts, because there have been actionable early changes in his launch angle and pull rates.
Freiburg face Celta Vigo away from home in the return leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie. Goals from Vincenzo Grifo, Niklas Beste, and Matthias Ginter secured a big win for Julian Schuster’s side in last week’s first leg.
Johan Manzambi is fit enough to start for the visitors, while Philipp Treu starts instead of Lukas Kübler.
Here's how the two teams will start tonight’s game at Balaídos Stadium.
Following the shocking retirement of Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman, the Chicago Bears find themselves looking for their long-term solution heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.
The news of Dalman's retirement was sudden and unexpected, especially at 27 years old, coming off a Pro Bowl season and in the first year of a three-year $42 million deal. But Dalman, looking out for his longer-term health, felt it was time.
Dalman was part of general manager Ryan Poles’ 2025 offensive line retooling that translated to just 24 sacks allowed, the second fewest in the league. He was the staple in the middle, playing all of 1,154 offensive snaps last season.
Chicago quickly pivoted, trading for veteran Garrett Bradbury, who came off a Super Bowl season with the New England Patriots. After being drafted 18th overall in 2019, Bradbury, 30, joins the Bears and will get to play alongside college teammate, All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney.
Poles didn’t elect to spend big money and sign Tyler Linderbaum, who got a three-year, $81 million contract. Instead, Chicago opted for the short-term, cheaper option because the 2026 draft class has a handful of guys who could fill the Bears' center vacancy for the future.
Here is the breakdown of the centers in this season's NFL draft, their strengths and weaknesses, and which one suits the Bears best with their seven draft picks.
Sam Hecht, Kansas State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 303 pounds 31 5/8 inch arms, 9 7/8 inch hands
Sam Hecht is the most polished of the many prospects in this year's NFL draft. He’s light on his feet, which allows him to move quickly in both run and pass block situations, and his athleticism makes up for his slightly undersized frame. However, numerous scouts have reported that Hecht’s technique is the best in the draft.
Adding mass and size won’t be an issue for an interior offensive lineman, especially if Hecht gets drafted by Chicago, where he most likely won’t be asked to start right away. His ability to play in sync with his hands and feet allows him to get into run fits, and those same strong hands and active feet allow him to stay connected to blocks.
Last season, Hecht played 769 snaps, allowed zero sacks, zero hits allowed, and accounted for zero penalties. During an interview on Up and Adams, Hecht mentioned that during his pro day at Kansas State, Bears offensive line coach Dan Roushar and assistant Kyle DeVan worked the offensive lineman through drills and were able to build a relationship with one another.
“Protecting a quarterback of that caliber, that is super exciting for sure,” Hecht said. “The staff, the offensive line coach, and the assistant offensive line coach were amazing. I feel like we grew a good relationship just in the short time that we had with each other.”
Hecht has been all over the draft board, mocked from mid to late second round and even the third round. Chicago has two late picks in the second and one in the third. The question is how much they value the center portion, and is Hecht their guy?
Jake Slaughter, Florida
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 303 pounds, 32 3/8 inch arms, 10 inch hands
Jake Slaughter brings plenty of experience as a three-year starter with plenty of game experience, but with his height matched with a lighter weight at 303 pounds, he lacks the size and mass needed to fill out his frame. The lighter weight has allowed Slaughter to be lighter on his feet, and he does a good job with his active feet.
He’s a guy projected to rounds four or later, but with time in the NFL to develop, learn more technique, and add on more weight with his experience, he could be a starter down the road in his career. With his size and lack of mass, Slaughter seems it's a guy Chicago would likely shy away from.
Logan Jones, Iowa
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 299 pounds, 30 3/4 inch, 9 1/2 inch
Logan Jones is another undersized center who has plenty of experience. His technique with his hands and feet has allowed him to excel thus far. He possesses initial quickness off the ball, allowing him to latch onto defensive tackles. Has a good first punch and is direct with his lands at a level against the rush. He can slide protect to open up run gaps and get to the second level quickly and locate linebackers.
Jones has similar traits to Hecht, who is an inch shorter, but poses the same kind of upside in the technique and IQ. He is projected to be later than Hecht and land potentially in the fourth or fifth round. If Chicago does wait, it could find itself in a position to draft Jones in the fourth round.
Connor Lew, Auburn
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, 32 3/8 inch arms, 9 inch hands
Connor Lew has a stronger frame than his tape may show for Auburn. He can bump and run and get to the second level against local linebackers and safeties. He plays with overall toughness, a good IQ, and leadership that might bring attention to him from teams earlier than he is projected.
With more reps in the NFL in a scheme that he will become familiar with, Lew will not only fill out in his frame, but also allow him to become a solid starter in the NFL. His wrestling background shows up in the hip roll to anchor on tape, and he can quickly bounce back an re-gain leverage in his hands and feet.
Like Jones and possibly Hecht, Lew is projected to go in the third round, and possibly even higher for teams who are more in need in the center position. Hecht, through Lew, is one of the top four centers in the class who have separated themselves from the rest of the pack, but there are options later in the draft.
Pat Coogan, Indiana
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, 21 1/8 inch arms, 9 1/4 inch hands
The IQ, size, and communication skills are there for Pat Coogan, who spent four seasons at Notre Dame before transferring to Indiana for his final season. His leadership and traits will appeal to coaches. On top of that, Coogan is technically sound. He's good in gap schemes and inside zone and has a good first punch and relocated his hands well when knocked down.
Coogan is a Chicago native who attended Marist High School and had offers from schools. His anchor is given away against powerful bull rushers, and he has been very scheme-reliant and has a hard time finding a fit in the outside zone. Coogan can be an option for the Bears, but isn’t the prototypical light on his feet type center that would fit well in the Ben Johnson pulling offense.
Matt Gulbin, Michigan State
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, 31 3/4 inch arms, 9 1/2 inch hands
Matt Gulbin is another guy projected behind the initial pack of the top four I mentioned. He is projected to be a Day 3 pick, but as a three-year starter, he brings average size and good power. He is a better vertical mover to the second level than he is a laterally moving block in the run game, but it is something he can improve on. Gulbin is a good pass-protection blocker with a good anchor to stay tight on his blocks.
Gulbin's tape shows consistency, and he can be nimble and take on good angles on linebackers in the second level. Other than needing to get better in his lateral movement, this is a potential pick for Chicago if Gulbin is available in the seventh or by acquiring a pick.
New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) reacts after hitting a one run single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium. | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
As the great Stu Bunting once said, "helps on the way!" Unfortunately, fantasy game managers want minor league upgrades to arrive in the majors now. Injuries dictate call-ups, while success at AAA drives the bus for their timetable for the best prospects in the game. Here's a look at the progress of some minor league players:
Catchers
San Francisco Giants catcher Jesus Rodriguez against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jesus Rodriguez, San Francisco Giants
Rodriguez is riding an eight-game hitting streak (15-for-38 with nine runs, two home runs, seven RBIs, and one steal) at AAA, but he hasn't played in a game since April 9th due to a day off and postponements. Over the past two games, Rodriguez gained 126 games of experience at AAA, leading to a .321 batting average with 84 runs, nine home runs, 64 RBIs, and 21 steals over 504 at-bats. He had a winning walk rate (11.5%) and a favorable strikeout rate (13.1%).
Drew Cavanaugh, San Francisco Giants
The Giants have another catching prospect at AA who played well over his first seven games. Cavanaugh has 10 hits over his first 23 at-bats with 12 runs, one home run, five RBIs, while taking seven walks and striking out three times. Last season, he saw action at A, High A, AA, and AAA (.264/65/14/65/7 over 322 at-bats).
First Basemen
Worcester third baseman Blaze Jordan runs off the field at Polar Park July 29. | Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Blaze Jordan, St. Louis Cardinals
Last season, Jordan had a progression season between AA and AAA (.270/80/19/99/5 over 493 at-bats) despite being overmatched over his time at AAA (.198 over 172 at-bats with 21 runs, seven home runs, 37 RBIs, and two seasons). His bat refired at the highest level of the minors over his first 13 games (18-for-51 with seven runs, four home runs, nine RBIs, and one steal). He now has 223 at-bats at AAA with only 30 strikeouts (12.5%), which is a good sign for his future in the majors.
Charlie Condon, Colorado Rockies
Over 11 starts at AAA, Condon has 14 hits over 44 at-bats with four home runs, nine RBIs, and one steal, with a favorable approach (eight walks and 11 strikeouts over 53 plate appearances). He has 382 at-bats of experience in the minors (High A, AA, and AAA) over the past two seasons, leading to a .272 batting average over 382 at-bats with 68 runs, 18 home runs, 64 RBIs, and two stolen bases. His bat was exceptional over two seasons at Georgia (.410/145/62/145/3 over 441 at-bats), showcasing his future power ceiling.
Second Basemen
Cleveland Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Travis Bazzana, Cleveland Guardians
Despite trailing stats (.246/10/0/3/3 over 61 at-bats) over his first 15 games, Bazzana is riding a four-game hitting streak (6-for-14 with three runs and a steal) at AAA. His bat has underperformed his draft expectations over his first 126 minor league games (.244/101/12/54/20 over 464 at-bats). Cleveland drafted him first overall in the 2024 MLB June Amateur Draft after a breakout season (.407 over 214 at-bats with 84 runs, 28 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 16 steals) in his final year at Oregon State.
Justin Foscue, Texas Rangers
Over the past week, Foscue is sitting on a six-game hitting streak (11-for-26 with five runs, one home run, and seven RBIs). He raised his season average to .343 over 67 at-bats, with nine runs, two home runs, nine RBIs, and one steal. His bat has been productive over three seasons at AAA (.271/206/49/197/25 over 1,127 at-bats), but Foscue has yet to find his swing in the majors (3-for-51 with three runs and three RBIs while striking out 21 times).
Third Basemen
Oklahoma City infielder Michael Chavis (22) fields a ground ball and runs to first base to force out a runner during the home opener Minor League baseball game between the Oklahoma City Comets and the El Paso Chihuahuas at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. | NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Michael Chavis, Cincinnati Reds
Chavis hasn't played in the majors since 2023, but his bat has been on point over his last eight games at AAA (11-for-33 with eight runs, five home runs, and 14 RBIs). He raised his season average to .291 with 10 runs, seven home runs, and 17 RBIs over 46 at-bats. Over his last two seasons at AAA, Chavis has developed into a surprising power bat (.291/58/20/64/2 over 313 at-bats). At age 30, his only path to a major league opportunity will come via an injury to a starting player.
Ryan Fitzgerald, Los Angeles Dodgers
Over his first five seasons at AAA, Fitzgerald hit .249 with 201 runs, 52 home runs, 231 RBIs, and 25 steals over 1,435 at-bats, making him just a journeyman player at age 32. He has been off to a surprisingly hot start this year in the minors (.375 over 72 at-bats with 13 runs, two home runs, 21 RBIs, and one steal), while striking out only seven times.
Shortstops
Seattle Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson against the Los Angeles Dodgers during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Colt Emerson, Seattle Mariners
The wait for Emerson to arrive in the majors is going to take longer than expected based on his play over his first 13 games at AAA (.265 over 49 at-bats with five runs, one home run, five RBIs, and two steals). His strikeout rate (34.7%) is out of line for a top prospect.
George Lombard, New York Yankees
Eight games into his 2026 AA season, Lombard is already knocking on the AAA door. He has 15 hits over his first 32 at-bats with 10 runs, two home runs, six RBIs, and two stolen bases while striking out five times. Last season, Lombard was overmatched at the same level (.215/68/8/36/24 over 391 at-bats).
Outfielders
Washington Nationals center fielder Dylan Crews (3) rounds past third base against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Dylan Crews, Washington Nationals
Over his last 10 games at AAA, Crews has 13 hits over 40 at-bats (.325) with eight runs, two home runs, six RBIs, and two steals. He took six walks over this span, with 12 strikeouts. The Nationals have given eight starts in center field and six in right field. Crews is getting closer to a call-up, once the combination of Jacob Young (.265/8/2/7/1 over 49 at-bats) and Joey Wiemer (.364/9/2/4 over 33 at-bats) ride off into the sunset.
Jasson Dominguez, New York Yankees
Dominguez slowed down over his last five games (3-for-15 with three runs and four steals), but he continues to be on a path to New York once an opportunity opens up. He's batting .333 over his first 42 at-bats with 12 runs, two home runs, five RBIs, and eight steals while taking 12 walks with eight Ks.
Ryan Waldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
Heading into Wednesday night, Waldschmidt picked up the pace with his bat over his last six games (10-for-23 with six runs, two home runs, five RBIs, and one steal). Over 82 games at AA and AAA, he has looked the part of a top prospect (.310/69/11/47/20 over 310 at-bats). The struggles of Alek Thomas in Arizona (.122 over 49 at-bats with four runs, no home runs, five RBIs, and three steals) suggest an outfield change could be coming for the Diamondbacks.
BYU pitcher Ethan Zufall (33) delivers a pitch during an NCAA baseball game against Utah held at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Straight up hill.
That is the path the BYU baseball team has been on since the second the Cougars joined the Big 12. Opposition has been stiff, injuries have been frequent, and expectations from around the conference have been low — even this year BYU was picked to finish 13th among the 14 teams.
Yet, as mid-April arrives, the Cougars (19-16, 8-7) are raising a few eyebrows as they rise in the standings, now up to a fourth-place tie in the Big 12 and just one game back of No. 23 Arizona State (26-12, 9-6). The Cougars and Sun Devils open a three-game series at Miller Park on Thursday (1 p.m, ESPN+).
BYU is riding a season-best five-game win streak, and the Cougars are fresh off their first series sweep at Houston. During the run, BYU outscored its opponents a combined 29-10.
“We are pitching really good, throwing a lot of strikes, walking less people. That’s the biggest thing,” said BYU coach Trent Pratt. During the streak, Cougar pitchers have struck out 38 batters and walked 21.
“Someone different every game has stepped up. On the offensive side, a lot of guys have had big games for us to win.”
Granted, Utah Valley, Houston and Lamar are a far cry from Big 12 leaders Kansas, West Virginia and UCF, but for a program needing a pick-me-up, this spring surge is providing an emotional boost.
Progress has been slow, but steady. BYU won seven Big 12 games in their debut season in 2024. Last year, the Cougars won 10 games and earned the final spot in the Big 12 Tournament where they stunned Arizona State 2-0 in the first round.
So far in 2026, with new pitching coach Adrian Dinckle managing the arms, BYU has already claimed more conference series wins (Cincinnati, Oklahoma State, Houston) than it did last season (Cincinnati and Texas Tech).
“I feel like we are getting better every year, but there is still a lot of work ahead,” Pratt said. “We need to finish strong.”
Among the eyebrow raisers is right fielder Tua Wolfgramm. The junior from Pleasant Grove was put into the lineup a few weeks ago for the injured Bryker Hurdsman.
Wolfgramm was listed eighth in the batting order but with his .294 average, including two home runs, a triple and five doubles, Pratt moved him up to fifth, and with his speed and glovework in the field, the fifth-year head coach can’t take him out of the lineup.
Sophomore Keoni Painter is another head turner, playing center field for the injured Crew McChesney. On the day McChesney went out with a hamstring strain on March 28, Painter entered the game and hit the first walk-off home run of his life to beat Oklahoma State, 5-4.
BYU outfielder Keoni Painter (2) celebrates after successfully making it to third base beside Utah infielder Daniel Arambula (21) during a game held at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
BYU’s season also mirrors Easton Jones. The senior third baseman from American Fork has nearly doubled his RBI total (29) from last year (15) and the Cougars still have 19 games remaining before the conference tournament.
Pitching has been a hodgepodge of smoke and mirrors with bullpen guys (Justice Reiser and Cayson Bell) starting games and the ear-marked preseason starters (Garrison Sumner and Nate Gray) now coming out of the pen. Dinkel’s all-hands-on-deck approach to BYU’s pitching might look different, but it’s working.
“We know they are a good team, but we’ve played other good teams. I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. We’ve got to go play good baseball and if we do that, we have a chance to win the series.”
BYU coach Trent Pratt on the Arizona State Sun Devils
“We know they are a good team, but we’ve played other good teams. I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. We’ve got to go play good baseball and if we do that, we have a chance to win the series.”
“We are landing more secondary pitches for strikes. They aren’t just fast balls,” Pratt said. “That’s been the biggest thing. (Adrian) has done a good job developing guys with extra pitches.”
Last April in Tempe, Arizona State roasted the Cougars on three-straight nights. The Sun Devils outscored BYU by a combined 36-13. During the series finale, Arizona State set a program record with six home runs in the second inning.
Returning to Provo for the first time since 2019, the Sun Devils will not only face a confident group of Cougars, but also much different weather as rain and cooler temperatures are in the forecast.
For BYU, the Arizona State series provides a measuring stick for how far the Cougars have come in their third year in the Big 12 and how far they still have to go.
“Yeah, a little bit,” said Pratt. “We know they are a good team, but we’ve played other good teams. I don’t want to make it bigger than it is. We’ve got to go play good baseball and if we do that, we have a chance to win the series.”
BYU head coach Trent Pratt cheers his players on during a game against Utah held at America First Ballpark in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com.
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It remains to be seen where the former Hull City man will go next, with David Ornstein reporting in recent days that Tottenham Hotspur are in ‘pole position’ to sign him, although that could be contingent on whether or not they avoid relegation from the top flight.
Robertson would prefer Spurs move…if they stay up
In an article for The Telegraph outlining the futures of nine players who are either confirmed or rumoured to be leaving Liverpool in the summer, Dominic King corroborated claims over a potential move to Spurs, pending salvation of their Premier League status for 2026/27.
The reporter wrote: ‘If Tottenham remain in the Premier League, the Scotland captain would favour a move to them.
‘He has been unnecessarily under-used this season and letting a player who could have such a positive influence in the dressing room depart is a risk. Robertson is a great character, the kind who sets standards. He will not be easily replaced.’
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Robertson would be a tremendous coup for whoever signs him
With the 32-year-old’s apparent preference for Spurs dependent on the outcome of their relegation battle, it seems apparent that he still feels he can make a telling impact in the Premier League.
Robertson had been a near-constant presence in the Liverpool starting XI for nearly eight years until the arrival of Milos Kerkez last summer, and the Scotland international hasn’t let the Reds down whenever he has played this season.
In addition to his qualities on the pitch, King has rightly referenced the leadership attributes of our departing no.26, and any top-flight club would benefit greatly from having a player of his standard-setting character to call upon.
If Spurs stay up and do succeed in signing him, it’d take getting used to seeing him in the colours of another Premier League club after spending almost a decade at Anfield, though at least he’d be going to a team who haven’t been direct positional rivals of ours for the past three seasons.
We don’t know yet where Robertson will be playing his football next season, but we can say without any fear of contradiction that whoever ultimately snaps up the Scottish left-back will be getting a fantastic footballer and an inspirational leader both on and off the pitch.
In snooker, a free ball can be awarded after a foul has been committed in which the player about to play their next shot is left snookered and cannot play a legal shot onto the intended ball.
When this situation occurs, the referee may declare a free ball, which allows the player to nominate any other ball on the table to play in substitute of the one they were due to play.
In order for a free ball to be awarded:
A foul must have been committed
The incoming player does not have a clear shot on both sides of the colour of ball that is due to be hit
The referee determines that the ball is in a snookered position as the direct result of a foul
If the nominated replacement ball is potted, the number of points awarded for potting the replacement ball is the same as it would have been for the initial ball.
For example, if a player is aiming to pot a red ball but instead pots the replacement ball which is black, the shot would still only be worth one point.
How a 'free ball' led to O'Sullivan's record 153
A 'free ball' is traditionally awarded when a player is unable to hit a red due to being snookered by an opponent's foul [Getty Images]
In a typical frame of snooker a player pots a red, then a colour and so on until all the reds have been cleared.
This changes slightly in the instance of a free ball. In most cases, a free ball comes in a situation where a player is meant to be aiming to hit a red.
When they pot a free ball, they move on to a colour and should they pot that, they will move back on to red where a normal sequence would start from.
Because a red is not removed in the instance that a substitute ball is potted, it can create a unique situation where a player can actually be given extra points on top of their break.
This occurred when O'Sullivan was awarded a free ball and potted a green, followed by a black. That gave him eight points before he continued his break in a traditional way.
O'Sullivan followed that up with 15 reds, 13 blacks, two pinks and then all of the colours.
The break in a traditional fashion was worth 145, but with the eight points coming from the free ball, O'Sullivan's actual break finished as a 153.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
— Tony Paul | Detroit News (@TonyPaul1984) April 16, 2026
Detroit — It's another wet and gloomy day in Michigan, which has the potential to make for a long (or short) getaway day for the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals — depending whether they get this game on.
Southeast Michigan got pummeled by rain overnight Wednesday, April 16, into Thursday, April 17, and it still was raining as of late morning Thursday, as the tarp covered the field at Comerica Park. The sun peeked out briefly just after 11 a.m., with the Tigers and Royals scheduled to play the last game of their three-game series. Tigers manager AJ Hinch said field conditions will be a consideration on whether to play.
"You've got to make the best decision for the safety and integrity of the game," Hinch said Thursday morning.
Will the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals play today?
The game between the Tigers and Royals on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Comerica Park could start in a rain delay. There might be a dryer window to get the game in later in the afternoon.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m., with the game on Detroit SportsNet and 97.1.
Stay tuned to detroitnews.com for updates.
tpaul@detroitnews.com
@tonypaul1984
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The Ecuador international opted to join Chelsea after a bidding war with Liverpool in 2023 [Getty Images]
Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has agreed a lucrative new contract to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge.
The Ecuador international, 24, had been pushing for improved terms after helping the club win the Conference League and the Club World Cup last season
His previous eight-year contract was signed after his move from Brighton in 2023 in a then British-record £100m deal, rising to £115m, which has since been surpassed by Liverpool's £125m signing of striker Alexander Isak.
It is understood the new deal runs to 2033.
The deal is the second in a series of renewals designed to reward Chelsea's top performers, with captain Reece James the first to sign and the club negotiating at least one further agreement before the end of the season.
Chelsea had also agreed a similar pay-rise for positive performances to Cole Palmer early last season, showing a willingness to reward star performers, albeit in an incentive-based structure which is adjusted for hitting certain targets like Champions League qualification.
When asked during the international break whether he would ever be interested in a move to Real Madrid, Caicedo said: "I'm focused on my club right now. I want to be a legend."
Chelsea regard Caicedo as one of the best midfielders in the world and he is among the club's captains.
Caicedo was the only player to start every Premier League match last season under former boss Enzo Maresca, while this campaign he has been ever present, playing 42 times and scoring five goals from defensive midfield.
Meanwhile, midfielder Enzo Fernandez and defender Levi Colwill are among those known to have discussed potential new contracts in the past six months.
However, Fernandez is returning from a two-game internal ban following comments made during international duty about wanting to live in Spain's capital, amid continuing links with Real Madrid.
After the ban was announced by head coach Liam Rosenior, Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore said "[He] deserves much more than he is currently earning," in a lengthy interview with the Athletic.
Chelsea next face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, with the club sixth in the Premier League and chasing Champions League qualification via at least a fifth-place finish.
Captain Bernardo Silva has won 19 pieces of silverware at Manchester City [Getty Images]
Manchester City will lose the services of their dependable captain next season after Bernardo Silva announced he will leave the club when his contract expires this summer.
While manager Pep Guardiola has led the club to an unprecedented period of success during his 10-year tenure, midfielder Silva - his most trusted lieutenant - has been beside him every step of the way.
"My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys [the fans] could feel proud and well represented on the pitch," said the 31-year-old Portugal international. "I hope you felt that every single game.
"I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life."
When the skipper climbed the steps at Wembley Stadium following City's brilliant Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal last month, it was the 19th piece of silverware he had lifted since joining the club from Monaco in 2017.
Silva could end his time at City by collecting another domestic treble, with the side still in contention for the Premier League and facing Southampton in the FA Cup semi-finals next Saturday.
He may not quite have the standing of past City icons such as Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany or David Silva, but his achievements will undoubtedly sit alongside theirs when he does make his exit from Etihad Stadium this summer.
There is a clear understanding and mutual respect between Guardiola and Silva, and one of the key reasons why he was handed the armband at the start of this season following the departure of De Bruyne on a free transfer.
Guardiola professed his "love" for Silva earlier this season, saying he had a "weakness" for the player and enthusing how he was "always there" - even during the lows of last season when the team finished third in the Premier League and failed to win a major trophy for the first time in nearly a decade.
Silva told BBC Sport in December that Guardiola has been a "massive" influence on his career and his boss has a "special affection for me" having played under him for nine years and enjoyed a trophy-laden era.
The Portuguese has player 451 matches in all competitions for City to sit inside the club's all-time top 10 appearance makers, scoring 76 goals and providing 77 assists.
All of those games have come under Guardiola - no player has been selected more times by the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager.
Silva has managed only three goals and five assists this season, but has played in more Premier League games than any other City player and it is his leadership qualities and reliability that Guardiola rates so highly.
He has clocked up a team-high 315.3km distance travelled during those games due to his hardworking nature, while Silva's carrying ability has allowed him to notch a total of 5,325m with the ball at his feet, a number unmatched by any team-mate.
Of top-flight players who have played more than 1,200 minutes this season, only four average more distance covered per 90 minutes than his 12.2km.
Even when Silva was sent off for a deliberate handball to prevent a goal against Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 tie, which effectively ended any hope of a comeback in the second leg, Guardiola did not attach blame to the player for the action, saying it was "instinctive".
Former City midfielder Michael Brown said Silva was a "brilliant player" and described his performance against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final as "infectious, clever and cute".
He added on City TV: "He comes alive - when it feels dead he makes things happen. Bernardo doesn't always do something special but he is just there, he is a team player and someone you would always pick.
"He is someone who says, 'I'll drop in at left-back, I'll go on the right and create problems later on'. He has a bit of everything to his game and is unselfish. That is what is different, he is not necessarily a match-winner."
Could England's Anderson be a replacement?
In September, Silva said he knows "exactly" what he is going to do when his deal comes to an end, but he has not yet revealed his next club.
He has been linked with La Liga leaders Barcelona, Serie A side Juventus and clubs in the United States, while Ligue 1 leaders Paris St-Germain have reportedly been suitors in the past.
City are understood to be interested in signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson in the summer, so could the England international - who looks set to go to the World Cup this summer - be the answer?
Anderson's work-rate has seen him cover the most distance of any Premier League player this season with 353.4km, while the 23-year-old also impressively leads the top-flight metrics for most touches of the ball (2844), possession won the most times (296), most fouls won (69) and most duels won (258).
Former City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips said: "You don't replace Silva, he is in many ways irreplaceable. He doesn't have a position, he is everywhere."
The club's former women's captain Steph Houghton added: "There is nobody that can do what he does. With Bernardo, he is a different kind of leader to Kompany or Fernandinho.
"A lot of it is through performances and about him leading the boys in doing certain things. You can't fault his effort every single time he pulls on a Manchester City shirt.
"No matter where he is playing, he gives absolutely everything."
Tactical analysis: City's coach on the pitch
At this point in the season, Silva is undroppable. His experience, tactical understanding and positional versatility make him Guardiola's coach on the pitch, capable of adapting his role to ensure City can tweak their tactics game to game.
A big part of his role this season has been assisting the team's build-up. Although City's new signings are capable, in a league where man-marking is more common this season, Silva has been seen dropping extremely deep.
In the 1-0 win at Leeds in February, Silva and Rodri dropped in as central defenders. This moved the centre-backs out of areas that are harder to play in under pressure, catching the opposition off-guard. Both midfielders excelled on the ball here and helped City progress up the pitch.
Bernardo Silva and Rodri took up centre-back positions in this City goal-kick against Leeds, allowing them to evade the opposition's press and move the ball up the pitch [BBC]
His role out of possession has been paramount to City's revival in the second part of the season too. The game against Liverpool in November showcased the City captain's tactical understanding of how and when to press.
City cut off passing lanes to Virgil van Dijk, forcing the ball to Ibrahima Konate, the weaker of Liverpool's two ball-playing centre-backs.
Phil Foden pressed Konate when the ball went out to him and Silva was tasked with deciding which of the midfielders to press, Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister, something he did intelligently.
Liverpool made tweaks of their own by dropping Gravenberch into the right of what later became a back three. It was Silva here who amended City's press, negating Liverpool's change.
Foden continued to press the right centre-back, Gravenberch, while Silva switched between pressing Mac Allister and Konate, who was now positioned in the middle of the back three.
It's easy for the small details to be missed by fans but Silva's contributions are indispensable for his manager.
"He doesn't score too many goals or is not involved in all the assists but he gives us something that is not in the stats, and a lot of things that are incredibly valuable to us," said Guardiola back in November.
"[He is] absolutely one of the best players I have ever trained in my career."
Silva's role against Liverpool in the Premier League out of possession changed mid-game. Here he is blocking the pass to Mac Allister behind him, while applying pressure to Konate on the ball [BBC]
Sitting courtside at an NBA comes with a lot of perks. It also typically comes with a dent in your wallet. But how often do these tickets say that you may have to inform a player of whether or not their shot went in?
That's what happened for Steph Curry in the Warriors play-in game against the Clippers. With the game in a 121-121 tie, Curry hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 50.4 seconds on the clock.
Curry's off-balance shot meant that he turned around after shooting and fell into the crowd, unable to see if the shot was made. The quickest solution?
Ask the closest person to him. In this case, a fan.
Here's what went down with Steph Curry's fan interaction.
With fans trying to capture photos and video from this down-to-the-wire contest, one video of this interaction is making its rounds on social media. Curry makes the three to move the score to 124-121 with less than a minute remaining.
As Curry props himself up after falling into the crowd, he looks at a fan helping him and asks, "Did I make it?"
Stephen Curry virando o jogo e depois perguntando pro torcedor se ele tinha acertado o arremesso
Michael Mankaka has found his next destination, and he won’t be leaving the ACC. The former Clemson football defensive back is set to continue his career at Boston College, becoming the final Tigers transfer from the 2025 cycle to land with a new program.
Mankaka’s move keeps him in a familiar conference while giving him a fresh opportunity to carve out a larger role. His time at Clemson didn’t come with much production, but his experience inside the program and willingness to adapt could give him a chance to compete for more snaps moving forward.
The 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back joined Clemson as a walk-on in 2022. Over four seasons, he appeared in 11 games and recorded one tackle. His path with the Tigers also included a position switch, as he initially arrived as a wide receiver before transitioning to the defensive side ahead of the 2024 season.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shoulders blame for last season
Before Clemson, Mankaka played at Laurens High School after moving from Rochester, Minnesota. Now with a new start at Boston College, he’ll look to take advantage of a bigger opportunity.
NEW: Clemson transfer cornerback Michael Mankaka has signed with Boston College, @PeteNakos reports🦅
The New York Jets are entering the 2026 NFL Draft with a few clear needs at three positions. Those positions are edge rusher, cornerback, and wide receiver.
While edge looks locked into the second-overall pick, the Jets own the 16th and 33rd picks, which could be used to stick-and-pick or move around for a first-round receiver. But which WRs do the Jets view as first-round caliber prospects?
According to NFL insider Tony Pauline for Essentially Sports, the Jets have three WRs with first-round grades. And, surprisingly, USC's Makai Lemon isn't one of them, according to this rumor.
Jets reportedly don't have 1st-round grade on Makai Lemon
"I'm told the Jets have first-round grades on the following receivers: Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson, and (Denzel) Boston," Paulin writes.
Lemon, the USC wide receiver, is one of the NFL Draft's best receivers. Many analysts have Lemon as a top-three wide receiver, with some having him as the second-best WR in this year's class.
But, with Pauline's report not including Lemon in the Jets' first-round wide receiver grades, it seems like the USC prospect isn't an option for the Jets in Round 1.
Despite winning the Biletnikoff Award this past season for his 79-reception, 1,156-yard, and 11-touchdown season for the Trojans, Lemon isn't among the first-round WRs for the Jets.
Carnell Tate and Jordyn Tyson being named among the Jets' first-round WR grades isn't much of a surprise, as they've been two of the top WRs by consensus.
But Denzel Boston, the 22-year-old Washington WR who caught 62 passes for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns last year, getting a first-round grade is notable, especially with Lemon not included.
Omar Cooper Jr., out of Indiana, someone who's been strongly linked to the Jets, is also not a first-round grade. But, this isn't too much of a surprise. Lemon, though, is a big surprise.
The Jets not having a first-round grade on Lemon, according to this report, is very surprising. He's been a consensus top WR in this year's draft, yet the Jets seemingly don't view him as a first-rounder, according to Pauline's report.
LIV Golf disrupted professional golf's status quo when it began poaching players and holding its own tournaments in 2022, backed by the hefty wallet of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). It created division within the sport as several notable former major tournament winners elected to take historic paydays to defect from the PGA Tour.
The Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which has reportedly spent more than $5 billion founding and operating LIV Golf, could pull its money following the 2026 season as part of a strategic shift, according to multiple reports. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil wrote in an email to staff on Wednesday, April 15, that the 2026 season would "continue as planned," but he did not comment on the state of the company beyond this year. The Saudi Public Investment Fund also did not mention LIV Golf in a news release Tuesday announcing its 2026-2030 strategic vision.
That leaves a lot of golfers in limbo moving forward, from big stars such as Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm to recent additions such as reigning NCAA champion Michael La Sasso. There were 57 golfers in the field for the LIV Golf Mexico City tournament this week.
Will every LIV golfer wind up back on the PGA Tour? The process won't be straightforward, and not simply because PGA Tour officials and existing PGA Tour golfers don't necessarily want them to return. Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed are already taking two different pathways after leaving LIV Golf in favor of a PGA Tour comeback before the 2026 season, and they're not the only ones to switch back to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf this year.
Here's a breakdown of what the process of allowing LIV Golf competitors back to the PGA Tour could look like and how the PGA Tour handled recent situations with defectors who wanted to return:
Can LIV Golf players return to the PGA Tour?
Yes, but the circumstances and initial status awarded by the PGA Tour will depend on the golfer, and on what terms they left the PGA Tour.
Brian Rolapp, the PGA Tour's new CEO, indicated in his most recent public comments that he was open to allowing more golfers who defected to LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour if it made the PGA Tour stronger. But Rolapp emphasized it was not one of the PGA Tour's priorities as it eyes a revamped schedule beginning next year.
How did Brooks Koepka flip from LIV Golf to PGA Tour?
Koepka and Reed have provided a glimpse into what the difference could look like in terms of earning re-entry into the PGA Tour.
Koepka announced in December he had agreed with LIV Golf officials to forgo the final year of his contract and applied for reinstatement to the PGA Tour. Koepka is permitted to play in PGA Tour events throughout this season because of the Returning Member Program, which was introduced in January for golfers "who have been away from the (PGA) Tour for at least two years and have won The Players Championship, Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open or The Open Championship during the 2022-2025 seasons."
Koepka will not receive any payment from the FedEx Cup bonus program for the 2026 season and he's ineligible to earn equity from the player equity program for the next five years (2026-2030). Koepka could miss out on approximately $50 million to $85 million in potential equity earnings, according to the PGA Tour, depending on his competitive performance and the Tour's growth.
Koepka also agreed to make a $5 million charitable contribution to an agreed-upon organization. He had to qualify for signature events this season and is ineligible for sponsor exemptions into those fields. Other tournament fields have been expanded to accommodate Koepka's presence in order to ensure PGA Tour golfers didn't lose a spot this season due to his return.
The Returning Member Program was created in response to Koepka applying for reinstatement to the PGA Tour, as well as PGA Tour research that showed fans wanted to see the best golfers competing together more often. It would have also allowed DeChambeau, Rahm and Cam Smith to return to the PGA Tour had they applied for reinstatement and accepted the terms of the program before Feb. 2.
Rolapp indicated in March he expected the Returning Member Program to be a one-time opportunity.
"I don't know the contractual relationship or the terms of others on the LIV Tour, and they have contracts and those should be honored," Rolapp said. "But we do have a pathway; Patrick Reed is clearly taking advantage of that pathway as he's, I guess, out of his contractual commitment. And so I think the LIV players know what those pathways are, and until they change, those are the pathways."
How is LIV Golf's Patrick Reed returning to the PGA Tour?
Reed announced in February he is seeking reinstatement for the 2027 PGA Tour season under its past champion category and could play in some events this year.
Since Reed last played in a LIV Golf event on Aug. 24, 2025, and because he resigned his PGA Tour membership in 2022 before joining LIV Golf, he is eligible to compete again on the PGA Tour as a non-member on Aug. 25, provided that he complies with PGA Tour regulations and does not participate in additional unauthorized events. He is also allowed to improve his potential status on the PGA Tour by playing on the DP World Tour.
Reed, like Koepka, will be ineligible to participate in the PGA Tour's lucrative Player Equity Program through 2030, even if he were reinstated for 2027. Reed previously said his contract with LIV Golf had expired following the 2025 season.
Na last played in what the PGA Tour calls an unauthorized tournament on Aug. 24, 2025 and is currently facing disciplinary action, according to Golfweek. Perez had his membership reinstated in January 2026 and is eligible to return on Jan. 1, 2027. Swafford is also eligible to play on the PGA Tour on Jan. 1, 2027.
What about LIV Golf members without a PGA Tour win?
Though the PGA Tour hasn't stated anything specifically related to former members who defected to LIV Golf and never won a PGA Tour event before leaving, the PGA Tour has longstanding pathways to be eligible to play in PGA Tour events.
There are sponsor exemptions to individual tournaments, as well as the Korn Ferry Tour. Golfers who finish within the top 20 of the final Korn Ferry Tour standings receive a PGA Tour card for the next season. Most Korn Ferry Tour events offer eight spots in the field via an 18-hole qualifying event, according to the PGA Tour.
The Atlanta Falcons don't have to worry about blowing this year's first-round pick because they don't have one. New GM Ian Cunningham and Football President Matt Ryan will have to make do hitting on lower-profile prospects and attempt to find value and hidden gems on Day 2 and 3 of the draft, instead.
On that subject, they may have one particular prospect in mind. According to a note from Jordan Reid in ESPN's latest draft Intel from last week, NDSU wide receiver Bryce Lance is on their radar.
"In speaking to league sources connected to Atlanta, one position that has been heavily linked to the Falcons is defensive tackle. They have done an extensive amount of work there, but another position that routinely popped into conversation was wide receiver. Even after adding Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus this offseason, the Falcons want a field stretcher at some point on Day 2. Bryce Lance (North Dakota State) was a name that kept coming up."
Lance is the younger brother of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Trey Lance, one of the most athletic prospects to come along in recent NFL history. While he plays a different position, his little brother shares that gift - with a remarkable 9.98 RAS score, including elite marks in speed and explosion.
Lance (6-foot-3, 209 pounds) is coming off a productive 2025 season, totaling 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns. Here's the highlight reel.
For his efforts, Lance earned an 89.5 overall grade from PFF for the year, ranking 10th out of nearly 700 wide receivers in the nation.
At the moment Lance is projected to be taken in the third round of the draft, so if the Falcons really want him then they may have to use their 79th overall pick to get it done.
New York Giants All-Pro defensive stud Brian Burns is urging the team to hold onto his teammate and friend, Dexter Lawrence, who is currently skipping the offseason workout program in a dispute over his contract.
“Dex is a huge locker-room presence,” Burns told the New York Post. “It’s been a little weird without him here, and knowing the uncertainty of the business of what he’s going through. It would be a huge loss to lose him. He’s a vocal leader. A lot of guys look up to him. Hell, I look up to him at times. You don’t ever want to lose a guy like that.”
Lawrence has been a huge presence on and off the field for the Giants ever since they selected him 17th overall out of Clemson in the 2019 NFL draft. He has become one of the game's top interior defensive linemen, and in 2023, the Giants paid him as such, inking him to a four-year, $87.5 million extension.
But that extension hasn't aged well. Since that agreement, Lawrence has seen less impactful players than him "get the bag," so to speak. He is now the seventh-highest paid in the league at his position. Naturally, the 28-year-old wants to strike while the iron is hot, hence the demand for a raise.
“Speaking for me, the Giants ain’t the Giants without No. 97 in the middle,” Burns told The Post. “So we are going to figure that out to keep him here regardless, I hope. That’s my boy. And I don’t want to play this season or any other season without him.”
Burns may not have to. The rumors are that the Giants are seeking trade partners for Lawrence rather than pay him. That makes no sense. The new coaching staff under John Harbaugh has vowed to make stopping the run and being stout in the trenches a priority. Ridding themselves of the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Lawrence goes against that initiative.
The general thinking is that the situation resolves itself. With the 2026 NFL draft a week away, the Giants and other teams are counting their chickens. If Lawrence is to be dealt, it would likely happen by next Thursday night.
That seems unlikely. The Giants are seeking to add to their rotation up front, not rebuild it from scratch. Trading Lawrence would mean just that. They should listen to Burns. The benefits of keeping Lawrence are aplenty.
Alex Bowman's hopes of making the Chase are quickly fading. After returning from a four-week absence, Bowman finished in last place after being involved in a wreck with Shane van Gisbergen and John Hunter Nemeczek. With 18 races left in the NASCAR Cup Series regular season, the points situation is very dire.
Bowman sits in 36th place with only 24 points through four races. The driver of the No. 48 car has a best finish of 23rd place at EchoPark Speedway and three finishes of 36th place or worse to start 2026. Now, Bowman is 153 points behind the Chase bubble, while the No. 48 team is 109 points back.
Time is ticking for Bowman and the No. 48 team because 100-plus points is still a lot in the Chase format. Bowman likely has to win a few races to put himself back in the mix at this point. It is great to see the Hendrick Motorsports driver healthy again, but it remains to be seen if he can salvage the rest of the season.
UFC 327 created some huge moments, capped off by Carlos Ulberg knocking out Jiri Prozhazka on one leg in the main event to win the UFC light heavyweight title. However, Ulberg’s injury leads to an entirely different conversation for the division if he’s out for an extended period of time.
Following one of the best numbered UFC cards in quite some time, the panel reacts to the big moments, Ulberg’s title win, and where the division goes from here on an all-new edition of Between the Links. Additionally, topics include Josh Hokit’s ridiculous ascent after parlaying a pretty tough PR week into an incredible performance, a win, and two bonuses against Curtis Blaydes, MVP’s New York City press conference promoting the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card on Netflix, UFC Winnipeg and RAF 8 going head to head, and much more.
Join MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Jed Meshew as they answer your questions all show long.
Watch the show live at Noon ET / 9 a.m. PT in the video above.
If you missed the show live, you can still watch above, or listen to the podcast version, which can be found below and on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your pods.
The Trust cites how "supporters have seen no meaningful change" since the findings of the January 2026 survey which highlighted the "deep and sustained" concern of the direction in which the club is going.
They went on to say that these concerns "persist" regardless of league position and club achievements as "the vision remains unclear, its execution inconsistent, and its leadership insufficiently accountable".
In a lengthy letter, the Trust have asked the ownership, board directors and senior leadership to respond to the following four questions:
Does the club accept that supporter confidence in its current leadership model and direction has fallen to an unacceptably low level?
What specific changes will now be made to provide greater clarity and accountability in football leadership and decision-making?
What will change in how supporters are engaged, so that engagement is timely, meaningful and capable of influencing decisions rather than simply explaining them after the fact?
How does the club intend to demonstrate that its current strategy can deliver sustained sporting success, financial stability, and a recognisable Chelsea identity in a way that rebuilds supporter trust?
The Trust concluded that they "remain willing to engage constructively" with the club and look forward to their response.
If there's one thing the Edmonton Oilers likely would want to avoid in the first round of the NHL's Western Conference playoffs, it'd be a matchup with the powerful Colorado Avalanche.
So on the final day of the regular season Thursday, it's worth figuring out how the clinching scenarios can prevent that.
The good news for the Oilers is that they control their own destiny in this regard.
They're already in the playoffs, and it's a simple path toward avoiding Colorado.
How Oilers avoid Avalanche in first round of playoffs
The Oilers need to secure just a single point on Thursday night against the Vancouver Canucks.
A win, or an overtime loss, pushes the Oilers for sure into the Pacific Division 2-3 seed matchup. That's because they enter the night a point ahead of the Anaheim Ducks and two ahead of the Los Angeles Kings.
The Oilers would also avoid the Avalanche if both the Kings lose to the Flames and the Ducks lose to the Predators.
So the only way Edmonton falls into the last wild card spot and has to play Colorado is if the Oilers lose in regulation to Vancouver coupled with wins by both the Kings and the Ducks.
The most likely outcome is that the Oilers will play the Ducks, but there are still ways that can change.
The Oilers will just be hoping to take care of their own situation so they don't have to worry about the Avalanche yet.
Auston Matthews might be the biggest storyline of the 2026 NHL offseason. After a tough season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there have been rumors that Matthews could request a trade to a different team. However, what does the Toronto superstar think about his future in the organization?
“I can’t predict the future,” Matthews said. “There are steps that kind of have to take place. They’re gonna hire new leadership at management and stuff like that. So, I don’t really know. Like I said, I can’t really predict the future.”
Instead of committing to the Maple Leafs, Matthews chose to step into the middle. Toronto has some decisions to make, and it could affect the 28-year-old’s future with the organization.
Why Auston Matthews would request a trade from Toronto
Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The speculation with Matthews isn’t going to end anytime soon. After missing the playoffs for the first time in his career, the Maple Leafs star could be on a new team if he requests a trade. As of now, Matthews has two years left on his four-year contract with a $13.25 million cap hit. However, what would lead to a possible trade request?
There are questions about Toronto’s future in the NHL. After firing general manager Brad Treliving late in the season, the Maple Leafs have a void in their management. This has created questions about the team’s direction and whether it will be back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs anytime soon. If it is a rebuild, Matthews could want out.
Plus, Toronto has only won two playoff series since Matthews was drafted in 2016. Despite the talent on the roster, the Maple Leafs haven’t made the Eastern Conference finals since 2002. It is shocking to see a team with so much talent fail to meet the expectations set around the NHL.
Matthews said he “loves” being the captain of the Maple Leafs; however, he didn’t give a definitive answer on whether Toronto is the place he wants to play. It ultimately might come down to the new leadership, their direction, and whether Matthews believes he can win a Stanley Cup Finals in Toronto.
If not, Matthews could request a trade from the Maple Leafs as early as this summer.
It looks like the Cowboys will be retaining their kicker.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there is no offer from another team forthcoming for restricted free agent Brandon Aubrey. The deadline for an RFA to receive an offer sheet is Friday.
This was always the likely outcome when Dallas placed a second-round RFA tender on Aubrey, as any team would have owed the Cowboys a second-round pick to sign the kicker.
Aubrey has been one of the best kickers since entering the league in 2023. He’s connected on 88.2 percent of his career field goals, hitting one of at least 60 yards in each of his first three seasons. In 2025, Aubrey was 36-of-42, making each of his field goals from inside 50 yards.
If Aubrey plays on the second-round tender in 2026, he’ll earn a one-year salary of $5.81 million.
"You can copy my homework, but change it up so the teacher doesn't notice."
"Volcano and Dante's Peak each had unique, important stories to tell."
"They're the same picture."
These are the tenets the Los Angeles Rams brought to their 2026 new uniform reveal. The franchise employed some of its biggest stars to debut its new kits, with Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams and Jared Verse all donning the team's iconic blue-and-yellow horns for a quick offseason boost. And, it turns out, they look pretty much the same as they did in 2025.
Behold, the least exciting uniform reveal of the budding NFL season.
To Los Angeles' credit, it appears the Fruit Roll-Up texture of the jersey numbers and shoulder horns have been replaced by a more reasonable fabric that merely adds the sticky, shiny glow as an accent rather than the headline:
The blue is a bit darker. The gradient has been removed from the "LA" logo, making it all yellow. But, for the most part, these are the same uniforms we've been used to for the past four decades.
Blue, yellow, horns, etc. It's nice, and it's clean, but it probably didn't need a full unveiling. Matthew Stafford could have stayed at home for this one. Or at least in the space Airstream that keeps fixing his back.
The Kentucky Wildcats basketball team lost over half of their roster either to ending eligibility, the NBA draft, or to the transfer portal. They did manage to hang on to a few key pieces, though, including Kam Williams and Malachi Moreno, if he doesn't enter the draft. On Wednesday, they also officially learned that Reece Potter will return as well.
Potter is a 7'1", 230 lb center who came to Kentucky last offseason from Miami (Ohio) via the portal. In two seasons there, he averaged 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds while playing just 15 minutes per game. He also showed some passing skills and a solid raw potential on defense, blocking nearly a shot per game.
An area where Potter excelled, and something Pope is sure to love, is with his ability to shoot the ball. He knocked down nearly 40% of his three-point attempts over two seasons.
Last year, with the Wildcats, Potter redshirted, leaving him two years of eligibility. His size and skillset should earn him playing time next season, and he could be a valuable part of the rotation. His ability to stretch the floor adds another dimension to the offense. It's good news for a team that needs as much of it as possible.
The former Missouri and Florida High guard will spend his final season of eligibility with the Seminoles after three seasons with the Tigers. A former All-SEC defensive team member, Robinson will replace Robert McCray V as FSU's point guard, and he brings a wealth of experience to the team. He was a priority target for the program.
Robinson averaged 8.9 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.6 steals per game last season. His best year at Missouri came as a sophomore, when he averaged 9 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds, and two steals per game and was named to the SEC All-Defensive team.
In three total seasons he's averaged 7.4 points per game, 2.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds, while holding a career 41.2% field goal percentage and shooting 31.2% from three, with a 40% mark as a sophomore, his best season from deep.
While at Florida High, Robinson helped lead the Seminoles to a state championship in 2022 and was the All-Big Bend Player of the Year in 2023. He was the all-time winningest player in Florida high school history for boys basketball with a 109-25 record at Florida High.
He joins UNC-Asheville guard Kameron Taylor and Cincinnati wing Shon Abaev in transferring to the program in the offseason. FSU held a visit with Colorado transfer Sebastian Rancik, and he is expected to visit Kentucky and BYU before making a decision.
Manninger tribute from Fiorentina and touching Buffon message
Tributes continue to pour in from former teammates of Alex Manninger, including Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, while Fiorentina will hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Crystal Palace match.
The Austria international spent much of his career in Italy, making 137 Serie A appearances with Juventus, Siena, Fiorentina, Bologna and Torino.
With this in mind, Fiorentina have been given permission by UEFA to hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
The Viola will also be wearing black armbands in tribute to Manninger, who died at the age of 48.
Manninger remembered by Juventus teammates
AUGSBURG, GERMANY – MAY 14: Alexander Manninger, goalkeeper of Augsburg celebrates with the fans after the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Hamburger SV at SGL Arena on May 14, 2016 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Micha Will/Bongarts/Getty Images)
“Dear Alex, every word seems superfluous. Every tear would only be the latest for the loss of a friend and a person I always admired,” wrote Buffon.
“You chosen to remain independent from the bustle of the football world, going to seek your happiness in the simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.
“In a world that is often curved and prone to genuflection, which rewards overdoing things, careerism and easy gains, you always defended your freedom, holding your back straight, with the pride of a man who knows what he wants.
“You had the strength to walk away from all of this and look at us with your sly smile, as if to say ‘you are all crazy, you’ll never get me.’
“I hope, indeed I am certain, that from up there you will continue to guide your splendid children and your young wife. Rest in peace.”
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There were more messages from Manninger’s old Juventus teammates, such as current club director of football strategy Giorgio Chiellini.
“Today is a very sad day, we say goodbye to an exemplary teammate and a person of great values. Ciao Alex, rest in peace. My thoughts are with your family.”
SIENA, ITALY – APRIL17: Siena’s goalkeeper Alexander Manninger and Milan’s Andriy Shevchenko in action during the Serie A match between Siena and Milan at Comunale Artemio Franchi, April 17, 2005 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by New Press/Getty Images)
Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner were also among those who posted messages of condolence.
Ballon d’Or 2026 odds: Could Harry Kane win the coveted award?
The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or is really heating up as the club season reaches its final stage and, with the World Cup still to come this summer, the main contenders have everything to play for as they battle it out for football’s top individual prize.
Since 2022, the Ballon d’Or has been based on seasonal performance rather than the calendar year, placing even greater emphasis on the run-in, with the 2026 award show set for September 21st.
Last year we witnessed Ousmane Dembele join icons like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Zinedine Zidane in lifting the prestigious prize – but who currently finds themselves in contention to win the 2026 gong?
Check out the latest Ballon d’Or odds below:
Find the latest 2026 Ballon d’Or odds here:
Who are the favourites for the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Harry Kane
Harry Kane has surged to 9/4 favouritism for the 2026 Ballon d’Or as he looks to become the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001 (back when only European players won the award).
Kane’s goal in Bayern Munich’s thrilling 4-3 Champions League win against Real Madrid soared his titanic tally to 50 goals in all competitions for this season, including 16 in his last 12 games.
He’s also cruising towards a third straight Bundesliga Golden Boot with 31 goals and counting – currently 13 clear of the chasing pack – and is hunting down Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League scoring charts: Kane (12) is three behind and through to the semi-finals, while Mbappe (15) can no longer add to his tally.
Kane has always scored goals, but this season he could back this up with a stunning Champions League, Bundesliga, and DFB-Pokal treble. Add in the chance to lead England to glory at the World Cup this summer, and it’s no surprise to see him top the betting right now.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal is widely tipped as a future multiple Ballon d’Or winner and 2026 could be the year he scoops his maiden accolade. Aged just 18, last year’s runner-up is priced at 4/1 in the betting.
Despite Barcelona’s Champions League exit, Yamal continues to produce remarkable numbers, reaching 100 goal involvements in just 150 appearances for the club following his goal against Atletico Madrid. This season alone, he’s contributed 41 goals and assists in 44 games.
While the Champions League quarter-final disappointment will sting, Yamal’s Barcelona are honing in on the league title to add to their Supercopa de Espana success. Yamal will then turn his focus to the international stage, as he aims to propel Spain to World Cup glory, just as he did at Euro 2024 as a 16-year-old.
Michael Olise
Michael Olise is simply a joy to watch, elevating his game to new heights since his summer switch from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich, where he’s accumulated a whopping 47 goal involvements in 42 games across three different competitions.
The Frenchman’s panache and creativity has been off the charts, with 29 assists putting him just three shy of the single-season record in Europe’s top five leagues, which is currently shared by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Xavi, and Lionel Messi (32). On current form, he could smash this.
Like teammate Harry Kane, Olise is a key figure in Bayern’s push for a treble, while he too also harbours ambitions of World Cup success with France this summer. Now priced at 9/2 – cut from 16/1 this week – he’s rapidly becoming one of the standout picks in the Ballon d’Or race.
Declan Rice
Declan Rice has surged into the Ballon d’Or conversation, shortening dramatically from a 40/1 outsider in November to 6/1 with Bet365.
The midfielder has been a central cog in Arsenal’s campaign. While the club’s Quadruple, and then treble, dreams were crushed following domestic cup defeats, they do remain favourites for the Premier League title and have reached the Champions League semi-finals.
If Rice, who is the favourite to win the Premier League Player of the Year, can drive Arsenal to a first league crown since 2003-04, and potentially help deliver a first-ever Champions League triumph, he’ll be firmly in contention. Add in the prospect of a major international impact with England this summer, and his Ballon d’Or case only strengthens.
Who else is in the mix?
Kylian Mbappe’s odds lengthened a touch to 8/1 after Real Madrid’s Champions League elimination, meaning he’s now highly likely to go without club silverware this summer. He could, however, still win the Champions League Golden Boot (if no one catches his 15-goal tally) and he also leads the race for the La Liga Golden Boot. The Frenchman’s best chance could well come at this summer’s World Cup where he’ll be aiming to lift the famous golden trophy for the second time in eight years.
2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is out at 20/1 to become the first back-to-back winner since Lionel Messi in 2021. He’s unfortunately missed parts of the season to injury, but showed just what he is capable of with a superb brace in PSG’s win at Anfield.
Real Madrid and Brazil’s Vinicius Junior is also a 20/1 shot, with Man City’s goal machine Erling Haaland at 25/1, followed by PSG’s Ferreira Vitinha, who finished third last year.
Transfer rumour roundup: Chelsea and Man United send scouts to watch Castro; Gordon eyes Newcastle exit
Thursday's transfer talk features Anthony Gordon's future at Newcastle and Manchester United and Chelsea scouting a Serie A striker.
Chelsea and Manchester United will send scouts to the Midlands this evening to check in on Bologna forwardSantiago Castro. The Italian side face Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-finals and il Resto del Carlino report that their Argentine goal-getter will be under surveillance. At just 21, Castro has hit 10+ goals in successive seasons for the Serie A side.
Also on the lookout for some forward firepower areArsenal. The Gunners are prepared to cash in on Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz in the summer to fund a significant striker signing.
Julian Alvarez remains the player top of Mikel Arteta's wish-list, report Caught Offside. Arteta will watch Alvarez up close when Arsenal meet Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
Over at Newcastle,Anthony Gordon is keen to explore a summer exit. With the club set to miss out on the Champions League, The Telegraph tell us that Gordon wants to assess his options. Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have been linked, with Gordon eager to sort his future before the World Cup.
Newcastle could opt to reinvest a potential Gordon windfall inOusmane Diomande. The Sporting centre-back is being targeted as part of a rebuild at St James' Park, though Football Insider report that the Ivorian will cost north of £40m.
Another centre-back set for a summer switch isMarcos Senesi. Out of contract in the summer, the defender's free-agent status has attracted considerable interest. The iPaper believe Liverpool is the most likely destination as sporting director Richard Hughes eyes a reunion with his former Bournemouth buy.
Last but not least, Juventus are considering a move for bothAlisson and Bernardo Silva. The Old Lady are hopeful of tempting Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson back to Serie A, while Corriere dello Sport suggest Silva is also a target. Bernardo's bye to Manchester City has already begun with a farewell message this week.
Texas A&M announced the rosters for the upcoming Maroon & White Game, and fans are in for a treat with exciting matchups between fan favorites across the board. While the match is an intrasquad exhibition game, Texas A&M coaches and fans will be eager to see just how each player fares as they near the midway point of their offseason development.
The star position group trio faces a Maroon cornerback room led by potential starter Julio Humphrey and incoming freshman Brandon Arrington, who was a five-star recruit, the top-ranked CB in the nation, and a track star. What better way to start the event than by watching Craver take on Humphrey in the slot while the two heavily-anticipated freshman battle at the X receiver position for the first time in their collegiate careers. Both receivers have something to prove – Craver that he’s a top WR in this upcoming draft class and Gregory that he’s a top rising talent in the nation – as do both CBs: Humphrey that he deserves the starting spot over incoming transfer Rickey Gibson III and Arrington that he is indeed the top corner in his class.
The Maroon offense will be quarterbacked by two intriguing 4-star prospects: Brady Hart and Helaman Casuga. While Hart is a redshirt freshman and Casuga is an incoming true freshman, the two players are the same age; Hart was initially in the high school class of 2026 but reclassified to join Texas A&M a year early. The two players should be on a relatively even playing field in terms of talent, but Hart will have the advantage of increased familiarity and reps in the Aggie system. The Maroon QB situation will be an interesting position group for fans to monitor as they wonder about the future if Reed leaves for the NFL draft after this season.
Alabama transfer WR Isaiah Horton and potential rising star Ashton Bethel-Roman will undoubtedly help these freshman quarterbacks. Even better for the Maroon team is that they face none of the Aggies’ projected starting cornerbacks; Horton and Bethel-Roman should be able to get open at will, placing the onus on the QB to make the timely, accurate throw.
While the quarterback play may be shaky given the lack of experience, the Maroon run game should run smoothly. The offensive line features three incoming transfers who project to start for the Aggies (Wilkin Formby, Tyree Adams, and Coen Echols) and has the talent to create lanes for starting running back Rueben Owens II. They will line up against a White DL unit also led by transfers: Anto Saka and CJ Mims. The Maroon running game has the talent to succeed; if they don’t, expect Saka and Mims to join a growing list of defensive linemen whose game has blossomed after transferring to Texas A&M.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Sam on X:@Smallred25
James Ellis has witnessed Mikel Arteta's Arsenal revolution first-hand. More than that, he's been an influential figure in the club's rise.
Ellis joined the Gunners from Fulham in 2021, and last summer was promoted to the role of technical director.
Prior to that he had been head of recruitment - playing a key role in identifying several of the squad battling to win the club's first Premier League title since 2004.
He left the club in February following a restructuring of the football leadership team.
So how does Ellis feel about the prospect of watching a parade he was due to be involved in?
He is magnanimous as he reflects on his departure, saying it doesn't rankle and insisting it hasn't diluted his ambition to return to football. And he provides an insight into the behind-the-scenes workings at the club.
Title win 'wonderful for all staff at the club'
Arsenal are top of the Premier League - six points ahead of Manchester City before the two teams meet at the Etihad Stadium this weekend. On Wednesday, they reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.
The Gunners have stuttered of late but remain in a strong position. When Ellis left, they were five points clear with 11 games to go.
"Of course, it would have been nice to stay around to see what, hopefully, unfolds," Ellis told BBC Sport.
"However, it was not meant to be and I just hope for everyone - and I mean everyone - that there is a sense of happiness, contentment and joy at the end of the season.
"Of course it would be a wonderful achievement for Mikel, staff, the players their families. But also for those who have been at the club for a number of years, those who have contributed to getting to this point.
"The staff that are in the background, that no-one knows - it is for those people I will be really happy for.
"I am a lifelong Arsenal supporter, so I will just now be the fan - a supporter that looks on hopefully when success comes the club's way. The fact that I have managed to work at my boyhood club is an added bonus."
Ellis' role in identifying signings
Ellis' contribution to the evolution of the club shouldn't be underestimated.
Entrusted by former sporting director Edu, his interim successor Jason Ayto and former club director Tim Lewis, Ellis was key in implementing the recruitment structures the club rely on today.
When he arrived in 2021, Ellis was tasked with improving what was coined Arsenal's 'football intelligence' unit in the UK, with a view to helping the club make better-informed market decisions.
Arsenal - more than ever before - are leaning on emerging technologies and data analytics to inform their market decisions; or to put it differently, help them avoid the recruitment mistakes that marked the end of Arsene Wenger's reign and Unai Emery's 18 months in charge.
Ellis has been a key driver towards the implementation of those talent-identification systems, which are used in the pre-academy, academy and across the senior programmes for the men's and women's teams.
During his time at the club, his responsibilities would grow, and he became the club's technical director in June 2025. That meant his remit extended to supporting the implementation of new-look internal structures, including the player development and pathway process.
The £34m signing of Jurrien Timber from Ajax in the summer of 2023 has been cited as one of 'football intelligence' unit's most prominent successes, though many would argue Declan Rice's arrival from West Ham in the same close season has been the biggest triumph.
"In any rise, I believe it is the sum of all the parts, rather than one process or person. I was very lucky to be working with some very talented people," Ellis said.
"My role was very much in the background when I arrived in 2021 - Edu, Jason, Tim Lewis and Mikel were very much on the start of the journey to bringing success back to the club.
"We all wanted to make the place better with people at the heart of it. We were all committed to a plan over a period of time to support the growth and development of performance.
"All of the time I was at the club, we were all attempting to improve every day - that was the culture we were trying to set."
Ellis wants to return with people-focused approach
While success across all age groups was a major part of the leadership team's priorities list, there was - inevitably - a sharper focus on first-team performance amid an understanding that succeeding at the very top of the club would facilitate prosperity lower down.
"We were very clear that the red arrow at the front was Mikel, and the first team was the one that we had to support closely," Ellis said.
"But that was also the pull that allowed us to do more. Consistent first-team performances allowed us to innovate more with the rest of the club, play risk and reward and invest in medium to long term.
"Ultimately a club is as successful as first-team performance and we all understand that."
Edu's exit in 2024 eventually led to Andrea Berta's arrival as sporting director in April 2025.
The Italian's impact at the Emirates has earned rave reviews from supporters, with Viktor Gyokeres,Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke among the players signed in the summer.
Whether Berta's business eventually ends the club's wait for the title remains to be seen, but Ellis has seen the benefits of the Italian's work first-hand.
"The change from Edu to Jason to Andrea was an evolution for the club and one natural in any performance environment," he said.
"There were different approaches, but the goal was the same - to support a high-performing first team winning trophies.
"And as you can see now, they are very nearly there. All three of them are very different people, who have very different strengths, and all have made a contribution to where the club are now."
Ellis, who confirmed his departure from Arsenal through a social media post earlier this month, is looking to return to the game in time for next season in a senior leadership role.
"I feel I have unfinished impact and objectives I would like to achieve," he said.
"I have been through rejection, education, coaching, scouting, senior leadership all in this and would like to carry on."
And when he does return, Ellis insists people will be central to his ethos.
"I believe that investment in people is so important in high performance," he said.
"You undoubtedly need all of the technology, the data, the facilities you can have to support, but it's the people that are irreplaceable - connections, relationships, support, understanding, care and motivation.
"Those who you lead, those who work for you or around you, they are so important."
That seemed pretty clear when the Capitals played the Penguins recently and Ovechkin tried to downplay the idea of a postgame handshake line. He didn't seem like someone who was planning to be done.
Ovechkin is 40 years old, but he also just had a 64-point season in which he played all 82 games. He scored 32 goals and dished out 32 assists.
The Caps did what they could to set Ovechkin up for success, starting him in the offensive zone whenever possible.
And now, he might also have a milestone in his sights.
He's already the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer. He's currently at 929 and counting.
Could he see a path to 1,000 goals? Could he score 71 goals in two seasons?
It seems like it'd be tough, but this is also Ovechkin. He might just be able to pull off the unthinkable.
German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann (L) shakes hands with Germany's Jamal Musiala after he was substituted during the 2024 UEFA Euro Championship group A soccer match between Switzerland and Germany at Frankfurt Arena. Tom Weller/dpa
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has dismissed the idea of Jamal Musiala voluntarily skipping the World Cup and says the Bayern Munich attacker remains central to his plans.
Musiala suffered a leg fracture and has taken time to find full fitness amid minor complications with his healing.
Former Germany and Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn sparked recent headlines with his idea for the 23-year-old to miss the tournament in North America in June and July. But Nagelsmann is having none of it.
"If the doctors say there is no risk to his overall career, then there is absolutely nothing against taking part in the World Cup," Nagelsmann told the MagentaTV talk series Bestbesetzung.
Musiala missed the national team's World Cup warm-up wins at the end of March in Switzerland (4-3) and against Ghana (2-1) due to ongoing symptoms.
The playmaker had previously stressed that he wants to play at the World Cup.
He was a Bayern substitute in Wednesday's 4-3 win against Real Madrid which sent them into the Champions League semi-finals. He provided the assist for the important 3-3 equalizer with a wily back-heel.
Musiala last played for the national team in March 2025.
The Colorado Avalanche have piled up the wins down the stretch, but they haven’t scored much along the way.
With nothing to play for and key pieces likely to sit, my Kraken vs. Avalanche predictions and NHL picks expect the road team to keep this one close.
Kraken vs Avalanche prediction
Kraken vs Avalanche best bet: Kraken +1.5 (-155)
The Colorado Avalanche have still won plenty of late, but the explosive offense hasn’t been there, with the high-powered Avs scoring three goals or fewer in seven consecutive games.
That trend likely continues against the Seattle Kraken. Nathan MacKinnon hinted key Avalanche players could be watching this one from the seats. With nothing to play for, this sets up as a lower-scoring affair.
While Seattle is limping to the finish line, many players are trying to better position themselves for paydays this summer or bigger roles next season.
Expect the Kraken to put forth a competitive effort and keep this close.
Kraken vs Avalanche same-game parlay
Matty Beniers is centering Bobby McMann and Jordan Eberle on Seattle’s top line. It just so happens that McMann and Eberle rank first and second among Kraken players in goals this season. He has great linemates to make the most of his playmaking ability.
The Avalanche have played in seven straight Unders and are likely to sit most of their best players, leaving less firepower to gain separation or push this game Over the number.
The Avalanche have cashed the Under in 14 of their last 20 games for +9.8 units and a 45% ROI. Find more NHL betting trends for Kraken vs. Avalanche.
How to watch Kraken vs Avalanche
Location
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Date
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Puck drop
10:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
Kraken vs Avalanche latest injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Some days a baseball jumps off the bat and never looks back. Other days, the same contact dies in the outfield air, landing short of the wall. And the difference may not always be in the power of the batter — but physics.
Across Major League Baseball, weather conditions like temperature, wind, humidity and atmospheric pressure can subtly change how far a baseball travels. Those shifts alter air density — the amount of resistance pushing against a moving ball — and even small changes can be enough to turn a warning-track flyout into a home run.
“In baseball, you’re playing the weather,” AccuWeather meteorologist Geoff Cornish said. “Hot day in Texas? Thinner air. The ball flies farther. Cold night in San Francisco? Heavy air — you won’t hit fly balls.”
At the center of how weather affects home runs is air density — how tightly packed air molecules are in a given space. That density determines how much resistance, or drag, a baseball encounters as it moves through the air, Cornish said.
Air pressure is the main factor that sets that density. Higher pressure packs more air molecules into the same space, increasing the number of collisions with a baseball and slowing it down faster. Lower pressure means fewer molecules and less resistance, allowing the ball to retain more of its speed over distance.
Even small changes in that resistance can add up over the 350- to 450-foot flight of a ball.
Elevation is where those pressure differences become most obvious.
As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure drops because there is less air above the surface pushing downward. The result is thinner air and lower drag conditions, Cornish said.
Denver’s Coors Field, at about 5,200 feet above sea level, is the clearest example of that effect — and what Cornish calls “a hitters’ paradise.” In that environment, baseballs do not gain extra lift; they simply lose velocity more slowly after leaving the bat, which extends their flight.
“There’s no ballpark that’s even remotely close to Coors Field,” he said. “The next closest is Arizona, and that’s just over 1,000 feet. Then Atlanta is third highest. And they’re all hitters’ parks.”
Does humidity influence how far a ball travels?
Humidity affects baseball flight in ways that often run counter to intuition.
Moist air contains a higher proportion of water vapor, which is lighter than the nitrogen and oxygen that make up most of the atmosphere. When humidity increases, some heavier gas molecules are displaced by these lighter ones, slightly lowering overall air density. With fewer dense air molecules in the path of a moving baseball, aerodynamic drag decreases and the ball can carry marginally farther.
But humidity also affects the baseball itself, not just the air around it. Moisture can influence the leather and core, changing how the ball compresses at impact. It can also affect grip and spin, which in turn alters pitch movement and contact quality.
Because it influences both the environment and the ball’s physical behavior, humidity is more variable in its effects than temperature or pressure.
"Generally if it’s humid the ball will travel more," Cornish said. "But if the ball gets saturated, it’ll deaden the ball a little bit."
They can also become slightly heavier and less lively off the bat — which is one reason some ballparks and leagues use humidor systems to store baseballs under controlled conditions.
Those systems regulate temperature and humidity to keep balls closer to a baseline condition, often around 70 degrees and 50% humidity, helping reduce extremes in how the ball performs from game to game.
Does wind help or steal home runs?
It depends on the situation — and the stadium.
Wind is one of the most immediate and visible weather factors affecting how far a baseball travels because it changes the relative air the ball moves through. A wind blowing out toward the outfield reduces the effective airspeed against the ball, lowering drag and adding carry. A wind blowing in does the opposite, increasing resistance and knocking down fly balls that might otherwise leave the park.
“There are some ballparks more conducive to trouble because of wind,” Cornish said.
In Kansas City, for example, wind patterns frequently work against hitters. Even when wind is present, it more often suppresses home runs than boosts them, creating conditions that favor pitchers. Cornish said that effect may have more to do with stadium design and how airflow interacts with the structure than wind alone.
“Wrigley Field is the token field where wind can make or break a deep fly ball,” Cornish said. “There will always be that lake breeze — even on a fair weather day.”
Unlike temperature or air pressure, wind is highly variable at the field level. It can change direction or intensity within short time frames, making it one of the least predictable factors in ball flight.
Because wind operates at both the broader atmospheric scale and the localized stadium level, it is often the factor players and fans notice most — even though, as Cornish notes, “statistically, it more frequently subtracts than adds to the distance hit."
Do baseballs travel farther on hot or cold days?
Temperature affects baseball flight by changing air density — how tightly packed air molecules are in a given space — Cornish said.
As temperatures rise, air molecules gain energy and move faster, which causes them to spread farther apart. That lowers air density and reduces the number of air molecules a baseball collides with as it travels through the air. With less resistance, or drag, the ball maintains more of its speed after contact.
That is why hot-weather games, particularly summer afternoons and nights in places like Texas, tend to produce more carry. The same swing that results in a routine flyout on a cool night can travel several feet farther in warmer air, sometimes enough to clear the wall.
“This is why there are more home runs in the middle of the summer than on the book ends,” Cornish said.
How ballparks try to account for weather differences
Not all ballparks are designed to play the same way — and many are built specifically to offset the effects of weather and environment.
At Coors Field in Denver, the challenge is elevation. This is also why ballpark design in Denver historically accounted for altitude, Cornish said. Stadium dimensions and outfield spacing have been adjusted in part to balance the offensive advantage created by reduced air resistance, though the environment remains consistently hitter-friendly.
Other parks take the opposite approach by removing weather from the equation entirely. Domed stadiums, such as Rogers Centre in Toronto, are designed to create a controlled environment where temperature, wind and precipitation have minimal impact on play. By closing the roof, teams can eliminate many of the day-to-day atmospheric variables — including wind shifts and temperature swings — that influence ball flight in outdoor parks.
Rogers Centre, originally SkyDome, was the first enclosed stadium in baseball with a retractable roof. Several modern stadiums followed, allowing teams to adjust conditions depending on weather. In those cases, airflow, humidity and temperature can be partially stabilized, reducing the variability that comes with outdoor environments.
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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com.Find her on Facebook here.
The workshop is largely for commissioners to gather more information, which means it will also be the public’s best opportunity as well. Remember that Florida’s Sunshine Law means the County can’t have any meetings in private, so this kind of info gathering and discussion happens “in the sunshine.”
Ahead of the meeting both the Rays and the Governor interestingly seem to be adding pressure for the County as well.
CEO Ken Babby authored the letter that — for the first time, since the new ownership group took over — includes a threat that not meeting the team’s funding requirements could result in the team leaving the area, including key statements like, “Should this commitment ultimately not be achievable, we would have no choice but to evaluate alternatives…” and “Failure to meet these timelines risks the loss of critical state funding for Hillsborough College, which would render the deal economically infeasible.”
#Rays CEO Ken Babby sent a letter to Hillsborough County Commissioners in advance of today’s workshop on stadium funding request, recapping team commitment, their ask and their timeline.
“The deadlines we have set are driven by practical constraints, not pressure tactics. Failure to meet these timelines risks the loss of critical state funding for Hillsborough College, which would render the deal economically infeasible. In addition, missing the 2029…
“Ultimately, we must decide what the value of Major League Baseball is to our community – from both the tangible benefits of economic impact to the intangible benefits of having pride in your hometown team. We believe Tampa and Hillsborough County residents deserve both the…
Similarly, Governor Ron DeSantis has also put his thumb even further on the scale, posting to social media to add further support:
The construction of a new Rays stadium and surrounding entertainment district will ensure that @RaysBaseball remains in Tampa Bay for the long-term, will be good for Hillsborough College, and will transform the Dale Mabry site into an economic asset that will benefit the city,…
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is confident Iran will take part in the 2026 World Cup despite geopolitical tensions putting the team's participation in doubt.
"The Iranian team is coming, for sure. Yes. We hope that by then of course the situation will be a peaceful situation. That would definitely help. But Iran has to come," Infantino said this week at the Invest in America Forum.
Iran earned its place in the tournament by topping its group in the third round of Asian qualification, the fourth consecutive time Team Melli has earned a place at the top tournament in the men's game.
But the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran, which started with airstrikes Feb. 28, has brought up questions about whether or not Iran will send its team - and if it will be welcomed into the U.S. if it does arrive.
Even before tensions escalated, there was speculation FIFA would route the team through co-host Mexico, but Iran was placed into the draw as normal and is scheduled to play a pair of games in SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles area before meeting Egypt in Seattle. Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum said this week that FIFA had denied a request from Iran to move its games to her country.
"Sports should be outside of politics," said Infantino, who personally awarded Trump the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize in December. "Now, OK, we don’t live on the moon. We live on planet Earth. But if there is nobody else that believes in building bridges and keeping them, you know, intact and together - we are doing that."
Infantino consistently has expressed optimism that Iran will be allowed to enter the U.S. without issue and take part in the tournament, even as political leaders on both sides of the conflict have cast that idea into doubt. Trump posted on social media last month that "The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to The World Cup ... But I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety."
Around the same time, Iran sports minister Ahmad Donyamali told state TV that, "considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup."
Could Iran be replaced in the FIFA World Cup field?
Infantino visited the Iran team during its friendly matches in March. Those games took place in Turkey after being scheduled for Jordan but having to be moved because of the war.
It was a significant gesture from the FIFA president, who also attended World Cup qualification playoff matches in Mexico earlier during the international match window.
"They represent their people. They have qualified. The players want to play," he said. "I went to see them two weeks ago. They were having at raining camp in Antalya. I went to see them. They are actually quite a good team as well. They really want to play, and they should play."
Iranian sports media outlets reported this month that the team would play preparation matches in the U.S., including a game against Puerto Rico. That game, too, is in the air because of the political tensions, according to those reports.
Iran is scheduled to be based in Tucson, Arizona, starting their World Cup with a June 15 match against New Zealand before a June 21 tilt with Belgium.
NEW YORK – Fans have been clamoring for years for a Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz trilogy, and Mike Perry believes he's the man responsible for allowing that massive fight to finally happen.
BKFC's "King of Violence" titleholder is set to fight Diaz on May 16 on MVP's inaugural MMA card, which is set to stream live on Netflix from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. According to Diaz, who revealed he was also in negotiations for a UFC return before signing to fight Perry, his MMA comeback was between a fight with Perry on Netflix or a trilogy bout in the UFC. As seen, Diaz chose to fight Perry and explained his reasoning earlier this month.
Perry feels his work since his UFC departure in 2021 is responsible for making the Diaz fight happen, along with McGregor's inactivity.
"It feels great; I kind of snatched that one from under McGregor," Perry told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a scrum following an MVP press conference on Wednesday. "I've been over there at bareknuckle getting all the fights while he's been talking on the sidelines, not fighting anybody, trying to piggyback off my hard work. So the fact that I took out the trilogy. Nate didn't want to fight a dangerous weakling like McGregor. He said he's on one f*cking leg. He said he's either out of the door or he's going to revitalize his career by stepping back in there and beating on somebody. I'm not worried about that. I'm looking to beat Nate and then get all the opportunities that come with that."
Perry feels he poses a type of danger that wouldn't have been present in the McGregor trilogy. Perry, 34, expects to bring the fight to Diaz, who's six years older than him. He wonders if Diaz has what it takes to put up with his tenacity and violence at this point in his fighting career.
"I think he maybe knows he's in trouble," Perry said. "He's getting older. He's had a long road in this game, as have I. With my youngness – you know, I'm a lot of years younger than him – my strength and power, my aggressive style. To bring that to him, he knows I'm coming at him. To get the opportunity to face a Nathan Diaz before he decides to leave the game, I'm going to give the fans the fight they want."
Florentino Perez’s closest advisor seeking complete restructuring at Real Madrid – report
Real Madrid’s Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich capped off yet another disappointing season for Los Blancos.
With only the La Liga left to play for, where Barcelona already hold a solid advantage, Real Madrid are on the verge of going trophyless for the second successive season.
This hasn’t gone down well with the club’s hierarchy, with president Florentino Perez already sounding out a warning to the players soon after the Bayern Munich defeat.
Perez’s adviser wants reconstruction
According to El Mundo, Anas Laghari, the closest adviser of Florentino Perez, wants a complete reconstruction of Real Madrid following back-to-back trophyless campaigns.
This doesn’t just mean the players are now at risk of being shelved in the coming summer, it appears Laghari wants to completely change Real Madrid from ground up.
Santiago Solari’s job might no longer be safe. (Photo by Agustin Cuevas/Getty Images)
As such, Juni Calafat is one of the faces who is facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid.Calafat currently serves as the chief scout for Los Blancos and was the brains behind the operations to sign Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, among others.
Apart from that, he plays a key role in advising Real Madrid on top talents, and naturally, he was involved in the club’s recent transfers as well.
Santiago Solari is also not safe. The Argentine serves as the Director of Professional Football at Real Madrid and for a time, was touted as a momentary replacement for Xabi Alonso after he was fired earlier in the year.
Both Calafat and Solari are facing an uncertain future at Real Madrid and could themselves be leaving the club if Los Blancos do indeed opt for a complete operational overhaul in the coming summer
Tyler Adams: Man United’s plot to sign Bournemouth star unveiled
Manchester United are lining up a summer swoop to sign AFC Bournemouth enforcer Tyler Adams in a shock twist for the expected midfield overhaul, according to Ben Jacobs.
Rebuilding the Midfield
The Red Devils are prioritising reinforcements in the engine room with Casemiro‘s time at Old Trafford drawing to an end and Manuel Ugarte failing to impress in his stead.
Two big-money recruits are expected to arrive to bolster the midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo considered a cornerstone of the INEOS project, despite the 21-year-old starlet having come close to leaving during Ruben Amorim‘s reign of terror.
Bruno Fernandes, bizarrely trialled under the Portuguese coach as a box-to-box midfielder, has been restored to his rightful throne as the team’s No.10 by Michael Carrick, who took charge as caretaker in the wake of Amorim’s dismissal in January.
The Portugal international has been red-hot in this more familiar role, returning three goals and nine assists in 11 appearances with Carrick in the dugout. With six games of the season remaining, O Capitão is just four assists away from breaking the all-time Premier League record.
The focus for United this summer is fortifying the pairing behind their talismanic leader with two signings, as a 4-2-3-1 shape is expected to remain in place irrespective of who is head coach next season.
But, interestingly, Jacobs contends a third midfielder could be added if a cost-effective deal presents itself – with contact already made with Adams’ camp over a summer switch to Old Trafford.
Plan in Place
Speaking to the United Stand, Jacobs reveals United’s interest in a number of cheap midfielders suggests they are “not ruling out adding three” to their ranks.
The talkSPORT reporter then directly references Adams as a player the Red Devils held “initial conversations” with in January as a precursor to a deal this summer. His midfield partner at the Vitality Stadium, Alex Scott, is mentioned as another target in the club’s crosshairs.
United are understood to be interested in Adams as he is a physical box-to-box monster, capable of hard yards and relentless pressing. The United States international, set to play a key role for his country at the World Cup, has even drawn comparisons to N’Golo Kanté.
A price tag of just £30 million has been mooted as Bournemouth’s asking price, constituting a much cheaper deal than the ones United have been quoted for their primary targets, including Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) and Sandro Tonali (Newcastle United).
The fact that the groundwork over a potential move is already in place further strengthens the allure of targeting Adams, in much the same way last year’s overture to sign Brighton juggernaut Carlos Baleba is expected to make a fresh approach easier this summer.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear INEOS are attempting to recreate the Premier League-proven approach they took to fixing the side’s misfiring attack last summer. Both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo mirror the profile of midfield targets this summer, with the club only looking abroad for a younger player if they are considered an outstanding talent, such as Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.
If United want to completely revamp their stalling engine room with three new additions that all tick this box, a cheaper option like Adams makes sense as the third signing after two big-money recruits are prioritised first.
Liam Rosenior has warned Chelsea their bid to qualify for the Champions League is hanging in the balance ahead of Saturday's crucial clash with Manchester United.
Rosenior's sixth-placed side are on a dismal run of one win from their last seven Premier League games, placing their hopes of reaching Europe's elite club competition in jeopardy.
Third-placed United will arrive at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea seven points behind them, while fifth-placed Liverpool are four points in front of the Blues.
It is more than six weeks since Chelsea last scored a goal in the league.
Rosenior's men have just six games left to climb into the top five and he knows there is no time to feel sorry for themselves after last weekend's 3-0 home defeat against Manchester City.
"As the season goes on, the less games you have left, the more important the games become," Rosenior told reporters on Thursday.
"We have to take advantage of this moment. We're running out of time.
"We need to show that initiative on Saturday and play on the front foot and make up those points, which is still definitely possible.
"If I look at each game, I think it's just come down to loss of concentration of focus in a moment that then has snowballed into the rest of the performances.
"What we have to do is manage the margins of the game a little bit better."
A protest by Chelsea supporters is planned ahead of the United game, reflecting the growing discontent since owners BlueCo took over from Roman Abramovich almost four years ago.
Unless results improve drastically in the next few weeks, this season will be the first under the club's American owners that the team's league position has dropped.
Rosenior's position is also likely to come under scrutiny after a disappointing start to his reign, which started in January when he arrived from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca.
Maresca departed by mutual consent after hinting he did not receive sufficient support from the owners.
Strasbourg are owned by BlueCo, which led some fans to criticise Rosenior's appointment and claim he would be a puppet for the board, in contrast to the volatile Maresca.
"Every supporter has their viewpoint," Rosenior said. "Every supporter wants their club to do well and to win games. Our job, my job, is to produce those results in the long term."
Ten teams have entered the offseason, and each arrived differently: some tanked for lottery odds, others struggled with underperforming veterans and a few are rebuilding around youth. For fantasy basketball managers, knowing how these rosters were shaped and why they landed in the lottery is valuable. Whether running a dynasty squad or prepping for next draft season, these insights matter. Let’s review where each squad stands as we approach the 2026-27 season.
Washington Wizards (17-65)
The Wizards are executing their rebuild: developing young players like Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George and Will Riley, while acquiring buy-low veterans like Trae Young and Anthony Davis. After recording the NBA's worst record, they’re in a three-team tie for the best lottery odds (14%) to get the top pick in the draft. Young appears committed to Washington, while AD's status remains unclear. The team isn't close to contending, and with their stockpile of picks, cap space and young players, they're likely to struggle again next season. Watch for an intriguing offseason — especially if they snag a top draft prospect.
What to Watch: The draft lottery, Young’s health and the growth of George and Sarr. Seeing Tre Johnson and Riley at Summer League, too.
Indiana Pacers (19-63)
The Pacers tanked through Tyrese Haliburton’s rehab year, but he should return healthy next season. Assuming he’s over the shingles and slimmed down, I’d grab him as a late-first, early-second round pick. Key moves included adding Ivica Zubac and seeing growth from Andrew Nembhard. Watching Pascal Siakam rest late into the season was annoying, but expected. After a successful tank job, Indy is projected to get a high pick, but would it would go to the Clippers if the Pacers’ pick falls between 5-9. That potential addition, plus a healthy roster, could get them right back into playoff contention.
What to Watch: Haliburton's return timeline is everything. Also, where their pick lands in the draft lottery.
Brooklyn Nets (20-62)
Full tank with no valuable takeaways. Michael Porter Jr. had a career year as their offensive hub, while Nic Claxton flashed early, but his production faded late in the season. Noah Clowney transitioned to a full-time starter and had his moments. Rookies Nolan Traoré, Egor Dëmin, Drake Powell and Danny Wolf all played their parts as schedule-dependent streamers at various points in the season. They have cap space and a potentially high draft pick this season, so the Nets will continue to build from the ground up. Still, they have to decide whether to extend MPJ or trade him before his contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.
What to Watch: MPJ's extension decision is one of the summer's biggest questions. Also, will the Nets take some swings in the trade market (like the Wizards) and buy low on some vets to upgrade their roster?
Utah Jazz (22-60)
The Jazz acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from Memphis at the deadline, adding him to a core that already includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and Walker Kessler. They’re tied for the fourth-highest odds in the lottery this season and saw considerable growth in George, Bailey and Isaiah Collier. George is eligible for a rookie extension and JJJ's escalating contract could put the Jazz in a financial bind when it comes to retaining Kessler as a restricted free agent. Next season could be go time for a squad that's been near the bottom of the standings since trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert years ago.
What to Watch: Which way will the Jazz go in the draft and will they field offers for Kessler?
Sacramento Kings (22-60)
The injury gods got their lick back on the Kings. Doug Christie's first year as head coach was a disaster through no real fault of his own. Sacramento lost Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and De'Andre Hunter to season-ending injuries. Keegan Murray played in just 23 games. The funny thing is, there’s a good chance the Kings will be forced to spin the block on this dysfunctional unit once again because every starter except Russell Westbrook is under contract until at least 2027-28. Barring any surprising trades, it looks like fantasy managers will have to decide whether it's worth buying the dip on many of the Kings players.
What to Watch: How will the Kings continue to integrate rookie big man Maxime Raynaud when Sabonis is healthy? Can they actually find a trade partner for any of their vets?
Memphis Grizzlies (25-57)
It’s looking like Ja Morant will get traded in the offseason after playing in 20 games and falling out of favor with the front office and coaching staff. How are you going to tell that man to stay home on his own bobblehead night? Smh. The roster is a blank canvas now, with the Grizzlies investing in their youth movement. Fantasy-wise, it’ll likely be a stay away for me outside of a few players like Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome and GG Jackson II.
What to Watch: Coward and Jackson. Plus, whoever lands via the draft lottery.
Dallas Mavericks (26-56)
Cooper Flagg. Man, what a rookie season. He flashed all the upside fantasy managers wanted to see. He’ll be a force in any format after posting 21-7-5 with 2 stocks per game, shooting 47% from the field and 83% from the free-throw line. He was a top-45 player in High Score and 9-cat formats. Getting Kyrie Irving back should relieve some of the pressure on Flagg, but it’s wheels-up on Cooper being a second- or third-round pick next season. The rest of the squad isn’t that appealing for fantasy purposes.
What to Watch: How Dallas continues to build around Flagg.
New Orleans Pelicans (26-56)
The Pelicans had to make the playoffs to retain their early 2026 draft pick. They failed. Miserably. The Pelicans roster is a mess but still offers plenty of fantasy value. Trey Murphy continues to be a 9-cat demon, finishing 11th in per-game value. Dejounte Murray was productive in his return from an Achilles injury. Per usual, Zion Williamson was better for points leagues than 9-cat, but he played at least 60 games for the third time in his career. Kudos to healthy Zion and to the resurgence of Saddiq Bey. Then there’s the rookies — Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. Both look to be cornerstone pieces at the moment. Everyone else seems expendable. That said, it wouldn’t shock me if New Orleans tried to move Zion in the offseason, since he and Murphy would net the most assets in return.
What to Watch: What will Troy Weaver and Joe Dumars do next…? It could be nothing, could be something. Whatever it is, I hope that they don’t fumble future draft capital.
Chicago Bulls (31-51)
Chicago finally picked a lane. The Bulls made a league-high seven trades at the deadline, netting eight second-round picks. Not all good deals, but hey, it’s progress towards a rebuild and not punishing their fanbase with another middling play-in situation. The Bulls are walking into the summer with a top-10 pick, the No. 15 pick from the Trail Blazers and up to $64 million to use in free agency. Let’s hope they don’t waste it on another bad contract like the one with Patrick Williams.
What to Watch: How Matas Buzelis treats this offseason because it’s a big one for him. He’s one of my early risers heading into next season since his volume and usage are about to go up.
Milwaukee Bucks (32-50)
The Bucks missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Giannis Antetokounmpo is heading into the final year of his contract, but it doesn’t matter because he’s getting traded. Doc Rivers is gone. Myles Turner was a huge bust in his first season with the team. Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr. were nice stories for fantasy; however, the offseason is all about Giannis. Milwaukee is in the gutter and Giannis wants out.
What to Watch: Giannis' destination is the biggest domino in fantasy basketball. His landing spot could alter several players' fantasy value overnight.
ESPN's Ben Solak recently detailed how the Indianapolis Colts could "ace" the 2026 NFL draft, and in doing so, he also mentioned five prospects that could be of interest to GM Chris Ballard.
Let's take a closer look at these players and potential Day 2 fits for the Colts.
S AJ Haulcy, LSU
Haulcy is an experienced defender with nearly 3,000 career snaps, spending regular time at both free safety and in the box. He's been a sound run defender by PFF's metrics and has had very good ball production in coverage, logging eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups the last two seasons.
S Bud Clark, TCU
Another experienced safety with over 2,700 defensive snaps played. He was one of PFF's higher graded run defenders at this position and has good ball production as well, with 15 interceptions and 20 pass breakups over four seasons.
DE Keyron Crawford, Auburn
Crawford had a big jump in production last season, totaling 43 pressures -- 17 more than the previous season. He also improved as a run defender according to PFF's grading system.
DE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
Measuring in at 6-5 - 265 pounds, Dennis-Sutton has put together back-to-back highly productive seasons, totaling 45 pressures and nine sacks in 2024, followed by 51 pressures and eight sacks this past season. He's also graded out well as a run defender by PFF's metrics. Dennis-Sutton was among the standout performers at the defensive end position at the NFL combine.
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
Hill Jr. has played nearly 2,000 defensive snaps over the last three seasons. During that span, he has generated 60 quarterback pressures and logged 227 total tackles, according to PFF. In coverage, he's allowed 8.3 yards per reception with three interceptions and two pass breakups.
Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi is keeping the preferences of head coach Robert Saleh in mind as he and the front office prepare for the 2026 NFL draft.
Borgonzi said at his pre-draft press conference on Thursday that he will consider which prospects will work best with Coach Saleh when making draft selections.
“You never take a player the coach doesn't want,” he said. “You need buy-in when it comes to players. You don't force a player onto a coach. If you can't come to an agreement on the player, it's not good for the player, it's not good for the coach, and it's not good for the team.”
Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, and Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. are the prospects most frequently forecasted to land with the Titans at No. 4 overall in the draft.
The Titans’ greatest needs this offseason are at inside linebacker, defensive end, and wide receiver. However, Borgonzi indicated that Tennessee will prioritize the prospect most compatible with the team and its coaching staff rather than simply selecting the best player available. In the first round, that could mean taking Love.
Intel has launched a new range of 18A CPUs for the mainstream market Intel has officially launched its Core 3 (not Core Ultra 3) series of mobile CPUs, promising users “exceptional battery life” and “AI-ready” performance for value buyers, commercial PCs, and edge devices. These new CPUs are “purpose-engineered for value” and are built on […]
Intel is preparing to launch a new line of Socket LGA1700 processors based on the "Raptor Lake Refresh" silicon, the same exact chip powering the 14th Gen Core desktop processor series. The move is seen as Intel capitalizing on DDR5 memory shortage, by releasing processors that support both DDR5 and older DDR4 memory standards, and getting motherboard vendors to launch a new crop of LGA1700 motherboards with both DDR4 and DDR5 memory slots, giving gamers better choice of memory upgrades.
Nomenclature is a big area of speculation. One theory holds Intel could use Core Series 2 processor model numbering, but without the "Ultra" brand extension due to the lack of an integrated NPU. Further, the company might limit itself to the "5" and "7" extensions, skipping "9." The top Core 7 2xx SKU could max out the "Raptor Lake Refresh" silicon, with an 8P+16E core configuration, that's eight "Raptor Cove" P-cores, each with 2 MB of L2 cache, and four "Gracemont" E-core clusters, each with 4 MB of L2 cache; all sharing 36 MB of L3 cache. The chip has a DDR4 and DDR5 memory interface, and puts out 20 PCIe lanes, 16 of which are Gen 5, and four of which Gen 4. Having received praise from the media for the aggressive pricing of its Core Ultra 7 270K Plus processor, Intel might attempt to repeat a similar, aggressively-priced product based on "Raptor Lake Refresh," maxing out all its on-die hardware, at an attractive price-point, with DDR4 support to boot.
NACON and the studio Big Bad Wolf are pleased to announce the release of their new narrative investigation and psychological horror game, Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss. Players take on the role of Noah, an occult investigator, tasked with unraveling the mystery of the disappearance of miners in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. An investigation that will lead him to the gates of the sunken city of R'lyeh, depicted for the first time in a video game.
With Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss, the studio delivers its most ambitious project to date, now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Intel today unveiled its new Intel Core Series 3 mobile processors, bringing advanced performance, exceptional battery life, and AI-ready to value buyers, commercial and essential edge devices.
Purpose-engineered for value, Intel Core Series 3 is built on the proven foundations of Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (code-name Panther Lake) and manufactured on the Intel 18A process node technology, the most advanced logic node developed and manufactured in the United States. The new processors are designed to transform computing for schools, small businesses, and value buyers, delivering the features people care about at unmatched scale. Over 70 designs from leading partners offering a choice of features and form factors will launch in the coming months.
Leading gaming accessories maker Turtle Beach Corporation, today revealed the all-new Stealth Pro II wireless multiplatform gaming headset which distinctly sits at the audio summit as the complete gaming peripheral. The Stealth Pro II is the successor to the highly lauded Stealth Pro and represents both Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and the future of premium audio versatility. As the latest and ultimate gaming headset, the Stealth Pro II Wireless Gaming Headset is for anyone who demands flagship-level audio and microphone performance, seamless device switching and stunning design.
The Stealth Pro II lets you hear what you've never been able to hear before—but could it stand up to the master of stealth himself? To find out, Turtle Beach tracked down the world's last surviving ninja, Jinichi Kawakami, and flew him from Japan for the ultimate IRL showdown. One gamer. One ninja. One headset. With the advanced audio of the Stealth Pro II, the gamer was able to capture every sound the ninja made. It was the ultimate stealth showdown highlighting Turtle Beach's legacy of gaming sound and stunning audio performance. If the Stealth Pro II can hear a ninja, it can hear anything. Visit the Turtle Beach website to put your Ninja hearing to the test.
Data miners recently unearthed Steam code suggesting the storefront could soon compare each game's current price with prices from the previous 30 days, likely to warn users if developers recently raised prices ahead of a sale. Steam and other stores have offered similar warnings in Europe since 2023, but the...
Intel describes Core Series 3 as an upgrade path for small businesses and home users following a typical five-year refresh cycle, offering performance gains over five-year-old PCs and previous-generation low-power Core processors such as Core 7 150U.
AMD confirms that its 6th Gen EPYC Verano CPUs will be the first to utilize SOCAMM2 memory, further expanding its perf/W AI solutions. AMD Confirms SOCAMM2 Memory Support With 6th Gen EPYC Verano CPUs, Tightening The DRAM Supply Chain Even More Last year, AMD confirmed its next-gen EPYC Verano CPUs for AI at rack scale. These chips will be coupled with the company's next-gen MI500 accelerators and will come together using Vulcano interconnect. At the time, AMD didn't disclose much, and the first impression was that Verano would likely use Zen 7 cores. But that isn't the case, as AMD […]
Apple is all set to debut a veritable flood of AI features at its upcoming WWDC 2026, including the AI-heavy iOS 27 and the accompanying chatbot-style Siri. In the runup to that highlight event, however, four tantalizing Apple Intelligence features have been discovered by the developer Nicols Alvarez within the iOS backend code. Apple's upcoming AI features are getting leaked left, right, and center as the WWDC 2026 approaches along with the unveiling of the iOS 27 update As per insights gleaned from the iOS backend code, Apple's Visual Intelligence is getting two major upgrades. First, users will soon get […]
Capcom's Pragmata blends strategic gunplay and split-second puzzle solving for a fresh and fun adventure on the Moon. Oh, and everything is 3D printed. We tested 18 different GPUs for rasterization, ray tracing, and path-traced performance to find the best way to play.
UXUI Principles gives designers, PMs, and developers a research-backed standard to validate AI-generated interfaces. Access a library of 168 UX principles with over 2,098 academic citations, an AI Design Validator, flow checklists, and 600+ copy-paste prompts that guide AI tools to respect cognitive laws. Use it to catch issues before launch, defend decisions with citations, and ship interfaces that convert.
3PL Hub connects ecommerce brands with vetted third-party logistics partners through a free directory, a smart matching tool, and a concierge RFP service. It rejects commissions from 3PLs to stay impartial and helps you compare providers with line-by-line cost modeling, SLAs, tech stacks, and operational capabilities so you can choose the right fulfillment partner with confidence.
Google is making Gemini a core part of ad enforcement, saying the AI upgrade helped catch more scams while sharply reducing mistaken suspensions of legitimate advertisers. The move shows how quickly ad safety is turning into an AI fight over speed, scale, and accuracy.
The details. In its 2025 Ads Safety Report, Google said it blocked or removed 8.3 billion ads and suspended 24.9 million advertiser accounts last year. It said more than 99% of policy-violating ads were stopped before they ran.
Google credited Gemini with cutting incorrect advertiser suspensions by 80%, processing 4x more user reports than the year before, and spotting scam signals faster by better understanding ad intent.
Scams were a major focus. Google said it removed 602 million scam-related ads and suspended 4 million scam-linked accounts.
By the numbers:
602 million scam-related ads removed
4 million scam-linked accounts suspended
4.8 billion ads restricted
480 million web pages blocked or restricted
245,000+ publisher sites actioned
35 policy updates made in 2025
The U.S. picture: Google said it removed 1.7 billion ads and suspended 3.3 million advertiser accounts in the U.S. in 2025. The most common violations included abuse of the ad network, misrepresentation, sexual content, personalization violations, and dating and companionship ads.
Why we care. This directly affects whether campaigns launch, stay live, or get flagged. Google is signaling that AI will play a bigger role in deciding which ads run and which accounts get stopped. For advertisers, that raises the stakes on policy compliance while also promising fewer costly false suspensions.
How it works: Google said Gemini analyzes hundreds of billions of signals, including account age, behavior patterns, and campaign activity, to detect malicious intent earlier than older systems built more heavily around keywords and rule matching.
The company also said that by the end of 2025, most Responsive Search Ads would be reviewed instantly at submission, blocking harmful ads before launch. It plans to expand that capability to more formats this year.
Yes, but. Faster automated enforcement does not always mean smoother enforcement. Some advertisers in the U.K. and U.S. have recently reported bulk ad disapproval alerts despite finding no actual policy issues. That adds pressure on Google to prove tighter AI enforcement will not create new disruptions for legitimate brands.
Bottom line: Google wants advertisers to see Gemini as both shield and filter — tougher on scams, but more precise with legitimate accounts. The real test is whether that balance holds as enforcement gets faster and more automated.
Open ChatGPT, then search for a local business you know has a strong online presence. Ask for a recommendation in that category. Chances are, it comes up. If you check what the AI cites as sources, you’ll almost certainly find the business’s own website in the mix.
That tells you something important: AI doesn’t conjure answers out of thin air. It pulls from whatever it can find. If your website isn’t the best, most complete, most authoritative source of information about your business, the AI will assemble its answer from scraps. You lose control of your own narrative.
That’s what’s driving a growing question among business owners and marketers: “Do I even need a website anymore? If AI answers everything, why does it matter?”
Your website isn’t just a marketing tool anymore. It’s a source document. AI treats it as an authoritative input. The real question is who gets to define your business: you or someone else. Here’s what’s changing, where conventional wisdom falls short, and what to do about it.
Zero-click doesn’t mean zero opportunity
A lot of marketers are seeing the same thing right now: impressions holding steady or rising, but clicks dropping. People get what they need without ever landing on a page, leading some to declare websites obsolete. That’s the wrong read.
Fewer clicks don’t mean less importance. They mean the nature of the click has changed. Look at where AI Overviews actually appear.
According to our analysis of Ahrefs data, of the 46 million+ keywords that trigger an AI Overview, nearly 99% are informational. Navigational keywords account for just 0.13%. Someone wanted a quick fact, got it, and moved on. Those were never high-intent visits anyway.
The clicks that drive revenue, the ones tied to bookings, calls, purchases, and consultations, still happen. Commercial and transactional keywords make up just 12.5% and 3.5% of AI Overview triggers, respectively.
(Note: These percentages exceed 100% in total because keywords can carry multiple intent classifications, a single keyword can be both informational and commercial, for example.)
Those are exactly the queries where people are closest to a decision. They just happen further down the funnel, after a recommendation has already been made. When someone is ready to decide, they validate and check the website.
AI recommends, your customer decides. Know the difference.
When someone asks an AI assistant, “Who’s the best plumber near me?”, the AI might surface a few names. It’s pattern-matching based on reviews, location signals, website content, and business profile data. It’s offering a starting point, not a final verdict.
The AI isn’t picking up the phone or handing over a credit card. Especially for high-stakes local decisions, a contractor in your home, a doctor for your kid, a mechanic for your car, most people aren’t going to act on an algorithm’s suggestion without doing their own digging first.
What actually happens after the AI recommends? The customer:
Googles the business.
Reads the reviews.
Looks at photos.
Checks the website to see if you offer exactly what they need, and at a price they can stomach.
That validation phase is where decisions are made. And your website is at the center of it. AI might have gotten you in the door, but your website is what closes it.
AI systems are reading your content to determine what you do, who you serve, and how you help. They’re cross-referencing your site with your Google Business Profile, directory listings, and reviews to ensure consistency.
When everything lines up, they gain confidence recommending you. When it doesn’t, you get skipped. This means your website is now effectively a source document for AI.
Either it provides clear, structured information, or AI fills the gaps with third-party content — a stale Yelp review from 2019, an outdated directory listing with the wrong hours, or a competitor’s blog post that happens to rank well.
I know which one I’d rather have the AI pulling from.
The visibility gap between traditional search and AI is enormous
If you want a sense of how selective AI is compared to traditional search, SOCi’s 2026 Local Visibility Index, which analyzed nearly 350,000 locations across 2,751 multi-location brands, puts it starkly:
Only 1.2% of locations were recommended by ChatGPT.
11% by Gemini.
7.4% by Perplexity.
35.9% appeared in Google’s traditional local 3-pack.
AI is up to 30 times more selective than traditional local search. Here’s the kicker: strong performance in the local pack doesn’t guarantee AI visibility.
SOCi found that in retail, only 45% of brands leading in traditional local search also appeared in AI recommendations. More than half were invisible to AI entirely.
The brands making it into AI recommendations?
The ones with accurate, consistent information across platforms, strong review volume and sentiment, and well-structured website content. That last one is where most local businesses are leaving the most value on the table.
Your website is the only place you control the narrative
Everywhere else — Google, Yelp, review sites, social media, and AI summaries — you’re at the mercy of other people’s opinions and platform algorithms. You don’t get to decide what gets shown or how it’s framed.
Your website is different. You decide what to highlight, the story to tell, and the objections to address. You can showcase what makes you different and guide visitors exactly where you want them to go.
More importantly, you can feed AI the narrative you want it to use. If your site has well-structured service pages, detailed FAQs, and content that answers real questions your customers ask, AI can pull directly from that when generating responses. You’re essentially writing your own introduction.
On the flip side, if your site is thin or generic, AI fills in the blanks with whatever else it can find. You lose the ability to define yourself.
This doesn’t require a rebuild, just more intentional structure and content. Here’s where to focus.
Treat your website as a source of truth
Stop writing vague claims like “we’re the best in the business.” AI doesn’t know what to do with that. Write specific, factual, helpful content about what you do, who you serve, and what results you deliver.
Every piece of information on your website — your services, hours, location, and pricing approach — should align with what’s on your Google Business Profile and across your directory listings.
As Search Engine Land contributor Will Scott notes:
“Disambiguation through context is critical. When they’re building their ontologies, their map of relationships of knowledge, consistency matters a lot.”
Structure your content so AI can actually read it
AI reads for structure, not just keywords. An AirOps analysis of 217,508 retrieved pages found that only 15% of the pages ChatGPT retrieves actually earn a citation in the response.
Being crawled isn’t enough. How your content is organized determines whether it gets used. That means:
Schema markup: Specifically LocalBusiness, FAQPage, and Service schemas. This cheat sheet tells AI and search engines exactly what your business is, what it offers, and where it’s located.
Clear headings and short sentences: Use H2s and H3s to break content into scannable sections, and keep your sentences tight. The AirOps research found that pages averaging 11 to 14 words per sentence had roughly a 7% higher likelihood of being cited, likely because shorter sentences are easier for AI to parse and extract cleanly. Don’t bury critical information in long paragraphs.
An FAQ section: Built around the actual questions you hear in emails, calls, and consultations. Write answers in natural language. This directly mirrors how people search conversationally, and AI loves it. The same research found that pages with 7 to 26 list sections were 6% to 15% more likely to earn a citation.
Individual service pages: Not one catch-all “Services” page. Separate pages for each service with details about what’s included, who it’s for, and what to expect. Pages with 5 to 7 statistics supporting their claims had a 20% higher likelihood of being cited, so don’t just describe your services, back them up with specific, concrete details AI can confidently pull from.
Write for your customer’s questions
Most business websites are written for the business, not the customer. Corporate speak, vague value propositions, and industry jargon nobody searched for. Customers don’t search for buzzwords. They search for questions:
“Do you take my insurance?”
“How long does the repair take?”
“What’s the difference between [service A] and [service B]?”
“Can you help with [specific problem]?”
If your website answers those questions directly and clearly, you become the best answer AI can find when someone asks. Not sure what questions your customers are actually asking?
Check your Google Business Profile Q&A section, your customer service emails, transcripts of your calls or meetings, and your reviews. The questions are already in front of you.
Here’s an exercise worth doing today: open ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Mode, and ask each one about your business. Ask contextual questions a real customer might ask, such as:
“What do people say about [your business]?”
“Is [your business] good for [specific service]?”
This is actually the first thing we do when onboarding a new client. We build a brand interpretation document.
It’s a snapshot of what AI systems currently know about a brand, pulled from the most important third-party sources in that industry. It tells us whether what’s being said about the brand is accurate, current, and coming from the right places, or whether it’s outdated, wrong, and sourced from somewhere you’d never choose yourself.
Ask your preferred AI what it knows about your business, then have it summarize consensus from key industry sources. Pay close attention to what comes back and where it came from.
Is it citing your website?
Your Google Business Profile?
A review platform?
A third-party directory?
Is any of it inaccurate or out of date?
That audit tells you exactly where your information gaps are and how to fix them.
If your website is thin, outdated, or poorly structured, AI fills the gaps with whatever it can find. That content may be inaccurate, negative, or just plain wrong. Maybe an old review mentions a service you no longer offer, or a directory has the wrong phone number. AI doesn’t fact-check. It aggregates.
Beyond accuracy, there’s the positioning problem. Without a strong website, what you’re known for and what makes you different gets shaped by third-party sources. Your expertise gets undersold. Your unique value gets lost in the noise.
AI might surface your name, but your website builds the trust that turns a recommendation into a call, a booking, or a sale. That’s where the decision happens.
Google has unique policies for Google Shopping that are stricter than its general advertising policies. If Google thinks you’ve violated any of them, it can suspend your Merchant Center.
That cuts off access to Google Shopping, Local Inventory Ads, product feeds in Performance Max and dynamic remarketing, and free listings for products. That means losing your highest-ROI channel overnight.
Here’s how Google’s system works — and what you can do to fix suspensions and get back online.
Case study: How we reinstated a suspended Merchant Center
A UK-based ecommerce retailer came to us after their Google Merchant Center account was suspended for “Misrepresentation,” cutting off their Shopping ads entirely.
Like many legitimate merchants, they were blindsided. Their store was real, their products were accurate, and they had no idea what Google’s specific objection was.
We started with a full compliance audit of their website and Merchant Center account, working through every area Google scrutinizes.
What we found wasn’t one big violation. It was a long list of smaller gaps that, in combination, signaled untrustworthiness to Google’s systems.
The website’s Contact Us page lacked a physical address, a domain-based email address, and clear customer service hours, all of which Google expects from a legitimate business.
Their policy pages (shipping, returns, refunds, and payment) either didn’t exist or lacked the specific detail Google looks for. Missing elements included cancellation windows, defective item procedures, and accepted payment methods.
Beyond policies, their site lacked an order tracking feature and a cookie consent mechanism (required under UK law). A bot blocker was preventing Google’s automated crawlers from crawling the site.
Inside Google Merchant Center itself, Shopify’s automatic shipping sync was creating conflicting data.
We documented every required change in detail and handed the client a clear, prioritized action list. Once they made all the changes, we requested a review from Google.
Google approved the appeal and reinstated the account.
Key takeaway: Google evaluates the totality of your website and feed, not just individual policy pages. A successful reinstatement almost always requires fixing multiple issues across your site before submitting an appeal.
Google will email you the policy they believe you’ve violated.
You can also find this information on the Needs attention tab in your Merchant Center.
Read the suspension notice carefully because Google’s description, vague as it often is, will be your starting point for the following audit steps.
Misrepresentation
Misrepresentation is the most common policy we see cited for Google Merchant Center suspensions.
This policy covers a wide range of problems, from inaccurate information in Merchant Center, to missing policy pages on your website, to bad reviews about your business on third-party websites.
Follow the steps outlined in this guide to focus on improving four key areas:
Your Merchant Center settings.
Your product feed.
Your website.
Your online reputation.
Counterfeit products
You’re most likely to see this suspension reason if you’re reselling products from other brands (such as Pokémon cards, Prada bags, or Nike sneakers).
Helpful actions to take:
Say on your website whether you have a relationship with the manufacturer.
Are you an authorized reseller?
Do you purchase directly from the manufacturer?
Do you purchase from third parties?
Explain your authentication process.
Don’t list prices significantly lower than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
Website needs improvement
Rather than citing a specific policy violation, Google is flagging that your website doesn’t appear sufficiently complete or functional.
Use incognito mode and multiple devices to check your website for:
Placeholder images or text.
Missing policy pages.
Problems adding products to cart or finishing the checkout process.
Unsupported shopping content
Google has a list of things that can be advertised via “regular” Google ads, but not via Google Shopping.
Services as a whole may not be advertised, which is why you won’t see ads for lawyers, doctors, or consultants on Google Shopping.
It gets tricky when services are bundled with products (you can advertise car tires, but you can’t advertise the labor to replace the tires on your car).
Google tends to aggressively flag things as services, or unsupported digital goods, that don’t actually fall within those policies.
What to do:
Separate services from physical products on your website.
Add explanation text to product pages clearly stating that what you’re selling is a physical good and not a service.
Avoid keywords like ebook and PDF that could trigger Google to think you’re selling disallowed digital goods.
Healthcare and medicines
Google restricts advertising healthcare-related products. The policies are country-specific, so be sure to carefully read the policy for the country, or countries, you’re targeting.
To sell prescription and over-the-counter drugs in the U.S., advertisers must undergo third-party certification through a company such as LegitScript and a separate certification process with Google.
Google explicitly lists pharmaceuticals and supplements that aren’t allowed to be advertised. Unfortunately, this list is not comprehensive. We’ve had cases where Google support informed us that products not on this list are not allowed to be advertised.
What to do:
Get certified (if you meet the certification requirements).
Avoid making claims about the benefits of what you sell that can’t be directly verified by linking to studies from your product pages.
Add appropriate disclaimers to your product pages and customer testimonials.
If someone reports your website for content that violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), Google will suspend your Merchant Center. These reports are filed in the Lumen database, where you can see what content has been flagged and when the report was made.
What to do:
If you’re violating copyright, remove the content from your website.
If you’re not violating copyright, document how this content is original to your website and why you believe the report was wrong.
After requesting a review of your suspension, you will probably have to engage in back-and-forth with Google support to argue why you should be allowed back on their platform.
Step 2: Audit your Merchant Center settings
Merchant Center settings are misconfigured in almost every suspension case we work on.
Go through every single page in your Merchant Center to make sure you’ve entered as much information as possible and that everything you’ve entered is accurate and matches what’s on your website.
Your physical address needs to be exactly right (no misplaced words or numbers) and should match the physical address on your website’s Contact page.
You should have accurate contact information, and a link to your Contact page, and relevant social media profiles.
Shipping and returns
Every product in your feed needs to be covered by at least one shipping rule and a return policy.
The shipping methods, handling and shipping times, cost structure, return timeline, refund process, exceptions, and restocking fees need to exactly match the information on the Shipping and Returns policy pages on your website.
Step 3: Audit your product feed data quality
Think of your product feed as your ads. Just as saying inaccurate things in your ads can lead to disapprovals, providing inaccurate or insufficient product data to Google can result in item disapprovals and account suspensions.
Item disapprovals
In addition to account-level suspensions, Google often disapproves specific products for product-level violations.
There are many things that can cause item disapprovals. Top issues include:
Links or images that don’t load.
Mismatches between pricing or availability.
Missing weight or shipping information.
Invalid GTINs.
Unsupported product categories like weapons, digital goods, or services.
These problems don’t necessarily cause account suspensions, but you should fix as many as possible before requesting a review. You want Google to see you as committed to sending high-quality data and not violating any of their policies.
Wrong prices and URLs
The price in your product feed must match the price shown when someone lands on that product’s page. Two common mistakes:
Using a parent product URL with a product variant’s price, which causes a mismatch between the price in the ad and the price on the product page.
Putting a sale price in the feed that is not on the product page, or vice versa.
GTINs
Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTINs) are the numbers, such as UPCs and ISBNs, that manufacturers assign to their products.
If your products don’t have GTINs, you can set the value of the field identifier_exists in your feed to FALSE.
If your products have GTINs and you have access to them, send those numbers to Google in your feed.
You don’t have to send a GTIN, but if you do, it must be accurate.
We’ve seen cases where advertisers created fake GTINs, thinking it would help their products perform better. Instead, Google suspended the entire account.
Copied product photos and descriptions
Resellers who copy product images and descriptions from manufacturers may run into problems, especially if you don’t provide the product GTINs in the feed.
Ideally, you should take your own product images and write your own product descriptions, so that everything on your website is original.
Even if your Merchant Center settings and product feed are clean, your website itself can be the reason you’re suspended.
Crawl issues
Google will suspend your account if they’re not able to crawl your website.
For example, we’ve seen clients block visits from countries from which a high volume of spam traffic was originating. This accidentally blocked Google’s robots from accessing the website and caused a suspension.
We’ve also seen mistakes with the robots.txt file accidentally excluding Google’s bots from accessing key pages, which looks to Google like you’re trying to hide something.
Missing information
You need clear and distinct policy pages on your website, including:
Privacy.
Shipping.
Refund and return.
Terms of service.
Order tracking.
Payment.
You also need accurate contact information on your Contact page and a comprehensive About page.
Inaccurate or inconsistent information
Any claims you make on your website must be true. For example, if you say you offer free shipping on orders over $25, then you have to actually give free shipping when a cart value is greater than $25.
We often see inconsistencies on websites, such as:
Different return windows mentioned on the Return policy page than in the Return policy pop-up on the Shopify checkout page.
Old phone numbers that no longer work and haven’t been removed.
Template language referencing other businesses or products you don’t sell that you never removed from policy pages.
Badges and awards
Adding badges and awards (such as the Better Business Bureau badge and Trustpilot review widgets) to your website is a way to demonstrate credibility.
When you add badges, awards, or “As seen on” logos to your website, make sure to hyperlink them to supporting pages, or else Google may think you’re making unsupported claims.
Step 5: Audit your digital footprint
Google wants only trusted businesses to run Google Shopping ads, so they look beyond your website and Merchant Center at your digital footprint as a whole.
Reviews
If you don’t have reviews on third-party websites like Trustpilot and BBB, or worse, if there are many negative reviews about your business, Google will view you with more suspicion.
Make a focused effort to ask your customers for reviews and respond professionally to all reviews (positive or negative), so that Google sees you’re an active, engaged business.
Social media
Google expects websites to have profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
There is even a place in your Merchant Center where you can directly link to your social profiles.
It can be helpful to claim profiles for your business and make sure that your business info in those profiles (domain, phone number, physical and email addresses) match what’s on your website.
Authorized resellers
If you’re an authorized reseller for another brand, establish as much of a connection to that brand online as possible. For example:
Ask the brand to link to your website from their social media profiles and website.
Post any information you’re legally allowed to share about your contract on your website so that Google sees you’re being transparent.
Create an authentication guide that details how you authenticate the products you sell.
Step 6: Request a review
After you have followed steps 1-5 to identify and fix as many potential problems as possible, you are ready to ask Google to review your suspension.
To request a review:
Log in to your Google Merchant Center account.
Click Products & store.
Click Products.
Click Needs attention.
In the box that says “Suspended account for policy violation,” click Fix.
Click the button labeled “I disagree with the issue.”
Google sometimes makes the button unclickable until you go through identity verification, and in some cases, it also requires a video verification process.
Google doesn’t let you write any context when you request a review. Clicking the button is your only option.
Google limits how many reviews you may request. The limit varies per account, but often is three or less. Once you’ve reached that limit, Google will tell you that it will no longer accept additional review requests, and the button will no longer be clickable.
Google will not review your appeal unless there is at least one product in your Merchant Center.
What if I’m suspended for multiple things?
Google sometimes flags Merchant Centers with multiple policy violations at the same time. Fix everything possible on your website and in your account, and then appeal the suspensions one at a time.
Start with the suspension that looks the most comprehensive. For example, misrepresentation is a more “egregious” suspension in Google’s eyes than sale of service, so start by appealing the former.
If one policy issue is a suspension and another is a warning (suspended for misrepresentation and warned for website needs improvement), appeal the warning first.
Common questions about Google Merchant Center suspensions
Why is my Google Merchant Center suspended?
Google will tell you what policy it believes you’ve violated via email, and in a notification in the “Needs Attention” tab in your Merchant Center.
These policies are usually quite broad, and narrowing down exactly why you were suspended can be difficult, which is why it’s vital that you fix as many potential problems as possible before appealing your suspension.
How long does a Google Merchant Center suspension last?
In most cases, it lasts forever unless you successfully appeal the suspension.
That said, we’ve seen cases where Google re-crawled a website after changes were made and automatically reinstated an account prior to the advertiser requesting a review (but don’t count on this happening).
Can Google Merchant Center support help me?
Sometimes, if you know how to ask the right questions, Google Merchant Center support will provide some ideas about what went wrong, or will point to specific data issues with your products.
What happens if Google rejects my appeal?
Typically, Google will put your Merchant Center into a cool-down period during which you can’t request another review.
The first cool-down period is usually seven days, and the timeline gets longer with subsequent rejections.
How many times can I appeal a Google Merchant Center suspension?
Google typically limits appeals to between one and three attempts, though exceptions exist.
Why does Google keep suspending my Merchant Center account?
It’s not uncommon for Google to accept an appeal of a Merchant Center suspension and then suspend that account again for the same policy.
This could be due to Google’s automated systems re-flagging you for something that its manual reviewers decided was not a violation.
It could also be because Google is unfortunately inconsistent with how it flags policy violations and enforces its policies.
Can I ask customers to write reviews of my business online?
You can. If you’re sending product reviews to Merchant Center, you must disclose to Google if you incentivize customers to leave reviews.
All of the steps outlined in this guide to fix suspensions are things you should proactively do to help prevent suspensions from happening.
Doing these things before you’re suspended can potentially save you tremendous time, frustration, and opportunity cost.
Here are a few more ideas to help stop suspensions:
Check your website weekly via incognito mode on mobile and desktop devices to make sure your website functions properly.
Get a real physical business address, and feature that address on your Contact page and in your website footer.
Regularly ask your clients to write reviews about you, and respond professionally to every single review.
Consistently read the policies on your website to make sure they are still accurate, and update them immediately if you change your processes.
Monitor your Merchant Center daily for disapprovals, and quickly fix anything that Google says needs attention.
Google has policies in place because it wants to protect consumers.
By following Google’s policies and showing that you’re a legitimate advertiser, you can protect your ability to use one of the most important channels available for growing an ecommerce brand.
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Lionel Scaloni has managed to turn Argentina into one of the best national sides in the world. Not only did he lead them to the 2022 World Cup title, but he also built a highly competitive roster blending experience and youth. Despite this, his future with the national team remains unclear, as he has yet to renew his contract. Furthermore, he is reportedly emerging as a leading candidate to become Real Madrid head coach in a post-2026 World Cup move.
According to Abraham P. Romero, via El Mundo, Los Blancos have decided to move on from Álvaro Arbeloa, as they believe he failed to get the most out of the current squad. As a result, they have chosen to rule out young, inexperienced candidates, instead focusing on those with world-class experience. In this context, Lionel Scaloni emerges as a clear candidate to take over the role after the 2026 World Cup.
With a contract with Argentina running through the end of 2026, Scaloni may not face a difficult exit from the national team. After ending a 36-year drought without winning a World Cup title, he has become one of the best coaches in the world, building a roster with a good balance between experience and youth. However, he may not decide on his future until after the tournament, leaving Real Madrid without a clear answer for several months.
While Lionel Scaloni managed to lead Argentina to a World Cup title, he has never had experience as a head coach at club level. His closest role came as an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli at Sevilla FC. Far from being a simple challenge, he could face the demanding day-to-day environment at Real Madrid, defined by sky-high expectations and little tolerance for trophyless seasons. With this in mind, Los Blancos are keeping four other alternatives on their shortlist.
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni.
Not only Scaloni: Real Madrid reportedly chase four coaches
After Carlo Ancelotti’s departure, Real Madrid made the risky decision to back Xabi Alonso, who had impressed at Bayer Leverkusen. However, he did not arrive with extensive experience managing star players, something that ultimately cost him his position. Nor has Álvaro Arbeloa proven to be the solution, as he failed to change the team’s reality. As a result, they are reportedly not only adding Lionel Scaloni, but also considering four other experienced candidates.
Alongside Lionel Scaloni, Los Blancos have decided to add Didier Deschamps, who is set to leave France after the 2026 World Cup. While Jürgen Klopp is another clear favorite, he is not expected to leave the Red Bull GmbH group, but he will once again be tempted. Moreover, Mauricio Pochettino emerges as a surprise candidate, as president Florentino Pérez reportedly holds him in high regard, according to El Mundo.
While the incident between Vinícius Jr. and Gianluca Prestianni cast doubt over his candidacy, José Mourinho is also considered among the options to coach Real Madrid, according to El Mundo. As one of the managers most beloved by the fanbase, the Portuguese could be key to getting this promising team back on track, having consistently shown his ability to manage big egos and leading los Blancos into a new era.
Lionel Scaloni, Head Coach of Argentina looks on prior to the international friendly match.
Three-division world champion continues to be linked to a comeback, but a petition for him to face his number one contender may scupper his proposed fight plans, or remove him from his favourable position in the lightweight division. Davis has not won a fight since he knocked out Frank Martin almost two years ago, drawing […]
Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında cumartesi günü kendi sahasında Galatasaray'ı konuk edecek Gençlerbirliği'nde teknik direktör Volkan Demirel, Henry Onyekuru'nun kadro dışı bırakıldığı iddiaları üzerine bir açıklama yaptı.
Gençlerbirliği Teknik Direktörü Volkan Demirel, Henry Onyekuru'nun Galatasaray maçı öncesi kadro dışı kaldığı iddiaları üzerine ilk kez konuştu.
Basın mensuplarına açıklama yapan Volkan Demirel, "Profesyonel bir futbolcuyu bu şekilde kadro dışı bırakamazsınız. Onyekuru'nun performansından memnun değiliz. İnisiyatif benle alakalı. Oynatırım ve ya oynatmam... Farklı şekilde lanse edilmesi, kulübümüze ve takımımıza zarar verir" dedi.
"İSTEDİĞİMİZ PERFORMANSA GELİRSE..."
Volkan Demirel ayrıca, "Onyekuru, bizim oyuncumuz. Bir sene daha sözleşmesi var. Oynattığım maçta iyi performans aldım ve Başakşehir maçında sahaya sürdüm. O maçta istediğim gibi performans alamadım, sonraki raporlamamda başka bir şey düşündüğümü söyledim ama iş başka yere gitti. İstediğimiz performansa gelirse ben onu başımda taşırım. Bizim futbolcumuz ve sözleşmesi var. Tüm inisiyatif bana ait" ifadelerini kullandı.
Galatasaray Futbol Takımı, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında 18 Nisan Cumartesi günü Natura Dünyası Gençlerbirliği ile oynayacağı maçın hazırlıklarına basına ve taraftara açık antrenmanla devam etti.
Süper Lig'de milli maç arasından sonra çıktığı üç maçta 5 puan kaybeden ve en yakın takipçisi Fenerbahçe ile puan farkının 2'ye inmesine engel olamayan Galatasaray'a, taraftarları moral verdi.
Kemerburgaz Metin Oktay Tesisleri'ndeki antrenman için günün erken saatlerinde toplanan taraftarlar, yoğun güvenlik önlemleri eşliğinde saha kenarına alındı. Yaklaşık bin sarı-kırmızılı taraftar, futbolcuların sahaya çıkmasını uzun süre bekledi. Öğlen saatlerindeki antrenman için futbolcuların yeşil zemine adım atmasıyla coşku üst seviyeye çıktı. Antrenman sahasının etrafını sarı-kırmızılı bayraklarla çeviren taraftarlar, çalışmayı takip ettikleri yerde marş ve tezahüratlarla oyunculara destek verdi.
İdman öncesinde futbolcuları tek tek çağıran taraftarlar, oyunculara moral aşıladı. UEFA Şampiyonlar Ligi'nde Liverpool müsabakasında kolu kırıldığı için Süper Lig'deki son 3 maçta forma giyemeyen Victor Osimhen'e büyük ilgi gösterildi.
Pankartlarla şampiyonluk hedefi vurgulandı
Sarı-kırmızılı futbolseverler, açtıkları pankartlarla takımlarının şampiyon olacağına inandıklarını belirtti.
Taraftarlar, "Bu takım söke söke şampiyon" ve "Buraya kadar siz getirdiniz, şampiyonluk kupasını kaldıracak olan yine sizlersiniz" yazılı pankartlar açtı.
ultrAslan'dan şampiyonluk sözleri
Galatasaray'ın taraftar grubu ultrAslan'ın lideri Sebahattin Şirin, sezon sonunda şampiyonluğa ulaşacaklarına inandıklarını belirtti.
Antrenman öncesinde teknik direktör Okan Buruk ve futbolculara baklava ikram eden taraftarlar, futbolcularla kısa bir toplantı yaptı.
Bu sırada Sebahattin Şirin, "Kadroda üç sene üst üste şampiyon olanlar var. İnşallah bu sene dört olacak. Buraya kadar siz getirdiniz. Bundan sonra da yine sizlerle şampiyon olacağız. Sizlere inanıyoruz ve güveniyoruz." ifadelerini kullandı.
Galatasaray Kulübü Başkanı Dursun Özbek, yönetim kurulu üyesi Bora Bahçetepe, Sportif AŞ Başkan Vekilleri Abdullah Kavukcu ile Maruf Güneş, idmanı taraftarla birlikte izledi.
Hazırlıklar sürüyor
Sarı-kırmızılı takım, hafta sonunda Gençlerbirliği ile oynayacağı maçın hazırlıklarına devam etti.
Teknik direktör Okan Buruk yönetimindeki antrenman, ısınma hareketleriyle başladı. Top kapma ve pas çalışmasıyla süren idman, çift kale maçla tamamlandı.
Antrenmana üç futbolcu farklı gerekçelerle çıkmadı.
Süper Lig'deki Göztepe maçında dizinden sakatlanan Yaser Asprilla ile gribal enfeksiyon geçiren Mario Lemina ve İlkay Gündoğan çalışmaya katılmadı.
Futbolcular imza dağıttı
Sarı-kırmızılı oyuncular, antrenmanın ardından taraftarla bir araya geldi.
Çalışmayı tamamlayan futbolcular, kendilerini destekleyen taraftarların yanına gitti. Büyük ilgi gören oyuncular, futbolseverlerin imza ve fotoğraf çekilme taleplerini yerine getirdi.
Bu sırada Arjantinli yıldız Mauro Icardi, en büyük ilgiyi gören oyuncuların başında geldi.
Türkiye Futbol Federasyonu (TFF) ile UEFA, Yeni Ankara Stadı'nın 2032 Avrupa Futbol Şampiyonası'ndaki (EURO 2032) maçlara ev sahipliği yapacak statlar arasında yer almasına yönelik koordinasyon toplantısı düzenledi.
TFF'nin açıklamasına göre UEFA'nın İsviçre'nin Nyon şehrindeki merkezinde gerçekleştirilen toplantıda, Türkiye'nin İtalya ile ortaklaşa düzenleyeceği EURO 2032'de maçların oynanacağı statlardan biri olması planlanan Yeni Ankara Stadı için UEFA yetkilileriyle görüş alışverişinde bulunuldu.
Toplantıya TFF Genel Sekreteri Abdullah Ayaz, TFF Dış İlişkiler ve Milli Takımlar İdari Direktörü Buğra İmamoğulları, TFF Uluslararası Etkinlikler Müdürü Can Emre Tuğal, TFF Dış İlişkiler Müdürü Gökhan Ertan, TFF Dış İlişkiler Teknik Uzmanı Murat Deniz, TFF Dış İlişkiler-Uluslararası Etkinlik ve Milli Takımlar İdari Uzmanı Onat Karabıçak, TFF Dış İlişkiler Uzmanı Begüm Şerbetçioğlu, Yeni Ankara Stadı'nı inşa eden TOKİ Uygulama Daire Başkanı Ethem Demiray ve Projeler Şube Müdürü Mehmet Toprak, UEFA Genel Sekreter Yardımcısı Giorgio Marchetti, UEFA CEO'su Martin Kallen, UEFA Danışmanı Kadir Kardaş, UEFA Kıdemli Stadyum Geliştirme Uzmanı Pietro Chiabrera, UEFA Kıdemli Kulüp Müsabakaları Etkinlik Yöneticisi Malgorzata Buffini, TFF Futbol Planlama Proje Yöneticisi James Wood ve Futbol Planlama Koordinatörü Lesya Horyn katıldı.
Yeni Ankara Stadı'nın EURO 2032 kriterlerine uygunluğu, teknik gereklilikler ve organizasyon süreçleri toplantıda kapsamlı görüşüldü.
EURO 2032'ye ev sahipliği yapacak ve çalışmalarda sona yaklaşılan statlar hakkında da bilgi verilen toplantıda, inşaatı devam eden Yeni Ankara Stadı ile ilgili TOKİ yöneticileri tarafından detaylı sunum yapıldı. EURO 2032 kapsamında Atatürk Olimpiyat Stadı için yapılacak yenileme çalışmaları da değerlendirildi.
Trabzonspor, Trendyol Süper Lig'in 30. haftasında 19 Nisan Pazar günü sahasında oynayacağı RAMS Başakşehir maçının hazırlıklarına devam etti.
Mehmet Ali Yılmaz Tesisleri'nde, teknik direktör Fatih Tekke yönetimindeki antrenmana Corendon Alanyaspor maçında sakatlığı nedeniyle forma giyemeyen Nijeryalı forvet Paul Onuachu da katıldı.
Bordo-mavililer idmanda pas ve taktik çalışmaları yaptı.
Karadeniz temsilcisi, maçın hazırlıklarını yarın sürdürecek.
Portekizli futbolcu Bernardo Silva, 9 yıldır formasını giydiği İngiltere Premier Lig ekibi Manchester City'den sezon sonunda ayrılacağını duyurdu.
Portekizli futbolcu, sosyal medya hesabından yaptığı açıklamada, "Birkaç ay sonra Manchester City'ye veda etme zamanı gelecek." ifadesini kullandı.
Orta sahada görev yapan 31 yaşındaki futbolcu, 2017 yılının temmuz ayında transfer olduğu ve 9 yıldır formasını giydiği Manchester City'de forma giydiği 451 maçta 76 gol kaydetti.
Trabzonspor Başkanı Ertuğrul Doğan, gündeme dair açıklamalarda bulundu. Doğan, 4 büyükler arasında hakemlerden en çok kendilerinin ardından da Beşiktaş'ın çektiğini iddia etti.
Lider Galatasaray'ın puan kaybettiği haftada Alanyaspor ile deplasmanda 1-1 berabere kalan Trabzonspor'da başkan Ertuğrul Doğan, katıldığı bir programda çok konuşulacak açıklamalarda bulundu. Genç başkan, Beşiktaş ile ilgili olumlu düşüncelerinden bahsederken, hakem hatalarıyla ilgili de konuştu.
İşte Ertuğrul Doğan'ın açıklamalarından öne çıkanlar:
'HAKEMLERDEN EN ÇOK BİZ BEŞİKTAŞ ÇEKTİ'
"Dört büyük takım arasında hakemlerden en fazla çeken kulüp Trabzonspor. Bizden sonra da Beşiktaş geliyor. Beşiktaş Başkanı da çok değerli bir kardeşim. Beşiktaş'a karşı aklımda her zaman olumlu düşünceler var."
'AVRUPA'NIN EN BÜYÜK AKADEMİ MERKEZİNİ YAPMAYI PLANLIYORUZ'
"Kemerburgaz'da bir yer talebimiz var. Cumhurbaşkanımızda imzada, bekliyoruz. İnşallah en yakın zamanda bünyemize katacağız. Ayrıca Avrupa'nın en büyük akademi merkezini İstanbul'da yapmayı planlıyoruz."
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After weeks of chatter, DJI has finally introduced its latest pocket-sized gimbal camera, the Osmo Pocket 4. The new model builds on the familiar formula of DJI’s long-running handheld gimbal series, but it comes with a larger sensor and a set of upgrades for creators.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Specifications
At the center of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is a newly upgraded one-inch CMOS sensor paired with an f/2.0 aperture. This combination brings a claimed dynamic range of up to 14 stops, which should help preserve more detail in both highlights and shadows.
It also supports a 10-bit D-Log color mode, offering greater flexibility in post-production.
The camera now supports 4K slow-motion recording at up to 240fps. On the audio side, DJI is adding spatial audio recording along with zoom audio pickup. There’s also support for OsmoAudio direct connection to DJI microphone transmitters, enabling up to four-channel audio recording. This makes the gimbal camera more practical for interviews or multi-source recording setups.
As for tracking, the Osmo Pocket 4 introduces Intelligent Follow 7.0, which supports subject tracking at up to 4x zoom. DJI has also added “Lock Subject Tracking” and “Priority Subject Registration” for a more stable and predictable tracking experience.
Gesture controls are part of the update as well, allowing users to start or stop tracking and recording without touching the screen.
For users focused on portrait shooting, DJI says it has calibrated the camera for more natural skin tones across different lighting conditions. There’s also a built-in beauty filter with adjustable smoothing, whitening, and tone settings.
It also supports an external fill light for adjustable brightness and color temperature in a compact form.
DJI Osmo Pocket 4 Pricing and Availability
The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 is now open for pre-orders, with deliveries scheduled to begin on April 22. DJI is offering the camera in three different bundles.
The base option keeps things simple, while the higher tiers gradually turn the Pocket 4 into something closer to a full creator kit.
Everything in Essential + gimbal clamp, wrist strap, and extra accessories
£445 / from €499
Creator Combo
Everything in Standard + wide-angle lens (from Osmo Pocket 3), DJI Mic 3 transmitter (with magnetic clip and windscreens), fill light, mini tripod, carrying bag
Xiaomi has introduced the Mijia Smart Range Hood 3C Side Suction, a new addition to its growing smart kitchen lineup. The product is aimed at modern households looking for powerful ventilation combined with smart, hands-free controls. It will be available through the Xiaomi Youpin platform as part of a limited crowdfunding campaign.
Pricing and Availability
The range hood comes with a suggested retail price of 1299 yuan (around $182), while early buyers can get it at a discounted crowdfunding price of 999 yuan (around $140). The campaign will run from April 20 at 10:00 AM to April 27 at 10:00 AM, making it a limited-time opportunity for interested buyers.
Strong Performance for Heavy Cooking
The Mijia Smart Range Hood 3C is built for high-intensity cooking environments. It offers a maximum suction power of 24 m³/min along with a static pressure of 500Pa. This combination helps remove smoke and oil fumes quickly and efficiently. The device also features a fully encapsulated high-speed motor, a 60° wide-angle air intake, and a tilting plate design to improve smoke capture.
Smart and Touch-Free Controls
One of the standout features is gesture control, allowing users to wave their hand to turn the hood on or off or adjust settings. This helps keep the surface clean and reduces contact with oily panels. It also supports cooktop linkage, automatically syncing with compatible stoves.
Ai- generated image
Connected Smart Kitchen Experience
The range hood integrates with the Mi Home app and supports voice control via Xiao Ai speakers. With smart connectivity features, users can create automation scenes and connect the hood with other devices like smoke detectors, making it a practical upgrade for modern smart kitchens.
The 2nm process node is the most advanced, cutting-edge node in the industry, and it’s none other than TSMC leading the next-generation wave of advanced chips. The Taiwanese chip giant has managed to achieve yields favorable for mass-producing 2nm wafers, but unfortunately, that is not enough to meet demand for AI chips and mobile SoCs, forcing smartphone brands to opt for silicon downgrades later this year.
According to a reliable Chinese tipster, Digital Chat Station, multiple smartphone brands will offer fully equipped SoCs only in their top-of-the-line “Ultra” or “Pro Max” models because of rising memory costs and the chip crisis. While the tipster doesn’t explicitly mention “TSMC,” it doesn’t take long to realize where the fingers are pointing to.
While the complexities of mass-producing advanced wafers at a larger scale pose a major challenge for the Taiwanese chip giant, AI and mobile are competing for the same advanced nodes, only worsening the supply crunch. According to industry reports, much of N2 capacity through 2026 is already effectively sold out, with Apple, Qualcomm, Nvidia, and AMD locking in large allocations. Apple alone is reported to have more than half of the initial N2 capacity.
Samsung is the most prominent alternative to TSMC, but it is struggling even worse in bringing up its 2nm GAA yields. That leaves smartphone brands with limited supply, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see high-end chips being reserved for top-end models. This explains why Qualcomm is rumored to launch Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro as part of its dual-chip launch strategy. Apple is also said to follow a similar approach with its A20 and A20 Pro.
Even MediaTek is reportedly adopting the same strategy, offering the Dimensity 9600 and Dimensity 9600 Pro. The more affordable SoC will be offered to less premium phones, and the more expensive silicon will be reserved for top-end phones. We can also expect smartphone prices to rise, with the DRAM crisis among the main culprits.
In that regard, a Geekbench listing has now revealed the chipset of the OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite. The smartphone appeared in the benchmark under the model number CPH2943 and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chip.
The latter is confirmed by the core setup, consisting of four CPU cores running at 2.60GHz and four at 2.0GHz. Graphics are handled by the Mali-G615 MC2 GPU. Similarly, the device tested features 8GB of RAM and runs Android 16 out of the box.
With this setup, the OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite managed to score 1,068 points in single-core and 2,953 points in multi-core tests.
OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite: Rumored Specifications
As for other hardware specifications, the Nord CE 6 Lite is expected to feature a 6.7-inch LCD panel with support for a 120Hz refresh rate. That’s a noticeable downgrade from the Nord CE 4 Lite, which offered an AMOLED panel with a peak brightness of 2,100 nits.
The camera setup could be fairly simple as well. It is said to feature a 50MP main sensor paired with a secondary lens on the back, along with a 16MP front camera.
Keeping it up will be a large 7,000mAh battery. Its predecessor pairs a 5,110mAh cell with 80W fast charging. So, hopefully, the Nord CE 6 Lite will support similar charging speeds for quick top-ups.
Moreover, the 6GB + 128GB variant is said to cost under ₹23,000. However, these are just leaks, so take the details with a pinch of salt.
The OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite is expected to launch alongside the OnePlus Nord CE 6 in India next month.
With storage prices climbing faster than game install sizes, gamers are getting creative and a little rebellious. The latest “hack”? Turning unused Xbox expansion cards into external SSDs for PCs.
Originally designed for the Xbox Series X|S, these cards are basically NVMe storage in disguise, wrapped in a CFexpress Type B form factor. One curious Reddit user, “u/Dramatic-Shape5574,” decided to test the limits and plugged the card into a CFexpress reader, and Windows recognized it like a regular drive. Suddenly, that “console-only” storage wasn’t so exclusive anymore.
Ai-generated image for representation only
Performance is surprisingly decent. You’re looking at speeds around 1000–1500 MB/s, nowhere near top-tier NVMe drives, but comfortably faster than SATA SSDs. That’s enough to run games, store files, and feel like you’ve outsmarted the system.
But before you go digging out your wallet, here’s the catch. You’ll need to format the card, which means saying goodbye to Xbox compatibility. Also, these cards are overpriced compared to standard SSDs, so buying one just for this hack makes no sense.
Other Similar Workarounds
Gamers have been experimenting with all sorts of storage hacks for years. Many repurpose old laptop SSDs by placing them into USB enclosures and using them as portable drives. Others install PS5-compatible NVMe SSDs into PCs when upgrading consoles, effectively recycling high-speed storage. Even traditional internal hard drives and SSDs often get a second life as external drives through simple adapters, showing how flexible storage hardware can be when you think beyond default use cases.
Pros & Cons
This hack is great if you already own an unused expansion card, letting you reuse hardware with performance better than SATA SSDs, but it quickly loses appeal due to high costs, the need for extra adapters, permanent loss of Xbox compatibility after formatting, and a setup process that isn’t exactly beginner-friendly.
This is peak gamer ingenuity, clever, slightly unnecessary, but undeniably cool. If you already have an unused expansion card lying around, it’s a fun and practical experiment. But if you’re starting from scratch, a standard SSD remains the smarter, cheaper, and far less complicated choice.
Huawei has unveiled a new smart home accessory in China called the Huawei Smart Lock M2. The lock officially went on sale today at 799 yuan (~$117), but a government subsidy brings the price down to 679.15 yuan, or around $100. And it’s a bargain for that price.
Huawei Smart Lock M2 Specifications
The Huawei Smart Lock M2 relies on AI-based features, particularly for its fingerprint unlocking system. The company says the lock uses an adaptive AI fingerprint sensor that improves with each use, gradually refining recognition accuracy over time.
It unlocks in about 0.5 seconds, and Huawei claims a very low false recognition rate of less than 0.00001.
Beyond fingerprint access, the M2 supports a wide range of unlocking methods. Users can rely on NFC cards, physical keys, digital passwords, visitor or temporary passwords, and even Huawei smartphones and smartwatches.
From a design standpoint, the device features a slim profile with a 0.5 mm “golden depth” and rounded edges. Both the inner and outer panels share the same dimensions, measuring 365 x 76.5 x 23 mm, and the entire unit weighs around 4.2 kg.
Powering the lock are four AA batteries, which Huawei says can last up to 18 months. There’s also a Type-C port for emergency power if the batteries run out, along with tiered battery reminders to avoid sudden shutdowns.
The M2 includes an EAL5+ certified security chip for handling sensitive data locally, along with an additional chip that independently verifies access permissions. It also uses a Class C direct-insertion lock cylinder so that the mechanical lock remains functional even if the outer panel is damaged.
Huawei is also offering a four-year warranty with the device.
For the time being, there’s no word on availability in the international market.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Xiaomi has launched a new high-end refrigerator, the Mijia Refrigerator Pro Premium Cross-Door 508L with Ion Purification 4.0. The refrigerator is now available for pre-order in China, priced at 9999 yuan ($1466). The appliance comes in three colors: Ice Crystal White, Star Silver, and Apricot Glass.
Mijia Refrigerator Pro 508L Specifications
The refrigerator has a total capacity of 508L, divided into a 297L fridge, a 35L variable temperature zone, and a 176L freezer. It features multiple storage zones for beverages, fresh produce, and frozen goods, enabling efficient food organization.
This Xiaomi model features Full-Area Ion Purification 4.0, which removes odors in 3 minutes and sterilizes bacteria, fungi, and viruses with 99.9999% efficiency in 2 minutes. It neutralizes ethylene gas to keep produce fresh and includes silver ion antibacterial protection and an antibacterial inner liner for cleanliness across all compartments.
The refrigerator uses dual cooling technology, with independent evaporators and fans for the fridge and freezer compartments. This setup prevents odors from mixing and provides better control over temperature and humidity. For fresh items like fruits and vegetables, Xiaomi has added a moisture-retaining system that uses molecular sieve technology, keeping produce fresh for up to seven days.
Xiaomi also offers an optional automatic ice-making module. The system produces ice in as little as 55 minutes and can create a daily output sufficient for multiple ice cups. It integrates antibacterial materials in the water tank, ice tray, and storage area and provides smart reminders for low water levels or full ice storage.
The refrigerator features a sleek and modern design. Its ultra-thin, flat-embedded construction measures 597 x 792 x 1925mm, with a depth of 600mm and a width of 800mm. Xiaomi has included a motion-sensing ambient light for the handle and soft lighting inside the compartments.
For smart features, the refrigerator includes HyperOS Connect and a smart internal display. It also operates quietly at 31dB and offers high energy efficiency.
Realme has added a new pair of budget TWS earbuds to its lineup, and on paper at least, they look surprisingly loaded for the price. The Realme Buds T500 Pro bring features like active noise cancellation, Hi-Res audio, and multi-device connectivity.
Under the hood, the Buds T500 Pro uses 12.4mm dynamic drivers with a titanium-plated diaphragm. It supports the LHDC 5.0 codec, which should help with better audio quality when connected to compatible devices.
The company claims up to 50dB noise cancellation, along with a fairly wide frequency range. It’s adaptive too, meaning it adjusts depending on your surroundings and fit. You also get a transparency mode when you need to hear what’s happening around you. For calls, there’s a six-mic setup, and interestingly, Realme has added live translation features, including face-to-face and two-way modes.
Connectivity is another area where the Buds T500 Pro stands out. The earbuds support Bluetooth 6.1 and can connect to up to three devices at once, which should make switching between, say, your phone, laptop, and desktop a lot easier. Features like Google Fast Pair and a Find My Earbuds option are here as well.
There’s also a 45ms low-latency mode for gaming and video, and something called MindFlow Mode, which basically plays ambient soundscapes through the app. The last one is a bit niche, but some people might like it.
Battery life looks solid on paper. Realme is claiming up to 56 hours total with the case. Each earbud packs a 62mAh battery, while the case has 530mAh. In real-world use, you’re looking at around 13–14 hours without ANC (AAC) and closer to 8–9 hours with ANC, depending on how you use them. Charging takes about an hour for the buds and roughly two hours for the case via USB-C.
The earbuds themselves weigh just 4.5g each, and the case is compact enough to carry around easily. You also get an IP55 rating, so they should handle sweat and light splashes without issues.
Pricing and availability:
The earbuds were launched in India at ₹2,799, with a limited-time ₹200 discount that brings the price down to ₹2,599 for the first sale window between April 23 and April 26, 2026. Color options include Chocolate, Lemon Cola, and Orange Mint.
At this price, the Buds T500 Pro seems to tick quite a few boxes. On paper, they look like a strong option in the sub-₹3,000 category.
Lenovo is set to host a major product launch event on May 19, 2026, in China, bringing together its latest innovations across smartphones, laptops, and tablets. The event, themed “Tianxi AI, All-in-One Multi-Terminal, All-Scenario New Product Super Night,” clearly signals the company’s growing focus on building a deeply connected AI ecosystem across devices. This launch is not just about individual products; it’s about how they work together seamlessly in real-world scenarios.
Leading the announcements is the new Legion Y70, a next-generation gaming smartphone expected to deliver significant upgrades in performance, thermal management, and gaming-centric features. Lenovo is likely aiming to push deeper into the mobile gaming space with this refreshed model.
Moto Razr Fold
Another highlight is the Moto Razr Fold, Lenovo’s first large-format foldable smartphone, previously showcased at MWC 2026. It comes powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, paired with 16GB RAM and a massive 6000mAh battery. With support for 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, it positions itself as a premium foldable priced at around €1999.
YOGA Air 14 Ultra
On the productivity side, Lenovo will introduce the YOGA Air 14 Ultra, an ultra-lightweight AI PC weighing under 1kg. Designed for portability and premium usage, it emphasizes AI-driven features and a sleek design.
Legion Y900 tablet
The event will also feature the Legion Y900 tablet, expected to blend gaming and productivity with AI enhancements, alongside the Legion Y7000X laptop, which targets users needing powerful CPU and GPU performance for both gaming and creative workloads.
Overall, Lenovo’s May 19 event reflects a clear strategy: unify gaming, productivity, and AI into a cohesive multi-device experience.
GameSir has officially introduced its new Tarantula series controllers, expanding its esports-focused lineup with two models: the Tarantula 8K for PC and the Tarantula Pro for Xbox. Both controllers feature a symmetrical joystick layout and are currently available in overseas markets.
In China, they are expected to launch under the names “Nine-Tailed Fox Arena Edition” (8K) and “Nine-Tailed Fox Microsoft Licensed Edition” (Pro). The company is clearly targeting competitive gamers with a focus on speed, precision, and customization.
The Tarantula 8K and Pro are priced at $69.99 and are expected to start shipping in June.
Tarantula 8K Focuses on Ultra-Fast Performance
The Tarantula 8K stands out with its 8000Hz polling rate and extremely low latency of just 0.5ms, making it one of the fastest wired controllers in its segment. It is equipped with second-generation GameSir Mag-Res TMR sticks, which use a magnetic, contactless design to eliminate stick drift while offering smoother control. The controller also features Hall Effect triggers with dual-mode switching, allowing users to choose between precise analog input and quick micro-switch response.
Weighing just 180g, the controller is built for long gaming sessions. It includes nine programmable buttons, macro support with up to 32-step recording, and customizable RGB lighting. To maintain low latency, GameSir has removed the battery and rumble motors, making it a wired-only device with a detachable USB-C cable.
Tarantula Pro Targets Xbox Gamers
The Tarantula Pro is designed specifically for Xbox users and comes with a 1kHz polling rate and first-generation TMR sticks. While it is slightly heavier at 235g, it still offers a six-axis gyroscope, dual triggers, and nine programmable macro buttons. Priced the same at $69.99, it provides a more console-focused experience.
Key Differences and Positioning
The biggest difference lies in performance. The Tarantula 8K clearly leads with faster response times, newer joystick technology, and a lighter build, making it ideal for competitive PC gaming. Meanwhile, the Tarantula Pro focuses on Xbox compatibility while retaining essential customization features.
GameSir Tarantula 8K PC vs Tarantula Pro:
Feature
GameSir Tarantula 8K PC Wired Controller
GameSir Tarantula Pro Multiplatform Controller
Difference
Platform
PC only
PC, Switch, iOS, Android, Steam
Pro supports multiple platforms
Connectivity
Wired only (USB-C)
Wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle
Pro is more versatile
Polling Rate
8000Hz
1000Hz
8K is significantly faster
Latency
As low as 0.5ms
Higher (not specified)
8K has ultra-low latency
Joystick Tech
Gen-2 TMR sticks
Gen-1 TMR sticks
8K has newer, smoother tech
Triggers
Hall Effect + Micro switch (dual-mode)
Hall Effect or Micro switch
8K offers hybrid switching
Gyroscope
Yes (6-axis)
Yes (6-axis)
Same
Rumble Motors
No
Yes (HD Rumble)
Pro offers immersive feedback
Buttons
9 programmable
9 programmable
Same
Back Buttons
2 + extra front buttons
2 back buttons
8K has more control options
Macro Support
Yes (32-step macros)
Yes
Similar, but 8K more detailed
Battery
No (wired only)
1200mAh battery
Pro is wireless capable
Weight
180g
~235g
8K is lighter
RGB Lighting
Yes
Yes
Same
Audio Jack
Yes (3.5mm)
Not specified
8K advantage
Build Focus
Esports / competitive
Casual + multi-platform
Different target users
Price
$69.99
$69.99
Same pricing
Disclaimer: Specs are based on available data. Actual performance may vary. Verify details from official sources.
A new set of renders, said to show the upcoming Xiaomi 18 Pro, has surfaced on the web, although the phone is months away from launch.
From the renders, the Xiaomi 18 Pro retains the wide camera plateau on the back with a triple-camera setup along with a secondary rear display. To note, the render currently shows the interior of the phone, and not a finished look.
The more notable addition this generation could be a new physical AI button on the side of the device. According to the leak, this button is designed for quick access to AI-powered features, with support for one-press activation in different contexts. It’s also expected to integrate with Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem, including smart home controls and even compatible electric vehicles.
That ecosystem angle is not new for Xiaomi, but a dedicated hardware shortcut could make those connections more immediate. The report suggests the button will be customizable, allowing users to assign different AI-driven actions depending on their needs.
The rear display is here to stay
These renders are still early, and there’s no guarantee the final product will look exactly like this. That said, they line up with previous reports that Xiaomi plans to keep investing in the rear display concept.
Lu Weibing, president of Xiaomi Group, has previously said the company wants to evolve the rear screen from a decorative element into something more functional.
On the current model, the rear display already supports features like translation during conversations, a teleprompter mode for video, and even simple interactive widgets. The expectation is that the Xiaomi 18 Pro will possibly turn the rear screen into a more independent interface rather than just an extension of the main display.
On the front, the phone is rumored to feature a relatively compact flat display with a 1.5K resolution. Internally, the Xiaomi 18 Pro is expected to debut with Qualcomm’s next-generation flagship chip, likely the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, built on a 2-nanometer process by TSMC.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
It looks like Nubia is getting ready for another refresh in its gaming phone lineup. The RedMagic 11s Pro has now appeared in a certification listing, which usually means things are moving toward a launch.
The listing comes from Thailand’s NBTC and confirms the name along with the model number NX809J. There’s no mention of specs there, which isn’t unusual, but it’s enough to confirm the device is on the way.
What’s slightly confusing is the model number. NX809J has been linked before to the RedMagic 11 Pro. And if you remember, when the 11 Pro launched globally, it already borrowed quite a bit from that Pro+ version. So now there’s a bit of overlap again.
That makes it harder to tell what exactly the 11s Pro is supposed to be. It could just be a reworked version for global markets, or there might be some small upgrades. RedMagic has done both in the past.
There’s no official word on specs yet, but people are already guessing. One thing that keeps coming up is the battery. The Chinese 11 Pro has an 8,000mAh unit, while the global version dropped slightly to 7,500mAh in favor of faster charging. There’s a chance the 11s Pro swings things back.
Beyond that, it will probably stick to the same idea. A flagship Snapdragon chip, active cooling with a built-in fan, high refresh rate display, shoulder triggers, all the usual gaming-focused hardware. That’s kind of RedMagic’s identity at this point.
The current 11 Pro is already pretty strong on raw performance, so this refresh might just be about small refinements rather than anything major.
No launch date yet, but with certification out of the way, it likely won’t be too long before more details start showing up.
Oppo is not done with the Find X9 series yet, but rumors about its successor are already making headlines. The Find X10 lineup is expected to include three models so far: the Find X10, Find X10 Pro, and Find X10 Pro Max.
A new leak from Digital Chat Station on Weibo now claims that the vanilla model will feature a 6.59-inch display. It’s said to be a 1.5K flat OLED panel.
A previous report suggested that the Find X10 series could debut with a dual 200MP camera setup. The new leak backs that up, adding that even the base model may include dual 200MP rear cameras.
Among them, one is expected to serve as the main sensor, while the other could be a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, both reportedly using large 1/1.3-inch sensors.
The leak also sheds light on the battery. The Oppo Find X10 is now tipped to pack an 8,000mAh cell, nearly 1,000mAh larger than its predecessor. For comparison, the Find X9 features a 7,025mAh battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging support.
What else can you expect?
Beyond that, the standard Find X10 is said to be in testing with the Dimensity 9500 Plus, which is reportedly built on a 3nm process. Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max models are expected to step up to a more advanced 2nm Dimensity 9600-series chipset.
Moreover, a previous report reveals that upgrading the line to LPDDR6 RAM and UFS 5.0 storage could be challenging. That’s because the combination is said to be “comparable in price to a chip.” By comparison, the Find X9 series uses LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage.
Last October, Oppo unveiled the Find X9 lineup, and the company may follow a similar timeline this year by introducing the Find X10 series in October.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
At MWC 2026, HONOR unveiled the HONOR 600 Series, bringing a major leap in on-device AI creativity. Building on the success of the HONOR 400 Series—which saw users generate over 13.4 million seconds of AI video—the new lineup introduces industry-exclusive AI Image to Video 2.0, powered by what HONOR calls the world’s first unified multi-modal video generation model running directly on a smartphone.
Honor has confirmed that the Honor 600 series will be launched in Malaysia on April 22, 2026, which is positioned as a flagship series, with a focus on next-generation AI imaging technology.
Unlike traditional AI video tools that require switching between separate apps for generation, understanding, and editing, HONOR’s new model merges all three into a single workflow. The on-device architecture, built on a multi-modal visual-language framework, can handle image, video, and text inputs simultaneously. Users can prompt, generate, and edit videos through simple conversational dialogue, thanks to deep semantic understanding.
A key technical breakthrough is visual consistency. HONOR claims the model uses multi-angle subject construction and free composition techniques to ensure generated videos remain structurally coherent even with complex camera movements or scene transitions.
Gizmochina Review tested the simplest sample of generating a video from a single image on the HONOR 600 Pro. The results were truly impressive—it even managed to match the cat’s meows and reproduce realistic changes in depth of field. You can see the natural blurring of the out-of-focus areas as one of the kittens walks toward us.
Four Key Upgrades in AI Image to Video 2.0
Image + Instruction to Video: Upload one or multiple reference photos and add text commands to dictate specific on-screen actions. This gives users precise directorial control.
First-and-Last Frame + Instruction to Video: Input two distinct images as opening and closing frames, and the AI generates a smooth transitional video. Duration can be flexibly set between 3 to 8 seconds, breaking free from fixed-length limitations.
Rich Preset Templates, Effects & Camera Movements: Access to an extensive library including artistic stylizations, multi-frame transitions, and cinematic techniques like Hitchcock zoom, bullet time, and world-transformation effects.
AI Button One-Tap Access: The HONOR 600 Series introduces a dedicated AI Button. A single press instantly initiates image-to-video generation from the local gallery or across social platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and X.
The AI Image-to-Video feature will be delivered via an OTA update. Free trial eligibility varies by region, and paid access may apply afterward. For now, HONOR is positioning the 600 Series as the most frictionless AI video-creation tool in the smartphone market.
Huawei is bringing back one of its more unusual ideas. The company has confirmed that its next wearable, the Huawei Watch Buds 2, will be officially unveiled on April 20 at its Pura series launch event.
As the name implies, this is the second iteration of the product. The original Watch Buds launched in late 2022, combining a smartwatch with a pair of tiny wireless earbuds hidden inside the watch case. Now three years later, Huawei is giving it another shot.
The core idea hasn’t changed. The Watch Buds 2 still follows a “2-in-1” design, where the watch opens up to reveal a pair of earbuds tucked inside. A small push-button will likely release the top frame to access the buds.
Huawei Watch Buds 2 still have those legless earbuds
We can see the watch in a brown leather strap with visible stitching and a metallic frame all around. The buds retain the octagonal, cylindrical, or bullet-shaped design from the predecessor. These compact, legless earbuds are designed to be interchangeable, meaning there is no specific left or right side.
The previous model also used a highly integrated internal design to make everything fit. The earbuds were extremely small and support AI noise cancellation for calls. The watch itself also doubled as a fitness tracker, offering more than 80 sports modes and up to 30 hours of battery life. We expect the successor to build on these features.
Pricing and full specifications for the Watch Buds 2 are still unknown. The original launched at 2,988 yuan, so it’ll be interesting to see whether Huawei keeps it in the same range or pushes it further into premium territory.
We will know the full details on April 20. Stay Tuned.
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OnePlus is gearing up to launch a new high-speed charging accessory in China. An official product page has gone live for the OnePlus 120W SuperVOOC Power Bank, and if it looks familiar, that’s because it is.
The device appears to be a straight rebrand of Oppo’s recently announced 120W SuperVOOC power bank.
Oppo has already opened pre-orders for its version. The power bank comes with a 15,000mAh battery and supports up to 120W output, allowing compatible Oppo and OnePlus phones to charge at their maximum supported speeds.
OnePlus hasn’t officially listed the full specifications of its version yet, but given the direct rebranding, the core hardware is unlikely to change. The main difference, at least for now, seems to be cosmetic. OnePlus is introducing the product in an “Accelerated Red” finish, whereas Oppo offers it in Star Orange and Space Black.
Oppo’s 120W SuperVOOC power bank with 15,000mAh capacity
What can you expect?
What makes this power bank slightly more interesting isn’t just the charging speed, but also the timing. Oppo says its model complies with China’s upcoming power bank safety regulations, which are set to become mandatory in April 2027. These rules are designed to address concerns around overheating, battery degradation, and potential safety hazards in high-capacity portable chargers.
To meet these requirements, the power bank has reportedly undergone a range of durability and safety tests. These include puncture resistance, compression testing, high-temperature endurance, and long-term aging simulations.
The device is also expected to include Oppo’s “Ice Shield” battery technology. This system focuses on improving safety while also giving users more visibility into battery health.
Users may also be able to check the power bank’s condition over time. There’s also mention of traceability features, so manufacturing details can be accessed if needed.
Alongside the power bank, Oppo has introduced a compact dual-port 120W GaN charger. Interestingly, there is also a OnePlus version of this GaN charger.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Smalth has announced the Titanium Lava, a new smart ring that brings a different perspective to wearable technology. It combines design-focused aesthetics with everyday health tracking features.
Smalth Titanium Lava: Uniquely built
Smalth Titanium Lava
The Smalth Titanium Lava is shaped by a lava-inspired exterior, giving each unit a distinct surface pattern. Unlike conventional wearables that follow uniform designs, this approach ensures that no two rings are identical, adding a sense of individuality to the device.
The textured finish is combined with a titanium alloy frame and a soft PVC inner layer, offering a balance between durability and comfort. The structure is designed to remain lightweight while resisting wear over time, making it suitable for extended daily use. This combination also ensures that the ring feels comfortable on the skin, whether worn during workouts, sleep, or regular activities.
Smalth Titanium Lava’s key features
The Titanium Lava focuses on essential health tracking features that operate seamlessly in the background. It supports heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, activity tracking, and automatic recording of wellness data, allowing users to stay informed about their daily health patterns without constant interaction.
The ring also supports offline data storage with smooth syncing, ensuring that information is captured even when not connected. Smalth is offering the Titanium Lava at an introductory price of $88, down from its regular pricing, along with a complimentary charging case for a limited time.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Motorola is reportedly preparing to launch the Razr 70 series in China. Recently, the standard model was approved by the country’s TENAA certification, revealing all its specs ahead of launch. The same certification body has now approved the Razr 70 Ultra, listing its core specifications. Here’s a look at the details of the Ultra variant.
Motorola Razr 70 Ultra TENAA listing
Motorola Razr 70 Ultra’s leaked renders
The Motorola Razr 70 Ultra, which carries the model number XT2655-4, has appeared on TENAA with a 6.9-inch foldable OLED display offering a resolution of 1224 × 2992 pixels. On the outside, it features a 4-inch OLED cover screen with a resolution of 1080 × 1272 pixels.
Although the chipset is only listed with a clock speed of 3.53–4.32GHz, it appears to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite. The TENAA listing reveals 8GB, 10GB, 12GB, and 16GB RAM variants, along with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options for the Chinese market.
The Razr 70 Ultra packs a dual-cell battery rated at 1125mAh + 3415mAh, with a total rated capacity of 4,540mAh. This suggests that its typical capacity could be around 4,700mAh, similar to the previous generation. It is likely to support 68W fast charging, as indicated by a recently spotted 3C certification listing.
Moving to the cameras, the TENAA listing reveals a 50-megapixel front camera and a dual 50-megapixel rear camera setup. For security, it will feature a side-facing fingerprint sensor. The device measures 171 x 73.9 x 7.2mm and weighs around 199 grams.
The dimensions of the Razr 70 Ultra’s Chinese edition are almost identical to the previous generation. However, recent reports suggest that the global version may measure around 7.8mm in thickness and could pack a larger 5,000mAh battery. It is advisable to wait for further reports to confirm whether there will be any differences in specifications between the global and Chinese editions of the Razr 70 Ultra.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Motorola has officially confirmed that the Edge 70 Pro will be unveiled on April 22 in India. Ahead of the launch, its landing page has appeared on Flipkart, revealing several key details about its specifications. Here’s a look at what the Edge 70 Pro offers.
Motorola Edge 70 Pro specifications revealed
Motorola Edge 70 Pro launch date
As per the Flipkart page, the Motorola Edge 70 Pro features a 6.8-inch AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution, up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 5200 nits. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass 7i. The phone also comes with MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability and an IP68/69 rating for dust and water resistance.
Under the hood, the Edge 70 Pro is powered by the Dimensity 8500 Extreme chip, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM. It packs a massive 6,500mAh battery with 90W charging support and comes preloaded with Hello UX based on Android 16. For heat dissipation, the device features a 4600mm² vapor chamber cooling unit.
Motorola Edge 70 Pro key features
The Motorola Edge 70 Pro is confirmed to receive three years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. For audiophiles, it will arrive with Dolby Atmos-tuned dual speakers. While it is confirmed to feature a Sony LYT-710 50-megapixel primary camera, details about the rest of the cameras have yet to be revealed.
Motorola Edge 70 Pro color options
The Edge 70 Pro will be available in three Pantone shades: Lily White with a marble finish, Tea (green) with a satin luxe finish, and Titan (blue) with a tailored fabric finish. At present, there is no information about the device’s price, but considering that the Edge 70 was priced at Rs 29,999 at launch, it is likely that the upcoming Pro model could be priced under Rs 40,000.
Motorola is also reportedly planning to launch a device named the Edge 70 Pro+. There is no clarity yet on how the Pro+ variant will differ from the standard Pro model.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Adata has launched the Urban Tapsafe, a portable SSD designed with style, performance, and security in mind. This is the first product in Adata’s new Urban Series, which focuses on lightweight, minimalist designs paired with advanced functionality.
Adata Urban Tapsafe Specifications
The Urban Tapsafe uses a USB 3.2 Gen2 x2 interface, delivering sequential read and write speeds of up to 1900MB/s. Adata offers the device in two storage capacities, 1TB and 2TB, which are ideal for tasks like 4K video editing, large software development projects, or expanding storage for gaming consoles.
The SSD features NFC-supported security via a dedicated mobile app, allowing users to unlock the device by tapping their smartphone. The app supports multi-user access control for up to nine users, with customizable permissions such as read-only or writable. It also ensures data security by automatically locking when disconnected.
The Urban Tapsafe introduces a clip-on mounting system that attaches directly to camera rigs or smartphone cages. This removes the need for extra mounting adapters and makes it easier for creators to use the drive on the go. Adata includes swappable magnetic covers with the Urban Tapsafe. These covers allow users to customize the SSD’s look or organize their work by project.
The Urban Tapsafe offers compatibility with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. The drive also works with modern gaming consoles, providing off-console storage for additional games.
The device features a sleek, portable design measuring 68.68 x 36.18 x 19.18 mm and weighing 72.61g. The SSD is available in black and includes a five-year limited warranty.
Xiaomi has officially launched the Redmi G24Q monitor in the Chinese market. It is priced at 749 yuan ($110) and is available on JD.com.
Redmi G24Q Specifications
The Redmi G24Q features a Fast IPS display with a 2560 x 1440 resolution. It offers a 178-degree wide viewing angle for consistent colors from any perspective and a narrow three-sided bezel design, ideal for multi-monitor setups.
The monitor includes a 180Hz refresh rate and a 1ms GTG response time to reduce motion blur and ghosting. It also features AMD FreeSync technology to prevent screen tearing and stuttering, while Dynamic OD tuning enhances clarity during fast movements.
Xiaomi has added several gaming-focused features to the G24Q, including custom crosshair overlays for improved aiming, a dark scene enhancement mode to brighten shadows without overexposing brighter areas, and a night vision mode to enhance visibility in low-light gameplay.
The Redmi G24Q is VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified, with up to 400 nits peak brightness. It covers 94% of the DCI-P3 and 100% of the sRGB color gamuts for accurate colors, uses 8-bit + FRC technology for smooth color transitions, and offers a Delta E value of less than 2, making it ideal for creative work.
The monitor enhances eye comfort with TÜV Rheinland-certified low blue light technology and Xiaomi’s QingShan eye protection system, which reduces harmful blue light without a yellow tint. Additionally, it features DC dimming to eliminate flicker, minimizing eye strain during extended use.
For connectivity, the G24Q includes two HDMI 2.0 ports and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports. The stand supports height adjustment, tilting, and rotation, and the monitor is compatible with VESA 75 x 75 mm wall mounts.
In related news, Xiaomi has recently introduced the Redmi G Pro 32U 2026 monitor featuring 4K resolution, a 160Hz refresh rate, Mini LED technology, and HyperOS 3. The company has also unveiled the Redmi G27U 2026 monitor, which offers a dual-mode display with 4K at 160Hz and 1080p at 320Hz.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
OPPO has scheduled a major launch event for April 21, where it will introduce the Find X9 Ultra and Find X9s Pro in China. At the same time, the company is preparing global markets for the Find X9 Ultra and the Find X9s, with the Ultra model confirmed to debut internationally as well.
The Find X9s is expected to launch globally on the same day as the Ultra. While OPPO has not officially confirmed the exact date for the global rollout, the event microsite and earlier announcements point to April 21. The company had already confirmed the India launch of the Find X9s back in February during a MediaTek event, where it revealed that the phone will be powered by the Dimensity 9500s chipset.
This also indicates a split strategy. The Find X9s Pro, which is expected to feature dual 200MP cameras, may remain limited to China. Global markets are likely to get the Find X9s instead, which comes with a different camera setup.
OPPO has shared a teaser showing the Find X9s in orange, light purple, and dark grey or black. The phone carries a square camera module similar to other models in the series, but without the extended camera design seen on the Pro variant.
On the front, the Find X9s is expected to use a flat display with 1.15mm bezels. Both the Find X9s and the Pro model are likely using LIPO packaging, which helps reduce bezel thickness and gives the screen a more edge-to-edge look.
The phone is confirmed to pack a 7,025mAh battery. This should comfortably last over a day with regular use. It is also expected to feature a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, and there are chances of a telephoto lens being included. Pricing and full specifications will be announced at the launch.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
A Galaxy S26 Ultra owner has run into a camera issue just days after buying the phone, and what followed sounds more confusing than it should be.
The problem showed up in a post on Samsung’s community forum. According to the user, the camera system doesn’t seem to work properly. Opening the camera app triggers a warning about some features not working, and when trying to switch lenses, it simply says the “lens cannot be used”. For a phone at this price, that’s obviously not a great start.
Naturally, the user took it to a service center. Twice. Both times, the response was the same. Diagnostics didn’t show any hardware fault, and the phone was said to be working as intended.
That might have been the end of it, but the user also shared logs through the Samsung Members app. And this is where things start to feel a bit off.
A moderator on the platform, said to be from the camera team, reviewed those logs and suggested something completely different. According to that response, the ultrawide module could actually be faulty and might need replacing. The advice was to head back to a service center. So now there are two answers. One says everything is fine, the other points to a hardware problem.
It’s not clear what’s causing the mismatch. Maybe the issue doesn’t show up during regular diagnostics. Maybe the logs are picking up something more specific. Hard to say from the outside.
Either way, it puts the user in a difficult spot. Going back to the same service center with a different diagnosis doesn’t always lead anywhere, especially if the earlier checks didn’t find anything.
There’s no official comment from Samsung on this particular case yet. It could just be one isolated incident, but it does raise questions about how consistent the support process is across different channels.
For now, it’s one of those cases where the issue itself is frustrating, but the lack of a clear answer makes it more so.
OnePlus OxygenOS has begun rolling out a new system update, version B60P01, as part of its regular upgrade cycle. The update is being released in batches and introduces minor interface improvements along with overall system stability enhancements.
The update carries version numbers B60P01 (BRB1EX01) for smartphones and B60P01 (BRB3EX01) for tablets. It focuses on refining everyday usability rather than adding major new features.
One of the key changes is in the Photos app. The speed control button for videos has been repositioned, allowing users to access it directly while playback is ongoing. This change aims to improve ease of use when adjusting playback speed.
Alongside this, the update brings general system stability improvements. These changes are designed to reduce bugs and improve performance across supported devices.
The rollout started on April 8, 2026, and is expected to reach all eligible devices by around April 30, 2026. Like previous updates, it is being pushed out in stages, meaning not all users will receive it at the same time. The update is available across a wide range of devices running different versions of OxygenOS:
OxygenOS 16
OnePlus Open
OnePlus 15 series
OnePlus 13 / OnePlus 13R
OnePlus 12 series
OnePlus 11 series
OnePlus 10 Pro
OnePlus Nord 5
OnePlus Nord CE5
OnePlus Nord 4
OnePlus Nord CE4 series
OnePlus Nord 3
OnePlus Pad 3 / OnePlus Pad 2 / OnePlus Pad
OnePlus Pad Go 2
OxygenOS 15 & 16
OnePlus Nord 3
OxygenOS 15
OnePlus 10R/OnePlus 10T
OnePlus Nord CE3 series
OxygenOS 14
OnePlus 9 Series
OnePlus 8T
OnePlus Nord 2T 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
OnePlus Pad Go
OxygenOS 13.1.0
OnePlus 8 / OnePlus 8 Pro
OxygenOS 13.0.0
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
As with all incremental updates, availability depends on device model, region, and hardware compatibility. Some features may vary between devices.
Users can check for the update manually. Once downloaded, the installation prompt will appear, and the device will restart automatically after confirmation.
XElectron has launched the Luminex Smart Projector in India, offering a convenient home cinema experience. It is priced at ₹14,990 ($160) and available on Amazon India, Flipkart, and the official XElectron website.
XElectron Luminex Smart Projector Specs
The Luminex Smart Projector features a 180° rotatable design for flexible projection on walls or ceilings. It supports screen sizes up to 250 inches, offers Native Full HD (1080p) resolution, and 4K decoding for sharp and vibrant visuals.
The projector operates on Android 12-based Whale OS, offering direct access to pre-installed streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Zee5, SonyLIV, and Jio Hotstar, removing the need for external devices.
XElectron has equipped the Luminex with Auto Focus, Auto Keystone Correction, and Auto Screen Alignment for quick setup and precise adjustments. The projector also offers 16,000 lumens brightness (1200 ANSI) and a 10,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio, making it suitable for both dark and moderately lit rooms.
For connectivity, the projector offers dual-band Wi-Fi for screen mirroring via AirPlay and Miracast, Bluetooth 5.2 for audio streaming, and multiple ports, including HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack, supporting devices like laptops, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes.
The projector features 10W built-in stereo speakers for decent audio and supports external Bluetooth or wired audio devices. Its 60W LED light source offers a lifespan of up to 50,000 hours for long-term reliability.
In related news, boAt has recently introduced the CineHead M1 projector in India with Full HD resolution, 200 ANSI lumens brightness, and dual 3W speakers, while Portronics has unveiled the Beem 570 projector featuring a 50,000-hour lamp life, 10,000 lumens brightness, and auto keystone correction.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Sony Electronics Inc. has expanded its INZONE lineup with the new INZONE M10S II esports monitor. The 27-inch QHD OLED display focuses on high refresh rates and consistent image clarity for competitive FPS gameplay.
The monitor delivers a 540Hz refresh rate at 1440p, along with a 0.02ms response time. It also includes a Dual Mode setting that switches to HD resolution with up to a 720Hz refresh rate. This allows users to choose between higher resolution or faster performance depending on the game.
Sony has reworked Motion Blur Reduction to avoid the usual drop in brightness. Instead of dimming the display, the monitor boosts brightness during active frames. This keeps motion sharp while maintaining visibility. A Super Anti-glare Film further reduces reflections and helps maintain a clear view in different lighting conditions.
The stand has been updated with input from Fnatic. It offers a tilt range from -5° to 35° and uses a compact, centered design that leaves more desk space for peripherals. The panel is just 4mm thin, allowing for flexible setups, including placing angled keyboards closer to the screen.
A tournament mode is also included. Users can switch from the full 27-inch display to a 24.5-inch view at 1332p or 1080p, matching the screen sizes commonly used in esports events. The monitor features two preset modes for gameplay. FPS Pro mode replicates the look of standard LCD esports monitors, while FPS Pro+ mode uses OLED to deliver higher contrast and improved detail.
To support long-term performance, the monitor includes custom heat sinks and OLED protection features. It is backed by a three-year warranty.
Pricing & availability
The INZONE M10S II will be available later this year through Sony’s website. It is priced at $1,099.99 in the US and $1,499.99 in Canada.
Samsung doesn’t seem done experimenting with tri-fold phones just yet. A new patent suggests the company could be working on a different take, something that looks a bit more usable day to day.
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold
The concept, referred to as the Galaxy Z TriFold Wide, leans toward a wider form factor. Closed, it would behave more like a regular phone, just slightly wider than usual. Unfold it, and it turns into a larger, tablet-like screen that’s better suited for video and multitasking compared to the first-generation TriFold. That alone makes it feel like a response to one of the bigger complaints around early multi-fold devices, the awkward aspect ratio.
Samsung’s first tri-fold launched at a very high price, somewhere around $2,899, and didn’t stick around for long due to production challenges. Even so, demand didn’t exactly disappear. Limited restocks reportedly sold out quickly, and resale prices went much higher, which says something about the level of interest. So while the first version may not have been practical to produce at scale, it clearly got people’s attention.
The wider approach also lines up with other rumors around Samsung’s foldables. There’s been talk of a Galaxy Z Fold 8 moving in a similar direction, with a more balanced display. If that happens, a wider tri-fold doesn’t feel like a stretch.
Of course, this is still just a patent, and those don’t always turn into real products. But it does give a sense of where Samsung’s thinking is right now.
At the same time, competition in this space is starting to pick up. Huawei has been experimenting with wider-style foldable form factors for a while, and Apple is expected to enter the category by the end of this year.
For Samsung, the challenge is probably less about building something new and more about making it usable and scalable. The idea of a tri-fold phone is already there. The next step is making it feel less experimental and more like something people would actually carry every day. That’s where something like a “Wide” version could make a difference, if it ever makes it past the concept stage.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a performance-friendly mid-range chipset, which is already powering a flurry of devices from top smartphone brands. It was announced in mid-2025, and three months later, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 with a similar spec sheet. However, there are still several key differences that set them apart.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll review the benchmark data and key differences to determine which Snapdragon chip delivers higher performance and, more importantly, better overall value.
Here’s the spec sheet to begin with:
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
Announced
May 2025
August 2025
Process node
4nm (TSMC)
4nm (TSMC)
CPU
1 x 2.8 GHz (Cortex-A720) 4 x 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A720) 3 x 1.84 GHz (Cortex-A520)
1 x 2.7 GHz (Cortex-A720) 3 x 2.4 GHz (Cortex-A720) 4 x 1.8 GHz (Cortex-A520)
GPU
Adreno 722 Snapdragon Elite Gaming features
Adreno 810 Snapdragon Elite Gaming features
NPU
Qualcomm Hexagon NPU
Qualcomm Hexagon NPU
Memory
LPDDR5x, up to 4.2GHz
LPDDR5, up to 3.2GHz
Storage
UFS 4.0
UFS 3.1
Camera
Qualcomm Spectra ISP (Triple AI-ISPs, 12-bit) up to 200MP single camera up to 64MP single camera with zero shutter lag up to 32+21MP dual cameras with zero shutter lag up to 21MP triple cameras with zero shutter lag up to 4K/60fps video recording
Qualcomm Spectra ISP (Triple ISPs, 12-bit) up to 200MP single camera up to 64MP single camera with zero shutter lag up to 32+21MP dual cameras with zero shutter lag up to 21MP triple cameras with zero shutter lag up to 4K/30fps video recording
Connectivity
Snapdragon 5G modem download speed: 4.2 Gbps (peak speed) Wi-Fi 7 (peak speed: 5.8 Gbps) Bluetooth 6.0, LE
Snapdragon 5G modem download speed: up to 2.9 Gbps Wi-Fi 6E (peak speed: 2.9 Gbps) Bluetooth 5.4, LE
Quick verdict:
Choose the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 if you prioritize performance, gaming, advanced AI, and modern connectivity. Choose Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 if you’re a value-conscious buyer who prioritizes battery life and daily reliability over high-end performance.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 vs 7s Gen 4: Benchmark score
[Note: To obtain benchmark results, the tests were performed using the Vivo T4 Pro (powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 4) and POCO M8 Pro (powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4).]
Geekbench score
On Geekbench v10, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 pulls just ahead in single-core performance. However, the gap widens in multi-core performance, with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 posting a 10% higher score. So, demanding apps that require multiple cores to work together would perform better on a device powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 than on one powered by Snapdragon 7s Gen 4.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
Single core
1,252
1,231
Multi core
3,620
3,257
AnTuTu score
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 has achieved over 1 million AnTuTu points, while the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 gets 838K points. That’s a 20% solid uplift for the 7 Gen 4, but the overall score doesn’t offer much clarity. So, we look at the breakdown of the AnTuTu score.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
AnTuTu score
1,010,864
838,402
CPU
309,273
276,892
GPU
323,797
211,590
Memory
182,776
162,373
UX
195,019
187,547
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 outperforms the 7s Gen 4 in all aspects. The CPU score is up by 11%; the GPU score is up by 53%, and the memory score is up by 12%. The 7 Gen 4 also pulls ahead in the UX score, even though the difference is small.
Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 looks promising, but we must also review other key aspects, such as camera capabilities and connectivity features, to pick the right one. (more on that below)
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 vs 7s Gen 4: Key differences that matter
Performance
CPU
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 prioritizes raw power by using five performance cores (1 prime + 4 performance), whereas the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 uses a traditional four-performance core setup (1 prime + 3 performance), leaning more on its efficiency cores for battery savings.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 also benefits from a higher peak clock speed of 2.8 GHz compared to the 2.7 GHz on the 7s Gen 4, offering additional performance advantage to the standard 7 Gen 4 SoC.
GPU
For graphics rendering, the 7 Gen 4 relies on the Adreno 722 GPU, which may seem weaker than the Adreno 810 GPU on the 7s Gen 4 at first sight, but it’s actually more powerful. It has a higher frequency, shading units, and FLOPS, resulting in consistent frame rates and reliable gaming performance. The 7 Gen 4 also features advanced Snapdragon Elite Gaming features to deliver smoother gaming with reduced stutter.
AI & NPU
Coming to the AI part, both Snapdragon chips have Hexagon NPUs, but the one on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is significantly more powerful than the NPU on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4. Qualcomm claims a 65% higher AI performance than the 7 Gen 3, but the 7s Gen 3 is only described generically as an updated Hexagon NPU with “better AI performance” than the 7s Gen 3.
The 7 Gen 4 supports on-device generative AI assistants and large language models (LLMs) for the first time in the Snapdragon 7-series. Also, the first-in-series to run models like Stable Diffusion 1.5 locally on-device. In short, the 7 Gen 4 features a significant upgrade to generative AI, while the 7s Gen 4 hasn’t received a major NPU upgrade.
Camera
While both Snapdragon SoCs use the same 12-bit Spectra ISPs, there are still crucial differences that can significantly affect output quality. This includes the hardware-enabled Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) support on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 for the first time in the Snapdragon 7-series.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 leverages AI-powered autofocus, auto white balance, and auto exposure, now baked into the ISP hardware. The Real-time Video Super Resolution is also AI-assisted, enhancing detail while also reducing noise. In contrast, the 7s Gen 4 features modest AI features such as Snapdragon Low Light Vision and AI Remosaic.
The 7 Gen 4 also excels in video recording, supporting 4K HDR videos at 60fps, while the 7s Gen 4 supports 4K HDR recording at 30fps.
Connectivity
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 features more modern, high-end connectivity, which includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. In contrast, the 7s Gen 4 has Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4.
The 7 Gen 4 also excels in connectivity speeds, supporting up to 4.2 Gbps on a 5G connection and up to 5.8 Gbps on a Wi-Fi connection, while the 7s Gen 4 can reach just 2.9 Gbps on both cellular and Wi-Fi connections.
Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 vs 7s Gen 4: Conclusion
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a premium mid-range chipset, featuring a performance-focused CPU, a superior GPU, and robust connectivity. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 sits below it, prioritizing balanced performance and power efficiency.
If you prioritize gaming, AI features, and modern connectivity, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is the better choice. For those looking for reliable daily performance at a lower cost, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is a good fit.
Xiaomi India has launched its first Mini LED TV series in the country, called the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED Series. This launch marks Xiaomi’s entry into the premium television space, featuring advanced Mini LED technology that promises better picture quality with deeper blacks, vivid colors, and enhanced brightness.
Xiaomi TV S Mini LED Series Specifications
The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED Series is available in 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch screen sizes. These TVs feature 4K Ultra HD resolution, a 120Hz Dynamic Local Gamut (DLG) refresh rate, and HDR10+ compatibility. Xiaomi has equipped the series with Quantum Mini LED technology, which incorporates up to 512 precision dimming zones, depending on the model. The TVs deliver peak brightness levels of up to 1200 nits.
The series features AI Local Dimming and the Vivid Picture Engine 2, which optimize brightness and contrast in real time. The TVs also include adaptive light sensors that adjust screen brightness and color temperature based on room lighting for optimal viewing comfort.
The sound setup for the Xiaomi TV S Mini LED Series features 34W quad-speakers and support for Dolby Audio, DTS:X, and Xiaomi Sound.
The TVs come with Google’s PatchWall interface, offering a smooth and intuitive user experience. The software combines Google TV integration with features like personalized recommendations, a kids mode, and universal search. Xiaomi has also included Google Voice Assistant, Miracast, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast compatibility for seamless connectivity and streaming.
Xiaomi has powered the TV series with a quad-core A55 processor, a Mali-G52 GPU, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage. This hardware ensures smooth performance when navigating apps, streaming content, or gaming. Gamers also benefit from features like ALLM (auto low latency mode), MEMC, and high refresh rates for blur-free motion.
Pricing and Availability
The Xiaomi TV S Mini LED Series will be available from April 22, 2026, across Mi.com, online marketplaces, and retail stores. Xiaomi has priced the 55-inch model at ₹51,999 ($557), the 65-inch model at ₹71,999 ($772), and the 75-inch model at ₹99,999 ($1,072).
iPhone 17e and Nothing Phone (4a) sit in very different price segments, but both aim to deliver a strong everyday smartphone experience. One focuses on premium performance and a polished ecosystem, while the other offers more features and flexibility at a much lower cost. This comparison breaks down what really matters between the two and which one makes more sense for different types of users.
Please Note: When you buy something using the links in our articles, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
Major Features:
Feature
iPhone 17e
Nothing Phone (4a)
Winner
Design & Build
Glass + aluminum, premium finish, IP68
Glass + plastic, unique glyph design, IP64
iPhone 17e – More premium and durable
Display
6.1″ OLED, HDR10, standard refresh rate
6.78″ AMOLED, 120Hz, higher brightness
Nothing 4a – Smoother and brighter
Chipset
Apple A19 (3nm)
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
iPhone 17e – Flagship-level power
Performance
Top-tier, long-term stability
Good mid-range performance
iPhone 17e – Faster and more efficient
RAM & Storage
8GB + NVMe storage
Up to 12GB + UFS 3.1
Nothing 4a – More RAM flexibility
Rear Camera
48MP single, strong processing
50MP + telephoto + ultrawide
Nothing 4a – More versatile setup
Video Recording
4K Dolby Vision, excellent stability
4K, good but less refined
iPhone 17e – Better video quality
Selfie Camera
12MP with 3D depth, better video
32MP higher resolution
iPhone 17e – Better overall quality
Battery
4005mAh
5080–5400mAh
Nothing 4a – Larger battery
Charging
Slower wired + wireless
50W fast charging
Nothing 4a – Much faster charging
Software
iOS 26, long-term updates
Android 16, 3 updates
iPhone 17e – Longer support
Extra Features
Face ID, satellite features
Glyph lights, reverse charging
Tie – Different but useful extras
Price
₹65,000 (~$600)
₹32,000 (~$450)
Nothing 4a – Much better value
Disclaimer: Specs are based on available data. Actual performance may vary. Verify details from official sources before buying.
Design and Display
Build and Feel
The iPhone 17e delivers a premium in-hand feel with its aluminum frame and refined glass finish, backed by Ceramic Shield protection. It feels clean, minimal, and unmistakably flagship. The Nothing Phone (4a), on the other hand, leans into a more expressive design with its transparent aesthetic and LED glyph interface. While its plastic frame slightly reduces the premium feel, it compensates with uniqueness and personality. The iPhone feels more durable and polished, while the Nothing phone feels more experimental and fun.
Display Quality
The iPhone 17e offers a sharp OLED panel with excellent color accuracy and reliable brightness, making it ideal for consistent everyday use. However, it sticks to a standard refresh rate. The Nothing Phone (4a) clearly pushes ahead with a larger AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and significantly higher peak brightness. It feels smoother and more immersive, especially for scrolling and media consumption. The difference is immediately noticeable in fluidity and visual punch.
Verdict
The iPhone 17e wins on build quality and refinement, but the Nothing Phone (4a) takes the lead with a more advanced and smoother display experience.
Specifications Including Battery
Performance
The iPhone 17e is powered by the Apple A19 chip, delivering top-tier performance that easily outclasses most mid-range Android processors. It handles gaming, multitasking, and long-term performance stability with ease. The Nothing Phone (4a), running on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4, offers solid performance for its class, but it doesn’t match the raw power or efficiency of Apple’s silicon. For heavy users, the difference becomes quite clear over time.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is where the Nothing Phone (4a) gains a strong advantage. Its larger battery easily lasts longer under heavy use, and the faster 50W charging makes top-ups quick and convenient. The iPhone 17e provides reliable battery life with optimized efficiency, but its charging speeds feel conservative in comparison. Wireless charging support adds convenience, but overall speed still lags.
Verdict
The iPhone 17e dominates in performance, but the Nothing Phone (4a) offers better battery life and significantly faster charging, making it more practical for power users.
Camera
Main and Secondary Lenses
The iPhone 17e focuses on a single high-quality 48MP sensor, delivering consistent, natural-looking photos with excellent video capabilities. It prioritizes reliability over versatility. In contrast, the Nothing Phone (4a) offers a more flexible triple-camera setup, including a periscope telephoto lens and ultrawide sensor. This adds creative freedom with zoom and wider shots, something the iPhone lacks. While the Nothing phone provides more options, consistency still slightly favors Apple.
Selfie Camera
The iPhone 17e’s 12MP front camera stands out with advanced features like 3D depth sensing and better video recording, making it ideal for content creators and secure authentication. The Nothing Phone (4a) offers a higher-resolution 32MP sensor, producing sharper images, but lacks the same level of refinement in video and depth processing.
Verdict
The iPhone 17e wins in consistency and video quality, while the Nothing Phone (4a) stands out for versatility and zoom capabilities.
Pricing
Price Comparison
The iPhone 17e is priced at around ₹65,000 ($600), placing it firmly in the premium segment. In contrast, the Nothing Phone (4a) comes in at approximately ₹32,000 ($450), making it significantly more affordable. The price gap is substantial and immediately influences buying decisions.
Is the Price Justified?
The iPhone 17e justifies its price with flagship performance, long-term software support, and a polished ecosystem experience. It feels like a long-term investment. However, the Nothing Phone (4a) delivers exceptional value by offering features like a 120Hz display, versatile cameras, and fast charging at nearly half the price. It feels aggressively priced for what it offers, making it hard to ignore.
Verdict
The iPhone 17e is worth it for premium users, but the Nothing Phone (4a) is the clear winner in value for money.
Disclaimer: Prices are approximate and may vary based on country, region, and applicable taxes.
Conclusion
The iPhone 17e stands out with its powerful A19 chip, refined ecosystem, satellite features, and strong video capabilities. It’s built for users who prioritize performance, longevity, and seamless integration. The Nothing Phone (4a), however, brings a fresh approach with its glyph lighting system, bigger battery, faster charging, and versatile camera setup. It feels more innovative in everyday usability and visual identity.
Verdict
iPhone 17e is the better choice for those seeking flagship performance and long-term reliability. Nothing Phone (4a) is ideal for users who want maximum features, better battery life, and a standout design at a much lower price.
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on the specifications provided and is intended for general informational purposes. Actual performance, camera results, battery life, and overall experience may vary depending on real-world usage, software updates, and individual preferences.
Something a bit unusual is being talked about across the Indian tech space right now. A major smartphone brand is reportedly taking legal action against a large number of social media accounts over what it calls “negative content.”
The story started with a post on X by Yogesh Brar. He didn’t name the company directly, but the replies and follow-up chatter quickly started pointing toward Motorola.
What’s being claimed is that over 300 influencers and pages are involved. The brand apparently believes certain posts have hurt its image. It’s not very clear what kind of content triggered this, whether it’s critical reviews, complaints about service, or something else entirely.
If this turns out to be accurate, it’s not something you see often. Brands usually deal with criticism in quieter ways, through PR statements or by addressing issues directly. Legal action on this scale feels different.
There’s been a mix of reactions so far. Some people see it as a worrying move, especially if it ends up discouraging honest feedback. Others think it might be justified if there’s actual misinformation or coordinated campaigns involved. Hard to say without more details.
The timing is also interesting. The brand being linked to this has been pushing hard in India recently. In a market like this, where competition is intense, perception can matter just as much as the product itself.
At the same time, there’s no official word yet. No public filings, no statement from the company. So for now, this is still based on a leak that’s gained traction pretty quickly online.
If more concrete information shows up, this could turn into a much bigger discussion around how far brands can go in controlling their image, and where that leaves creators and users.
For now, it’s one of those stories that’s still unfolding.
“Liverpul”un keçmiş mərkəz müdafiəçisi Ceymi Karrager Madrid “Atletiko”sunun UEFA Çempionlar Liqasını qazanmasını istəyir.
Arena.az xəbər verir ki, hazırda futbol təhlilçisi olaraq çalışan ingilis mütəxəssis bu istəyini belə izah edib:
“Bu, mənim həqiqətən rəğbət bəslədiyim klubdur. Onların yollarına davam edib UEFA Çempionlar Liqasını qazanmasını görmək istərdim”, deyə Ceymi Karrager vurğulayıb.
Yeri əgəlmişkən, Madrid “Atletiko”sunun sağ cinah müdafiəçisi Markos Lyorente, onu futbol oynamağa sövq edən səbəbi açıqlayıb. İspan futbolçunun müvafiq fikrini təqdim edirik:
“UEFA Çempionlar Liqasında qalibiyyət mənim üçün vacib məqsəd olub. Məhz bu, hər səhər yuxudan oyanmağıma kömək edir”, deyə Lyorente vurğulayıb.
Xatırldaq ki, 1/4 finalda “Barselona”nı mübarizədən kənarlaşdırmış “Atletiko” UEFA Çempionlar Liqasının yarımfinalına vəsiqə qazanıb. Sözügedən komanda finala vəsiqə uğrunda İngiltərənin “Arsenal” komandası ilə üz-üzə gələcək.
The biggest crypto news this week is XRP. The XRP price just jumped to $1.36 after Rakuten added XRP as a payment method for its 44 million users across Japan per CoinDesk, the largest retail crypto integration in a regulated economy this year. Buyers are in control, and this move has staying power.
But here is the part the XRP crowd keeps missing. In every bull run since 2017, large caps delivered solid returns while presales delivered 10x to 100x. XRP went from $0.25 to $3.84 in 2017-2018, roughly 15x. During the same window, early Solana buyers at $0.22 grabbed over 1,000x. Crypto news celebrates big-cap rallies, but the life-changing gains happen one level below.
Crypto News: XRP Price Breaks Higher While History Shows Where the Real Returns Live
XRP (XRP) gained 4% to $1.36 on April 15 as Rakuten Wallet launched spot trading and payments, connecting the token to over 5 million merchants across Japan per CoinDesk. Users can now convert Rakuten Points into XRP and spend them through Rakuten Pay, plugging XRP into one of the world’s largest loyalty systems.
The crypto news keeps getting better. The CLARITY Act heads to Senate markup later this month, and Standard Chartered targets $2.60 for XRP by year’s end. When large caps run, altcoin season follows. That rotation is where presales have always printed the hardest returns, and the crypto news cycle starting now is the trigger.
Crypto News: Can Pepeto Really Beat XRP Price Gains This Cycle?
Pepeto: The Exchange Presale Built for the Bull Run XRP Cannot Match
It sounds bold, but history backs it up. XRP climbed 15x from its 2020 low to its 2021 peak. During the same stretch, PEPE went from zero to $11 billion in months. Solana went from $0.22 to $260. Shiba Inu turned $1,000 into $5 billion in headlines. The XRP price always leads, but the real multiples always live in the projects that launch during the setup phase, exactly where Pepeto sits right now.
Pepeto is not just riding the bull run. It is the exchange built to profit from it. The bridge connects Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana without a cent in fees so traders can move capital wherever the action is, instantly. The token scanner checks every contract for traps and scam code before your money gets near it.
PepetoSwap runs every trade at zero cost. Over $9.042 million raised during extreme fear proves the smartest wallets already see what is coming. SolidProof audited every contract, and a former Binance executive built the exchange alongside the cofounder, who already took PEPE to $11 billion.
At $0.0000001863 with 183% APY staking compounding daily, the math is plain. The XRP price needs to nearly double just to give you 2x from here. Pepeto needs to reach a tiny fraction of what the same builder already hit with PEPE to deliver 50x to 100x. The Binance listing is confirmed. The presale rounds are selling out faster, not slower. The wallets buying today are not guessing. They ran the numbers and they moved. Join them on the Pepeto official website before this round closes and the entry price jumps.
XRP (XRP) Price at $1.36 as Rakuten Integration Unlocks 44 Million New Users
The XRP price sits at $1.36 per CoinMarketCap, up 4% after Rakuten Wallet went live on April 15. Resistance sits at $1.45, and a break opens $1.60 if the CLARITY Act clears markup this month.
Even at the bullish $2.60 target, that is 90% from here, strong for an $84 billion asset but not the kind of return that changes a life. Every cycle proves it: large caps lead, then presales print the biggest gains.
Conclusion
The XRP price is going up. The crypto news confirms the bull run is forming. But in the fight between XRP at $1.36 and Pepeto at $0.0000001863, history picks the presale every single time.
Here is what happens next. XRP grinds out 50% to 90% over months. Pepeto holders watch their position multiply 50x or more the day Binance opens. That is the difference one presale makes. The people who skipped it will check the listing price, do the math on what they missed, and feel it for years. That moment is coming fast. The presale is filling out, and once it ends, this price is gone. Visit the Pepeto official website right now or spend the rest of this cycle wishing you had.
How does the Rakuten integration change the XRP price outlook for 2026?
Rakuten opened XRP to 44 million users and 5 million merchants across Japan on April 15, making it the largest retail crypto payment rollout this year. The CLARITY Act markup later this month could push XRP past $1.45 resistance toward $1.60.
What gives Pepeto a stronger return profile than XRP right now?
Pepeto targets 50x to 100x from its $0.0000001863 presale price to exchange listing, while XRP’s best forecast tops out near 90% from current levels. The PEPE cofounder leads the project with a SolidProof audit and a confirmed Binance listing date already locked.
Fifteen days ago, North Korean operatives drained $295 million from Drift Protocol in twelve minutes. Today, Drift published its first credible answer for affected users – and the company backing it is Tether.
In a recovery update published April 16, Drift announced a collaboration with Tether and other partners to address the $295 million in outstanding user losses. Tether is proposed to contribute up to $127.5 million. Additional partners will contribute up to $20 million. The structure includes a $100 million revenue-linked credit facility, an ecosystem grant, and loans to market makers.
The gap between what is committed and what is owed is still $147.5 million. Users are betting on Drift’s future revenue to close it.
Drift Protocol Recovery Token: How Affected Users Get Paid Back
Drift will issue a dedicated recovery token to every user impacted by the April 1 exploit. The token is separate from the DRIFT governance token and represents a claim on the recovery pool. Critically, it is transferable – meaning users who cannot wait for the pool to fill can sell their claim.
As stolen funds are recovered through law enforcement and blockchain forensics work, those assets will also be added to the pool.
Drift Drops USDC for USDT: The Real Message to Circle
When Drift relaunches, it will settle in USDT instead of USDC.
The timing is pointed. After the April 1 hack, Circle’s CEO cited a “moral quandary” when asked why the company did not freeze the $71 million in stolen USDC as it was bridged from Solana to Ethereum. ZachXBT publicly called out the inaction.
$420M+ in alleged compliance failures since 2022, including fifteen cases of the US-regulated stablecoin issuer taking minimal action against illicit funds. pic.twitter.com/OiWZz5MrVM
Now, Tether – whose own stablecoin was among the assets stolen in the hack – becomes Drift’s settlement layer and market-making backer at relaunch.
No official statement has called it a rebuke. The decision speaks for itself.
How Drift Is Rebuilding Itself
Drift is replacing its system.
Two independent audits are required before relaunch: one from Ottersec, one from Asymmetric. A new community-governed multisig will replace the existing structure, with timelocks enforced on all critical administrative actions. Durable nonces, a key vector in the April 1 attack, are being disabled for all signers. All multisig signers will operate on dedicated signing devices.
Every specific failure from April 1 is being addressed directly.
The $295 million total loss breaks down across 19 asset types. JLP alone accounted for $159 million – more than half. USDC was second at $71 million.
The insurance fund was unaffected. All insurance fund depositors’ assets remain intact and will be accessible at relaunch.
The BNB price prediction heated up after Binance rolled out prediction markets on BNB Smart Chain via Predict.fun, opening on-chain betting to 150 million users. BNB still sits near $614, down 55% from its $1,370 high, while BTC pushes past $73,000.
That gap between product launches and flat token price is where the BNB price prediction story starts this week. Capital is moving but not equally, and smart wallets are rotating into entries the crowd has not found. One is Pepeto, a presale past $9.04 million during extreme fear, with a confirmed Binance listing on the way.
BNB Price Prediction Shifts as Prediction Markets Go Live on BNB Chain
Binance activated prediction markets on BNB Smart Chain through Predict.fun, letting users bet on real-world events directly from the exchange app according to TradingKey. Binance Wallet covers all gas fees on BSC.
This launch feeds the broader BNB price prediction thesis as every bet burns gas, pushing the quarterly burn rate higher. BNB dropped 2.5% heading into the week, holding inside the $580 to $615 zone while Bitcoin rallied past $73,000.
Presale Tokens and Exchange Coins Taking Different Paths This April
Pepeto
The market bounced, but BNB lags, pushing capital toward entries with shorter distances to listing returns. Pepeto is built for buyers who need protection inside the token market. PepetoSwap runs as a zero-fee trading floor, letting holders rotate between tokens without bleeding capital to fees.
The cross-chain bridge moves coins across networks at zero cost, so capital reaches the right token without tolls eating into the position. The risk scorer checks every token before a buyer clicks confirm. Instead of reading audit reports, the buyer gets a clean rating that catches hidden mints, disguised fees, and exit scam signals before any coin leaves the wallet.
Holders who lock tokens also collect 183% APY through staking, growing value between now and listing day. Together these tools turn buying into a guarded process instead of a blind gamble, separating Pepeto from tokens that ship nothing. The presale has pulled in more than $9.04 million while most of the market watches from the sideline, proving serious capital shows up when others hide. The window to enter at this price is closing fast.
Any BNB price prediction may improve after prediction market volume ramps up, but the gap between $614 and a life-changing return is one that presale entries skip entirely. The Pepe cofounder built Pepeto on the same 420T token structure with every contract cleared by SolidProof, and analysts project the token at $0.0000001862 could deliver 100x when the Binance listing opens. That 100x only exists for the wallets already inside. After listing day, the math is gone and the returns belong to someone else.
BNB Price Prediction: Binance Coin (BNB) Price at $614 as Prediction Markets Add Burn Pressure
Binance Coin (BNB) trades at $614, down over 55% from its late-2025 high per CoinMarketCap. The prediction market adds on-chain activity, but price sits below both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
Support holds at $580 with resistance at $650 according to MEXC. Coinpedia puts the ceiling at $1,000 by Q3 if burn pressure and RWA adoption continue. Changelly forecasts $616 to $671 through April.
Even the bullish $1,000 target gives roughly 1.6x, a figure that fades against the multiplier distance from a presale entry below one millionth of a dollar. Recovery is slow, and the presale clock does not wait.
Conclusion
If watching last cycle’s winners still burns, this is the window that changes everything. BTC crossed $73,000 today while BNB stayed flat, and that exact gap is what created millionaires last cycle because the biggest returns came from entries the crowd missed.
Those early BNB holders who turned $500 into fortunes found their entries during fear, and Pepeto, built by the same Pepe cofounder with a confirmed Binance listing, is how that kind of wealth gets built again. The Pepeto official website shows more than $9.04 million raised during the worst fear readings of the year, and the entry at presale price is one listing away from being gone forever. The clock is running out.
Once the Binance listing goes live, this presale price disappears, and every wallet that waited pays 50x to 100x more for the same token. The 100x return only exists for the addresses that were entered before listing day. Wait, and you watch others collect the gains that were yours to take.
What is the BNB price prediction for 2026 compared to Pepeto?
Analysts see BNB reaching $1,000 by Q3 for roughly 1.6x, while Pepeto at presale price targets 100x once the Binance listing opens, according to the Pepeto official website. The 34th quarterly burn removed $1.28 billion in BNB, but the token still trades 55% below its peak.
How do Binance prediction markets change the BNB outlook this cycle?
The prediction market runs gasless on BNB Smart Chain, driving on-chain activity that feeds the quarterly burn rate. BNB holds support near $580 with overhead resistance at $650, but presale tokens like Pepeto carry listing distance that large caps cannot produce from their current size.
The xrp price prediction is heating up after Ripple’s SVP Markus Infanger took the stage at Paris Blockchain Week on April 15 to present the XRP Ledger as core financial infrastructure, while options volume on XRP surged 215% to $3.76 million according to Benzinga. Ripple (XRP) bounced 3.3% on Monday and holds at $1.35, but the CLARITY Act that XRP holders have waited all year for still has no confirmed markup date.
The XRP price prediction gets a lift from the push, but the breakout that turns small money into life-changing wealth has not arrived yet. A new presale flashes the same signals early Ripple buyers saw, it is going viral, large wallets keep loading it, and the confirmed Binance listing means the clock is ticking on the cheapest entry this token will ever offer.
Ripple Presents at Paris Blockchain Week as XRP Waits for the CLARITY Act
Ripple (XRP) Price at $1.35 as the Institutional Story Builds in Paris
Infanger’s talk covered XRPL’s shift from traded asset to financial backbone according to Benzinga. XRP trades at $1.35 according to CoinMarketCap, up 2.6% on the week but still 64% below its $3.65 all-time high. Seven spot ETFs hold roughly $1 billion in combined assets, and CoinShares reported $119.6 million in weekly inflows, the strongest since December.
Ripple pitching XRPL to 10,000 attendees at the Louvre without a confirmed CLARITY Act vote keeps the XRP price prediction in a holding pattern. Options volume surging 215% shows heavy bets building, but until the Senate sets a markup date, exchange presales with live tools grab the capital that stalled narratives keep bleeding.
How the XRP Price Prediction, the Pepeto Presale, and the CLARITY Act Shape April
Pepeto: Is This the Token That Delivers Returns XRP Once Did?
The gap between big-name ambition and real crypto returns keeps growing. As Ripple builds payments without unlocking the price, the strongest upside sits outside the names everyone already owns. Pepeto is where capital flows because the exchange ships real tools every week while the entry stays at presale pricing that the listing removes for good.
This presale flashes strong signals, the kind showing this could be the next breakout delivering returns XRP once gave early holders, with a live utility layer Ripple never had at this stage.
The cross-chain bridge connecting Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Solana moves liquidity in real time without costing a cent. The zero-fee engine keeps every trade whole. The AI risk scanner audits every token before a single dollar touches it. SolidProof checked every contract, and the builder who took Pepe to $11 billion runs the project with a former Binance executive on the build.
Over $9 million flowed in during fear, proving demand grows even when sentiment hits bottom. The XRP price prediction sees $1.60 as a ceiling by year-end without the CLARITY Act, barely 20% from $1.35. The gap between presale and listing delivers multiples no matter how that vote goes.
Staking at 183% APY adds to positions daily, and the wallets that bought during this fear stretch are building whether the chart turns bullish next week or next quarter. They are not waiting for a Senate vote because $9 million in conviction already gave the answer: the Binance listing is close, and every past cycle proved that presale buyers who moved while the crowd debated timing built the real wealth.
XRP Price Prediction: $1.35 With $1.45 Target as Ripple Holds Below Resistance
Ripple (XRP) trades at $1.35 according to CoinMarketCap, stuck below the $1.45 wall that has capped every push for weeks.
At a $77 billion cap, even $1.60 delivers roughly 20% over months, and the XRP price prediction needs the CLARITY Act to pass, a step that has not happened yet. Working presales with live tools create demand that a single piece of legislation cannot match.
Conclusion
The wallets that bought XRP at $0.30 before it ran to $3.65 in 2025 turned small bets into serious wealth, and the CLARITY Act just entered its make-or-break month while the market rallies around it. Pepeto with exchange tools and 183% APY sits in that exact spot right now, and the entry price will never be this low again once the Binance listing drops.
The name is spreading, each round closes faster than the last, and the listing locks in a new price permanently. The buyers who wait will spend the rest of 2026 wishing they moved today. Visit the Pepeto official website and get into the presale before this window shuts for good.
Where does the XRP price prediction stand heading into mid-2026 after Paris Blockchain Week?
The XRP price prediction tops out around $1.60 without the CLARITY Act passing, with $1.45 as the key resistance level. Pepeto’s presale offers multiples that XRP at a $77 billion cap cannot deliver.
How does Ripple’s Paris Blockchain Week push affect presale buyers?
Ripple’s push at global events builds long-term XRP demand, but returns compress at a $77 billion cap, while Pepeto at presale pricing targets 50x to 150x from a confirmed Binance listing.
Tether is partnering with Drift Protocol and other backers to help users recover funds after the April 1 exploit, which resulted in about $285 million in losses. The support package includes up to $127.5 million from Tether and an additional $20 million from partners. It also features a $100 million revenue-linked credit line, ecosystem grants, and market maker loans. A recovery pool funded by exchange revenue and support capital will aim to cover nearly $295 million in user losses and restore impacted balances.
Bitcoin peaked at $126,198. It is now at $74,631. Anthony Scaramucci bought at $15. He is still buying, and he has a specific date for when things turn around.
Scaramucci, founder and managing partner of SkyBridge Capital, has been one of Wall Street’s most visible Bitcoin advocates through the entire drawdown. In a recent SoFi interview, he laid out why the current correction has not changed his thesis, and when he expects it to end.
Bitcoin Down 40%: Is This a Buy Signal or a Bear Trap?
Scaramucci frames the current drop as entirely normal. Bitcoin peaked above $126,000 in October 2025, driven by regulatory optimism around the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act. When that legislation stalled, over-leveraged positions unwound, whales sold, and Bitcoin fell nearly 50% from its high.
“This isn’t the kind of drawdown that’s a warning sign. It’s the price of admission,” he has said.
He has been through ten bear markets in 38 years of investing and he is not selling.
When Will Bitcoin Recover? Scaramucci Has a Specific Answer
His thesis is built around Bitcoin’s four-year halving cycle. Supply halved roughly two years ago – from 900 coins per day to 450. Historically, cycles run a period of appreciation, then a 30 to 50% correction at the midpoint, then recovery.
“By the fourth quarter of this year, you’ll start to see movement in activity appreciation….consistent with how a traditional Bitcoiner would think about it,” he said. His current price target is $150,000.
Long term, he believes Bitcoin can reach the market capitalisation of gold, roughly $30 trillion, over 10 to 15 years. That would represent approximately a 20x return from current levels.
Why the Next Gen Will Drive Bitcoin to Gold’s Market Cap
His most distinctive argument is generational. Older money still flows to gold when fear hits – proven when gold surged while Bitcoin fell during geopolitical uncertainty in 2025. But Scaramucci argues people currently in their early 30s will be running asset management firms in a decade.
“They’ll see Bitcoin as a digital store of value, easier to move around than gold, lot more transferability, but sort of the same properties and…scarcity of it” he said.
That shift is structural and it does not depend on a single catalyst.
How to Buy Bitcoin in a Bear Market
Do the homework first. Start with a 1 to 2% allocation. Hold for at least four to five years.
“If 100 people do 100 hours of research, 90 to 95 of those people will end up buying Bitcoin,” he said.
The homework, he says, comes before everything else. Conviction cannot be borrowed.
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