Sam Darnold is the talk of the NFL world after the quarterback won Super Bowl LX for the Seattle Seahawks. While he didn't have a perfect game, he showed enough poise and patience to beat the New England Patriots, 29-13.
The question now becomes where Darnold lies in the pantheon of NFL quarterbacks in 2026.
Los Angeles Rams defensive back Quentin Lake, who's faced Darnold a few times in his career, told FanDuel TV's Kay Adams that the Seahawks quarterback is "steady" but doesn't inspire same fear when playing against him like Lake's own quarterback, Matthew Stafford.
"If you're talking like 'Matthew Stafford' fear? No. To be completely honest," Lake said. "He's a great quarterback. He's a world champion. He's a Super Bowl champion quarterback. You can't take that away from him. But personally, I've seen what fear is. I go against a Hall of Fame quarterback every single day. And that's a different level."
Why would Lake say this? Just look at the on-field production between Darnold and Stafford in the games that they faced off. Darnold went 2-1 against L.A., but threw for 895 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. Stafford, meanwhile, had 961 yards passing, eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Similar yards and touchdowns, but the 6:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio doesn't do Darnold any favors.
Now, Darnold proved to be a great quarterback in the playoffs. But when it comes to the fear Lake feels when facing Darnold vs. Stafford, it sounds like there's no contest.
Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave is off to a new city.
The veteran head coach who has been around the block at both the NFL and college level has spent the last two seasons with the Browns. He was named as the Browns' quarterback coach in 2025 after spending the prior year as a senior offensive analyst under former head coach Kevin Stefanski. Musgrave is now off to the Big Apple, taking the quarterbacks coach job with the New York Jets under their new offensive coordinator Frank Reich.
The #Jets are hiring veteran Bill Musgrave as QB coach, source says. Musgrave has been with the #Browns the last three seasons, serving as QB coach last year. pic.twitter.com/5QVgBhurLP
The Browns have not hired a quarterbacks coach yet as new head coach Todd Monken builds out his staff. However, there is a chance that offensive coordinator Travis Switzer or passing game coordinator Danny Breyer could take over that room as well. Monken himself has plenty of experience working with quarterbacks, so it looks to be a spearheaded effort. They have hired an assistant quarterbacks coach, however, in former NFL quarterback Matt Baker.
Monken's staff is beginning to take shape, and Stefanski's old staff is finding new jobs. Quite peculiarly, however, Musgrave did not land back in Atlanta with Stefanski as he opted to hire former Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as quarterbacks coach instead.
New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks played in Super Bowl LX (Photo by Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The 2026 Super Bowl didn’t draw in another all-time record, but it was close, with the game becoming the second most-watched Super Bowl to date.
Super Bowl LX, which saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots in a defensive-heavy game, brought in an average 124.9 million viewers across NBC and Peacock.
Last year’s game hit an all-time viewership record as it reached 127.7 million viewers for the Chiefs-Eagles game, surpassing the previous year’s record viewership of 123.7 million, which, at the time, marked the event’s biggest audience in history.
Additionally, Bad Bunny’s halftime show brought in 128.2 million viewers. For comparison, Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime show set a new record as the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance in history with 133.5 million viewers, rising 3% from the 129.3 million viewers that tuned into Usher’s halftime show the previous year.
It’s worth noting that while the 2025 game was available to stream on Fox-owned FAST channel Tubi, this year’s game didn’t include a free streaming option as NBCUniversal drove subscribers to Peacock amidst the Olympics and ahead of the NBA all-star game.
The game, itself, wasn’t too much to write home about, with the Seahawks leading the Patriots 9-0 by halftime, though things got more interesting in the fourth quarter, though not enough to usher in a victory for the Patriots. The Seahawks emerged as victorious in a 29-13 win over the Patriots.
The energy was picked up by Bad Bunny’s halftime show, which saw the musician make history as the first halftime performer to sing entirely in Spanish. Paying tribute to Puerto Rico and celebrating the Latinidad community, Bad Bunny welcomed Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga to perform alongside him. He also brought in celebrities, including the likes of Pedro Pascal, Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba and Alix Earle, to the field to participate in the festivities.
Thomas Frank insists his job is not under threat at Tottenham Hotspur, despite his side extending their winless run in the Premier League to eight matches.
It leaves Tottenham, one of six ever-present Premier League clubs in the top flight, five points above the relegation zone.
But Frank says he has been assured his position as manager is safe.
Asked by TNT Sports if his job is under threat, Frank said: "I spoke to them [owners] yesterday, so no.
"I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That's part of the job unfortunately. I will work day and night to turn this around but it is not just one person. There is no doubt we need to improve and I need to be part of that."
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about supporters booing at full-time, Frank added: "I understand the frustration. It has been building up a little bit - last season it was similar playing in Europe and the Premier League.
"We need to be resilient, mentally and physically. I am 100% sure that it is a team effort, and it is not only one person. We are all aligned and we know what needs to be done."
Having taken 10 points from 15 in their first five Premier League fixtures under Frank, Spurs have managed just 19 from their next 21 matches.
Their run of eight games without a win is their longest since going nine without victory in 2008 under Juande Ramos - who was sacked with the club bottom of the table.
"You've got to say what it is and they are in a relegation fight," Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle told TNT Sports.
"The players have to understand that and the fans have to understand that.
"It is the reality and you have to scrap for every single point."
Boos rang around Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on the final whistle, while there were pockets of empty seats at kick-off.
"A lot of fans have lost faith in what Thomas Frank is doing here," added former Spurs striker Les Ferdinand.
"It is desperate times. And desperate times call for desperate measures."
'Loss of support towards Frank'
Thomas Frank has guided Tottenham to just seven Premier League victories this season [Getty Images]
The Tottenham hierarchy now have a huge decision to make.
Thomas Frank's future at the club is uncertain. That isn't a secret, of course - it has been the case for weeks.
Large sections of the supporters want him sacked. The boos that rang round Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at full-time were testament to that prevailing feeling from a disgruntled fanbase.
Crucially, there has been a loss of support towards the Dane internally.
So, the fact Frank's disastrous first season in charge lurched to deeper depths following this defeat by Newcastle may have significant consequences.
If Nottingham Forest, who occupy 17th, beat Wolves on Wednesday night they will go level on points with Tottenham.
Frank is understandably hesitant to admit his side are in relegation fight - but the numbers don't lie.
That said, it may not be Frank's problem for much longer - Tottenham's latest loss will push the beleaguered manager closer to what appears an inevitable exit.
Indeed, such has been the level of contemplation regarding Frank's immediate future at Tottenham in recent weeks that this loss will almost certainly trigger further soul-searching from the club's leadership group.
The fact the Spurs board have stuck by Frank during such a difficult period proves they want the appointment to work.
The easier decision would have been to show Frank the door by now.
However, the Tottenham hierarchy believe Frank has been dealt a rough hand.
There's an acknowledgment that the season has been disrupted by multiple injuries to key players.
There is also recognition that the squad needs repair work - particularly considering the departures of their two main sources of goals in Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.
There is also a sense behind the scenes that the squad is lacking in leadership. It was why they signed England international Conor Gallagher and tried to land Andy Robertson from Liverpool - both with plenty of Premier League experience.
There is also a sense from Tottenham's executive team that the club require a period of managerial stability.
But by the same token, sources have told BBC Sport that work towards a contingency plan in the event they make a decision they really don't want to make illustrates the precarity of Frank's position.
If the club decide to part with Frank in the immediate aftermath of this Newcastle defeat, they will have 12 days until their next fixture against Arsenal on 22 February.
That leaves Tottenham with a prolonged window to execute their replacement plan and leave Frank's successor with time to implement a blueprint for the north London derby.
The pressure on Frank is at breaking point. We are about to find out if Tottenham crack.
5 buried Cowboys who could rise from the grave with new defensive coaching
Dallas Cowboys fans have suffered long enough, but they haven't been alone in their misery. No, the lackluster defensive performances of the last two seasons have taken their toll on fans and players alike. On one extreme was the drastic shift from Dan Quinn to Mike Zimmer in 2024, with many failing to latch on to the teachings of the former mastermind. Then there's the shift from Zimmer to Eberflus, who had never even achieved the statistical success that sometimes occured in Zimmer's career.
To make matters worse, Eberflus was robbed of his force multiplier when Micah Parsons was traded away a few weeks before the regular season, after a full offseason of planning around his immense talent. The question is, knowing these systemic limitations, can the Cowboys' front office ever have a true sense of the players caught in the waves of those consequential hires? If Christian Parker can effect immediate change, which players have a chance of shock and awe, 2026 seasons?
Here are five candidates who have done little of significance, but could be surprise contributors in the very near future.
Linebacker Marist Liufau
The Cowboys drafted Liaufau out of Notre Dame in the third round in 2024 with the No. 87 overall selection. He played 520 defensive snaps for Zimmer, third-most on the club behind Zim's coach-on-the-field Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown. Liufau was rotational until Overshown tore his ACL, and he showed some signs of promise as an eventual starter.
However he never caught on with Matt Eberflus, getting buried in the rotation and seeing just 200 snaps on the year, including just 12 snaps in the final three games of the season when Dallas was out of the hunt. So can he actually play? It will be interesting to watch how Parker works him in, if at all. If not, he'll end up a wasted top-100 pick.
Defensive Tackle Perrion Winfrey
One of the most exciting stories of 2025 training camp was the addition of the UFL defender, Winfrey. He was routintely standing out in practice, which mattered even more during Parsons' holdout while everyone was trying to see what the level of talent was. Before the trades that brought in Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams, the Cowboys had nothing at DT aside from Osa Odighizuwa and plans to rotate defensive ends inside on passing downs.
Winfrey stood out, then mysteriously landed on IR with a back injury prior to the season opener, where he languished for months. Winfrey ended up appearing in just one game, Week 16, where he played 34 defensive snaps. Signed for just over $1 million for 2026, he's going to have a chance to show Parker and new defensive line coach Marcus Dixon what he can offer.
Cornerback Caelen Carson
The Cowboys thought they had something in 2024 with their fifth-round pick based on training camp work. Carson started the first few games of the season while DaRon Bland was out, then was benched until returning for Week 9 and Week 10. A shoulder injury ended his year, then his 2025 started with a knee injury. He still has yet to show he's much in coverage, and the question is what system fits him best.
Safety Markquese Bell
Bell has been with the Cowboys for four seasons now, though his rookie year as a UDFA didn't ask much of him on defense. In 2023, he played linebacker for Dan Quinn's defense more than safety, and acquitted himself rather well in his 700 snaps, all things considered. Dallas had very little left at the position, and he managed the challenge. He barely saw the field in 2024 under Zimmer before injuring his shoulder in November.
He did see some action in 2025 with Eberflus, 356 defensive snaps, but his coverage number dropped from a 83.5 in 2023 to a 45.3 in 2025.
Defensive Tackle Jay Toia
Toia may not be a victim of coaching but rather circumstance. Drafted out of UCLA in the seventh round, there shouldn't have been much expectations for his rookie season. A big-bodied defender, Toia say the club add Kenny Clark to the equation at the start of the season, then swap in Williams for Mazi Smith mid-year. The three-headed DT monster didn't have much room for Toia, so it will be interesting to see what a full offseason in an NFL weight and training system could do for the former Bruin.
BERLIN, Germany (AP) — Freiburg advanced to the semifinals of the German Cup after a 5-4 penalty shootout win at Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.
Freiburg goalkeeper Florian Muller saved Pascal Klemens' sudden death spot kick in the Olympiastadion in Berlin to secure his team's place in the last four of the competition. Yuito Suzuki's strike had put the visitors 5-4 in front, meaning Klemens had to score to keep the shootout going.
After the game ended goalless in regulation time, Yuito Suzuki fired Freiburg ahead in the 96th minute. Eight minutes later the game was level again when Fabian Reese struck with a shot into the top corner.
Muller denied Michael Cuisance earlier in the shootout, but Freiburg's Johan Manzambi then saw his spot kick saved by Hertha keeper Tjark Ernst.
Four teams are vying for a spot in the Schuylkill League Girls Basketball Championship.
Lourdes Regional and North Schuylkill will face off in the first semifinal game at 6 p.m. Schuylkill Haven and Mahanoy Area will play for the final spot in the title game at 7:30.
6.9-rated Red gives Michael Carrick major selection headache to dwell on in lengthy wait for Everton trip
Benjamin Sesko has just fired himself into contention for his first start under Michael Carrick.
Despite being on the pitch for only 21 minutes, the Manchester United frontman oversaw the most impactful display of any of his teammates.
He entered the fray with United trailing by a goal at the London Stadium, and proceeded to have two shots on target – the second of which rescued a vital point to extend the side’s unbeaten run under Carrick.
Benjamin Sesko delivers late leveller off the bench
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Sesko did it in some style, too. His finish looked near impossible from the angle he was at and the fact that he was under pressure from Axel Disasi, yet he managed to rifle the ball into the back of the net with just one touch.
It marked the Slovenian’s fifth goal in his last six appearances across all competitions since Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties, two of which have come in Carrick’s reign.
Against Fulham at the start of the month, he clinched a hard-fought win for United via yet another last-gasp contribution.
Has Sesko earned a start vs the Toffees?
Alas, with Sesko becoming a dependable figure to provide goals when needed, it begs the question as to whether it’s time for him to be granted his maiden start of the Carrick era.
The interim manager has 13 days to mull over his team selection, as this weekend’s FA Cup action means United don’t play again until Monday, February 23, when they take to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time to face Everton.
From Carrick’s perspective, he has been so delighted with the performances that his trusted line-up has delivered that he’ll be reluctant to make any changes.
The sole change he has made thus far was a forced one and came in the form of Matheus Cunha replacing Patrick Dorgu following the latter’s 10-week injury layoff.
Como hold their nerve to knock Napoli out of Coppa Italia on penalties
Como produced a brave display at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, holding Napoli to a 1-1 draw before prevailing in a tense penalty shootout to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Cesc Fàbregas’ side will now face Internazionale for a place in the final, while the other half of the draw sees Atalanta waiting to play either Bologna or Lazio.
Penalty drama decides encounter
From the outset, Como showed no fear. The visitors pressed strongly, with Nico Paz and Perrone catching the eye, and they went ahead in the first half when Baturina converted from the spot after Olivera had brought down Smolcic in the box.
Napoli responded early in the second half. Vergara, in fine form, capitalised on a deflection off Hojlund to slip past the defence and level the score. The remainder of normal time saw the Azzurri push forward, but despite several chances, neither side could find a winner, taking the tie to penalties.
In the shootout, tension ran high. Lukaku missed for Napoli, while Milinkovic kept Perrone’s effort out. The drama continued until Butez denied Lobotka, sealing Como’s dramatic passage to the semi-finals.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday the team “will never shut the door” on potentially finding a role for Andrew McCutchen, a longtime cornerstone of the franchise.
The Pirates on Monday reached an agreement with veteran slugger Marcell Ozuna on a one-year contract worth $12 million, subject to Ozuna passing a physical. The deal would make it more unlikely McCutchen, who is unsigned, would be needed on the Pirates' roster. Ozuna would assume the designated hitter role, which was McCutchen's primary spot in 2025.
The 39-year-old McCutchen is a five-time All-Star and the 2013 NL MVP. He has played 12 of his 17 seasons in the majors with the Pirates.
Cherington said he believes McCutchen “will always be a Pirate."
"I think most people feel that way. I certainly speak for the organization and that’s how we feel,” Cherington said.
Even though it appears more unlikely there will be a spot for McCutchen on the roster following the agreement with Ozuna, Cherington said “forever is a long time” and he would not rule out an agreement with McCutchen, who hit .239 with 13 homers last season.
“I think this is a moment in time,” Cherington said. “And I think there’s a long time ahead of us. ... I don’t think you ever — the Pirates will never shut the door, completely shut the door, on Andrew McCutchen. That’s just how we feel about him. That’s not going to happen.”
Even so, Cherington said the start of spring training in Florida means the Pirates are “focused on the players that are here, focused on how do we get ready for the 2026 season? ... You know longer term, you know we don’t need to make any declaration about the longer term. Just focus on today right now.”
Pirates manager Don Kelly said McCutchen “is always going to be a Pirate in everyone’s heart” and said, as a former teammate, “you respect him and everything that he means to the team and the city.”
Cherington said he hopes to protect the team's relationship with McCutchen.
“No matter what, Andrew’s a Pirate and certainly our desire will be to continue to have a really strong relationship with him into the future, whatever that looks like.”
Cherington said his priority has been to make personnel decisions that put the team "in the best position to win more games in 2026.”
“I feel confident that every decision we’ve made has been about what we believe is best for the team,” he said. “Sometimes when you are making those decisions, they’re going to be hard. You know, some of those decisions are hard. And I think that, again, that’s the nature of these things. Tremendous respect for Andrew. And certainly our desire would be to have a strong relationship with him going forward.”
Rich Ruohonen is the oldest athlete for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 54-year-old works as a personal injury attorney in Minnesota for his day job, but he’s also one of the most accomplished figures in his sport as a two-time national champion. This is his first appearance at the Olympics after years of just falling short.
Ruohonen used his spotlight at the Olympics on Tuesday to deliver an important message: what’s happening in his home state of Minnesota right now is not okay as federal immigration officers tear apart the city looking to meet deportation demands from President Donald Trump.
“What’s happening in Minnesota is wrong. There’s no shades of gray. It’s clear.”
“We love our country. We’re playing for the U.S., for Team USA,” Ruohonen continued.
Watch Ruohonen’s full comments here:
NEW: American curler Rich Ruohonen criticizes ICE at the Winter Olympics, says it has been a really “tough” time for people in Minnesota.
“We'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota…”
The Olympics have always been political through the history of the games, and Team USA athletes are using their voice to speak out against Trump during these games. Ruohonen isn’t the first, and he likely won’t be the last.
The Browns may . . . or may not have their franchise quarterback on their roster.
New coach Todd Monken acknowledged the day he was hired that he is "intrigued" by three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Deshaun Watson. But Monken also said he is as excited to work with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and any other quarterback the team acquires.
Watson, 30, and Monken have communicated and are “eager” to work together once the offseason program begins in April, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports.
Watson began working with his private trainer in South Florida on Monday and will start his throwing program on Wednesday with private quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery, per Cabot. Some of the Browns' receivers could join him.
Doctors fully cleared Watson for football activity in November, and he will have no restrictions this offseason.
Watson has an $80 million cap hit for 2026 in the final year of his five-year, fully guaranteed contract.
He spent the entire 2025 season rehabbing a twice-torn Achilles at the team facility. Watson has not played more than seven games in any of his four seasons and has played a total of 19 games, throwing 19 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Monken told Nathan Zegura of the team website that the Browns will explore all options for their franchise quarterback.
“I’m excited to get started with the guys that we have in the room now, and then looking to add to that possibly,” Monken told Zegura. “You’ve got to have a quarterback to give yourself a chance to win in this league. We know that. You also have to have good players around them to really get it going. So I’m excited about Shedeur, Deshaun, Dillon and who else we might add to that in terms of competition to really have this offense take off.”
Jan 22, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions forward Ivan Juric (3) defends Wisconsin Badgers guard John Blackwell (25) shoots the ball during the second half at Rec Hall. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
Fresh off a 78-77 overtime loss to the Indiana Hoosiers, the Wisconsin Badgers are staying on the road against the Illinois Fighting Illini, facing a top-10 team for the fourth time this season.
Three of those have been on the road, with Wisconsin traveling to Provo to face the BYU Cougars earlier in the season, where they lost 98-70. They also lost at home to the Purdue Boilermakers by 16 and beat the Michigan Wolverines on the road 91-88 to secure their lone Quad 1 win so far this season.
Now, they’ll take on an Illinois team that has been one of the best in the country this season, going 20-4 so far, including 11-2 in the Big Ten. The Fighting Illini were on an impressive 11-game winning streak before narrowly losing by three to the Michigan State Spartans this weekend.
For Wisconsin, the magic number has been 80 points. They’re 14-0 when scoring 80 points this season, but have only done so once in their past four games. Slow starts have been an issue for the Badgers, but they’ve also made some impressive double-digit comebacks. That was the case against Indiana this weekend, but Wisconsin couldn’t get the job done in an overtime period that was marred by officiating controversy.
The Badgers haven’t won at the State Farm Center since 2019, and they’re facing one of the most complete Illini teams under Brad Underwood. Illinois has star freshman Keaton Wagler, who has jumped into the top-five pick conversation with a strong season. He’s leading Illinois in points, assists, and steals, transitioning into that point guard role for the Illini, and has shot an impressive 43.3 percent from three.
But Illinois is complete. They’ve got great depth, physicality, scoring, and good defense. They will be without senior Kylan Boswell, who is still recovering from a broken right hand, but Illinois is still a 10.5-point favorite heading into Tuesday evening.
Can the Badgers find a way to another top-10 upset on the road? Stay tuned as our game thread is officially open!
Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a tough game, we expected that really. I don't think we were at our best in terms of sharpness and attacking side of the game. So sometimes you have to make the most of what the night throws at you.
"Credit to the boys for coming back again, it is a great trait to have in the team. There are positives to take from it, you can't win every game, we certainly didn't want to come away from here without a point.
"It is not surprising, that is what Ben has got in him. He is dangerous in and around the box. That's two really important goals for him - one to get a point and the other to get a win. Delighted for him.
"We have to give credit to West Ham, they defended well and closed spaces of. We just lacked that spark. I won't be too harsh on the boys, we will learn from tonight and come back strong."
Did you know?
Manchester United have conceded at least once in each of their last 18 away league games, their longest run without a clean sheet since a 25-game streak between September 1970 and September 1971.
United have both scored and conceded in each of their last 11 away league games, their second-longest such run after a run of 12 between September 1966 and March 1967.
The Red Devils had just nine shots against West Ham, only the second time this season they've had fewer than 10 in a Premier League match (5 vs Spurs in November).
West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Disappointed, all of us are to get this in the end. We had a good game, the boys worked hard but today it was not to be.
"It is a draw that gives us sadness but the way we competed today was really good.
"It is a mix of everything - the need that we have and the work from the boys today deserved so much more.
"We should be proud and this is the way, we must compete in every game like this.
"We should keep the standards, I said that to the boys and their faces are of a job well done. They hurt and it is painful.
"You look back to the game and it is always the final moments that you think you almost got across the line but then get a big punch in the stomach. It is painful."
Did you know?
At 95:11, Benjamin Sesko's equaliser for Manchester United was the latest result altering goal West Ham have conceded at home on record in the Premier League (since 2006-07).
The Hammers have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (20).
Tomas Soucek's opener for West Ham was his 39th Premier League goal, the outright most of any Czech player in the competition's history (one more than Patrik Berger).
Spurs manager Thomas Frank endured another disappointing day at the office - Sebastian Frej/Getty Imagesb''b''
Mauricio Pochettino and Tottenham Hotspur have an itch that needs scratching and it seems that until they have a good go at it, nobody is going to be able to ease the pain the club’s desperate supporters are feeling right now.
Thomas Frank had said it would be “well deserved” if Tottenham’s fans sang the name of Pochettino, so he could hardly blame them for doing just that as his side slumped to an 11th league defeat of a miserable season against Newcastle United.
It was in the 49th minute, with Tottenham trailing by a goal, that the Spurs fans decided it was time to once again declare their love for Pochettino. They later followed it up with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” at Frank.
Goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey heightened relegation fears, with Spurs now 16th in the table behind Leeds United and five points above third-from-bottom West Ham United.
There is no sign that Frank is the man to turn it around, even though he deserves respect for the way he has handled himself and he is right to underline an injury crisis that robbed him of 10 players ahead of kick-off against Newcastle United and saw Wilson Odobert forced off in the first half.
Pochettino, who is committed to the US national team until after the World Cup, cannot come to the rescue this season. But, even though they will have to wait until the summer, one thing is clear: Tottenham’s fans want Pochettino back and the Argentine wants another go at the club he still loves.
Pretending any differently has become pointless. Nobody can truly capture the hearts of the Spurs supporters until they have been given a chance to fall head over heels for Pochettino all over again. In the meantime, it seems fans would rather anybody but Frank is put in charge of the team until the end of the season
Vinai Venkatesham, Spurs’ chief executive, and Peter Charrington, the club’s executive chairman, were inside the stadium on Tuesday night where they were left in no doubt what the supporters want and expect. It remains to be seen, however, whether they will give the masses what they wish for.
Even before this latest catastrophe, Frank acknowledged that it would be futile to try to convince Tottenham fans and Pochettino to get over their love affair.
“I met Mauricio a few times, great guy, a great coach,” said Frank. “I think he’s a legend [here]. He was part of transforming the club, from where it was at that stage, to where it ended up being in terms of being close to winning the Premier League title.
“Getting into the Champions League final. If you are close, then you are very close to winning it. Sometimes it’s football, it’s margins. Pochettino did a top job here and is a true legend, so if the fans sing his name it’s well deserved.”
Mauricio Pochettino, who took Spurs to the European Cup final in 2019, is idolised by the club’s fans - Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
Frank was responding to Pochettino’s appearance on the High Performance Podcast, which host Jake Humphrey closed by saying: “You love Tottenham, you want to win the Premier League and Tottenham now have the facilities to win the Premier League. Let’s see what the universal energy does.”
Pochettino, who regularly references his belief in universal energy, jumped in to say: “Now we are focused on the USA, and we are going for the World Cup.” Before Humphrey added: “Return to the Premier League as World Cup winners.”
If Pochettino returns to the Premier League at anywhere other than Tottenham next season, then the Lewis family and Venkatesham will see their popularity plummet even further.
Pochettino often referenced the need to distinguish between perception and reality during his Tottenham days, but he was happy to indulge the fantasies of the club’s fans towards the end of his hour-and-a-half with Humphrey.
“To win a Europa League, that the team won, is good, but it’s not enough,” said Pochettino. “It is not enough to challenge for the Carabao Cup, or the FA Cup, or the Europa League, or the Conference [League].
“It’s a club that should be, or needs to be because the fans, what they expect is, to be in the Champions League, fighting for the Champions League, trying to believe that you can win the Champions League and also fighting for the Premier League and believing that you can win the Premier League.”
Spurs are currently closer to the Championship than challenging for the Champions League, but there are players Pochettino would no doubt relish working with such as 19-year-old Archie Gray, who briefly got his team on level terms against Newcastle.
An equaliser for Spurs and it's Archie Gray with it as he bundles home the Tottenham corner to draw them level! 💥
Frank was asked on Monday whether he regretted setting a negative tone by telling supporters that Tottenham will lose matches in his very first press conference as head coach.
The Dane said no and claimed there has to be “a nice combo between reality and selling hope”, but it is clear that, in the eyes of the fans Pochettino is the only man capable of providing some optimism.
One former Spurs staff member told Telegraph Sport: “It’s got to the stage where Pochettino is the only coach who will be given any time with the fans. They’ve tried everything else and they want to give him another go. Until that happens, it feels like nobody has got much of a chance.”
Last March, in an interview with selected English journalists, Pochettino said: “I would like one day to come back. Not because of my ego, it’s because I would like one day to win with Tottenham.
“We were so close and it was so painful and then with Chelsea it was one year, very productive, but we spend nearly five and a half years there [at Tottenham] and we achieved to be in a Champions League [final], to fight for four years to be one of the contenders for the Premier League, when before the club was fighting for different things.”
The old adage may say “never go back”, but it seems increasingly clear that Tottenham, with Daniel Levy no longer at the helm, have little choice but to give it another whirl with Pochettino. Until then, neither party appears ready to move on and Frank appears to be fighting a losing battle to convince anybody otherwise.
Frank: I am 1,000 per cent sure I am right man for Spurs
b'' Frank’s next match with Spurs will be at home against league leaders Arsenal - Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
Thomas Frank claimed he is “convinced” he will remain in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, despite being subjected to chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” from the club’s fans.
Frank came out fighting following the defeat by Newcastle United, insisting he is not the only man to blame for the Spurs slump, underlining the club’s injury crisis and saying he is “1,000 per cent sure” he is the right man for the job.
With the club already out of the FA Cup, Tottenham face north London rivals Arsenal next. But Frank claimed to be confident that he will keep his job for that game and stressed he is not the only man to blame for the club’s slump.
Asked if his job is under threat, Frank said: “I spoke to them [the owners] yesterday, so no. I understand the frustration and the easiest thing is to point at me. That’s part of the job, unfortunately.”
On whether or not he will be in charge for the Arsenal game, Frank added: “Yeah, I’m convinced I will be. I also think it’s never only the head coach or the ownership or the directors or the players or the staff. It’s everyone. If you do something right, you build something that can last. Of course, we are not in a top position now. Everyone knows, directors, ownership, myself, what position we are in, what we need to improve and what we need to do better. That is what we are working very hard on.
“I understand the fans’ frustration. We are in a position we don’t want to be in and we are working very hard day and night to change. I also think it is a situation now the club has been in, it’s fair to say, for almost two years struggling to combine Europe and the Premier League. It’s something for me, the team, the club, the players, we need to learn to do even better physically and mentally to deal with that.
"3 points off the relegation zone... wow, it's tough times" 🤯
Les Ferdinand understands the Spurs' fans frustrations as they drop ever-closer to the relegation zone 👀
“And part of that of course is the 11 injuries or 10 plus a suspension plus another one today which of course doesn’t help in a situation like that. The injuries, I think they need to be massively taken into consideration. I haven’t really said it too much, but everyone can see the impact of things.”
Frank was asked if he still believes he is the right man for Tottenham and he replied by saying: “[I am] 1,000 per cent sure. I am also 1,000 per cent sure that I never expected us to be in a situation like this with 11 or 12 injuries on the back end of this and what we’ve been facing. But I know when you need to build something and need to get through things, you need to show unbelievable strong resilience.
“I think it is fair to say there are a few before me up here, not only for Tottenham but in many other clubs, that have lost their head many times. I think you need to have a calm head, carry on, keep fighting and keep doing the right thing, make sure we stick together because we can only do this if we stick together. That is the board, that is the leaders, that is the players, that is the staff, that is me and that is the fans. We’ve got to get through this.”
10:02pm
Post-match thoughts of Dominic Solanke
"We don't want to be anywhere near the bottom of the table...but we know we can turn it around" 💪
Spurs striker Dom Solanke admits they're at the wrong end of the Premier League table but has faith in the squad to turn it around.
“I think that the players gave everything. Newcastle were better than us overall in the first half but we came back in the second half. We are a little bit hit by injuries so it is not a full team with confidence and flow. We still though had a chance to take something from that game but we were unable to. We definitely need to understand we are not in a top position and we have to fight to get out of this. I understand the frustration of the fans and the easiest thing is to point the finger at me. That is part of the job. I will fight to turn this around. No [not worried about his future], I spoke to the board yesterday. What I do is I work hard and put a side out there that is ready to fight.”
09:53pm
Post-match thoughts of Eddie Howe
"We're still in there fighting" 💪
Eddie Howe was proud of his Newcastle side after their 2-1 victory away at Spurs.
“It has been a while. I have been playing different positions and today was playing a little bit higher up. The manager is demanding I need to get my numbers up and thankfully I got my goal today.”
On his instinctive finish for his goal:
“I knew I was in the box and played a one-two with Gordy [Anthony Gordon]. It was instinctive really, left foot, nice finish.”
On his big celebration:
“It has been tough. I like to think I am a box-to-box midfielder scoring goals. Obviously my first goal today and pure emotion. Just happy with the three points.”
On his injury earlier in the season:
“I got injured in my first start, out for two months. I need to build back fitness, I was in and out the team. Feeling good, feeling fit. I want to stay in the team, keep scoring goals, keep getting assists and keep helping the team out. “
09:48pm
Les Ferdinand on TNT Sports
"3 points off the relegation zone... wow, it's tough times" 🤯
Les Ferdinand understands the Spurs' fans frustrations as they drop ever-closer to the relegation zone 👀
February 14: Aston Villa vs Newcastle (FA Cup) February 18: Qarabag vs Newcastle (Champions League) February 21: Manchester City vs Newcastle (Premier League) February 24: Newcastle vs Qarabag (Champions League) February 28: Newcastle vs Everton (Premier League)
A busy few weeks ahead for Eddie Howe’s side, playing in three competitions, including their Champions League play-off tie against Qarabag.
09:41pm
Tottenham’s next five matches
February 22: Tottenham vs Arsenal (Premier League) March 1: Fulham vs Tottenham (Premier League) March 5: Tottenham vs Crystal Palace (Premier League) March 15: Liverpool vs Tottenham (Premier League) March 22: Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
They will be in Champions League last-16 action in March. With 12 days now between today and their next game in the north London derby, will Tottenham think about a managerial change?
Possession: Tottenham 53%-47% Newcastle Shots: 16-21 Shots on target: 2-5 Corners: 2-12 Touches in opposition box: 28-54
09:30pmKey moments
Full time
The final whistle is met by a plethora of boos inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Newcastle clinch a 2-1 win, which they do deserve. Thiaw gave them the lead before Gray’s equaliser. However, Ramsey’s first goal for Newcastle has earned them all three points. Thomas Frank was under massive pressure going into night and that has been ramped up even more. Could this be the final straw for Frank at Tottenham? By the end of the night, they may only be three points clear of the relegation zone.
09:28pm
90+5 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Into the final 60 seconds we go, although that may be slightly extended by Guimaraes’ injury.
09:27pm
90+2 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Solanke’s overhead kick is blocked by Burn before van de Ven blazes over. Time is running out for Tottenham to find an equaliser.
Guimaraes limps off pretty slowly and is replaced by Hall.
Six added minutes as chants of “Sacked in the morning” are sung at Thomas Frank by some inside the stadium. It may well have come the away fans.
09:23pm
89 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
That is a cynical foul from Guimaraes, who is booked for that challenge of Simons, and then goes down hurt. He did look like he was struggling a few minutes ago and has now gone down.
09:22pm
88 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Eddie Howe is making a double change as Woltemade and Osula come on for Willock and Gordon. Newcastle assistant coach Jason Tindall is shown a yellow card during those substitutions.
09:20pm
86 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
There have been plenty of empty seats throughout the game tonight and the number of those is increasing as some home fans have decided they have seen enough.
09:16pm
83 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Newcastle have conceded the most goals (14) in the final 15 minutes of league games this season so the travelling fans may not be feeling entirely comfortable right now.
09:15pm
81 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
With Leeds fighting back to level their game at Chelsea to 2-2, Tottenham are currently set to drop to 16th, just five points above the relegation zone.
09:08pm
74 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Double change for Newcastle as J Murphy and Tonali replace Elanga and Ramsey, who scored Newcastle’s second goal tonight.
09:03pm
69 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Thomas Frank makes a change as Kolo Muani replaces Gallagher.
09:01pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Ramsey restores Newcastle’s lead
Tottenham were not level for long. Ramsey sweeps home into the far corner from Gordon’s pass into him and races off to celebrate with the travelling fans. That is Ramsey’s first goal for Newcastle so no wonder the very animated celebrations.
WHAT AN ASSIST 🤩
Amazing feet from Anthony Gordon and he puts it on a plate for Jacob Ramsey who puts Newcastle back into the lead!
Van de Ven pulls off a crucial block to deny Barnes inside the Tottenham penalty area before the hosts counter. Simons goes down, wanting a free-kick but it was a blatant dive and Anthony Taylor correctly books the Dutchman. A second yellow card for diving for Tottenham tonight after Sarr’s in the first half.
09:00pm
66 mins: Tottenham 1 Newcastle 1
Eddie Howe will be so disappointed with his team; they were dominant for the first 50 minutes but did not properly take advantage of that dominance.
08:57pmKey moments • Goals • Video
GOAL! Gray equalises for Tottenham
For 50 minutes, they were woeful but the home side are on level terms. It comes from their first corner of the game, which goes to the back post. Sarr heads it back across goal, where Graay volleys home from inside the six-yard box. Pope claimed he was impeded but the goal is given.
An equaliser for Spurs and it's Archie Gray with it as he bundles home the Tottenham corner to draw them level! 💥
Two bookings come in quick succession as Spence goes into the book for a poor challenge on Elanga.
08:52pm
59 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
If the scores here and at the London Stadium stay the same, Tottenham would be just five points above the relegation zone.
Back on the pitch, Burn is booked for a rash challenge on Gallagher and there were not many protestations.
08:50pm
56 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
You can just sense that the momentum is beginning to turn in Tottenham’s favour. Despite a pretty abject first 50 minutes from the hosts, they are just one goal behind.
08:47pm
53 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
Tottenham have barely threatened the Newcastle goal but that was a chance for Tel. Gray drives down the right, all the way into the Newcastle box, and puts the ball across the box into the path of Tel but the Frenchman is on the stretch and cannot keep his effort on target, with his shot looping into the crowd.
08:44pm
50 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
Tottenham are on the ropes here as Newcastle press for a second. There is another penalty shout from Newcastle as Willock goes down under a challenge from Simons. The Dutchman does kick the back of Willock’s boot and got none of the ball. Simons can count himself a little fortunate that a penalty was not given there.
08:42pm
48 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
It has been a fairly chaotic start to this second half in the driving rain of north London. VAR did check that incident between Spence and Elanga but does not intervene. It was very similar to the incident in the first half, where Thiaw slightly nudged Solanke in the back.
No penalty - John Walton/PA
08:41pm
47 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 1
Thomas Frank will have wanted to have seen his side come out with a bang after the break in response to the first half but Newcastle have started where they left off. Tottenham are looking nervy again.
Newcastle want a penalty as Elanga goes down under a challenge from Spence. What will VAR make of that?
08:39pm
Second half
We are back under way in north London. How will Tottenham respond to a pretty poor first half? They will probably be relieved they are not more than one goal behind and they did come from 2-0 down after a similarly poor first-half performance against Manchester City to draw 2-2 recently.
Thomas Frank has made a change at the break and it comes in the centre of midfield as Palhinha replaces Bissouma.
Willock, despite looking like he might have picked up an injury before the break, has come back out for the second half.
08:34pmAnalysis
HT verdict
b''
Newcastle deserve the lead at half time but has Joe Willock injured himself doing a knee slide celebrating a goal ruled out for offside?
As for the offside, to the naked eye the still image used to say it was offside looked onside to me. Maybe my ageing eyes are playing tricks on me!
Possession: Tottenham 44%-56% Newcastle Shots: 4-11 Shots on target: 0-4 Corners: 0-9 Touches in opposition box: 11-27
08:23pm
Half-time
That is it for the first half and Newcastle lead 1-0 at the break courtesy of that late goal from Thiaw. They were inches away as well from scoring another goal as well but Willock’s effort not long before Thiaw’s goal was ruled out. Plenty of boos from the home fans at the half-time whistle.
Boos echo round the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the half time whistle goes 👀
The visitors were denied moments ago but they are not to be denied this time. Deep into added time in this first half, Willock sends in a cross from the right to the back post, where Thiaw heads towards goal. Vicario makes a smart save on his own line down to his right but Thiaw is the quickest to react, putting the rebound into the back of the net. Thiaw was the hungriest to get to it first after the save and he is rewarded.
Newcastle are not to be denied, and it's Malick Thiaw who gives them the lead! 💥
Vicario keeps out his 1st header, but can't do anything to stop the rebound, and the Magpies go 1-0 up!
The home fans are getting very restless about their side passing backwards and not looking to move the ball up the pitch with any sort of intensity.
08:17pm
45 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
We are into five added minutes, due to Odobert’s injury, and that may be extended due to that VAR review.
08:17pmKey moments • Video
NO GOAL! Willock’s effort ruled out
It was incredibly close but Willock is adjudged to have been just offside. It always looked close in real time but it did feel like he would be just onside. However, that is not the case and the game stays at 0-0. It was Willock’s head which put him in an offside position. Talk about fine margins!
So, so tight!
Newcastle think they've taken the lead, but VAR thinks otherwise 👀
Joe Willock finished off the incisive counter attack, but it seems he mistimed his run by a millisecond, and Spurs are saved...
That has been coming for the visitors and they deserve to take the lead just before half-time. The move originates from a lovely first-time pass from Guimaraes into Ramsey, who feeds a through ball into the path of Willock, who had made the run forward. It initially looked like Willock was taking too long and had allowed van de Ven to get back but Willock cuts inside and then picks out the far corner. VAR is going to take a look at whether Willock was offside when he made the initial run forward. Was he ahead of van de Ven or not? This is very close...
08:12pm
42 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Referee Anthony Taylor is spot on there. The Tottenham players and fans thought that Sarr was going to be awarded a free-kick but instead Sarr is shown a yellow card for diving. As the replays prove, the referee was absolutely right to book Sarr as it was a clear dive.
08:11pm
40 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle have got into some dangerous positions but have lacked a clinical and cutting edge with the final pass, decision or shot. They really should be in front but the game remains level.
08:06pmAnalysis
35 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
b''
Newcastle have played really well but haven’t turned pressure into goals. It’s been a familiar failing this season.
08:05pm
34 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Odobert has received some treatment to his leg for a few minutes now and it appears his race is down tonight. Tel is ready to come on to replace his compatriot. Odobert did walk off but has gone straight down the tunnel.
Another injury for Tottenham - Ian Walton/AP
08:02pm
31 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Play is halted as Odobert has gone down in some pain. Thomas Frank will be worried about this being another injury to add to the likes of Kulusevski, Maddison, Kudus and Richarlison.
08:00pm
29 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are now up to eight corners. Elanga’s delivery is headed to the edge of the box, where Ramsey takes a touch before powerfully shooting. There is a deflection and the visitors will have another corner.
There is a bit of a mad scramble inside the Tottenham box but Gordon’s header goes wide. Eddie Howe will be disappointed that his side have not taken the lead considering their dominance in this first half.
07:56pm
26 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
It is pretty subdued inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with most of the positive energy coming from the travelling Newcastle fans. Most of the noise coming from the home fans are groans.
07:54pm
22 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Solanke goes down inside the Newcastle box under a challenge from Thiaw wanting a penalty but referee Anthony Taylor waves the appeals away. VAR does take a look at a nudge in the back from Thiaw but the on-field decision of no penalty stands.
07:50pm
19 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Dragusin has now nearly scored two own goals in this first half as Vicario is forced to punch away after his centre-back sliced an attempted clearance towards his own goal. There is plenty of anxiety and frustration amongst the home fans.
07:48pm
17 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are definitely in the ascendancy right now and have another corner as Ramsey’s shot deflects behind off van de Ven.
The visitors are now up to six corners with the hosts under the pump right now.
07:45pm
14 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle have made a confident start to this game, in a similar fashion to when they played away at Liverpool around 10 days ago. They started well in the first half of that match, taking a 1-0 lead, before Liverpool dominated from around 35 minutes onwards in that game to win 4-1. That night they also lined up with the same front three as they do tonight, with bags of pace up top.
07:41pm
10 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Elanga drives the ball across the floor into the box and Barnes attempts a clever flick from behind him but there is not enough power on it to trouble Vicario.
07:39pmKey moments
8 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
Newcastle are inches away from taking the lead. Space opens up for Willock to drive towards the box and get his shot away. The effort looks like it might nestle into the far corner but it goes just wide, perhaps kissing the outside of the post.
07:38pm
7 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
The TV cameras have panned to the stands, where Tottenham captain Romero is sat with Maddison. Whilst the latter is still out with a long-term injury, Romero is suspended again this season after a red card on the weekend. How many games as the Spurs captain missed this season alone due to suspension?
Simons has an effort from the left side of the box from a narrow angle but drags the shot into the side netting.
07:34pmVideo
3 mins: Tottenham 0 Newcastle 0
The first corner of the night goes the way of the visitors as Bissouma heads behind a decent cross from Elanga out on the right touchline.
Elanga takes the corner he won and puts it into a dangerous area. The ball comes off Dragusin, who does not know much about it, and the ball loops just over his own bar.
Tottenham head the corner away but Newcastle keep it alive. Elanga clips the ball back into the box, with Solanke attempting to clear, but the ball ends up with Botman at the far post but the Dutchman’s header goes just over.
Early pressure on the home side.
How has that missed?! 🤯
Great delivery from Elanga and it's turned towards his own goal by Drăgușin but flies just over the bar.
We are under way at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Both teams and both managers are in desperate need of a win so who will come out on top tonight?
b''
There are either a lot of late comers or a lot of empty seats at Tottenham tonight. The Newcastle end is full, but there are a lot of gaps in home areas. You wouldn’t know it is such a big game for Spurs from looking around the stadium.
07:27pm
Nearly ready for action
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off. Here is a reminder of the teams:
Tottenham: Vicario, Gray, Dragusin, van de Ven, Spence, Sarr, Bissouma, Gallagher, Odobert, Solanke, Simons. Substitutes: Kinsky, Palhinha, Tel, Souza, Kolo Muani, Oluesi, Byfield, Williams Barnett, Rowswell.
The pre-match entertainment inside the Tottenham Hotspur has included a home team-inspired quiz. I think Thomas Frank and Spurs sporting director Johan Lange would make a strong quiz team - good on Abba and Scandinavian noir. The weather inside the Tottenham Hotspur stadium is so bad that even Jason Tindall looks a bit pasty in the rain.
07:14pmAnalysis
What about Tonali’s future?
b''
There has been a lot of noise around Sandro Tonali this season and increasing speculation about a future away from Newcastle United but the Italy international has not been dropped because of that.
Tonali is not starting against Tottenham because he has looked out of form for months and in need of a rest. Others have attracted more criticism, but the drop off in performance levels from Tonali, compared to last season, has been dramatic.
It is still a brave call from manager Eddie Howe to leave him out, just as it is to pick Anthony Gordon at centre forward rather than either of his expensive summer signings Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.
Wissa does not look fit and Woltemade looks like a bad fit but Gordon is still a winger not a centre forward.
But Tonali has not been playing well and Newcastle’s midfield has been far too easy to play through recently. It will, of course, lead to more suggestions that the former AC Milan star does not want to be on Tyneside much longer.
Newcastle, though, are surprisingly relaxed about all the transfer talk about the midfielder, who was supposedly offered to Arsenal in January and who has since been linked with a summer move to Manchester City, Manchester United and Juventus.
The player’s agent has publicly cranked up the pressure by hinting the 25-year-old would be interested in a move if Newcastle do not qualify for the Champions League. It has felt like a summer transfer saga has been well signposted.
Yet, the main power brokers at St James’ Park have shrugged it all off, almost dismissively, in private. They have pointed out that the player has not told anyone at Newcastle that he would like a move and, in fact, stressed to both sporting director Ross Wilson and Howe last week that he is extremely happy at the club.
It has also been pointed out that if Tonali wants a big money move in the summer - he is effectively under contract until 2030 - he needs to be playing a lot better than he is at the moment for anyone to be willing to make a bid that could tempt Newcastle to sell a player who cost them £55m in 2023.
07:09pm
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07:05pm
Jason Burt: Howe needs to change
Something needs to change at Newcastle United. That change is not a new manager. But it is the current manager changing his tactics to allow Newcastle to play more like a big team.
Following Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat by Brentford, there was an emotional response from Eddie Howe. The 48-year-old is an emotional character, which some at the club might find ironic given he is also regarded as sometimes being aloof.
But Howe did publicly question himself. On Monday, ahead of the crucial Premier League fixture away to Tottenham Hotspur, he clarified he still felt he was the right man for the job, but there was also the kicker that he would quit if he no longer believed that.
06:57pm
Newcastle’s last five results
Newcastle 2 Brentford 3 (Premier League) Manchester City 3 Newcastle 1 (League Cup) Liverpool 4 Newcastle 1 (Premier League) PSG 1 Newcastle 1 (Champions League) Newcastle 0 Aston Villa 2 (Premier League)
06:51pm
Tottenham’s last five results
Manchester United 2 Tottenham 0 (Premier League) Tottenham 2 Manchester City 2 (Premier League) Eintracht Frankfurt 0 Tottenham 2 (Champions League) Burnley 2 Tottenham 2 (Premier League) Tottenham 2 Borussia Dortmund 0 (Champions League)
Frank does not want to mention the R-word, but Spurs may have to face up to it soon
Perhaps it is not surprising that Tottenham Hotspur players are not thought to have salary-reduction clauses in their contracts in the event of relegation, given the club have only had to seriously consider the prospect of going down once in the Premier League era.
Thomas Frank, the head coach, did not want to mention the R-words – Romero or relegation – on Monday, but the threat of dropping into the Championship is something that Spurs may have to front up to if they lose to Newcastle United on Tuesday.
Tottenham do not comment or guide on the specifics of player contracts, but ex-staff members who worked at the club during Daniel Levy’s era as chairman told Telegraph Sport that salary reduction relegation clauses were not inserted into contracts during their time at Spurs.
06:27pm
Howe admits: I will leave Newcastle if I feel I am not the right man
Eddie Howe has declared he would step down as Newcastle United manager if he did not feel able to take the club in the right direction.
“The club is always number one, and from my perspective I will always act in the best interests of the club,” Howe said. “I’ve got to think, am I the right person to do the job? Am I giving value and am I helping the players? Am I the right person to get results ultimately?
“As long as I feel that in my heart and in my spirit, [that] my desire and my motivations levels are as high as they have ever been… that’s the key question I always have to ask myself. Am I the right person to take the club and the team forward? It’s a feeling that you have and as long as that feeling remains inside of me I will fight every day, with the maximum I have, to bring success to the club.
06:22pm
This round of Premier League games
Tonight: Chelsea vs Leeds Everton vs Bournemouth Tottenham vs Newcastle West Ham vs Manchester United
Wednesday: Aston Villa vs Brighton Crystal Palace vs Burnley Manchester City vs Fulham Nottingham Forest vs Wolves Sunderland vs Liverpool
Betting on the football today? Take a look at these best betting sites chosen by Telegraph Media Group
06:07pmKey moments
Two managers under big pressure?
We are treated to a midweek round of Premier League football and we are in north London as Tottenham host Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. When these sides met at St James’ Park back in early December, the game ended in a 2-2 draw after a dramatic conclusion. That game was goalless through 70 minutes but then sprung into life. Newcastle led twice but Cristian Romero’s 95th-minute equaliser earned Tottenham a point. Tottenham do not have a good recent record against Tottenham; they have lost five of their last seven Premier League games against Newcastle.
Tottenham fell to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on the weekend, with their cause not helped by a first-half red card for their captain Romero. That loss means that Thomas Frank’s side are still yet to register a league win in 2026, with their last Premier League victory coming at Crystal Palace at the tail end of December. Tottenham start the day down in 14th, just six points above the relegation zone.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero is suspended after his red card at the weekend - Adam Vaughan/Shutterstock
“There is no doubt we are desperate to win games, desperate,” Frank said. “And I am focusing on Newcastle. That is a great opportunity ahead of us against a good team. That is the main thing. Can we go out there and get three points? That will be very good and then climb from there. Look forward, that is what we need to do. That is the main focus.”
Tottenham will be without defenders Kevin Danso and Destiny Udogie due to injury whilst Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison remain long-term absentees.
Newcastle lost at home to Brentford last time out, which leaves them down in 12th, 11 points off the top four. They have just one win in their last eight, which has ramped up the pressure on Eddie Howe.
“I will do better. It is part of the evolution,” Howe said. “These challenging moments are when you grow the most. I am looking forward to that. The club is always number one. I have got to think I’m the right person to get results, and give value. As long as I feel that in my heart and spirit, my desire and passion for the job will always be there. That is why I am sitting here now, if I did not think that I would not be. I will fight every day to the maximum for success for this club. When you do not win it is an easy criticism to make, to accuse the players of [a lack of effort]. I see the players every day. The squad is strong in terms of psychology, if there are suggestions that people feel we did not leave everything on the pitch, we have to take that on the chin and address that in the next game.”
Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon are doubts for tonight’s game whilst Joelinton is ruled out.
The Houston Rockets will play host to the Los Angeles Clippers at their home arena of Toyota Center this Tuesday (Feb. 10) evening in the first of two tilts in a home-and-home series for the Rockets with the Clippers this week. In it, Houston will be looking to build on the momentum they established with a hard-fought win over arguably the best team in the league earlier this week.
On the other side of the ball court, the Clippers are on the hunt to extend their current win streak against other Western Conference foes. This ought to be a Rockets win with Houston the better team in terms of record and talent. But Los Angeles is still a dangerous team, as their current streak attests.
Records, standing, and streaks
At present, the Rockets have a 32-19 record, good enough for fourth place in the Western Conference.
The Clippers are the owners of a 25-27 record and a two-game win streak, good enough for 10th place in the West.
What happened in the last game for each team?
Houston beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 112-106 on the road.
Los Angeles beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-96, also on the road.
Injuries
For Houston, Fred VanVleet (ACL repair) and Steven Adams (left ankle surgery) are out.
For Los Angeles, Bradley Beal (hip) and Darius Garland (toe) are out.
Canadian ice dancing duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are currently sitting in the bronze medal position at the 2026 Milan Olympics
In their individual rhythm dance performance on Monday, Feb. 9, Gilles made a miraculous wardrobe malfunction save to prevent the pair from receiving a one-point deduction
Gilles and Poirier will perform one last time in the games on Wednesday, Feb. 11 in the ice dance free dance competition
Canadian ice dancing duo Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier are no strangers to the Winter Olympics and the tedious rules of professional figure skating.
The 2026 Milan Olympics are the third winter games for the longtime skating pair, who have already made quite the splash with their performances, and are currently sitting in the bronze medal position for ice dancing. Gilles and Poirier competed in the ice dance team event on Friday, Feb. 6, but it was their individual rhythm dance performance on Monday, Feb. 9 that has crowds talking.
Typically, after the pair's straddle rotational lift, they transition into their final pose with one of Gilles' hands grabbing her ponytail. Yet, in their individual rhythm dance performance, one of Poirier's wrist cuffs got stuck on Gilles' tights during the lift, causing her to make a miraculous behind-the-back save to end with the cuff in her hand.
If the wrist cuff had ended up on the ice, it would've resulted in an automatic 1-point deduction, allowing Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson of Great Britain to knock Gilles and Pirier out of the bronze medal position.
Figure skating fans on Reddit are marveling at Gilles' quick thinking and almost completely unnoticeable save.
Piper Gillies and Paul Poirier
Steve Christo - Corbis/Corbis via Getty
"Somehow she was able to grab it and hide it behind her back with what looked like magic...I wondered why she didn’t do the pony tail grab!!!," one Reddit user commented.
The theme for this year's rhythm dance competition was music from the '90s, with Gilles and Poirier performing to RuPaul's "Supermodel." Throughout their routine, Gilles and Poirier can be seen using their hands to form crowns on their head, posing for a fake camera, and taking major advantage of "hairography."
Going into their second 2026 Olympics performance together, the pair was looking for redemption with Friday's performance.
"We came into this event unsatisfied with our performance a few days ago, and that allowed us to sharpen our focus. It was such a joy to perform today," Poirier told CBC.
Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier
Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty
Gilles and Poirier's 2026 Olympics journey will come to a close on Wednesday, Feb. 11, when they compete together in the ice dance free dance competition, meaning they have one dance left to compete for their first-ever Olympic medal.
Since both Gilles and Poirier are 34, it's rumored that their Olympic performance on Wednesday will be their final dance on the world stage.
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When the CBC asked the Canadian duo about the possibility of not winning their first Olympic medal at the games this year, Gilles immediately turned the idea down.
"I'm not putting that out in the universe," she said. "What we're going to try to encapsulate at the Olympic Games is just creating our own moment. This is for us. This has been our journey."
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
Team USA captain Hilary Knight, appearing in her fifth Olympics, has tied two career U.S. Olympic records at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
Her assist against Canada on Tuesday, Feb. 10, gave her 32 career points, tying U.S. recordholder Jenny Potter. She picked up an assist on Caroline Harvey's opening goal, though it wasn't awarded until later in the game.
Knight next suits up in the quarterfinals against host Italy (time and date TBA).
Here's what to know about Team USA women's hockey captain Hilary Knight:
How many Olympic goals and points does Hilary Knight have?
Knight has 14 goals, tying the U.S. Olympic record shared by Natalie Darwitz and Katie King. She has 32 points, tying Jenny Potter's U.S. Olympic record. Her 18 assists are three behind Potter's record of 21.
How many Olympics has Hilary Knight played in?
Milano Cortina is Hilary Knight's fifth Olympic appearance. She also played in Vancouver (2010), Sochi (2014), Pyeongchang (2018) and Beijing (2022).
How many medals does Hilary Knight have?
She won a gold medal in 2018 and silver medals in 2010, 2014 and 2022.
Where does Hilary Knight play in the PWHL?
Knight plays for the expansion Seattle Torrent in the Professional Women's Hockey League. She played for Boston the previous two seasons.
Leeds Fight Back from Two Down to Deny Chelsea Crucial Win
Chelsea Let Control Slip as Leeds Punish Costly Errors at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea’s pursuit of a top four place stalled after surrendering a two goal advantage in a breathless 2-2 draw with Leeds United at Stamford Bridge. What appeared, for long periods, a routine home victory instead became a study in lapses of focus, defensive hesitation, and the Premier League’s enduring capacity for chaos.
First Half Authority Sets Chelsea Up
For an hour, Chelsea looked every inch a side building momentum under Liam Rosenior. Their control was measured rather than frantic, the ball moving with purpose, Leeds pushed back into containment.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring with a finish that reflected both composure and confidence, delicately lifting the ball over Karl Darlow after being released by Cole Palmer’s incisive through pass. It was a goal shaped by timing and clarity of thought.
Palmer then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Jaka Bijol clumsily felled Pedro in the area. At 2-0, Chelsea were cruising. Leeds had yet to record a shot on target, the contest drifting towards inevitability.
Defensive Lapses Change Momentum
Games can turn not through sustained pressure but through moments of carelessness. Chelsea offered Leeds their lifeline.
Moises Caicedo’s challenge on Jayden Bogle, unnecessary and clumsy, handed Lukas Nmecha the chance to reduce the deficit from the spot. He converted calmly, shifting the emotional balance inside Stamford Bridge.
If the penalty reopened the door, the equaliser flung it wide. A simple ball over the top triggered collective uncertainty between Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto, and Robert Sanchez. Hesitation replaced authority, the clearance never came, and Noah Okafor prodded home.
Rosenior’s frustration was unmistakable.
“If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we’re switched on for 90 minutes. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
“I’m devastated because some of the football we played was excellent. We should come away with three points and we haven’t because two of moments in the game we haven’t taken care of. We gifted Leeds a point.”
Chelsea still had chances to recover. Pedro struck the crossbar with a header, Palmer later blazed over an open goal after neat work from Pedro Neto and Caicedo. The opportunities were there, the execution was not.
Leeds Resilience Earns Reward
Leeds’ comeback owed little to tactical reinvention and everything to persistence. Daniel Farke’s side had been second best for long stretches, yet refused resignation.
Their away record suggested vulnerability, one win on the road all season, but their response reflected growing belief.
Table Implications After Stamford Bridge Drama
The draw leaves Chelsea fifth after Manchester United’s stalemate with West Ham, a missed opportunity in the race for Champions League places.
Leeds, meanwhile, climb to 15th, six points clear of the relegation zone. With twelve matches remaining and the forty point benchmark in sight, survival looks increasingly attainable.
The future of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is about as clear as muddy water right now.
With the future Hall of Famer taking his time to decide on his future, we have heard several little indicators of his thought, with Kelce citing he's excited to work with Eric Bieniemy again.
In truth, we don't really know what Travis will do, and there's a fair chance, at least right now, he doesn't either.
But for CBS Sports' Jordan Dajani, in a crazy prediction, he sees Kelce retiring from the NFL...then unretiring and coming back.
"The 2025 season did not end the way Travis Kelce or the Kansas City Chiefs wanted, but Kelce's contract is finished, and he will decide to hang up the cleats at 36-years-old,” Dajani writes. “Kelce is often compared to Rob Gronkowski when pundits debate the best tight ends of the modern era.
"He will have another thing in common with Gronk, as Kelce ends up coming out of retirement in August after a visit to the team facility during training camp.”
Putting it simply, Kelce has done everything he possibly can in the NFL, and no one would begrudge him for walking off into the sunset with Taylor Swift to enjoy the rest of his life.
Granted, the 2025 season didn't end the way he had hoped, even though he still led the Chiefs in major offensive categories.
It is better for players to retire when they are still productive, instead of Kelce going around in Year 14 and posting just 200 yards or even worse, getting injured.
So, there is a lot to think about for No. 87 over the coming weeks as free agency comes into view.
But could Kelce retire and then unretire? We've seen it happen before.
Even at 34, the veteran has proven to still be effective. In 2025, Macks played 12 games, posting 32 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 39 quarterback pressures. He also graded highly against the run with a Pro Football Focus run defense mark of 80.6 (8th among edge rushers).
Despite his age, Mack’s veteran leadership, pass-rush production, and elite run defense provide stability in a room that's currently thin with both him and Odafe Oweh pending free agents.
Given the team’s hefty cap space, a reunion is likely if no better offers surface. However, Mack could ultimately decide to retire or sign with another contender, even if the offer is worth taking.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We are in a good run of results. Probably today was not our best performance but we got the win today where we have not been brilliant.
On Rayan's performance after giving away the penalty: "Some decision you have to accept when the player is so young at 19 and it is his first week with us. He showed character, personality, hasn't been affected. I've liked what I have seen from him character wise. He has started really well.
"I think it is still too early. We know that he has some good offensive things and we have to help him develop other things. We see him more as a winger and we have to help him in this process."
On James Hill's player of the match performance: "Hilly has been fundamental for us because Everton are such a threat with aerial balls. He was the first one to deal with the first balls."
Did you know?
Bournemouth winger Rayan (2 goals, 1 assist) became just the third teenager in Premier League history to have a goal or assist in each of his first three appearances, after Robbie Keane and Anthony Martial.
The Cherries have scored at least once in each of their last 11 Premier League games, only ever enjoying a longer run in the competition between December 2017 and April 2018 (14).
BERLIN, GERMANY - MAY 25: Lincoln Cosby, #3 of U18 Overtime Elite in action during U18 Overtime Elite v U18 ALBA Berlin during the EB Adidas Next Generation Tournament at Uber Eats Music Hall on May 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by David Grau/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
Not only is head coach Dusty May making moves on the court by leading the No. 2 team in the country, but he and his staff have made another big splash in high school recruiting. Announced on Tuesday evening, 2026 four-star forward Lincoln Cosby has committed to the Michigan Wolverines.
NEWS: 2026 Top-25 recruit Lincoln Cosby has committed to Michigan, a source told @Rivals.
The 6-foot-9, 195-pounder from IMG Academy in Montverde, Florida is ranked 38th overall in the 2026 class, the 18th-ranked small forward and seventh-ranked player in Florida, according to the 247Sports composite.
Cosby was originally intending on being part of the 2027 class, where he was a consensus top-10 recruit, but he chose to reclassify to 2026 to join the Wolverines next season.
May and the staff hosted a few recruits in Ann Arbor back in October, including Cosby, where he had the opportunity to see the facilities, meet with the coaches, attend a Michigan football game and speak with current players.
“The trip was great seeing the facilities, the area, and campus,” Cosby told The Michigan Insider at the time. “It met all my expectations from that aspect. Getting to meet a lot of the coaches in one setting was good too. The whole staff is full of great coaches and more importantly great guys who from what I have seen have great intentions. I have a good relationship with the whole staff and seeing the team practice and play also was an experience.
“The play style and culture (stood out the most to me about Michigan). I appreciate and take notes on how they use their bigger skill players like Yaxel (Lendeborg). Last year they had Danny Wolf and they were used similarly.”
Cosby is still a raw prospect at just 17 years old, but the forward averaged 15.2 points per game on the Pro16 circuit last summer and is known for his size and pure skill.
Cosby is the fifth member of the class for Mic, joining forward Quinn Costello (No. 40 overall), guard Joseph Hartman (No. 87), guard Malachi Brown (No. 194) and center Marcus Moller (unranked). The other four are all signed with the program. However, Moller’s status is currently pending as he goes through treatment for testicular cancer.
Ilia Malinin will carry his lead into the second half of the men's competition on Friday [Getty Images]
From the astonishing to the emotional to the downright bizarre, the Olympic figure skating men's short program on Tuesday night had it all.
But the star once again was the USA's Ilia Malinin, who stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a stunning routine featuring a quad flip and quad lutz - two of the hardest techniques in the sport.
Although he did not quite land the quad axel which has earned him the nickname 'Quad God', it put him top of the short program with a score of 108.16.
And unlike in the team event, where he made errors and was somewhat style over substance, this was an ominously clean routine from the 21-year-old – and he even threw in a backflip for good measure.
Japan's Yuma Kagiyama, generally regarded as Malinin's biggest competitor for first, is more than five points behind after slipping on his triple axel.
Kagiyama is second on 103.07, while France's Adam Siao Him Fa impressed with a score of 102.55. Daniel Grassl, the best hope for hosts Italy of another medal on the ice, sits fourth with 93.46.
But all eyes are on Malinin as he strives for individual Winter Olympic gold. He has not been beaten in competition for almost two and a half years.
And after recording more than 200 points in the team event free skate – the second half of the men's event - which secured the USA team gold on Sunday, few would bet against him here.
He entered the rink ready for a fight, shadowboxing at the camera. And he brought the fight to his rivals.
The battle will be concluded on Friday evening in the free skate, where Malinin will be the 24th and last man to compete.
It is impossible to imagine what American skater Maxim Naumov has been through in the last 12 months.
Just over a year ago, his parents - former world champion pairs skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova - were among 67 people killed in a plane crash in Washington DC. Of those on board the flight, 28 were athletes, coaches or parents connected to US figure skating.
Naumov said that his dream to make Team USA was one of the last things he spoke about with his parents before they were killed.
"They are my superheroes, my role models, and my biggest support system. I just wanted to make them proud here," he told the BBC after his performance.
"My dad said: 'Everything is practice until it is the Olympics'. I can't describe to you in words how much I just felt what he said. Also, there are truly no words for being able to step up to the occasion, I just wish that I made them proud."
He made it to the Games, and was second on the ice on Tuesday, dancing to Nocturne No. 20 by Frederic Chopin.
After a slight slip on his triple axel, Naumov regained composure and skated a technically solid routine.
As he finished, the 24-year-old looked to the sky on his knees with tears in his eyes as the arena erupted. With a huge smile, cameras captured him saying "thank you" – perhaps to those both inside the arena, and in another place.
And it was good enough for the judges, who awarded Naumov a season best of 85.65 points for the performance – enough for a spot in the top 24 and a place in the free skate on Friday.
As the scores came in, Naumov held up a picture of his late parents with him as a young child.
"I bring it everywhere that I go," he said of the image, which showed him holding hands with his parents while stood next to an ice rink. "It is in my bag, so it is literally right here on my heart.
"They deserve to be here, to be right next to me, to look up at the scores together and say: 'Look at what we just did!'"
The Minion skated... but failed to qualify
Tomas Llorenc Guarino Sabate completed his look with a Minion-themed armband [Getty Images]
One of the most eye-catching stories in the build-up to the Games was that of Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate.
Throughout the 2025-26 season, Sabate has performed to songs from the Minions while wearing a yellow T-shirt and blue overalls, like the characters' outfits.
However, at the Olympics it seemed as though Sabate, known for his flamboyant and unusual routines, would have to change his usual routine in the men's singles because of a copyright issue.
But after all that, it went wrong almost immediately for Sabate as he tripped on his first element. The Universal fanfare, as done by Minions, had barely ended.
Ultimately there were too many technical errors, and a score of 69.80 was not enough to take him through as he finished in 25th place.
But Sabate, who has been keen to thank all those who took up his cause to allow his music at the Games, bowed with gusto to all four sides as one of Milan-Cortina's most memorable characters exited the stage.
Since the 1980s, there have been many sports moments that have captivated American audiences, but the Miracle on Ice, which saw the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team made up almost entirely of amateur and college players, defeating the Soviet Union in the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, has transcended time. Naturally, there have been many documentaries, and the 2004 feature film Miracle, portraying the historical upset. With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games quickly approaching, the Netflix documentary Miracle: The Boys of '80 focuses on connecting with the members of the ‘80s team to recount their monumental victory.
In an interview with TV Squad, one of the directors of Miracle: The Boys of '80, Max Gershberg, explains how having access to unseen footage enabled them to present a fresh perspective on a well-known story in sports.
“We were lucky enough to make this in conjunction with the Olympic channel, the IOC,” said Gershberg. “And they allowed us to work with this great treasure trove of never-before-seen footage, this really gritty, beautiful 16-millimeter film of the Lake Placid Games and the hockey tournament. And it allowed us, I think, to animate this iconic event in a new way. The vantage point of the events, the aesthetic of Lake Placid, it's unlike anything that's been out there. So, visually, I think people who watch the documentary will get to see the game itself and the setting in a new way.”
After Sports Illustrated named Team USA’s victory over the Soviet Union the top sports moment of the 20th century, members of the team have repeatedly revisited the historic upset from fans and the media. Co-directors Jake Rogal and Max Gershberg sought fresh reactions from the players.
“We wanted to kind of spark something new in them,” said Gershberg. “We wanted to surprise them. So, we worked very hard to find pieces of old footage that they haven't seen. We showed them a lot of footage. One of the thrills for us through production was watching their reaction to these little nuggets, these things that they hadn't engaged with before. We tried to frame their stories a little bit more intimately. My feeling was that people know the story of this team as a collective. They know this event, but we had an opportunity, I think, to animate some of the personal stories in a little bit more of a poignant way. And that was one of our focus points as we went along.”
Coach of the 1980 United States Olympic Hockey Team, Herb Brooks played on the 1964 and 1968 Olympic teams, as well as on five other U.S. National Teams, had a gritty and no-nonsense coaching style. Because Brooks passed away on August 11, 2003, production had to use audio clips of Brooks voice and interviews with his family to bring his story to life.
“Well, one of the dimensions that came to light, I think, in a special way, is the dynamics that existed between the players and the famous coach, Herb Brooks,” said Gershberg. “And obviously, Herb passed away more than 20 years ago, but we wanted in this film to bring him to life in a way to really give him presence. And so we use a lot of old audio of his voice. We interview his kids, and they have a bunch of old artifacts that really haven't been out there, notes, playbooks, interesting little keepsakes.”
Along with the action that took place on the ice, the most memorable moment of the Miracle on Ice was the Hall of Fame announcer Al Michaels shouting, “Do you believe in miracles? … Yes!” during the final seconds. Michaels had gone on to be the voice of multiple sports and currently is the play-by-play commentator for Prime Video’s coverage of the NFL. Gershberg speaks to how the Miracle on Ice remains as one of his favorite moments, despite the moments that he has witnessed.
“I think this still holds such a special place in his heart, and he's such an incredible storyteller that he remembers the vivid details still all these years later, and he recounts them in such wonderful fashion,” said Gershberg.
The Miracle on Ice remains not only a historical sports moment but also an important cultural moment in American culture as the 1980s’ Olympics took place against the backdrop of the Iranian hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Gershberg believes those who are unaware of the story or fans who vividly remember this story will enjoy seeing this story told in a new way.
“And regardless of your background or where you were in the country or whether you were a hockey fan or not, this moment really did unify the masses,” said Gershberg. “I think, in a way, that arguably no sports moment in history ever has quite like it.”
Miracle: The Boys of '80 is now available on Netflix.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Rory McIlroy has won the career Grand Slam and he’s won the Players Championship twice so there aren’t too many pros more qualified to weigh in on the hot-button topic of the week — should March be major?
“I'd love to have seven majors instead of five, that sounds great,” McIlroy said with a smile.
But while he is quick to classify The Players as “one of the best golf tournaments in the world,” he doesn’t think it needs to be considered a major.
“I'm a traditionalist, I'm a historian of the game. We have four major championships. You know, if you want to see what five major championships looks like, look at the women's game. I don't know how well that's went for them,” McIlroy said while speaking to the media ahead of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he's defending his title.
‘Is the Players a major’ has been argued since before the first tee was stuck in the ground at a championship that dates to 1974.
“Before the first putt has been stroked, the first hotdog sold or the first complaint made about the rough, it has been billed as golf’s Super Bowl,” wrote Golf Digest’s Dwayne Netland. “This is quite a burden for an unborn event, no matter how noble its blood, but if the grandiose plans materialize, the Tournaments Players Championship may become the sport’s fifth major event.”
The debate has ebbed and flowed over the years and the Players has been unofficially tabbed “the fifth major,” but a spark was reignited when the PGA Tour launched a campaign for its flagship event with the tagline, “March is going to be major.” Then Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee fanned the flames with a take that blew up on social media over the weekend.
“In every single way that a metric could be used to measure whether something is a major, the Players, to me, stands alone and above the other four major championships as not just a major. It is, in my estimation, the best major," he concluded.
McIlroy neither attempted to one-up Chamblee with even more hyperbole nor knock the Players for being unworthy of praise. He didn’t want to tread in those waters and instead played the role of Switzerland.
“I think from a player perspective it's amazing. I think from an on-site fan experience it's amazing. It's an amazing golf course, location, venue,” he said. “But it's the Players. Like it doesn't need to be anything else. I would say it's got more of an identity than the PGA Championship does at the minute. So from an identity standpoint, I think The Players has got it nailed.
“But it doesn't — I think The Players can be — it is an amazing tournament in its own right and I don't think it being classified a major or not a major makes it any more or any less. I'm still very proud to have won that tournament twice as I'm sure all the other champions are. I don't think – it stands on its own without the label, I guess.”
Asked what he thinks the PGA Championship’s identity should be, McIlroy, a two-time winner of the Wanamaker Trophy too, said, “I think glory's last shot. I think it needs to go back to August.”
That may take some work to reconfigure the schedule – again! – but, hey, that’s what the Future Competitions Committee is supposed to be addressing. For now, McIlroy may have coined the next Players tagline: March, it stands on its own without the (major) label.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior speaking to TNT Sports: "I don't want to talk about the football that we played. If we want to improve and get to where we want to be, we have to make sure we're switched on for 90 minutes. It's as simple as that.
"Devastated because some of the football we played was excellent. We should come away with three points and we haven't because two of moments in the game we haven't taken care of. We gifted Leeds a point."
On Leeds' goals: "I don't know if we need to make the challenge for the penalty. But even at 2-1, we need to take the sting out of the game. Whether we think it is handball, we are still in control of the situation. You kick the ball away and ask for handball after. These are small points moments that have cost us three points today.
Did he think it was handball in the build up to Noah Okafor's goal?: "At the time I did. I still haven't seen it. The rule is if there is any contact with his hand, it should be disallowed.
"From my understanding, if there is any handball in the build-up to the goal, it should be disallowed. They (VAR) need to help the referee."
Did you know?
Joao Pedro has scored six goals in his last eight matches in all competitions for Chelsea; more goals than any other Blues player across the 10 games Liam Rosenior has been in charge.
Since making his debut for Chelsea in the Premier League (September 2023), Cole Palmer has scored 18 penalties, more than any other player (Salah 15).
Rob Havenstein spent 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and never wore another jersey. He was the last holdover from the St. Louis era, the one guy who made the move back to LA in 2016 and stuck around long enough to see it all the way through.
Havenstein announced his retirement Tuesday on Instagram, closing out a career that started as a second-round pick in 2015 and ended with a Super Bowl ring.
“11 years, 150+ starts, 4 time captain, 4 NFC West Championships, 2 NFC Championships and 1x Super Bowl Champion. What a ride it’s been! I can look back on my career and smile knowing I have given everything I had and more to the game I love,” Havenstein wrote. “In saying that, I am officially retiring from the NFL.”
Los Angeles Rams lineman Rob Havenstein (79) during training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
He was one of the steadier pieces the Rams had up front for a long time. Four-time team captain, starting right tackle when Los Angeles took home Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season. The kind of player a franchise builds around quietly.
The past three years told a different story. He hasn’t finished a full season since 2022 and only played in 32 games over that stretch. A depth role was probably the ceiling from here, and Havenstein clearly felt it was the right time to walk away.
Los Angeles Rams offensive tackle Rob Havenstein (79) with his family on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
His retirement post covered a lot of ground. He thanked the Rams for believing in him when not everyone did back in 2015, gave credit to teammates, coaches, fans, and his parents, and saved a special mention for his wife, who he said kept him going throughout the whole journey.
The Tar Heels knocked off the Blue Devils 71-68 following a game-winning shot from Seth Timble, resulting in UNC fans rushing the court to celebrate, on Saturday, Feb. 7. While fans in the arena certainly seemed to appreciate the instant class, so did viewers watching at home.
According to ESPN, the game averaged 3.5 million viewers and peaked at 4.8 million. That is a 53% spike from the first time the teams faced off in 2025. The game was the most-watched men's basketball game in the last four years.
Duke and UNC are scheduled to conclude their regular seasons with their second matchup of the season on March 7, from Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.
At one end of the ice was the brother, pumping his fists. At the other was the sister, jumping up and down with her broom in her hand and a look of disbelief on her bespectacled face.
Isabella and Rasmus Wranå, Sweden’s first-ever team of siblings at the Winter Olympics, won gold in mixed doubles curling on Tuesday night, beating U.S. pair Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin.
The Wranås persevered through a nailbiter of a championship game in front of a spirited, pro-U.S. crowd and pounced after the Americans left an opening in the last end. Isabella threw the winning stone and hunched close to the ice, watching her brother sweep until their red stone knocked out the Americans’ yellow rock for a 6-5 victory.
“It’s a perfect shot for me to have, a takeout,” Isabella Wranå said. “But of course you’re nervous. It’s the last shot and you know if you make it, it’s an Olympic gold. But I felt like we kept the calm. We talked about how we’re going to throw it and I knew that I had a really strong sweeper.”
The Americans made history just by getting this far. They became the first U.S. team to medal in Olympic mixed doubles, and Thiesse is the first American woman to medal in Olympic curling.
“It’s been a long time coming, and this is a really big day for USA Curling and for women’s curling in the U.S. I hope that I can bring this medal home and inspire the next generation of women to be up on that podium someday,” Thiesse said.
The Wranå siblings grew up as rivals and were coached by their father, Mats Wranå.
Their current coach, Alison Kreviazuk, said she saw them work on communication throughout their run.
“They’ve got two different personalities out there, so it’s finding that mix of how they can complement each other,” Kreviazuk said. “Figuring out how to talk with each other, I think that they’ve really, really nailed it over the past couple years, and it’s showcased.”
Throughout the match, the Wranås enjoyed a somewhat silent camaraderie with their small contingent of fans. The two remained stoic while Dropkin played to the crowd, whipping up the loud American supporters.
The Wranås won the world title in 2024. Thiesse and Dropkin won at worlds a year earlier.
The Swedish duo started their Olympic bid on stumbly legs, losing three games in a row in the round robin. The skid prompted the Swedish media to label their Olympic bid a “Curlingfiasko.”
But they managed to turn it around and won most of their remaining matches.
It was a heartbreaker for the Americans, who enjoyed roaring support. An American curler screamed from the rafters, “Show me your biceps!” Dropkin obliged.
Thiesse is a lab technician and Dropkin a real estate agent. Dropkin is engaged and Thiesse is married.
They were classmates in college. Dropkin asked Thiesse to be his mixed doubles partner after a failed qualification run for the Beijing 2022 Games. She agreed and they were world champions a year later.
Italy wins bronze
Italy’s Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner won bronze, defeating Britain 5-3.
It was a bittersweet result for the Italians, the defending Olympic champions whose fans packed the stands throughout the round-robin in hopes to see a repeat. And it was devastating for the Brits, Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, who were expected to make the final after exiting the round-robin with the most wins of any pair.
They faltered against exacting throws from Mosaner and Constantini, who hails from Cortina and has become a darling of this stadium. The British duo walked off the ice dejected.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
The incident reportedly took place following a Super Bowl party hosted by the NFL star at Dahlia’s nightclub in the city’s Mission district, after the rapper and his entourage attempted to get into the event.
According to a witness, who had gone to seek help from management to calm the situation, two shots were then fired. They returned to find that White had been shot in the left leg, per the report.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White was shot following an argument involving rapper Lil Baby at a private party in San Francisco, police have said (AP)
A 9mm shell casing and a .45-caliber shell casing were found by police near to the scene of the shooting. The report stated that White was uncooperative when asked who had shot him and no suspect has yet been named.
The Independent has reached out to a representative for Lil Baby for comment.
The 49ers told NBC News that White had undergone surgery on his ankle Monday.
“Keion White was a victim of a shooting and sustained a bullet wound to his ankle this morning in San Francisco," the team said in a statement.
The Independent has reached out to the team for an update on White’s condition.
In an initial police statement San Francisco police said, “Officers rendered aid and requested paramedics to the scene. The victim was transported to [a] local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.”
White and Lil Baby, real name Dominique Armani Jones (pictured), got in an argument after the rapper and his entourage attempted to enter the NFL star’s private party, police say (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The shooting occurred after a “verbal altercation between two groups inside a business,” police added.
White had posted photos on Instagram on Sunday evening attending Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, which featured his former team, the New England Patriots, taking on the Seattle Seahawks.
The 27-year-old joined the 49ers in October last year.
The incident comes after 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot in the chest during a robbery attempt in Union Square, in San Francisco, in September of 2024.
This is a great decision from Monken and the front office. Staley is one of the more respected running backs coaches in the NFL with a good track record. Last year, he was able to get Quinshon Judkins up to speed as a real weapon very early in the season, despite Judkins missing all of training camp due to off-the-field issues.
We also saw flashes from fellow rookie Dylan Sampson under Staley's coaching, though the struggles of the offensive line were often too much for the running backs to overcome. With the offensive staff looking good, most of the attention turns to finding the right replacement for Jim Schwartz.
Michigan basketball picked up a major commitment on Tuesday, as 2026 four-star wing Lincoln Cosby announced he is headed to Ann Arbor.
Cosby, a 6-foot-8 small forward from Montverde Academy (FL), confirmed his commitment to Michigan and head coach Dusty May, giving the Wolverines one of the most intriguing upside prospects in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
Once viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2027 class, Cosby reclassified to 2026 and still projects as a high-ceiling wing with length, athleticism, and defensive versatility. He holds a 92 rating on 247Sports and a 0.9860 composite score, ranking among the top wings nationally in his class.
Michigan beat out heavy competition, including programs like Alabama, Georgia, Arizona State, and Cincinnati, to secure Cosby’s pledge. His commitment marks Michigan’s fifth commit in the 2026 class, continuing strong recruiting momentum under May.
NEWS: 2026 4⭐️ Lincoln Cosby has committed to Michigan and Dusty May, he told @LeagueRDY.
Cosby is a 6-foot-8 wing with major upside who was previously one of the top overall prospects in the ‘27 class before reclassing to 2026.
With his size, positional flexibility, and developmental upside, Cosby fits exactly the type of long, modern wing Michigan has prioritized as it builds toward the future.
The Seattle Seahawks are fresh off a Super Bowl victory, and there's no reason to believe they won't be the team to beat entering the 2026 NFL season. While the Seahawks are still understandably celebrating as the reigning champs, ESPN has already released its early power rankings for next year, and Seattle is reasonably holding the No. 1 spot.
After showing signs of heading in the right direction under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald in 2024, with a 10-7 record, the Seahawks secured the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 14-3 record in 2025. Signing Sam Darnold and bringing in valuable pieces on both sides — along with allowing Macdonald to shape the defense to his liking even more — led to Seattle becoming a powerhouse and the team to beat when the 2026 campaign kicks off.
Over the years, we've seen Super Bowl champions take a step back the following season, whether it be due to coaching or roster changes. The good news for the Seahawks is that they have plenty of cap space available, which will be helpful in trying to retain players like Kenneth Walker, Rashid Shaheed, and Coby Bryant in free agency.
In addition to Seattle being in a fantastic spot to improve their roster, they'll have plenty of marquee players returning. Losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could take some adjusting for the Seahawks, but Macdonald is still calling the shots, and the key pieces on offense are still in place.
Even though Seattle is going to have a target on their back as the current champions, they're in a stellar spot to defend their crown in 2026.
Magnusson late strike gives Hearts crucial Edinburgh derby win
Tómas Magnússon came off the bench to score in the 88th minute, securing a 1-0 victory for Hearts over Hibernian at Tynecastle and stretching their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points over Rangers, who have a game in hand.
The Jambos were without several first-team regulars and found it difficult to impose themselves in the opening stages. Hibernian had the clearest openings, with Martin Boyle firing over from close range in the 69th minute after neat work from Nicky Cadden.
The deadlock was broken late in the contest when Harry Milne delivered a precise cross into the box, and Magnusson reacted fastest to steer the ball home, sparking celebrations among the home supporters. Hearts then defended resolutely to see out the win despite late Hibs pressure.
The three points strengthen Derek McInnes’ side’s grip on the title race. Rangers sit second, while Celtic trail by nine points with two games in hand. Hearts now turn their attention to a pivotal trip to Ibrox on Sunday, aiming to maintain their advantage at the summit.
📋 Fla line-up set to face Vitória, chasing first win in the Brasileirão
Flamengo visits Vitória at Barradão this Tuesday (10), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), in the opening match of the third round of the 2026 Brasileirão.
With one loss and one draw, the current national champion is in 14th place with one point and is seeking its first win in the championship.
Meanwhile, Leão da Barra is in 12th place on the table with three points.
Vitória is coming off a heavy defeat to Palmeiras by 5-1 in the last round of the Brasileirão.
Coach Jair Ventura chose to leave Marinho on the bench, as well as goalkeeper Lucas Arcanjo and forward Lucas Silva.
Flamengo, on the other hand, is coming off a 7-1 thrashing of Sampaio Corrêa in the Cariocão, when they played with a mixed squad.
Compared to the team from the last round of the Brasileirão (1-1 with Internacional), coach Filipe Luís opted to start Evertton Araújo and Pedro in place of De La Cruz and Bruno Henrique, respectively.
If things had gone the way the Chicago Bears wanted months ago, the former Arlington Park site would already be a construction zone for building their new stadium.
Now, it seems after years of little progress, the Bears may be close to a decision as to whether they will build in north suburban Arlington Heights or Indiana.
More than 300 acres of prime real estate, once home to Arlington Park Racetrack, remains undeveloped in Arlington Heights. The Bears own the property and have released drawings of a proposed stadium.
But they have since brought northwest Indiana, including a proposed site near Wolf Lake, into the picture. And Indiana lawmakers are moving full steam ahead before the end of their spring session in less than three weeks.
"That again for me shows how serious we are in Indiana, that we have a bill in place and structured about making sure those economic and financial things are taken care of," said Indiana state Rep. Earl Harris, who represents the state's 2nd District.
And it appears that Portage, Indiana might be making a grab for a Bears stadium.
The city says it is hosting a news conference on Wednesday to premiere a first-look proposal video and talk about a possible site there.
That press conference is set for noon at the Marina Shores at the Dune Harbor Yacht Club and Event Center.
But Illinois leaders say they are working hard to keep the Bears from crossing the state line. Sources close to the negotiations told ABC7 that a group of legislative leaders and Bears representatives have met several times a week since early December. That's before the Bears released the possibility of moving to Indiana.
The discussions surround the state paying for infrastructure around stadium while the Bears would pay for the stadium. The team also wants property tax certainty while the state wants assurances that the team will make going to games affordable for families.
Illinois state Rep. Kam Buckner has been involved in the discussions.
"I think we are in a position now, where if we can do all the work, I believe we land in a place that works for everybody. I am confident that can happen," said Buckner, who represents the 26th District.
Illinois state Sen. Mark Walker from Arlington Heights agrees, telling ABC7, "People in the governor's office had been working on it for weeks. I think they're very close. They're working in the best interest of the Bears and the state."
In the meantime, while Chicago is not apparently in the running, Mayor Brandon Johnson says the city is not giving up.
"To your point about those two locations, Hammond, Arlington Heights, they ain't Chicago. They're not," Johnson said.
The clock is ticking. Sources say they expect the Bears to announce a decision in the next few weeks. ABC7 reached out to the team, but they said they have no comment.
Spanish figure skater Tomas-Llorenc Guarino Sabate successfully brought the Minions to Milan on Tuesday, following a music rights dispute that had overshadowed the Winter Olympics. Donning his distinctive yellow-and-blue costume, Sabate embodied the mischievous spirit of the animated characters during his men's short program.
Despite nerves and an early mistake, Sabate declared, "It felt amazing." His performance was set to a soundtrack beginning with peals of laughter from the lovable children's characters, originally introduced as henchmen to criminal mastermind Gru in Despicable Me.
Sabate explained that the Minions allow him to express himself "even though I'm a little bit shy at the beginning," adding that the dispute had revealed the extent of his support.
Sabate had been performing the fan-favorite program all season. (Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
Sabate had been performing the fan-favorite program all season, thinking he already had the proper approval. It all changed suddenly last week when he revealed he'd been told he couldn't use the music.
“When I did my post I was certain I wouldn’t do the Minions,” he said Tuesday. “That’s why I did the post, as a way of warning the people, whoever expects the Minions at the Olympics, ‘I’m sorry but don’t, unfortunately it’s not gonna happen.’ I can’t expose myself to getting sued.”
He was stunned by the outpouring of support on social media as he tried to persuade the likes of Universal Studios and musician and producer Pharrell Williams to grant him the rights to skate to a medley of music related to the Minions, who have since appeared in several “Despicable Me” sequels and their own spinoffs. The final approval came through Friday.
“I didn’t realize the reach my skating had even outside of the figure skating world, and it helped me realize how far I’ve come, how far my skating has brought me,” he said.
Just how far will only sink in after the Olympics.
“I haven’t had really the time to take everything in and just appreciate everything,” he said.
Sabate finished 25th in the short program, falling one spot short of qualifying for Friday's free skate.
He’s far from the only skater caught up in music-related drama at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Petr Gumennik of Russia, competing as a neutral athlete, had to change the music for his short program over a last-minute rights issue. He dropped music from “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer,” a psychological thriller, replacing it with a track from a Russian romantic epic. Even U.S. champion Amber Glenn had a copyright tangle with a Canadian artist.
What's next for Sabate? He's been answering a lot of fan messages. More are likely on the way.
“I want to be the kind of person that replies to their fans,” he said. “They take the time to write to you and I want to take the time to answer.”
NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Como advanced to the semifinals of the Coppa Italia for the first time in 40 years after beating Italian champion Napoli in a penalty shootout on Tuesday.
Stanislav Lobotka's sudden death spot kick was saved by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez to spark wild celebrations on the field in Naples as Cesc Fabregas' team won 7-6 in the shootout.
The game had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
Martin Baturina fired Como ahead from the penalty spot in the 39th minute, but Antonio Vergara leveled just after the break.
Napoli came close to a winner when Amir Rrahmani saw a header cleared off the line in the second half.
Romelu Lukaku failed to score for Napoli earlier in the shootout and Maximo Perrone also missed for Como.
Napoli is a six-time winner of the Coppa Italia, most recently in 2020.
The Philadelphia 76ers will return home to play host to the New York Knicks on Wednesday in the final game before the All-Star break as they look to pick up an important win at home. The Sixers went 3-2 on their 5-game West Coast road trip and will look to build on that momentum against their division rivals.
As far as the injury report is concerned, Paul George (league suspension) is out. The 9-time All-Star has served six of the 25-game suspension thus far as he looks to be ready for a return to help Philadelphia in the playoffs.
Joel Embiid (right knee injury management) is listed as questionable. The big fella missed Monday's loss to the Portland Trail Blazers due to the injury as he was unable to give it a go.
Quentin Grimes and Dominick Barlow, who also missed the loss to the Blazers due to both having an illness, are listed as questionable.
One of three returnees from a year ago, Roman Burke is averaging seven points a game for Lincoln this season. (Ernie Abrea)
In the middle of his 43rd season coaching high school basketball, Carl Jacobs has learned to be patient. Especially with a team that returned just three players from last season.
But with as much success as the Lincoln Mustangs boys have had - at least 22 wins in each of the previous six seasons, a 146-33 record and four straight Academic Athletic Association titles - the 63-year-old has been checking his watch and tapping his toes.
"I think we're getting there," he said Monday. "I'm seeing a little more unselfishness. Guys are learning their roles. Our defense is starting to click."
At 9-2 in AAA play, the Mustangs (15-10 overall) hold a half-game lead over Lowell, a team that stung Lincoln with a 68-45 win over Jan. 15. The teams are scheduled to play at Lowell on Thursday, but all sports are on hold this week while teachers in the San Francisco Unified School District are on strike. For a second straight day, San Francisco schools were closed Tuesday.
"Just when we were clicking," Jacobs said. "Been a strange season to date."
The three returners from last season, guards Fred Davis (9.1 points per game), Roman Burke (7.0) and Dwayne Gaines (8.0) have been consistent, Jacobs said. The two newcomers to the starting lineup are dynamic sophomores, 6-5 leading scorer Maximo Haas (13.5) and rebounder Mathaius Riemedio (6.7 per game), a 6-1 "Draymond Green-type," Jacobs said.
"Both are super kids and have injected a lot of energy and skill to the team," Jacobs said. "Maximo gives us excellent length down low we haven't had in a while. He's very skilled. Mathaius is amazingly tough and gritty. He loves taking on 6-7 and 6-9 players. He can handle the press, he passes well. His game has really developed."
They'll all need to develop and improve from the first game against Lowell, which Jacobs said was one of the low points in recent years. "Give Lowell a ton of credit because they played super well, but I didn't recognize our guys frankly," he said. "We have some real talented guys but we've had some games we simply weren't ready to play. I think we are now. It's the stretch run. There's no time to wait."
Riordan update: Following their most emotional win of the season, a 53-51 buzzer-beating victory Jan. 27 over St. Ignatius at USF, the Chronicle's top-ranked boys team Riordan hasn't had a game due to tuberculosis outbreak on campus. Four boys games were postponed, but two of them - at Bellarmine and a home game with St. Francis - have been forfeited by those squads, according to Riordan coach Joey Curtin.
"We were cleared to play but those teams decided to forfeit," Curtin said Friday.
Chronicle top 20 basketball
BOYS
Rk.
School
W-L
Prev.
1.
Riordan
18-1
1
2.
Salesian
23-3
2
3.
St. Ignatius
19-2
3
4.
Moreau Catholic
21-3
5
5.
Clayton Valley Charter
22-3
6
6.
Marin Catholic
21-3
7
7.
De La Salle
21-5
4
8.
Oakland
20-6
11
9.
Liberty
21-3
10
10.
Bishop O'Dowd
17-7
9
11
Bellarmine
15-6
12
12.
Mitty
13-8
8
13.
The King's Academy
18-3
13
14.
University
21-5
14
15.
Milpitas
20-1
15
16.
Granada
18-7
16
17.
Dublin
19-8
19
18.
California
14-12
NR
19.
Amador Valley
16-10
18
20.
Dougherty Valley
18-8
17
GIRLS
Rk.
School
W-L
Prev.
1.
Mitty
19-2
1
2.
San Ramon Valley
22-3
2
3.
Carondelet
22-4
3
4.
Priory
16-5
4
5.
Piedmont
16-3
5
6.
Cardinal Newman
19-7
10
7.
St. Francis
18-4
11
8.
Riordan
12-6
7
9.
Pinewood
18-4
6
10.
St. Ignatius
16-5
8
11.
Bishop O'Dowd
15-8
13
12.
Oakland Tech
14-10
9
13.
Salesian
16-10
12
14.
Clayton Valley Charter
19-8
14
15.
Acalanes
18-6
15
16.
Redwood
20-6
16
17.
Dublin
20-6
17
18.
Pittsburg
17-7
18
19.
Los Gatos
16-5
20
20.
Moreau Catholic
18-6
NR
Curtin said that all Riordan students were back in school Monday and the Crusaders were planning to play Tuesday night as scheduled at No. 12 Mitty. Riordan's girls, who played and lost Friday at St. Francis (56-49), were scheduled to host top-ranked Mitty on Tuesday.
"It's been a very odd two weeks for us," Curtin said. "We've practiced every day but the boys are champing at the bit to play games again."
Girls basketball: Second-ranked San Ramon Valley-Danville closed the regular season last week with three lopsided wins, two in the East Bay Athletic League over Dougherty Valley-San Ramon (85-20) and Monte Vista-Danville (95-22) and surprisingly a 33-point win over then-No. 6 Pinewood-Los Altos (70-37) behind 20 points from reigning Metro Player of the Year Ella Gunderson and 13 points and nine rebounds from San Jose State-bound Alyssa Rudd. … Pinewood, a four-time state champion, was coming off a second loss this season to No. 4 and host Priory-Woodside, 42-40 on Friday behind a combined 30 points from Gabby Wickham and Sasha Johnson. Abigail Yew had 17 points for Pinewood, which lost Jan. 16 at home to Priory, 40-39.
Smith AAA signing: Balboa 6-foot-2, 220-pound running back Mekai Smith gave an inspirational message to AAA athletes after signing his letter of intent last week to Nevada. "Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it," he said during a ceremony on campus Wednesday. "I know the AAA doesn't always get the exposure other leagues get, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. If I can do it, you can do it. Just stay in school, keep your head down and work hard. Your time is coming."
Smith, who rushed for 2,447 yards and accounted for a California-best 53 touchdowns for the state Division 7-A champions, was the first Balboa player - and just third AAA football player - in 20 years to sign straight out of high school to a Division I program. He thanked his coach Fred Velasquez "for believing in me and helping to shape me into the young man that I am."
Briefly: Salesian-Richmond All-Metro basketball player Carlton Perrilliat signed a letter of intent to play football at Sacramento State for first-year coach and former McClymonds-Oakland head coach Alonzo Carter. … Riordan senior and future Oregon standout Tommy Tofi (6-6, 330) was selected the Cal-Hi Sports state Lineman of the Year last week. … Riordan quarterback Mike Mitchell, Pittsburg wide receiver R.J. Mosley, all-purpose player Jaden Jefferson (De La Salle-Concord) and Serrra place kicker Saul Marks were other first-team All-State selections.
Freelance writer Mitch Stephens has covered high school sports for the Chronicle since 2001. Email: mitch@scorebooklive.com
PEBBLE BEACH — Rory McIlroy said Tuesday that Brooks Koepka being back on the PGA Tour after a three-year absence is "a big deal." As for the impending return of Patrick Reed perhaps later this year, well, his enthusiasm seems considerably more muted.
It was a subtle slight, but a slight nevertheless directed at Reed when McIlroy was asked to chime in on the recent defections of the two major winners from the LIV Golf League and how that affects the overall landscape in men’s professional golf.
“I think Brooks coming back, one of the best players of our generation, five-time major champion, that's a big deal,” McIlroy said at Pebble Beach Golf Links, where he is the defending champion of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am that begins on Thursday. “Patrick earning his way back through really good play over on the DP World Tour, that's great for him.”
OK, at least one player coming back is great for the PGA Tour.
In the next breath, the Northern Irishman added, “I'm all for anything that makes the PGA Tour stronger, and those two guys coming back make the PGA Tour stronger.”
A nice save.
McIlroy, 36, is making his season debut this week in the $20 million no-cut signature event that propelled him to a special year in which he won the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam.
When LIV was launched in 2022, McIlroy was the leading voice in support of the tour and was a driving force in changes to it, including the creation of signature events. Those actions seemed to stem the momentum that LIV was building when it started signing players like Koepka, Reed, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.
Koepka is returning after accepting a deal with the tour—the Returning Member Program that included a $5 million donation to charity. Reed is eligible to play tour events in September, and with two wins already on the DP World Tour this season, which have pushed him to No. 17 in the World Ranking, he is positioned to earn a full tour card for the 2027 if he remains among the top 10 in the Race to Dubai. He currently leads the standings.
McIlroy sees a shift a notable in the battle between LIV and the tour.
“It certainly, I think, swung the pendulum a little more in the PGA Tour's favor,” he said. “The sentiment has definitely changed from, say, 18 months ago. You're going to see guys are going to get to the end of their contracts and whether they're going to get the money that they were paid the first time around remains to be seen.
“But like I've said before, I think everything that's happened over the last few years, it forced the tour to think about things differently … create these signature events but then rethink the entire schedule and what's going to happen '27 and beyond. I think the guys over there are maybe seeing that and it might entice them a little bit more [to come back].”
The latest chance for the Golden Eagles (9-15, 4-9 Big East) comes against Villanova (18-5, 9-3) on Feb. 10 at Finneran Pavilion.
MU has never lost at Villanova's on-campus venue in head coach Shaka Smart's four seasons. Last season's loss to the Wildcats came at Wells Fargo Arena.
Guards: Nigel James Jr., Adrien Stevens, Chase ROss
Forwards: Ben Gold, Royce Parham
Marquette at Villanova
The first meeting between the teams on Jan. 10 left the Golden Eagles lamenting their missed chances in the final minutes of a 76-73 loss at Fiserv Forum. MU has gotten a lot better since then, with the team leaning into its young talent in James, Parham, and Stevens. But MU isn't quite ready to beat a good team in a hostile environment.
Prediction: Villanova: Villanova 75, MU 68
What channel is Marquette vs Villanova on tonight? TV, livestream
United conceded first in the second half and while the Red Devils toiled for large parts as the Hammers threatened to score on the counter, their efforts paid off in the end as Sesko volleyed in a superb equaliser in the 96th minute.
It was a point that kept their top-four charge on track after Chelsea’s draw to Leeds at Stamford Bridge, with United now two points behind third-placed Aston Villa, who face Brighton tomorrow.
And Butt was quick to highlight that he thinks his former club will be successful in their pursuit of the top four, with the ex-England midfielder also praising the “different mindset” that United showed.
“This was going to happen sooner or later. It’s good to go back up the road with a point, and Everton I think they’Il go on and win that. And I think they’ll finish fourth or third in the league, and that will be a really good end to the season for Michael [Carrick] and Man Utd,” said Butt.
“I think six weeks ago, Man Utd lose that game 2-0 or 3-0, but now they’re in a different mindset, they’re a different group of players, there’s a different management team, and that’s why they get a result. But six weeks ago, [I] guarantee they’d have lost that.
Sesko’s superb late volley secured the draw after the visitors toiled for large parts (AFP via Getty Images)
“I’m convinced they would have lost that game, their heads would have gone down, they’d have given up a little bit, but now there’s a different mindset,” he added.
The draw means the Red Devils stay one point ahead of fifth-placed Chelsea with 12 games left to play in the league. Carrick’s side have been knocked out of the FA Cup so they will not play again until Monday 23 February, when they face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
A position often considered weak, second base has built up some legitimate depth.
The top tier consists of two elite yet injury-prone options in Ketel Marte and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Each (predictably) missed some time last year which allowed Brice Turang to lead the position in a breakout season. Otherwise, even an aging Jose Altuve remains highly productive while Nico Hoerner has proven his consistency.
Past that group, veterans Ozzie Albie, Brandon Lowe and Gleyber Torres offer different types of profiles along with youngsters Jackson Holliday, Luke Keaschall and Ceddanne Rafaela who could be ready to take a step forward.
Marcus Semien has a chance to rejuvenate his career after landing with the Mets and Jorge Polanco may just be their clean-up hitter. Matt McLain is another year removed from injury and don’t forget about Xavier Edwards, Bryson Stott, or José Caballero for stolen bases. There are a lot of options at this position and each fits a different archetype.
Below you’ll find what the Rotoworld staff forecasts for second base heading into spring drafts, along with profiles and projections for all the top options. More fantasy baseball draft prep content is on the way in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
⚾️ Coming soon: MLB returns to NBC and Peacock in 2026! In addition to becoming the exclusive home of Sunday Night Baseball, NBC Sports will broadcast MLB Sunday Leadoff, “Opening Day” and Labor Day primetime games, the first round of the MLB Draft, the entire Wild Card round of the postseason, and much more.
⚾ 2026 Fantasy Baseball Second Base Rankings
** Rotoworld staff consensus rankings **
Player
Pouliot
Samulski
Schiano
Short
Montanez
Bissell
Shovein
Crawford
Consensus Avg
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
3
1.63
Ketel Marte
1
2
1
2
2
2
3
1
1.75
Brice Turang
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
2
2.63
Luke Keaschall
4
9
5
4
7
4
5
5
5.38
Jose Altuve
6
4
4
7
6
6
7
6
5.75
Nico Hoerner
10
6
6
6
4
5
4
9
6.25
Jackson Holliday
5
7
10
5
5
7
15
4
7.25
Ceddanne Rafaela
8
8
15
9
9
9
8
11
9.63
Xavier Edwards
7
12
12
11
12
13
6
7
10
Ozzie Albies
25
5
7
8
8
12
12
10
10.88
Brandon Lowe
19
13
8
12
11
8
14
8
11.63
Jorge Polanco
9
11
11
13
14
10
18
13
12.38
Bryson Stott
12
14
13
14
13
14
10
15
13.13
Matt McLain
13
10
14
16
19
11
17
17
14.63
Luis Garcia Jr.
14
17
18
15
17
15
13
14
15.38
Gleyber Torres
16
16
9
18
18
19
19
16
16.38
Marcus Semien
25
15
16
17
15
18
16
12
16.75
Brendan Donovan
15
18
17
20
20
25
21
18
19.25
Tommy Edman
11
25
19
19
25
20
25
25
21.13
Otto Lopez
18
25
25
25
25
16
11
20
20.63
Jose Caballero
25
20
25
25
25
17
9
25
21.38
Brett Baty
17
25
20
25
16
25
25
25
22.25
Lenyn Sosa
20
19
25
25
25
25
25
19
22.88
Jeff McNeil
25
25
25
25
25
25
20
25
24.38
Editor’s Note: Projections and dollar values courtesy of Matthew Pouliot; player rankings are based on consensus.
⚾ 2026 Second Base Projections and Previews
1) Ketel Marte — Arizona Diamondbacks
2026 Outlook: There’s never been a productivity concern with Marte, just an availability one. He’s taken at least one trip to the injured list in six of the last seven seasons and missed a combined 64 games over the past two years. On the other hand, no second baseman has come close to his .913 OPS over that same two-year span. Just last season, the only qualified players with a higher OPS were Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, George Springer, Cal Raleigh, Kyle Schwarber, and Juan Soto. That is the definition of elite company. Marte’s value takes a hit in rotisserie formats because stolen bases aren’t part of his game, but he has every chance to be one of the most valuable hitters in the league… if he manages to stay healthy.
2026 Outlook: It took a little longer than most fantasy enthusiasts might have hoped, but Chisholm finally reached the 30-30 mark for the first time in his career last season. The boost from Yankee Stadium was real, but the juicy production was backed by legitimate thump, including a 91st-percentile barrel rate. He remains a valuable source of speed and he should provide plenty of counting stats in the Yankees’ lineup. The batting average risk and injury history will keep him out of first-round consideration, but he profiles as a strong pick second-round target while carrying second base and third base eligibility.
2026 Outlook: In a shock, Turang was the top overall second baseman in 5x5 leagues last season. Even more shocking, his ascent came as his stolen base total tumbled from 50 in 2024 to just 24 in 2025. Rather than a profile driven by speed, Turang found his groove as a run-producer. His 97 runs scored led all second basemen, 81 RBI trailed only Brandon Lowe at the position, and 18 home runs more than doubled his previous career-high. He also put up a .288 batting average, good for top-20 among all qualified batters. This may not have been a total fluke either. For the first two years of Turang’s career, he had some of the worst power metrics in the league. Last season, his average bat jumped up from 66.2 mph to 70.7 mph. With that, he more than tripled his total barrels and raised his career max exit velocity by nearly three full ticks from 108.3 mph to 111.2 mph. To give more confidence these gains could be sticky, the three months in which Turang had his fastest average bat speed were the final three of the year. There was a moderate tradeoff in hunting for more power as his strikeout rate went up and contact rate down, but neither dramatically enough to outweigh the additional damage he was able to create. Turang is a consensus top-five second baseman heading into 2026.
2026 Outlook: Is this the end for Altuve as an elite player? His .771 OPS was his lowest in a full season since 2013 and his .265 batting average was a stark break from his career norms. The speed also seems to be evaporating – which is not a shock for a 35-year-old – as he stole only 10 bases on 16 tries in 2025. On the other hand, Altuve still managed 26 home runs which tied for the fourth-most among second base eligible players despite power metrics that look more like that of a slap hitter. A failed experiment in the outfield has led to eligibility there this coming season, which is nice for his fantasy value too. Through it all, he graded out as a top-five second baseman last year and it’s hard to doubt that he can’t do so again. He’s earned that benefit of the doubt.
2026 Outlook: Keaschall broke on the scene like a mad-man with five stolen bases, three doubles, and more than twice as many walks than strikeouts during his first week as a big leaguer last April. Then, a fractured forearm knocked him out of action for over three months. He returned in early August and was still impressive, closing the season with a .795 OPS, four home runs, nine steals, and more excellent plate discipline over his final 42 games. He figures to hit near the top of the Twins’ lineup next season and could ride his contact-oriented approach with tremendous plate discipline to a high batting average, high on-base percentage, and sit near the league lead in stolen bases.
2026 Outlook: Hoerner is a throwback type of player. Almost no one makes more contact than him and his other elite, carrying traits are speed and defense. That makes for a very steady player that’s easy to project. He’ll have a high batting average that can sneak near .300, something like 30 stolen bases and plenty of runs scored without any meaningful power production. He’s sat between the third and sixth most valuable second baseman by earned value three years running and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him fall in that same range again.
2026 Outlook: One of the game’s most productive second baseman since he debuted nine years ago, Albies carried a poor 2024 into a much worse 2025. This two-season downturn raises legitimate questions as to whether or not he can bounce back near his previous heights. Age shouldn’t be a concern yet since he’s still 29 years old, but there are troubling signs. Albies’ batted ball quality has drifted from solid to poor over the last three years and the Braves have responded to such by moving him down in their lineup. Runs and RBI used to be a staple of his fantasy value and he will get fewer of them hitting lower in the order. Possibly notable, he had a .272 batting average in the second half with nine homers and seven steals. That made him the third most valuable 2B after the break, so maybe there’s still value here.
2026 Outlook: Lowe’s 31 home runs tied with Jazz Chisholm Jr. to lead all second base-eligible players last season. It’s the second time he’s crossed the 30-homer threshold and coincidentally, those are the only times Lowe’s played more than 130 games in a single season. Funny how that works. If he can stay on the field, he has a chance to be atop the position power-wise. It is worth noting that his new home at PNC Park in Pittsburgh is one of the most difficult places for a left-handed hitter to homer out of whereas Steinbrenner Field – the Rays’ home field last year – was quite hitter-friendly.
2026 Outlook: Torres is what he is at this point in his career: a 20-homer bat who will steal a handful of bases and get on base a ton without a particularly high batting average. It’s not an exciting profile production wise, but everything under the hood still looks so good. Few players in the league make better swing decisions and his contact rate is quite high. Yet, his bat speed and raw power just aren’t where they were once perceived to be and his all-fields approach severely knocks down his power projection, especially in a home park like Comerica in Detroit. This is a quality real-life player, just not an exciting one in fantasy anymore. He’ll be much more valuable in OBP and points-based leagues though.
2026 Outlook: One of the more difficult players to project, Holliday still has the shine of a former number one overall prospect without yet producing as a big leaguer or showing the underlying skills to make us believe a jump to stardom is imminent. A near 20-20 season in 2025 came with a lowly .690 OPS, poor bat speed, and a below-average zone-contact rate. The clearest path for him to take a step forward would happen if he found a way to pull a much higher share of his fly balls. He was in the 15th percentile of such last year and that severely capped how many home runs his middling power could produce in Camden Yards which is much, much friendlier to right field compared to left. Growth there along with natural physical projection entering his age-22 season could make him a 30 homer threat overnight. Otherwise, taking him at his ADP near pick 130 requires a bit of a leap of faith.
2026 Outlook: For the first shock of the Mets’ offseason, they signed Polanco in mid-December with the expectation that he’d replace Pete Alonso as their primary first baseman. Polanco has appeared in exactly one game at first as a pro, but reportedly got work there with the Mariners’ coaches last year and the Mets have given every indication he can not only handle that position defensively, but possibly even excel. Gaining eligibility there will be great for his fantasy profile. Joining a lineup with Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, and Bo Bichette in it won’t hurt either. There's a decent chance Polanco hits clean-up behind those three stars and with that, 30 home runs and 100 RBI are in play should he stay healthy. That’s always been the hold up with him though as he’s played over 120 games just twice in the last five seasons.
2026 Outlook: After a rollicking close to the 2024 season, Edwards came out of the gate with a .263/.337/.291 slash line and just four stolen bases over the first six weeks last year. At that point, he was placed on the injured list with a back strain and replaced at shortstop by Otto López. When Edwards came back, he was installed as the Marlins’ second baseman and closed the season with a .292 batting average and 16 stolen bases over his final 97 games. That’s not quite the level of production we saw to conclude 2024, but one that was good enough to be among the top-10 second basemen by year's end. He profiles to be in that same range once again.
2026 Outlook: Speed and defense will always keep Stott’s floor relatively high. His production at the plate also trended up last season, but more so because the Phillies have begun to hide him a bit more from left-handed pitchers rather than any true skill improvements. He did seem to make an adjustment to be a bit more passive at the plate. This allowed him to drop his chase rate and work deeper counts. However, pitchers responded by simply throwing more pitches in the zone, unafraid of the damage Stott could do. He’s a good bet to be a near league-average hitter who will hit 10 to 15 home runs and steal around 30 bases with a middling batting average in a touch less than a true full-time role.
2026 Outlook: Evaluating McLain is a “beauty in the eye of the beholder” situation. He had a phenomenal 89-game sample in 2023 with 16 homers, 14 stolen bases, and an .864 OPS as a 23-year-old. It felt like he was one of the game’s ascending stars before a left labrum tear in spring training the following year forced him to miss the entire 2024 season. He returned last year, but was statistically one of the worst hitters in the league with a .643 OPS over 147 games. Funny enough, his profile as a hitter wasn’t extremely different in these two vastly different stretches production wise. His contact rates and the quality of his swing decisions were nearly identical. His batted ball quality dropped some, just not enough to constitute how much less damage he did. Perhaps another year removed from serious shoulder surgery helps that power come back and makes McLain a diamond in the rough after pick 200.
2026 Outlook: Players like Rafaela are so fun to watch. Defensively, he’s one of the game’s best centerfielders and routinely makes catches that seem impossible on contact. Yet, he found himself pushed to second base for 24 games last year because of the Red Sox’s logjam in the outfield. He was formidable there, but significantly less valuable in a real-life sense. Especially because he’s an agent of chaos at the plate. He steps in the box without much of a plan besides wanting to do damage and take war hacks. In doing so, he chased pitches out of the zone at one of the highest rates in the league. That approach led to an extreme feast or famine profile. For example, he put up a .647 OPS over the first two months of the season, then caught fire with an .861 OPS through June and July before faltering to a .622 OPS in August and September. That all led to a poor 91 wRC+ by season’s end and it’s anyone’s guess as to whether he’ll ever become a more consistent hitter. Yet, 20 homers and 30 stolen bases are well within reach and that alone could make him a highly valuable second base eligible player.
2026 Outlook: Is a career revival possible for Semien? After a five-year run as one of the game’s best second basemen, age began to catch up with him in 2024 as his .699 OPS was a ten-year low (2020 notwithstanding). Then, he was even worse last season and it’s fair to ask whether or not he could ever be a plus hitter again. That being said, an abysmal first 56 games with a .173 batting average and shockingly low .485 OPS destroyed his full-season line past the point of no return. In his final 71 games, Semien slashed .270/.338/.464 with 14 home runs before a foul ball fractured his foot and ended his season in late-August. That looked more like the Semien of old and maybe a trade from the Rangers to the Mets could help him get back on track.
2026 Outlook: The Mariners swung a trade for Donovan late in the offseason that will likely increase his fantasy value. Without much power or speed, Donovan’s greatest assets as a player are his great hit tool and on-base ability. With the Mariners, there’s a decent chance he hits lead-off ahead of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez, Josh Naylor, and Randy Arozarena which would help him score more runs than he ever has. It’s also possible he hits behind that quartet in the meat of the order, which could drive up his RBI total. Again, it’s still not a sexy profile without many homers or stolen bases to speak of, but he’ll be productive elsewhere.
2026 Outlook: A popular breakout pick last year after a strong 2024, García flopped hard. He couldn’t keep his on-base percentage above .300 and played more like a replacement-level player than a starting caliber one. That’s called his role into question a bit as the Nationals front office underwent a regime change and there are rumblings he will get time at first base this coming season because of his inconsistent and mostly poor defense at second. Extra versatility and eligibility help his profile because it’s hard to project how productive he’ll be with a career .709 OPS. Yet, he still makes tons of contact, has slightly above average power, and is a willing base stealer. So, a 20-20 season is in play. He may lose his green light though with a shifting organizational philosophy and a poor track record of efficiency on the base paths.
2026 Outlook: Edman has continued to trend in the wrong direction over the last year. A legendary run during the 2024 postseason gave way to a dreadful 2025 campaign that was overshadowed by a nagging ankle injury. The Dodgers didn’t acquire anyone to challenge him for playing time at second base heading into the season, but that same ankle injury hasn’t gone away and there are murmurs that he will miss Opening Day as we enter camp. Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas will both get a chance to siphon off reps at second given the uncertainty surrounding Edman. Those two aren’t much competition for a healthy Edman though.
2026 Outlook: Baty entered last season as a bit of an afterthought for fantasy managers after the emergence of Mark Vientos in 2024, but the former top prospect ended up being the more productive player while showing maturity and growth defensively. The 26-year-old put himself back in the fantasy conversation with a strong month of May, but he really took off in the second half, slashing .291/.353/.477 with nine homers over 55 games while seeing time between second and third base. His improved selectivity at the plate showed up in a major jump in barrel percentage. Baty always flashed good power in the minors, so it’s very possible things are beginning to click for him. He’ll enter spring training as a bit of a question mark after the addition of Bo Bichette at third base, but there’s still plenty of opportunity for at-bats between first base, the DH spot, and left field. If the playing time is indeed there, he’ll be mixed league relevant as a multi-positional eligible player.
The 2026 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo has come to a close. Champions were crowned across every event, and those who rose to the top left Dickies Arena with both bragging rights and a lot of money added to their 2026 standings.
The men’s timed events, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping, were strong from start to finish. Fort Worth’s format tested consistency and execution every step of the way.
The rodeo began with progressive rounds, split into 7 brackets. After two rounds within each bracket, the top two money earners advanced directly to the semifinals, while third place moved on to the Wild Card round. Once the progressive rounds concluded, the Wild Card sent two additional competitors in each event to the semifinals.
From there, two semifinal rounds narrowed the field to eight, four from each semifinal. Those eight finalists represented the best in Fort Worth this year earning the chance to compete for one of the most sought after titles of the winter rodeos.
Steer Wrestling
Bridger Anderson of South Dakota and Trisyn Kalawaia of Hawaii tied for the win in the steer wrestling. They both stopped the clock at 3.8 seconds to split the championship and $16,000 each.
Anderson, 27, continues to build momentum early in the season. A three-time NFR qualifier, he made his third appearance to Vegas in 2025, finishing ninth in the world standings. Following his Fort Worth performance, Anderson sits second in the 2026 world standings and is on pace to possibly surpass $1 million in career earnings this season.
Kalawaia, just 23, is also off to a strong start in 2026. The Hawaiian cowboy is currently third in the world standings and credited Fort Worth as a big turning point towards big goals.
“This is definitely the biggest win of my career,” Kalawaia said following the the big win.
Both cowboys were quick to point to the horsepower behind them and the work of their hazers, noting that success in steer wrestling is never a one man effort.
Justin Shaffer finished third with a 3.9-second run to earn $8,000, while Tanner Brunner rounded out the top four at 4.1 seconds, adding $4,000 to his season earnings.
Tie-Down Roping
Consistency paid off in the tie-down roping, where Kincade Henry closed out Fort Worth with the fastest run of the finals. The 24 year old Texas cowboy stopped the clock in 7.5 seconds to win the title and the $20,000.
He competed in Bracket 2 early in the rodeo, he won his bracket to advance and continued to pick up speed as the week went on. He was 8.5 seconds for second place in his semifinal, setting himself up for the final night. When it counted most, Henry delivered his quickest run of the rodeo to secure the championship at 7.5 seconds.
A four-time NFR qualifier, Henry finished a career best third in the world standings in 2025 during his fourth trip to the National Finals Rodeo. Following his Fort Worth win, he holds a strong lead in the 2026 world standings with nearly $50,000 already earned.
Marty Yates finished second with a 7.7 second run followed by Haven Meged in third at 8.1 seconds. Zack Jongbloed rounded out the top four, clocking 8.2 seconds on finals Saturday night.
Team Roping
Team roping at Fort Worth turned into a matter of simply getting the job done. Qualified, clean runs were hard to come by throughout the week, and that trend carried into the finals.
When Corben Culley and Trent Vaught were fourth out on finals night. With many strong teams to go, nobody was sure that they would stay on top. But their 5.4-second run proved to be the difference, standing as the only clean run of the finals and earning them the championship.
Neither Culley nor Vaught has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo yet, but their Fort Worth win puts them in rare company early in the season. Following this big win, the duo now sits No. 1 in the world standings on both the heading and heeling sides.
Vaught, who hails from Arkansas, and Culley, an Iowa cowboy, capitalized on an opportunity, proving that in team roping, execution matters just as much as speed.
In the past two Winter Games, there was a simple answer to that question: Norway. In 2018, Norway led the way with 39 total medals, also tying Germany for the most gold medals (14). In 2022, not much changed — Norway again paced all countries with 37 medals, including a Games-leading 16 golds.
Now, as the Winter Olympics head to Italy, there will be plenty of storylines to monitor. How will the debut of ski mountaineering look? How will Lindsey Vonn’s official Olympic comeback attempt go after another knee injury? And how will the return of NHL players impact the hockey competition?
There will be plenty of contenders to finish atop the medal chart, with Norway, the United States and Germany all expected to be in the mix.
Below, The Sporting News will track the top medal-winning countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Follow along to see which nations emerge as the top contenders at the Milan Games.
Norway is leading the way for overall gold medal count, owning six as of Day 4 of the 2026 Winter Olympics, with the second-highest being Switzerland's three gold medals (last update: Feb. 10).
Switzerland captured the first gold medal of the 2026 Winter Olympics when skier Franjo von Allman won the men's downhill.
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 07: Acaden Lewis #55 of the Villanova Wildcats drives to the basket in the first half of a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas at Capital One Arena on February 07, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Villanova Wildcats 18-5 (9-3) vs Marquette Golden Eagles 9-15 (4-9)
Where: Finneran Pavilion (Villanova, PA)
When: Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30 PM
Betting Line: Villanova -9.5 (subject to change)
How to Watch: TNT + truTV
How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Net Rankings: Villanova 32, Marquette 114 (Quad 3)
Roberto De Zerbi’s time at Olympique de Marseille is nearing its conclusion, according to information from RMC Sport.
Despite leading training at La Commanderie on Tuesday, the Italian technician is understood to be deeply affected by the club’s recent humiliating defeats and, in particular, by what he perceives as a lack of response and commitment from his squad.
De Zerbi reportedly used the session and subsequent exchanges with players to gauge whether he still retained the backing of the dressing room. The feedback did little to reassure him. Sources indicate that the former Sassuolo and Brighton coach no longer feels full adhesion from his group and is increasingly convinced that he does not have the resources required to turn the situation around.
Discussions have also taken place between De Zerbi and Marseille’s hierarchy regarding a negotiated end to their collaboration. While the 45-year-old has at times been described as unpredictable and capable of late reversals, the prevailing feeling is that the decision has effectively been made.
The final step rests with owner Frank McCourt, whose approval will be required to formalise the separation.GFFN | George Boxall
West Ham 1-1 Manchester United: Sesko’s late strike preserves Carrick’s unbeaten record
West Ham United were held to a 1-1 draw by Manchester United in the Premier League at the London Stadium on Tuesday evening.
West Ham came out flying from the blocks, with Senne Lammens making a superb save to deny Crysencio Summerville in the 13th minute.
United’s first genuine opportunity came from a corner which Harry Maguire headed wide.
Luke Shaw came close to putting United ahead with a first-time shot before the half-hour mark, only for Aaron Wan-Bissaka to clear the ball off the line.
Tomas Soucek broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, guiding Jarrod Bowen’s low cross into the far corner to register his third goal against United.
Casemiro thought he had drawn United level in the 63rd minute, after heading Kobbie Mainoo’s cross into the net, but his effort was ruled offside.
Deep into stoppage time, Benjamin Sesko rescued a point for United with a clever finish, keeping interim manager Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run.
Unai Emery open to signing Jadon Sancho on permanent deal
Unai Emery says Aston Villa would consider keeping Jadon Sancho (25) beyond his loan spell if the winger continues to improve.
The 25-year-old joined Villa from Manchester United last summer on a temporary deal, with his contract at Old Trafford set to expire at the end of the season.
Sancho has made 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring once and providing one assist. Both contributions have come in recent weeks, with a Europa League goal against RB Salzburg and an assist for Morgan Rogers in the win over Bournemouth.
Villa boss Emery said it is too early to decide on Sancho’s future but praised his recent progress: “Not yet, but he is a fantastic player,” said Emery, speaking to the media before Villa’s Premier League clash against Brighton. “If he plays his best football, we will want him, but other teams could also be interested.”
Emery added that Sancho’s early-season performances did not meet expectations but believes the winger is now moving in the right direction.
“The first part of the season was not enough,” he said. “Now he is getting better and accepting the challenge.”
Sancho is aiming to finish the campaign strongly as Villa continue to compete on multiple fronts. Emery stressed the importance of consistency, saying every match will be key for both the club’s ambitions and the player’s future.
For now, Sancho’s focus remains on maintaining his form and contributing regularly as Villa look ahead to the final months of the season.
Coppa Italia | Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 pens): Sudden death sends Fabregas into semi-final
Como will face Inter in their first Coppa Italia semi-final for 40 years, after eliminating Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a sudden death penalty shoot-out, following the 1-1 draw.
The Partenopei lost Scott McTominay in a controversial 3-2 win over Genoa, so Eljif Elmas dropped into midfield with Giovane getting his first start upfront, as David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne were injured, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returned in goal. Como earned a 0-0 draw here in Serie A back in November, but were well rested as their Serie A Week 24 fixture with Milan was rescheduled to February 18.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 battles for possession with Giovane of SSC Napoli during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Jayden Addai’s ambitious lob landed on the roof of the net in the opening minute, while Jean Butez rushed out of his area to nod clear when Rasmus Hojlund sprung the offside trap.
Juan Jesus needed a desperate block after Alex Valle shrugged off Pasquale Mazzocchi to get into the area, but Como were awarded a penalty.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Martin Baturina of Como 1907 celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Alex Valle got down the left and stood up a cross to the back post for Ivan Smolcic, who was brought down clumsily by Matias Olivera from behind. The Lariani have failed to convert numerous penalties this season, including one in their Serie A match against Napoli in November, but this time Baturina drilled it into the near bottom corner just beyond Milinkovic-Savic’s fingertips.
Jacobo Ramon was inches away from giving Napoli a spot-kick, as he brought down Hojlund just outside the penalty area on a long goal kick and VAR evaluated, but decided against upgrading the yellow card to red.
The hosts equalised within 60 seconds of the restart, as Hojlund’s first-time flick in the centre-circle was probably supposed to be for Giovane, but instead kept rolling into the path of Vergara, who surged forward and kept his cool to beat Butez one-on-one.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Antonio Vergara of SSC Napoli celebrates with teammate Pasquale Mazzocchi after scoring his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
There was controversy moments later, as Jacobo Ramon brought down Hojlund on the edge of the box and was very lucky not to receive his second booking. Inevitably, Cesc Fabregas took Ramon off to rescue him from danger, amid fury from Conte on the touchline.
Napoli were a different team to the first half, as Hojlund’s head only grazed a Sam Beukema cross, then on the resulting corner Amir Rrahmani’s header was cleared practically off the line by Nico Paz.
Tasos Douvikas couldn’t keep his header down on a Lucas Da Cunha free kick, but Mergim Vojvoda forced a great fingertip save out of Milinkovic-Savic at the near post.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli gestures during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Just like in Serie A, the teams could not be divided, but here went straight into a penalty shoot-out. Como famously have a poor record from the spot this season, while Milinkovic-Savic is the best goalkeeper in the league on these situations.
Lukaku stepped up with a stuttering run-up only to drill it wide of the target, while Baturina beat Milinkovic-Savic for the second time this evening, but Maximo Perrone’s central attempt was parried.
It went to sudden death, and Milinkovic-Savic was so lucky, as his penalty went in off the underside of the bar and the back of Butez’s head.
They kept going until Butez parried the Stanislav Lobotka effort, sending Como through to their first Coppa Italia semi-final in 40 years.
Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 on pens)
Baturina pen 39 (C), Vergara 46 (N)
Penalties: Da Cunha (C, goal), Politano (N, goal), Douvikas (C, goal), Lukaku (N, miss), Baturina (C, goal), Spinazzola (N, goal), Perrone (C, saved), Alisson Santos (N, goal), Smolcic (C, goal), Elmas (N, goal), Diego Carlos (C, goal), Milinkovic-Savic (N, goal), Vojvoda (C, goal), Gutierrez (N, goal), Valle (C, goal), Lobotka (N, saved)
Match Report: Man United clinch last-gasp 1-1 draw against West Ham
Manchester United rescued themselves from an embarrassing defeat to West Ham United in what was a poor performance from Michael Carrick’s side.
Following four excellent victories on the trot, Man United appeared to be a shadow of their former selves during their trip to London, showing little attacking intent in a low-energy performance.
Still, Benjamin Sesko produced a moment of magic in stoppage time to clinch a point away from home for United.
First half
Man United were on the attack from early on, with Matheus Cunha playing a lobbed through ball that went astray. Still, the visitors came agonisingly close to breaking through the Hammers’ defence for an early goal.
West Ham sought to hit back, with Jarod Bowen almost breaking through the defence before Harry Maguire dispossessed him.
In the 13th minute, the hosts almost scored when Crysencio Summerville beat the defence with a whipping in a shot that curled toward the right post. Senne Lammens produced a stunning diving save to keep the score level.
In the 22nd minute, United earned a corner, with Bruno Fernandes thumping a threatening low ball to Luke Shaw in the centre of the box. While Shaw did brilliantly to take a shot with his first touch, former teammate Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared the ball off the line.
The hosts showed no signs of backing down, continuing to pressure United in their final third, although the visitors remained focused as they successfully carried out their defensive duties.
It seemed as if United were losing their concentration when in possession, regularly giving the ball away as half-time approached. Still, they seemed composed in defence.
Five minutes before the break, United finally looked threatening, as Shaw burst up the field and threaded a through ball to Amad on the left. Unfortunately for him, his shot from a tight angle hit the side netting.
It was a somewhat subdued first 45 minutes of football from both sides, although United showed some signs of attacking threat. Michael Carrick would have no doubt wanted his team to turn up the heat as they headed out for the second half.
Second half
Four minutes into the second half, United fell behind. Bowen passed the ball to Thomas Soucek, who was perfectly positioned in the box to tap the ball into the back of the net. It was poor defending from Shaw and Lisandro Martinez, who allowed the Hammers to counter from pretty much nowhere.
In the 57th minute, Diogo Dalot gave away an unnecessary free kick by sliding into Summerville. He received a yellow card and was lucky not to give away a penalty, given how close the ball was to the edge of the box.
Fortunately, Amad, who acted as a one-man wall, managed to block the incoming cross.
In the 62nd minute, United drew level as Casemiro got on the end of a surgical long ball from Kobbie Mainoo, putting the ball in the back of the net. Then, VAR decided to review the goal for a possible offside. Unfortunately, Casemiro was determined to be fractionally offside, meaning that the score remained 1-0.
With little over 23 minutes to play, Carrick made a double switch. Cunha and Maguire made way for Benjamin Sesko and Leny Yoro. It appeared that Maguire may have been struggling with a hamstring strain, so United would hope for a quick recovery.
Shaw sent a threatening cross into the box, though Bryan Mbeumo’s header floated wide.
In the 82nd minute, Carrick decided to inject more attacking firepower into the team by replacing Dalot with Joshua Zirkzee.
Amad took a shot from a corner, though the goalkeeper made a confident save.
West Ham came close to doubling their lead when Adama Traore burst down the wing, although Yoro did well to slide in and block his effort on goal.
Fernandes delivered an excellent cross to Zirkzee, whose header glanced wide.
Still, with seven minutes of stoppage time, it wasn’t too late for United to grab a late equaliser.
Moments later, Callum Wilson danced past United’s last defender, going one-on-one with the keeper. Lammens did well to remain steady, producing an excellent leg save before Wilson was flagged offside.
Then, at the death, Sesko saved United from an embarrassing defeat. With a brilliant first touch, the striker guided a cross from Mbeumo into the top corner to make the score 1-1.
Moments later, the full-time whistle blew. It was a moment of relief for United, with Sesko saving his team from humiliation. Clearly, Carrick needs to go back to the drawing board to understand where his team went wrong.
Four things we learned as Man United snatch injury time draw at West Ham
Manchester United’s magical renaissance under Michael Carrick stumbled but didn’t quite fall in East London where they snatched a last-gasp draw at West Ham.
After a turgid first half the hosts took the lead shortly after the interval and looked to have defended it well enough to condemn United to a 1-0 defeat, but Benjamin Sesko‘s glorious injury time finish salvaged a point for United. Here are four things we learned from Carrick’s first dropped points in charge.
Time machine performance
United were unrecognisable from the full-throttle side reborn against Manchester City. Parts of the first half were played at walking pace, and the team that could have scored within a minute against Fulham last weekend struggled to do anything at all in the final third.
Certainly West Ham tails were up after a good run of form boosted their chances of Premier League survival, but it was a crushing disappointment that United – the league’s form side – looked so sluggish. They snatched a draw from the jaws of a deserved defeat straight out of the Ruben Amorim era, and put in the kind of performance Red Devils hoped they had put behind them since sacking the Portuguese coach.
Regression session
Part and parcel of United’s dreary performance was the reversion to type of certain key players. Diogo Dalot’s run of fine form came to an end as his momentum-killing mistakes crept back in and he rounded it off with a petulant yellow card.
Further up the pitch Matheus Cunha misfired and Amad was peripheral – things we’ve seen all too often this season. Carrick must find a way to bring back the feelgood factor which has powered his revolution to date, and if that involves switching up the starting lineup then so be it.
It might be broke, consider fixing it
United have hardly put a foot wrong in the Carrick era so far, and not for nothing has the interim head coach been consistent with his team selections. For the third game running, Carrick started an unchanged XI and it’s difficult to argue with his logic.
But it seems that he didn’t factor in a chronic inability to play twice in a week, or some other unnamed factor which drained all the zest out of the team until their backs were firmly against the wall.
It was a reassuring hour before the game as Carrick’s consistency continued to prove a welcome change from Amorim’s relentless tinkering, but the flat performance indicates that rotation isn’t necessarily a bad thing – particular when Sesko came off the bench to pinch an essential equaliser with a wonderful finish.
Passing a positive
Since Carrick took control United have been much slicker on the ball, and it was a similar story tonight despite the drop in tempo. The Red Devils played their way out of tight corners with a coolness and understanding that has been sorely lacking – the fact that these exchanges didn’t bear goalscoring fruit is another story.
Cunha and Bruno Fernandes were smart in the middle of the pitch, and Harry Maguire continued to build a strong understanding with the fleet-footed Lisandro Martinez to bring a calmness to pushing it around at the back. There is work to do to bring back the urgency, but at least the technical side of things was still on display tonight.
He takes a lot of responsibility on himself - Pep on Haaland
Pep Guardiola had paid a fulsome tribute to Erling Haaland and stressed that the star striker cares deeply about his own contributions to City’s success.
Haaland bagged a vital penalty winner in a 2-1 weekend win at Liverpool which put us just six points behind Arsenal and also put the giant Norwegian on 21 goals in the Premier League so far this term.
Guardiola was hugely impressed with the composure of the No.9 in slotting away in the caldron of Anfield and insisted the goal and victory will have thrilled the fab forward more than most.
“I know it’s not easy,” the boss said in his pre-match press conference.
“Anfield in the 91, 92 minutes, in the situation we have, taking it there, making this composure and his body language with his eyes with fire in that, it’s not easy.
“That defines the good players.
“He takes a lot of responsibility on himself, he wants to help all the time.
Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych wears a helmet depicting Ukrainian sportsmen and women during a skeleton training session at the Winter Olympics (FRANCK FIFE)
US ski star Mikaela Shiffrin suffered more Winter Olympic heartbreak on Tuesday as Ukrainian athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych vowed to continue wearing a banned helmet depicting victims of the war with Russia.
On the ice in Milan, US figure-skating sensation Ilia Malinin further burnished his growing reputation as he closed in on a second gold medal in his debut Games.
America's top team of Shiffrin and individual downhill champion Breezy Johnson were firm favourites to win the women's team combined event in Cortina d'Ampezzo after Johnson topped the times in the morning's downhill run.
But Shiffrin stuttered through the slalom -- her specialist event -- and the US pair finished in a disappointing fourth place, with Austrians Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber claiming gold.
Defeat will sting for 30-year-old Shiffrin, who is the most successful World Cup skier of all time and came into the Games in red-hot form.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist had a point to prove after a disastrous showing at the 2022 Beijing Games, where she failed to win a single medal.
But Shiffrin was a full second slower than Emma Aicher, whose session-leading time of 44.38sec gave Germany silver while another US pairing, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, took bronze.
The American said she would learn from her disappointing run, which cranks up the pressure ahead of next week's slalom, the final alpine skiing event of the Games.
"I didn't quite find a comfort level that like allows me to produce full speed, so I'm going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust in the short time we have before the other tech races," she said.
Shiffrin's poor performance denied Johnson a second gold of the Games after she triumphed in the downhill on Sunday, when Lindsey Vonn suffered a broken leg in a brutal crash.
Vonn, 41, who had been expected to share star billing with Shiffrin at the Milan-Cortina Games, revealed on Monday she had suffered a "complex tibia fracture" when she crashed in the downhill and would need "multiple surgeries to fix properly".
- Helmet row -
Away from the ski slopes, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Ukrainian skeleton racer Heraskevych from wearing a helmet that features pictures of sportspeople killed since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, but has allowed him to wear a black armband instead.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said the headwear contravened guidelines but that the IOC would "make an exception to the guidelines to allow him to wear a black armband during competition to make that commemoration".
Gestures of a political nature during competition are forbidden under the Olympic charter, though athletes are permitted to express their views in press conferences and on social media.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had defended Heraskevych's right to wear the helmet, thanking him "for reminding the world of the price of our struggle".
And the athlete, who was one of Ukraine's two flag bearers in the opening ceremony in Italy, told reporters at the Cortina Sliding Centre that he had no intention of backing down.
"I used it in all trainings... I used it today, I will use it tomorrow, and I will use it on race day (Thursday)," he told reporters.
Heraskevych said he disagreed with the IOC's decision "because I truly believe that we didn't violate any rules".
In a strongly worded Instagram post he said: "Even though the IOC wants to betray the memory of these athletes, I will not betray them."
Ukrainian Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP this month that Russia has killed "more than 650 athletes and coaches" since it invaded Ukraine, according to the latest data.
In late-evening action, figure skater Malinin, unbeaten in individual competition for two years, performed his trademark backflip to top the standings in the short programme of the singles competition, delighting the crowd.
The 21-year-old, with the team title already under his belt, is well placed to win gold after Friday's free skating section.
Earlier Tuesday, Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo added a seventh Olympic gold to his career haul as Norway stayed top of the medals table with six golds.
In the Olympic women's ice hockey preliminary round, the United States hammered reigning champions Canada 5-0.
Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg holds up the net with his twin sons, Sam and Charlie, following a 70-66 victory against Kansas in the finals of the Big 12 Tournament at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, March 14, 2015. (David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Nebraska 2025-2026 Season
OverallRecord: 21-2
Big 10 Record: 10-2
Previous 3 Games
2/7: W – 80 – 68 vs Rutgers @ Away
2/1: L – 69 – 78 vs Illinois @ Home
1/27: L – 72 – 75 vs Michigan @ Away
Nebraska Personnel
Starters
Position
#
Player
Class
Height
Weight
Min
Pts
Reb
Ast
Center
51
Rienk Mast
Sr.
6’10”
250
29
15
6
3
Power Forward
9
Berke Buyuktuncel
Jr.
6’10”
245
25
7
6
2
Wing
21
Pryce Sandfort
Jr.
6’7″
210
32
17
5
2
Guard
10
Jamarques Lawrence
Sr.
6’3″
185
28
11
2
4
Point Guard
1
Sam Hoiberg
Sr.
6’0″
180
31
10
5
4
Bench
Position
#
Player
Class
Height
Weight
Min
Pts
Reb
Ast
Guard/Wing
31
Cale Jacobsen
Jr.
6’4″
195
21
4
3
2
Center
5
Braden Frager
Fr.
6’7″
215
23
12
4
1
Key Analytics
(Per KenPom.com – National Rank in ())
KenPom Ranking – 12
Offense
Adjusted Efficiency: 121.6 (29) – Big 10 Only: 117.3 (5)
Adjusted Tempo: 66.8 (204) – Big 1o Only: 65.8 (7)
Average Possession Length: 16.9 (104) – Big 1o Only: 19 (17)
Effective Field Goal%: 56.3 (25) – Big 1o Only: 50.2 (6)
Offensive Rebound%: 25.9 (328) – Big 1o Only: 23.1 (18)
Three Point%: 35.7 (81) – Big 1o Only: 38.2 (1)
Two Point %: 59.3 (25) – Big 1o Only: 57.1 (4)
Defense
Adjusted Efficiency: 93.7 (11) – Big 1o Only: 101.2 (3)
Adjusted Tempo: 66.8 (204) – Big 1o Only: 65.8 (7)
Average Possession Length: 18.4 (341) – Big 1o Only: 19 (17)
Effective Field Goal%: 47.5 (38) – Big 1o Only: 50.2 (6)
Offensive Rebound%: 27.1 (41) – Big 1o Only: 27.4 (4)
Three Point%: 30.2 (228) – Big 1o Only: 30.4 (3)
Two Point %: 49.6 (141) – Big 1o Only: 54.3 (8)
Key Stat for Purdue
Offense
(Per KenPom.com – Big 10 Rank in ())
Effective FG%
Purdue Offense: 57.6 (2)
Nebraska Defense: 50.2 (6)
Thoughts:
Purdue’s offense has to dominate this game. Nebraska can be a streaky shooting team; if the Boilermakers can be steady on offense, there will be opportunities to build a lead or get Nebraska back in after they go on a run. Conversely, if the Boilermakers hit a dry spell and Nebraska hits one of its patented three-point barrages, the game could get out of hand.
Either way, Purdue needs to put the ball in the basket.
Defense
Three Point%
Purdue Defense: 34.6 (12)
Nebraska Offense: 38.2 (1)
Thoughts:
Purdue struggles to contain three-point shooters. Purdue overhelps and over-switches on defense (in my humble opinion), which leads to open outside shots. Any drive that threatens the lane opens up multiple outside shooters. Purdue’s guards go under screens or switch everything.
Best-case scenario? Nebraska is cold because they’re going to get plenty of opportunities.
Brief Thoughts
Can Purdue avoid the big Nebraska run?
The Cornhuskers are going to put together a few runs because of their shooting. Purdue can handle a couple of 10-to-3 runs because Nebraska can also go cold. What they can’t handle is a 15-3 run that allows the Cornhuskers to play in clean air. Purdue has to stay attached to this team’s hip and hope to outplay them down the stretch.
Nebraska doesn’t have much depth. Maybe Purdue finally decides to play big boy ball in the paint instead of flipping shots at the rim? Getting Mast in foul trouble would be much appreciated.
Fletcher Loyer is 10-14 from three over the last two games. If anyone can match Nebraska shot-for-shot, it’s a red-hot Loyer. I’d like to see Purdue run some offense for him early and see if they can get him going. He’s been using his ability to draw fouls and get to the line to calibrate his deep shooting. I’d like to see him aggressive early.
Predictions
KenPom
Purdue: 71
Nebraska: 74
Drew
Purdue: 68
Indiana: 67
Looking Into the Crystal Ball
Look, I’m a homer. If you’re looking for an unbiased prediction, a team blog probably isn’t the best resource. Illinois and Michigan beat up Nebraska on the inside. Purdue turns back the clock, allows TKR to work in the paint, and softens up the Cornhusker interior early. It’s a back-and-forth game. Purdue has the ball last, and Loyer finishes off his career day with a dagger 3 over Hoiberg.
(As an admitted homer, even I’m a little embarrassed by the above paragraph…unless it happens, of course…then you heard it here first.)
Andy Ryan scored deep into injury-time to help Irish Premiership leaders Larne rescue a point in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Glentoran at Inver Park.
Paul O'Neill gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot, but goals either side of half-time from Pat Hoban turned the game on its head before the striker was sent off following an altercation with Ryan, who netted the rebound after his spot kick was saved.
James Akitunde scored a last-minute winner as Coleraine came from behind to beat Portadown 2-1 at the Showgrounds.
Matthew Fitzpatrick netted a hat-trick as Linfield strolled to a 6-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
Carrick Rangers continued their good run of form with a 2-1 win against bottom side Glenavon and Cliftonville got back to winning ways in the league as they saw off Bangor 3-1 at Solitude.
Ballymena United's game against Crusaders was postponed, the fifth game at the Warden Street Showgrounds to fall victim to the weather in 2026.
Late drama at Inver Park
Larne took the lead just after the 20 minute mark when Andrew Mills came charging out of his goal to try to beat O'Neill to the ball, but he clattered the Larne striker.
O'Neill then dusted himself down to score the spot kick, despite Mills getting a hand to it.
Glentoran got a stroke of good fortune just before the break when Marcus Kane's low strike from outside the box took a fortuitous deflection off Hoban and wrong-footed Rohan Ferguson for an equaliser.
It was that man Hoban again who flipped the game on its head less than five minutes after the restart. The former Derry City striker met James Singleton's beautiful ball to the back post and put the visitors ahead.
Singleton then struck the post himself before Larne had a big penalty claim when Jarlath O'Rourke looked to have used a hand to block Ryan's header on the line.
Ryan was involved in another controversial incident from the resulting corner when he and Hoban clashed with the Glentoran forward denied his chance at a hat-trick as he was shown a straight red card with a quarter of an hour remaining for his part in the coming-together.
Despite this, it was Glentoran who had a big chance to seal the three points late on, but Jordan Jenkins couldn't beat Ferguson one-on-one.
That would come back to bite them as, deep in stoppage time, MJ Kamson-Kamara handled in his own box to give Larne another penalty.
Ryan stepped up and, after his effort was saved initially by Mills, he buried the rebound to seal a point.
Glentoran were shown a second red card after the final whistle as Ryan Cooney was too vociferous with his views towards Shane Andrews.
Akitunde the hero for Bannsiders
The visitors opened the scoring midway through the opening half thanks to Josh Ukek's third goal of the season.
A Coleraine free-kick deep in Portadown territory was cleared by Steven McCullough as far as the striker standing midway inside the Coleraine half.
He still had plenty to do, but showed great pace and skill to evade the Coleraine defence before firing low past Ryan Schofield into the far corner of the net.
The Ports had chances to add to their tally in the opening 45 minutes, but Schofield produced a fine reflex save to deny Luke Wilson while Jack Scott's goal bound shot was well blocked by Mark Connolly.
Chances were few and far between at the other end, Will Patching coming closest for the hosts with a well-struck volley which was brilliantly palmed away by Alex Moore.
The Portadown goalkeeper produced a string of fine saves immediately after half-time, twice denying Joel Cooper and diving high to his right to palm away Patching's 30 yard free-kick.
He was powerless to prevent the former Linfield man drawing the hosts level with 15 minutes remaining, however.
Ben Wylie cut in off the right wing, laid the ball off to Cooper and the midfielder did the rest, drilling a low left-foot shot low into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Just when it seemed the game was going to end in a draw, the home side hit the front deep in added time when Akintunde somehow got on the end of a Patching free-kick to spark wild scenes of delight in front of the Railway End.
Blues hit Swifts for six
After an end-to-end opening 20 minutes, it was the Blues who broke the deadlock as Fitzpatrick slotted home.
Ethan McGee did well to stride forward and cut through the heart of the Dungannon midfield, before finding Fitzpatrick, who beat the offside trap and fired home across goal with his right foot.
The Blues doubled their lead three minutes before the break through Kyle McClean, who made no mistake from a relatively tight angle after being fed by Adam Frizzell.
Linfield added a third on 62 minutes, with substitute Isaac Baird firing home from close range with his first touch after some lovely work down the right from McGee.
Fitzpatrick added his second 15 minutes from time with a lovely flick into the bottom corner, before he completed his hat-trick 12 minutes later with a superb finish from a tight angle to make it 17 goals for the season.
Substitute Sean Brown put the icing on the cake for David Healy's side, thumping home from the edge of the box.
Carrick's league winning run continue
Carrick went ahead on 15 minutes as a ball down the right wing sent Paul Heatley clear. He then cut back inside and curled a left-footed effort high into the left-side of the net for his ninth goal of the season.
Glenavon had to wait until the 22nd minute for their first chance. Paul McGovern's cross from the right seemed harmless, but Luke McCullough almost diverted into his own net. Thankfully, for him, Scott Pengelly saved well in goal.
On 35 minutes, a second goal arrived for the hosts and it was the captain, McCullough.
Aidan Steele delivered from the right and the defender rose highest to head into the right-hand side of the goal from 12 yards.
Things got worse for Glenavon when they were reduced to 10 men. Niall Quinn received a straight red card for a challenge on Heatley, who was through on goal.
However, on 76 minutes Glenavon were thrown a lifeline. Carrick failed to deal with a long ball forward and could only half-clear to McGovern on the edge of the area.
He slid the ball inside to Campbell, who rifled home from 20 yards, but it would be Carrick who would hang on for the three points.
Reds see off Bangor
After a tentative opening in north Belfast, the visitors should have opened the scoring when Ben Arthurs rounded Lewis Ridd after a slack Kyle McClelland back pass, but he was denied by a sliding goal-line clearance from Jonny Addis.
Five minutes before the break, Arthurs went close again as he met Reece Neale's cross, but could only watch his effort drift the wrong side of the post.
Moments later, Lee Feeney's men were made to pay when Conor Pepper found Joe Gormley on the edge of the penalty area and the veteran striker shifted the ball onto his right before finding the bottom corner.
Just before the hour, the away side equalised in bizarre fashion when Addis blocked Stephen Fallon's shot from inside the penalty area, only for it to deflect off Pepper and into the net.
Cliftonville restored their advantage less than a minute later when Gormley headed Rory Hale's left-wing cross into the path of Michael Glynn, who fired home via the woodwork.
Substitute Brian Healy gave the Reds a two-goal cushion when Callum McCay drove at the heart of the Bangor defence before slipping the ball in behind for Healy to slot past a helpless Gareth Deane.
Bangor had the chance to reduce the deficit minutes later from the penalty spot, but Harry Lynch's tame effort down the middle was easily saved by Ridd.
Around 2,900 top athletes from around the world converged on Italy to take part in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, hoping to bring home medals across 116 events.
Olympians from Team USA have won a total of 330 Winter Olympic medals through Beijing 2022 — second only to winter sports powerhouse Norway. This year, Team USA is bringing around 230 athletes to the Winter Olympics, which run from Feb. 6 to Feb. 22.
These are some of the American athletes to watch.
Alex Ferreira
This is freestyle skier Alex Ferreira's third trip to the Olympics. Ferreira took home silver at PyeongChang in 2018 and a bronze medal in Beijing in 2022.
"It's awesome representing Team USA, because I look at us and I think we're the best team in the world, and then it's special," Ferreira recently told CBS News. "It's a big deal to Team USA, to bring home a medal for America and for your town, for your state, for your country. It's huge."
If he couldn't compete in his Olympic sport, Ferreira said he'd compete in either track and field or trampoline.
The 31-year-old athlete, who started skiing at age 3 and began competing at 10, specializes in the halfpipe. His first competition was an aerials event, which his mother enrolled him in without informing him, according to Team USA. He's also medaled at the Winter X Games. During the 2023-2024 season, Ferreira swept five world cups, X Games Aspen and the Dew Tour. Ferreira also skis under his alter ego, an older man who goes by the name Hotdog Hans.
Alex Hall
Milano Cortina is 27-year-old freestyle skier Alex Hall's third trip to the Olympics. He made his debut at the PyeongChang Games in South Korea in 2018. Hall said he has more confidence now and a different outlook than he did then.
"Going to enjoy some of the smaller things at the Olympics, not necessarily the grandiose things," Hall told CBS News.
He won gold in slopestyle in Beijing in 2022, and earned gold in four different disciplines at the X Games: big air, slopestyle, knuckle huck and real ski.
Hall secured the silver medal in men's slopestyle at this year's Olympics.
Hall, who was born in Alaska to an Italian mom, spent more than half of his life in Europe. He grew up just a few hours away from where he'll be competing.
The skier said he's looking forward to meeting with athletes from around the world and hearing their stories, something which should be easy for him since he speaks several languages, including English, French, Italian and German.
Alysa Liu
Figure skater Alysa Liu, now 20 years old and back from a surprise retirement from the ice at 16, headed to the Olympics for her second time this year. She was the youngest U.S. figure skating national champion in history, winning the title at age 13. She won another national title at 14 before taking a break from skating after the 2022 Olympics.
The U.S. took home gold in the figure skating team competition this year, with Liu skating the short program.
After her comeback to skating, Liu won the women's singles world title at the 2025 World Championships. Olympic men's skating gold medalist Brian Boitano called it "the biggest comeback in sports history."
Liu recently told "60 Minutes" that as she prepares for the Olympics, she views herself as more of an artist than an athlete.
"I view competitions more as, like, a stage for performing," she said.
Amber Glenn
Figure skater Amber Glenn, 26, made her Olympics debut just weeks after winning her third straight U.S. title. She's the first woman to do so since Michelle Kwan.
The U.S. took home gold in the figure skating team competition this year, with Glenn taking on the women's free skate. She's also among American athletes who've been speaking up about the political situation at home.
Glenn told CBS News that being an Olympian is "an incredible opportunity" because she'd "get to be on the biggest stage an athlete can be on, and I'd be able to voice my beliefs and my opinions and my message."
The skater has spent years advocating for mental health awareness and the LGBTQ+ community; Glenn came out as bisexual and pansexual in 2019.
"When I came out initially, I was terrified. I was scared it would affect my scores or something, but I didn't care," she said in a Team USA post from 2024. "It was worth it to see the amount of young people who felt more comfortable in their environments at the rink, who feel, 'Oh, I'm represented by her, and she's one of the top skaters.'"
Brittany Bowe
This is Florida speedskater Brittany Bowe's fourth trip to the Olympics. The 37-year-old two-time Olympic bronze medalist specializes in long track. She said her earlier experiences in the Olympics have taught her to focus on the process.
"In years past, it's been really easy to be outcome-oriented, and I have found that that doesn't work. That can be become really debilitating in your preparation," Bowe told CBS News. "The cards will fall as they will, and for me to just stay focused in the moment, in the process and be ready to go when that gun goes off."
Bowe carried the American flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Olympics in Beijing.
"Being an Olympian is so important to me because it has given me the platform to inspire people, to encourage people, and it's also given me an opportunity to live out my childhood dream," Bowe said. "It's given me an opportunity to bring a whole squad of people along, and being able to take my family all around the world, for them to be a part of it has been really, really meaningful."
She was edged out on Monday in the 1,000 meters, finishing in fourth.
Caroline Harvey
As a 3-year-old newbie to ice hockey, Caroline Harvey told her aunt she'd make the 2022 U.S. Olympic team, according to Team USA. Her childhood prediction came true when she became the youngest member of the team and helped the U.S. earn a silver medal in Beijing.
"Anytime you get to wear that crest and represent your country, it's the biggest honor, and being able to do it at an Olympic setting is just something that is unforgettable," Harvey told CBS News.
The 23-year-old athlete was named the best defender at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF Women's World Championships. She's also a two-time NCAA champion for the Wisconsin Badgers.
She's hoping to take home gold in Milano Cortina, but said success is ultimately "knowing we did everything we could to be successful in playing our team game."
Corinne Stoddard
Milano Cortina is 24-year-old skater Corinne Stoddard's second trip to the Olympics.
She went to Beijing in 2022, where she broke her nose during her very first race, according to Team USA. Stoddard competed in the rest of her races while unable to breathe out of one nostril.
This year, Stoddard crashed during the women's 500m. Her fall took down several of her competitors. She later told NBC the softer ice condition is better suited for figure skating, not speed skating. The American still has three events to go and told WBIR that her team will need to make adjustments.
Stoddard started roller skating in kindergarten, then switched to inline skating a year later. When she was 11, she began speed skating. While Stoddard does not yet have any Olympic medals, she's a three-time world medalist in short track speedskating.
The skater said she's dreamed of the Olympics since she was a child, which required a lot of hard work along the way.
"I would always have training every day after school, so there wasn't much time for like, play dates or sleepovers growing up," she told CBS News. "There wasn't much time as, like, a teenager, to go out with friends on the weekends. And then for my last two years of high school, I did online when I moved out to Salt Lake to start training with the national team, so I didn't get to do any of, like the typical like, prom and stuff like that. But to me, that's all worth it."
Deedra Irwin
Deedra Irwin grew up wanting to be an Olympian, but she was thinking about the Summer Olympics, not the Winter Olympics.
"I wanted to be an Olympic track star. I had no idea the Winter Olympics were a thing," Irwin told CBS News.
The 33-year-old athlete picked up skiing in high school as a way to stay in shape between the fall cross-country season and the spring track and field season, according to Team USA. It wasn't until she was 25 that she started participating in biathlon.
She went to the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where she finished 7th, the best finish ever for an American in an individual biathlon event at the Olympics.
"We've trained so much throughout our lives to just get to this stage," Irwin said. "And so I think for me, it means a lot of, like, community and family and friends. I don't remember the last time I was home for Christmas in the past, like, eight years."
Erin Jackson
Gold medalist speedskater Erin Jackson, 33, is making her third Olympic appearance — and this year, along with bobsledder Frank Del Duca, she also led Team USA as a flagbearer during the opening ceremony.
In 2022, Jackson became the first Black woman to win gold in an individual event at the Winter Olympics — after nearly failing to make the team that year.
Jackson slipped at the U.S. trials. Teammate Bowe, who qualified for the 500, 1,000 and 1,5000-meter races at trials, gave up her spot in the 500-meter race to ensure Jackson would get to skate in Beijing.
"Each of my Olympic appearances have been super different, just like coming in at all different stages of my career, and this one coming in as the reigning champion, there's going to be a lot of pressure, but that's what I'm looking forward to," Jackson told CBS News.
Jackson first started ice skating shortly before her first trip to the Olympics. She first stepped onto an ice rink in 2016. Jackson spent years inline skating before that.
"I'm just super grateful to be able to skate in circles for a living, and I just want to keep doing it as long as I can," she said.
Jackson participated in the 1,000 meters on Monday, briefly holding the lead, before finishing in sixth.
Hilary Knight
Ice hockey player Hilary Knight, 36, has been to the Olympics four times and has medaled each time, taking home a gold and three silver medals. Milano Cortino is her fifth Olympics.
"And never would I have imagined being able to compete in five Olympic Games," she told CBS News. "I mean, that's just, that's crazy in the best way."
Knight, during a preliminary round game against Canada on Feb. 10, tied the all-time U.S. women's hockey record for most Olympic points. The 5-0 game was the the largest margin of victory ever in the U.S.-Canada Olympic hockey rivalry, according to Team USA.
Ice hockey play has become a lot faster over the years, Knight said.
"It's a lot more technical, tactical. There's more of a dynamic, skillful level to it as well, and the visibility is ever growing, which is really exciting," she said.
Knight played a key role in creating the Professional Women's Hockey League.
Ilia Malinin
Figure skater Ilia Malinin is making his Olympic debut. The 21-year-old, known as the "Quad God," is the first athlete to successfully land each of the six types of quadruple jumps in one program. His strong performance helped lead the American skaters to a gold medal in the team event, and he's aiming for more in the individual competition.
Malinin took first in the men's singles short program on Feb. 10, with a program score of 108.16. He'll advance to the free skate, a medal event, scheduled for Feb. 13.
According to Team USA, Malinin eats a chocolate bar before each competition.
Malinan, whose parents were Olympic figure skaters for Uzbekistan and whose grandfather was a figure skater for the USSR, started skating at 6.
He won gold at both the 2024 and 2025 ISU Figure Skating World Championships.
This is freestyle skier Jaelin Kauf's third trip to the Olympics. The 29-year-old silver medalist specializes in moguls and dual moguls, the latter of which will make its debut at the Olympics this year — something Kauf said she's been waiting a long time for.
"It's just such an exciting sport," she told CBS News. "I've probably excelled in that historically more than singles, and so it'll just be really cool to be a part of that on the Olympic stage, being a part of that debut."
Both of Kauf's parents were professional mogul skiers.
"My mom has always been my biggest hero and role model, just watching how she's just gone at life and done what she's done, pushing the boundaries," Kauf said.
Jordan Stolz
Speed skater Jordan Stolz, 21, started skating on the pond behind his family's home after watching Apolo Ohno and Shani Davis in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, according to Team USA.
He made his Olympic debut in 2022. Stolz specializes in the 500-meter, 1,000meter and 1,500-meter. He became the world champion in all three categories at the ISU Single Distance World Championships in 2023 and again in 2024.
Stolz also skates professionally for the Dutch team, Albert Heijn Zaanlander. Speedskating is a widely-followed sport in the Netherlands, and Stolz said he hopes to bring more awareness to speed skating in the U.S.
"It's obviously not going to be as much as it is in Holland. I wish it was but maybe someday it will be, but at least I can do a little bit," Stolz told CBS News.
Kendall Coyne Schofield
Milano Cortina will be ice hockey player Kendall Coyne Schofield's fourth trip to the Olympics. She previously took home a gold and two silvers.
"I'm just so excited to feel revived through these games with family, friends, fans, excitement, just energy, all the things that we weren't able to experience in Beijing because [of] the pandemic," Coyne Schofield told CBS News.
This will also be the 33-year-old athlete's first Olympics as a mom, something that she said has made her a better hockey player.
"It's put my life into perspective," she said. "It's provided me with [an] abundance of patience that I didn't have previously."
Her son chants "USA, USA," whether the team wins or loses, she said.
Off the ice, Coyne Schofield voiced a hockey announcer in the Pixar movie "Inside Out 2."
Korey Dropkin
This is 30-year-old curler Korey Dropkin's first trip to the Olympics, though he's been curling for most of his life.
"It's a family sport. Honestly, it's like religion to me," Dropkin told CBS News. "I grew up at the curling club. My parents were super involved with a junior program at our curling club. My brother was five years older. He was already curling. I followed in his footsteps. I was like his shadow."
After graduating from high school, Dropkin moved to Duluth, Minnesota, which has become the U.S. curling capital.
"I've dedicated my whole life to getting to the Olympics and hopefully medaling at the Olympics," he said. "I moved myself and relocated and really dedicated a lot of blood, sweat and tears. So being an Olympian, finally, I've been close, and now finally realizing the Olympics is just a big dream come true."
Alongside Cory Thiesse, Dropkin delivered Team USA's first-ever medal in mixed doubles curling, taking home silver.
Kristen Santos-Griswold
Speedskater Kristen Santos-Griswold, 31, almost chose not to go to this year's Olympics after heartbreak in 2022. She was in bronze medal position with just two laps to go in the 1,000-meter when a bump by an opponent caused her to fall. The bump was later ruled a penalty, but the disheartening finish had Santos-Griswold considering retirement.
"When I decided that I was going to keep going, I was like, 'All right, I'm doing it for me. I'm going to make it all worth it. I'm going to enjoy the journey," Santos-Griswold told CBS News. "I think that's just helped to, like, catapult me into going into Olympic year with number one on my helmet."
Santos-Griswold has been training for most of her life. She started figure skating at 3. When she was 9, Santos-Griswold saw speedskating in a commercial on TV, decided she wanted to try it, and fell in love.
"Being an Olympian means everything," she said. "It's something that I've been working towards my entire life. I started skating when I was 3 years old, and I'm 30 now, so solid 27 years of dreaming about this."
Santos-Griswold is currently working on a doctorate, with plans to be a physical therapist once her skating career is over, according to Team USA.
Lindsey Vonn
Alpine skier Lindsey Vonn, who made a comeback several years after retiring, was determined to compete in her fifth Olympics — despite a recent injury on the slopes that left her with a ruptured ACL. But the effort ended in a crash just seconds into her downhill race, with Vonn being airlifted off the mountain in front of stunned spectators. (Teammate Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold.)
The 41-year-old Vonn previously competed at the Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2018, taking home gold and two silver medals.
In a statement posted to social media a day after her crash at Milano Cortina, Vonn urged others to try to achieve their dreams, even if they don't pan out.
"I hope if you take away anything from my journey it's that you all have the courage to dare greatly," she wrote. "Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying."
Vonn is the only American woman to win Olympic gold in downhill, according to Team USA, and she also has the most victories by any skier — male or female — in a single discipline.
Vonn started skiing at 3. She learned with her father and grandfather, both of whom were competitive skiers, and made her Olympic debut at 17. She retired in 2019 amid severe knee damage. Vonn has since had knee surgery and told CBS News she's now the strongest she's been in her career.
"The only thing I think that's maybe more challenging at 41 is just the grind of being away," she said. "I kind of got used to being at home with my dogs and my family, and I got away from, you know, the routine of being on the road, which doesn't necessarily change because of age, just, I think, more from being away from the sport for six years."
In 2022, John Clarey, then 41, made history as the oldest alpine skier to medal at an Olympic Winter Games. Vonn said her age won't stop her from competing at the coming Olympics.
"If I have the opportunity to compete, I'm going to," Vonn said. "Just because I'm 41 doesn't mean I can't do that if I physically feel good, which I do, I feel better now than I did in my 20s. So you know, I don't see there to be any reason why I can't do it at 41."
A week before the start of the Games, Vonn crashed in one of her final downhill tune-ups. While she was airlifted off the mountain to receive medical treatment after injuring her left knee, she assured her fans on social media that her Olympic dream was "not over."
"This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there's one thing I know how to do, it's a comeback," she wrote.
"I'm not letting this slip through my fingers. I'm gonna do it. End of story," she said.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates
Ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates are back for another the Olympics — and they're already setting a high bar, scoring a world-best 91.06 points in rhythm dance as the competition began on Feb. 6.
Chock, 33, competed in 2014, 2018 and 2022, while Bates, 36, began his Olympic run in 2010.
Their partnership began in 2011, and they won Olympic gold during the team event at their third Olympic Games. The duo helped Team USA win its second consecutive gold in the team event at Milano Cortina 2026, triumphing in both the rhythm dance and the free dance.
Chock and Bates are the favorites to win individual Olympic gold later in the Winter Games, if they can edge out the French duo in the free dance on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
"There's so much pride behind it," Chock told CBS News. "I think growing up and seeing other athletes represent Team USA meant a lot and shaped a lot of how I view sport and athleticism, and there's so much pride that comes with representing your country in the Olympic Games on the biggest stage for sports in the world. And it's just been the greatest honor of my life to be a member of Team USA."
Chock and Bates have also won three consecutive ISU World Figure Skating Championships, starting in 2023.
They're partners off the ice, too. The couple got married in 2024.
Maxim Naumov
Figure skater Maxim Naumov made his first appearance at the Olympics after a year marked by tragedy and an emotional comeback.
His trip to the Olympics comes a year after his parents, former world champions Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, died when their plane collided with a military helicopter on approach to Washington, D.C. His parents, who were popular coaches at the Skating Club of Boston, were among 67 people killed in the crash.
Naumov delivered an emotional skate on Feb. 10. "Mom and Dad, this is for you," was projected on the big screen overhead before he started his short program. Naumov held a photo of his parents as he awaited his score, just as he did at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January.
"Having role models be right there in the house, at the rink, just everywhere, they inspired me to want this dream and it would mean absolutely everything for me to be at the Olympics," Naumov said in a social media post. "I'm working as hard as I possibly can and I'm doing everything in my power to do so. Doing it for them would be even more beautiful."
Mikaela Shiffrin
Skier Mikaela Shiffrin, 30, headed to the Olympics for the fourth time. She first skied in the Olympics in 2013 and has earned two gold medals and a silver.
Shiffrin specializes in slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill. She's the first alpine skier to record 100 FIS World Cup wins and the first athlete in FIS Ski World Cup history to win in all six disciplines.
In 2024, Shiffrin crashed after losing control while on the course for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Then last year, she said she was dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder from another crash, during which she suffered a puncture wound and severe trauma to her oblique muscles.
Mystique Ro
Skeleton racer Mystique Ro, 31, headed to the Olympics for the first time, but she's no stranger to competition.
Ro competed in track & field. Then, in 2016, she was invited to a rookie camp by USA Bobsled/Skeleton. Coaches there told her she was a little small for bobsled and pushed her to try skeleton.
During skeleton, racers on sleds — head first and face down — can reach speeds of around 80 miles per hour, using body shifts to guide the sled through the course.
"Once you get away from the fear, it starts to become a game," Ro told CBS News. "So if you get past the fear, that's the first step, and then you can kind of enjoy the sport for what it is."
While plenty of kids ride sleds down hills, Row said this isn't the same.
"The speed is significantly faster, and there's a lot more peril involved if you're not prepared for it," she said.
She made her FIL World Cup debut in 2023 and, the following year, became the first American athlete to win a skeleton race on the World Cup circuit in eight years.
Nick Goepper
Milano Cortina is skier Nick Goepper's fourth trip to the Olympics. In 2014, he took bronze in Sochi, contributing to a U.S. podium sweep in men's slopestyle skiing. Goepper won silver at the Olympics in 2018 and again in 2022.
"To me, being an Olympian has meant legacy," he told CBS News. "I am a huge fan of history. I love reading about people who have done, you know, amazing things and family connections and just like, you know, people's eyes always light up when you talk about the Olympics."
The 31-year-old athlete retired after Beijing, but then returned less than a year later to compete in halfpipe instead of slopestyle.
Goepper said his approach to competition and the Olympics has changed over the years.
"I can sit back and enjoy the little moments a little bit more. I can savor things a little more, which is nice," he said.
Paula Moltzan
Alpine skier Paula Moltzan made her Olympic debut in 2022.
"I feel like I learned a lot in my first Olympics, and so to take all those lessons learned into another opportunity would mean a lot to me," she told CBS News.
Those lessons took her to an Olympic podium this year. She won bronze alongside Jackie Wiles in the women's team combined.
Moltzan, now 31, won the junior world slalom title when she was 20, becoming the first American woman to win the event at the junior world championships. She also won the NCAA women's slalom title as a freshman at the University of Vermont.
After her Olympics debut in Beijing at 27, Moltzan became a two-time world medalist. She won a title in the parallel team event in 2023 and her first individual world medal, a bronze, in giant slalom in 2025.
She said her family sacrificed a lot to support her skiing career.
"I think they took second mortgages out on my house to allow me to compete in sport. And then my siblings as well, I definitely had the priority because of my athletic ability. They gave up maybe smaller moments, like going to summer camp so I could go to ski camp," she said. "But it all becomes worth it when you're there with your team, representing Team USA."
Red Gerard
This is Red Gerard's third trip to the Olympics. The 25-year-old snowboarder won gold in slopestyle in 2018 when he was just 17, becoming the youngest American snowboarder to achieve the feat, according to Team USA.
"I quickly learned that first Olympics how big it is and how cool it is," Gerard told CBS News. "Ever since, you just kind of want to get back on that stage because there is no stage bigger than the Olympics."
Gerard returned to the Olympics in 2022, finishing fourth in slopestyle and fifth in big air. The snowboarder won in slopestyle at the 2024 and 2025 X Games.
Gerard started snowboarding when he was just 2-years-old. In 2007, his family moved to Colorado, where they built a snowboarding park in their backyard to support Gerard's passion.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle
Alpine skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle, 33, heads to the Olympics for his third Games. Cochran-Siegle, the son of an Olympian, started skiing at the age of 2.
He tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in 2013 at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, according to Team USA. Five years later, he made his Olympic debut in 2018 in PyeongChang. Cochran-Siegle won his first FIS World Cup Race in 2020, but missed the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in 2021 with a fractured neck.
The skier came back in 2022, where he won silver in super-G at the Beijing Games. He was the only U.S. alpine skiing medalist at the Beijing Games.
Cochran-Siegle told CBS News that during his previous Olympic appearances, he learned to embrace the moment and to trust and believe in himself.
"Just going out there and doing what I love and putting myself out there is what's important," he said.
Anthony Santander, who last year signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Jays, will miss the next 5-6 months after undergoing left labral surgery.
In addition, pitcher Bowden Francis is undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, sidelining him for the entire season. Francis, 30, went 2-8 with a 6.05 ERA in 14 starts for the American League pennant winners.
Santander parlayed a 44-homer All-Star season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 into a lucrative five-year deal with the rival Blue Jays last January. The contract has proven to be a disaster.
Santander was limited to 54 games last year with injuries and batted .175 when healthy. He was effectively reduced to a spectator’s role as the Blue Jays returned to the World Series for the first time since 1993 before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Now he’ll attempt to return before the end of the 2026 season to give the Blue Jays some return on the $16.5 million salary he’ll earn this year.
Francis was impressive in 2024 (8-5, 3.30 ERA) but shuttled back and forth between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo during an inconsistent 2025 season. The Jays signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce to bolster their rotation this offseason.
A Manchester United supporter has missed out on the chance for a first haircut in 500 days after the team spurned the chance to seal a fifth consecutive victory.
His daily video updates on ‘The United Strand’ have accumulated millions of views - while Ilett planned to donate his hair to The Princess Trust, a charity that provides wigs to young cancer patients dealing with hair loss as a result of their treatment.
United were managed by Erik ten Hag when Ilett began his challenge and when the Dutchman was sacked, successor Ruben Amorim could only muster a run of three consecutive wins during a troubled campaign last season.
After Amorim’s departure, Michael Carrick led United to four consecutive wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, setting up the chance of a fifth in Tuesday’s trip to West Ham United.
But against an in-form Hammers side, United could only manage a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium, with Benjamin Sesko’s 96th-minute leveller cancelling out Tomas Soucek’s opener after Casemiro saw a goal disallowed.
For Ilett, it means the opportunity to finally shed his huge mop of hair, a moment he planned to share with his now enormous following of millions on social media, has now gone up in smoke.
Former United midfielder Carrick, who replaced the sacked Amorim in early January, said he had been told by his children of the added significance of beating West Ham and revealed Ilett’s challenge had made him smile.
“My kids have made me aware of it but it certainly won’t go into the team talk from a professional level,” Carrick said. “I can understand what’s going on with it and it does make me smile but it won’t have an impact ultimately in the end.”
Texas A&M is in bounce‑back mode, and Monday night’s matchup has quickly become the most important game of this challenging stretch. After dropping back‑to‑back Quad 1 SEC games, the Aggies need a response — and Missouri presents the opportunity to steady the ship.
This midweek meeting could serve as a turning point for both programs. A&M enters as the favorite, but if the shooting struggles from the Florida loss carry over, Missouri has enough to hang around and make things uncomfortable.
"They've shown at times that they could get wins at home and shown at times they can play well on the road. So, be a fight, be a physical game."
Regardless of the opponent, the message inside the program hasn’t changed. The Aggies have to get back to playing good basketball. They looked sharp against Georgia and Alabama, then followed it with one of their worst offensive outings of the season in Gainesville.
" I'd stay with what we got and knowing that we have to have the humility as a program to know that just like every other team, every night's not going to be perfect."
The SEC has been as unpredictable as any league in the country this year. On any given night, teams in that top eight‑to‑ten range can beat anyone. Even with the recent setbacks, A&M has positioned itself to make a run at the SEC regular‑season title and strengthen its NCAA Tournament résumé. But none of that matters if they don’t take care of business first — and there’s still a lot of basketball left.
Below is the full preview of the Missouri matchup from Coach Bucky McMillan.
Texas A&M will host Missouri on Wednesday, February 11, at Reed Arena at 8 p.m.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
David Moyes reacts after the Premier League match. (Getty Images) | Getty Images
Another big game between teams fighting to get into the European places. Before kickoff, Everton were 3 points clear of the Cherries. The Blues were looking to do the double over Bournemouth after their narrow 1-0 victory courtesy of a deflected Jack Grealish goal. Everton’s form at home has been poor and David Moyes was tasked with sorting this out if their goal of Europe was to be achieved.
Team News
David Moyes made two changes to the side that won at Fulham with Michael Keane and Harrison Armstrong making way for Jarrad Branthwaite and Tyrique George.
Andoni Iraola’s also made two changes to his side with Ryan Christie and Alex Toth in the side, with Lewis Cook and top scorer Junior Kroupi being dropped to the bench. Tyler Adams was named among the substitutes after being out for almost two months with a knee injury.
Match Report
A Tuesday night match under the lights at Hill Dickinson. The Evertonians were in full voice with a rousing rendition of Forever Everton before the kickoff. Andy Madley was the man in the middle and if I don’t mention him again in this report it will be the best thing! Let’s also give a big hand to the mascot with James Tarkowski who was leading the cheering from his wheelchair.
A slow start to the match with Everton giving the ball away in their own half which led to a long throw which needed a VAR check to clear Tarkowski of a foul in the box. Some good work by Ndiaye on the right put the Cherries on the back foot for the first time.
Ndiaye was then popping up on the left wing and forced a corner after a free kick from Garner. The resulting corner was delivered by Garner and was lobbed back into the six yard box. Ndiaye made a flick at the ball which he missed but the ball hit the back of the net. Unfortunately, Ndiaye was well offside and the goal was chalked off.
Everton’s pressure was causing issues for Bournemouth. The rain was coming down in buckets which was making the surface very slick and difficult to control. Both teams were struggling to keep possession of the ball which was making the match very disjointed.
Gueye took an elbow to the face and was forced to leave the pitch because he had blood coming out of his mouth. A free kick for the Cherries was easily handled by Pickford who was trying to get his players up the pitch. When Adli took down Dewsbury Hall it was surprising that a yellow wasn’t given.
The resulting free kick was drilled goalward by Garner and when Petrovic spilled it, Barry could not get his shot on goal. Everton got the ball back right away and when Ndiaye met a lovely cross, Petrovic scrambled and made a super save to deny Everton.
Tyrique George laid off a nice ball but Mykolenko did not overlap. George then lost possession and Evanilson should have done better but Pickford made the save. Another free kick for Everton from Garner was played short and when Bournemouth could not get the ball out, Rayan lost the ball and took Branthwaite down in the box. Andy Madley never hesitated to point to the spot. James Garner picked up the ball and then handed it to Iliman Ndiaye who slotted it into the side netting to break the deadlock.
Bournemouth looked to respond quickly as three minutes of additional time was announced. Rayan took a shot but Gueye slid in front and forced a corner which was well defended by Garner. The half ended with Everton in the lead and Pickford having little to do in his net.
The rain had not slowed down as the second half kicked off. Bournemouth were trying to control possession but the Blue wave continued to press and when Ndiaye was gifted a ball, he slide the ball iinto the middle which was well defended. Truffert then lost the ball to Dewsbury Hall who’s shot was goalbound but was kept out by a diving header from Hill. Bournemouth were creaking.
Everton’s pressure was being vocally supported by the Evertonians in the stands. Bournemouth were trying to get the ball wider but they were being contained. Incredibly, Everton were not 3-0 up when Barry was on the ball inside the six yard box and this time it was Jiminez who denied the striker.
Bournemouth had their first attempt on goal and when Rayan went past Mykolenko, the winger went down and looked for the penalty but Madley was having none of it as Rayan had clipped his own feet. Rayan was given yellow for his complaints. Areola made two changes with Kroupi and Ünal coming on for Toth and Evanilson.
The match was brought back to parity when Rayan met a lovely cross from Truffert. Pickford had no chance and the cross was unplayable. Moyes had seen enough and brought on Beto and Armstrong for Barry and George. Thierno Barry was on the bench with his head in his lap knowing he should have done better today.
Incredibly, the match was turned on it’s head as Bournemouth took the lead with a free kick that was met by Ünal who headed the ball into an empty net.
Everton were all over the place and were giving the ball away too easily. They finally got on the ball but were committing me forward which led to O’Brien taking down Kroupi. Andy Madley took out his red card and the Irishman was off. In ten minutes, Everton had completely lost the plot.
Everton were trying to get the ball forward and Mykolenko was getting some joy on the left. The pressure was building and Ndiaye’s ball into Beto was behind the striker which made it easy for the keeper to coral it. Bournemouth took off Christie and Adli for Brooks and Cook. Brooks was immediately given a yellow for delaying the restart.
The free kick was met by Branthwaite but his header went over the bar. Bournemouth were hanging on with the Blues pressing for the equalizer. Gueye found himself on the edge of the box and forced a corner but the final touch was missing. Tarkowski was spending more time in the Bournemouth box and the Cherries were just hoofing the ball away.
Five minutes of additional time was announced as Everton had another corner. Armstrong couldn’t get any power on his header. Keane entered the match with Mykolenko being withdrawn. Bournemouth were trying to get on the ball but the blue wave continued. It was Pickford lobbing it forward and when Armstrong fouled Hill, the fans started to head for the exits.
A final push and a free kick was given to Everton on the edge of the box. Pickford was in the mix as well. Garner delivered it but no one could get a foot on it and the match ended with the referee’s whistle. A cacophony of boos rang down from the stands.
Everton’s Man of the Match
Iliman Ndiaye: The Senegal winger was all action when Everton were going forward and also did the hard work defending. His penalty was taken with aplomb and his fast feet created difficulties for the Bournemouth backline. Too often his good work ended in disappointment as the finishers struggled or defenders made some great plays.
Instant Reaction
Everton will rue the missed opportunities today with the Toffees hitting the post and having two certain goals cleared away by the Bournemouth defenders. Looking at the match from a data point of view, Everton controlled most of the play and I suppose that the disappointment was present because they were frustrated by the number of chances. It was good to see Everton pushing for an equalizer even when they were down to 10 men.
There is nothing that drives me crazy more than when fans are booing their own team. Today, as I said above, we had the chances, but we also played some good football. Our home form has been poor but the way that Evertonians turn on their own team so quickly is unfortunate. In the fifteen minutes before the first Cherries goal, we were bossing the match and needed our supporters to continue to back them when the match was tied. That did not happen and the chaotic moments that followed should have seen more support rather than less. We can be disappointed but lets not cut our team down at the knees.
The wide play for Everton was far more balanced today with George and Ndiaye both willing to attack the Bournemouth wide areas. Later in the first half, George had the ball and it looked like Mykolenko was going to overlap into space, but the Ukrainian full back stopped in his tracks. More time needs to be played together so they understand each other. It surprised me when George was withdrawn with Armstrong replacing him on the left. Why not keep George on the pitch and put Ndiaye into the middle?
After a sensational week powering No. 25 Iowa basketball (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten) to its first six-game winning streak in conference play since the 2015-16 season, Hawkeyes senior guard Bennett Stirtz has captured Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week, per the league's announcement on Feb. 9.
While he is officially recognized by the Big Ten Conference as "Co-Player of the Week" for the second straight week, sharing the title this time with Indiana redshirt senior guard Lamar Wilkerson, the 6-foot-4 native of Liberty, Mo., still has accomplished feats that are worthy of the award.
In Iowa's wins over Washington and Northwestern, Stirtz averaged 29 points, 3.5 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game on 60.6% shooting from the floor (20-of-33), 57.1% from 3-point range (8-of-14) and 83.3% from the free-throw line (10-of-12).
Against the Wildcats on Feb. 8, Stirtz tallied a new career-high 36-points, which is the most by a Hawkeye since Luka Garza in 2021 and are tied for the fourth-most in a game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In addition, Stirtz's six straight games with 20 or more points is the longest such streak by an Iowa player since Keegan Murray in 2021-22 and the most by a Hawkeye guard since "Downtown" Freddy Brown’s 16-straight contests in 1970-71.
Stirtz is also the first Hawkeye to win back-to-back Big Ten Player of the Week honors since Murray in 2022.
Stirtz and Co. will look to remain hot as they travel to the XFINITY Center in College Park, Md., for a matchup against Maryland (9-14, 2-10 Big Ten) on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. CT, with the game airing on FS1.
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 Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
During last week's Radio Row ruckus, we neglected to mention that the Washington Post disbanded its sports department.
Given the general outcry that was articulated by others far more eloquently than I ever could, I'll stick with my initial reaction to the news: "What the eff?"
On Tuesday, Commanders coach Dan Quinn met with reporters for the first time since the Post punted its sports section. The team had three empty seats in the front row for the now-absent Post reporters.
Quinn, in a video posted by JP Finlay of NBC 4, noted the empty seats and said he was "bummed" to learn about the decision. "Their presence is missed," Quinn said.
The accountability the Post brought to sports teams and leagues also will be missed. Reporting regarding former Commanders owner Daniel Snyder helped expedite his forced exit in 2023. More recently, in-depth reporting from the Post potentially sparked a federal investigation regarding a doctor who may have responsibility in connection with the May 2025 death of Colts owner Jim Irsay.
As corporations and oligarchs gobble up more and more independent media, true journalism — finding out the stuff they don't want us to know — will become more and more rare in sports, because there will be fewer outlets whose employees are not beholden to the rich and powerful.
Which will allow those who are doing things they shouldn't be doing to keep right on doing them.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at London Stadium on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Manchester United’s perfect run under interim boss Michael Carrick came to an end on Tuesday, though it wasn’t a defeat for the Reds, thanks to some stoppage-time heroics.
Carrick went with an unchanged XI for the third game in a row, but the team finally met the tight defensive test that some had suspected in each of the past two games. West Ham weren’t necessarily in a low block, but the pressure in midfield and ability to collapse on ball carriers at the right time made for a frustrating first half.
United had a look on a set piece delivery from Luke Shaw, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka had one of several good defensive actions to deal with the creativity of his former teammate. Amad had another good look at goal towards the end of the half, but fired wide on a chance created by Shaw.
An uneventful first half didn’t force any changes at halftime, but a goal out of the break for West Ham got Benjamin Sesko warming up on the touchline.
Luke Shaw got caught trying to deal with a runner in space by himself, and lost the battle as the rest of the team got back to defend. Jarrod Bowen’s low cross was met at the near post by Tomas Soucek, who turned it in past Senne Lammens for 1-0.
United thought they’d found an answer through Casemiro, but a VAR review overturned the goal. Kobbie Mainoo played a cross in toward the Brazilian, but he was only just getting past the last man in defense when the ball was played.
Sesko arrived as a reinforcement in place of Matheus Cunha, who had been frustrated for much of the game, but the introduction of a focal point for the attack didn’t immediately pay off. The problems remained largely in midfield, where United struggled to progress the ball through the West Ham press before they could even get to the final third creation stage.
In stoppage time it was another striker off the bench Joshua Zirkzee, who had a chance to equalize, seeing a glancing header painfully pass just outside the far left post. Just a moment later, Sesko got a chance of his own on a low inswinger from Mbeumo, falling perfectly for him to hit a shot inside the near post and give United the goal they were so desperate for.
There was still time for a winner, but Amad couldn’t get a shot off on United’s last venture forward, and the game ended all square.
Carrick will have two weeks to work with the squad before heading back out against Everton at whatever their fancy new stadium is called.
Erling Haaland among Britain’s biggest taxpayers, reveals new report
The amount of tax Erling Haaland had to pay over the last 12 months has been revealed as the Manchester City striker was uncloaked as one of the biggest contributors to Rachel Reeves’ Treasury.
Haaland, alongside Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah, was estimated to have contributed to more than any other Premier League player, to stand in 72nd and 81st place respectively in the latest ‘tax rankings’.
Surprisingly, it is the first time a list of footballers paying tax – which also includes Manchester United’s Casemiro and former Chelsea man Raheem Sterling – has been estimated, and comes after a crackdown that could extract millions in additional tax from clubs and their stars.
While Erling Haaland’s 28 goals in 36 games for Pep Guardiola’s side brings all the glory to the Norwegian’s stature as one of the best strikers in world football, the amount of tax he paid will certainly draw a grimace.
Over the last 12 months, the Norway international has paid a total of £16.9 million, according to the latest available account, with the Manchester City striker reportedly earning around £500,000 per week.
However, according to The Sunday Times, the 25-year-old could earn approximately £10 million more through image rights and bonus payments until his latest contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in 2034.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah was the second-highest player at £14.5 million, while Casemiro and Sterling were taxed around £20.7 million combined, and Anfield captain Virgil van Dijk was required to pay approximately £9.7 million in taxes, as per the PA news agency.
There is a significant drop from the payments made by Haaland and Salah, but it is a common theme inside Manchester City’s squad that millions of pounds are paid into the UK Treasury annually, with other players at the club paying large amounts.
Bernardo Silva, who has been the subject of strong links to an exit in the upcoming summer window when his contract expires, is Manchester City’s second-highest earner, according to payroll databases, and it was confirmed that over the last year that he has paid £9 million.
That was the same as his Portugal teammate and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, as both earn around £15.6 million base gross income per year – around £300,000 per week.
Others inside the club who would pay considerable tax are the likes of Omar Marmoush, Ruben Dias, Gianluigi Donnarumma, John Stones and the club’s new centre-back Marc Guehi – who is earning roughly £250,000 in East Manchester.
The upward trajectory of money in football continues to grow unprecedentedly, but City are doing an excellent job of keeping up with the latest financial trends in the game, and performances are a key indication and foundation of financial growth.
After beating Galatasaray at the end of last month, it was revealed by the Manchester Evening News that Manchester City would pick up around £42 million for their Champions League league phase campaign alone, with more yet to be earned through the last 16 and beyond.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Tom Pelissero on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
This is not a secret: the Minnesota Vikings will onboard a new quarterback this offseason, either to support J.J. McCarthy as a veteran backup or compete for his job at training camp. And thanks to NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero, an early list is reportedly on the table, including Kirk Cousins, Mac Jones, Kyler Murray, and Geno Smith.
Pelissero’s list puts Cousins, Jones, Murray, and Smith in the Vikings’ orbit as Minnesota weighs its big quarterback decision.
It’s not a list from heaven, but Minnesota could do much worse.
Pelissero’s List Illuminates Minnesota’s Quarterback Plan
The quarterback position takes center stage early in the Vikings’ offseason.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins surveys the field late at Bank of America Stadium during a road matchup, operating Minnesota’s offense in the fourth quarter on Oct. 1, 2023, as the game tightened in Charlotte. The moment captured Cousins managing pressure and clock while the Vikings pushed for a finish against Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
Kirk Cousins
If Cousins’ return to Minnesota is a genuine possibility, the central question becomes not whether it happens, but what role he would fill.
Cousins was an undisputed QB1 for years, but that’s no longer the case. A reunion would be complex, and Kevin O’Connell would face three options: immediately install Cousins as the Week 1 starter, allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy, or use him as a strictly backup option — the same insurance role he was projected for in Atlanta in 2025.
In 2023, his last season as Minnesota’s starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the NFL among quarterbacks in EPA per play. In 2024, that number plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying passers. Any assessment must consider his torn Achilles from a few years ago; projecting Cousins’ performance in 2026 demands more realism and less nostalgia.
The primary allure of a return lies in the financial aspect. Because the Falcons have essentially already paid Cousins — handsomely — for 2026, his next contract will likely be a bargain. That changes the discourse significantly. The cap-related frustration that followed him from 2018 to 2023 disappears if his salary aligns with that of a backup.
If affordability eliminates the resentment that once surrounded Cousins, will parts of the fanbase that rejected him at his previous price now embrace him at a discount — especially if his role is flexible rather than guaranteed? Who knows.
Mac Jones
The main item surrounding Jones’s 2026 plans isn’t if he can start in the NFL, but what it would cost to acquire him.
In 2025, Jones started eight games for San Francisco, leading the 49ers to a 5–3 record. Extrapolated to a full season, those numbers project to 4,570 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, and a 69.6 percent completion rate. That’s Top 15 QB stuff.
Those statistics are also comparable to Sam Darnold’s 2024 season, the same year Minnesota finished 14–3. Neither Jones’s recent game film nor his efficiency metrics suggest he would suddenly regress in Minnesota.
San Francisco is positioned to capitalize on the desperation of quarterback-needy teams via trade, and Minnesota must decide if it will enter the Jones sweepstakes. Jones is a good fit for many teams. Ultimately, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski must decide if sending 1st- or 2nd-Round pick to The Bay — or something similar — is worth it.
Kyler Murray
Murray’s talent is evident, regardless of other options.
Over seven seasons, his EPA+CPOE numbers exceed those of Baker Mayfield, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Daniel Jones — all quarterbacks currently projected to start in 2026. That established efficiency isn’t negotiable, even though some Vikings fans are oddly hesitant about Murray to Minnesota.
Arizona’s situation strengthens Murray’s case for change. With a new head coach, the Cardinals seem ready to move on after seven years and just one playoff appearance with Murray. The man could be traded any day or released in March.
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray prepares on the sideline at State Farm Stadium before kickoff, pulling on his helmet prior to facing Atlanta on Nov. 12, 2023, in Glendale. The pregame scene showed Murray locked in as Arizona finalized plans and personnel ahead of a home matchup under bright desert lights. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images.
Considering only realistic possibilities, Murray quickly emerges as a top candidate. Based on his career production and status as the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, he represents the best quarterback Minnesota could realistically acquire this offseason, barring improbable trades involving players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.
Murray has everything going for him on any given Sunday — aside from height — passing accuracy, arm strength, speed, mobility, and experience.
Geno Smith
Smith’s extensive resume sets him apart from many quarterbacks available this offseason, making him an attractive option for teams that want stability and insurance.
Since 2013, Smith has started 98 games, with his teams compiling a 42–56 record along the way. He averages roughly 203 passing yards per game, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 124 to 89, and has added 12 rushing touchdowns.
Raiders quarterback Geno Smith watches the sideline at NRG Stadium during a road contest, tracking communication as Las Vegas faced Houston on Dec. 21, 2025, in Texas. The in-game moment reflected Smith assessing adjustments and flow while the offense navigated a challenging environment away from home under prime-time conditions. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.
Seattle’s decision to name him their starter in 2022 revitalized his career, as Smith seized the opportunity, delivering a breakout season with 4,282 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. He retained the role for three seasons before joining the Raiders via trade, which propelled the Seahawks to a Super Bowl win after signing Sam Darnold in 2025 free agency.
However, Smith’s tenure in Las Vegas appears short-lived. With the Raiders widely expected to draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza using the first overall pick in April, Smith could be traded or demoted. Should he seek a new team, Minnesota is a decent landing spot for all parties.
It’s worth noting that Smith will turn 36 in October.
Howe worried about another Guimaraes injury after Newcastle beat Tottenham
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admits he is worried about another possible injury for star man Bruno Guimaraes.
The midfielder was forced off late on in Newcastle’s 2-1 away win at Tottenham, as goals from Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey secured a huge away win for Howe’s side.
“Not sure,” the Newcastle boss said on Guimaraes. “He’s a little bit worried.
“He said he’s never had a problem with his hamstrings before so is it cramp, was it a muscle problem?
“It probably feels more of an injury to me but let’s wait and see and try and stay positive at this moment.”
Howe was full of praise for his players and the Newcastle fans following their victory, meanwhile.
“A great response from the players, they really did inspire each other and help each other,” he said. “I think it was one of our best performances of the season, a dominant display.
“Our supporters have travelled far and wide to watch us and we feel like we’ve let them down on a few occasions, so nice today that we get that moment to celebrate with them.
“Not just me, but the players and some of the new players get a chance to experience the love from the fans. That was a special connection and I’m grateful it’s still there.”
Palmer Gets 8, Acheampong With 5 | Chelsea Players Rated In Lackluster Draw Vs Leeds United
Chelsea entertained Leeds United at Stamford Bridge earlier tonight as they hoped to secure all three points at home in the Premier League. The Blues made a decent start to the game and scored the opening goal in the 24th minute when Joao Pedro found the back of the net. Liam Rosenior’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Cole Palmer doubled Chelsea’s lead from the penalty spot in the 58th minute. However, Leeds got a goal back just three minutes later thanks to Lukas Nmecha’s penalty. Noah Okafor equalised for the visitors in the 73rd minute as Chelsea were held to a lackluster 2-2 draw in front of their home fans.
Let’s take a look at how each Chelsea player fared during the clash against the Whites.
Sanchez failed to make a save in the game and conceded twice tonight.
RB: Malo Gusto – 6.5/10
He did his fair share of defending and made one good chance going forward.
CB: Josh Acheampong – 5/10
Acheampong looked shaky at the back and was guilty of making a poor error during the game.
CB: Trevoh Chalobah – 7/10
He gave a good account of himself on the defensive end of the field, but failed to keep things solid in the second half.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Joao Pedro of Chelsea scores his team’s first goal past Karl Darlow of Leeds United, whilst under pressure from Sebastiaan Bornauw of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge on February 10, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LB: Marc Cucurella – 6.5/10
He caught the eye at times on both ends of the field and was replaced at half-time.
CM: Moises Caicedo – 6/10
Caicedo anchored the midfield well and made one good chance in the final third.
CM: Andrey Santos – 6.5/10
The Brazilian talent earned possession back once and was tidy with his passing.
RW: Cole Palmer – 8/10
He gave a good account of himself on the offensive end of the field and has got a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.
CAM: Enzo Fernandez – 7.5/10
Fernandez engineered a few key chances for others around him, but there was no goal for him tonight.
LW: Estevao – 7/10
He managed to shine at times but failed to threaten the opponent’s goal.
ST: Joao Pedro – 8/10
He was always willing to have a shot and managed to score the opener in the 24th minute.
Former Detroit Lions star Tracy Scroggins has died
The retired defensive end, who played his entire career in Detroit, was 56
Family members said in a statement that they believe he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disease that has been associated with head injuries that can be sustained playing football
Former Detroit Lions star Tracy Scroggins has died at 56, his family confirmed.
The retired defensive end suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), his family said in a statement provided to TMZ on Monday, Feb. 9.
CTE is a form of brain disease that is associated with head injuries that players can sustain while playing football or other contact sports, according to the Mayo Clinic. It can cause symptoms such as memory loss, aggression, impulsive behavior and issues with motor skills.
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Tracy Scroggins," family members said. "Tracy was a devoted father, cherished family member, and loyal friend whose life was marked by remarkable strength and perseverance.”
The statement continued, “Playing in the NFL gave Tracy the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream and to rise from poverty."
“However, unfortunately, the NFL was also ultimately the cause of his untimely demise. Tracy spent every moment of retirement courageously battling the devastating effects of CTE. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace," it read.
CTE is diagnosed only through a neuropathological autopsy performed after death. Family members did not say if Scroggins will undergo the necessary testing.
Tracy Scroggins
George Gojkovich/Getty
The veteran Lions player was with the franchise for the entirety of his 10-year career in the NFL. Drafted in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft, he was the 53rd overall pick.
The Checotah, Okla. native first attended Coffeyville Community College before going on to become a Golden Hurricane for the University of Tulsa, according to The Athletic. He was a defensive linchpin on a 10-2 team that went on to win the 1991 Freedom Bowl.
After moving on to the Lions, he amassed 60.5 sacks over a decade, trailing only Michael Cofer (62.5) and Robert Porcher (95.5) on the franchise’s all-time career sack list. During Scroggins’ tenure — and with the help of Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders — the team made the playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 1993-1995.
On Monday, the Lions honored Scroggins in a statement on X.
“We join the NFL community in mourning the loss of Lions Legend Tracy Scroggins, who played his entire 10-year career in Detroit (1992-2001),” the team wrote.
As Scroggins’ family mourns his death, they hope to remind others about who the athlete was off the field.
“While many knew him for his career as a professional football player in the NFL, those closest to him knew him as a kind-hearted and generous man who cared deeply for his family and friends," his family said.
Injured Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum reacts to the team's NBA win over the Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox)
Boston star Jayson Tatum took another step in his return from a torn Achilles tendon when he practiced with the Celtics' G League affiliate but said Tuesday there's no timeline for his return to the NBA.
"I'm feeling good," Tatum told reporters in Boston. "It was good to be a part of practice (Monday) with the Maine G League guys. Today is 39 weeks (since surgery), so it's been a long journey, and it's just the progression of rehab.
"It was the next step. It doesn't mean that I'm coming back or I'm not. I'm just following the plan, so it's just another step."
Tatum was carried off the court in the fourth quarter of game four of the Celtics' Eastern Conference semi-finals loss to the New York Knicks and had surgery on May 13.
He surprised many in September when he said in an interview with NBC's Today Show that he hadn't ruled out a return this season.
The six-time NBA All-Star, who was a member of the USA's Olympic gold medal-winning teams at the Tokyo and Paris Games, has attended most of the team's games this season while continuing a rehab process he called "exhausting".
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Tatum "looked good" in practice but also stressed it was just another step in the process.
"He's continuing to just chip away at the progression of his rehab, and it was great to see him take another step," Mazzulla said. "There's been a lot of steps and milestones along the way, starting from just walking, and it was great to see him get to the next one."
The Celtics are currently 34-19 and tied with the New York Knicks 5.5 games behind the Eastern Conference leading Detroit Pistons.
Tatum recently told "The Pivot" podcast that he knew a late-season return could affect the chemistry of Boston's current lineup.
"Yeah, I mean, it might look different," Tatum said of his potential role.
"I haven't played with these guys or with this group, but (the Celtics have) lot of high-IQ guys out there. I like to consider myself one of those types of players.
"So if that did present itself, and if I did come back, we professionals will figure it out."
The Baltimore Ravens are quickly filling out their new staff under Jesse Minter, with former Ravens coach Anthony Weaver being named defensive coordinator.
Yes, Minter will be the one calling the plays according to reports, so Weaver will oversee other aspects of the defense and help install the gameplan.
But this move could be seen as a good one, as Weaver was part of the Ravens staff under Mike Macdonald in 2023 when Baltimore had the best defense in football. Granted, Weaver's time in Miami as its defensive coordinator wasn't great, but he didn't have a lot to work with.
Now, under Minter, who led the Chargers' superb defense, the Ravens could be about to have a dominant defense to go with Lamar Jackson's offense. And that could spell trouble for the rest of the AFC.
Having Minter and Weaver spearheading the defense seems like a good match on paper, but that likely matters little if the offense doesn't pull its weight.
The Ravens need a healthy Lamar to push this team towards a Super Bowl in 2026.
With Derrick Henry, Zay Flowers, and Mark Andrews as the top weapons, there's enough to put up points, but Jackson has to be the one orchestrating it.
Last season was horrific for Baltimore, and in Minter's first season, that can't happen again. Nor can Lamar miss a handful of games.
After four consecutive league wins, Bruno Fernandes and his teammates dropped points on West Ham’s pitch (Premier League Matchday 26).
The Hammers, fiercely fighting for survival (18th place), nearly claimed the scalp of the Mancunians at the London Stadium (1-1).
In the 50th minute, the Czech giant Tomáš Souček deflected a cross at the near post to outwit the Manchester goalkeeper, Senne Lammens.
But in the 96th minute, Benjamin Šeško saved the day by snatching an equalizer, cleverly redirecting Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.
Michael Carrick thus avoided his first defeat on the Manchester bench since taking charge on January 13. However, this draw against a relegation-threatened side remains a poor result. Man United remain stuck in fourth place in the PL standings.
Leeds United produced a superb coming to fight from two goals behind and earn a valuable point in the Premier League against rivals Chelsea.
Trailing at Stamford Bridge, a Lukas Nmecha penalty gave the Whites a lifeline before Noah Okafor pounced after a scramble in the area to level proceedings!
Ahead of kick off in the capital, Daniel Farke had made three changes to the side that beat Nottingham Forest last time out, recalling Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Nmecha into the starting XI.
Following an even opening to the encounter, the Whites had the first attempt on goal when James Justin rose highest to meet an Ilia Gruev set piece, forcing Robert Sánchez into an early save.
Brilliant defending from the Bulgarian midfielder then prevented Chelsea’s Cole Palmer from troubling Karl Darlow, retreating brilliantly to block the England international’s effort from a Marc Cucurella cross.
It was Bornauw’s turn next to intervene, putting João Pedro under enough pressure so the forward was unable to get a shot away inside the area.
The hosts did take the lead, however, moments later through the Brazilian who raced through onto a Palmer pass and finished beyond the outstretched Darlow.
Keen to respond, appeals for a penalty were waved away as Gabriel Gudmundsson was sent tumbling to the floor under a challenge from Malo Gusto, but there was nothing doing for referee Robert Jones.
In the final meaningful action of the opening period, Palmer would have been baring down on goal if not for a crucial last-ditch challenge from Justin as the Whites cleared their lines.
HALF TIME: Chelsea 1-0 Leeds United
The Whites emerged from the break unchanged, attacking a packed out away end as they searched for the leveller at Stamford Bridge.
After a left-footed strike from Estêvão dragged just wide of the upright, a first alteration from the dugout introduced forward Okafor into the action, replacing Bornauw in an attacking change.
Chelsea doubled their advantage from the spot just before the hour mark. Palmer converted from 12 yards after Pedro had been brought to ground inside the area.
United were having to defend as Chelsea searched for a third to put the tie to bed and Enzo Fernández lashed a wayward effort over the upright from a narrow angle after an initial scramble in the middle.
After sustaining the pressure from the hosts, Leeds halved the deficit through a penalty of their own after Jayden Bogle was fouled by Moisés Caicedo, latching onto a loose ball deep in the Blues’ half.
Up stepped Nmecha who kept his nerve, sending Sánchez the wrong way and firing a sixth Premier League goal of the campaign into the back of the net!
And almost as soon as the Whites were back in the clash, they were level! Bogle was again involved, wrestling back possession and marauding into the area.
After numerous challenges, several ricochets and an almighty scramble, the ball fell to Okafor who had the simplest of tasks as he bundled into an empty goal, cueing pandemonium in the away end!
Farke’s side had to be alert to prevent the hosts from retaking the lead as Justin made another fine challenge inside the area to dispossess Jorrel Hato, before a second change saw scorer Nmecha make way for Daniel James.
Chelsea threw everything forward in search of a last-gasp winner, including missing two glorious chances through Pedro and Palmer, but the Whites’ defence held firm to secure an important and well-deserved point on the road!
Attentions now turn to Emirates FA Cup action for the trip to Sky Bet Championship outfit Birmingham City on Sunday afternoon.
The Liam Rosenior reaction after his Chelsea side blew a 2-0 lead at home to Leeds on Tuesday was intriguing as the young manager saw his team succumb to familiar failings.
Defensive mistakes impacted Chelsea late on, as Rosenior's run of consecutive Premier League wins at the start of his reign as Chelsea boss ended at four.
Here is the latest Liam Rosenior reaction from Stamford Bridge.
Liam Rosenior reaction
On how frustrated he was with the second half: "Six minutes. Six minutes of switching off. We were in complete control of the game. I don't want to talk about the football. If we want to improve and get to where I think we can be, we have to just make sure we are switched on for 90 minutes. It is as simple as that. Devastated because some of the football we played was excellent and we should come away with three points. And now we haven't because of two moments in the game we haven't taken care of and we give Leeds a point, we gift them a point," Rosenior told TNT Sports in the UK.
On any complaints on the penalty given against Caicedo: "Genuinely haven't seen it back. I don't know if we need to make the challenge in that moment. Moi [Caicedo] has been outstanding in my time but even at 2-1 we just need to take the sting out of the game, keep possession of the ball. Whether we think it's handball or not in that moment, we're still in control of the situation, we kick the ball away and then you ask for handball after. These are small moments that have cost us the three points today that we need to eliminate from our game."
On if he thought it was handball on Leeds' equalizer: "At the time I did. I still haven't seen it. People are still questioning whether it is or isn't. The rule is that if there is any contact with his hand it should be disallowed. But I haven't see it back to make that judgement."
On being told it was a non-deliberate handball: "The rule is the rule. From my understanding if there is any handball in the lead up to the goal it should be disallowed. If they have said that, then someone explain the rules to me. Because they need to help the referee. You [the reporter] saying that has just got me angrier because that is unacceptable if they've come with that judgement."
On regrouping and almost winning it late on through Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer: "The energy of the team has been excellent since I've been here. The fitness, the quality of our play. We shouldn't be in that situation. It is a great piece of play again. 99 times out of 100 Cole scores that but we shouldn't be in that situation. They are the things I need to eliminate for us to get to the potential that I think this team is capable of, which is very, very high."
On Marc Cucurella coming off at half time: "Unfortunately he felt his hamstring at half time. We made the change with Jorell [Hato]. Jorell came on and played very, very well. Hopefully it's not too serious but it was a substitute for an injury."
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The son of Tiger Woods is staying in state to pursue college golf. Charlie Woods made a verbal commitment Tuesday to play for Florida State.
Woods, a junior at The Benjamin School in North Palm Beach, is No. 21 in the American Junior Golf Association ranking.
His lone AJGA victory came at the Team TaylorMade Invitational last May, and he tied for ninth in the Junior PGA Championship last summer to boost his ranking and draw interest from top college golf programs.
Woods will join Miles Russell, the No. 1 player in junior golf who also committed to the Seminoles.
Tiger Woods also chose to stay in state when he left high school in Southern California, playing two years at Stanford. His daughter, Sam, currently attends Stanford.
Major champions who played at Florida State include Brooks Koepka, Paul Azinger and Jeff Sluman.
Jai Opetaia will soon look at add another belt to his cruiserweight trophy case.
Chris Hyde via Getty Images
Jai Opetaia and Brandon Glanton will make history on Sunday, March 8 in Las Vegas. Opetaia and Glanton will be the first two fighters to contest the Zuffa Boxing championship in any weight class when they headline Zuffa Boxing 4 on Paramount+ at the Meta Apex.
Opetaia, the reigning IBF cruiserweight champion, looks to add the Zuffa cruiserweight title to his collection against Glanton.
It is unclear at this stage whether the IBF title will be on the line or if Opetaia will be allowed to keep the belt. Neither Zuffa co-founder Dana White nor the official artwork for the fight made any mention of the IBF belt. An inquiry sent with the IBF remains unanswered as of publication time.
Australia's Opetaia (29-0, 23 KOs) is a two-time IBF cruiserweight champion, having previously held the title from July 2022-23. He defeated Mairis Breidis in an upset to capture the championship in July 2022 and then beat Breidis again in a May 2024 rematch to become a two-time titleholder.
Opetaia has made four defenses of his title in his current reign as IBF champion. He faced off with WBC titleholder Noel Mikaelyan during Zuffa Boxing 1 on Jan. 23, with the suggestion being that the pair would clash in a unification bout next. Uncrowned, however, broke the news a few days later that Opetaia's Zuffa debut would not be against Mikaelyan.
Glanton (21-3, 18 KOs) has never boxed for a world title before. He lost a split decision to David Light for the WBO No. 1 contender spot in December 2022. The American then suffered a majority decision defeat to 3-0 Soslan Asbarov in his next fight. Glanton managed to string together three wins in a row before falling short to Chris Billam-Smith on the Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn 1 undercard this past April at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Glanton returned to his winning ways with a sixth-round stoppage of Marcus Browne in October.
Cole Palmer’s face said it all. His mouth agasp in utter disbelief, the 94th-minute open-goal miss of the weekend’s hat-trick hero perhaps signalled the end of Liam Rosenior’s honeymoon period. And once more, it’s against Leeds United where fortunes change for a Chelsea manager.
Before the visit of Daniel Farke’s men, Rosenior’s early career at the Stamford Bridge helm consisted of seven wins in nine games, only suffering defeat in Chelsea’s two Carabao Cup semi-final legs against quadruple-chasing Arsenal. His impressive record had admittedly been aided by a favourable run of league fixtures, with his only top-half opponents coming in the form of Brentford in mid-January. But considering the backlash from a portion of the fanbase following his appointment, alarm bells were yet to really sound on BlueCo’s pick.
Dropped points against Leeds, however, could be the reality check that shifts the tide, as was the case in December. The visitors’ dismantling of Chelsea in this season’s reverse fixture plunged a club with a growing ambition of a title charge into turmoil. Defeat at Elland Road, eight days on from a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona, can be seen as the turning point that led to Enzo Maresca’s messy demise. A month and two wins in seven games later, the Italian was sacked.
Chelsea were overrun in that contest, falling victim to a blistering start by Daniel Farke’s side as they fell behind inside six minutes. There was a brief sense the same was about to happen when Jayden Bogle, bizarrely playing in a second striker role rather than his usual wing-back position, found himself in the Blues box inside 60 seconds, a break stemming from Cole Palmer giving the ball away cheaply. Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin in support, who lost his race to make fitness, Bogle ended up running the ball out of play, but it was an early glimmer of hope for the visitors.
That glimmer was swiftly snuffed out as Chelsea grew increasingly comfortable. Leeds became camped in their own half as the hosts pressed and probed, who found the breakthrough in the 24th minute thanks to a scything Chelsea move, cutely finished by Joao Pedro after being slipped in by Palmer.
Joao Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea (Getty)
That’s eight goal contributions in his last nine outings for the Brazilian, who had seen his star fade after an electric start to his Chelsea career. The instant impact he made in New Jersey last summer, lighting up the latter stages of the Club World Cup before carrying that form into the opening weeks of the season, led many to tip him as the Premier League’s signing of the season. He is now rediscovering the potency that justified that initial hype.
The roles of Chelsea goalscorer and provider were swapped after the break, in a way. Jaka Bijol gifted the Blues a penalty in the 56th minute, pushing Joao Pedro in the back with both hands to send the striker tumbling over. The Slovene’s appeals were pointless - it was stonewall. And off the back of his first-half hat-trick at Molineux - including two converted spot-kicks - there was no mistake from Palmer, tucking past Karl Darlow to double his side’s lead.
Cole Palmer doubled Chelsea’s advantage from the spot (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea were cruising, with Rosenior looking on course for an fourth straight league win. The new Blues boss has so far looked impermeable to an upset - but then the wheels came off.
Just as it seemed a clumsy challenge down one end had put the game out of sight for Leeds, a clumsy challenge down the other end offered the visitors a way back. Moises Caicedo’s tripping of Bogle gave referee John Brooks another simple decision to make, and Lukas Nmecha - deputising for Calvert-Lewin - sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way.
Six minutes later, things weren’t so black and white for the referee. Noah Okafor tucked into an open net after a calamitous mix-up between Sanchez and Josh Acheampong, who failed to clear the ball after Bogle had forced himself into the box. It seemed, however, that Chelsea’s sinners would get a reprieve, with replays showing the ball to have touched Bogle’s arm in the build-up.
A delay ensued - not as long as we’ve seen in the recent past, but one significant enough for home fans to believe a jog to the monitor was imminent. But that didn’t come; the goal was given. Leeds were resurrected, Chelsea crestfallen.
Farke’s side still had a quarter of an hour to survive as Chelsea upped the ante, but while taking no credit away from their defensive reslience, there was a sense it just wouldn’t fall for the hosts now that they’d surrendering total control.
Joao Pedro was nearly the hero as his late header crashed off the bar, but it’s Palmer who will have sleepless nights after skying a last-gasp chance with the goal gaping from a couple of yards out. Caicedo, who must have thought he’d set up a late winner when squaring it across the six-yard box, could not quite believe his talisman hadn’t scored as he looked lifelessly into the Matthew Harding Stand.
Palmer was dejected after missing a late sitter (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Palmer was crouched, dejected, before the full-time whistle even went, with Leeds winding down the final seconds of the clock. For Farke’s side, it’s another point towards survival.
Champions League qualification remains paramount for the Blues and this result on its own will not harm them too much, with sixth-placed Liverpool going into the matchweek four points adrift. But as we saw at the tail-end of 2025, things can snowball and fast. Just ask Rosenior’s predecessor.
Manchester United failed to win for the first time under interim head coach Michael Carrick on Tuesday, but the Red Devils still extended their unbeaten run to five games with a stoppage-time equalizer to draw 1-1 with West Ham.
Below is the latest Michael Carrick reaction, speaking after Benjamin Sesko scored in the 96th minute to steal a point for Man United and keep them 4th in the Premier League table.
Michael Carrick reaction — What did Man United boss say after dramatic draw with West Ham?
We'll have Carrick's post-match interviews and press conference as soon as they start, here.
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to Canada in the gold medal game four years ago, the United States women’s hockey team made a massive statement in Milan. In a preliminary round showdown that many expected to be a tight battle for Group A supremacy, the U.S. completely overwhelmed their rivals, cruising to a dominant 5-0 win to secure first place in the knockout stages.
With the tournament’s biggest names on the ice, the Americans’ elite depth has been the story of the afternoon. Hannah Bilka has been unstoppable, netting two goals to lead the charge, while Caroline Harvey sparked the offense early with a goal and an assist. Not to be outdone, captain Hilary Knight added a late assist to tie the all-time U.S. Olympic points record, reminding the world that the veteran core is still as dangerous as ever.
On the other side, Canada reeling all game, and for the first time in their history were shut out at the Olympics. Without captain Marie-Philip Poulin, who is day-to-day with an injury, the Canadiens were stifled on offense throughout 60 minutes.
With the win, the U.S. clinched first place in Group A and the top seed in the quartefinals. Here is a look at the full stats from the game as the United States extended the win streak to seven against their arch rivals.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 28: Errol Spence Jr. poses on the scale during the weigh-in for his title fight against Terence Crawford at T-Mobile Arena on July 28, 2023. Spence Jr. and Crawford will fight for the undisputed world welterweight championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 29. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Errol Spence, a former unified welterweight champion, is anticipated to make his return to the ring for the first time since losing to Terence Crawford in fight against Tim Tszyu, which will take place in Australia this June. The fight will headline a PBC on Prime PPV with Spence moving up to 154 lbs.
By the time this fight takes place, Spence, 35, will have been out of action for nearly three full years since getting throttled by Crawford in a highly anticipated undisputed welterweight showdown.
Meanwhile Tszyu, 31, looks to gain some career stability after having achieved world champion status only to have gone 2-3 in his last five outings, two of which were stoppage losses. Tszyu most recently took a unanimous decision win over Anthony Velazquez this past December.
But while this fight is being lined up for the summer, Tszyu is said to still be targeting a March fight on the undercard of Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro, and if that fight doesn’t go his way one would think it would put a summer fight with Spence in serious jeopardy. As of now nothing appears to be inked, but for now this appears to be the way things are headed.
The weather has taken a turn for the better and given us a taste of spring in Greater Cincinnati. Another reminder of warmer weather? The high school basketball postseason.
That's where we're headed as the Ohio High School Athletic Association has started to release statewide brackets and the Kentucky High School Athletic Association held its state tournament draw show last week.
This week's girls basketball power rankings takes a look at where the top 10 stands as the postseason draws closer.
These are the second-to-last rankings of the season as teams across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky will wrap up the regular season next weekend.
Next in line: Walnut Hills, Campbell County, Springboro, Purcell Marian, Notre Dame, Bishop Brossart, Ryle, Mason
10. Holy Cross Indians (21-3)
Last week: NR
Analysis: Holy Cross has cemented itself as a Ninth Region contender with an 18-point win over Ryle after trailing by 9 points. The Indians have one more regional test against Cooper in addition to a trip to Bishop Brossart before the postseason begins.
This week: at Cooper (Feb. 11), vs. Walton-Verona (Feb. 12), at South Oldham (Feb. 14)
9. Cooper Jaguars (15-6)
Last week: 8
Analysis: The Jaguars are on a minor slide after consecutive losses to George Rogers Clark, Simon Kenton and Taylor County, adding some intrigue to the Ninth Region postseason conversation. The two real tests on the horizon are a senior night game against Holy Cross and the regular-season finale against Assumption.
This week: vs. Holy Cross (Feb. 11), at Dixie Heights (Feb. 13), at Newport Central Catholic (Feb. 14), vs. Grant County (Feb. 16)
8. Lakota West Firebirds (16-4)
Last week: 7
Analysis: Lakota West should feel confident about its chances to finish the regular season with a share of its first Greater Miami Conference title since 2020. Hand up, I should have included Zoe Odame on my top freshmen list from a few weeks ago; she's become a consistent starter and is averaging 9.2 points and 2.6 rebounds.
This week: at Sycamore (Feb. 11), vs. Mason (Feb. 14)
7. Seton Saints (19-3)
Last week: NR
Analysis: The Saints closed the regular season on a strong note with wins over Badin and Purcell Marian. They now turn their attention to the postseason and completing one of the most successful seasons in school history.
This week: No games scheduled
6. Winton Woods Warriors (15-5)
Last week: 6
Analysis: The Warriors are out of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference race but did well to avoid their third two-game losing streak of the season. They have two more games, one this week and one next week, to stay fresh before the postseason begins.
This week: at Loveland (Feb. 12)
5. Princeton Vikings (16-3)
Last week: 5
Analysis: Princeton has had winning streaks of eight games and five games earlier in the season. How long could their current streak last through the end of the regular season and into the postseason?
This week: vs. Lakota East (Feb. 11), vs. Fairfield (Feb. 14)
4. Simon Kenton Lady Pioneers (24-2)
Last week: 4
Analysis: Simon Kenton is now the only Kentucky team to not lose to an in-state foe. The Lady Pioneers are 2-1 so far against their end-of-season gauntlet with road wins at Cooper and Frederick Douglass. A win at Sacred Heart on Friday will launch them into the state title contender conversation.
This week: at Sacred Heart (Feb. 13)
3. West Clermont Wolves (19-2)
Last week: 3
Analysis: You know that scene in "The Dark Knight" where the Joker says, "And here. We. Go," right before he expects a bomb to explode? The same phrase can be used ahead of the Wolves' final regular-season game, a trip to Milford on Feb. 18 with the ECC on the line. Both teams will be well rested for what is now the most anticipated game of the regular season in Southwest Ohio.
This week: No games scheduled
2. Milford Eagles (20-1)
Last week: 2
Analysis: Win or lose in their last game of the season, this year will go down in the history books for Milford. The Eagles have already secured the longest winning streak in school history and have won 20 games in the regular season for the first time ever. The immediate goal is to win their first ECC title next week.
This week: No games scheduled
1. Mount Notre Dame Cougars (20-0)
Last week: 1
Analysis: The Cougars are undefeated Girls Greater Catholic League champions for the eighth straight season. They've added a game against Miami Valley Christian Academy this Saturday, but a first undefeated regular season since 2021-2022 is within their grasp.
Austin Reaves ruled out vs. Spurs due to injury management
The Lakers will also be without Austin Reaves against San Antonio. Reaves has also been ruled out of the game due to left calf injury management.
Reaves recently returned to game action after an extended stay on the sideline due to a left calf strain. Given the fact that the Lakers just played last night, the team is likely just being cautious with the fifth-year guard.
One of boxing's best champions, Shakur Stevenson, is up for facing UFC champion Ilia Topuria in the ring.
During a live stream with streamer Aiden Ross, Stevenson, along with Terence Crawford, discussed the differences between MMA and boxing, which led to a nonchalant challenge from Stevenson. While Ross attempted to pump up the UFC's profile, Stevenson and Crawford naturally sided with boxing as the superior sport based on skill and popularity.
"I saw you say that, you gotta take that back – you said that the UFC is better than boxing," Stevenson said to Ross.
Ross defended his position as best he could with two of the best boxers on the planet sitting just inches away.
"UFC will never be better than boxing," Crawford said.
"At all – it ain't even close," Stevenson added. "The skill level is different."
"UFC is good for what they do, and we good for what we do," Crawford said. "You gotta think, if I can't whoop you with my hands, I can kick you, I can take you down. It's a whole different mental capacity than just kicking, punching."
Ross continued to defend UFC, asking if former two-division champion Jon Jones was someone who could dominate in boxing. Stevenson didn't hesitate with his blunt answer.
"Hell no," Stevenson said.
"OK, Ilia Topuria?" Ross replied.
"Tell him come fight me," Stevenson said.
"He's a crazy boxer, bro," Ross warned.
"I don't care. Tell him to come fight me," Stevenson said.
Stevenson recently won the Ring Magazine and WBO World Super Lightweight titles by defeating Teofimo Lopez on Jan. 31. Weighing in at 138 pounds, Stevenson, who moved up from boxing's lightweight division of 135 pounds, would be the much smaller man in a potential crossover fight against Topuria.
As the UFC's lightweight champion, Topuria weighs in at 155 pounds. The weight difference doesn't stop at lightweight, though, as Topuria has suggested moving up to 170 pounds to chase a third UFC title in the welterweight division.
We've seen multiple boxing-MMA crossover fights over the years, and they've all turned out in a similar fashion. In boxing, the boxer typically dominates the MMA fighter, and the opposite is true inside the cage. The most famous example was in 2017, when Conor McGregor stepped into the ring against one of boxing's all-time greats, Floyd Mayweather, for "The Money Fight."
The fight took place during the height of McGregor's stardom as an active fighter, and the pre-fight build included a world tour with stops in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, and London. The hype was off the charts, but when the bell rang, it was clear McGregor had very little to offer Mayweather as a pure boxer. Mayweather won the fight by TKO in Round 10.
"I thought McGregor did good, but I think Floyd let him look good," Stevenson said. "... Floyd was trying to entertain y'all – make it fun."
"(Mayweather) carried him, but McGregor did do some good things in there," Crawford said.
McGregor was considered one of the best boxers in the sport at the time, who possessed a heavy left hand. Topuria's weapon of choice is his right hand, and he is also currently considered the best boxer in MMA today. There have been many parallels between the two UFC greats, as Topuria looked up to McGregor early on, but has since soured on the Irishman. Landing a crossover boxing bout against Stevenson, who possesses some traits of Mayweather in the ring, would just be another example.
WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 17: Washington Nationals President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni (R) introduces Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera (L) during a press conference at Nationals Park on November 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. Butera became the eighth manager in Nationals team history and the youngest manager in Major League Baseball since 1972. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Earlier today, the Nationals held a virtual press conference with Paul Toboni and Blake Butera before pitchers and catchers officially report tomorrow. I was actually able to participate in the presser, and asked a question to Blake Butera. Unfortunately, time ran out before I could ask my question to Toboni, but there is always next time. For the full presser, here is the link.
Manager Blake Butera (12:00) and President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni (12:20) will meet the media this afternoon. Tune in to the link below to watch live:https://t.co/0yrrYYrxrn
It was a lot of fun to be a part of this, and I was truly honored. We have come a long way as a site in the past year or so, and hopefully this is the first of many press conferences for us.
Toboni actually shouted out the Washington Post Nats team which was recently laid off. I thought that was a cool touch. He seemed genuinely shocked and horrified by the decision. I feel the same way about it too. It was a very classy move from him and something I appreciated.
On to the questions themselves, I asked Butera about which player he thinks will surprise people this season. If you want to watch along, my question is at the 11:30 mark. Butera said that Robert Hassell III is the player that could surprise people.
Got to ask Blake a question about who could surprise this spring. He shouted out Robert Hassell III. Hopefully I can get a chance to ask something to Paul next time https://t.co/0PF4tWlkv7
He told me that when discussing the Nats deep group of outfielders, “Sometimes people forget about Robert Hassell”. Butera noted that Hassell was motivated to get bigger and stronger this offseason. He told me that he was impressed with how hard Hassell worked this offseason. As one of the players that got down to Florida early, Butera got to see Hassell put in that work.
Hassell’s focus on getting bigger and stronger this offseason has already become a storyline heading into camp. At a fan event a couple weeks ago, Butera said that Hassell put on 25 pounds of bulk this offseason. That is a big change and will be something to follow as we head into the season.
We saw Jacob Young put on muscle last offseason and it did not have the desired effects. Hopefully, Hassell’s added weight helps his game. When you looked at him last year, it was pretty clear that he had room to add weight. However, 25 pounds in one winter is a big transformation. I am curious to see how he carries that weight and if he can maintain his athleticism.
As for the press conference as a whole, there was not any groundbreaking news, but it was still interesting. Toboni and Butera got to talk about their process which I found neat. Butera discussed some of his first impressions about the players and how he is settling into the job.
Toboni talked about his process oriented vision. One part I found interesting was when Toboni said he and the staff will be challenging players on their weaknesses. The example he used was chase rate. If a player is chasing too much, they will show them the specific numbers until they get better.
This was a cool event for me and a big step for the site as a whole. I am grateful to the Nats for letting me be a part of this. We will be heading down to West Palm Beach for a week in March, so hopefully we get more opportunities to talk with Blake and Paul soon.
💇♂️❌No haircut for United, West Ham end their winning run
Today, Manchester United visited West Ham in a match that generated a lot of anticipation beforehand due to the story of Frank Ilett.
The club fan promised he would cut his hair when the Red Devils achieved five wins in a row, and he has now gone 493 days without visiting the barber.
With four consecutive wins, it seemed like the meme was about to end, but West Ham was not willing to give in at any point. The first half was very evenly matched between both teams, with hardly any chances to highlight.
However, the second half started in the worst possible way because Tomáš Souček put the Hammers ahead in the 50th minute. From there, Nuno Espírito Santo's side settled into the match, while Carrick's men grew increasingly nervous.
After just over 40 minutes of play, United couldn't find a way through, and it wasn't until the 90+5th minute that, after a cross from the right, Šeško scored the equalizer. Given how the match played out, Carrick leaves clenching his fist with the last-minute draw. However, Frank Ilett will have to keep his mane and restart his challenge.
West Ham x Manchester United - Highlights, Summary and Match Report
Incidents: The story of the match
1':
The match begins
West Ham United takes the lead against Manchester United, 1-0. Tomás Soucek finds the back of the net with a left-footed shot from close range into the bottom left corner, assisted by Jarrod Bowen.
50':
GOAL West Ham: Tomás Soucek (West Ham) scores!
Tomás Soucek scores goal number 3 in the competition (23 matches)
It's now West Ham United 1, Manchester United 1. Casemiro scores for Manchester United with a header from the center of the box, directing it into the bottom right corner. The assist came from Kobbie Mainoo.
77':
Opportunity wasted. Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United attempted a header from the center of the penalty area but failed to find the target. The cross was delivered by Luke Shaw.
There were better photos of Facundo but I felt that this one perfectly represented his essence: nearly harpooning a former teammate through the back of the skull. | Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images
Today, Tuesday 10 February, is Facundo Roncaglia’s 39th birthday. He topped out as a squad member for Fiorentina for 2 years. He was never even a regular starter, swapping in and out with Nenad Tomović, but he was one of the most beloved pieces of those magical Vincenzo Montella teams, even inspiring a Facebook meme page (listen, 2012 was a different time). As I was thinking about Facundo, I started wondering about the other players on those teams. And because everything’s terrible right now, let’s look back at that 2012-2013 roster.
I’m breaking this thing into 3 pieces to keep it digestible. We’ll start with the goalkeepers and defenders, of course, with the midfielders and forwards emerging in the next couple weeks. Drop suggestions for other rosters in the comments if you’ve been wondering what happened to Players X, Y, and Z. Anyways, let’s get down to the important business of Remembering Some Guys.
Luca Lezzerini is back, baby. After a solid career mostly spent in Serie B, he returned to Fiorentina this summer to add veteran leadership and help with the academy graduate requirements. He probably won’t play but his sideline antics have been excellent and he looks set to join the list of beloved eccentrics like Lupatelli and Antonio Rosati as third goalkeeper.
Cristiano Lupatelli retired in 2015 and spent a couple years as a coach for the Primavera before working with the Juve and Italy youth teams. He’s now graduated to working with the senior Azzurri. The bald head remains but he’s sadly ditched the sideburns/goatee with a nondescript stubble.
Neto is 36 years old and back in Brazil with Botafogo. He’s had one of the wildest gun-for-hire careers in recent memory. Following his acrimonious departure from Florence, he’s turned out for Juventus, Valencia, Barcelona, Bournemouth, and Arsenal. We always thought he was a good goalkeeper but that’s an incredible CV.
Emiliano Viviano has become one of the more enjoyable media figures in the calcio extended universe. The massive-sideburns-and-mustache combo have been replaced by a beard and a dignified flat cap but he’s still the same zany, fun-loving guy, mixing his personal experience of the top flight to provide insight from a guy who played at the very tippy top of the game. He also just shared a story about being drunk for a game at Arsenal, which is fun. For a guy who’s worn his Viola heart on his sleeve for his entire career, he’s done very well. Bonus points for being one of the first to support Jakub Jankto coming out a few years ago, too.
Michele Camporese is back in Serie B with Livorno after the Amaranti snapped him up on a free late last month. He’s had a peripatetic career since bursting onto the scene by pocketing Zlatan Ibrahimović in his first 45 minutes as a pro but he’s earned one of the greatest honors any player can achieve.
Marvin Compper returned to Germany after just half an imcomppararble season in Florence. He had a spell at Celtic as well before hanging up his boots in 2020 with Duisburg and going straight into coaching. He’s been all over the place, mostly working as an assistant manager in the Red Bull system before signing up as Enrico Maaßen’s top lieutenant at St. Gallen. I can’t believe I missed him on the touchlines last year when Fiorentina won 2-4 at the Kybunpark but he was there and helped Espen give Raffaele Palldino’s boys a hell of a time.
Ahmed Hegazy never worked out in Florence but has carved out an impressive career across three continents with West Brom, Al Ahly, and Al-Ittihad, helping the latter win the league in inspirational fashion as he stayed on after suffering a late injury. He’s now captaining NEOM FC, a weird and slightly gross addition to the Saudi Pro League, and shows no signs of slowing down even at 35, although he’s retired from international duty after a dozen years and 88 caps.
Saverio Madrigali retired from the pro game aged just 23, having never made a competitive appearance for Fiorentina. I believed in his long-term potential and thought he deserved more than the single U18 cap he got but injuries eventually got to him. He’s left the game completely, returning to his native Pisa and I swear to god opening a goddamn fancy cake bakery (on Via Fiorentina, no less), which is apparently thriving if the 4.6-out-of-5 average on Google reviews is to be believed. If ever the Hallmark Channel was going to make a movie about a former Fiorentina player, it’s got to be him. And yeah, he’s still outrageously handsome, far more chiseled than a bakery owner has any right to be. Chapeau, Saverio.
Gonzalo Rodríguez was the soul of those magical Fiorentina teams, raiding forward to chip in key goals, spraying the ball across the park, and doing all the Argentine centerback things you’d expect. His romance with a local gelato shop owner, rock and roll guitar, and approachable off-field persona made him effortlessly cool. It stung when he was unceremoniously shuffled off to San Lorenzo, where he played another 3 seasons before retiring in 2020. He’s still around the city, popping up for the legends game last year which saw Gabriel Batistuta display his old prowess, but the Young Defender maintains a low profile from what I can tell.
Facundo Roncaglia, ah, Facuno Roncaglia. Happy birthday, big guy. His contract with Sarmiento just ran out but he played 22 games in the 2025 season for them (and picked up just 6 bookings). He’s probably weighing his options but could very well continue his career, which is wild. We all know why we’re here, though. Roll the tape.
Stefan Savić was a gawky 20-year-old who arrived in Florence alongside a heap of cash in exchange for Matija Nastašić. He quickly established himself as a slightly goofy, stolidly mustachioed figure at the back and formed a good partnership with several more adventurous defenders, remaining stolidly at the back. He moved to Atlético Madrid in 2015 and spent 9 highly-decorated years in the capital before departing for Trabzonspor, where he’s still a regular starter.
Nenad Tomović is 38 years old and back in his native Serbia with Čukarički. I wish he’d gotten there a couple years ago so we could’ve had a reunion with him in the Conference League but he was in Cyprus at the time. He’s nailed down a job as a dependable veteran and could keep going indefinitely. He became something of a meme towards the end of his Fiorentina tenure but he was solid as anyone for those first couple seasons.
Nii Nortey Ashong was a standout Primavera leftback who made his senior debut in the 2011-2012 Coppa Italia against Empoli. Unfortunately, that was his only senior appearance for Fiorentina, although he made the matchday squad several times in 2012-2013 and moved to Latina the following year. He’s been something of a nomad ever since, turning out for 9 clubs in 12 years since, mostly in Serie C. From what I can tell, he’s currently playing with amateur side Sanmichelese and, at 31, could continue for another decade at that level.
Manuel Pasqual left Empoli in 2019 but didn’t officially retire until January 2020, when he took on a job as a match commentator, first on the radio with RAI and, after a year on the mic, with DAZN for TV broadcasts. You can catch him sometimes on the world feed although he hasn’t gotten a Fiorentina game since 2024. He’s not just doing color commentary, though. After knocking out his thesis at Coverciano, he worked as a coach with the Italy U18s under Daniele Franceschini for a year and a half before taking over the U16 job. I haven’t been able to find his thesis at Coverciano but I assume it’s about crossing until your damn leg falls off.
Mattia Cassani was a regular starter the previous season but fell out of favor with Montella in 2012-2013 despite costing the club over €4 million. I really thought he’d be the solution at rightback but the curse at that position was too strong; he’d earned 11 Italy caps and, aside from 90 minutes against Malta, never turned out for the national sided again. He spent a couple years in Parma opposite Massimo Gobbi and hung up his boots in 2018 with Bari. After some time away from the game with his family, he’s started coaching at the grassroots level, working skills with young players.
Charlie Woods has made his college choice, and he’s heading to one of the strongest collegiate men's golf programs in the country. In news first reported by Rivals.com, the junior at the Benjamin School in Palm Beach, Fla., has made a commitment to Florida State.
The son of Tiger Woods can be expected to land a significant NIL deal with the Seminoles, who had been rumored to be the front-runners in the recruiting battle for Charlie. He was the only player among the top 10 boys’ players in the American Junior Golf Association’s Class of 2027 to not have committed to a university.
Two years ago, the Seminoles, helmed by Trey Jones, were led to the NCAA Division I match-play championship finals by former World Amateur No. 1 Luke Clanton, ultimately losing to Auburn 3-2. They have been highly successful in their recruiting since, landing Miles Russell, the top-ranked player in the Class of 2027, and now Woods.
Charlie Woods, who turned 17 on Sunday, currently ranks 21st among all classes in the AJGA’s individual standings. In his last eight counting events, he has two top-10 finishes—a win in the Team TaylorMade Invitational and a T-9 in the Boy’s Junior PGA Championship. Woods qualified for the U.S. Junior last summer but shot 81-74 and did not reach match play.
In November, Woods was recognized for his strong season by being named a first-team member of the Rolex Junior All-America Team by the AJGA for the first time.
In high school play last year, Woods shot a team-best 68 to help his Benjamin team win the Florida state title in its division.
The Tampa Bay Rays have announced they will also celebrate former Rays third baseman Evan Longoria with a weekend of events and recognition dubbed, “Longo’s Legacy Weekend.”
The team will honor Longoria by inducting him into the Rays Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 11 and will retire his No. 3 jersey on Sunday, July 12.
During his time with Tampa Bay, Longoria was a three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner. He was named AL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and was the 2009 AL Silver Slugger recipient at third base, becoming the second player in team history to earn a Silver Slugger.
Longoria’s contributions helped send the Rays to the first four postseason appearances in franchise history, including a World Series run during his rookie season in 2008. He delivered a legendary walk-off home run in “Game 162” against the Yankees in 2011, securing the American League Wild Card. In 2025, Longoria signed a ceremonial one-day contract to retire from the game as a Tampa Bay Ray.
Previous Rays Hall of Fame inductees include former Devil Rays third baseman Wade Boggs (2023), former Rays outfielder Carl Crawford (2023), former Devil Rays first baseman Fred McGriff (2024), Rays Radio broadcaster Dave Wills (2024), and former player, manager and Rays senior advisor Don Zimmer (2023). Both Wills and Zimmer were inducted posthumously.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 07: Jaylen Watson #35 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on from the field during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 7, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
I started my first deep dive into free agency this offseason when I wrote about the cornerback market earlier today. Really, Tariq Woolen or Jaylen Watson seem to make the most sense if the Green Bay Packers are actually going to add an outside veteran at the position.
I’ll get some similar pieces up at nose tackle, which seems to be thin, and center, where the big prize is Tyler Linderbaum, once I get a full look at the options.
Here, I want to ask you guys who you want the team to sign in free agency, though. Is there someone off the radar that you’d like the Packers to get a look at, or is it just the big, pricey names? Fire off your thoughts in the comment section below.
The San Francisco 49ers are coming into the 2026 offseason with two clear needs to address, one on each side of the ball.
Defensively, a pass rusher, edge defender, or outside linebacker is the top need. Nick Bosa cannot be the only good pass rusher on the team, and Bryce Huff wasn't nearly good enough. Offensively, wide receiver is the clear top need.
Brandon Aiyuk is leaving the team after not playing all season, and his 2026 contract has been stripped of its guarantees. Jauan Jennings is a free agent as well. PFF.com's Mason Cameron named Jennings the best landing spot, which was some good news for the 49ers.
Jauan Jennings' top landing spot is good news for 49ers
"Jauan Jennings, Best Landing Spot: San Francisco 49ers," Cameron writes. "...The 49ers are projected to possess over $42.9 million in cap space, so an extension is highly feasible and would answer a crucial offseason question for this offense."
While the 49ers could turn to the 2026 NFL Draft to acquire wide receiver help, simply re-signing Jennings makes the most sense.
The 49ers aren't strapped for cap space, and Jennings likely would be open to a return. Of course, if he gets strong offers from other teams around the league, the 49ers might need to pivot. But Cameron believes the 49ers are his best landing spot.
Jennings is 28 years old and coming off a strong year for the 49ers. He caught just 55 passes and had just 643 yards on the year, both far lower than his 975 yards and 77 catch 2024 season.
But his nine touchdowns this year were a career high, beating his previous high of six from the 2024 season. The 2020 seventh-rounder has turned into a star for the 49ers and will be one of the most highly coveted free agents this offseason.
While the 49ers might have a tough time retaining him, the 49ers are the best possible landing spot for Jennings.
As long as John Lynch offers a fair contract to the veteran wide receiver, Jennings should try to return to the 49ers. Brock Purdy and Jennings have good chemistry, and the Kyle Shanahan offense is a good one to be a wide receiver in.
MILAN — Ilia Malinin screamed in joy halfway through his short program in the men’s competition Tuesday night at the 2026 Winter Olympics. He had just completed his three industrial strength jumping passes without a hitch, including two majestic quadruple jumps. Now he was flying past center ice, and his emotions got the better of him, and he let out a yelp into the icy arena air. He was back, and he knew it.
The 21-year-old self-proclaimed “Quad God” had already lived a lifetime at these Olympic Games. He had experienced the interesting combination of being both tested and, now, rested. The Olympic team figure skating competition had challenged him in ways he hadn’t expected. But he had passed that test, leading the Americans to the gold medal by doing double duty in both the short and long programs when he hadn’t planned to.
The whole experience had left him with “an incredible feeling,” he said Sunday night.
Now it was 48 hours later, and Malinin was on his own in the individual men’s event. On his own and back to his old self, the skater who has won four consecutive U.S. championships and the last two world titles.
His score? 108.16 points, a healthy five points ahead of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, who had 103.07. With a long program packed with his record-breaking seven quads, Malinin is back to being the strong favorite to win the gold medal Friday night. How things have changed for him since his shaky short program in the team event over the weekend.
But that team competition, he predicted Sunday, “really set me up for the individual event.”
Turns out he knew exactly what he was talking about.
🎙️Araújo breaks his silence: my anxiety turned into depression
In a revealing interview following his return to the pitch, Ronald Araújo decided to open up about the most difficult process of his career.
The FC Barcelona defender confessed that, behind his image of strength, he went through a deep mental health crisis that kept him from being at his best for more than eighteen months.
The brave call for help
"I was battling anxiety for a year and a half, and that turned into depression," admitted the Uruguayan. Araújo explained that, due to his roots and personality, he tried to keep everything to himself and "carry on" by inertia, but the lack of confidence ended up affecting his performance and personal life.
The turning point came when he realized he needed to "raise his hand" and seek support from his family, spirituality, and specialized professionals.
The fight continues today
Now, feeling "completely different" and recovered after a recent goal, the defender sent a message of awareness to the sports world: "We are people, beyond being footballers. It's not all about money or fame."
Araújo emphasized that working with experts gave him the necessary tools to handle the pressure and, finally, enjoy football with happiness once again.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 05: Stephen A. Smith speaks at SiriusXM on Radio Row at Super Bowl LX on February 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM) | Getty Images for SiriusXM
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of one of the worst drouts in franchise history. Sure, they have made it to the postseason in each of the last three seasons, but they’ve lost their three playoff games by a combined score of 89-37. Nine years without a playoff win marks the most in franchise history, and their seven consecutive playoff losses are just two behind the Detroit Lions from 1991-2016 for the most in NFL history.
All of these factors have added up and put Team President Art Rooney II under a microscope, with many believing it’s time for him to step aside and hand the keys to his son, Dan. One of those who is especially critical of Rooney is ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who went scorched Earth on the Steelers’ President.
“You go out and get a coach that’s considered a lateral move who, by the way, is 27 years older than the previous coaches that you hired when you hired them, giving an infusion to the Steeler Nation and the Steelers fanbase,” Smith said on First Take, via Chris Ward of Steelers Now. “I’m just looking at this man here, I’m talking about Art Rooney and the quotes. You’ve given the Pittsburgh Steeler fanbase nothing to be excited about.”
Smith continued, taking what some perceived as a low blow, saying that Rooney II is a Rooney in name only.
“You’re a Rooney, but you ain’t them because your record proves you ain’t them,” Smith said.
The hiring of Mike McCarthy has fans concerned about the direction of the team, as the Steelers opted not to hire a younger coach to lead this new era. Should the Steelers go yet another season without a playoff win, the criticism will only grow louder.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
Slovenia’s fans had waited long enough. Long enough meaning three days.
First, gold medal favorite Nika Prevc landed in silver in the women’s normal hill on Saturday — commendable, for sure, but not enough for this crowd and not enough for her. On Monday, her brother, Domen Prevc, another favorite, landed in sixth.
But on Tuesday night, Slovenia reminded everyone why it is one of ski jumping’s most dominant nations, winning gold in the mixed team normal hill with a team consisting of Nika, Domen, Nika Vodan and Anže Lanišek.
Norway, which entered the second round ranked third, snuck ahead of Japan in the final jump for silver, with Japan winning bronze.
Slovenia led by 9.2 points over Japan after the first round of jumps, with Norway the only other country in medal contention. Though Norway’s Kristoffer Eriksen Sundal produced the night’s longest jump, 104.0 meters, Slovenia was far more consistent, led by Lanišek bouncing back from disappointment in Monday night’s individual competition to leap 102.0m.
With two rounds remaining, Slovenia knew that solid jumps from the Prevc siblings would bring home their first gold of the games. Having been in tears after missing out on gold in the women’s normal hill, Nika produced a jump of 98.5m to extend Slovenia’s lead, ensuring that her brother only needed to produce the bare minimum to give both siblings their first Olympic gold.
Domen, competing away from his favoured large hill, duly obliged. His jump of 102m gave Slovenia a 30.9-point lead over silver medalists Norway, who overhauled Japan after world record holder Ryōyū Kobayashi blinked with his second-round jump.
On landing, Domen skied into his sister’s arms — ensuring that Slovenia defended ots title from 2022 in Beijing, where older brother Peter was part of the team.
Standing in parts of Tuesday’s crowd, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in Ljubljana, the capital; or maybe Planica, the mountain town that hosts World Cup ski jumping events; the Slovenian border is only a few hours’ drive away. There were shirts reading, “I feel very Olympic today;” top hats in white, blue and red; scarves saying, “I feel sLOVEnia;” and many, many flags.
“It’s incredible,” Lanišek said. “After yesterday’s performance, it couldn’t go any worse. First of all, I’d like to (thank) the whole coaching staff, they have trust and belief in me. It’s perfect. Yesterday, the pressure was in my head. It was like a worm. I tried to stay calm. It’s sport, sometimes you get your reward, sometimes you don’t.”
Texas A&M (17-6, 7-3 SEC) will host Missouri on Wednesday night, looking to earn its eighth win in SEC play after suffering back-to-back losses to Alabama on the road and Florida at home amid one of the toughest three-game stretches in the regular season.
While Saturday's 86-67 loss to the Gators was a blowout and a clear by-product of poor shooting, the news that Alabama center Charles Bediako, who was officially deemed ineligible by the NCAA after Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court Judge Daniel F. Pruet denied his motion for a preliminary injunction, ending the former NBA G-League player's 2025-2026 season.
In five games this season with Bediako in the lineup, Alabama went 3-2, including close wins over Texas A&M (100-97) and Auburn on the road (96-92), scoring five points and grabbing four rebounds against the Aggies, and 12 points and three boards against Auburn. In both games, Bediako's size and strength in the paint played a big role on defense and likely prevented several possessions that could have gone the other way.
Immediately after the news, it was assumed that Texas A&M head coach Bucky McMillan would comment on the matter, leading to Tuesday's press conference, where he was asked if the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee should factor in Bediako's ineligibility, especially for the Aggies, Auburn Tigers, and Tennessee Volunteers, who all fell to the Crimson Tide with the 7-footer in the lineup.
"How is it made right for us? Because they're not going to be able to play with their full roster against the other teams when we had to play against their full roster."
McMillan "hopes" that the Selection Committee will factor in Bediako when the time comes, and while it's highly unlikely these three wins will be vacated, it's important to note that Texas A&M's road loss to Alabama is considered a Quad 1A loss, and likely won't impact the Aggies' tournament seeding more than "bad losses" against Quad 3 and Quad 4 opponents.
Here is the entire quote from Bucky McMillan regarding Charles Bediako's ineligibility:
Texas A&M basketball coach Bucky McMillan on if the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee should factor Charles Bediako (who is no longer eligible) playing in Alabama’s 100-97 win over A&M when determining seeding: “You hope it’s got to be.” pic.twitter.com/DjiHgn6LUd
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New Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak (left) shakes hands with general manager John Spytek at Tuesday's introductory press conference for Kubiak in Henderson, Nev.
HENDERSON, Nev. — What do our parents always teach us? Learn from your mistakes.
The Las Vegas Raiders and owner Mark Davis appear to have gotten the memo.
Tuesday, the Raiders introduced Klint Kubiak, a 38-year-old offensive guru and Super Bowl champion as their new head coach after he was officially named the team’s latest head coach on Monday. He replaces Pete Carroll, a 74-year-old defensive guru and Super Bowl champion. Both coached in Seattle, both got their ring while with the Seahawks.
But that’s where the difference ends.
The Raiders needed to get younger. They needed someone more in sync with modern football the way it is being played and coached in the second quarter of the 21st Century. They needed someone who can work with, not resist general manager John Spytek. And they needed someone who can develop their next quarterback, most likely Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
Kubiak checks all of those boxes. Especially when it comes to working with quarterbacks. And that’s why this is a good hire. He may not be an eloquent speaker or witty like Petey was, but if Kubiak can get the Raiders to win, does it really matter?
I like that the Raiders took their time, did their homework, interviewed a wide range of candidates, let Spytek lead the search, make sure everyone was on the same page with the decision and then threw their support behind the call to bring Kubiak on board. No knee-jerk actions. No “Patriot Way” or some other nonsense. No fretting over head coaching experience of lack of it. It was all about making sure that end the end, they go the guy they wanted, and needed to turn this franchise around.
For what it’s worth, Kubiak said all the right things Tuesday, from thanking Raiders legends like Marcus Allen, Charles Woodson, Howie Long, Mike Haynes, Jim Plunkett and Rich Gannon sharing the dais with him, to Spytek for having the faith in him to hire him as a first-time head coach, to promising a tough, physical brand of football from his team to being grateful to all those who helped him along the way to get to this moment.
I’m sure he has a sense of humor and we’ll see it come out at some point. But Tuesday was a day for honesty and straightforwardness, and there’s nothing wrong in that. Besides, what would you rather see from him, a guy who wins the press conference but goes 3-14 on the field? Or someone who tried to get comfortable in his new role but will be best suited wearing a headset on the sidelines and figuring out how to win come Sunday?
You may think the Silver and Black have been down this road before when they selected Josh McDaniels in 2022. Like Kubiak, McDaniels had made his name as a play-caller, an offensive mind who teamed with Tom Brady to win six Super Bowls.
The difference? McDaniels had previous head coaching experience and it didn’t go well for him when he was in charge of the Denver Broncos. And things certainly didn’t work out for him in his year-plus in Las Vegas. Kubiak is in charge for the first time. I look at his hire much like the ones in Chicago with Ben Johnson, with Liam Coen in Jacksonville, young guys who are attuned to modern-day football, can relate to today’s players and have spent years honing their craft to prepare for the opportunity to be an NFL head coach.
“The NFL is all about competing,” Kubiak said. “With the resources in this building, Mr. Davis has set us up for success. Now we have to go out and earn it.”
How can you not like what Kubiak did with Sam Darnold, a journeyman quarterback who finally achieved the ultimate success after coming up short with the Jets, Panthers, 49ers and Vikings? Kubiak himself has gone from team to team — Vikings, Broncos, 49ers, Saints —as he honed his craft before it all came together for him with the Seahawks, a team that had a dominant defense and enough weapons on offense to give Kubiak a chance to contribute to Seattle’s success.
He’s going to enjoy coaching running back Ashton Jeanty in Las Vegas. He’s going to love working with tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. He’ll look to make receivers Tre Tucker, Dont’e Thornton and Jack Bech more productive. And whoever he gets to coach the Raiders’ offensive line will get some talent to work with, assuming they can stay healthy, along with whoever the team drafts and signs in free agency.
I don’t know if he’ll get to coach Maxx Crosby. The latest rumors have the All-Pro edge rusher wanting out of Las Vegas and we’ll see if that turns out to be the case. But that’s Spytek’s call to make. If Crosby is here, I’m sure Kubiak will be excited to work with him. If he leaves, you’ve got to believe the Raiders will receive some assets in return that will make them an improved team at some point.
Kubiak said he talked to Crosby Tuesday morning and looked forward to more conversations going forward. We’ll see if that manifests itself into a relationship that keeps Crosby a Raider long-term.
Kubiak reportedly has a five-year deal in place. That’s longer than Carroll had, which was three years. If he and Spytek develop a working chemistry and can see things in the same prism this will work. If it doesn’t, then we’re looking at yet more change, probably at the GM’s office.
But I believe these two will get along, work together for the betterment of the franchise and ultimately get it right.
Davis is sure hoping he got it right. He is now paying five, count ‘em five head coaches — Jon Gruden ($10 million), McDaniels ($10 million), Antonio Pierce ($8 Million), Carroll ($16 million) and now, Kubiak, whose deal is reportedly in the range of $75 million over the five years. In addition, the Raiders are paying Chip Kelly, who was Carroll’s former offensive coordinator, $6 million. That’s a lot of money to spend on people who are no longer in your employ. But if the investment in Kubiak ultimately pays off with the Raiders making it back to the Super Bowl, a place they last visited in 2003, it will have been worth it.
Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Fulham (Premier League)
Manchester City return to the Etihad Stadium in Premier League action after two away matchdays in a row as they take on Marco Silva’s Fulham.
In the reverse fixture, the two teams produced a 4-5 thriller at Craven Cottage with City coming out on top thanks to goals from Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, Phil Foden and a Sander Berge own goal.
Pep Guardiola’s men into this one off the back of an exciting 1-2 comeback win at Anfield against Liverpool – only the third triumph the Blues have earned at the Merseyside ground this century.
Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jeremy Doku and Savinho are currently in Manchester City’s medical department and will miss Wednesday’s match, while for the visitors, Tom Cairney and Sasa Lukic are both injured.
During his usual pre-match media duties, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Abdukodir Khusanov is fit and available for the clash against Fulham after his head injury sustained against Liverpool, while John Stones’ return to availability was also confirmed.
Since Manchester City play before Arsenal this midweek, the game will be a great chance to reduce the gap to three points and put pressure on the current league leaders ahead of their clash away at Brentford.
Here is how we predict the hosts will line-up against their West London opponents this week!
Predicted XI
Arguably Manchester City’s saviour against Liverpool, Gianluigi Donnarumma continues to show why he currently holds the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper in the world, and the Italian will feature in between the posts.
Matheus Nunes has consolidated himself as arguably one of the best right-backs in the Premier League this season, and the now-former midfielder may start once again for the Blues this week.
The rise of Abdukodir Khusanov is admirable as the Uzbek centre-back lives his best moments since he arrived at the Etihad Stadium over a year ago, and the No.45 may be in line to continue as a starter despite Rúben Dias’ return.
We predict that the recently signed and already impressive Marc Guéhi will once again form a partnership with Khusanov in the back line for City this week, in a pairing that is already working out pretty well for the club.
As for Rayan Ait-Nouri, the Algerian has been gaining increased game time after his AFCON pause over winter, proving exactly why Manchester City bought him from Wolves during the last summer market. The left-back should be in the initial eleven one more time.
Rodri’s performance at Anfield on Sunday afternoon was one of his best since coming back from injury, and if physically capable of playing almost 50 hours after another masterclass, the Spaniard simply should.
Captain Bernardo Silva is a leader by example, making him essential in such a match. The legendary No.20 is also key for the new formation as a second holding midfielder with freedom to roam on the pitch, making the Portuguese a likely presence on this team sheet.
Rayan Cherki gives pleasure when on the ball, and against Fulham he should return to the line-up. After being left on the bench at Anfield, Tijjani Reijnders may start to complete an advanced midfield duo.
Manchester City’s striking partnership should be composed by goal scorers Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo, and with this tactical set-up, Pep Guardiola could use a 4-2-2-2 formation on the ball while defending in a classic 4-4-2.
Hincapie, Martinelli And Gyokeres To Start | 4-3-3 Arsenal Predicted Lineup Vs Brentford
Arsenal will face off against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium this Thursday night as they look to secure a good result on the road in the Premier League. The Gunners managed to earn an impressive 3-0 win over Sunderland recently, which should give them a lot of confidence going into this game.
Mikel Arteta will set his players up in a 4-3-3 formation and is expected to make some changes to his first XI for this clash. Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres could all play from the start of this game.
4-3-3 Arsenal Predicted Lineup To Face Brentford
Defence
David Raya will feature in between the sticks for the Gunners after he kept a clean sheet in his last league outing. William Saliba will continue to operate alongside Gabriel at the heart of the Arsenal backline as they look to keep things solid at the back during the game.
Jurrien Timber will try to put in a solid performance at right-back, while Piero Hincapie looks to catch the eye on the other side as the left-back. Both of them will have to pick and choose their moments to join in on the attack.
Riccardo Calafiori and Cristhian Mosquera will provide cover for the defensive positions on the bench.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Viktor Gyoekeres of Arsenal holds off Nordi Mukiele of Sunderland during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on February 07, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Midfield
Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Kai Havertz will make up Arsenal’s midfield. Their main focus would be to move the ball well and engineer some decent chances in the final third.
Eberechi Eze and Christian Norgaard will be named on the bench as they wait for their chance to make an impact in the second half, if needed.
Attack
Gabriel Martinelli will try to catch the eye on the left flank, while Noni Madueke hopes to put his pace to good use as the right-winger. Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line for the Gunners down the middle. He managed to score a brace versus Sunderland, which should give him a ton of confidence going into this game.
Gabriel Jesus will have to settle for a spot on the bench and might come on to influence the game in the latter stages if the North London club are in need of a goal by then. However, Leandro Trossard is a major doubt for this clash.
Report: Newcastle United interested in move to sign 22-year-old La Liga striker
Newcastle United Eye Etta Eyong Move as Premier League Dream Grows
Transfer speculation has a habit of arriving in waves, and few names are riding the current tide quite like Etta Eyong. As reported by Fichajes, the Levante striker finds himself at a crossroads, his future “once again located far from Spain and increasingly closer to English football.”
For Newcastle United, a club recalibrating its attacking options, this is more than idle gossip. It speaks to recruitment planning, stylistic alignment, and the relentless pull of the Premier League’s financial gravity.
Levante Spell Lacks Expected Spark
Eyong’s time at Levante has not unfolded with the upward surge many anticipated. There have been flashes, moments that reaffirm why Europe’s elite once circled, yet the consistency required to anchor long term belief has wavered.
As outlined in the original report, “Etta Eyong’s current spell at Levante UD has been more inconsistent than anticipated by the club’s management.” That inconsistency matters. For strikers, rhythm is currency, and LaLiga offers little patience when output dips.
Levante, for their part, retain faith. They still view Eyong as a player of consequence, though no longer untouchable. Financial reality sharpens that perspective. A significant sale would ease pressure and fund squad reinforcement, a dynamic increasingly common across Spanish football’s middle tier.
Newcastle Monitoring Situation Closely
Where Spain’s interest has cooled, England’s has intensified. Newcastle United, according to Fichajes, “continue to be highly regarded” suitors, tracking Eyong’s trajectory even through quieter periods.
Recruitment staff reportedly admire his “physical profile, power, and potential for growth.” Those traits translate well to Premier League demands, where transitional speed and duelling strength shape attacking success.
Importantly, this is framed as forward planning. With concerns around Nico Woltemade’s fitness and output, Newcastle’s interest represents strategic layering rather than reactive buying. The club appears to be identifying players who can evolve alongside its project.
Photo IMAGO
One scout is said to view Eyong as “a striker built for English tempo, capable of stretching defensive lines in ways data alone cannot measure.”
Financial Landscape Shapes Negotiations
Money, inevitably, frames the conversation. Eyong’s mooted €30 million valuation places him in a curious bracket, steep for many Spanish sides, attainable for Premier League investors.
Levante recognise that leverage. Negotiating with English clubs alters the economic equation, offering what the report describes as a “financial advantage.”
The fee would mark a landmark sale, yet Newcastle’s ownership structure means such figures sit within calculated risk territory. Particularly for a player viewed as developmentally unfinished.
Premier League Appeal Driving Decision
Equally significant is the player’s own stance. “Etta Eyong himself wouldn’t be opposed to a change of scenery that would allow him to relaunch his career,” the report states.
The allure is obvious. Exposure, wages, competitive intensity, global visibility. England offers a stage that can reignite stalled momentum.
Developmental pauses are not terminal. Environment, tactical fit, and confidence often dictate resurgence. Eyong’s camp appears to believe a Premier League move could provide precisely that ignition point.
With summer approaching, all parties hover in evaluation mode. Levante weigh timing, Newcastle weigh value, Eyong weighs destiny.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
From a Newcastle supporter’s perspective, this report lands in an intriguing space between opportunity and calculated gamble.
Eyong’s profile fits the recruitment model the club has leaned into recently, high ceiling, physically equipped, tactically adaptable. Fans have seen how the Premier League can sharpen raw attributes into elite output when coaching structure aligns.
There would, however, be natural caution. Inconsistency in LaLiga raises questions about week to week reliability. Supporters would want reassurance that this is not another developmental project without immediate impact, particularly if Champions League ambitions remain active.
That said, the €30 million valuation feels aligned with modern squad building. Not bargain territory, yet far from prohibitive. If Newcastle believe, as suggested, that “this is a strategic move, not an emergency operation,” patience may already be baked into expectations.
There is also stylistic curiosity. Eyong’s pace and counter attacking instincts could complement Newcastle’s transitional threat, offering tactical variation against deeper defensive blocks.
Ultimately, supporters tend to rally behind players who choose the project as much as the platform. If Eyong views Tyneside as the place to “relaunch his career,” that intent alone would generate early goodwill.
Excitement, cautious optimism, and recruitment intrigue, all familiar emotions on the road to another transformative summer.
LAWRENCE — Kansas basketball is in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, following a Big 12 Conference victory Monday at home against Arizona.
The No. 9 Jayhawks (19-5, 9-2 in Big 12) just dealt the No. 1 Wildcats their first loss of the season. KU did so, without freshman guard Darryn Peterson available. It was a win that both showcased how well Kansas can perform regardless of whether Peterson is on the court and left one wondering once more what the group’s ceiling can be if Peterson is regularly available.
Kansas’ attention now turns toward a game Saturday on the road against No. 4 Iowa State. The two teams met earlier this season in Lawrence, in a game the Jayhawks won with ease. This rematch will once again test what KU is capable of on the road against a high-profile opponent in a challenging environment.
Before KU and Iowa State match up, though, here are some of the latest NCAA tournament bracketology projections for the Jayhawks as of Tuesday afternoon:
This projection places Kansas as the No. 3 seed in the East Region, with a round of 64 matchup against No. 14 seed North Dakota State. Win, and the Jayhawks would play against either No. 6 seed Clemson or one of a pair of No. 11 seeds in UCLA or San Diego State. Should KU advance all the way to the Sweet 16, a couple of potential matchups include No. 10 seed Texas and No. 2 seed Illinois.
This projection places Kansas as the No. 3 seed in the East Region, with a round of 64 matchup against No. 14 seed ETSU. Either No. 6 seed Louisville or No. 11 seed Santa Clara would await KU in the next round, should the Jayhawks advance. Of course, Louisville and Kansas are no strangers to each other, as the two played in an exhibition game ahead of the season that KU won on the road.
This projection places Kansas as the No. 2 seed in the East Region, with a round of 64 matchup against No. 15 seed Harvard. A win would see the Jayhawks go up against either No. 7 seed Villanova or No. 10 seed Texas in the next round. A potentially high-profile Sweet 16 matchup could occur, with No. 3 seed Purdue in the region as well.
Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He was the 2022 National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.
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The U.S. figure skating team has already won gold at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. But perhaps even more importantly, Amber Glenn and her teammates’ already iconic “Blade Angels” trio are officially a part of athletic history.
This year’s Olympics already marked a major LGBTQ+ milestone within the event, with Glenn, who is pansexual, becoming the first openly queer Olympic women’s figure skater. Fellow athletes Alysa Liu and Isabeau Levito round out the 2026 U.S. Olympic women’s figure skating dream team. And while they’re dominating on the ice, their friendship is also the envy of young fans.
As TikToker @jessaugustyn perfectly explained in a recent video, the trio is so appealing because they represent three key subgroups: “alt, gay, and from New Jersey.”
Once Glenn, Liu, and Levito were named to the U.S. team, they immediately did what any sane people would do: brainstorm an official name for their triple threat of a team in their group chat. They eventually settled on one of Liu’s suggestions, “Blade Angels,” announcing the name in a January 27 U.S. Figure Skating social media post.
“Isabeau was really set on Powerpuff Girls,” Liu shared in a February 2 interview. “I came up with Blade Angels, but I had a ton of horrible ideas, too. It was a group decision.”
Another frontrunner? “Babes of Glory,” which Liu said was tossed out because, “Hello! Copyright!”
While I’d like to believe that Blades of Glory star Will Ferrell and the eponymous Power Puff Girls would’ve let copyright issues slide, “Blade Angels” has become a pretty legendary moniker for the skaters all on its own. Look no further than your local TikTok “For You” page, where fan edits celebrating Glenn, Liu, and Levito’s team have been blowing up for the past few weeks. Is it too soon to start fancasting an Avengers-style team up movie about them?! (For the record, my money is on McKenna Grace, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, and Hannah Cheramy).
Between the “Blade Angels’” success and Bad Bunny’s recent Super Bowl halftime show, watching Americans perform on the global stage actually feels… good, somehow? What a concept!
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“I did anticipate this but I am disappointed by it,” Glenn wrote on Instagram.
As much of a palate cleanser as the “Blade Angels” have been these past few weeks, representing the U.S. hasn’t necessarily been easy on the skaters themselves. On Sunday, Glenn wrote in a post to her Instagram stories that she would be taking a social media break for mental health reasons after facing “outlandish” backlash for her comments supporting LGBTQ+ rights.
During a February 4 Olympic press conference, Glenn was asked about President Donald Trump’s “approach toward the LGBT community.” The second Trump term has made sports a cornerstone of its attacks on trans athletes, as the administration seeks to ban trans athletes from competing across the board.
“It isn’t the first time that we’ve had to come together as a community and try and fight for our human rights,” Glenn said. “Now, especially, it’s not just affecting the queer community, but many other communities, and I think that we are able to support each other in a way we didn’t have to before, and because of that, it’s made us a lot stronger.”
Glenn added that she won’t “shut up about politics,” because “it is something that affects us in our everyday lives.”
“Of course there are things that I disagree with, but as a community, we are strong and we support each other, and brighter days ahead,” she continued.
The New York Jets could potentially go from one 2022 NFL draftee in the backfield to another.
The Jets are in danger of losing Breece Hall in free agency, but could Super Bowl 60 MVP Kenneth Walker III be a potential replacement?
Jets named top potential landing spot for Kenneth Walker III
Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports seems to think so, as he recently named New York as a top landing spot for Walker, who will be headed for free agency after helping the Seattle Seahawks come out victorious in the Big Game.
"The Jets also fall into the category of lead running back potentially going elsewhere. Breece Hall is a free agent. Selected five picks before Walker in the 2022 NFL Draft, Hall has been less explosive but significantly more consistent down to down," Pereles wrote.
"The Jets' offense was dismal in 2025, but with a new offensive coordinator in Frank Reich, a new quarterback almost certainly coming to town, a solid young offensive line and some of the deepest pockets in free agency, New York could be a fit."
As pitchers and catchers start to report to their teams’ camps this week, signaling the official return of baseball, it’s time to take a look back at each club’s offseason and give them a final grade for their work.
On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go through all 30 teams division by division, talking about the newest additions and subtractions for each side, as well as which teams could’ve done a little bit more.
Did the Los Angeles Dodgers do enough to bolster their squad and try for a three-peat? Did the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies do the right thing by essentially running back their rosters? Are the Milwaukee Brewers and Cleveland Guardians throwing away a golden chance during a championship window? With at least one team getting an A and another getting an F, find out how your squad did this offseason.
5:45 – AL East
25:04 – NL East
38:52 – AL West
51:11 – NL West
1:01:08 – AL Central
1:17:30 – NL Central
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Chicago Cubs/Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is being evaluated for a stress reaction in his left hand.
Lindor experienced some soreness in the area around his left hand and wrist over the past couple days. David Stearns, the president of baseball operations for New York, said Lindor is going to visit a hand specialist on Wednesday to check his hamate bone.
“It is possible this will result in hamate surgery. If it does, that's a six-week recovery, which puts us right at opening day,” Stearns said. “So at this point, even if it does require surgery, we would remain optimistic that Francisco would be back for opening day.”
Lindor was left off Puerto Rico's roster for the upcoming World Baseball Classic over insurance coverage.
Stearns also announced that Juan Soto is going to shift from right to left field. The change was finalized after discussions between the slugger and manager Carlos Mendoza.
Soto also is going to play left for the Dominican Republic in the WBC.
“Over the last month or so, as Mendy and Juan were talking about the season, Juan was working out in left field because he's going to play left field for the D.R. in the WBC,” Stearns said. "As they had their conversations, he felt really comfortable there.
“It made sense for us from a roster perspective, so we're going to go forward with it and everyone's on board with it.”
The USA and Canada continue to hold top spots in women's hockey, both starting the Olympics undefeated.
They finally clashed on Tuesday, Feb. 10, with no affection between them.
The rivalry between the USA and Canada is considered one of the most intense in Olympic history, driven by their longstanding dominance, numerous gold-medal matchups, and the significant competitiveness between the two, especially in ice hockey.
In Canada, hockey is a key part of the national identity, so a loss to the U.S. often feels like a major disappointment. In most cases, there is no sitting on the fence for this rivalry, but why is that different for the Dunne family?
The Sporting News breaks down why the USA-Canada women's hockey rivalry has divided the Dunne family.
Why USA-Canada women's hockey rivalry has divided Dunne family
The USA-Canada women's hockey rivalry has really stirred up feelings within the Dunne family, mainly because of a relationship that crosses borders.
Josh Dunne, who plays as a forward for the Buffalo Sabres, is dating Ella Shelton, a talented defenseman for the Canadian national team.
Meanwhile, Josh’s younger sister, Joy Dunne, is making her mark as a promising forward for Team USA.
"We've got Benedict Arnold in the family... He's got seats with USA tomorrow we may not let him in..." 😂
The USA/Canada rivalry is a unique one for the Dunne family. NHL son Josh is dating Canadian player Ella Shelton... while his sister Joy plays for #TeamUSA. #Olympicspic.twitter.com/vILvar2mIN
Although the siblings cheer each other on, the rivalry on the ice stays fierce. Joy Dunne compared the USA-Canada matchup to the passionate Ohio State-Michigan rivalry, illustrating just how intense it can be.
Joy is an American hockey forward proudly representing Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. As a junior at Ohio State University, she is celebrated as one of the sport's bright rising stars, especially after being named the 2024 National Rookie of the Year.
In her Olympic debut, Dunne has been a wonderful offensive force for Team USA, helping them stay undefeated through the preliminary rounds.
Who is Josh Dunne?
Josh Dunne is an American professional ice hockey forward currently serving with the Buffalo Sabres in the NHL.
Josh is Joy Dunne's older brother, the forward for Team USA.
Dunne has become a consistent NHL depth player this season after spending most of his early career in the American Hockey League. Hockey certainly runs in the Dunne family.
Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa and captain Dani Carvajal hold peace talks after tension
Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal has cut a miserable figure on the bench over recent weeks, and after he watched David Jimenez start ahead of him on Sunday night against Valencia, and then Trent Alexander-Arnold come on instead of him, his frustration seemed to reach boiling point. It seems that Carvajal and manager Alvaro Arbeloa have lowered the temperature at the Valdebebas training ground though.
Carvajal was seen venting his frustrations to fitness coach Antonio Pintus after the match on Sunday night at Mestalla, which have cumulatively built up after five straight games on the bench. The 34-year-old has played just 27 minutes since returning to fitness, during which time Los Blancos have played 10 matches. Carvajal was reportedly baffled by Arbeloa’s decisions, feeling fit to play, and at the very least, fit for the final 15 minutes of a match. Alexander-Arnold has recovered more recently, and from a more serious injury, but was chosen ahead of him.
Carvajal and Arbeloa hold peace talks
Image via Reuters
According to Marca, Carvajal and Arbeloa spoke to each other during Real Madrid’s training session on Tuesday morning at Valdebebas, in a relaxed manner. The two exchanged their opinions without tension, and they put to bed the matter, agreeing to look forward from now on. Diario AS add that both now consider the matter resolved, and have viewed their conversation positively.
Will Carvajal return to action now?
Real Madrid host Real Sociedad in a tricky encounter this weekend at the Bernabeu, and all eyes will be on Arbeloa’s line-up. It would be bold to start any of his three options, given Jimenez is in theory the lowest down the pecking order, and both Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal have not started games for the past three months. Fede Valverde could also drop into right-back, although the word from the Bernabeu has been that he will be playing in midfield from now on.
The Minnesota Vikings are going to bring in a quarterback this offseason. At the very least, they will bring in a veteran who can compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting spot. But would the Vikings be willing to give up the requisite capital to land a top-tier quarterback?
Joe Burrow has been rumored to want out of Cincinnati after a cryptic press conference in December. He played with Justin Jefferson at LSU in 2018 and 2019, and Burrow would fit in perfectly in Kevin O'Connell's pass-happy scheme.
However, Dianna Russini of The Athletic poured cold water on the rumors, saying it doesn't sound like Cincinnati wants to trade Burrow anywhere.
Despite the hopes and dreams of Minnesota Vikings fans, the Cincinnati Bengals have no intention of trading Joe Burrow — to Minnesota or anywhere else. As for Burrow’s overall happiness? Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase told me he isn’t worried about Burrow’s future, despite late-season speculation after another missed playoff opportunity.
“Everything gets blown out of proportion with him,” Chase said. “He still loves to work on his craft and become the best every day.”
That likely won't stop the Vikings from trying to acquire Burrow, but the report isn't surprising. When healthy, Burrow is a top-three quarterback in the league and gives the Bengals a chance to win every week.
We'll see if this changes at all during the offseason. But right now, it sounds like dreams of Burrow in purple are just that – dreams.
The Warriors were one of a few teams in trade rumors over the last few weeks, as they looked to make an impact move before the trade deadline.
They ultimately decided to trade for Hawks' center Kristaps Porzingis, but there was almost a different reality where they traded for former DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr. instead.
How the Warriors almost traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. instead of Kristaps Porzingis
*The following intel was provided by NBA insider Brett Siegel
Kristaps Porzingis is a trade deadline addition the Warriors were happy with, but he wasn't their first or even their second trade deadline target when it came to a big addition at the forward/center position.
The obvious first option was Giannis Antetokounmpo, but as we know, the Bucks decided to hold off on trading the former MVP and NBA champion.
This brings us to their second option, which was Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. did get moved at the deadline, as the Grizzlies found common ground with the Jazz on a deal.
However, the Warriors were in talks to try to get Jackson Jr. before that eventually happened.
"Jackson became the Warriors' Plan B before the trade deadline, but their pursuit came with clear concerns and caveats," said NBA insider Brett Siegel.
He detailed that there was a world where Golden State made room and got assets to try to put a real trade together for Jackson Jr., but "Butler's injury and other teams' pursuit of Jackson only raised his price right before the deadline."
Siegel said the Grizzlies had a request for a haul that consisted of an enticing package of players, and most importantly, three draft picks, but the Warriors were unwilling to give up that much draft capital.
We were able to get the framework on what the Warriors' best offer was for Jackson Jr., as Siegel detailed it to be "some variation of two clear draft picks, some sort of swap, Kuminga, Buddy Hield, and another contract for salary purposes."
The Warriors ultimately parted ways with Kuminga and Hield in the Porzingis trade, but the extra assets appear to be what they were unsteady about giving up.
Lastly, Siegel said the Grizzlies had interest in Moses Moody, but that Golden State was reluctant to part ways with him and the draft capital they were asking for.
It certainly could have been a very different deadline if the Warriors struck on a deal for Jackson Jr., but it appears they were satisfied with a less risky move in the end, which was Porzingis.
Although the Warriors want to be competitive, especially while Steph Curry and Draymond Green are playing, they are aware of the value of draft picks further down the line, which in the end was enough to prevent them from making a risky trade for Jackson Jr.
Carlton Davis III sees the New England Patriots as a hot destination for upcoming free agents to desire playing for in 2026.
The Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl this year, losing to the Seattle Seahawks 29-13. Davis III started all 17 games of the regular season, as well as all four games in the 2025 NFL playoffs at cornerback. The 29-year-old finished with two interceptions in the postseason. Despite the loss, the Patriots went 9-0 on the road, regular season and playoffs included. New England became AFC champions behind AP NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye.
“Why wouldn’t you want to be here if we’re gonna compete for championships? We’re gonna win games and we have a good time doing it… I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t wanna play here,” Davis said.
Patriots linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson, defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga, safety Jaylinn Hawkins, as well as offensive tackle Thayer Munford Jr., will all be unrestricted free agents when the market opens for players to start signing with teams on March 11. According to Over the Cap, New England has $42.7 million in cap space for 2026 to strengthen their roster for another hopeful run to the Super Bowl next season.
The Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl 60 champions. It's an incredible accomplishment, and it's their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.
But now that the Super Bowl is past them, the Seahawks have more work to do regarding their offseason plan. Free agents, trades, and the NFL Draft are all coming up shortly, and those decisions will be major ones.
Kenneth Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, is a free agent, and a big looming decision for the Seahawks. And while ESPN's Brady Henderson has an offensive player as the Seahawks top priority this offseason, it's not Walker.
Seahawks' top offseason priority isn't Kenneth Walker, but another offensive player
"What is their top offseason priority?" Henderson writes. "Te-sign wide receiver Rashid Shaheed. The Seahawks have other key unrestricted free agents... But arguably none would be as hard to replace as Shaheed, a productive No. 2 receiver and a Pro Bowl kick returner."
With Walker a free agent, along with Coby Bryant, Tariq Woolen, and a few other key players on the defensive side of the ball hitting free agency, Hendrson believes Shaheed is the top priority for the Seahawks this offseason.
The reason is clear: it's a whole lot more difficult to find a player like Shaheed than it is to find a good cornerback, running back, or safety.
Bryant and Woolen are great players, and the Seahawks have the money to bring them back. But, Henderson believes Shaheed signing an extension should be the Seahawks top priority this offseason.
Running backs are especially easy to come by, and there will be plenty of solid free agent options this offseason. J.K. Dobbins, Rico Dowdle, Travis Etienne Jr., and Breece Hall are just a few of the alternative options for the Seahawks.
Narratively, letting Walker walk after his Super Bowl MVP would be a mistake. Seattle's front office should re-sign Walker this offseason.
But the order of operations, at least for Henderson, should begin with re-signing Shaheed to a long-term extension to keep one of the more explosive playmakers in Seattle.
PARMA, ITALY - FEBRUARY 1: Luciano Spalletti, Kenan Yildiz of Juventus during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 1, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) | Juventus FC via Getty Images
Something very uncommon happened to me while browsing my totally illegal streaming service of choice to find the Juventus game this past weekend. In a truly shocking turn of events, I wasn’t tuning in just for the responsibility I have as a writer of your friendly neighborhood blog BWRAO. It wasn’t something I needed to watch because I’m nothing if not a diligent journalist with integrity and morals.
I don’t just write hot fiery takes in this here blog. I write correct, well-researched, accurate takes thank you very much.
I was tuning in because I was legitimately excited and looking forward to watching my team. Ladies and gentlemen, they let Juventus be a fun team again. The fools, the absolute fools.
Notice I said, fun, not great … yet. The baffling defeat against Cagliari, the Coppa Italia elimination by a not-very-impressive Atalanta side, the draw against an extremely mid Lazio side and the wasted opportunity against AS Monaco in Champions League — with a decent chance at the time to get into the top eight and an automatic berth into the round of 16 — are proof that this team is not quite there yet in terms of consistency.
But man, when it’s fun, it’s fun, isn’t it? They can play good, fun ball. Juventus throttled Napoli, Cremonese and Parma in Serie A and convincingly beat Benfica in Europe during that same time period. And did it all with a combined 14-1 scoreline.
(How fun is it to beat the brakes out of Napoli again? A lot. Was it a tad bit more fun to do it with Antonio Conte patrolling the touchlines for the south siders? Yes, yes it was.)
Again, a seriously challenging team does not drop points the way Juventus have, and if we are realistic the Serie A title looks all but done with Inter Milan holding a 12-point advantage over the Bianconeri. But the fact that Juventus is playing well is not something we have seen too much recently.
Consider me … intrigued, Mr. Spalletti.
(The closest pursuer to Inter? Their crosstown rival, the Max Allegri-led AC Milan! Good luck, I did not throw out my massive Allegri tifo.)
Let’s cook.
Having a good time
Not every team with gimmicks is a good team. But every good team has gimmicks.
I have no scientific evidence of this statement, but it feels true, right? I think it’s just a natural consequence of a place with good chemistry. Very often, you end up spending a ton of time with the people you work with. Inside jokes, traditions, rituals. They all start to naturally develop in these environments and you can tell something like that is happening with this Juventus team. You start seeing the group celebrations, players having their own silly little gestures and things that everyone on the team joins in. These are all good things.
Are they a bit dumb, sometimes even going into the realm of cringey? Of course they are, but that’s the point! The entire concept of an inside joke is that everyone not in on it doesn’t get it.
(Also, I’m 32 years old, officially older than all but three (3) active players in the Juventus squad. It is natural and logical that I find that the silly things younger people do are kind of dumb. They are not for me, it’s fine. Have fun, young guns.)
(Arek Milik, Carlo Pinsoglio and Mattia Perin are the three players older than me, for what that’s worth. I’m playing a bit fast and loose with the definition of “active” players, I understand that.)
Let’s not forget that there is a direct correlation between Juventus having players doing silly celebrations with signature moves and the Bianconeri being a good football team. Have we forgotten about the Dybala Mask? Paul Pogba’s Dab? Cristiano Ronaldo’s SIUUUU? All stupid to various degrees, all relevant to the team being successful. When we don’t have that the team loses, this is all very scientific.
I, for one, welcome all the silly gimmicks that our players want to do, if we are not going to be in any sort of title race, at least let’s have some fun doing it.
Starboy
Speaking of contrived celebrations!
«La nostra storia continua» ⭐️
Il futuro è bianconero. Kenan Yildiz fino al 2030.
There is no scenario in which renewing Kenan Yildiz to a contract through 2030 is not good news for Juventus. Despite his young age, Yildiz has already shown enough this season to prove that he is not only the future of this club but the present as well. The fact that they could re-sign him until the end of the decade while also not paying him anywhere near a massive deal shows me two things.
Juventus, despite everything, is still a destination type of club that can tie up top-tier talent that is coveted by every club in Europe. There is finally a player that is worth building around for the upcoming years.
This is no small thing. Really ever since Ronaldo left the team, there hasn’t been a true game-breaking type of player in Juve’s employment and definitely not one that combines Yildiz’s talent with his age. If everything goes right, we are talking about someone who has the potential to lead this team for the next ten years, at least.
Of course, signing Yildiz is the first step. In today’s game it’s hard — or impossible — to hold on to elite talent if you are not consistently challenging for silverware. Juventus is just not at a stage where they can be characterized as a team that will challenge for those accolades every year so Yildiz might be a lifelong Juventus fan all he wants but if this current trend continues for a couple more years, how long do you think it will take for the Turkish star to get a wandering eye around Europe?
All that being said, it’s much easier to start building the next great iteration of the Bianconeri with the angular rock set in place.
Parting Shot of the Week
Thanks to Atalanta shellacking Juventus a week ago, the Bianconeri were unceremoniously dumped out of the Coppa Italia. The domestic cup competition is always important if you win it and very easy to disregard if you lose it, then again, for a “big” club you should aim to win every competition you participate in.
We are very far from the halcyon days of last decade when anything outside of a domestic double was seen as an irredeemable failure of a year, but at least on paper, the fact that Juventus is staring straight at the barrel of another season with no realistic chance at lifting a major trophy should raise some red flags.
(In theory, it’s a possibility that Juventus makes a miracle run in the Champions League, sure. Inter could also self-destruct in league play, but both those scenarios look pretty unlikely, as fun as it would be especially to see Inter Milan choke the title away.)
Spalletti has managed to right the ship and as previously discussed it has been more fun to see this team play recently, but at some point the expectation should be higher for a club with Juve’s pedigree. Because if you don’t, well, you blink and you have almost the exact same amount of major trophy wins this decade as Manchester United. You never want to be in that spot.
(Man United has won two domestic cups to Juve’s two domestic cups. However, the Bianconeri also claim a Supercoppa victory which in theory counts as a major trophy. Yup, we have been exactly one Supercoppa better than the poster club of mismanagement and inadequacy.Whether the Supercoppa should count as a major trophy is a subject for another day.)
Ken Roczen became the fourth winner in five rounds of the 2026 SuperMotocross World Championship at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, scoring his fourth top-five of the season.
With this win, Roczen extended his winning streak to seven consecutive Supercross seasons, and he moved into second in the championship standings, five points behind the new leader, Hunter Lawrence.
Roczen has four podium finishes in 2026 and a worst finish of eighth in the second race at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.
Lawrence was philosophical about his fourth consecutive runner-up finish. He can afford to be with a perfect record of top-five finishes that has now propelled him to the top of the chart, but he knows Eli Tomac's trouble in Arizona is not an indication that his rival has lost any speed.
While it wasn't a victory, Cooper Webb's third-place finish in Glendale offered encouragement. Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2025 season were pivotal in Webb's championship, and his gap to the leaders is a manageable 15 points. Webb cannot count on Lawrence, Roczen, or Tomac to slow down, so the pressure continues to mount.
Justin Cooper is getting closer to scoring a Supercross podium with his fourth-place finish in Glendale. That is his first top-five of the season, although he came close in the first two rounds with sixth-place results in Anaheim 1 and San Diego.
Fifth-place Jorge Prado earned his second top-five of the season. His first came in Anaheim 1 when he stood on the podium in third. Since then, he's continued to show speed, but had back-to-back seventh-place finishes in Anaheim 2 and Houston.
Everything was going well for Tomac in Arizona ... until it wasn't. He was fast in qualification, won his heat, and had a great gate pick. He bobbled on the opening stretch and was knocked down when Christian Craig crashed in heavy traffic. Tomac spent four laps getting his rhythm and catching the back of the pack. He moved into the top 20 on Lap 7 and the top 15 on Lap 16 (of 23).
Tomac salvaged as many points as possible with a 12th-place finish. Craig remounted and finished 14th. Colt Nichols was also involved in the opening-lap incident; he finished 16th.
Vince Friese earned the holeshot before fading to 17th.
Here are the 450 Supercross results, lap times, and points standings after Round 5 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona:
England Test captain Ben Stokes has successfully undergone surgery for a facial injury, he confirmed on social media.
The 34-year-old all-rounder posted an image on Instagram showing his bruised and swollen right eye and cheek, accompanied by the message: "May not look like it… but the surgery was a success."
Stokes had earlier this month disclosed he was hit in the face by a ball, sharing an initial photograph with the caption, "You should see the state of the cricket ball."
It was later reported he sustained the injury while coaching academy players at Durham’s indoor cricket centre.
His return to England follows the 4-1 Ashes series defeat in Australia over the winter, a tour currently subject to an extensive review.
Ben Stokes has undergone surgery on his facial injury (PA)
While his future leadership has faced scrutiny, England coach Brendan McCullum has labelled some of the fallout as "out of order”.
England had headed Down Under with high hopes of claiming a first series win in Australia since 2010/11.
However, they lost the opening three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide as Australia wrapped up a series victory inside 11 days of cricket.
Stokes’ men did pick up a consolation win in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, coming out on the right side of a thrilling two-day match.
However, the series ended on a low as England suffered another defeat in Sydney.
Stokes is now recovering at home while some of his team-mates headed on to a subsequent limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka before playing in the T20 World Cup.
England survived a major scare in their first match of the tournament on Sunday, beating Nepal by four runs. They play their second game against West Indies on Wednesday.
Stokes is anticipated to play for Durham in the initial County Championship rounds before England commence their Test summer against New Zealand at Lord’s on June 4.
King Leatherbury, a Hall of Fame trainer known as “King of the Claimers” for his ability to turn cheaper horses in lower-level claiming races into winners for more than six decades, died Tuesday. He was 92.
He died at his home, according to the Maryland Jockey Club, which was informed by his son Taylor Leatherbury. No cause of death was provided.
Leatherbury retired in 2023 as the third trainer in history, behind Dale Baird and Jack Van Berg, to win at least 6,000 races. His final total was 6,508 to go with purse earnings of $64,693,537, according to Equibase. He won 52 training titles in Maryland — 26 each at Pimlico and Laurel — and four at Delaware Park.
“He’s one of a kind,” Taylor Leatherbury told Laurel Park. ”There’s never been a man more appropriately named than my father.”
Leatherbury, along with fellow Hall of Famer Bud Delp, Richard Dutrow Sr., and John Tammaro Jr., were known as the Big Four of Maryland racing. They dominated the state in the 1960s and '70s and helped modernize training of thoroughbreds for speed and stamina.
“I really enjoyed the days of the Big Four,” Leatherbury told Laurel Park in 2013. "It was fun trying to compete with them and it made us all better trainers.”
Leatherbury led North American trainers in wins in 1977 and 1978, and won 300 or more races each year from 1975 to 1978.
He was a first-ballot inductee to the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 2015.
Leatherbury saddled one horse in the Kentucky Derby, with I Am the Game finishing 13th in 1985. That horse was fourth in the Preakness that year, one of Leatherbury's four starters in the second leg of the Triple Crown.
A Maryland native, Leatherbury took out his trainer's license in 1958 and won his first race the next year at Sunland Park, now known as Tampa Bay Downs.
"I got started because my father had horses, a breeder and owner and I just enjoyed betting on them, really, so I decided to get in the game,” Leatherbury told Laurel Park in 2013. “I have never really considered this work. I enjoy it, which has probably made the difference.”
After earning a business administration degree from the University of Maryland, he mastered the claiming game, in which owners buy horses from designated races for a specific price, by studying race charts and past performance statistics. He did much of his work from home rather than at his barn, where a devoted staff carried out his orders.
“Back in those days, the early '60s, no one claimed horses,” Leatherbury told The Washington Post in 2005. “Those were the days people started managing horses in a business-like way.”
The best horse of Leatherbury’s career was Ben’s Cat, whom he bred, owned and trained to 32 wins — 26 in stakes races — and more than $2.6 million in purse earnings from 2010-17. Ben’s Cat died in 2017 and his remains are buried near the paddock at Laurel.
He also trained Grade 1 winners Catatonic and Taking Risks. He claimed Port Conway Lane three times, and the horse won 52 of 242 starts from 1971 to 1983, racing until age 14.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 62 years, and twin sons Taylor and Todd.
The NASCAR Cup season officially gets underway this weekend with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15.
Before that, NASCAR sent eighth-generation watermelon farmer and Trackhouse Racing star Ross Chastain to New York City for a very unique activation.
As part of the sport's new 'Hell Yeah' campaign, NASCAR fitted a mock 1:1 replica of a Chevrolet Cup engine to a billboard, complete with sound, and set a Guinness World Record for the world's loudest billboard. The engine was built in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, while both Hendrick and ECR Engines helped to ensure authenticity.
This morning in Times Square, @NASCAR set the @GWR for the loudest billboard! 🔊
"Setting a Guinness World Records title is a proud moment for our sport and serves as a bold statement to get the 2026 season started,” said Tim Clark, NASCAR’s Chief Brand Officer. “The billboard puts the visceral energy of NASCAR front and center and invites everyone to experience what makes our sport so unique.”
Chastain pushed the button and mashed the gas to set the new record, and just as he does after every race win, proceeded to smash a celebratory watermelon -- but this time in the middle of Times Square. The engine reached 133.7 decibels with smoke billowing from the billboard, smashing the previous record of 100 decibels. A representative from GWR was on site to measure the attempt and certify the new record. They then presented Chastain with an official plaque.
NASCAR is aiming to get back to its roots this year, while also putting the sport in front of new eyeballs with its 2026 marketing strategy. A recent high-energy commercial that has been positively received is also part of this 'Hell Yeah' campaign.
Watch: Watch Super Bowl Sunday ad that put NASCAR's 'Hell Yeah!' attitude on display
Mass interest in 200-game Liverpool star; Clubs are in contact
There's an incredible amount of interest in a 200-game Liverpool star. Clubs are in contact.
The January transfer window has been shut for a week now but that only means clubs are fully focused on what's to come this summer. And Liverpool will absolutely be busy.
For one, last summer's transfers simply haven't delivered the squad they want. The Reds spent enormous amounts in an attempt to improve a title-winning group. Instead, things have gone backwards.
Not only that, but Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are out of contract this summer. Both will need replacing if they don't agree to new deals with the club.
Then there's the fact that interest from Saudi Arabia has returned for Mo Salah. That promises to be possibly the biggest decision the club or Salah faces in 2026.
He's far from the only one with interest in him, however.
Curtis Jones is a wanted man
There's significant interest in Curtis Jones heading into the summer transfer window. The Scouser will enter the final year of his contract, sparking a rush for his services.
Of course, there was an offer in January. Inter tried to get him on loan with a buy option, while Tottenham Hotspur considered a move before signing Conor Gallagher.
Boca Juniors dreams of bringing Paulo Dybala back home
Boca Juniors dreams of bringing Paulo Dybala back home
Paulo Dybala, 32, could soon be heading back to Argentina. The forward, who has spent the last three and a half years at AS Roma, currently earns an annual salary of €8.5 million, including bonuses.
Facing the need to cut costs, the Italian club is now only offering a contract extension worth €4 million per year—a reduction of over 50%. This significant pay cut could prompt Dybala to consider leaving.
Boca Juniors, the club where Dybala began his career, is closely monitoring the negotiations and, according to expert Ekrem Konur, is preparing an offer for the summer transfer window. The Argentine giants are eager to seize this opportunity to bring back one of their former stars and thrill their fans with the long-awaited return of “La Joya.”
Francisco Lindor has a stress reaction in his left hamate bone, New York Mets president David Stearns said Feb. 10, and the All-Star shortstop is expected to miss six weeks, putting his status for Opening Day in doubt.
Lindor, 32, had already been ruled out of competing for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic due to insurance concerns regarding past offseason surgeries, but Stearns said this injury emerged recently and wasn't part of the WBC decision. Lindor will see a hand specialist Feb. 11, says Stearns, which should determine whether Lindor requires surgery.
Hitters often have surgery to remove the hamate bone once it fractures, with recoveries ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. Lindor is coming off his fifth All-Star season, and the fourth consecutive year he's finished in the National League's top 10 in MVP voting.
"Knowing Francisco, I’m optimistic, even if he has to go the surgery route," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said on a video call with news reporters. "Found out a couple days ago and didn’t think much of it because this is a guy who’s played through a lot. For him to say something this early, I was like, hmm.
"But if he has to go that route, I’m optimistic he’ll play shortstop for us on Opening Day."
Meanwhile, Mendoza confirmed that Juan Soto will move from right to left field this year, a move that evolved from conversations they had about him playing left for the Dominican Republic in next month's WBC.
The Mets acquired Luis Robert to play center field, and Soto − in the second year of a 15-year, $765 million contract − might be better suited for left, anyway. Former center fielder Tyrone Taylor and rookie Carson Benge are, for now, expected to command most of the playing time in right field.
"I asked him, 'How would you feel playing left field for us?" Mendoza said. "He said, 'I'm willing to do whatever. If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I'll pitch.' I asked if it made sense for both.
"He said, 'Absolutely.'"
The Mets won 83 games but missed out on a playoff berth by one game last season.
WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul "Triple H" Levesque speaks at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE wrestler Braun Strowman will face heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and WWE champion Brock Lesnar will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at the WWE's Crown Jewel event at Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 31 - Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Jim Shank, a beloved, longtime WWE production employee, died last week after a battle with colorectal cancer, and various members of the WWE roster and corporate office paid tribute to him on Monday. "WWE Raw" went off the air with a graphic remembering Shank, who worked for WWE for over 26 years, according to PWInsider.
Paul "Triple H" Levesque posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, sharing the graphic that aired following "Raw." He wrote that Shank was a "fixture backstage and an incredible teammate," and someone who helped "create the magic" during WWE shows.
"Raw" General Manager Adam Pearce called Shank, who was WWE's Technical Operations Manager, an "unsung hero" in a post to X. He thanked Shank for his friendship. Both Rusev and Nattie also shared tributes to Shank on their own X accounts, with Rusev also sharing the graphic. Like Pearce, Nattie also called him an "unsung hero" behind-the-scenes.
"Jim was always thinking of others, always showing up for everyone else," Nattie wrote. "His memory will stay in our hearts."
Godspeed, Jim Shank.
WWE has many unsung heroes: Incredible men and women that perhaps aren't seen on screen, yet truly make everything we do shine. Jim is unquestionably one of those, and has been a respected member of our family for years.
World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk shared the "RIP" graphic to his Instagram story on Monday. "Rest easy my friend," Punk wrote, accompanied by the saluting emoji
According to PWInsider, Shank celebrated his 60th birthday in January. He started with WWE during the Attitude Era when he joined the company in November 1999. In 2025, WWE employees, as well as and friends and family, of Shank raised over $200,000 to help him with a new therapy for his treatment. PWI reported that former WWE chairman Vince McMahon contributed over $122,000 to the GoFundMe.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 14: Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) looks on during the game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Philadelphia Eagles on December 14, 2025 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA.(Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“If Howie [Roseman] makes that call, I’m coming back, one more.”
Graham talked about coming in halfway through last season and having to learn some new techniques when he moved inside. Still, he had fresh legs after resting most of the year, and was able to have a huge impact. He noted that it was a great group of guys on defense that weren’t selfish for a stat line and all worked together, which resulted in BG’s impressive sack numbers in just a few games.
The veteran also talked a bit about how the Eagles will have to pay Jalen Carter big money soon and how that will affect some upcoming roster decisions. He quipped that Jaelan Phillips, Reed Blankenship, and one other contract would combine to total what the organization will need to pay Carter.
If the only thing BG needs to come back is an invite from Howie, the Eagles GM should absolutely make the call. He’s earned the opportunity to come back, was still playing at an elite level, and is probably a much cheaper option when considering the salary cap.
Do you want Brandon Graham back for one more season? Or should the team allocate that salary elsewhere? Let’s talk about it in the comments!
If you are wholly unfamiliar with how Major League Baseball arbitration cases work, this headline could sound somewhat ominous. The reality, though, is that MLB’s arb system is something of a binary system if salaries for eligible players are not hammered out and finalized by a certain date, and an independent arbiter simply gets to pick which side – the player, or the team – has a number that is most deserved.
That’s precisely what went down today between Tyler Stephenson and the Cincinnati Reds. The team’s veteran catcher had submitted a $6.8 million request for the upcoming 2026 season, and the Reds had come in with a $6.55 million number, and despite those two being incredibly close (by baseball salary standards) it was up to an arbiter to decide between the two. And, as MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon relayed, they picked Stephenson’s $6.8 million mark.
The $250K is even less significant in the grand scheme given that the 2026 season will be Stephenson’s final year of team control before he reaches free agency. Since arb salaries become benchmarks on which future year salaries are built, a difference of even that amount in a first year of arbitration could end up escalating further in each of the subsequent trips through the process, but in Stephenson’s case, this is obviously the last time he’ll be doing that.
It remains to be seen whether this February will also be the final time he reports to Goodyear, Arizona as a catcher in a Reds uniform. The Reds went out and acquired Jose Trevino this time last winter to augment the catching mix and immediately signed him to a contract extension through at least 2027 (and potentially 2028), and top catching prospect Alfredo Duno has rocketed up the rankings after his monster 2025 in the minors. That means the writing may be on the wall for Cincinnati’s 1st round pick from back in 2015, but it could also be the right kind of fuel for him to do everything he can to have a monster platform season in 2026 before hitting free agency.
Regardless, one final, major piece of the roster puzzle for 2026 has been adjudicated.
We have an action-packed episode of 'The Dunker Spot' coming your way!
To kick us off, Nekias Duncan and Steve Jones take a look at how the big movers from the trade deadline have already affected their new squads. James Harden making his impact on Cleveland, Jaren Jackson Jr. doing what he can on a tanking Utah and more!
From there, the fellas dive into the fracas from the Charlotte Hornets and Detroit Pistons matchup, where the Hornets also saw their 9-game win streak snapped.
Finally, to round out the show, Nekias and Steve break down all the Unrivaled action from the weekend, break down a trade, and preview the highly anticipated 1-on-1 tournament.
If you ever have NBA or WNBA questions, email us at dunkerspot@yahoo.com.
1:24 James Harden debuts with Cavs 11:57 Jaren Jackson Jr. debuts with Jazz 18:43 NBA tanking? 24:36 Nikola Vucevic debuts with Celtics 33:25 Jose Alvarado debuts with Knicks 38:09 Ayo Dosunmu debuts with Timberwolves 46:20 Chicago Bulls’ newest guards 51:29 Jared McCain debuts with OKC 54:00 Pistons vs. Hornets brawl 57:41 Cam Thomas debuts with Bucks 1:00:26 Unrivaled thoughts & takeaways
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden smiles as he heads off the court after being interviewed following the Cavaliers' victory over the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - JANUARY 17: A detailed close up of the Indiana Hoosiers dunking against the Iowa Hawkeyes showing the IU and Adidas logo on the ball on January 17, 2026, at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Indiana men’s basketball has extended its latest offer in the high school class of 2028 as head coach Darian DeVries and staff look to the future.
Michai White, the No. 1 point guard prospect in the class of 2028 as of this writing per the 247Sports Composite, landed an offer from the Hoosiers per Dushawn London of 247Sports. He attends Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and has offers from Louisville, Northwestern and Stanford, among others. Indiana is one of his earlier offers.
White attended St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey, prior as a freshman last season. Notable alumni of Brewster Academy include Donovan Mitchell, TJ Warren, Matas Buzelis, Devin Carter and current Hoosier Reed Bailey.
Indiana’s staff has a few connections to former Brewster players outside of Bailey. Former Brewster guard Mason Moses spent one year with Kenny Johnson at Georgetown last season and Tennessee forward JP Estrella signed with the Volunteers during Rod Clark’s time on staff.
The Hoosiers’ other offers in 2028 are both 5-star small forwards: AJ Williams out of Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonogh, Georgia, and Colton Hiller out of Coatesville Area Senior High School in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
Curry was so "fully committed" to the vocal performance of rebounding and rapping giraffe Lenny Williamson that the Golden State Warrior's voice squeaked in the recording studio, says Dillihay. And it was awesome.
"There’s a line about Lenny and his sick rhymes, and I took my voice up, and it cracked," Curry told USA TODAY at the "GOAT" world premiere on Feb. 6. "And (Dillihay) loved it. He started laughing."
After some discussion, the goof seemed so good that Dillihay and Curry, a producer on the movie, opted to keep it in. The decision came after consultation with Stephen's wife of 14 years, Ayesha Curry, who voices a goat named Carol.
"Ayesha was like, 'Keep the audience guessing if that was me,' " says Curry.
Oh, it's him. And we have proof with the clip. Curry says voice work is all part of learning the business as Unanimous Media, his production company with Erick Peyton, takes flight.
"It was cool to collaborate with (Dillihay) in the studio, and see what kind of range I had as a voice actor," says Curry. "It was challenging but it was fun."
Stephen also "1,000 percent" sought advice from Ayesha during the process, running lines with the more experienced actress.
"I actually got to watch one of her (vocal) sessions before I went," says Curry. "She has been acting her whole life and is the talented one in this space So she kind of broke the ice for me, which was cool."
The voice cast of the family-friendly sports comedy includes Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, David Harbour and Andrew Santino. The animated underdog film follows a determined young goat, Will Harris (Caleb McLaughlin), who dreams of making it big in an ultra-competitive animal sports league, pushing past doubters to play pro roarball.
"This is a big deal for our community. It was all hands on deck to get things rolling and put everyone in all different spots so kids could view it comfortably," Arvanigian said. "It's been amazing the support we've seen all around the world. It's been absolutely insane. We've been so proud and, we all deep down knew he was special."
Algonquin set up large televisions in its gymnasium, the library and black box theater. Students shuffled in and out depending on their lunch period or the bell schedule carrying signs like "Sweeping the competition with Korey Dropkin," and "Gonk (Hearts) Korey."
Physical education teacher Kristen Marcone kept the crowd's spirits up during a tense, defensive match. She started watching over the weekend when she heard he was a fellow Algonquin alumn.
Late in the match, Dropkin wiped sweat from his brow and breathed heavily after an aggressive sweep down the ice.
"It's way harder than shuffleboard," Aarush Shah said to Marcone.
"WAY harder than shuffleboard," she responded.
After Sweden's sibling team of Isabella and Rasmus Wrana finished the decisive end to claim gold, Algonquin's collective community experienced a gut punch.
"It has unified our school. We're a big close-knit community as it is, but the unification that the sport and Korey and his family have done has been amazing for us," Arvanigian said. "To embrace him and his family but also learn something new as a whole entire school. Curling for us is not a mainstream sport, but it's exciting to see the excitement in the kids to see the sport come to life."
"We're just so proud of Korey and proud of who he is," she added. "We're just psyched he was where he was and that he was able to medal. The silver is amazing to be where he's at today."
A silver lining where he's at from the place he'll always be from.
Contact Kyle Grabowski at kgrabowski@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @kylegrbwsk
Former LSU Tigers linebacker Greg Penn always felt like an extra coach on the field due to his high football IQ. Now, he's becoming the real thing.
Matt Moscona of LouisianaSports.net broke the news on Monday night that Penn would be joining Lane Kiffin's Tigers staff as a defensive analyst.
The linebacker spent a full four years on the LSU roster as a player, joining as a four-star recruit from the 2021 class. He was the No. 221 overall recruit in the country, No. 23 linebacker and No. 10 player out of Maryland per the 247Sports rankings.
He wasn't someone who raked in a ton of accolades throughout his career, but was always a solid player. It's probably why his career evolved into coaching. He had the instincts, but didn't test well athletically and never made it to the NFL.
Penn did have 264 tackles across his Tigers career. He had 17.5 go for a loss with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and four passes broken up. There was an argument to be made for him being All-SEC in 2023, but that was a stacked year, and Harold Perkins had all the attention from LSU.
The biggest accomplishment of his playing career was earning the No. 18 over his final season, proving his leadership and the respect he had earned from his teammates/coaches.
He should fit right in and will be able to learn from a fantastic linebackers coach in Blake Baker during his first year on the staff.
It appears that he will be replacing another former Tigers player, as Moscona also reported that Jermauria Rasco will be leaving his defensive analyst role for a defensive line assistant role with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Rasco joined LSU's staff in 2024. He has also coached for the Arizona Wildcats and the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. He played for LSU from 2011 to 2014.
Nearly four months after his first UFC title defense ended in trauma, Tom Aspinall is still trying to get his vision back to full strength.
UFC heavyweight champ Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) was badly poked in the eyes by Ciryl Gane (13-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at UFC 321 in October, resulting in a no contest and leading to significant complications for the Brit.
There's no certainties around Aspinall's UFC future, but it's clear he is trying to get back to 100 percent, and on February shared a medical update confirming he has completed a surgical procedure on both eyes (via Instagram):
The statement from Aspinall's medical team at Optegra indicated the UFC champ will be working toward returning to competition, which would likely set up an immediate rematch with Gane.
Aspinall has minced no words on his feelings about his French rival, and said he will make him pay for cheating in the first fight.
Two Premier League teams absolutely desperate for points at all costs will clash in London as Tottenham host Newcastle on Tuesday.
Both clubs are suffering through poor runs of form and are in need of any positive results, giving this match a nervy and tense feel.
The hosts are in the most dire situation, languishing 15th in the league standings, just six points above the drop as Thomas Frank is on thin ice at Spurs.
For Eddie Howe and the visiting Magpies, they aren't under threat of relegation, but their position in 12th leaves their chances of qualifying for Europe next season on life support. Their total of 33 points through 25 matches puts them 10 points back of fifth-place Chelsea, meaning a shot at a Champions League place next year is almost certainly out of the question.
The Sporting News is following the Tottenham vs. Newcastle match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
Following the game, this section will be updated with analysis of the Tottenham vs. Newcastle match.
Tottenham vs. Newcastle key moments
1 hour to kickoff: Let's have a look at the starting lineups. Dan Burn, Jacob Ramsey and Anthony Elanga all come back in for Newcastle, who have Anthony Gordon leading the line and both Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade on the bench.
2 hours to kickoff: For the second straight season, Tottenham are experiencing polar opposite fortunes in Premier League and European competitions. While they sit 15th in the Premier League table 25 matches into Thomas Frank's debut season, they managed to secure a fourth-place finish in the league phase of Champions League action.
That's key for Frank who now gets room to breathe as they recover their Premier League position, not scheduled to compete in the Round of 16 in Europe until the middle of March. Thanks to their early FA Cup exit, Spurs won't play again after this match until February 22.
Cristian Romero is suspended for four matches after his red card last time out against Manchester United. His challenge on Casemiro was deemed serious foul play, meaning a three-match ban. An additional game is added on to the suspension because it was Romero's second Premier League red card of the season.
Destiny Udogie, Kevin Danso, Pedro Porro, and Djed Spence are all dealing with injuries. Spence is the only one with a chance to play in this match, while the others need a few more weeks.
Long-term absentees include Rodrigo Bentancur, Mohammed Kudus, Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison, all of whom need until at least April before returning, if not longer.
Newcastle team news
Anthony Gordon and Lewis Miley are both considered game-time decisions, with the former recovering from a minor hamstring injury and the latter working through a dead leg.
Joelinton will not take part in this match, Eddie Howe confirmed, as he battles back from a groin injury.
Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, and Emil Krafth are also out, with the latter potentially back soon while the other two need significantly more time before returning.
ALBACETE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 03: Ronald Araujo of FC Barcelona celebrates a goal during the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey, Quarter of Final football match played between Albacete Balompie and FC Barcelona at Carlos Belmonte stadium on February 03, 2026, in Albacete, Spain. (Photo By Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images) | Europa Press via Getty Images
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has given a new interview where he has discussed his mental health issues after taking a break earlier in the season.
The defender has been asked about that game and says that after he was sent off he realised that he had been struggling with his mental health for some time and needed some help.
“In the moment, with the adrenaline rush, you just go for it. You feel sad, but then, when the game is over, it all comes crashing down on you. I already felt like I wasn’t okay, that’s the truth, but out of habit you try to keep going, and sometimes you need help,“ he told Mundo Deportivo.
“I’d been dealing with anxiety for a year and a half that turned into depression, and I was playing like that. That doesn’t help, because on the field you don’t really feel like yourself. You know your worth and what you can contribute on the field, and when I wasn’t feeling well, I knew something was wrong. That day I realized that was it, that I needed to talk to professionals and the club so they could help me.”
“Things have changed quite a bit because I’ve learned so much during this time. I think it was the right thing to do after that decision I made. I feel different and I’m happy about it, because I’m more at ease, happier. I can enjoy what I love to do, which is playing football, and that helps a lot,” he added.
“Well, it’s different… you see things from another perspective. I felt like the worst of the worst was over, and now I see things differently. The time I took off was for a reason, because in the end I was able to work through it with professionals, with my family, and spiritually, which is what I needed. So I think that did me a lot of good, and today I feel like a completely different person.
“The time I took off was for a reason, because in the end I was able to work through it with professionals, with my family, and spiritually, which is what I needed. So I think that did me a lot of good, and today I feel like a completely different person.”
Arauoj has since returned to action with Barcelona and scored his first goal since his comeback in the Copa del Rey win over Albacete.
Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool looks on prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 8, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images) | Getty Images
SUNDERLAND VS. LIVERPOOL
| Wednesday, February 11th | Premier League | Stadium of Light 8:15PM BST/3:15PM EST
Sunderland are unbeaten at home, and are the only Premier League team able to claim such a record. Indeed, their unbeaten home record is the longest by a newly promoted side since Nottingham Forest’s 21-game-streak in the 1977-78 season (yes, they went unbeaten all season at home and then won the title). They come into this match sitting 9th on the table in comparison to Liverpool’s 6th, but it’s apparent which team is more pleased with the current state of affairs. Nonetheless, they’ve had a mixed run in the last five, losing last match against Arsenal 3-0 after beating Burnley by the same scoreline the match previous. Shockingly they subsequently lost to West Ham United after beating Crystal Palace at home: their two home games have been wins, while their away efforts resulted in two losses, having shipped three goals in each. They did beat Everton away in the FA Cup, but did so via penalties, drawing 1-1 at full time.
They’ll be pleased to have Liverpool at home is what I’m saying, as their record at the Stadium of Light is very different than their wider one; that Liverpool at present seem a team able to be got at will only spur on a home crowd under the lights. Historically, all three of Liverpool’s defeats to Sunderland in the Premier League era have come at the Stadium of Light, though their last win was back in 2012.
The Black Cats have struggled in midweek fixtures thus far this season, and likely are not built to play at these intervals — though this caveat is limited both by Liverpool’s own squad depth struggles, the fact that they played on Saturday and thus have an extra day to prepare, and the fact that their last goal in these challenging midweek fixtures came against Liverpool at Anfield. Meanwhile, Liverpool have only won two away matches this season, drawing three and losing five.
Nilson Angulo, Sunderland’s January signing, will be available for this match, and Noah Sadiki has returned to fitness and could feature as well. Bertrand Traoré remains sidelined with injury for the Black Cats, as, importantly, does captain Granit Xhaka.
Trai Hume has filled in as captain in Xhaka’s absence, and the hard-working, vocal Hume has done well to maintain Sunderland’s high standard. Xhaka’s creativity will be a continued miss for Sunderland, however, as the midfielder had been crucial for his side’s creativity in front of goal.
Brian Bobbey is Sunderland’s top scorer with five goals, while 20-year-old Chemsdine Talbi will be looking to score to make it a goal both home and away against the league champions.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Jones, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Wirtz, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Ekitiké, Gakpo
Liverpool have had six players play at right back this season, but will be missing (likely) four of them given ongoing injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, and Sunday’s suspension to Dominik Szoboszlai — the latest of Liverpool’s self-inflected wounds. Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s match, Arne Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez will train for the first time with the team on Tuesday, and could thus be involved on Wednesday night. Should be not be fit, though, Slot has confirmed that natural right back Calvin Ramsay will not be called upon, hinting instead at the other two league-used options: Curtis Jones and Wataru Endō.
This further limits Slot’s choices in midfield, as Jones would be a natural replacement for the absent Szoboszlai should the Hungarian be asked to play his more natural position. Slot will likely move Florian Wirtz into the 10 role behind a front three, but this would mean fielding his strongest starting XI — not something he’s been wont to do this season, preferring to leave at least one strong option on the bench. Federico Chiesa might play a role as the only player on the bench with senior experience, but Slot has not liked to use the Italian given any other option. Rio Ngumoha, too, will be available. (Full disclosure: I did just Google the squad list to see if it’s possible I had forgotten someone. I had hoped there was a midfielder I had forgotten. Alas.)
Liverpool have drawn their last four games against newly promoted side, and are facing the potential to go winless in five straight such meetings for the first time since 1981 — not a record the Reds will want to add to a season of frustration.
A squad stretched thin in a challenging atmosphere will want to cash in on their individual superiority early if possible, and a bright start from the Reds would go a long way toward making this one manageable. Given that the Reds have very little when it comes to reinforcements, now would certainly be a good time for attacking fluidity to come to the boil to take the pressure off a defense spread thin and characterized by lapses in concentration.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “But it’s not only that they [Sunderland] have a good record at home, they have had a very good season. But the record at home, I was aware of that as well. And already played against City and Arsenal at home, so that tells you how good of a season they are having and how strong and good they are at home.”
Régis Le Bris: “To be fair I think we played the game we wanted to play [in the loss v. Arsenal]. We were bold and aggressive in our high press. I think our mid-press was better compared with the home game. Our deep press was good as well but they found solutions with shots from outside the box. We had good control of the ball. The main difference was the level of threat. They were really good with that and created five or six chances while we made one and a half. It is positive as we know where we are in our journey but there’s a long way to go to achieve this challenge. It’s really positive, confidence is getting better and we have more solutions now to fix different problems.”
The Officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistants: Dan Cook, Marc Perry Fourth Official: Thomas Bramall VAR: Darren England Assistant VAR: Craig Taylor
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Lindsey Vonn suffered heartbreak in potentially her last ever Olympic event as she crashed in the women’s downhill skiing.
Vonn required surgery on a left-leg fracture from the crash in Cortina, Italy, for which she was airlifted to hospital.
It arrived shortly after the 41-year-old American ruptured ligaments in her left knee, with Vonn requiring lengthy treatment for her latest injury.
She has now addressed the disappointment, with her social media message already attracting over one million likes.
Photo by Christophe Pallot/Agence Zoom/Getty Images
Coco Gauff inspired by Lindsey Vonn after Winter Olympics heartbreak
Vonn posted on Instagram: “Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn’t a storybook ending or a fairytale, it was just life.
“I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it. Because in downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches.
“I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.
“Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.
“While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets.
“Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself.
“I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport. And similar to ski racing, we take risks in life.
“We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall. Sometimes our hearts are broken. Sometimes we don’t achieve the dreams we know we could have. But that is the also the beauty of life; we can try.
“I tried. I dreamt. I jumped. I hope if you take away anything from my journey it’s that you all have the courage to dare greatly.
“Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying. I believe in you, just as you believed in me.”
The post has almost 60,000 comments, one of which from tennis superstar Coco Gauff simply read: “So inspiring.”
Her fellow tennis players Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik have also reacted to the post with heart emojis, which Gauff added to her words.
Coco Gauff needs inspiration after shock Qatar Open exit
It is truly inspirational from Vonn, who has enjoyed a fantastic career and will long be remembered for her fantastic achievements.
And it’s amazing to see that her motivation and determination are not only transcending her sport, but the entire sporting world.
Tennis players are just one group that she is continuing to inspire, with Vonn clearly having a big impact on her fellow American Gauff.
Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
At 21, Gauff is at the other end of her career, although like Vonn she has already inspired plenty of others herself.
Right now, however, the youngster will be in need of motivation, having just lost her first match at the Qatar Open.
The two-time Grand Slam champion suffered a shock defeat to Elisabetta Cocciaretto, having also lost her doubles opener with Victoria Mboko in Doha.
The Los Angeles Chargers’ most recent addition to the coaching staff has been away from the NFL for five seasons. Adam Gase, who the Chargers are reportedly hiring as a passing game assistant coach, is a former head coach of the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Gase has not coached in the NFL since the 2020 season. The Jets fired Gase after the team went 2-14 in 2020. He is now 47 years old and will make his return to NFL coaching in 2026 with the Chargers.
He is the third reported addition to the Chargers’ offensive coaching staff this offseason. Los Angeles hired Mike McDaniel as the new offensive coordinator to replace Greg Roman in January. Then, the Chargers hired Butch Barry as the offensive line coach and Max McCaffrey as the running backs coach.
Gase is believed to be replacing Marcus Brady, who was the Chargers’ passing game coordinator for two seasons. Brady is joining former Chargers defensive coordinator and now head coach Jesse Minter in the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff.
Dec 29, 2019; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New York Jets head coach Adam Gase looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Gase Was One of the Top Offensive Minds in NFL in 2016
Gase was successful as an offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and as a quarterbacks coach for the Denver Broncos early in his career. He eventually earned his first NFL head coaching job with the Dolphins in 2016.
But Gase was not able to replicate that same level of success as a head coach. Miami fired Gase after three seasons, and the Jets fired him after two seasons. Between coaching both teams, Gase held a 32-49 record, which also included one playoff loss in 2016 with the Dolphins.
After New York fired Gase, he did not coach in the NFL for five seasons.
Now, he will return to coaching within an offensive staff and will hopefully be able to be successful like he was earlier in his career.
After winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak has arrived in Las Vegas as the Raiders’ next head coach.
As expected, one of the first questions for Kubiak focused on All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby, whose goal is to win. Speculation about his future with the organization recently surfaced after he allegedly told minority owner Tom Brady that he plans to leave Las Vegas, according to Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer.
Those rumors were addressed on Tuesday when Kubiak spoke to the media, revealing that Crosby was the first player in the Raiders’ building and that they shared a cup of coffee together.
“I got to a cup of coffee with Maxx this morning. Love talking with him,” Kubiak said. “And I look forward to continuing those conversations. He was the first one in here working out. So that fired me up.
“We want him to be a part of our success going forward, there’s no doubt about that.”
If Kubiak’s comments are accurate — which seems likely — it doesn’t sound like Crosby is ready to walk away from the Raiders just yet.
Crosby is under contract through 2029, so the Raiders aren’t obligated to trade him even if there’s some potential drama. While that could complicate Kubiak’s first offseason, Crosby hasn’t given any clear signals that he plans to leave, and it doesn’t appear the Raiders have any intention of moving their franchise centerpiece.
Augsburg and USMNT youngster Noahkai Banks names favorite club and childhood football idols
Since the start of the season, Noahkai Banks has established himself as a regular starter in FC Augsburg’s three-man backline, making 17 Bundesliga appearances this term.
The 19-year-old is widely regarded as a bright prospect, with United States coach Mauricio Pochettino previously saying that Banks has the potential to become one of the best centre-backs in Europe.
For now, Banks is enjoying gaining his first experiences in the Bundesliga, but if his rapid rise continues, he may eventually look to take the next step elsewhere. The question is: where could he see himself playing?
“It's difficult to say. I really enjoy playing in the Bundesliga to be honest. But there are a lot of great leagues, such as the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga," Banks told Bulinews.com and reporters from other publications during a roundtable on Wednesday.
He went on to name a specific club that he's always particularly liked.
“One of the clubs I idolized while growing up was Barcelona. I think I can say that's my favorite club. So yeah, maybe one day it would be a dream to play for them, but let's see what happens,” said Banks.
It’s no surprise, then, that Banks mentioned Lionel Messi as one of his biggest footballing idols and “the best player of all time.” As he also pointed out, however, the Argentine superstar plays in a very different role to himself.
In terms of defenders, Banks looked up to a 2014 German World Cup winner.
“My biggest idol growing up was Jérôme Boateng at Bayern," he revealed.
“I really admired his playing style, and after the 2014 World Cup, where he performed so well, I became a big fan. I think there are some similarities in the way we play. Obviously I’m not at his level yet, but I can see a bit of that similarity.”
Banks will be hoping for his second call-up to the senior United States national team in March. The Augsburg defender earned his first call-up to Mauricio Pochettino’s squad in September, but didn’t get to make his debut at that time.
Man United’s electric start under interim boss Michael Carrick nearly came to a screeching halt, but Benjamin Sesko played hero off the bench again as his 94th-minute equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw with West Ham on Tuesday.
While the five-match winning streak under the new manager came to an end, Carrick preserved his unbeaten record with the last-gasp goal, Sesko’s second late strike in three matches after winning it late against Fulham in stoppage time.
The opening 45 minutes of this match were utterly forgettable on all fronts, as neither side had any interest in attacking the opponent, combining for just five total shots of little note.
Then, shortly after the second-half restart, the Hammers produced one dangerous counter-attack and profited, as Tomas Soucek finished off a wonderful run and cross from Jarrod Bowen.
That was it for the Hammers, who went back into their shell and saw out the match. For the rest of the way, it felt as if Bruno Fernandes, who has been white hot through the recent winning streak, was powerless to help United claw back level.
Yet West Ham could not finish off the victory, as Sesko came off the bench to put the ball in the back of the net through four of the seven added minutes, flicking a brilliant finish inside the near post on a looped feed from Bryan Mbeumo.
The draw slightly strengthens Man United’s Premier League standing, still sitting in fourth but not a point clear of fifth-placed Chelsea. For West Ham, they would have gone level on points with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, but instead remain two back with Forest yet to contest their midweek match.
The Sporting News is following the West Ham vs. Man United match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.
This section will be updated with commentary and analysis of the match once it concludes.
West Ham vs. Man United key moments
90+6 min: GOAL! MAN UNITED! BENJAMIN SESKO HAS DONE IT AGAIN! After his stoppage-time winner against Fulham, he scores the equaliser here today!
Bryan Mbeumo finds the substitute at the near post with a looped ball, and Sesko manages to produce a truly STUNNING flicked finish out of the bag of tricks, poking it into the back of the net! West Ham's hearts are broken!
90+4 min: Chance, Man United! JOSHUA ZIRKZEE MISSES BY INCHES! The Man United substitute wins an aerial duel at the top of the six-yard box from a central position, looking to redirect the ball inside the far post, but it bounces just wide! That was the moment!
68th min: Harry Maguire seems to be struggling with a hamstring injury he suffered earlier in the first half, and will be replaced by Lenny Yoro. Matheus Cunha is also hauled off and replaced by Benjamin Sesko.
63rd min: Chance, Man United! CASEMIRO BAGS THE EQUALISER FOR MAN UNITED! He races in on goal and meets the ball from Kobbie Mainoo on the right, heading it home!!
BUT NO! He's offside! The goal was initially given, but the VAR Craig Pawson confirms that the Brazilian was leaning over the line! Casemiro's muted celebration betrayed his fear that this would be wiped away!
50th min: GOAL! WEST HAM! TOMAS SOUCEK SCORES WHAT COULD BE A MASSIVE GOAL IN THE RELEGATION BATTLE!!!
West Ham counter with a long-ball down the middle, and it's held up to Jarrod Bowen who carries it forward. He brings the ball out wide right before delivering a bobbling cross to the face of goal where Soucek bundles it home!
Those 45 minutes were right up there for the worst half of football of any match this entire Premier League season. A combined 5 total shots worth 0.28 xG between them so far.
Two organised sides with zero intent of attacking the opposition. Zero goal mouth action. Horrible.
13th min: Chance, West Ham! SENNE LAMMENS MAKES A HUGE FULL-STRETCH SAVE! He keeps out a curling shot from Crysencio Summerville which was destined to tuck inside the far post!
Kickoff: They're under way at the Olympic Stadium in London in the pouring rain! Both teams have every reason to go for all three points here, will that make for an exciting 90 minutes? Let's hope so!
1 hour to kickoff: Lineups are in! There are no surprises whatsoever, as both XI's are exactly as predicted.
2 hours to kickoff: Michael Carrick has rejuvenated Manchester United seemingly in an instant. His first task after being hired as interim boss was to put Bruno Fernandes back in a starring role on the pitch.
The move has worked wonders, as Carrick has suggested — not without merit — that Fernandes is playing like the MVP of the league right now. "Yeah, quite possibly," the United manager pondered when asked if that were the case.
Since returning from injury, Fernandes has delivered a goal and five assists in five Premier League matches. The Portugal star now has 74 chances created this season in league play, twenty-seven more than anyone else, an astonishing total compared to the rest of the league.
Most chances created in the Premier League this season:
Mason Mount picked up a muscle injury that kept him out of matches against Fulham and Tottenham, and he's expected to miss one more game before potentially returning against Everton next time out.
Matthijs de Ligt has been missing since November with a back issue, but could return soon. This game is likely too soon, but a late February return could be on the cards.
Patrick Dorgu had been in good form this season, but a hamstring injury suffered in late January will keep him sidelined up to 10 weeks.
Rarely, in a 3-0 defeat, is your goalkeeper also your best player. Yet in Dundee United's recent loss to Hearts, that may well have been the case.
Factor in that Ashley Maynard-Brewer was making his debut, and hadn't played a game since August, and the story becomes more surprising.
"When I spoke to the manager and the goalie coach [Paul Mathers], the intention was to come here and play – it was a show of faith from the manager for me to come straight into that Hearts game," Maynard-Brewer said.
"It's definitely been an eventful few weeks, but I think it's helped just coming straight into games and being part of the team.
"I wanted my debut to be a positive result and a positive performance, but we found ourselves two goals down with 10 men quite early on and that was pretty tough."
The Australian, who previously featured in the Premiership while on loan at Ross County, arrived in January from Charlton on a six-month deal.
The 26-year-old was promoted to the Championship with the Addicks last year but found playing time almost impossible to come by in the first half of the campaign.
"But personally, after not playing for a while, it was just about controlling what I could control and looking at my performance," the keeper said. "Then the Hibs game was, I thought as a team, we performed really well.
"There were definitely some positives to take from that performance, it was just frustrating to concede two set-piece goals late on.
"The training standards have been really high and the performance at Hibs, I thought we definitely deserved something. A positive result against Aberdeen would just get us back on track."
Senior guard Mia Moore was the star of the show on the day, putting up 30 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists. She excelled from outside the arc, going six for five from three, and went 10-of-13 overall from the field.
Moore's point tally was the most of her collegiate career and her third time getting over the 20-point mark.
Behind Mia Moore’s big night, Clemson still delivered a balanced and physical team performance, led by DemeAra Hinds and Rusne Augustinaite. Hinds was dominant inside, finishing with 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting, 11 rebounds, two steals, and a block, anchoring a Clemson frontcourt that controlled the paint.
Augustinaite added 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting and 2-of-8 from three, providing steady scoring on the perimeter while finishing with a +23 plus-minus, a statistic that measures a player's impact by calculating the point differential between their team and the opponent while that specific player is on the court.
As a team, Clemson shot an efficient 56.9 percent from the field and 50 percent from three, while overwhelming Boston 42–18 in points in the paint.
The Tigers also received strong bench production, outscoring Boston’s reserves 27–12, reinforcing a complete, multi-level effort that extended well beyond Moore’s scoring outburst.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Report: Liverpool considering move to sign former Chelsea forward
Liverpool Eyeing Christian Pulisic Return Amid AC Milan Contract Uncertainty
Reports from Tuttomercato, suggest Liverpool are monitoring Christian Pulisic’s situation at AC Milan as talks over a new deal stall. The United States international, now 27, has long been on the club’s radar, dating back to his Borussia Dortmund days when interest from Anfield was well documented.
The latest update indicates the winger had been close to renewing only three months ago, yet no formal offer has arrived. That delay has reportedly left the player ‘taken aback’. His confusion is said to be heightened by Milan securing fresh terms for Mike Maignan during the same period. Even so, Pulisic is described as ‘very happy’ in Milan, and there remains an expectation that San Siro officials will table a proposal soon. His current contract runs until June 2027, which gives the Italian side a degree of control over any negotiations.
Form in Serie A Turning Heads
Pulisic’s output this season strengthens the case for renewed interest from Premier League clubs. He has delivered 10 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions, a return that underlines his value in Max Allegri’s attacking structure. His broader creative metrics across Serie A also place him among the elite performers in his role, with strong numbers for successful passes, chance creation and shots on target.
Liverpool supporters will recall his ability to influence big fixtures. He has scored three times against the Reds during his career, including an early strike at San Siro in last season’s Champions League meeting, a match Liverpool went on to win 3-1. Performances of that calibre tend to keep recruitment departments attentive, especially when a player combines goal threat with consistent ball progression.
Financials and Fitness Concerns
From a financial standpoint, the deal would appear manageable. Pulisic is currently earning just over £85,000 per week, a figure that could be improved without unsettling Liverpool’s existing wage structure. His estimated market value, around £40.2m, sits within a bracket that would not stretch Anfield’s resources in a typical summer window.
Photo: IMAGO
There are, however, clear considerations around durability. Since the start of the 2023-24 campaign he has recorded seven separate absences through injury, each brief, yet collectively enough to prompt caution. Liverpool’s recent recruitment has leaned towards availability as much as quality, and any serious pursuit would require robust medical confidence.
Transfer Timing Hinges on Europe
Another factor shaping the outlook is Liverpool’s competitive trajectory under Arne Slot. The head coach stated in his press conference that Champions League qualification has an ‘enormous impact’ on transfer policy. With European participation still to be secured, decision makers may delay firm moves until the club’s status for next season is clearer.
Unless Pulisic’s situation in Milan deteriorates sharply, this story feels exploratory rather than advanced. Interest from Liverpool and Arsenal aligns with his profile, yet tangible progress would likely depend on contract talks at San Siro stalling further and on clarity around Anfield’s European schedule.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
This link carries intrigue but limited urgency. Pulisic’s quality is evident, and his numbers in Italy deserve respect, yet the Reds already have established options across the forward line. Recruitment under the current regime has prioritised durability and tactical fit, and his recent injury history raises legitimate questions about reliability across a full Premier League season.
There is also the matter of squad balance. If funds are available, many fans would argue they are better directed towards positions that have shown greater need during the campaign. Adding another wide attacker, even one with Pulisic’s pedigree, could create congestion without clearly elevating the starting XI.
European qualification remains a decisive variable. If Champions League football is secured, Liverpool may target a younger profile with resale value and long term upside. If it is not, committing £40m plus wages to a player approaching his late twenties may feel like a short term fix rather than strategic planning.
In short, it is a rumour worth monitoring, though supporters may prefer patience until stronger, locally sourced confirmation emerges.
Liverpool Are In The Running For This Newcastle United Midfielder: Should Slot Snap Him Up?
In a recent report, journalist Graeme Bailey stated that Liverpool are in the running for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. It is understood that the Reds would have to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City in the race to land the Italy international next summer.
Tonali’s Impressive Form In The Premier League
Tonali has enjoyed a decent campaign at the Tyneside club as he has put in a series of eye-catching performances for them at the centre of the park. The Italian talent has participated in 37 matches for the Reds this season, securing five assists in the process across all competitions.
The 25-year-old is currently among the best central midfielders in the Premier League. Thus, Liverpool would do well to get a deal done for him this summer.
His current contract at St. James’ Park will run out in the summer of 2028, which could make it difficult for the Reds to sign him on the cheap later this year.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 21: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Newcastle United FC and PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park on January 21, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Should Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Snap Tonali Up?
Tonali is a good tackler of the ball and can read the danger well to secure the ball back for his side inside his half. He usually puts his foot through the ball when the opposition are on the front foot and is a tidy passer as well.
The Italian talent can even create some meaningful openings for his teammates in the final third when he is playing regularly and with confidence on the field. However, Tonali has to find a way to add more goals to his game. Still, he has got a wealth of experience in the Premier League and won’t take much time to settle into life at the Merseyside club.
We can expect Tonali to bring more quality and depth to Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s midfield department. He is more than capable of earning a regular first-team spot at Anfield in the coming years.
At 25, Tonali has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent choice for the Reds to pursue at the end of this campaign. All in all, Slot would be wise to go all out to snap him up later this year.
🚨 BREAKING: West Ham and Man Utd confirm lineups for PL clash
West Ham and Manchester United have confirmed their lineups for this evening's Premier League clash at the London Stadium.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a strong unbeaten run since Michael Carrick assumed control of the team on an interim basis.
Some of their big triumphs include victories against title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal, while they have also beaten Tottenham and Fulham in that time.
The Hammers, on the other hand, are also in good form having won four of their last five matches across all competitions.
So, as United look to make it five wins on the bounce, here's a look at how both teams shape up.
Can United get the job done, or will West Ham disrupt their momentum?
🏟The final warm-up before the World Cup: Chile to face Spain in a friendly
The Spanish National Team now has its definitive roadmap set for the World Cup. Before establishing their headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, "La Roja" will make a strategic stop in Mexico. On June 8, according to MARCA, the Cuauhtémoc Stadium in Puebla will be the venue for their final preparatory friendly, where the national team will face their Chilean counterparts.
A high-level opponent and World Cup memories
Spain was looking for a top-tier adversary to fine-tune their lineup a week before their debut against Cape Verde in Atlanta. Although playing against Mexico was considered, scheduling conflicts and sporting risks tipped the balance toward the South American side. Interestingly, the return to Puebla brings back bittersweet memories: it was there, in the 1986 World Cup, that Spain lost to Belgium on penalties in the quarterfinals.
The road to the United States
Luis de la Fuente’s preparations will begin at the end of May. After a lower-intensity match on June 4 at Riazor (possibly against China), the squad will fly that same night to Mexican soil. Awaiting them will be a Chilean team in the midst of an institutional crisis, which, after missing out on their third consecutive World Cup, will serve as the last major physical and tactical test for the Spanish internationals before crossing the border to their base in the United States.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: A general exterior view of Hill Dickinson Stadium, home stadium of Everton on January 26, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Live Blog
57’ – Now the Cherries are wanting a penalty here after Mykolenko and Rayan went for the ball along the goalline. VAR says nothing doing and Iraola is unhappy. Rayan has been booked for dissent by the way. Double change, with Toth and Evanilson off, Unal and Kroupi on, like for like that I can see. Beto and Armstrong are getting ready to come on.
55’ – Trouffert cuts in and fires a left-footed shot for the far post, goes just wide, Pickford did look to have that covered.
54’ – Barry fights and finds Ndiaye in space, he shimmies and his cross back into the box is met by Barry.. OMG how did he not score? Jimenez somehow made a Tarkowski-esque tackle to block his shot with the goal gaping.
52’ – Ndiaye leaves his studs in on a tackle on Christie. No tears shed by the Blues for him, he’s been a pest in the past.
50’ – Everton corner from the left now, poor and low from Garner, flicked on by George but Bournemouth clear. George and Garner keep pushing and Bournemouth can’t clear their lines. Good spell to start the second half by the Blues.
48’ – Almost a gift!! Petrovic with an awful pass straight to Ndiaye, but defender Hill tackles well, and then throws himself in front of KDH’s shot. Inswinging corner, partly cleared, George beats his man but his cross is cut out by.. Hill again.
46’ – Second half underway at Hill Dickinson, Everton lead 1-0.
Halftime Thoughts – A pretty even game that saw Everton close out the half the stronger side and get the go-ahead goal over Bournemouth. Both sides have been strong in the second half, so there’s still quite some football to go here.
45+1’ – Bournemouth pushing forward, win a corner with Rayan’s shot blocked by Gana. Inswinger from the Everton left, low and cleared by Garner. Long throw into the box, off Garner’s head then arm.. oooh. Inadvertent deflection, shouldn’t be an issue. Now Ndiaye trying to break, loses the duel to Trouffert, and there’s the halftime whistle. Everton lead 1-0 at the break.
45’ – Three minutes to be added on.
40’ – KDH fouled about where Garner just fired his shot from, will he try again? Taken short and Everton look to have overdone it.. or have they? Branthwaite does well to nick the ball off Rayan and is fouled in the corner of the box! Penalty says Madley, and there will be no questions about this from VAR. Garner has the ball, but now Ndiaye takes it and sets it down. Steps up, shoots into the low left corner and Everton lead, 1-0!
38’ – KDH shields the ball well but George gives it away in his own defensive third, ball comes to Evanilson for a shooting chance, deflected off Tarky and comes to Pickford, luckily.
35’ – Blues have definitely stepped up a gear in the last ten or so. Ball bouncing in the middle and both KDH and Gana go for it and clash with each other. Heavy hit to the jaw for KDH from Gana, but is okay.
33’ – Liking George, he’s not afraid to show for the ball. If anything, it’s allowing KDH to ‘disappear’ a bit. Ball into the Everton box, team clearance and then the Blues can break with KDH, Ndiaye on his right and Barry in front, but too many striped shirts follow him and the counter is foiled.
29’ – Dewsbury-Hall turns Adli and then gets rugby-tackled to the floor. Madley gives the freekick, but no card. Central-ish position, about 35 yards out. Under the conditions, this is worth a pop.. Garner’s attempt dips and bounces and Petrovic makes a right hash of it.. and then Barry’s follow-up on the rebound is even worse, hitting it wildly. Ball back into the box, deflected and Ndiaye from an impossible angle at the back post, sees his shot come off the goalie’s midriff and the post, ooh.
26’ – A few groans going around the ground as Everton have misplayed a few passes here, and are quickly losing possession when they do get the ball. Cherries freekick from the edge of their attacking third. Toth into the box, too close to Pickford who claims in the rain, which has increased in volume here.
23’ – At the quarter mark of the game here, nothing between the two sides. You’d suspect that both teams are playing exactly the way they prefer here.
20’ – Still no shots for the Blues. Bournemouth are doing a lot more of the possessing and attacking, but the Blues have kept their shape. George is very active on the pitch, not sticking to the touchline on the left, and this is allowing Mykolenko to overlap as well.
15’ – Pretty even game so far, most of the action concentrated in the middle third.
8’ – Ndiaye looks to have stamped on Jimenez as they fought for the ball, but it remains an Everton corner. Garner inswinger, Petrovic punches clear with Barry close, Gana loops the ball back into the box, Ndiaye misses his backheel and the ball evades Petrovic.. goal! Offside however, ahh.
4’ – Tarky goes in on Senesi who goes down, VAR deems no foul. Corner into the box, that and the following cross are both cleared.
2’ – Ndiaye is out on the right, George in Grealish’s spot on the left. Toffees give the ball away in their own half, Christie tries a shot that Tarkowski blocks.
1’ – Underway! The visitors kick off.
The lights go off, the siren rings out and is quickly followed by Z-Cars as the players come out in rainy conditions. Should make for some for a slick pitch.
Starting Lineups
Everton – Tyrique George makes his debut Everton start tonight. Jarrad Branthwaite replaces Michael Keane in defence too.
After back-to-back away games, Everton are back home at Hill Dickinson Stadium where they have struggled in recent games. What might help is that visitors Bournemouth are not the kind of team to sit back and pick the Blues off as they try to control possession, and instead will take the game to the hosts.
Everton are best when ceding ball possession and sitting back in a compact formation, and will intentionally or inadvertently fall into that with Andoni Iraola not curbing his side’s attacking instincts wherever they play. Both sides are unbeaten in their last five games with Bournemouth sitting in eleventh with 34 points while the Toffees are in eighth with 37 points.
For David Moyes, this is the healthiest his squad has been all season with just the one player out – Jack Grealish had surgery yesterday, confirming the bad news that his season is over.
The Cherries will be minus a few familiar faces, with Justin Kluivert, Marcus Tavernier, Ben Gannon-Doak and Julio Soler all out. Midfielder Tyler Adams is back in training but unlikely to make the game, but David Brooks came through as a late substitute over the weekend and is expected to be in the matchday squad.
Match Details
Competition: Premier League Matchweek 26
Date and start time: Tuesday, January 10th at 11:30 a.m. PT / 2:30 p.m ET / 7:30 p.m. BST
Stadium: Hill Dickinson Stadium, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
Bournemouth had Everton’s number last season, beating them all three times they met, including a home defeat at Goodison Park in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. This season though the Blues have already beaten the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium thanks to a Jack Grealish winner, ending a run of four straight losses to Bournemouth.
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — Justin Verlander is going back to his first big league team, agreeing to a $13 million, one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday.
Verlander, who turns 43 on Feb. 20, is looking to rebound from a frustrating year with San Francisco. The deal for the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner includes $11 million in deferred payments starting in 2030.
Verlander’s 266 victories are tied with Bob Feller and Eppa Rixey for 34th on baseball’s career list, while his 3,553 career strikeouts are eighth and closely trailing Don Sutton with 3,574.
Verlander said he needed a “relentless pursuit of finding something, anything to make it click” in turning his struggles around last year with the Giants. His 2.60 ERA from July 23 through the remainder of the season ranked fourth in the National League with a minimum of 60 innings pitched.
Verlander returned June 18 after being sidelined for a month by a strained right pectoral muscle. The right-hander wants to keep pitching after a disappointing season in which he began 0-8 and was winless in his initial 16 outings before a win at Atlanta on July 23.
He went on to finish 4-11 with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts over 29 starts spanning 152 innings. He has 266 wins, still far off from joining the 300-win club but something he could approach with a strong, healthy 2026.
“First half, quite difficult. Happy I was able to find some mechanical fixes to kind of get back in the right direction and pitch well in the second half,” Verlander said following his final outing Sept. 27. “I think obviously you’d always rather it go well, but it’s nice to be able to turn it around, especially after a few months it gets really draining and it’s tiresome. You’ve just got to come in every day and have a positive mindset and keep working hard.”
The second-half turnaround mattered to Verlander, who limited foes to a .228 average over his final 13 appearances. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in 10 of his last 13 starts.
Manchester City Have Set Their Sights On This Everton Midfielder: Good Option For Pep?
In a recent report, Fichajes revealed that Manchester City have set their sights on Everton midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as they look to bolster their squad later this year. It has been mentioned that the Mancunian club are eager to get a deal done for the English talent next summer.
Dewsbury-Hall’s Impressive Form At Merseyside This Season
Dewsbury-Hall has enjoyed a decent run of form at the Merseyside club as he has put in a string of impressive displays for them at the centre of the park. The English midfielder has netted five goals and earned four assists in 19 matches for Everton this season across various competitions.
The 27-year-old has caught the eye at times with his performances for the Toffees in the Premier League. Thus, it is no surprise that Man City are showing interest in recruiting the English playmaker this summer.
His current contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium will run out in the summer of 2030, so Man City would have to make a convincing offer if they want to recruit Dewsbury-Hall later this year.
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Fulham and Everton at Craven Cottage on February 07, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Is Dewsbury-Hall A Good Option For Manchester City?
Dewsbury-Hall doesn’t mind working hard for his team inside his half. He is a good dribbler with the ball at his feet and has got the vision to create some inviting chances for his teammates on the offensive end of the field.
The English sensation can contribute by scoring and creating his fair share of goals up top. He is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also operate as a defensive midfielder or as an attacking midfielder if told to do so by his manager.
We can expect Dewsbury-Hall to bring more quality and depth to Man City boss Pep Guardiola’s midfield department. He has what it takes to fight for a regular first-team spot at the Mancunian club.
At 27, Dewsbury-Hall has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent option for Man City to consider this summer. He might even help the Mancunian giants challenge for some major honours over the next few years. Therefore, it makes sense for Guardiola to step up his efforts to bring Dewsbury-Hall to the Etihad Stadium at the end of this campaign.
Arsenal head to Brentford knowing three points are essential as the title race tightens and their midweek trip comes with little room for error.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Arsenal head to Brentford for the final fixture of the midweek round knowing there is little margin for error in the title race, with the possibility that their lead at the top could be cut to three points should Manchester City defeat Fulham on Wednesday night.
Three points against the Bees are essential for Mikel Arteta’s side as the pressure continues to build.
Brentford have emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Many expected them to struggle after the departure of Thomas Frank, who left to join Tottenham, with his replacement by Keith Andrews, who was promoted without first-team managerial experience.
The club also lost captain Christian Norgaard, who moved to Arsenal’s bench, while Yohan Wissa joined Newcastle United and Bryan Mbuemo moved to Manchester United.
Despite those significant losses, Brentford have adapted impressively and currently sit seventh, level on points with Liverpool, six clear of Newcastle and 10 ahead of Frank’s Tottenham. They remain firmly in contention for a European place, with just 10 points separating Aston Villa in third from Everton in eighth.
Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Brentford, like Arsenal, will be without several players for Thursday night.
Fabio Carvalho remains sidelined with a long-term issue after undergoing surgery, with Andrews previously confirming the operation had gone well.
Antoni Milambo is also out long term following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Kevin Schade is unavailable through suspension, serving the second game of a three-match ban, while former Arsenal kid, Josh DaSilva, continues his recovery after a lengthy absence from a knee injury, with Andrews saying in December that he was progressing well but not yet ready to return, with hopes of seeing him back later this month.
Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images
Brentford’s first ever Premier League victory came against Arsenal in August 2021 in that infamous Friday night game that should have been postponed because so many of Arsenal’s players had covid, but since then they are winless in eight meetings with the Gunners.
Arsenal have won their last three league visits to the Gtech Community Stadium by an aggregate score of 7-1, while Brentford have managed just one win in their last 11 home London derbies.
Arsenal, by contrast, have lost only one of their last 23 Premier League London derbies and remain unbeaten in their last 12 midweek league matches, even if Thursday nights have recently been less kind when it comes to wins or goals (none of either in the last three).
For Arsenal, the equation is simple. With games in the title race getting fewer and rivals waiting for any slip, this is a fixture they must navigate successfully, against an opponent who have already shown this season they are more than capable of punishing complacency. They recently beat Villa at Villa Park with only 10 men. They have also beaten Newcastle (a) but were also unable to beat Spurs in both League games, which is not a good look for anyone this season.
Coppa Italia quarter final line-ups: Napoli vs. Como
With Scott McTominay out of action, Napoli rely on Rasmus Hojlund, Giovane and returning Vanja Milinkovic-Savic against Nico Paz’s Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time.
Whoever goes through can then prepare for the semi-final against Inter.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Eljif Elmas of Napoli (right) sprays his teammate Scott McTominay’s right ankle during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Napoli earned a controversial last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Genoa in Serie A at the weekend, but McTominay felt pain from a recurring inflammation after scoring one of the goals.
He is therefore rested, with the usual list of absentees like David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne.
The good news is that goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic is available after a couple of weeks out, with Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku fit for the bench.
January signing Giovane therefore steps into the trident attack with Hojlund and Antonio Vergara, dropping Eljif Elmas into midfield to replace McTominay.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Vanja Milinkovic-Savic of SSC Napoli in action during the warm up before the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on January 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Nico Paz is the star man in attack, with impressive Martin Baturina and Jayden Addai, but with Tasos Douvikas and Alvaro Morata on the bench, it’s possible the Argentine will be used as a False 9.
Of course, this is a big reunion for Fabregas and Antonio Conte, who worked together to win the FA Cup at Chelsea.
It could also be the first Coppa Italia semi-final for Como in 40 years, since eliminating then reigning Champions of Italy Verona in 1986.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Nico Paz of Como 1907 looks o during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 10, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons have some key players headed for free agency, but they don't currently have enough cap space to keep everyone. Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has some big decisions to make, including what to do with tight end Kyle Pitts.
The former top-five pick is arguably Atlanta's top free agent, and at just 25-years old, he should have plenty of interested suitors around the NFL. Pitts is coming off the second-best season of his NFL career -- 88 catches for 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns -- and was one of the only pass-catchers to stay healthy for all 17 games.
The Falcons could potentially re-sign Pitts or use the franchise tag on him if they fail to reach a long-term deal, assuming Cunningham and the rest of Atlanta's front office wants him back. So, how much money would it take to re-sign the young tight end?
A new feature from Pro Football Focus predicts Pitts will be the highest-paid tight end in the 2026 NFL free agency class. PFF projected Pitts to land a three-year, $48 million contract.
"Kyle Pitts ended the year showing flashes of the talent that made him a top-five pick in the 2021 draft," wrote PFF's Mason Cameron. "His 91.8 PFF receiving grade from Week 13 through the end of the regular season ranked as the third-highest mark in the NFL. Even in a small sample, that level of talent is something NFL general managers crave when shopping for a dynamic weapon to bolster an offense."
The Falcons may have competition for Pitts' services, but the abundance of tight ends likely to be available in free agency should prevent the numbers from getting out of hand.
PFF highlighted Pitts' prior relationship with Falcons president of football Matt Ryan as a potential factor in negotiations. Pitts was the team's top weapon in 2021, which was Ryan's final season in Atlanta.
"Considering the tight end market features a variety of quality options, including names such as David Njoku, Isaiah Likely, and Dallas Goedert, Pitts’ best opportunity to reach a high-profile contract offer may be in the hands of his old teammate and the Atlanta Falcons’ new president of football operations, Matt Ryan," added Cameron. "Pitts generated a career-best 81.1 PFF grade while playing with Ryan, which may benefit the 25-year-old tight end’s extension talks within the Falcons’ facility."
The Falcons currently have around $26 million in salary cap space available, according to Over The Cap's projections. NFL free agency officially starts on March 11, with the legal tampering period opening on March 9.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye and offensive tackle Will Campbell have both addressed their respective injury concerns and Super Bowl performances as the team enters the offseason.
Maye confirmed he will not undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder, while Campbell revealed he played in the championship game with a torn knee ligament, acknowledging his "disastrous" outing.
Maye, who received a pain-relieving injection before the Super Bowl loss, stated his recovery plan is simply rest.
"Just get some time off. Time’s the best healer. Definitely just need time off," Maye said on Tuesday.
"Nothing that needs anything to be done. Just some time away and time to get some rest and time away from football."
Maye is planning to rest rather than undergoing surgery on his shoulder (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
The young quarterback dismissed the idea that the long playoff run overstressed his arm, attributing his discomfort to an "unfortunate hit" during the AFC Championship game.
Despite the injury, he maintained he was "able to make throws in the game and was myself."
In the Patriots’ 29-13 defeat by Seattle, Maye threw two touchdown passes but was sacked six times, intercepted twice, and lost a fumble that led to another Seahawks touchdown.
Meanwhile, left tackle Will Campbell disclosed on Tuesday that he suffered a torn ligament in his knee late in the regular season, which sidelined him for four games on injured reserve.
Despite this significant injury, Campbell returned to start the season finale and all four playoff games, including the Super Bowl.
His performance in the Super Bowl, however, was heavily scrutinized.
Campbell conceded two sacks on Maye and allowed a staggering 14 pressures, the highest by any NFL player in a single game this season, according to Next Gen Stats.
He admitted his knee "wasn’t 100%," adding: "I mean, I don’t think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it’s not going to be how it was before, but I was healthy enough to go. I’m not going to say that it held me back, but it wasn’t the same as it was before, obviously."
Campbell, who was carted off the field in Week 12 after 12 consecutive starts protecting Maye’s blindside, acknowledged the criticizm.
Campbell admitted to having a difficult outing in the Super Bowl (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
"It comes with the job when you don’t perform," he stated. "Obviously, I was picked high, paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself. So, whenever I don’t perform ... obviously it sucks, but it doesn’t suck for anyone more than it sucks for me."
Despite the challenging end to his season, Campbell has the backing of his coach and quarterback.
Coach Vrabel expressed confidence in the 22-year-old, stating: "He’s 22 years old. He’s our left tackle. He’ll get better. He’ll get stronger. We aren’t moving Will to guard, center, tight end or anywhere else."
Maye, who shares a close friendship with Campbell, also voiced his support, predicting a bright future for his teammate.
"The expectations of a first-round pick, I think he’s dealt with so much this year," Maye said.
"It’s going to be great for him in the future. He’s going to be a great player in this league, he already is a great player in this league. … I love Will. I look forward to playing with him for a long time."
As the Patriots players clear out their lockers and head into the offseason, both Maye and Campbell are focused on recovery and improvement, with the team looking ahead to the next season.
BOSTON (AP) — Infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $6 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.
Kiner-Falefa can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $100,000 each for 300, 350, 400, 450, and 500.
The 30-year-old hit .262 with two homers, 40 RBIs and 21 doubles in 138 games last year for Pittsburgh and Toronto, which selected him off waivers on Aug. 31. He played shortstop, third base and second.
Kiner-Falefa batted .162 (6 for 37) in the postseason. Representing a title-winning run, he was thrown out at home plate by second baseman Miguel Rojas on Daulton Varsho's grounder in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kiner-Falefa, 30, has a .262 average with 36 homers, 286 RBIs and 100 steals over eight seasons with Texas (2018-21), New York Yankees (2022-23), Toronto and Pittsburgh. He won a Gold Glove at third base in 2020.
Boston placed right-hander Tanner Houck on the 60-day injured list to open a roster spot.
With Super Bowl 60 done and gone, the 2025 NFL season has come to a close. But now, we enter a new era: the mock draft era! The offseason begins soon, but it is now the perfect time to release my 1.0 official mock draft. Before we begin, let's lay some ground rules:
There will be no trading picks
We are still using ProFootballNetwork's mock draft simulator
We are also still using PFF's player rankings
These mocks are what I believe will happen. We will likely release mocks of what I would do, closer to the 2026 NFL Draft
Now that we have that out of the way, we will be going through picks 1-32, with some brief observations at the end!
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB , Indiana
2) New York Jets: Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Miami
3) Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
I want to go on record now that the Fernando Mendoza pick will turn out poorly for the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza was the head of one of the greatest College Football teams of all time, but does not have a high enough ceiling to warrant being drafted this high. Look for the Raiders to be back in this range in 3-4 years. Sorry, Raiders fans.
The 2026 NFL Draft starts at pick three. The Arizona Cardinals have needs that can't be filled at this spot, so they lean toward the best player available in David Bailey out of Texas Tech. His massive upside is going to be very tempting to pass up this early. But it is also a very obvious trade-down spot.
The first reach of the NFL Draft is at nine and in Kansas City. The Chiefs have quite a few holes to fill with this rebuilding roster, and instead of taking a building block for when quarterback Patrick Mahomes returns healthy, they take a running back, probably 35 picks too early.
The Minnesota Vikings stick to what most mocks have them doing, taking Clemson cornerback Aveion Terrell. His physical man-to-man coverage skills blend well in this Brian Flores defense.
Speaking of reaches, we turn to the Cleveland Browns. Ty Simpson at pick 24 is egregious, but it is very Cleveland Browns. They desperately need a quarterback, as Shedeur Sanders is very obviously not the answer long term, even if he was gifted a Pro Bowl nod.
The lone tight end in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Kenyon Sadiq out of Oregon, would be an excellent successor to the position for when George Kittle retires. Kittle, rehabbing from a torn Achilles, could teach his ways to Sadiq all offseason, and Brock Purdy would have a lethal weapon once again.
Feb 6, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, ITALY; Breezy Johnson of the United States in women's downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images | Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
The Winter Olympics are underway in Italy, and some medals have already been earned by some of the best athletes on the planet.
And Team USA is on the board as well with their first gold medal.
While the 2026 Winter Olympics are just starting, we’ll be keeping track of Team USA’s effort throughout the Winter Games here with a look at each medal secured by the athletes in Milano Cortina.
How many medals have Team USA won at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Here is a table with a look at the medal count for Team USA, which will be updated daily.
Team USA Medal Count
Gold
Silver
Bronze
Total
Team USA
2
3
2
7
Who has won medals for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Here we will take a deeper look at each medalist from Team USA.
Breezy Johnson: Gold, women’s downhill
Breezy Johnson’s dream of competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics ended in Cortina four year ago.
Now she has a gold medal.
Johnson suffered a devastating crash at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina during a training run four years ago, a crash which partially dislodged a large chunk of cartilage in her right knee. As a result, she had to withdraw from the 2022 Beijing Olympic Games. But she conquered Cortina in the women’s downhill to secure both a gold medal, and the first medal for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Team USA: Team figure skating
The United States collected their second gold medal in the team figure skating competition.
And it was a narrow victory over Japan.
The event came down to a battle between the final two men’s skaters: Ilia Malinin of the U.S. and Shun Sato of Japan. Malinin had lost in the short program to Yuma Kagiyama earlier in the competition, who was replaced by Sato as the long program is considered his strength. And while Malinin delivered a disappointing performance with his long program — his result was his lowest free skate score in his last five competitions — it was still enough to see the United States through to a 69-68 win over Japan.
Ben Ogden: Cross-country skiing
A decades-long drought for Team USA in cross-country skiing is over.
Ben Ogden took silver in the cross-country skiing sprint on Tuesday, becoming just the second U.S. male cross-country skier to win an Olympic medal, and the first in 50 years.
Bill Koch took silver in the 50K classic at the 1976 Winter Olympics. As fate would have it, Ogden started his own cross-country skiing journey in the Bill Koch Youth Ski League. Ogden finished with a time of 3:40, a second behind gold-medalist Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo from Norway.
Alex Hall: Freestyle skiing
Alex Hall’s attempt at a repeat gold medal in freeski slopestyle fell short, as he was nipped by Norway’s Birk Ruud 86.28 to 85.75. Hall’s second run pulled him within a half-point of Ruud, but could not catch him on his final run.
With the silver medal, Team USA has secured seven of the 12 medals in the event’s history.
Jacqueline Wiles/Paula Moltzan: Alpine combined
As expected, Team USA secured a medal in the women’s team combined.
But it was not the pairing many expected to see.
Team USA favorites Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin were in contention for gold as expected, after Johnson delivered the fastest downhill leg. But Shiffrin, winner of seven of eight slaloms this season, only finished 15th in her portion of the event, dropping the pair out of medal contention.
They missed out on bronze by 0.06 of a second.
Instead, that bronze went to Team USA pair Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan.
Cory Thiesse/Korey Dropkin: Mixed doubles curling
The United States has its third medal ever in Olympic curling.
Mixed doubles team of Corey Thiesse and Korey Dropkin advanced to the gold medal game against Sweden, but fell 6-5 to Swedish siblings Isabella and Rasmus Wranaa. But with the win Thiesse became the first American woman ever to win an Olympic curling medal, as Team USA’s previous two medals came in men’s curling.
Ashley Farquharson: Women’s luge
Ashley Farquharson made Team USA luge history, winning a shocking bronze medal in the women’s luge singles competition. Her bronze medal comes 12 years after Erin Hamlin took bronze at Sochi in the 2014 Winter Olympics, becoming Team USA’s first-ever luge medalist.
Chris Mazder took silver in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Germany’s Julia Taubitz took gold, and Latvia’s Elina Bota — who also made history as the first woman from her country to take a singles luge medal — took silver.
Seattle Seahawks' quarterback #14 Sam Darnold and Seattle Seahawks' head coach Mike Macdonald celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on February 8, 2026. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams missed their best chance at a second Super Bowl under Sean McVay thanks to an expected run from the Seattle Seahawks. Who will be the next surprise NFC playoff team in 2026?
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Seahawks have +750 odds to repeat next year, followed by the Rams at +800. Five of the teams with the highest Super Bowl odds reside in the NFC, yet as this season has proved, anyone could come out of nowhere. The conference also featured four different playoff teams from a year ago, including the top-seeded Seahawks, and No. 2 seed Bears.
New Orleans is a possible contender, as they won four of their last five to finish the season, and play in the painfully bad NFC South. The Saints will play a last-place schedule and have a chance to tee off against weaklings like the Browns, Cardinals, Raiders, Giants and of course, their dreadful division. They already have some believers out there.
The Giants are also a strong possibility, given they hired former Super Bowl champion coach John Harbaugh this offseason. While Harbaugh suffered a heartbreaking end to his time in Baltimore, brighter days seem to be ahead for him in the Big Apple. Before New York hired him, the sentiment around the league was that Big Blue was an elite head coach away from making some noise. With loads of promising young talent already on the roster, it’s hard not to feel that way.
The Giants are a head coach away from being ELITE 👀
Feb 7, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Berke Buyuktuncel (9) in action against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Jersey Mike's Arena. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
It’s a Tuesday night in Big Ten country and as the snow starts to melt in West Lafayette, things will be heating up in Lincoln, Nebraska as a struggling Purdue team travels to Nebraska where the top-ten Cornhuskers look to stay at the top of the Big Ten.
#13 Purdue 19-4 (9-3) at #7 Nebraska 21-2 (10-2)
Nebraska is one of the nation’s most surprising teams of the season. It came out of nowhere, winning its first twenty games of the season including giving Illinois one of its two conference losses.
Its only losses have come to that same Illinois team and Michigan on the road. Nebraska has proved itself more than a flash in the pan under Fred Hoiberg. Instead, Hoiberg has built a program that keeps getting better and better.
Purdue has been a surprising team, too. After spending the off season as national title favorites and the start of the season as the #1 team in the country, the Boilers have struggled mightily over the last month. Its not just losing three straight games that has Purdue fans worried. Purdue, at one point the most dominant offense in the country, has seemingly lost its mojo and jump shot.
But it’s deeper than that. Purdue’s shooting will find its level, but something seems off. The best five Purdue players don’t seem to fit, and it’s unclear what rotation doesn’t come with major sacrifices elsewhere. It has fallend own the ap poll, all the way to 13th, and its seeding seems to be slipping with each week.
It’s now Purdue going into a top-ten building, a place where it’s historically struggled in recent years, needing a win for both its profile and to stay in the race for the Big Ten.
Spider-men Meme
“They have a great offensive and defensive system… they stick to their rules.”
That sounds like something opposing coaches say about Matt Painter and his Purdue Boilermakers, but instead, it’s Painter talking about what Hoiberg has built at Nebraska.
“They prey on your lack of discipline,” Painter said.
That’s a formidable position as Purdue is reeling off one of its sloppiest offensive performance, a home win that was never easy against what should have been an over matched Oregon team. Purdue had 14 turnovers against the Ducks. Its offensive rating keeps dropping as its offense has started to look like a collection of mismatching parts. The two big lineups and teams constantly doubling TKR in the post has taken away a lot of Purdue’s easy buttons for points.
That’s a scary trend going into Nebraska where its aggressive, trapping, double and triple teaming defense has given Purdue trouble in the past.
Big time big men matchup
Pryce Sandfort has been fantastic for Nebraska. He’s scoring 17 points a game on 40% shooting from three and he makes tough shots, open shots, and is relentless on and off the ball. He’s become an elite top scorer and helped Nebraska transition from a tough matchup to one of the best teams in the country.
But Nebraska’s cogs and system still runs through its unique, multi-faceted big man, Rienk Mast.
At 14.7 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, Mast’s numbers don’t do his affect on the game justice.
There’s just not many guys as big as Mast that’s as good with the ball in his hands. Because of his size, the whole court is available to him, and the shooters around him become more dangerous when he has the ball.
“You just don’t normally see that from 6-9 guys,” Painter said about Mast’s game facing up and his collection of skills. “He gives them everything on both ends of the court.”
Oscar Cluff has not been having the same impact on the floor the last couple weeks, but Nebraska and Mast is the exact kind of matchup where Cluff should thrive and remind Purdue fans of his value. Cluff is one of the best bigs switching on the perimeter in the country, and that ability to hedge and play out there was part of why Painter and company valued bringing him over. Mast is too big to go small against but usually leans on having an athletic or skill gap over other bigs. Cluff should be able to match both his physicality and be able to step out and stay with Mast on the perimeter.
It should be one of the better big men matchups in the conference this season, and a good back and forth battle.
Big Ten up for grabs
Purdue still has games against Michigan, Michigan State, and Nebraska. It can have a big hand in its own destiny, but the truth is likely that Purdue can’t afford another loss in the Big Ten.
With Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska all above Purdue in the standings and Michigan State at three losses as well, there’s no more margin of error for Purdue who lost three straight conference games.
“I don’t see a couple of those teams getting to four losses,” Painter said ahead of heading to Nebraska.
That means if Purdue’s senior class wants to land its third conference title, it’ll need to most likely win out from here. That starts with winning on the road against a top-ten Nebraska team.
Although the Magic forced 10 turnovers in the first half of Monday’s game at Kia Center against the Bucks, the team had only scored six points off those takeaways.
Orlando actually trailed by three points at the halfway mark, 54-51, largely due to its lack of shotmaking. Milwaukee had made 40% of their 3-point attempts before the break and held the Magic to just 19% from distance.
Then came the third quarter.
Jamahl Mosley‘s squad notched 10 points off five Milwaukee turnovers, shot 54.5% from beyond the arc and outscored the Bucks 36-20 in the 12 minute stretch to take control and capture a 118-99 victory in front of a national TV audience on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.
“There was a point in the game where we just kind of turned it on,” Magic forward Jonathan Isaac told the Orlando Sentinel in the locker room after the 19-point victory. “We were playing solid defense throughout but that third quarter, seemed like we were able to just put couple (stops) together and then fuel our offense.
“Once your defense starts fueling your offense, it’s kind of just wraps from there,” he added.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers described Orlando as the more physical team after the loss and, while the third quarter was when the Magic took over, the team believed it was just a matter of time for the dams to break defensively.
“It was a good defensive game overall,” Magic forward Paolo Banchero said. “(The Bucks) have been a pretty high-scoring team. They’ve been shooting the ball really well, especially without Giannis (Antetokounmpo).
“We just did a good job of running them off the line and forcing them to take tough shots,” he added.
In the three games prior to facing Orlando, the Bucks had scored 130-plus points twice, averaging 125.7 in that stretch. For the Magic, Monday’s game marked the second in its past three holding an opponent to fewer than 100 points.
It was also Orlando’s third straight win, something the team hadn’t accomplished this Nov. 25-Dec. 1. Although they’ve won five of their last seven, they’re still not pleased.
“I mean, honestly, I would contribute that to them being lesser teams,” Banchero said when asked what’s changed defensively as of late. “Not that good, you know? I think Utah took their starters out, Brooklyn not being very good. Milwaukee, they’re alright.
“So, I think we’ve just got to lock in and continue to just be who we are defensively and hopefully it translates to when we see some better teams down the road,” he added.
Getting Franz Wagner back helped, too. In his first game back from a nine-game absence managing the extended rehab of a left high ankle sprain, the Magic forward racked up 14 points, five assists and two rebounds in just 17 restricted minutes.
The contest served as just the 18th regular season game since the start of the 2024-25 season in which Wagner, Banchero and Jalen Suggs shared the floor out of 134 possible games in that stretch.
In 12 games together this season, the Magic trio has recorded a net-rating of plus-15.2 when on the court, according to NBA.com. Of the 48 three-man lineups that have played at least 140 minutes together for Orlando this season, that net rating leads the team.
“Obviously still working my way back and obviously got to find a rhythm out there … But pleased with how I played and hopefully could help the group win,” Wagner said.
After starting his previous 317 NBA games played with the Magic, as well as 55 college games played in two season at Michigan, Wagner came off the bench for the first time since his youth days with Alba Berlin in Germany. That allowed Mosley to better control his minutes as he works back to form from injury.
“It’s definitely different,” Wagner said. “But I came off the bench before in my life so just trying to find other ways to obviously get ready and be ready once you get subbed in. Sometimes it’s fun to have a change of routine like that.”
Banchero appeared to avoid a major injury himself when Isaac blocked a Kevin Porter Jr. layup late in the third quarter and the ball ricocheted off Banchero’s right hand.
Banchero said it was his right index finger that got hit and it felt “a little stiff” after the game, but he didn’t undergo an X-ray on Monday night.
“It’s alright,” he said. “Hopefully it doesn’t bother me too much. … “It’s probably just a jammed finger, just jammed it pretty good.”
The Magic host the Bucks again on Wednesday in their final game before the NBA All-Star break.
Although Orlando has won three games in a row four different times this season, it has yet to win four consecutive contests.
“It’s important,” Isaac said about the last game before the break. “I think we definitely sent a message (Monday night) and I don’t feel any reservations about next game. We’ll be fine.”
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Before a new landlord shuttered the iconic Brickyard Lounge and Grill last month, you could walk into the tiny, race-themed restaurant located two miles from Daytona International Speedway, skip the menu and ask them to bring you what NASCAR chairman Jim France orders.
A 1-pound cheeseburger burger and basket of crispy fries appeared.
At 70-year-old Mario's Restaurant in nearby Ormond Beach, the hostess says with first-hand knowledge that the late Bill France Sr. ordered the grouper francaise whenever the family popped in.
NASCAR's founding family members are regulars at nearly every restaurant — dive or upscale — as well as the local shops and businesses that comprise the city's roughly 75,000 people living along 23 miles of central Florida's coastline.
“The Frances are wonderful people who come in for lunch,” said Annette Allan, owner of the Brickyard. “They treat the employees very well and are some of our favorite customers.”
Four generations have set roots in the city since France Sr. fled Washington, D.C., in the mid-1930s to escape the Great Depression. He was an aspiring racer and landed in Daytona Beach, where men like him were already running hot rods on the famed beach.
By 1940, he was considered the best stock-car driver in the country and was fed up with unsavory race promoters running chaotic events in which participants were shorted their share of the purse. He bandied a group together for a meeting at the Streamline Hotel, where they created the framework for what is now NASCAR.
The family never relinquished control and instead built NASCAR into a billion-dollar company that stands as the top motorsports series in the United States. The family also never left Daytona Beach.
“It is pretty remarkable that family, multiple generations, has chosen to stay here when they could literally live anywhere in the United States,” said Lori Campbell Baker, a resident since 1991 and executive director of the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.
“They have put Daytona Beach on the map for millions of people, and they invest in this community. That name recognition has given the city several Super Bowls without ever having to bid on them. Daytona Beach is known as a place to compete, and we could never have afforded, never had the budget, that the advertising the France family and the speedway gives us for free.”
Daytona International Speedway
France Sr. began construction in 1957 for Daytona International Speedway, where a 78th season of NASCAR begins Sunday with the Daytona 500, and the facility anchors the city. It already has held one world-class event this year, last month's Rolex 24 at Daytona, the most prestigious endurance race in North America.
The track is open nearly daily for various racing events, and the grounds are used for everything from 5K runs to “Welcome to Rockville,” a four-day music festival that recently signed a 10-year extension with the track.
But the speedway's impact is felt throughout the city, where the civic center has a robust calendar of conventions, expos and competitions. At the same time as the Rolex last month, thousands of cheerleaders flocked to the city for an annual competition. Gymnastics champions are crowned in Daytona, volleyball tournaments and archery competitions are won, and even the Florida Truck Driving Championship is held.
“Instead of saying, ‘We’re going to compete for the championship,' people say, ‘We’re going to Daytona Beach,'” Campbell Baker said. “We get so many ancillary events because people think, ‘If Daytona Beach is the big place, we need to compete there, too.’”
One Daytona
One of the most important France contributions to the city has been One Daytona, a 300,000-square-foot mixed-use lifestyle and entertainment center directly across from the speedway. It was the vision of Lesa France Kennedy, executive vice chair of NASCAR and France Sr.'s granddaughter.
Opened in late 2017 and developed by a France-owned company, it is a year-round dining, shopping and entertainment destination that complements the “World Center of Racing.”
Without the facility, Daytona Beach has no Costco, no Bass Pro Shops, no P.F. Chang's or the race-themed high-end hotel that is part of Marriott's Autograph Collection. Gallery500, an art gallery in the complex, is owned by France Kennedy and some of her own creations line the walls.
“My sister really has a developer mindset and a process to bringing people together. She has a lot of passion and vision, and she drives these projects and doesn't really get enough credit for that,” said Brian France, who spent 15 years as NASCAR chairman. “Our family isn't looking for credit, but they recognize that from a support standpoint, a municipality and a local government, in every market, has to come together to make events as successful as possible.”
France Kennedy hosted the Art of Speed, a luxury car show and art event that benefits the NASCAR Foundation, the night before the Rolex last month. As she walked The Associated Press around the grounds, people stopped her to say hello, told her how much they enjoyed the event and asked about her family.
She got a hug from a restaurant owner who told her she'd just missed her husband by mere minutes. France Kennedy then took the AP to the space next door to Tiano’s Cucina Italiana and explained how the owner was building it into a market as an extension of the eatery.
Why was One Daytona so important to France Kennedy?
“We now have this fabulous entertainment facility directly across from the track that our fans can enjoy,” she told the AP. “Plus, I like fun things to do, too.”
Art of Speed last month set a record by raising more than $50,000 that goes to the NASCAR Foundation, a children's needs-focused nonprofit that has donated more than $50 million to various causes over the last 20 years.
The family also runs the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award in honor of Bill France Jr.'s late wife, and that award gives annual grants to organizations across the country that support children's causes.
The Frances have a tower named for them at Halifax Health Center near the speedway and created Speediatrics, a pediatric emergency department that is NASCAR themed.
There's also a large commitment from the France family to arts and culture in Daytona Beach as a significant donor to the Museum of Arts and Sciences, where the CiCi and Hyatt Brown Museum hosts the largest collection of Florida-based art in the world.
France Kennedy also was instrumental in bringing the Boston Pops and other renowned artists to the Daytona Beach Peabody Auditorium.
Why did they stay in Daytona Beach?
For France Kennedy, it is simple: She grew up on the water and returning to Daytona Beach after graduating from Duke to join the family business was an idea planted in her by her late grandmother, Annie B.
She enjoys leaving her office across from the speedway, being home in 10 minutes, changing into comfy clothes and taking in her water view. Her son, Ben Kennedy, returned to Daytona Beach after graduating from Florida. Now 34 and married, he has chosen the city as his home as he climbs the ranks toward someday taking over NASCAR.
Jim France lives along the Halifax River, his three children remain local and the family quietly blends in with everyone from the longtime residents to the snowbirds. If you don't know them, you would have no idea you are seated next to a billionaire at Corleone's Famous New York Pizza and Gyros.
They remain committed to the area, and if possible, many in NASCAR's top leadership would get the Brickyard Lounge moved into One Daytona to retain access to their beloved cheeseburgers. They remain abreast of the ongoing renovations at Billy's Tap Room, another racing-themed area institution that has been shuttered for nearly two years, and do their best to bring Florida-based businesses into One Daytona.
“I think it's home. Why does Warren Buffett live in Omaha, Nebraska?” Brian France said. “Daytona Beach is our home and, of course, we happen to have the biggest event, the Daytona 500, in our hometown. It's a community that our family remains committed to and rather quite passionate about.”
Auburn softball caught the attention of national voters following its four-win season-opening weekend.
The Tigers will enter week two of the season with 15 votes in the latest Top 25 Coaches Poll after earning wins over Notre Dame, Michigan State, Clemson, and Penn State at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida.
Auburn softball stumbled to North Florida in the season opener, 11-3, but responded by winning both games on day one of the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Friday. The Tigers topped Notre Dame, 5-4, behind a three-hit day from Haven Roebuck. Auburn softball followed suit later in the day by beating Michigan State, 9-6. Auburn's McKaela Walker erased Michigan State's early 2-0 lead with a grand slam in the 2nd inning; Haven Roebuck, Kylie Shaw, and Kyla Stroud each logged RBI hits in the 5th inning to give Auburn a comfortable enough lead to cruise to victory.
The Tigers opened day two of play with a 10-5 win over then-No. 13 Clemson. Auburn logged 13 hits in the win and scored multiple runs in three innings to knock off Clemson, which included a four-run 7th inning headlined by a Kylie Brockman two-RBI double.
After falling to Pitt to close day two of the weekend, Auburn stunned Penn State with a 4-3 win over the Nittany Lions on Sunday in walk-off fashion. A throwing error by Penn State shortstop Kaylie Walters in the bottom of the 7th inning allowed McKaela Walker to score from 3rd base and nail down the win. Ella Harrison was stellar in the circle for Auburn in the win by striking out 11 batters and allowing five hits in a complete-game effort.
Auburn softball returns to action Thursday to face Illinois on day one of the War Eagle Classic at Jane B. Moore Field. Auburn will also host Bradley, Campbell, and Binghamton as part of the weekend tournament.
Rank
Team
Record
Points
Previous
1
Texas Tech (25)
6-0
767
2
2
Texas (5)
4-1
720
1
3
Tennessee (1)
5-0
716
4
4
Florida
5-0
655
6
Oklahoma
3-1
655
3
6
UCLA
5-0
614
7
7
Florida State
5-0
580
8
8
Texas A&M
4-1
474
11
9
Arkansas
4-1
464
9
10
Alabama
5-0
454
15
11
Nebraska
3-2
427
10
12
LSU
6-0
426
16
13
Stanford
5-0
399
18
14
Virginia Tech
5-0
378
19
15
Oregon
2-3
355
5
16
South Carolina
3-2
262
12
17
Arizona
3-2
260
17
18
Clemson
3-2
242
13
19
Mississippi State
4-0
229
22
20
Georgia
4-1
199
20
21
Ole Miss
3-2
144
14
22
Duke
4-1
135
23
23
Florida Atlantic
5-0
96
24
Virginia
4-1
93
25
Southeastern Louisiana
4-2
65
Others receiving votes:
Oklahoma State (63), Grand Canyon (57), Arizona State (47), Michigan (36), Ohio State (20), Auburn (15), Michigan State (10), North Florida (6), Liberty (5), Nevada (4), Belmont (3).
Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Beard plans to visit each of his top schools over the upcoming months. He has a May 29 visit with Clemson, a June 4 visit to Florida, a June 12 visit to Georgia and a June 19 visit to Tennessee.
Beard is a local recruit for UGA and coach Kirby Smart. He is a key in-state target in the rising senior class and plays high school football for Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart, Georgia, which a short drive from Athens. Beard plays for the same high school former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff played at.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound running back is ranked as the No. 63 player in America, per 247Sports. He's the No. 6 prospect in Georgia and the No. 4 running back in the nation.
The Prince Avenue standout attended the Georgia-Alabama game during the fall. Beard is the Peach State's top running back in the class of 2027.
Georgia running backs coach Josh Crawford recently visited the elite running back prospect. The Bulldogs will look to land a commitment from Beard after his visits in a few months. Georgia already has a commitment from five-star class of 2027 running back recruit Kemon Spell.
Andrew Beard's top schools
NEWS: Four-Star RB Andrew Beard is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @Rivals
The 5’10 195 RB from Bogart, GA is ranked as the No. 6 RB in the ‘27 Class (per Rivals Industry)
Through the 2024-25 season, the Los Angeles Lakers have had a total of 506 players suit up for them, going back to their days in Minneapolis. Some were forgettable, some were serviceable, some were good and a select few were flat-out legendary.
During the Lakers' 80th season of existence (they were founded back in 1946 as the Detroit Gems in the National Basketball League), LeBron Wire is taking a look at each player who has worn their jersey, whether it has been a purple and gold one or the ones they donned back in the Midwest during their early years.
After two seasons at New Mexico State University, Reggie Jordan, a 6-foot-4 guard, went undrafted in 1991. He spent two years with the Grand Rapids Hoops of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) before the Lakers brought him in during the 1993-94 season.
He appeared in 23 games with the Lakers that season and averaged 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11.3 minutes a game. He returned to the CBA the following season before spending five more seasons in the NBA with four different teams. Jordan ended his NBA career with lifetime averages of 2.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and one assist in 8.9 minutes per game.
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 27: Andrew Miller #48 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during their game at Yankee Stadium on April 27, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
At the conclusion of the 2014 season, Brian Cashman certainly knew his team was approaching a pivot point. After missing the postseason for the first time since 2008, the Yankees GM was tasked with replacing a franchise icon — Derek Jeter, whose retirement represented the end of an era. To this end, Cashman swung a three-team trade for Arizona’s Didi Gregorius, a little-known shortstop who the team hoped could fill the captain’s shoes. Much of the narrative around the team that offseason revolved around this crucial decision. But another offseason acquisition would prove nearly as exemplary.
Andrew Miller Signing Date: December 5, 2014 Contract: Four years, $36 million
After a historic run at the University of North Carolina, Andrew Miller was as close to a sure-thing prospect as they come. The Tigers took the 6-foot-7 lefty sixth overall in the 2006 MLB Draft. After he made just three outings at Class-A, Detroit could wait no longer to see their phenom in the midst of a pennant race, calling him up to the bigs for an eight-game stint to end the year, with his debut coming on August 30th at Yankee Stadium.
Perhaps due in part to this meteoric rise, Baseball America ranked Miller as the 10th-best prospect in baseball entering the 2007 season. He struggled in 13 starts that year but, at the age of 22, still appeared destined for success.
That’s when the Tigers made him available as the centerpiece of an all-time blockbuster that would alter the fortunes of two franchises. In the deal that netted them Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, Detroit shipped their former top prospect off to the Marlins. But, after he posted a 5.89 ERA in 220 innings across three seasons, Florida threw in the towel too, pawning Miller off on the Red Sox. When he fared no better in his first season in Boston, the former can’t-miss prospect appeared to be a textbook bust.
That’s when the Red Sox made a decision that would resurrect Miller’s career. As he approached his 27th birthday, Boston converted their failed starter into a full-time reliever. The lanky lefty excelled in his new role, leveraging his arm talent into nearly-doubled strikeout rates from his days in the rotation. After two-and-a-half years as a key cog in Boston’s bullpen, they flipped him once again at the 2014 trade deadline, this time to the Orioles in a trade that brought back Eduardo Rodríguez. He quickly became a Baltimore folk hero of sorts, allowing just three runs in 20 innings as the Orioles took the division before holding opponents to just one hit and no runs in 7.1 playoff innings.
A free agent after this remarkable campaign, the player who’d nearly pitched his way out of baseball was now a hot commodity once again. With the Yankees losing their incumbent closer David Robertson to free agency, they were in the market for a top bullpen arm to pair with Dellin Betances. With Robertson commanding $46 million from the White Sox, Cashman instead made a savvy pivot to a slightly more cost-effective option, signing Miller to a four-year, $36 million contract. He revealed after the fact that his new fireman had an offer on the table elsewhere for $40 million that he eschewed for the chance to pitch in the pinstripes.
In addition to the money differential, the ability to pair Miller with the even-taller Betances — who stood six-foot-eight — may have driven Cashman’s decision. “I was taught the bigger, the better,” Cashman said. “It doesn’t always play out that way, but I like big power pitchers, so I do have a lot of those types, and I’ve always gravitated to those types.”
Cashman initially demurred when asked which of his two bullpen giants would close upon the signing. “I’m not in that mode,” the GM said. “I’m actually in the mode of, well, this was an opportunity too good to pass up, especially without a draft pick attached to it. It protects us and gives us diversification and reinforces our efforts to continue to have a strong bullpen.”
Manager Joe Girardi reinforced this, indicating the team would begin the year alternating between Miller and Betances in the ninth based on matchups. But Miller put this tandem to rest quickly, tearing off a 17.2-inning scoreless streak to begin his Yankees tenure. By the time he allowed his first run, he’d saved 13 games and was firmly entrenched as the team’s closer. He’d finish the season with a 2.04 ERA in 61.2 innings en route to the Mariano Rivera Relief Pitcher of the Year Award, the first Yankee to take home the honor since it was renamed for their franchise’s icon.
The following offseason, the Yankees somewhat surprisingly unseated their newly feted closer, trading for Aroldis Chapman from the Reds and installing the Cuban Missile in the ninth. Miller was even more effective in a setup role, pitching to a 1.39 ERA through July as he earned his first All-Star berth. Along with Chapman and Betances, Miller formed a trio known as “No Runs DMC,” a fearsome late-game combination that struck out 41.8 percent of opponents during their time together.
“I had the best seat in the house for probably the two most electric pitchers in baseball,“ Miller later said humbly of his partnership with Chapman and Betances.
Unfortunately, the team’s fortunes did not follow their bullpen’s. At the Trade Deadline, sitting at .500 and seven games back of the division lead, the Yankees commenced a fire sale that included trades of Miller, Chapman, Carlos Beltrán, and Ivan Nova. The rare rebuild allowed the Yankees to import a bevy of talent, headlined by Gleyber Torres in the Chapman trade.
For Miller, their haul from Cleveland included Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Ben Heller, and J.P. Feyereisen, a king’s ransom in the context of how well-regarded Frazier and Sheffield were at the time. The talented Frazier would spend a frustrating and controversial five years with New York, while Sheffield ended up getting flipped for James Paxton, who struggled with injuries during his two years in pinstripes but was mostly effective when healthy, including a memorable six-inning, one-run start in Game 5 of the 2019 ALCS to keep the Yankees’ season alive.
For his part, Miller continued his run of dominance, pitching to a 1.48 ERA through his first year-and-a-half in Cleveland. He was a rubber-armed playoff hero during their run to the 2016 AL pennant, winning ALCS MVP honors and recording a 1.40 ERA across 10 games and 19.1 innings, pitching in just about any scenario and not running out of steam until the climactic World Series Game 7 against the Cubs. Back for more playoff action the following October, he was matched up against his old Yankees teammates in a memorable ALDS. The veteran allowed just one run in five innings, but it was an iconic lefty-on-lefty solo homer off the bat of Greg Bird that broke a scoreless tie in the seventh inning of Game 3 to key the Yankees’ series comeback from down 2-0.
After parts of three seasons in Cleveland, Miller pitched for three more years in St. Louis before retiring at the age of 36. In a testament to his determination, the former bust took a circuitous route to finally realizing his vast potential. And, while his time in New York was brief, it ranks among the most dominant runs of relief work in the franchise’s history.
See more of the “50 Most Notable Yankees Free Agent Signings in 50 Years” series here.
The Kansas City Royals' Alcides Escobar (2) dances his way back to home after running to first base during base running drills at spring training in Surprise, Arizona, Saturday, February 25, 2012. (John Sleezer/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
We’re trying a new series at Royals Review, a daily mid-day question of the day to hear about your opinions on a fun or pressing question affecting the Royals or baseball in general. Chime in and drop your answers below!
Spring training is here! Pitchers and catchers report today, and will have their first workout tomorrow, with the first full squad workout on Monday. The first spring training game will be on February 20 against the Rangers, as the team tunes up for the season opener on March 27.
Now that spring training is upon us, there are certain storylines Royals fans will be most interested in, such as:
Los Angeles, CA - May 30: Fresno State Head Coach Ryan Overland (left) walks up to the mound at the NCAA baseball regional tournament game between UCLA and Fresno State at Jackie Robinson Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
As we continue our preseason coverage of the 2026 Mountain West baseball season, our next stop is our preseason conference team.
The Mountain West awarded five Nevada players on its preseason team, as San Jose State trailed with three, and Fresno State, Washington State, Air Force, UNLV and New Mexico had one representative each.
MW Connection Preseason Team
C- Walker Zapp, Sr, Air Force
Zapp capped his 2025 campaign as Air Force’s offensive catalyst, hitting .330 with 65 hits, 18 doubles, five triples, seven homers and 43 RBIs while adding eight steals and anchoring the Falcon lineup. Against Mountain West pitching, he produced 37 hits and 26 RBIs, showing he can be a run producer even from the catcher spot.
Behind the plate, Zapp started all 51 games, threw out 11 would-be runners and posted a .970 fielding percentage, giving Air Force both offensive punch and defensive leadership. With his game-calling and experience, he enters 2026 as one of the league’s most respected backstops.
1B- Griffen Sotomayor, Sr, Fresno State
Sotomayor enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, batting .330 with 68 hits, 16 doubles, seven home runs, 44 runs scored and 41 RBIs while posting a .519 slugging percentage in his first full year with the Bulldogs. He also delivered nine 3-hit games and showed an ability to swing the bat consistently throughout the lineup.
As a senior first baseman/DH, Sotomayor brings middle-of-the-order power and contact ability to Fresno State’s offense, providing RBI upside and veteran poise. His production will be key as the Bulldogs aim to build off their 2025 postseason.
2B- Jun-Hyuk Kwon, Sr, Nevada
Kwon brings championship experience to second base after helping Nevada capture the 2025 Mountain West regular season title (34-23, 19-11 MW). He slashed .346/.441/.571 with eight home runs, 33 RBIs and 11 doubles. Kwon’s strong defense and consistent contact were key ingredients in a Pack lineup that batted .294 and hit 56 home runs.
His leadership up the middle and baseball instincts make him a stabilizing presence in Nevada’s infield. As a senior second baseman, expect Kwon to be a table-setter and run-producer in key situations for a Wolf Pack team picked to contend again in 2026.
3B- Sean Yamaguchi, So, Nevada
Yamaguchi burst onto the scene as a freshman, batting .324 with 72 hits, 13 doubles, 13 home runs and 50 RBIs, tying a Mountain West freshman home run record and earning Freshman of the Year honors.
His combination of pop and plate discipline gives Nevada a steady middle-order bat, and his defensive confidence at third base adds value on both sides of the ball. As a sophomore, Yamaguchi is poised for an even bigger role in 2026 after a historic debut.
SS- Karsen Waslefsky, Sr, New Mexico
Waslefsky was a key part of the Lobos’ offense that hit .337 last year, as he batted .298 on the season with an .828 OPS, scoring 32 runs on 42 hits while driving in 31. He finished the season with six doubles, one triple and five homers.
Defensively, his fielding percentage was at .959 with 47 putouts and 116 assists on 170 opportunities with just seven errors. As a senior shortstop, his glove and experienced bat will be integral to a Lobo squad hoping to build on its prolific run production.
OF- Khalil Walker, Gr, New Mexico
Walker was one of the Lobos’ most consistent bats in 2025, flirting with a .400 average and ending the year just under .400 with standout slugging and on-base skills. He was among the NCAA’s top hitters in midseason metrics, reflecting his elite bat-to-ball skills and contact rates.
With multiple extra-base hits and terrific on-base ability, Walker will be counted on to provide offense from the top of the order and spark New Mexico’s potent lineup once again.
OF- Max Hartman, Sr, Washington State
Hartman posted a strong 2025 offensive season, hitting around .363/.438/.518, with five home runs and a .475 on-base percentage that made him one of WSU’s most productive bats.
His athleticism in the outfield, paired with a disciplined approach at the plate, gives Washington State a reliable presence atop or in the middle of the lineup. As a senior leader, Hartman’s offensive consistency will be a major asset in conference play.
OF- Alex Fernandes, Sr, San Jose State
Fernandes stood out in 2025 with an advanced offensive profile, hitting .361/.447/.509, which led the Spartans and made him one of the Spartans’ most dangerous hitters. He was also named to the Mountain West All-Tournament Team after recording eight hits and six runs scored across the Tournament’s five games as the team’s leadoff hitter.
His combination of on-base ability and gap power gives SJSU a dynamic presence in the outfield, and as a senior he’ll be counted on to drive in runs and set the table in key spots throughout the season.
UTL- Jayce Dobie, Sr, Nevada
The two-way player had a breakout 2025, batting .339 with 65 hits, 15 doubles, seven homers, and 36 RBIs while also pitching with a 2-2 record and 37 strikeouts over 43 innings.
His rare dual-threat ability as both a hitter and pitcher makes him one of the most versatile players in the Mountain West. As a senior, Dobie’s bat will be a run producer for the Wolf Pack and his flexibility will give Nevada strategic depth all season long.
P- Alessandro Castro, Jr, Nevada
In his 2025 debut campaign, Castro emerged as a weekend starter for Nevada, finishing 4-1 with a 4.39 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 10 Mountain West starts. With some more unknowns on Nevada’s pitching staff, Castro will most likely become the Pack’s Friday night guy.
His ability to miss bats and pitch deep into games provided stability for the Wolf Pack rotation, and entering 2026 Castro will be looked at as an anchor of a staff aiming to repeat as regular-season champions.
P- Carson Lane, Jr, UNLV
Lane was a cornerstone of the UNLV rotation in 2025, posting a 6-4 record with a 4.23 ERA and 85 strikeouts across 78.2 innings.
His experience and ability to win ballgames give the Rebels an established arm at the top of the staff, and as a junior, Lane will be crucial to UNLV’s aspirations to climb the conference standings.
P- Tyler Albanese, Jr, San Jose State
Albanese delivered a strong sophomore season with San José State, finishing 4-3 with a 2.97 ERA over 39.1 innings while striking out 56 batters across 39.1 innings. He also picked up nine saves, showing poise and strike-throwing ability out of the bullpen or as a starter.
As a junior, his demonstrated command and consistency make him one of the more reliable arms in the Mountain West heading into 2026.
P- Tyler Patrick, So, Fresno State
Patrick went 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 38 innings. He was a key contributor to Fresno State’s pitching staff during a season that saw the Bulldogs return to postseason play. He owned the lowest ERA for a freshman during the 2025 season. Patrick pitched 3.0 innings out of the bullpen in a high-stakes extra innings game against Nevada during the Mountain West Championship, keeping the Wolf Pack scoreless in extra innings and allowing the Bulldogs to win.
Looking ahead, Patrick’s youth and experience from a full season give him the chance to be a breakout arm for Fresno State in 2026.
BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 06: Kennesaw State QB Amari Odom (2) runs with the ball during a college football game between the Kennesaw State Owls and Indiana Hoosiers on September 06, 2025 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Syracuse Orange didn’t add any big names in the transfer portal and while that has left fans wondering if Fran Brown failed to reload, The Athletic feels that the Orange did enough good last month.
In a ranking of ACC schools, Syracuse was given a B- grade as The Athletic pointed out that the Orange lost 28 players with 7,234 career snaps and replaced them with 18 players with 10,249 career snaps. It’s an interesting stat as it shows that Syracuse may have lost potential, but might have added experience and stability. I think the jury is out on the offensive line as that’s one position where the Orange only added one new transfer.
Here’s what The Athletic had to say:
Fran Brown lost quarterback Steve Angeli to a knee injury and proceeded to lose eight straight games to end the season. He didn’t mess around with the position this cycle, signing three quarterbacks, including Odom, who led Kennesaw State to the 2025 Conference USA championship. Adding Weaver (45 catches, 642 yards) and Meyers (32 catches, 357 yards) helps relieve the sting a little of losing top receivers Darrell Gill Jr. and Johntay Cook II to Ole Miss. It’s on defense, though, where Brown and general manager Tommy Caporale did their best work, adding four former FBS starters to a unit that struggled mightily in 2025.
Four ACC teams landed in The Athletic’s ranking of the top 20 classes in the country, and Syracuse was tied for 7th-best grade. Here is how the rest of the ACC were graded:
BC: C
California: B+ (ranked 15th overall)
Clemson: D
Duke: D
Florida State: D
Georgia Tech: C
Louisville: B+(ranked 14th overall)
Miami: A (ranked 5th overall)
NC State: C
North Carolina: D
Pittsburgh: D
SMU: B
Stanford: D
Virginia: B
Virginia Tech: B+(ranked 20th overall)
Wake Forest: B-
What transfer are you most excited to see in action next year?
Metz supporters light flares as they cheer their team on from the stands ahead of the French L1 - L2 playoff first leg football match between FC Metz and Stade de Reims at the Saint-Symphorien Stadium in Metz, northeastern France, on May 21, 2025. (Photo by Jean-Christophe VERHAEGEN / AFP) (Photo by JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Newcastle United will not sign Patrick Zabi after the midfielder opted to remain in France, according to a report by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope.
Hope reported that Newcastle had worked on a potential deal for the 19-year-old Reims midfielder ahead of the deadline.
“Newcastle have missed out on the signing of Patrick Zabi, the 19-year-old Reims midfielder,” Hope wrote. “While there was work done on the deal on deadline day, it was not a case of the clock beating them, given it would have been a move for the summer.”
Hope wrote that it was not a case of time running out, as the move would have been for the summer.
The report said Zabi’s representatives informed interested clubs that the player preferred to stay in France rather than move to England or Germany.
It was later confirmed by Hope that Zabi has agreed a £21.5m end-of-season move to Paris FC, PSG’s cross-street rivals.
Team USA will be well represented in the 2026 Olympics, with teams competing in several high-profile events. One of the fan favorites from the Winter Games is curling.
Team USA earned a berth in the men's and women's tournaments by winning an Olympic qualification event. The United States has won only two curling medals in its history. The men's team won the gold medal at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, while the women's team in Turin in 2006 took home the bronze.
The United States is still looking for its first-ever medal in women's curling and in mixed doubles. This year, Team USA has a team competing in all three events in the sport, giving them their best chance in years at competing for the gold medal.
Here are the latest results and updated scores for Team USA's men's, women's, and mixed doubles curling teams at the 2026 Winter Games.
Team USA's curling events will all be live-streamed on Peacock. Some of the events will be televised, and if they are, will air on the USA Network or CNBC. NBC Olympics has the full curling schedule and you can filter events by TV only or TV and streaming.
Kade Strowd. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Inspiration.
The Diamondbacks traded away Blaze Alexander. Many months ago, I saw the possibility that he might outperform Jordan Lawlar. Was it my tendency to root for the underdog? Now, my view is that the two were going to be worlds apart. Therefore, the loss by trading him away was small.
The big question: Will Kade Strowd make an impact? How does he compare to other Diamondback pitchers?
The Daily Question About the Trade.
My grade for the trade was A. The bullpen may be the weakest link in the team. By strengthening the weakest link, Kade Strowd will likely positively impact wins more than Blaze would have.
After deciding five metrics that the Diamondbacks need from the bullpen pitchers, I compared Strowd to Clarke and Loaisiga (minor league contract, but I’m very optimistic he will earn a spot the opening day bullpen). Strowd was better in 4 of the 5 metrics, which increased my grade.
In the trade, the Diamondbacks received two extra players (Wellington Aracena and Jose Mejia), who could make a future impact. These players increased my grade.
Three Recently Acquired Pitchers.
Let’s compare Kade Strowd to Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loaisiga.
A caveat is that Taylor Clarke could have a different role (last season he sometimes closed and sometimes pitched two innings). Therefore, comparing him to Kade Strowd and Jonathan Loaisiga might be like comparing apples to oranges. Let’s do it anyway.
First, what will we compare?
Foundational Requirements. The two requirements are fastball (FB) velocity of at least 94 MPH (graphically correlated with success of Diamondbacks relief pitchers) and xERA of less than 4.82 (last season’s average ERA for Diamondbacks relief pitchers per Baseball Reference). Each of the three pitchers meet the foundational requirements.
Ground Balls to Third Base. With the addition of Nolan Arenado at third base, I would look for pitchers with high ground ball rates, and especially high ground ball rates to third base. Each of the three pitchers has a high rate of ground balls to third base. However, Kade Strowd is a level above the other two pitchers.
On 21 January, when I searched for possible relief pitchers to acquire, only Brad Keller (who had been acquired by the Phillies in December) had a higher percentage of ground balls to third base. On this metric, Kade Strowd is among the best in the Majors.
Hard Hit Percentage per Baseball Savant. In general, pitchers who limit batters’ hard hits will be most successful, especially when their team emphasizes great defense like the Diamondbacks. Kade Strowd is at a stellar level, better than the other two pitchers. Last season, all but 27 qualified batters had a season average better than Kade Strowd’s 31.3 hard hit percentage. On this metric, Kade Strowd is among the best in the Majors.
Worth note is that Diamondback Geraldo Perdomo is an exception to the rule. Despite his 31.9% hard hits, my view is that he is an exceptional batter.
Strikeouts Minus Walks. This metric has higher predictive power (of future pitching performance) than is generally known. That’s why I decided to instead look at (strikeouts minus walks) divided by PAs, instead of walk rate.
Taylor Clarke was at a higher level than the other two pitchers. Strowd’s .105 was very slightly below last season’s Diamondbacks average of .11.
Got-The-Job-Done (GTJD). For years, I’ve applied this metric when writing about relief pitchers. GTJD is defined as the percentage of appearances with allowing an earned run and without allowing an inherited runner to score.
Kade Strowd’s 80% GTJD was outstanding. It was higher than the other two pitchers.
Homers per PA. Kade Strowd’s .010 homers per PA was outstanding. It was much higher than the other two pitchers.
Kade Strowd’s homers per PA may not be sustainable next season. Nevertheless, it will likely be better than average.
The following table shows the comparison of the three pitchers. Circled are two important metrics for Kade Strowd. Data from Baseball Savant and Baseball Reference.
Pitch Selection.
At the top level, Kade Strowd pitches about 40% cutters, Taylor Clarke pitches 40% sliders, and Jonathan Loaisiga pitches mostly sinkers. Nevertheless, each of the pitchers seems to have a wider variety of pitches than the typical reliever. The following tables compare Kade Strowd to Taylor Clarke and Jonathan Loaisiga. Data from Baseball Savant.
What did Mike Hazen say?
“Felt like he [Kade Strowd] took a pretty big step forward last year at the very end of the season. We like his stuff and he adds into the bullpen mix that we have — guys that have some flexibility.”— Mike Hazen
“He [Taylor Clarke] was very consistent. He had a really good second half. We feel like he pounds the strike zone. We think he could fit into that longer role, multiple-inning, one-plus role. We feel like there’s versatility there. Obviously, we know the makeup and have a long history with him. Good fit for us.” — Mike Hazen
“I think he’s [Jonathan Loaisiga] got great stuff. We’ve always liked him from afar.” — Mike Hazen
Summary.
The Diamondbacks traded for Kade Strowd. He will make an impact on the bullpen, the weakest link on the team
After deciding five metrics that the Diamondbacks need from the bullpen pitchers, I compared Strowd to Clarke and Loaisiga. Strowd was better in 4 of the 5 metrics, including Got-The-Job-Done, which is important for relief pitchers. His excellent homers per PA was so good that it is likely unsustainable. Furthermore, Strowd was among the best in the league in most ground balls to third base and least hard-hit percentage.
Strowd pitches about 40% cutters, with four additional types of pitches.
Mike Hazen said that at the end of last season, Kade Strowd took a pretty big step forward.
When Michigan announced its spring captains earlier this month, the inclusion of defensive tackle Trey Pierce quietly stood out as one of the more surprising — yet, in hindsight, obvious — selections.
Under new head coach Kyle Whittingham, Michigan is reshaping its identity on both sides of the ball. On defense, however, one reality stands out: the interior defensive line is thin, and proven production is limited. That reality instantly elevates Pierce into a role that requires him to be a foundational piece in 2026. Michigan can scheme around youth in the secondary, but what it cannot afford is instability in the middle of the front.
That’s where Pierce becomes essential. In 2025, he was one of the anchors of a run defense that finished among the nation’s top units, holding opponents to less than 112 rushing yards per game. Like any good interior lineman, Pierce won’t light up the stat sheet, but he consistently holds the point of attack and prevents offensive lines from climbing cleanly to the second level — the kind of work that’s invisible until it’s missing.
And heading into 2026, Michigan cannot afford for one of its longest-tenured strengths to go missing.
Pierce’s 2025 tape shows exactly why Michigan will be so dependent on him in 2026. He has started 13 straight games and has appeared in 39 games during his career. His overall run defense grade is the best among all returning Michigan defenders, and notably higher than Michigan’s lone interior transfer addition this offseason in Jonah Lea’ea. Additionally, Pierce tallied more than 400 defensive snaps last season and grades out as one of Michigan’s highest-rated returning defenders overall. In fact, only Rayshaun Benny posted higher marks at the position in 2025.
That distinction matters even more when you look at the roster behind him. Right now, Michigan’s interior depth projects to lean on Enow Etta, Manuel Biegel, Chibi Anwunah and Deyvid Palepale. All are developmental players, and none have proven they can carry starter-level volume. Unless another defensive lineman is added before the fall, Pierce is far and away the most experienced option in the room.
With turnover across multiple defensive position groups, Michigan needs at least one rock-solid, plug-and-play presence in the middle. Pierce is the closest thing the Wolverines have to that, and now is his time to grasp the opportunity in front of him.
Ten teams to watch in college baseball in 2026, listed in alphabetical order with 2025 record:
Arkansas (50-15)
Dave Van Horn fields winning and usually elite teams year after year, so don't bet against him finding a way to put together a College World Series-worthy team despite having to replace the entire outfield and weekend rotation. Gabe Gaeckle fills the Friday night starter's role, which he held the first month of last season before moving to the bullpen. Ryan Helfrick is one of the nation's best catchers.
Coastal Carolina (56-13)
The Chanticleers, who strung together 26 wins in a row before getting swept by LSU in the CWS finals, will continue to rely on pitching and defense and an opportunistic offense. Cameron Flukey anchors the weekend rotation after going 8-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 101 2/3 innings. Coastal batters were hit by pitches a Division I-record 176 times.
Georgia Tech (41-19)
D1Baseball touts the Yellow Jackets' lineup as the best overall in the country with Drew Burress ranked No. 1 center fielder, Jarren Advincula the No. 2 second baseman and Vahn Lackey the No. 2 catcher. Kent Schmidt (.397) leads a group of seven players who batted at least .300. Tate McKee anchors a pitching staff that will determine how far this team goes.
Louisville (42-24)
The Cardinals made a nice postseason run, going 2-2 at the CWS, and they bring back many of the key pieces. Lefty Ethan Eberle had a strong freshman season and succeeds strikeout machine Patrick Forbes as the Friday night starter. The offense has strength and speed. Tague Davis and Zion Rose combined for 31 homers, and Lucas Moore led the nation with 53 steals.
LSU (53-15)
The Tigers have won two of the last three national championships and are set up to make another run. Derek Curiel is a projected top-10 draft pick and will play center in what stacks up to be the best outfield in the country. LSU, which lost Kade Anderson (No. 3 draft pick), has a rising in star in Friday night starter Casan Evans, who repeatedly came through in high-pressure situations out of the bullpen as a freshman.
Mississippi State (36-23)
Lots of eyes will be on the Bulldogs with Brian O'Connor taking over after 22 seasons at Virginia. His transfer class is one of the best in the country. Tomas Valincius, projected to be the No. 1 starter, is among five players who followed O'Connor from Virginia. Kevin Milewski hit 16 homers for Seton Hall and Drew Wyers batted .407 at Bryant, where he was America East player of the year. Ace Reese (.352, 21 HRs) is among 15 holdovers.
Tennessee (46-19)
Another team that will draw lots of eyeballs with Josh Elander taking over after the San Francisco Giants hired away Tony Vitello to be their manager. Elander was Vitello's right-hand man as the Volunteers evolved into an elite program, but he inherits a team that has significant holes to fill. Tegan Kuhns, who made 10 starts as a freshman, gets the ball for the opener. Virginia transfer Henry Ford, one of the top players in the ACC the last two years, adds pop.
TCU (39-20)
The Horned Frogs are set up for a deep postseason run after they made the NCAA Tournament with a young core of players. Big 12 preseason player of the year Sawyer Strosnider was the first freshman since 2001 to post a quadruple-double with 13 doubles, 10 triples, 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Friday night starter Tommy LaPour led the Frogs with eight wins and had a 3.09 ERA over 16 starts and was 6-0 in Big 12 games.
Texas (44-14)
The pitching staff is loaded and led by 2025 All-American Dylan Volantis, who moves from the closer's role to Friday night starter, and transfers Carson Tinney and Aiden Robbins bolster the offense. Volantis posted a 1.94 ERA and opponent batting average of .185 as a freshman. Tinney batted .348 with 17 homers for Notre Dame, and Robbins was in the top 10 nationally with a .422 batting average and .537 on-base percentage for Seton Hall.
UCLA (48-18)
John Savage is an old-school coach who likes to develop his own talent and go to the transfer portal sparingly, and that served him well with his current group. The Bruins are well-positioned for a big season with all but one everyday starter back. It all starts with SS Roch Cholowsky, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the MLB draft. San Diego transfer Logan Reddemann, one of two players brought in through the portal, is the No. 1 pitcher. Freshman pitcher Angel Cervantes is highest-drafted player (No. 50) to choose to go to college.
It was a bounce-back season for Travis Etienne, who eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the third time in his career. He rushed for seven touchdowns and averaged 4.3 yards per rush.
Etienne's ability to move around pre-snap and operate in space made him a good fit for Liam Coen's offensive scheme.
Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen shared the backup running back role. Tuten brought added juice to the position, while Allen primarily handled pass-blocking duties.
The running backs were also involved in the passing game relatively often. Etienne had 52 targets, while Tuten and Allen combined for 25 targets.
However, while Etienne and the run game shouldered the offensive workload early on in the season, it was tough sledding on the ground during the second half of the year.
Overall, the Jaguars ranked 27th in yards per rush. From Week 10 on, there were five games where Etienne failed to rush for over 60 yards. The running lanes that were there early on were hard to find down the stretch.
What is the offseason need in 2026?
If Etienne ends up signing elsewhere, running back will have to be addressed this offseason. In this scenario, Tuten and Allen will lead the way, but depth and competition behind them will be needed -- although whether it's in free agency or the draft, premium capital shouldn't have to be spent on this position.
Now, the big question is whether or not Etienne returns. My guess is that after investing draft picks into Tuten and Allen in 2025, the Jaguars roll with those two as their top backs.
In addition to that, while it can be improved, the Jaguars aren't in a great salary cap situation at the moment, so Jacksonville may be better off devoting the cap resources they do have to other positions.
The San Diego Padres quietly made an addition from Nippon Professional Baseball in January.
According to his MLB.com profile, right-hander Daichi Moriki signed a minor league contract with the NL West club. The 22-year-old was assigned to the Arizona Complex League.
Moriki made his NPB debut with the Hanshin Tigers in 2022 and has not appeared with the top team in the Pacific League since. In 14 games with the Tigers' farm team in 2025, he posted an ugly 13.81 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 18 walks in 14.1 innings.
San Diego is taking a chance with Moriki
Moriki's contract with the Padres is a minor move, in reality. Given his poor numbers on the farm in Japan last year, he's unlikely to see time on the mound at the Major League level this upcoming season.
To start, he will face other rookies and recent draft picks in the Arizona Complex League. There is no indication that his contract includes an invitation to Major League spring training.
This offseason, the Padres were linked to Japanese third baseman Kazuma Okamoto before he and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal.
Ben Ogden, of the United States celebrates after winning the silver medal in the cross-country skiing men's sprint classic at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Tesero, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader) (Matthias Schrader/Associated Press)
A 50-year medal drought for United States men in Olympic cross country skiing was ended Tuesday by Vermont's Ben Ogden.
Ogden, a 25-year-old from Landgrove, Vt. in Bennington County, took the silver medal in the men's individual sprint in Tesero, Italy, becoming the first American man to reach an Olympic podium since fellow Vermont native Bill Koch took silver in the 30-kilometer event at the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
Skiing in his second Winter Olympics, Ogden was the second-fastest in qualifying in the individual sprint - which takes place over one lap of a 1.585-kilometer course - behind Norwegian superstar Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo.
Ogden then won his quarterfinal heat and was third in his semifinal behind Klaeo and Finland's Lauri Vuorinen. Only the top two finishers from each semifinal advanced automatically into the final, but Ogden was able to qualify based on time.
In the six-skier final, Ogden, Klaebo and Norway's Oskar Opstad Vike quickly pulled away from the other three competitors. While Klaebo, now a seven-time Olympic gold medalist who is attempting to sweep every men's cross country skiing gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, pulled away with a devastating turn of speed going up a hill, Ogden was able to keep himself in medal contention and eventually pulled clear of Vike.
Klaebo won the gold, cruising to victory in three minutes, 39.74 seconds without putting in much effort in the finishing straight. Ogden charged home to take second, 0.87 seconds behind Klaebo and nearly six seconds ahead of bronze medalist Vike.
Ogden, a former NCAA champion at the University of Vermont, was one of two former Catamounts to earn a medal on Tuesday. Former Vermont Alpine skier Paula Moltzan took bronze in the women's team combined event alongside Jacqueline Wiles. Moltzan skied the slalom portion of the event after Wiles skied the downhill.
Moltzan and Wiles took bronze by 0.06 seconds ahead of the second American team of Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin.
The Detroit Tigers announced some incredibly awesome news on Tuesday, with Justin Verlander coming back to the Tigers on a one-year, $13 million contract.
After an offseason of uncertainty about the Tigers heading into 2026, and whether they would be serious contenders or not, this Verlander announcement was final confirmation that the Tigers were serious about contending in 2026.
It's an incredible signing for the Tigers, and combined with their addition of Framber Valdez earlier in the offseason, and Tarik Skubal already a part of the rotation, the Tigers' rotation might be the best in Major League Baseball.
Tigers' 2026 rotation might be best in MLB after Verlander signing
The Tigers added Verlander and Valdez this offseason. With Jack Flaherty coming back and Skubal still leading the rotation, the 2026 projected starting rotation in Detroit looks incredible.
This new-look rotation has a great combination of lefty pitchers in Skubal, Valdez, and Mize, and two quality righties in Verlander and Flaherty.
What this rotation doesn't even include is the Tigers' incredible depth. Jackson Jobe and Reese Olson, while both injured, could be great depth pieces later in the year.
Drew Anderson is a quality long reliever, while Ty Madden, Troy Melton, Keider Montero, and Sawyer Gipson-Long are all waiting for wins in the minor leagues.
While the Boston Red Sox's rotation has been talked about this offseason as the best in Major League Baseball, the Tigers now have a compelling case.
Not only do they have the aces in Skubal and Valdez, and some quality middle of the rotation arms in Verlander, Flaherty, and Mize, but their depth is also great as well.
This offseason began with questions surrounding whether the Tigers would even contend with a looming Skubal trade. And now, not only does a Skubal trade seem very unlikely, but the Tigers have added Valdez and Verlander to a now-dominant rotation.
⚠️Alarm at Real Madrid: Bellingham’s injury could be more serious
The medical outlook for the "White House" has become significantly more complicated. After the initial assessments of Jude Bellingham's recent injury, the news is not encouraging for the team led by Álvaro Arbeloa. What initially appeared to be a brief absence now seems to have turned into a long-term problem that will alter the club's plans during the decisive stretch of the season.
A recovery time that doubles
According to journalist Ramón Álvarez de Mon, the current feeling is that the English midfielder will not be out of action for just one month, as was initially speculated. New estimates suggest that the recovery period could extend to as long as two months. This extension in healing time is a heavy blow, as Bellingham is the creative engine and an irreplaceable piece in Madrid’s lineup.
Impact on the key calendar
If this eight-week prognosis is confirmed, Real Madrid would lose their star for crucial matches in both LaLiga and the knockout stages of the Champions League. The medical staff would opt for a conservative rehabilitation to avoid any kind of relapse, prioritizing the player’s full recovery. Meanwhile, Arbeloa will have to look for solutions within his squad to make up for the goals and physical presence provided by the British number "5".
Charles Bediako’s attorney released a statement Monday after a Tuscaloosa judge denied a request that would have allowed the former Alabama center to continue playing college basketball.
The ruling rejected Bediako’s motion for a preliminary injunction against NCAA eligibility rules, effectively ending his bid to return to the court for the Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team this season. One of Bediako’s attorneys, Darren Heitner, criticized the decision and suggested the legal fight is not over.
“Deeply disappointed in the Tuscaloosa court’s denial of Charles Bediako’s request for an injunction against the NCAA,” Heitner said in a statement on X. “This ruling ignored that an athlete’s NIL value is directly tied to his ability to play, overlooks that NCAA rules do not distinguish between athletes with prior college experience and those without, and contrasts with eligibility grants to many other former pros. We fight on for fairness.”
Bediako, a 7-foot center, spent the last two and a half seasons in the NBA G League after entering the 2023 NBA draft. He originally played two seasons at Alabama before leaving the program.
Alabama coach Nate Oats also expressed disappointment with the ruling, echoing concerns about inconsistencies in NCAA eligibility decisions. He noted that more than 100 current college players with prior professional experience remain eligible, including players whose NBA draft rights are owned by teams.
Bediako initially returned to action in January after being granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA. During that window, he appeared in five games, averaging 10.6 points and 4.6 rebounds while helping Alabama post a 3-2 record.
The ruling closes the door on Bediako’s on-court return, though his legal challenge is expected to continue.
Steve Johnson still finds it hard to wrap his head around what’s unfolded in Emma Raducanu’s career so far.
Raducanu made it to the Transylvania Open final, but couldn’t clinch the title, falling in straight sets to Sorana Cirstea.
Even with the loss, she still saw a boost in her WTA ranking. After her defeat in Cluj-Napoca, Johnson commented on a stat about Raducanu that he called “crazy.”
Steve Johnson shares why he’s baffled by Emma Raducanu’s career path
Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images
Raducanu, who famously won the US Open back in 2021, hadn’t appeared in another final until her recent run at the Transylvania Open.
Speaking about this on the Nothing Major podcast, Sam Querrey said he was caught off guard by that fact, while John Isner and Johnson also chimed in on her unusual career trajectory.
“I found this a little surprising,” said Querrey. “This is only the second final of Raducanu’s career.”
Isner replied: “There are not many comps for Raducanu’s career thus far. Just a big US Open final out of nowhere coming through qualies, wins it and then doesn’t make a final again for four years.”
Johnson followed up: “2021 US Open and this are her only two finals on Tour, which is crazy. It is crazy. She kind of has done her career backwards. She came on to the scene, won the biggest tournament of her career first and has now had the growing pains after.
“It’s good to be in the final but it’s crazy she has not been in another final since the 2021 US Open.”
Cirstea was a deserving winner as she produced one of her best matches for quite some time against Raducanu.
This happened again last week against Cirstea as she got blown away once again by a player ranked inside WTA top 30.
What’s next on the schedule for Emma Raducanu?
Despite not feeling her best during the Transylvania Open, Raducanu made the trip to Doha for the Qatar Open.
Playing just two days after her final in Cluj-Napoca, she was still visibly unwell and ended up retiring from her match against Camila Osorio.
Raducanu has yet to win a match at the Qatar Open, but there are plenty of opportunities ahead for her to turn things around.
Next up is Dubai, where she’ll compete in another WTA 1000 event as part of a busy stretch that also includes Indian Wells and Miami next month.
The Dubai Tennis Championships start on Sunday, February 15th. It’s one of four straight WTA 1000 tournaments on Raducanu’s schedule.
The NFL has seen the conclusion of the season arrive due to the Seattle Seahawks winning Super Bowl LX so we now have solid footing as it relates to the NFL Draft. In the process, teams emerged as contenders, others sank, and through it all, team needs have started to unfold as their front offices get ready for the NFL Draft that will be here before we know it.
As we did with Summer scouting, we want Bucs fans to be the most knowledgeable fans. To do that, you need to have some well-rounded football awareness, and this helps with that. With that in mind, here is the draft order as the league works through the playoffs.
Note: The draft order is set following the conclusion of the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl LX according to Tankathon.
Ladies, be aware that your 2027 Valentine's Day could be interrupted by men in sports attire because next year's Super Bowl falls on Feb. 14.
While Valentine’s Day is already a day filled with planning and advance reservations, next year may require twice the organization.
The 2026 Super Bowl ended with a triumphant Seattle Seahawks win, 29-13, over the New England Patriots. Now, sports fans want to know where the Super Bowl is headed.
Here is everything readers should know about the 2027 Super Bowl.
Where will the 2027 Super Bowl be held?
The 61st Super Bowl, or Super Bowl LXI, will be played for the second time at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Super Bowl LVI, 56, was hosted at the same stadium on Feb. 13, 2022, with the Los Angeles Rams beating the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20.
The SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, Calif., and opened in 2020. It is not only the home field of the Rams, but also of the Los Angeles Chargers.
According to the stadium's website, SoFi Stadium, at 3.1 million square feet, is the largest stadium in the NFL.
Which holidays fall near Super Bowl Sunday?
For those football lovers who might party a little too hard on Super Bowl Sunday 2027 or may be exhausted from the double celebration, you may be in luck.
In addition to Valentine's Day and Super Bowl Sunday 2027 falling on Feb. 14, the next day is a federal holiday – meaning a day off.
President’s Day 2027 will be on Monday, Feb. 15, giving people just one more day to rest.
Typically, Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday in February annually. It used to be a holiday celebrating George Washington’s birthday, but now it is a day to commemorate each U.S. president.
Curling can be one of the most exciting Olympic events.
Despite being played at the original Winter Games in 1932, the event then spent nearly six decades solely as a demonstration event, with scores being irrelevant. Curling officially returned to the Olympics in 1992, and since then, the United States has had at least one team compete in the event.
Team USA is not historically known for its curling, with only one gold medal across men's, women's and mixed doubles in team history heading into the 2026 Winter Games.
The United States qualified for all three curling events at the Olympics, with Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse being charged with mixed doubles duty. The USA has never medaled in mixed doubles, but Dropkin and Thiesse played their way to a win in the bronze medal game, guaranteeing the United States' first-ever medal in the event regardless of the gold medal game result.
With three Olympic curling events to compete in, here is more on how the United States has fared in the sport at the Olympics.
Yes, the United States has won a gold medal in the three events it has participated in. The lone gold medal win for the United States came in men's curling at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. Heading into the 2026 Olympics, the U.S. has never won a gold medal in either women's or mixed doubles curling.
Last USA curling Olympic gold medal
The last time the USA won a gold medal in the Olympics was in 2018. The United States played nine games during the round-robin portion of the tournament and went 5-4. Despite this being barely a winning record, the U.S. qualified for the playoffs as the third-place team.
They took on Canada in the semifinals and won 5-3. The United States held a 4-3 lead heading into the final end and notched one point to secure the 5-3 victory. This clinched the country's first-ever berth in the gold medal game.
The United States then faced Sweden in the gold medal game. When they played in the round-robin portion of that year's tournament, Sweden dominated, winning 10-4.
Heading into the eighth end of the gold medal match, the score was tied 5-5. Sweden imploded in the eighth end, and the United States put up a five-spot for a commanding lead. Sweden even took two back in the ninth end to make it 10-7, but with the U.S. holding the hammer for the final end, Sweden opted to concede, which is common in curling when a lead seems insurmountable.
It was the first time that the United States had ever won a gold medal in men's curling, and marked just the second overall curling medal for the country.
The United States men's curling team has been the most productive of the country's curling teams. They took gold in 2018 but also earned two bronze medals (1992 and 2006). Team USA made the playoffs in both 1998 and 2022, but fell in the bronze medal game those years.
The United States women's curling teams haven't had the same consistent success. They have yet to make the podium for the event, with the best finish being fourth in 2002.
Team USA's women's team has also finished fifth once, sixth once, eighth twice and 10th twice in the program's history.
Mixed doubles curling was introduced in 2018. The United States finished the inaugural event in sixth place in 2018 and then took a step back in 2022. In 2026, however, the mixed doubles team made it to the gold medal game, ensuring that Team USA's mixed doubles team would receive its first medal in the event.
During the 2026 round-robin portion of the tournament, Thiesse and Dropkin combined to go 6-3 in Team USA's nine games. This earned the United States the third spot in the playoffs, pitting them against Italy in a huge matchup. Team USA finished strong, scoring two points in the final end to advance to the gold medal game against Sweden.
The United States lost 6-5 in that game, but still earned its first-ever medal in the event. With the women's team never making the podium, Cory Thiesse became the first American woman to ever medal in curling.
Report: Liverpool have joined the race to sign £55m midfielder
Liverpool Join Race for Sandro Tonali as Midfield Plans Evolve
Liverpool’s recruitment team rarely move without purpose, so fresh claims from Spain have quickly caught attention across the Premier League landscape. Credit to Fichajes for the original report suggesting that the Reds have entered the race for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, a player whose profile continues to attract elite interest.
Signed from AC Milan for £55m in 2023, the Italy international has again become a talking point after recent whispers that his representative sounded out alternative options late in the January window. Now, attention has shifted to whether Anfield could become a realistic destination.
Interest Intensifies Across Premier League
Fichajes state that Liverpool are not alone, with Arsenal and Manchester City also ‘coveted’ admirers of the 25-year-old. It is further suggested that Arne Slot views Tonali as a ‘perfect fit for his dynamic, fast-paced, transition-oriented system’, a description that aligns with Liverpool’s continued emphasis on athletic midfield control.
Financially, the Merseyside club are reportedly confident they could meet the player’s wage expectations without disturbing their existing structure. That element is often decisive when competing with other Champions League calibre sides.
Tonali’s own stance introduces another layer. Reports indicate his preference may be a return to Italy for ‘familiy stability’ following the birth of his first child last month. However, the economics of any move appear to place Serie A clubs at a disadvantage for now.
Photo: IMAGO
Profile Built on Technique and Control
Since arriving at St James’ Park, Tonali has demonstrated an impressive balance of physical output and technical authority. Eddie Howe previously noted that the midfielder has stylistically ‘similar qualities’ to Italian legend Andrea Pirlo, high praise that reflects his influence from deeper areas.
Data supports that reputation. Over the past year he has ranked among the top 16% of comparable midfielders for chances created per 90 minutes, underlining that creativity remains central to his game despite operating primarily as a deep controller.
That blend makes him attractive to clubs seeking tempo setters who can also progress possession under pressure. Liverpool’s system, particularly under Slot, places significant value on midfielders capable of driving transitions quickly and accurately.
Contract Situation Shapes Negotiations
Any approach would face substantial resistance. Tonali recently committed to a long term deal through to 2030, strengthening Newcastle’s negotiating position considerably. There is also the lingering memory of Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak, which was intense and public.
Newcastle’s willingness to entertain another high profile departure to a direct rival appears doubtful unless circumstances change. European qualification, or lack of it, could become a decisive factor as the season unfolds.
Liverpool’s midfield depth remains strong, yet succession planning is inevitable. Wataru Endo, now 33 and entering the final 18 months of his contract, represents a role that may soon require reinforcement with a natural number 6 option.
For now, these claims sit at an early stage. Until corroborated by sources closer to Merseyside, caution is sensible. Still, Tonali’s situation merits monitoring, particularly if Newcastle’s ambitions falter in the months ahead.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, the idea of Sandro Tonali entering the conversation is intriguing rather than urgent. Slot’s midfield group has shown balance and energy, yet there remains a sense that a long term specialist at the base could future proof the squad.
Endo has delivered professionalism and tactical discipline, though age profile and contract length naturally prompt succession planning. Tonali’s ability to dictate rhythm while contributing creatively would fit the evolution supporters expect under the current manager.
There is also realism around Newcastle’s stance. Selling a core midfielder to a rival chasing similar objectives feels unlikely without a major shift in circumstances. Fans will remember how complex negotiations became during previous dealings between the clubs.
If Tonali genuinely favours a return to Italy, Liverpool may ultimately be used as leverage in wider discussions. That happens regularly at this level. Even so, supporters will appreciate that the recruitment team continue to track elite midfielders capable of sustaining the club’s competitive edge.
Should the opportunity ever become concrete, his profile suggests he would enhance control in big matches, particularly against sides that press aggressively. For now, this feels like one to watch rather than one to expect.
UCF's Mahogany Chandler-Roberts grabs a rebound against Texas Tech in a Big 12 women's basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at United Supermarkets Arena. | Stephen Garcia/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Last season, forward Mahogany Chandler-Roberts struggled as a freshman for the UCF Knights. Chandler-Roberts averaged 2.4 points per game while averaging under 15 minutes in 29 games played. However, UCF has seen a big jump in Chander-Roberts’ game this season as a sophomore.
Chander-Roberts’ 7.1 points per game this season are third on UCF’s roster, and her 5.4 rebounds per game are second on the team. With her improvement in just one season, Chandler-Roberts has earned the confidence and trust of the coaching staff. Chandler-Roberts has started all 23 games for UCF this season.
Last season, Chandler-Roberts recorded zero double-digit point games. This season, Chandler-Roberts has nine double-digit point games, but UCF has seen her turn into a big asset in Big 12 play.
Eight of UCF’s 12 Big 12 games have seen Chandler-Roberts finish with double-digit point games. Recently, Chandler-Roberts has been on a good hot streak. Chandler-Roberts has recorded four consecutive double-digit games in scoring.
Against the TCU Horned Frogs on Jan. 24, Chandler-Roberts recorded a career-high 17 points, but her last game against the Oklahoma State Cowgirls this past Saturday may have been the best in her collegiate career. Chandler-Roberts recorded the first double-double of her career with scoring 12 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Chandler-Roberts was one of the only bright spots for the Knights in their 81-58 blowout loss to the Cowgirls at home.
This season has been a struggle for the Knights as a whole, with a 10-13 overall record. However, the Knights needed to see Chandler-Roberts improve heading into this season, and they certainly have. Wednesday night’s game against the West Virginia Mountaineers will offer another chance for Chandler-Roberts to raise her game even further.
LSU has won two of the last three national championships and has a real shot to become the first Division I baseball program since the dominant Southern California teams of the early 1970s to win three in four years.
Jay Johnson, the first coach to win multiple national titles in his first four years at a school, clearly likes the team he'll put on the field when the season opens Friday at home against Milwaukee. But he doesn't want to hear any talk of repeating in February, considering the hard lesson his Tigers learned the year after they won it all in 2023.
“We’ll always appreciate what we did last year, but we have to move on to this year and be all in on right now,” he said. “I think we have set a good blueprint of what it’s going to take to be successful and those things really aren’t that much different. The jungle we play in, which is the best conference in any sport across the country, requires your absolute best.”
LSU, which extended the Southeastern Conference's stranglehold on the title to six years, enters the season ranked No. 1 in the writers' and coaches' polls and by Perfect Game and No. 2 behind UCLA by D1Baseball.com and Baseball America.
Among other top teams are 2025 national runner-up Coastal Carolina, Texas, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Auburn, Louisville and TCU.
LSU lost 11 players to pro baseball from the 53-win team that swept through the College World Series, including the No. 3 overall draft pick in pitcher Kade Anderson. The Tigers bring back seven position players with starting experience at LSU and 10 pitchers who have recorded innings for the Tigers. They signed a top-three high school recruiting class and a group of nine transfers ranked No. 5 by D1Baseball.
“I don't know if I've ever seen this, where we lost so much contribution from a team that reached the pinnacle, and we return so much from the team that reached the pinnacle,” Johnson said. “It’s probably a credit to recruiting and balance. We have not sold out to just portal city. We’ve developed really good high school players here, and I think last year’s freshman class was by far the best group of freshmen we’ve brought in.”
The Tigers could have the best outfield in the country. Leadoff man Derek Curiel led the Tigers with a .345 batting average, 20 doubles and 67 runs and was error-free in 62 games in left field and three in center. The first-team preseason All-American will play mostly center this season, trading places with Chris Stanfield. LSU also brings back right fielder Jake Brown, who batted .320 for the season and a team-best .385 in the CWS. Brown and Stanfield committed just one error apiece last season.
Shortstop Steve Milam is projected to be a late first- or early second-round draft pick in July and anchors an infield that will have three new starters. Cade Arrambide, who backed up Luis Hernandez, takes over behind the plate.
Casan Evans, who as a freshman succeeded in high-leverage situations out of the bullpen and got a few spot starts, is in line to be the Tigers' No. 1 starter. Kansas transfer Cooper Moore has impressed in spring scrimmages and is the projected No. 2. Zac Moore, who started a game in the CWS, is likely the No. 3.
The staff also gets back Gavin Guidry, who suffered a season-ending back injury last February after being one of the top relievers in 2023 and '24.
The Tigers are determined to avoid the emotional hangover that followed their 2023 championship. The 2024 Tigers lost 12 of their first 15 SEC games and closed 18-6 to make an NCAA regional. Only three players from the ‘23 team and five from the ’24 team are still on the roster.
“The good thing about going through the rough part of 2024 is now we know how to prevent it,” Brown said. “It’s something the players and coaching staff have aligned on."
Brown said it's about attitude. He said he and his teammates want to play like champions but with an underdog's mentality.
“We’re in a fortunate spot to have a target on our back,” he said. “The way we look at it, it's about turning that target around and attacking everybody else. We call it working like No. 2 and acting like No. 1. The work we put in behind closed doors is something everyone should proud of, but it’s also showing up to an opposing stadium and when we walk through that gate, you know LSU is coming. We’re going to show you why we have a target on our back.”
A lot of hockey fans posit that the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics have already been decided because of Team Canada's roster. However, Team Sweden also has a fairly strong chance of notching the gold medal though those chances may have been put to question after a certain star player's injury status was revealed. Will the Toronto Maple Leafs forward make it for their tournament opener against Team Italy?
Nylander not in practice
Notably, the Maple Leafs forward was not on the ice when Team Sweden started their practice in preparation to face Italy. Nylander was able to play three games before the NHL went into break for the Winter Olympics. So, a lot of questions were raised about his status. Coach Sam Hallam outlined how his injury situation is shaping up, via Bill Price of NHL.com.
"It's a maintenance thing. He's done two full ice practices with us and felt after yesterday a bit sore, so just give him an extra day. And then we'll see for tomorrow if he's ready to go. It's going to be a pretty late decision. I'm not overly concerned at all. He's been looking really sharp and good on the ice for two days. Felt that we give him off today. I mean, it's short-term, but we're still in the beginning of it and bigger games coming up, so let's keep our priorities and focus there."" the Team Sweden coach said.
Nylander went down during the Maple Leafs' clash against the Vegas Golden Knights in January. He missed seven games due to a groin injury but did show signs of readiness for the Winter Olympics before the break. Coach Hallam will surely need his services if they want a repeat of the 2006 Olympics where Team Sweden took home the gold medal.
The Maple Leafs center has played 40 games in the NHL season. Throughout that time, Nylander has racked up 18 goals and 34 assists. If he does not manage to get in great shape, Team Sweden can still rely on guys like Mika Zibanejad, Joel Eriksson Ek and Adrian Kempe among others to run their offense. The clearance of Gabriel Landeskog from injury will also help Sweden a lot.
The Oklahoma Sooners are in the midst of another solid season under head coach Jennie Baranczyk. The Sooners have made the NCAA tournament. But they've hit some bumps in the road trying to climb their way into the elite tier of women's basketball teams. Oklahoma is among the top 10 teams in the nation in both the AP Top 25 and the latest USA TODAY Sports women's basketball coaches poll.
Despite the loss to Vanderbilt, the Sooners are still in a strong position to host the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament in Norman, according to ESPN's latest bracketology.
The Sooners moved up one spot from last week's coaches poll back into the top 10. They're one of five SEC teams in the top 10, led by South Carolina, Texas, and Vanderbilt in the top five. UConn and UCLA remain the top two teams, with the Huskies earning all 31 first-place votes in the coaches poll once again.
Oklahoma is 1-4 against teams that are currently ranked in the top 10 of the poll. The win, a big-time overtime upset of South Carolina at home a few weeks ago. If the Sooners want to make a run at a national championship, they have to find a way to consistently beat the top teams in the nation.
OU's next opportunity to get on track is at home against Florida on Thursday night at the Lloyd Noble Center.
Minnesota 39; Washington 37; Georgia 19; Rhode Island 10; North Carolina State 8; Nebraska 5; Richmond 1;
List Of Voters
The USA TODAY Sports Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The board for the 2025-26 season: Octavia Blue, Kennesaw State; Ashleen Bracey, Illinois-Chicago; Jen Brown, Queens; Dan Burt, Duquesne; Jeff Cammon, Saint Mary’s; Fred Chmiel, Bowling Green; Janell Crayton, Bethune-Cookman; Denise Dillon, Villanova; Carrie Eighmey, South Dakota; Dalila Eshe, Yale; Heather Ezell, Wyoming; Bill Fennelly, Iowa State; Aqua Franklin, Lamar; Ty Grace, Howard; Hana Haden, Georgia Southern; Corry Irvin, Chicago State; Renee Jimenez, UC-Santa Barbara; Chris Kielsmeier, Cleveland State; Mike Lane, NJIT; Amy Mallon, Drexel; Kristen Mattio, Northern Colorado; Mike McGuire, Radford; Kim McNeill, East Carolina; Dan Nielson, Utah Valley; Shawn Poppie, Clemson; Terry Primm, Siena; Samantha Quigley Smith, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville; Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt; Jonathan Tsipis, Western Carolina; Coquese Washington, Rutgers; Trevor Woodruff, Bucknell.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
What in the world happened to the UFC heavyweight division?
Chris Unger via Getty Images
It sounds nearly impossible now, but there was a time, perhaps when it was de rigueur to frequent the Vegas buffet lines, that the big boys excited the UFC fan base.
Back on May 26, 2012, the UFC even went so far as to roll out an all-heavyweight main card for UFC 146. Granted, not every fighter was a superstar (Lavar Johnson, it might be remembered, was far closer to a felon), but the result was that all five fights were finished in two rounds or less. In fact, the entire main card featured 21:50 minutes of fight time, which is less than one single title fight that goes the distance.
That’s because the word “heavyweight” was synonymous with seismic happenings.
It gives me a pang to look back. Poor Stipe Miocic, who put away Shane del Rosario (RIP) at the 3:14 mark of the second round that night, was the poke of the bunch. It took him a little time to get rolling. Junior dos Santos finished Frank Mir in the main event a full 10 seconds quicker, and Cain Velasquez annihilated Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva, who was still basking in the glow of having upset Fedor Emelianenko a year earlier. That one only lasted a little over half a round.
What the hell happened to the UFC’s heavyweight division? When did it become such a blight on the UFC’s regularly scheduled programming? The bigger-bodied fighters used to carry with them a premonition of bad things to come in the best way possible, but now watching heavyweights is like watching a gastrointestinal tract digest a calzone.
In boxing, there has always been a romance to the heavyweight fight. It’s been a constant baton pass from generation to generation. During the “golden era,” names like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, George Foreman and Earnie Shavers roamed the ring. Before then we had Rocky Marciano and Joe Louis and Sonny Liston, and after them we had Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. Today you still have Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk and the promising young Moses Itauma coming for them all.
In the UFC right now, we have Waldo Cortes-Acosta, a 34-year-old upstart who is on a three-fight win streak. To his credit, Waldo has finished all three of those opponents, making him a rare throwback to better times. Yet it’s grim out there otherwise. The division is gassing out big time.
Electric.
Chris Unger via Getty Images
Tom Aspinall is out indefinitely as he undergoes eye surgery after getting gouged by Ciryl Gane, and that rematch remains a consolation prize for Aspinall’s never-realized unifying title fight with Jon Jones (who retired, unretired, and now is retiring again — maybe). It doesn’t get the blood pumping that Jones is out there talking about his arthritic hip, either. He says he’s interested to “forge” the post-UFC version of himself he’s to become, news that hits this thirsty fan base like gull poop from above.
The 37-year-old Alexander Volkov, who is ranked No. 2, is coming off back-to-back split decisions. He hasn’t won an end-of-the-night bonus in five years. Sergei Pavlovich, ranked No. 3, began his UFC career avoiding the scorecards for eight fights, yet now listens to them being read with all the sophistication of a prig at the opera house. His past three fights have all been decisions. Curtis Blaydes ran into Kuniev in his last fight, and let’s just say the good people of Azerbaijan spent the rest of the night hoping nothing would trigger a flashback.
Kuniev? Serghei Spivac? Marcin Tybura? Shamil Gaziev? All north of 240 pounds and yet not a one of them can move a needle. And Jailton Almeida looked like he’d rather be anywhere than locked in a cage fighting an overgrown man in his last couple of outings. He has declared he’s returning to light heavyweight, where the hope is he can at least find an ounce of urgency.
Not that UFC couldn’t have spiced things up. There have been numerous chances. They could’ve brought back Francis Ngannou, even if he is the “bad person” Dana White insists he is. Ngannou is seen by many as the best heavyweight in the world, and since he still had his title when he left, that would’ve jump-started the heavyweight ranks, or at least diverted attention from the sinkhole it now finds itself in.
Yet vendettas, apparently, are stronger than the desire to see the best fight the best. All I know is that Gable Stevenson can’t get his shoes off fast enough. You have to wonder if the UFC will bother signing him, though. Because Hunter Campbell and Co. could’ve signed Rico Verhoeven but, from the sounds of it, didn’t come correct with the numbers. Instead, the kickboxing superstar champion will presumably head to the boxing ring, where heavyweight fighting still commands a captive audience.
And right now, that’s not the case in the UFC’s heavyweight division. The 40-year-old Marcin Tybura is an artifact from the one-time museum of mayhem, and 41-year-old Derrick Lewis’ balls ain’t nearly as hot as they once were. It’s an aging, slow-motion, anonymous lot. Lately it would be more fun watching yaks battle flies with head shakes and ear twitches than two slabs nullifying each other.
At one time the UFC could fill out an entire main card of heavyweights and sell it to the public, which they did a little over a decade ago. These days Mick Parkin just edged out Tai Tuivasa for the final spot in the top 15. Tuivasa was still there as of this past weekend despite a modest six-fight losing streak, which tells you all you need to know about the state of the division.
The Minnesota Vikings and their quarterback discussion are not going anywhere anytime soon.
First-year starter J.J. McCarthy had a rollercoaster 2025 season, highlighted by poor play and injuries, which prevented him from proving himself. Production value aside, McCarthy not being available is perhaps his biggest drawback for the 2026 season. But there were more reasons as to what held back McCarthy when you look at the numbers that PFF has.
Their writer, Noc Bodiford, examined the play of all the second-year quarterbacks, due to many having breakout seasons. While McCarthy struggled compared to Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels, there is a reason the numbers have found for that.
Bodiford writes, "A fully torn meniscus sidelined McCarthy in his 2024 rookie season. In his second NFL season, he was sidelined by a high-ankle sprain in Weeks 3-8, a concussion in Week 13 and a right-throwing hand fracture in Week 17. Additionally, he played through a right-throwing hand injury suffered in Week 10. He finished as the fantasy football QB31, banked QB1 finishes in three-of-nine games among Weeks 1-17 games and scored 19.9-plus points and sub-10.0 points four times apiece. McCarthy’s 63.0 PFF offense grade ranks 22nd among 29 second-year NFL quarterbacks and skill position players with at least 400 offensive snaps in 2025. McCarthy’s inefficient passing productivity starkly contrasts with his aggressive and intriguing downfield passing tactics."
McCarthy will have another long offseason, another stretch to mentally prepare, but physically he needs to be ready. If he isn't, the team is going to be forced to roll with someone else, either who they acquire this offseason or draft in the loaded 2027 NFL Draft class.
It didn’t take long for Detroit’s ace to react to the biggest Tigers news of the offseason.
Just minutes after the Detroit Tigers announced they had signed Justin Verlander to a one-year contract for the 2026 season, left-hander Tarik Skubal took to social media with a perfectly timed response.
Skubal posted a GIF of Justin Verlander himself throwing his arms into the air in celebration, a familiar sight for Tigers fans who watched Verlander dominate in Detroit for more than a decade. No caption was needed. The message was loud and clear.
Skubal’s post immediately caught the attention of Tigers fans, many of whom viewed it as a stamp of approval from the team’s current ace.
The timing mattered. The signing was announced, and Skubal reacted almost instantly, a subtle but telling sign that Verlander’s return resonated inside the clubhouse as much as it did with the fanbase.
Why Verlander’s Return Matters to Skubal
For Skubal, who enters 2026 as the best left-handed pitcher in baseball, Verlander’s return is about far more than nostalgia.
Verlander brings:
Championship experience
Elite preparation habits
Two decades of pitching knowledge
A track record of durability and reinvention
Even at 42 years old, Verlander showed last season he can still contribute, logging 152 innings with a 3.85 ERA and 137 strikeouts across 29 starts in 2025.
Having that presence in the rotation and in the clubhouse only raises the ceiling for a staff led by Skubal.
A Statement Move by Detroit
Skubal’s reaction also reflects what this signing represents for the Tigers as a whole.
This wasn’t a symbolic reunion. It was a statement.
Detroit believes it can compete in 2026, and bringing Verlander back signals a commitment to winning now while helping guide the next generation of Tigers pitchers.
Past and Present Collide
Verlander’s return bridges two eras of Tigers baseball, the dominant teams of the 2000s and early 2010s and the rising core led by Skubal today.
And if Skubal’s reaction is any indication, the Tigers’ clubhouse is fully on board with the move.
You know a fan's pledge has reached another level when the actual team takes notice. And that's exactly what Manchester United supporter Frank Ilett has achieved with a promise he made nearly 500 days ago.
As a point about United's mediocrity in recent years, Ilett said he would not get a haircut until the Red Dragons win five consecutive matches. For any team, it's a tall task. A draw resets the count just as a loss would. But as Manchester United face West Ham on Tuesday, the stakes could not be higher.
United are winners of four straight matches and have shot up to fourth in the Premier League table. Meanwhile, West Ham are in a relegation battle and desperately need a win at London Stadium.
If you think Michael Carrick's squad is taking Ilett's badly needed haircut as motivation, though, you might be disappointed. The Manchester United manager admitted he's well aware of the haircut challenge, but won't bring it into the dressing room as part of the West Ham discussion.
To be fair, he kind of has to say that. But there must be some extra boost to get this man a haircut. He's been waiting since October of 2024. I mean, just look at him.
Day 492 of not cutting my hair until @manutd win 5 games in a row! ⌛️
On Monday night, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made it known that Steph Curry was going to need some additional time off the court as he deals with a knee injury. Curry has been out of the lineup since the Sixers paid them a visit last week, and will take time off through the All-Star break.
The league went with an Eastern Conference player to replace the American-born guard, and they landed on the forward, Brandon Ingram, from the Toronto Raptors. The veteran forward adds another All-Star game to his resume. He’ll be a part of the games for the first time sine the 2019-2020 NBA season.
Sixers Fans Can’t Believe It
@RBPhillyTake: The NBA really does not like Joel Embiid…
That’s been a narrative for quite some time. Maybe it’s because Embiid was a product of the Sixers’ tank job, famously known as “The Process.” The online trolling during his early days, mixed with a lot of on-court antics probably doesn’t help.
Embiid missed a chunk of time earlier in the year, but he’s managed to play in 31 games. Despite having a restriction on his playing time in the opening part of the schedule, the veteran center has averaged 26.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists throughout the year.
The Sixers star is back to looking one of the top centers in the game once again. Unfortunately, his latest All-Star appearance remains in 2024. After cracking the roster in seven-straight seasons, it looks like Embiid might go two years in a row without a nod.
Tory Verdi has been the head coach of Pitt's women's basketball team since 2023. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Six former University of Pittsburgh women’s basketball players who played under head coach Tory Verdi filed a lawsuit against the coach, alleging psychological abuse abd retaliation after making complaints about their former coach, according to multiplereports.
On Friday, six former Pitt student-athletes filed individual lawsuits in the U.S. district court for the western district of Pennsylvania, alleging retaliation, Title IX violations, the creation of a hostile educational environment, intentionally inflicting emotional distress, breach of contract in the removal of student scholarships and more.
The six plaintiffs named in the lawsuit are Favor Ayodele, Makayla Elmore, Brooklynn Miles, Isabella Perkins, Jasmine Timmerson and Raeven Boswell, who remains a student at Pitt.
“This case is not about the Xs and Os of coaching,” the plaintiffs' attorney Keenan Holmes told TribLive. “Some of his actions go beyond sports. This went beyond the bounds of decency."
Perkins’ complaint states that she was recruited to play on a scholarship from Verdi, who promised “an inclusive, empowering team environment.” But she claims she suffered “public humiliation, verbal degradation, arbitrary reductions in playing time, exclusion from team activities, favoritism of other players, manipulation of player statistics and inappropriate commentary regarding plaintiff’s physical appearance, emotional state, and performance.”
Perkins also claims Verdi removed her from the team without due process after she complained about the team environment. The university then allegedly delayed her attempt to redshirt for that season and only took action after Perkins retained a lawyer. It is also alleged in the lawsuit that Verdi tried to create a racial divide amongst the team.
Players claim Verdi's behavior was reported to university staff, but no action was taken.
The six women are seeking monetary damages, as well as acknowledgment from the university that Title IX violations took place.
Verdi was hired by Pitt in the spring of 2023, and he has a 29-60 record in three seasons. Previously, he coached at UMass and Eastern Michigan.
The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2026 offseason with a mountain of defensive needs. From the secondary to the defensive line and everything in between, the Cowboys need upgrades. When the Athletic conducted their annual Cowboys fan survey, all of those needs were acknowledged, but one stood out above the others: cornerback.
The Cowboys' cornerback position is a mess heading into the offseason. Trevon Diggs is long gone, DaRon Bland is recovering from a significant foot injury and Shevon Revel is coming off an underwhelming rookie campaign. It’s possible the latter two could be solid solutions in the starting lineup next season. It’s also possible neither are the answer. With so many unknowns, it’s no wonder CB tops the needs list to so many.
Luckily for the Cowboys this year’s draft class features a couple tantalizing prospects for them to consider early in the draft. Also lucky for them, there’s a good chance one or even both could be on the board when they pick at No. 12.
In @TheAthletic recent fan survey, CB was not surprisingly the top need for the Cowboys this offseason. But what clocked in at No2 is a little surprising given the current state of the safety and linebacker position in Dallas 🤷 pic.twitter.com/0Y3qrUush5
Early in the process there appears to be two clear standouts at the CB position, LSU’s Mansoor Delane and Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy. Both prospects possess true CB1 traits, and both CB prospects would give new defensive coordinator Christian Parker a talented new tool to build his secondary around.
Parker has had success with developing shutdown CBs in the past. Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell in Philadelphia, and Patrick Surtain in Denver have all developed under Parker’s watch. It only seems fitting Dallas provides their new coach with the same tools he’s ridden to success in previous stops.
Mansoor Delane
Delane, currently at an average position of 12.6, is a clean fit for the Cowboys’ top draft pick. At 6-foot, 190-pounds, he plays much bigger than his size suggests. A natural athlete with instincts and production, Delane is brilliant on film and on paper.
With eight career interceptions and 27 passes defensed, over the years Delane has shown he’s a fit in both man and zone schemes. He allowed just 27.5 passer rating when targeted last season, and frequently showed he’s not just good in coverage but also strong against the run.
McCoy, at an average draft position of 14.3, might actually be the cream of the crop in this CB class. After a dominant breakout campaign in 2024, McCoy fell to an ACL injury in January of 2025. His lost senior season adds a level of risk and uncertainty to the equation which some teams could possibly ding him for. Still, the injury was suffered 13 months ago, and McCoy is expected to be fully cleared to work out before the draft. This isn’t a red shirt situation like Revel largely proved to be last year.
McCoy, 6-foot, 193-pounds, is of similar frame as Delane although exact measurements, including arm length have yet to be determined. Blessed with elite ball skills, McCoy can turn and track, and even high point, against larger receivers. He can play a multitude of roles in a multitude of systems, so Parker should not have trouble fitting him into his vision in Dallas.
Revisiting this Jermod McCoy interception from the start of the second quarter.
If the Cowboys want to add a true CB1 they’ll likely have to use the draft. With that said, they can’t sit back and pin all hope on this task either. With questions down the CB depth chart Dallas also needs to add a veteran or two to the mix. It would keep them flexible in the 2026 NFL draft and it would also fill out the depth at a critical position.
What does that mean? Sights are set on 2027, and the odds of the Houston Texans making a run next season toward Los Angeles for a shot at Super Bowl LXI.
The Texans are well-equipped to make another postseason push for a championship next season, especially with 10 starters returning on defense, including Defensive Player of the Year runner-up Will Anderson Jr. On top of that, the Texans return Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins, defensive backs Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr., running back Woody Marks and quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Are national pundits buying into a resurgence for the 2026 season, culminating in a trip to SoFi Stadium? The Athletic's staff compiled their rankings as a staff and determined a consensus positioning when discussing the Texans as an AFC threat. In the end, the publication gave Houston its highest grade among every national website at No. 8, but the comments were far from kind.
Much like the Seahawks, Houston had a defense good enough to win a Lombardi Trophy this season, but unlike Sam Darnold's postseason success, Stroud's turnover ratio not only cost the AFC South franchise a trip out west, but now has also placed a gloomy outlook on its future.
"The Texans probably thought after Stroud’s rookie season that this would be the offseason they would start working on a mega-extension for their young quarterback," Josh Kendall wrote. "But the last two seasons have raised a lot of questions. In that time, Stroud is 25th in the league in EPA per dropback (0.01), and he threw four interceptions in a 28-16 divisional-round playoff loss to the Patriots. That defense is really good, though.
There's a point toward blaming most of the failures on Stroud's regression. Two years ago, the No. 2 overall pick posted the highest passer rating and completion percentage for a rookie quarterback in the postseason. In one game against the Patriots went 20-of-47 passing for 212 yards and one touchdown with a career-low passer rating of 28.
His second interception was returned for a touchdown by All-Pro returner Marcus Jones, marking the first pick-six of his career. Stroud made history for the wrong reason against the Patriots, joining Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson as the only quarterbacks since 2000 to total four interceptions in the first half of a postseason game.
He finished the playoffs with two touchdown passes and seven turnovers.
Everything should be prioritized for building around Stroud. The offensive line wasn't terrible and showed improvement in Year 1 of the Nick Caley era, allowing just 23 sacks. Having back wide receiver Tank Dell in the passing attack should elevate Stroud's metrics, thus leading to more consistency in the passing game.
Free agency will be crucial toward elevating Houston's overall status asa legitimate contender. Entering the offseason, Houston is projected to have less than $6 million, but that could expand to over $40 million with contract restructures and extensions with proven contracts.
Elsewhere around the league, the Seahawks are ranked No. 1, the Los Angeles Rams come in at No. 2 and the Patriots round out the top three as the leaders toward a Super Bowl run at SoFi Stadium next fall. To view The Athletic's entire 2026 way-too-early power rankings, click here.
The Texans own eight picks in the upcoming NFL draft, including four picks in the top 70.
Mateta mystery deepens, Crystal Palace insist failed Milan transfer ‘does not need surgery’
Jean-Philippe Mateta failed a medical test with Milan to scupper his €30m transfer from Crystal Palace, but today Oliver Glasner insisted the striker ‘does not need surgery.’
The deal was all done between the clubs, and he had accepted the personal terms on offer for the move to San Siro, in a package worth in excess of €30m.
Mateta rejected by Milan after failed medical
BECKENHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Jean-Philippe Mateta laughs during a Crystal Palace FC training session at Crystal Palace FC Training Ground on November 05, 2025 in Beckenham, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
However, it all fell apart at the final hurdle when Milan requested extra medical tests in London, their staff deciding that Mateta would not be fit for a while due to a knee injury.
It was even suggested that the centre-forward could need surgery, which would rule him out for several months.
The mystery continues, as today Crystal Palace coach Glasner tried to provide a little more clarity.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 04: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace looks on prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace at St James’ Park on January 04, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“I can’t say two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, but he doesn’t need surgery,” said Glasner.
“That’s very positive and hopefully he’s back soon.”
Instead, Crystal Palace medical staff are confident that the striker only needs two weeks of individual training to strengthen the muscles around his knee.
Juventus had also been heavily linked with Mateta during the January transfer window.
TESERO, Italy (AP) — Bruised ribs are undermining American cross-country skiing star Jessie Diggins' hopes of achieving something satisfying from her last Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
Diggins was hurt in a fall in her opening race — the 20-kilometer skiathlon — on Sunday and the toll also limited her ability to put in a strong finish in the sprint classic on Tuesday in Tesero.
The current World Cup leader and one of the most decorated U.S. cross-country skiers was eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual bronze medalist Maja Dahlqvist of Sweden. Diggins was visibly uncomfortable late in the sprint after a fast start, struggling to generate power in the finishing stretch.
“When I crashed in the skiathlon I bruised my ribs and it is really painful,” Diggins said. “Double poling is pretty tough right now so I’m doing the best I can. But it’s not my finest finishing stretch of my life.”
Breathing deeply remains difficult though she was relieved the ribs were not worse.
“There’s just really not much you can do,” said the Minnesota native, who won gold in the women’s team sprint at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang. “I'm happy that they’re not sprained or broken because I’ve been there with sprained ribs. I know I can do it. It’s just a bummer.”
On Saturday, 34-year-old Diggins fell early in the skiathlon in heavy, wet snow, losing contact with the lead pack. She rebounded with a strong freestyle leg to finish eighth.
She's determined to push on in a frustrating start in her final Olympics.
“I’m just going to keep showing up and doing the best I can,” she said, "and just putting everything I have out there.”
Lady Vols basketball fell in the polls after suffering the largest margin of defeat in program history at South Carolina.
Tennessee (15-6, 7-2 SEC) was ranked No. 22 in both the USA TODAY coaches poll and in the Associated Press poll after escaping Georgia with an overtime win and losing 93-50 against the Gamecocks. The Lady Vols were ranked No. 17 in the USA TODAY coaches poll and No. 19 in the AP Top 25 last week.
Tennessee is in the thick of a brutal stretch to end the season that includes six ranked opponents in nine games. It also has to make up the postponed road matchup with Ole Miss on Feb. 17, playing four games in an eight-day span.
The Lady Vols will play three of their next four games at home, starting with Missouri (16-10, 4-7) at Food City Center on Feb. 12 (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+).
UT had its biggest drop in the polls after its losses to UCLA and Louisville. It fell six spots in the USA TODAY coaches poll and five spots in the AP poll after losing to the Bruins, and it fell six spots in the AP Top 25 after losing to Louisville.
Tennessee ended the 2024-25 season ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY coaches poll and No. 15 in the AP poll after starting Kim Caldwell's first season at the helm unranked. UT was ranked as high as No. 11 last season, though it never cracked the top 10.
The Lady Vols have been ranked in the AP Top 25 the most of any program since the poll began in 1976. UT has been ranked in 808 of the 899 polls.
Lady Vols basketball fell in the polls after suffering the largest margin of defeat in program history at South Carolina.
Tennessee (15-6, 7-2 SEC) was ranked No. 22 in both the USA TODAY coaches poll and in the Associated Press poll after escaping Georgia with an overtime win and losing 93-50 against the Gamecocks. The Lady Vols were ranked No. 17 in the USA TODAY coaches poll and No. 19 in the AP Top 25 last week.
Tennessee is in the thick of a brutal stretch to end the season that includes six ranked opponents in nine games. It also has to make up the postponed road matchup with Ole Miss on Feb. 17, playing four games in an eight-day span.
The Lady Vols will play three of their next four games at home, starting with Missouri (16-10, 4-7) at Food City Center on Feb. 12 (6:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network+).
UT had its biggest drop in the polls after its losses to UCLA and Louisville. It fell six spots in the USA TODAY coaches poll and five spots in the AP poll after losing to the Bruins, and it fell six spots in the AP Top 25 after losing to Louisville.
Tennessee ended the 2024-25 season ranked No. 16 in the USA TODAY coaches poll and No. 15 in the AP poll after starting Kim Caldwell's first season at the helm unranked. UT was ranked as high as No. 11 last season, though it never cracked the top 10.
The Lady Vols have been ranked in the AP Top 25 the most of any program since the poll began in 1976. UT has been ranked in 808 of the 899 polls.
Tennessee (15-6, 7-2 SEC) will next play Thursday versus Missouri at Food City Center (6:30 p.m. EST, SEC Network+). Thursday’s SEC basketball matchup will feature the return of former Lady Vol player and head coach Kellie Harper.
She is in her first season as the Tigers' head coach.
Harper served as the Lady Vols' head coach from 2019-24, compiling a 108–52 (53-24 SEC) record. She guided Tennessee to four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons. The 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
She played at Tennessee from 1995-99, winning three national championships (1996-98) under Pat Summitt.
On Tuesday ahead of the Tennessee-Missouri game, the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll was released. The Lady Vols are down five spots and are ranked No. 22.
USA TODAY Sports women’s basketball coaches poll top 25 rankings
Minnesota 39; Washington 37; Georgia 19; Rhode Island 10; North Carolina State 8; Nebraska 5; Richmond 1
List of voters
The USA TODAY Sports Board of Coaches is made up of 31 head coaches at Division I institutions. All are members of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. The board for the 2025-26 season: Octavia Blue, Kennesaw State; Ashleen Bracey, Illinois-Chicago; Jen Brown, Queens; Dan Burt, Duquesne; Jeff Cammon, Saint Mary’s; Fred Chmiel, Bowling Green; Janell Crayton, Bethune-Cookman; Denise Dillon, Villanova; Carrie Eighmey, South Dakota; Dalila Eshe, Yale; Heather Ezell, Wyoming; Bill Fennelly, Iowa State; Aqua Franklin, Lamar; Ty Grace, Howard; Hana Haden, Georgia Southern; Corry Irvin, Chicago State; Renee Jimenez, UC-Santa Barbara; Chris Kielsmeier, Cleveland State; Mike Lane, NJIT; Amy Mallon, Drexel; Kristen Mattio, Northern Colorado; Mike McGuire, Radford; Kim McNeill, East Carolina; Dan Nielson, Utah Valley; Shawn Poppie, Clemson; Terry Primm, Siena; Samantha Quigley Smith, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville; Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt; Jonathan Tsipis, Western Carolina; Coquese Washington, Rutgers; Trevor Woodruff, Bucknell.
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Dixon, who is entering his 25th IndyCar season driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, is a six-time IndyCar Series champion and 2008 Indy 500 champion. The New Zealand native has also poled at the Indy 500 times.
"It is a huge honor to be inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame," Dixon said in an IMS Museum press release. "It's such a historic venue in motorsports and means so much to me, having raced here for so many years now. Honestly, it feels a little surreal as I'm still focused on winning here in May. It's the competition that drives me, even in Year 25 with Chip Ganassi Racing. The Indianapolis 500 is the biggest sporting event in the world, and another win here would be incredible, so that's the goal for 2026."
Dallara is the founder and president of Dallara, an Italian race car manufacturer. Founded in 1972, the company debuted as an IndyCar chassis supplier in 1997 and has been the lone chassis supplier since 2008. Dallara is also the lone supplier in Formula 2, Formula 3 and Super Formula Championships.
Dallara, who's now 89, began the company in his hometown of Parma, Italy. He worked for Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini and Williams De Tomaso before starting his own company.
"Being inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame is truly an honor," Dallara said. "The Indianapolis 500 has inspired me since the very beginning of my career, and our journey in the United States has been built on passion, innovation, and extraordinary people,” Dallara said. “I am grateful to the teams, drivers, and partners who have trusted our work for so many years. This recognition belongs to all of them as much as it does to me."
Dixon and Dallara were both voted in on their first appearance on the ballot. They will be inducted on Thursday, May 21 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.
FC Bayern host RB Leipzig in the DFB Cup quarter-finals at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night (kick-off 20:45 CET). So that all fans can reach the Allianz Arena in the best possible way despite the planned strike by the Verdi union on the day, Markus Meindl, FC Bayern’s director of fans and fan club support, answers the most important questions and provides valuable tips on getting to and from the stadium.
Interview with Markus Meindl
Mr Meindl, the cup match against RB Leipzig is taking place as planned on Wednesday despite the strike. How big do you think the challenges will be for fans travelling to the Allianz Arena – and what is your most important appeal to all stadium visitors? “We are in direct contact with our fans and fan clubs, including through our fan club representatives in the regions, and have noticed that many are very creative and willing to make the best of the situation. Our most important appeal is this: be sure to allow extra time, find out about the current options in advance and remain flexible. We ask all fans for their understanding and patience – but together we can do this!”
What specific alternatives to public transport do you recommend to the fans coming to the Allianz Arena? “As well as the special U-Bahn service between Marienplatz and Fröttmaning, there will be additional shuttle buses from Donnersberger Brücke and extra buses from the FC Bayern Campus. Those travelling by car should carpool where possible and use the Park&Ride facilities.”
How exactly will the special service between Marienplatz and Fröttmaning work on matchday, and what do fans need to bear in mind? “The U-Bahn service will operate exclusively between Marienplatz and Fröttmaning from 17:30 CET until the end of service – at short intervals, as is normal for our home games. It’s possible to board at all stations on the line. Note: all other underground, tram and bus lines are affected by the strike, so people should be prepared for longer waiting times and leave as early as possible. The Allianz Arena opens at 18:30 CET on Wednesday.”
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What can you tell us about the Donner shuttle – who is this service particularly suitable for and how does it work on site? “The Donner shuttle is a good option for those who travel on the S-Bahn to Donnersberger Brücke. The buses will run from 16:30 to the U-Bahn station Kieferngarten, and from there you can reach the Arena by foot. After the match, buses will travel directly to Karlsplatz (Stachus) in the city centre if required. Our team, security staff and the police will be on hand to assist with arrangements on site.”
What other Park&Ride options are available and how can fans make best use of these? “We recommend using the Park&Ride spaces at the open U-Bahn stations between Marienplatz and Fröttmaning. Additional parking spaces are also available at the FC Bayern Campus, from where shuttle buses run to the Arena.”
In spite of all the measures in place, what restrictions should fans expect and how much extra time should they realistically allow for their journey both ways? “Despite all efforts, delays are to be expected, especially when travelling by public transport. We recommend allowing at least an hour more than usual. Waits are particularly likely after the match, as capacity is limited. The Allianz Arena will therefore remain open longer to allow all fans to leave more easily.”
What’s your advice for fans who are travelling by car – particularly with regards to carpooling and parking options? “As mentioned, carpooling is the name of the game when it comes to easing traffic and parking congestion when you have to use your car. Please use the Park&Ride spaces and additional facilities at the FC Bayern Campus. Please ensure that you do not block emergency access routes and follow the instructions of the security staff. The more we all work together and show consideration for one another, the better it will be for everyone.”
How can fans get the best and latest information on the travel situation and short-notice changes? “The latest information is available on the MVG website, where all reports are continuously updated. We also keep visitors up to date as best we can on our channels – website, app and social media.”
What message would you like to convey to fans regarding patience, mutual consideration and the shared stadium experience in this special situation? “It is precisely in situations like this that the true solidarity of our fans shines through. Please be patient, be considerate of others and help each other out. The most important thing is that we enjoy a great cup match together – even if the journey to the stadium and back home takes a little longer this time. Thank you for your understanding and support!”
La Masia prodigy overjoyed after making Barcelona debut – ‘Living a spectacular dream’
Tommy Marques became a key talking point in the Barcelona camp this week after the youngster made his first-team debut against Mallorca.
He appeared as a late substitute for fellow La Masia graduate Fermin Lopez, in what will go down as a memorable moment for the youngster.
Days after his debut, Marques featured in a recent event outside La Masia, where he expressed his delight at making his debut for Barcelona.
Marques on making Barcelona debut
Speaking to the club’s official media, Marques admitted it was a dream come true for him to make his competition debut for Barça.
“I’m very happy and proud. So many things went through my head. I’m living a spectacular dream, and even more so to be able to make my debut at Camp Nou and for the club of my life,” he said.
“It’s the dream of a kid who started playing here, enjoying himself, having fun and learning… I’ve been at the club for 11 years. It’s a goal for everyone and it’s spectacular. I’m happy and proud,” he added.
The youngster reiterated that he is still in awe over the Barcelona debut but admitted that he will remain grounded and work hard towards his goals.
“I still can’t believe it, it’s hard to wrap my head around. We had an impromptu dinner with the family, and I tried to rest, but I couldn’t really get much rest, to be honest, because I had a match with my team the next day.
“Now I have to stay grounded, but be ambitious and keep working so that more days like this come,” he said.
Marques, who arrived in the Barcelona youth academy in 2015, considers Sergio Busquets and current first-team star Frenkie de Jong as his role models.
Finally, the player heaped praise on Hansi Flick as well, noting his commitment towards Barcelona’s academy.
“For all of us who work here day in and day out, seeing that the first-team coach trusts the academy is a motivation; it makes you want more,” he concluded.
The Chicago Cubs have been adding a lot of talent to their roster this offseason, and the additions of Alex Bregman and Edward Cabrera have been two of their more exciting moves this winter.
But, they might not be done adding just yet. Even with a currently stacked starting rotation, the Cubs could use another starting pitcher.
And if the Cubs are going after a starting pitcher, why not Zac Gallen, the best starter left in free agency? According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Cubs are doing just that. They're competing with three other teams for Gallen amid a market heating up.
Cubs competing for Zac Gallen amid heating up market
"Talks are heating up for starter Zac Gallen, the best remaining free agent on the market," Nightengale reports. "Teams showing the most interest: San Diego Padres, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks."
Gallen would be a nice pickup for the Cubs rotation, even though it's an incredibly stacked group already.
Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cabrera, Cade Horton, and Jameson Taillon make up the current Cubs rotation for the 2026 season.
That doesn't even include Colin Rea, who can be a spot-starter if needed, Ben Brown, a minor league depth option, and currently injured ace Justin Steele.
They already have five solid starters, and a sixth waiting on the injured list. Signing a player like Gallen might seem like a waste.
But, Gallen, the 30-year-old veteran All-Star formerly with the Diamondbacks, would be an upgrade to the rotation over at least Taillon.
He had a 4.83 ERA last season, but that was thanks to a very brutal first half of the year. He got better as the year went on, and with his 3.58 ERA for his career more representative of his pitching ability, the Cubs should bring him in.
While they don't have a massive need at the position thanks to their strong depth, with the uncertainty they've dealt with at the position over the years, adding someone like Gallen to round out what could be a top-5 rotation in MLB would make a lot of sense.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers showed last year, having too many starting pitchers is never a bad idea. Injuries happen, and come the postseason, turning a starter into a reliever can be a huge advantage.
The Cubs are competing against the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Orioles for Gallen this offseason. It's a market that's heating up ahead of Spring Training, and Gallen might finally have a landing spot soon. And hopefully for the Cubs, he chooses Chicago.
Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald (far left) and wife Stephanie (right) with their son after his Super Bowl win
insidetheNFL/X
NEED TO KNOW
The Macdonald family celebrated the Seattle Seahawks' Super Bowl win together on Feb. 8
Head coach Mike Macdonald, his wife Stephanie and their toddler son Jack were captured in a sweet video following the game
"It’s surreal, you did it," Stephanie told her husband, adding, "I’m so proud of you”
In the moments after the Seattle Seahawks clinched Super Bowl LX, Mike Macdonald, bathed in Gatorade, was seen gazing up to the stands in seeming wonder.
Macdonald, his wife Stephanie and their 14-month-old son Jack were seen celebrating the team’s 29-13 trouncing of the New England Patriots in a video from the celebration, which was shared by the NFL.
“So, how was your day?” Stephanie, holding the toddler in her lap amid the confetti-strewn field, joked to her husband.
“Like, you can’t believe it, you know?” the coach answered. “So awesome.”
“It’s surreal, you did it. I’m so proud of you,” Stephanie replied before her husband clarified: “We did it.”
"Jack one day you are really gonna like this day."
The 38-year-old head coach, who became the third-youngest to ever win a Super Bowl, then turned his attention to Jack, sweetly commenting on his thighs like any doting dad — “Look at these chunkies” — before realizing that the moment was lost on the little guy.
“What do you think, buddy?” he asked his son. “Jack, one day, you’re gonna really like this day.”
For Seattle’s second-year head coach, Sunday was the pinnacle, and years in the making.
But in 2014, he joined the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff under John Harbaugh, where he spent eight total seasons before making the move to Seattle in 2024.
The coach met his wife in Baltimore where she was a Ravens cheerleader, and the couple welcomed Jack in December 2024.
After he was named head coach of the Seahawks, Macdonald shared during an introductory press conference that his wife is an "absolute rock star," assuring the audience that "the city will fall in love with her."
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Stephanie also offered her thoughts at the time, saying she felt "so lucky" to be joining the Seahawks family.
"Walking in and having that warm welcome, I'm like 'Alright, this is where we're meant to be,' " she said.
NEW DELHI: The words still echo, carrying the weight of history, emotion and an era drawing to a close.
Just two years back, when Virat Kohli uttered, “This was going to be my last T20 World Cup playing for India,” the cricketing world paused.
It was June 29, 2024, in Barbados — a night of jubilation for India and quiet heartbreak for millions who had grown up watching Kohli redefine batting in white-ball cricket.
Quote of the day - "This was going to be my last T20 World Cup playing for India, it's time for the next generation to take over."
India had just clinched their second T20 World Cup title with a dramatic seven-run win over South Africa, ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought.
Kohli, named Player of the Match for his masterful 76 off 59 balls, chose that triumphant moment to announce his T20I retirement, which came out as a fitting farewell for one of the format’s modern greats.
He bowed out with 4,188 runs in 125 matches at an astonishing average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04, second only to Rohit Sharma among India’s leading run-scorers.
The final itself was a classic.
After a quick fall of wickets, Kohli, who had been struggling from a poor run of form, stood tall and brought the team out of danger with the craft of his willow.
India’s 176/7 was the highest first-innings total in a T20 World Cup final, but South Africa threatened to steal the show, needing just 30 off 30 with six wickets in hand.
Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya held their nerve under pressure, while Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning boundary catch to dismiss David Miller sealed a moment that will live forever in Indian cricket folklore.
India’s campaign was dominant and unbeaten, marked by all-round excellence.
Rohit’s leadership, Bumrah’s lethal bowling, Kuldeep Yadav’s spin control, and crucial contributions from Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav underlined the team’s depth.
The triumph also marked a high point for coach Rahul Dravid, who signed off with a world title.
Celebrations followed across the country, with the BCCI announcing a Rs 125 crore reward and Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosting the champions.
Yet, amid the celebrations, Kohli’s farewell line stood out. It was a reminder that while legends step aside, Indian cricket’s story continues with a new generation ready to rise.
FOXBOROUGH — Will Campbell had a strong showing during the regular season but was sidelined for the final few games due to a knee injury. He returned for the playoffs, but had some clear struggles.
And while he made it clear that it's no excuse for his performance, Campbell opened up about how serious his injury truly was. Specifically, he revealed he suffered a torn ligament in his knee during the team's win over the Cincinnati Bengals on November 23.
“It obviously wasn’t 100 percent,” Campbell said. “I mean, I don’t think when you tear a ligament in your knee, it’s not going to be how it was before, but I was healthy enough to go. I’m not going to say that it held me back, but yeah, it wasn’t the same as it was before, obviously. But I was good.”
His Super Bowl LX performance has received a lot of criticism, with NFL Next Gen Stats saying he allowed 14 pressures. And, he's certainly heard and seen some of it.
“I mean, it comes with the job when you don’t perform,” Campbell said. “Obviously, I was picked high, paid a lot, so people expect a certain thing, and I expect more myself. So, whenever I don’t perform, I don’t expect everyone to be like, ‘It’s okay, buddy.’ I mean, obviously it sucks, but it doesn’t suck for anyone more than it sucks for me.”
But he knows what he's capable of and is determined to come back next season stronger.
“I don’t think one performance defines a season. I think I did some good things this year,” he said. “Obviously, there’s room for growth in every aspect of my game. I’m 22 years old. I have a lot of room for growth in every aspect as a player, as a leader; whether that’s strength and conditioning, pass protection, run blocking, whatever it might be. I have growth everywhere. I’m young. I’m learning.”
It seems to be a given at this point that Daniel Jones will be back with the Indianapolis Colts in 2026 and likely beyond.
The two sides have made it known that is what they would like to happen, and Tom Pelissero reported recently that contract talks could begin soon.
However, assuming things play out that way, could the Colts still make another veteran addition at quarterback this offseason? ESPN's Ben Solak brought up that idea.
"Assuming the Colts sign Daniel Jones, I could still see them looking for a veteran option to start over Riley Leonard while Jones slowly comes back from the Achilles injury," Solak wrote. "(No, not Philip Rivers. That's a little too veteran.) This seems like the right team for Marcus Mariota or Joe Flacco."
I get the logic behind this, and things can change, but Jones said that he expects to be "ready to go" by training camp. That, of course, would reduce the need for the Colts to have a veteran backup ready to go.
My guess is that the team also feels good about what they saw from Riley Leonard late last season to step in as a capable backup if needed.
All that said, the other part of this equation is that means moving on from Anthony Richardson -- another topic that Solak discussed. There are reasons why this makes sense, but we still have to see the Colts do it first.
To bolster competition and depth behind the starter, bringing in another quarterback this offseason could be on Chris Ballard's radar. But I don't know that he prioritizes signing a veteran in free agency.
The recent speculation surrounding former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr potentially making a return to the NFL has fans in New Orleans somewhat hopeful -- and not because they’re eager to see Carr suit up for another team, but because of the reward that could come with it.
Last offseason, Carr made the decision to retire due to a shoulder injury that significantly limited his ability to throw the football. At the time, the injury appeared to be a long-term concern. However, recent reports suggest Carr’s shoulder has healed to the point where he can perform the functional movements required to throw, sparking renewed interest from teams around the league.
With several franchises still searching for stability under center, a potential Carr trade has quietly become one of the more intriguing storylines of the offseason. Still relatively young at 34, Carr could offer a steady presence for a team that believes it is ready to win now.
As teams begin to explore the possibility of adding Derek Carr, the Saints also gain an opportunity to evaluate what kind of compensation they could receive in return. Taking into account quarterback need across the league and the available draft capital of interested teams, let’s dive into a few potential trade proposals involving Carr and New Orleans:
Each of these teams would likely have at least some level of interest in the veteran quarterback, with existing coaching ties potentially making things even more intriguing. If the Saints are able to receive compensation for Carr’s services, it would be a significant win for a franchise that has already secured two mid-round selections for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and an additional pick following the departure of Paulson Adebo.
With eight total picks -- including one inside the top 10 -- New Orleans could be positioned perfectly for another strong draft class in 2026.
The Boston Celtics are about to get their superstar back. Or at least that is the point of view of The folks behind the "D Flow Hoops" YouTube channel, who put together a clip in response to the press release put out by the Celtics alerting us that star Boston forward Jayson Tatum practiced with the Maine Celtics at the Auerbach Center practice facility with rookie teammates Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams.
This news, while not a return to the court at present, signals a strong move in that direction for the St. Louis native. And while there are still likely several more hurdles for Tatum to pass in order for a return to play becoming a reality. What do we need to know about where he is at in the process given what we are hearing?
Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the potential looming return of the Duke alum to the NBA.
Nerazzurri back at work: training footage from today
Cristian Chivu held a training session for Inter this morning at the BPER Training Centre.
The Nerazzurri are preparing for the Derby d'Italia against Juventus this weekend, which will be on Saturday 14 February at 20:45.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 10: Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers reacts against the Chicago Bears during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Soldier Field on January 10, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The 2025 season is over. The Seattle Seahawks captured the ultimate prize. How close are the Packers to winning it all in 2026?
That’s the only question that matters for this iteration of the Packers. For the next few seasons, the Packers are leveraged to win now. They’ve got a good quarterback, capable players at most other positions, and stability throughout the organization. What will it take to get the Packers over the top?
A lot of Packers fans (or at least, some very loud ones) suggested this offseason that a different head coach would do the trick. That ship has sailed, and it’ll be on Matt LaFleur to get the Packers to the big dance and into the proverbial end zone.
Can he do it? It’ll depend on the second big pillar of Packers success: injury luck. The Packers had a pretty rough go of things in 2025, and there’s no guarantee things will be any better in 2026 .But you have to hink some improvement on that front would at least leave the Packers a little better equipped to make a run than they were this year.
So can they do it? It’s certainly possible. The Packers will enter next season as one of the few teams who can consider themselves legitimate contenders by virtue of the fact that they have a capable quarterback. The rest will take some doing, but there’s no reason to think the Packers can’t get it done.
The Seattle Seahawks humiliated the New England Patriots on national television with their suffocating 29-13 victory in Super Bowl LX. But winning the Super Bowl isn't always enough... sometimes you simply must respond to the trolls and critics following your championship, and that is exactly what rookie safety Nick Emmanwori did on Twitter.
Following Seattle's domination, Emmanwori tweeted this out, which can be seen below. At first glance, it simply appears to be a reference to the 1979 film The Warriors. But in reality, it is an incredibly pointed response to Barstool Sports president and founder Dave Portnoy, as well as the New England Patriots.
During the week leading up to the Super Bowl, Portnoy made the same reference on one of his Barstool shows. For whatever reason, the Patriots also adopted the "warriors, come out and plaaaaaay" line as one of their rallying cries this season. Unfortunately (for them) it has backfired in spectacular fashion.
Sometimes, the simple response speaks volumes. Emmanwori's trolling back to Portnoy, Barstool, and the Patriots organization will be remembered fondly on Seahawks Twitter.
A big issue that the Dallas Cowboys had to endure during the 2025 NFL season was their defense. It got so bad to a point where they became the worst-ranked defense in the league and Jerry Jones had to fire defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. But, this dilemma may have started when they traded away Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. Despite missing the postseason for the second-straight, CeeDee Lamb posits that it may have been a fairly equal trade.
Lamb outlines how it was good for Parsons and Dallas
The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers during the 2025 NFL offseason. In exchange, the Jones-led front office got Kenny Clark alongside two first-round picks for 2026 and 2027. Parsons ended up signing a $186 million contract with Green Bay for four years with about $120 million of it guaranteed.
Lamb pointed out that this new contract for Parsons along with the Cowboys having a new guy in Clark who can stop opponents' rushing plays have been great, via The Rich Eisen Show.
“I was pretty upset when Micah left. I’m not afraid to say it again but, I think it was beneficial for both parties. Micah got the money that he deserved. And, at the end of the day, we ended up with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark when we couldn’t stop the run so that was pretty good. But Micah is my man, he knows that. That’s my brother and brotherly love is never lost," the Cowboys star wideout said.
Lamb loves seeing everyone around him succeed and it might just be his nature. A few weeks after the Cowboys' season ended, he also outlined that he would not mind if George Pickens made more money than him despite them playing the same position on the same team.
The Cowboys clearly have a good leader in the wide receiver room in Lamb. Furthermore, they are also a pass rusher away from being a good defense again under defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Parsons, on the other hand, still has a brother in the Cowboys system, made the money that he deserved, and has a shot to compete for the Vince Lombardi trophy with the Packers.
The creative wrinkles in the UFC-Paramount relationship continue to show in a new announcement around the UFC 326 broadcast.
Paramount announced on Tuesday that the final hour of the UFC 326 preliminary card and the first hour of the UFC main card will be simulcast on broadcast television through CBS.
The simulcast for the March 7 event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will mark the first time UFC fights will be broadcast on a CBS platform. The network has aired MMA in the past with the now-defunct Strikeforce and Bellator organizations.
Paramount+ and CBS will partner to air UFC 326: HOLLOWAY vs. OLIVEIRA 2, LIVE on Saturday, March 7, marking the first UFC event ever to appear on the broadcast network. pic.twitter.com/uKjpPQdpAR
According to the release, the CBS portion of the card will air from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET. The entire event will still stream on Paramount+ for subscribers to the service.
UFC 326 is still absent an official co-main event after Brian Ortega withdrew from his rematch vs. Renato Moicano. The current fight card, however, is as follows:
Real Madrid youth player’s first-team debut seems ‘inevitable’ – report
Real Madrid’s season so far may have had a lot of jitters so far, including the mid-season managerial change.
However, it has been a blessing in disguise for the club’s academy, as it has become easiest to crack the Real Madrid first-team than it has been for years.
While breaking into the Real Madrid senior squad remains an immense challenge, the recent decisions made by Alvaro Arbeloa have sent a surge of hope through La Fabrica.
Thiago Pitarch: The next big breakout?
While several starlets are knocking on the door, Thiago Pitarch is arguably the closest to a breakthrough, reports AS.
Despite being called up to the first-team squad eleven times, including the trip to Saudi Arabia for the Super Cup, the Castilla midfielder is yet to register a single minute.
However, his debut now feels unavoidable. Pitarch continues to shine at the youth level, most recently scoring a spectacular goal in the knockout victory over Marseille in the UEFA Youth League.
Pitarch may soon make his debut with Real Madrid. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
With a technical touch described as “top level,” his long-awaited opportunity is widely considered a matter of time.
Not the first one
Pitarch is not the only youth player fueling this positive trend. David Jimenez recently impressed during his first La Liga start at Mestalla, recording a 97% pass completion rate and 100% accuracy in the opponent’s half.
His defensive contribution was equally notable, registering three recoveries while nearly finding the net himself.
Furthermore, Jorge Cestero appears to have overtaken senior midfielder Dani Ceballos in the hierarchy, starting three matches ahead of the Spaniard.
Whether it was against Albacete or during the final minutes in Lisbon, Arbeloa’s preference for the youngster has been evident.
Women's football: Chased out of Hoeschpark – celebrated at San Siro
“Ekki, can you save it?” Renate Breß asks cheekily. Breß shoots. Ekki saves. Admittedly, the ten-meter shot wasn't much of a test for Ekkehard “Ekki” Brach. But it's also true that Renate Breß is already a proud 88 years old. Whenever Breß sees a football, she has to play with it. Today just as much as in the old days. A true football enthusiast. In 1955, at the age of 17, she was the co-founder of the women's football club Fortuna Dortmund – even though the German Football Association (DFB) banned all women's teams from playing football that same year. “Today we're very proud that we persevered. We could have stayed home, but we wanted to play,” says Renate Breß, who was still called Müller back then.
Breß and Fortuna Dortmund paved the way for the success of the BVB women's football team. On this November Monday, the former left-back not only watches the BVB women's training session but afterwards recounts the resistance and challenges she faced in the 1950s. A little time later, in the meeting room, 19 young professional female footballers listen with great interest to what the pioneer has to say – in Hoeschpark, no less. “They chased us away with walking sticks. We weren't allowed to stay anywhere because they couldn't understand that women also wanted to play football,” Breß reveals.
But the women of Fortuna Dortmund were unstoppable. Their love and passion for the game were greater than any obstacle. Necessity was the mother of invention, even 70 years ago: “We made balls out of fabric and kicked them around in the street or even in some old man's garden.” When a training ground was finally found in Schwerte, the late training time again demanded ingenuity. “I always borrowed my father's moped to get to training; others were driven there by car. The cars were then positioned so that the headlights served as floodlights,” Breß describes the training sessions at the time.
Noreen Günnewig, a 24-year-old midfielder, raves after the extraordinary visit: "Renate shaped football and is a very inspiring woman.” She also participated in over 150 unofficial women's international matches between 1956 and 1965. “We were in Holland, Belgium, France, and Italy. The game in Milan at the San Siro was certainly the absolute highlight,” says Renate Breß, passing around two heavy albums. Just moments before, everyone listened in complete silence, but suddenly, enthusiastic whispers erupt. The albums are filled with numerous photos, match reports, tickets, and newspaper clippings, and passages about “braided Miss Müller” are carefully underlined.
It’s history that you can actually touch. That also applies to her heavy football boots from back then. “Compared to these, you're all playing in ballet slippers today,” says Breß, unable to suppress a mischievous grin. And the purchase of the appropriate playing kit back then is something unimaginable today. “We got our kit from the Wiethoff sports shop and had to pay it off in installments of two German Marks a month. It took us years,” the pensioner recalls. While nowadays “equal pay” is being discussed, back then “money wasn't an issue at all, according to Breß. We just wanted to play. After a few years, we got ten marks for away games so we could buy something to drink at service stations.”
“An impressive woman,” says Rita Schumacher (25), adding: “She loves the sport and fought so hard for it. This has really shown me that it is not something to take for granted, the advantages we now enjoy and the fact that we can even earn our living with football.”
In 1965, Fortuna Dortmund was dissolved “amid tears”. “We were all around 30, and there were no new players because women's football was banned. So we called it quits,” Renate Breß recounts about the end of a memorable decade. “For years, I wondered why Borussia Dortmund didn't have a women's team,” she adds critically. She is very glad, however, that something has finally been done about it.
After nearly an hour, all the questions have been answered, the albums have been passed around, and as a thank you, captain Paula Reimann (23) presents a signed home jersey. “Are you all crazy? Thank you so much!” the overwhelmed pioneer exclaimed. Only seconds later, she discusses the Westphalia Cup match against their local rivals from a few days earlier which BVB lost: “Next time, I want Schalke to be beaten again.”
Two weeks later, the top match against the U21 team of 1. FC Köln was on the schedule. At the invitation of BVB, Renate Breß and her good friend Ekkehard Brach were visiting the Rote Erde Stadium for the first time. Sporting a BVB women's fan scarf, she watched as the Black & Yellows miss their chance to take the top spot in the table after a 1-1 draw, remaining three points behind Köln. The Regionalliga championship would be a tough road. But if the story of Renate Breß and Fortuna Dortmund has taught us anything, it's to never give up and to fight for our goals and dreams.
Photos: Eileen Doeker
This text is from the members' magazine BORUSSIA. BVB members receive BORUSSIA free of charge every month. Click here for membership application.
Hurzeler confirms defender is set to return – and provides update on Wieffer
Fabian Hurzeler revealed that Jan Paul van Hecke will return for Brighton’s midweek clash against Aston Villa.
The Dutchman missed his side’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace over the weekend due to a minor hamstring issue.
Hurzeler said: “JP will be back in the squad.”
Unfortunately, Mats Wieffer remains out with a toe injury that’s kept him on the sidelines since late December as he is “not ready, but close”.
“We have no other injury concerns,” Hurzeler added.
Brighton are looking to bounce back following their 1-0 defeat against rivals Crystal Palace. The Albion have just one win in 12 Premier League games and Hurzeler was booed off the pitch on Sunday afternoon.
Hurzeler said: “It is part of the game… there are a lot of emotions.”
On winning back the fans, the 32-year-old said: “They need to have the feeling we give everything on the pitch. That they can go out and be proud to wear the colours.”
Man United dramatically reverse course on plan Ruben Amorim supported
Manchester United have reportedly backtracked on their plans to participate in a mid-season friendly in the Middle East.
United’s Middle East plan
Earlier this season, it emerged that United were strongly considering the idea of playing in a mid-season friendly in the Middle East as part of an effort to generate additional revenue.
A disappointing 15th-place finish in the 2024/25 season, which saw United miss out on European football, left a substantial hole in the club’s revenue. This financial pressure led them to consider the controversial idea.
Two months before his sacking, Ruben Amorim threw his weight behind the plan, declaring publicly that he and his players “have to do it” to help the club offset the significant revenue deficit.
A few weeks ago, Kuwait Football Association president Ahmad Al-Yousef revealed that the Red Devils approached them about potentially staging a friendly on February 12. However, the short notice meant that it was impossible to organise of that scale.
Now, The Times reveal that United are no longer looking to play a mid-season friendly in the Middle East, with full focus now on finishing strongly in the Premier League under Michael Carrick, who was installed as caretaker boss following Amorim’s dismissal.
United make U-turn
The newspaper states, “Tentative plans for Manchester United to play a mid-season friendly in the Middle East have been put on the backburner.”
“Talks could be revived regarding a friendly after next month’s international break, but for now it looks like United will not be heading to the region for an exhibition match that could have earned them millions of pounds.”
“Since the turn of the year, the appetite for such a trip has waned somewhat. When United were considering the matter this season, the upcoming week was marked as an option.”
United’s early elimination from the FA Cup means they have a 13-day break after tonight’s match against West Ham before facing Everton.
The Times add that Carrick was even presented with the option of taking the team away for warm-weather training during the 13-day break, but he turned it down. It’s understood that Carrick strongly values the time he is having with the squad on the training ground, attributing it to the team’s newfound defensive solidity.
Reed Blankenship's rise is one of the better stories on the Philadelphia Eagles' roster. Then again, that statement may not be descriptive enough. Blenkenship's rise may be one of the more impressive on the Eagles' roster and one of the better ones that we've been allowed to tell in a while. Undrafted out of Middle Tennessee, he arrived in Philadelphia with no guarantees. He has more than earned everything that has followed.
He became the first undrafted rookie free agent to intercept Aaron Rodgers. He has since grown into a three-year starter and a key contributor on a Super Bowl-winning defense.
Along the way, he also established himself as a leader. He was recently named a team captain. Coaches trust him. Teammates respect him. Younger players benefit from his presence. Just look at Cooper DeJean.
Blankenship has become a hybrid of mentorship and communication. Now comes the question. Is that enough to outweigh physical limitations and a few shortcomings in the eyes of an organization that must determine if he should be part of its future?
The Eagles face a serious Reed Blankenship conundrum.
The Eagles' decision about Reed Blankenship doesn't hinge on just one sentiment. It's based on several factors. The Eagles need him in their lineup, but they have also shown that they can win without him.
Again, he's been a great mentor to guys like Cooper DeJean. His on-field leadership is unquestioned, but he's also needed to be the last line of defense sometimes, and he can be exposed by better athletes or perfect placement by an opposing quarterback's pass attempt
Blankenship totaled seven interceptions across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but the splash plays dried up in 2025. Without the occasional forced turnover, his limitations became more visible, and most people believe he took a noticeable step backward during the most recent Eagles campaign.
Coverage has never been his strength, and as offenses increasingly target safeties in space, that weakness in Blankenship's game has become harder to hide from offensive coordinators devising strategies to attack the Eagles' defense.
He's just 26 years old, but it's fair to ask questions about his long-term trajectory. He hasn't aged poorly, but he hasn't aged forward either.
That alone can make decisions trickier. It's doubtful that Blankenship will become a better athlete as he gets older, but there's something else to consider. The Eagles don't currently have a better safety on the roster.
Andrew Mukuba is injury-prone. Sydney Brown is limited. Andre Sam is decent but raw. Marcus Epps is good, but Blankenship is still the better player.
He's worth keeping. He just isn't worth keeping at an astronomical price. A team-friendly extension makes sense. An extension that limits flexibility does not.
Blankenship is a valuable piece, but it's erroneous to see him as irreplaceable. That's one opinion. Time will tell if the Philadelphia Eagles offer another.
MILAN (AP) — Former world champions Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps of Canada will compete in the individual pairs event at the Milan Cortina Olympics after Stellato-Dudek's head injury forced them to withdraw from last weekend's figure skating team event.
“I want to thank everyone for their concern and support. I’ve been working closely with the medical team, and feel ready and excited to compete,” Stellato-Dudek said in a statement Tuesday night. “My priority right now is skating my best.”
Stellato-Dudek was hurt when her head hit the ice during a training session in Quebec on Jan. 30, exactly one week before the opening ceremony of the Winter Games. They withdrew from the team event three days later, and Skate Canada said the U.S.-born Stellato-Dudek had been closely monitored and completed all of the required medical evaluations.
“Athlete health and safety remain our top priority,” Skate Canada said in a statement, “and the decision to compete was made under the guidance of medical professionals. Stellato-Dudek is feeling well and is looking forward to taking the ice.”
The pairs short program at the Milan Cortina Games is Sunday. The free skate is the following night.
The 42-year-old Stellato-Dudek, who was born in the Chicago suburbs, has represented Canada since teaming up with Deschamps before the 2019 season. The three-time Canadian champions won the world title in 2024 and were fifth last year in Boston, and they are considered podium contenders in their first Winter Games together.
Trennt Michaud and Lia Pereira performed both of their pairs programs in the team event for Canada, which finished in fifth.
Milan — Olympic officials will not allow Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych to wear a helmet showing images of some of his fellow Ukrainian athletes who have been killed in Russia's war on his country when he competes in the 2026 Winter Games in Italy, according to a letter from the International Olympic Committee to Ukraine's Olympic delegation.
It's "a decision that simply breaks my heart," Heraskevych said in a social media post overnight. "The feeling that the IOC is betraying those athletes who were part of the Olympic movement, not allowing them to be honored on the sports arena where these athletes will never be able to step again, despite precedents in modern times and in the past when the IOC allowed such tributes. This time they decided to set special rules just for Ukraine."
In a letter from the IOC, which the Ukrainian Olympic team shared with CBS News, the committee said, "sadly, today's world is divided and full of conflicts and tragedies. The IOC has addressed from the beginning the situation of Ukrainian sports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The IOC fully understands the desire of the athletes to remember their friends who have lost their lives as a result of many conflicts around the world."
The IOC said, however, that "the focus of the Olympic Games must remain on athletes' performances, sport and the international unity and harmony that the Olympic Games seek to advance. It is a fundamental principle, applied equally to all delegations and athletes, that sports at the Olympic Games must be separated from political, religious or any other type of interference."
It said Heraskevych "like all other athletes, will not be able to compete with a personalized helmet (as he used in training sessions and posted on social media) ... This being said, the IOC is willing to make an exception to the Guidelines in this specific case should the athlete wish to pay tribute to his fellow athletes and express his sorrow by wearing a black armband or ribbon without any personalization."
Heraskevych said earlier on social media that many of those depicted on his helmet were athletes, some of whom were killed while defending Ukraine, others by Russian shelling.
"Among them are representatives of summer sports and winter sports. Among them are Olympicians - members of the so-called Olympic family,"
Heraskevych said his national teammate Dmytro Sharper was depicted on the helmet, as well as boxer Maksym Halinichev, a Youth Olympic medalist. He also said a number of children and people who supported veteran sports were depicted.
"I will compete for them," Heraskevych said.
"His helmet bears portraits of our athletes who were killed by Russia. Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who died in the battles near Bakhmut, 19-year-old biathlete Yevhen Malyshev, who was killed by the occupiers near Kharkiv, and other athletes who lost their lives in the Russian war," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday.
"I thank Vladislav Heraskevich, the flag bearer of our team at the Winter Olympics, for reminding the world of the price of our struggle. This truth cannot be inconvenient, inappropriate, or called a 'political action at sporting events,'" Zelenskyy said. "It is a reminder to the whole world of what modern Russia is like. And this is what reminds everyone of the global role of sport and the historical mission of the Olympic movement as such. It is all about peace and for the sake of life. Ukraine is faithful to this. Russia proves the opposite."
On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Heorhii Tykhyi, told CBS News that Ukraine's government regretted the IOC's decision, and that around 800 sports facilities in Ukraine had been either destroyed or damaged by Russian strikes, including at least 20 Olympic, Paralympic and Deaflympic training sites.
"This is a simple act of paying tribute to hundreds of Ukrainian athletes killed by Russia during this war, and there is nothing illegal or political or inappropriate in this," Tykhyi said. "Bureaucrats may want to close their eyes for the reality, but the problem is that the reality does not disappear if you close your eyes and if you just want to ignore the largest war of aggression in Europe since World War II happening right now at this moment of the Olympic Games."
Aug 1, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (center) talks to assistant quarterback coach Chandler Henley (left) during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Chargers are reportedly adding yet another former Dolphins coach as former Miami run game specialist Chandler Henley is expected to join Los Angeles’ coaching staff, per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
Henley has spent the past four seasons under Mike McDaniel and he’s got a rather impressive resume in regards to elite running back seasons.
From 2018-2020, Henley was a part of a Titan coaching staff that helped current Ravens star running back Derrick Henry record a 2,027-yard season. In 2021, his lone year with the Falcons, Henley helped wide receiver-turned-running back Cordarrelle Patterson reach 1,166 yards total yards of offense and 11 total touchdowns. Then with the Dolphins, Henley helped third-year back De’Von Achane reach 1,838 yards of offense and 12 total touchdowns in 2025.
Difficult to distribute "credit" among assistants, but this potential hiring really excites me.
Notable RB seasons with Henley: Derrick Henry (2,027 yards), Cordarrelle Patterson (1,166 yards), and De'Von Achane (1838 yards).
I truly believe this is a great hire by the Chargers and keeping McDaniel’s offensive staff as familiar as possible in hopes of churning out similar, productive results is the right process. With a back like Omarion Hampton, it’s hard not to get excited about the 2026 season that could be in front of him.
MILAN — The national mint of Italy is ready to repair the faulty medal fixings for athletes, organizers of the Milan Cortina Olympics said Tuesday.
Ribbons and clasps, rather than the gold, silver and bronze designs, have been the problem for medalists in the opening days of the Winter Games.
“A limited number for medals have had a few problems,” Olympic organizing committee spokesman Luca Casassa said in translated comments.
A “targeted intervention” was found with the Zecca dello Stato (state mint) in Rome that produced the medals.
“Athletes who have medals with problems are invited to give them back through the appropriate channels,” Casassa said, “so that they can be immediately repaired.”
ANTERSELVA, Italy (AP) — A post-race interview with the bronze medal winner in the men's Olympic biathlon competition on Tuesday took an unexpected turn when he revealed in a live broadcast that he had been unfaithful to his girlfriend.
Sturla Holm Laegreid, one of Norway's top biathletes, finished third in the 20-kilometer individual race, but was full of remorse when he spoke to Norwegian broadcaster NRK at the Milan Cortina Games.
“Six months ago I met the love of my life. The world’s most beautiful, sweetest person. And three months ago I made the biggest mistake of my life and cheated on her,” Laegreid said, fighting back tears.
He said he told his partner a week ago about what had happened.
“I’m sure many people now see me in a different light, but I only have eyes for her,” he said. “I’m not quite sure what I’m trying to say by saying this now, but sport has taken a back seat in recent days. I wish I could share this with her.”
Laegreid's teammate Johan-Olav Botn shot perfectly in his Olympic debut to secure the gold medal while Eric Perrot of France, the overall World Cup leader, missed one shot and finished 14.8 seconds behind Botn to take silver. Laegreid also missed on target and was 48.3 seconds behind, taking the bronze.
It was Laegreid's first individual Olympic medal. He was part of the relay team that took gold at the Beijing Olympics.
But instead of celebrating, he was distraught, crying and hugging friends, after the race. During a news conference he explained why he decided to tell the world about his personal situation on the TV broadcast.
“It was the choice I made. We make different choices during our life and that's how we make life,” he told a room full of journalists. “So today I made a choice to tell the world what I did, so maybe, maybe there is a chance she will see what she really means to me. Maybe not.”
He said he felt bad about upstaging his teammate with his deeply personal news.
“Now I hope I didn’t ruin Johan’s day," he said. "Maybe it was really selfish of me to give that interview. I’m not really here, mentally.”
Things are about to get very serious about the biggest event of the year.
There’s been a lot of talk over the past few months about who might end up on the UFC’s White House card in June.
A good portion of the roster seems open to it, though, given how unique this card is going to be.
Certain fighters, like Ilia Topuria, returning from his layoff, look like natural choices to appear on the White House lawn.
Matchmakers will start sorting out these questions at UFC 298 on February 10th when some key contenders step back into the cage and clear up a few things. For now, it’s worth looking at who’s already under consideration for a spot at one of MMA’s most anticipated events in years.
Dana White shares latest on UFC White House card matchups
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images
One of the bigger storylines leading up to the event has been the question of whether Jon Jones might come out of retirement to join the card. It’s just one in a long list of talking points as things start to ramp up.
With so many high-profile names likely interested, it’s not going to be a straightforward process for the UFC.
Dana White posted on social media confirming that they’re starting to piece together matchups now.
There’s also been a lot of misinformation floating around about which fighters will actually be on the card. Posts and rumours have only added fuel to that fire.
The meeting is reportedly taking place today, with Mick Maynard flying in to help with selections. The plan is to have fights finalised by the end of this week.
UFC White House matchmaking hits a snag
Fans are already questioning how likely it is that the card will feature eight or nine title fights, especially after Donald Trump hinted at the possibility during an earlier interview with Ariel Helwani.
If the UFC were to follow through on that idea, it would make clear which matchups should be expected and which ones wouldn’t be realistic. But now, there’s been another update about what fans should expect from this event.
Speaking at MoffettNathanson’s 2024 Technology, Media & Telecom Conference, Ari Emanuel revealed that “there will only be six or seven fights”, without confirming whether any of them would actually involve championship belts.
On the surface, having fewer fights might seem like a more manageable task for matchmakers. But narrowing down who gets the call for such a limited lineup is going to be difficult given the number of fighters eager to take part in this historic card.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner won bronze in mixed doubles curling Tuesday, defeating Britain 5-3.
It was a bittersweet result for the Italians, the defending Olympic champions whose fans packed the stands throughout the round-robin in hopes to see a repeat. And it was devastating for the Brits, Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat, who were expected to make the final after exiting the round-robin with the most wins of any pair.
They faltered against exacting throws from Mosaner and Constantini, who hails from Cortina and has become a darling of this stadium. The British duo walked off the ice dejected.
The U.S. and Sweden will go broom to broom for Olympic gold.
For the U.S., there's Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin, known by fans as “Cory and Korey.” By advancing to the final, they have already become the first Americans to medal in Olympic mixed doubles. Thiesse is the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the sport.
They're facing off against the Wranå siblings of Sweden, Isabella and Rasmus.
Seattle might be known for coffee, but recently, the teacups took center stage instead.
To the victors go the spoils. The Lombardi Trophy, some nice rings, but also the famed trip to Disneyland.
Before Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker III and other Seattle Seahawks players make it back to the "Emerald City" to celebrate their Super Bowl 60 win, they had an opportunity to decompress and take in the sights and sounds of the "Happiest Place on Earth."
That includes paying a visit to the one of the theme park staples: The spinning teacups.
Cameras caught Darnold and Walker enjoying a spin on the teacup ride in Disneyland, sharing a moment that can best be described as adorable – even if the enthusiasm levels not quite reaching that of other, lesser-aged attendees:
All things considered, a relaxing ride in the teacups probably ranks just above a jacuzzi break after taking a beating during the NFL season.
The Seahawks downed the New England Patriots in a 29-13 Super Bowl 60 win, a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicated. Darnold and Walker provided most of the offense for the game, with the quarterback's touchdown pass to A.J. Barner the dagger for Seattle.
The teacup ride also might be one of the last times the two do something as teammates. Walker, the Super Bowl MVP, is a pending free agent, and his future in Seattle is murky at best.
For now, as Seahawks, they'll have a memory that will last a lifetime – and the Super Bowl win was probably nice, too.
LIVIGNO, Italy (AP) — Perched in the snow-covered Italian Alps, Patti Sherman-Kauf fondly remembers how, four years before, in another valley and a world away in Wyoming, she glowed with pride watching a line of headlights approach in the middle of the night.
Those cars were full of family and friends coming to gather around a television and watch her daughter, freestyle skier Jaelin Kauf, compete in moguls at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. Bedlam broke out in the bar owned by her father when Jaelin won the silver medal.
“It was a line, at 1:30 in the morning, snaking through the valley up to the bar for the watch party,” Sherman-Kauf recalled. "There were like 150 people there watching in this little bar. Being able to watch it on TV with all our friends and family, that was amazing.”
But, she told The Associated Press, nothing compares to breathing in the frosty alpine air, standing at the foot of a ski course and cheering on Jaelin as she shows her speed, agility and aerial stunts at the 2026 Winter Olympics, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic had stopped her loved ones from accompanying her to China.
In Livigno, Sherman-Kauf is joined by Jaelin’s father and brother, and about 30 more people who had also been at that bar back in Alta, Wyoming, right on the Idaho border. Besides that hard-core group waving “J" for Jaelin signs, there were dozens more family members of Team USA skiers, most decked out in red-while-and-blue caps, coats, scarves and sweaters. And everybody cheered for everyone, regardless of the country they represented.
"Freestyle is a big family,” Sherman-Kauf said, taking a moment to give her daughter a hug before she joined her teammates atop the slope.
Jaelin’s long-standing motto is “deliver the love.”
That reminder to just embrace what she does, despite the outcome, is there written on her helmet.
On Tuesday, Jaelin was on the receiving end of that love delivery.
“I could see all the Js waving from up in the start gate and could hear them cheering for me down here. I love having them around. They give me so much energy,” Jalein said after completing her qualifying run.
Turns out that the 29-year-old, who made her Olympic debut in 2018 with her family there to support her, is going to need some more of those positive vibrations to keep her quest for another medal alive.
A costly bobble on her qualifying run wrecked her score, which is based on a skier’s execution of those hip-swiveling “turns” used to navigate the bumpy slope, along with the difficulty of two acrobatic jumps, and the time. She finished 27th of 29 riders, missing out on the top 10 who advanced to the final.
On Wednesday, she will need to be among the top 10 skiers of the 20 who failed to advance the day before. The final is later the same day.
“The plan for tomorrow is to just put down some my runs,” Jaelin said. “Obviously, you know, like going for gold out here.”
Jaelin, who has a world championship title in dual moguls and over 50 World Cup podiums, has been here before.
Now, at an active 62, Sherman-Kauf said “you couldn’t pay me to get on this course,” while craning her neck to look up at the huge slope where her daughter and the other skiers pound their way down the back-breaking, knee-bending bumps only interrupted by the two ramps where they launch into twisting leaps.
But will she still give her daughter some advice for the do-or-die second round of qualifying on Wednesday?
Never.
“A hug and have fun is all,” Sherman-Kauf said. “It’s her thing and not ours, because she gets a lot of, ‘Oh, your parents were skiers,’ and that’s all great, the history and all that, but this is her thing, right?
Four weeks after the announcement that Powerball is the new presenting sponsor of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, the big-bucks draw lottery game revealed that was not a one-off venture, but rather the start of a trend.
On Monday, the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour announced that Powerball has signed on as the title sponsor for the Pickleball State Championship Series, which will now be known as the “Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series” (PPSCS).
Pickleball, a sport played with a paddle that sits at something of a midpoint between tennis and ping-pong, has been deemed the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the last four years in a row.
“This partnership with Powerball manifests critical investment in elemental pickleball across America and is a milestone for local, amateur pickleball in every state,” PPA founder and CEO Connor Pardoe said in the press release.
Added Powerball Product Group Chair and Iowa Lottery CEO Matt Strawn: “For more than three decades, Powerball has inspired people to dream big and imagine what’s possible. Through the Powerball Pickleball State Championship Series, we’re proud to bring that same spirit of opportunity to athletes across the country — giving them a chance to chase their own championship dreams.”
The PPSCS features more than 55 tournaments, building toward the Pickleball World Championships held in early November. Powerball’s title sponsorship extends to the name of the championship court at the Pickleball World Championships, which will now be known as the “Powerball Championship Court.”
This might the singular greatest performance in one singular pickleball point…
Behind the back, a tweener, saves left and right, all within the span of 10 seconds 🤯
While Powerball is making news on the sponsorship front, its jackpot is building back up following the Jan. 21 win in North Carolina, now at an estimated $126 million (cash value: $57.8 million) for Wednesday night after eight straight rollovers.
The latest of those came Monday night, when the winning numbers were 6, 19, 22, 28, 48, and red Powerball 24. One player, in North Carolina, hit the Match 5 for a cool million bucks before taxes.
Mega Millions, meanwhile, has a top prize about triple the size of Powerball’s for Tuesday night’s drawing. The estimated jackpot sits at $366 million (cash option: $165.6 million), having now rolled over 19 times in a row since the last win on Dec. 2, 2025.
Tickets for Mega Millions cost $5 and Powerball tickets cost $2. Most states offer the multiplier option for Powerball, which impacts any prize won, except the jackpot, for an additional $1. Mega Millions comes with an automatic multiplier for any prize except the jackpot.
Both Powerball and Mega Millions are legal in all states except Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. Tickets for both draw games are also sold in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In Puerto Rico, customers can buy tickets for Powerball, but not for Mega Millions.
All-time biggest jackpots
Here is a list of the all-time top 10 U.S. lottery jackpots:
$2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022, won in California
$1.82 billion, Powerball, Dec. 24, 2025, won in Arkansas
$1.79 billion, Powerball, Sept. 6, 2025, won in Missouri and Texas
$1.76 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, won in California
$1.6 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, won in Florida
$1.59 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016, won in California, Florida, and Tennessee
$1.54 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, won in South Carolina
$1.35 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, won in Maine
$1.34 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, won in Illinois
$1.33 billion, Powerball, April 6, 2024, won in Oregon
Here is the all-time top 10 by lump-sum cash value:
$997.6 million, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022, won in California
$983.5 million, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016, won in California, Florida, and Tennessee
$877.8 million, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, won in South Carolina
$834.9 million, Powerball, Dec. 24, 2025, won in Arkansas
$820.6 million, Powerball, Sept. 6, 2025, won in Missouri and Texas
$794.2 million, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, won in Florida
$780.5 million, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, won in Illinois
$776.6 million, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, won in Michigan
$774.1 million, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, won in California
$723.5 million, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, won in Maine
Serie A disciplinary verdict: 2-match ban for Matic after insults
Sassuolo midfielder Nemanja Matic has received a two-match Serie A ban for insulting the referee, while others suspended include Napoli defender Juan Jesus.
That is because Milan vs. Como was rescheduled for February 18, as San Siro was being used for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Serie A bans after Week 24 games
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa (left), greets Juan Jesus of Napoli prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Matic saw red for insulting the referee during Sassuolo’s 5-0 defeat to Inter, and he has been punished with a two-match ban, plus €10,000 fine.
Parma player Mariano Troilo was also fined €2,000 and given a one-match ban, as he initially refused to leave when sent off.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Thijs Dallinga of Bologna FC competes for the ball with Mariano Troilo of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Napoli defender Juan Jesus is suspended for his team’s big match against Roma, having received two yellow cards in the 3-2 win over Genoa.
Also given one-match Serie A bans are Tommaso Pobega (Bologna), Alessio Romagnoli (Lazio), Lameck Banda (Lecce) and Marius Marin (Pisa).
Real Madrid legend expecting to leave the club at the end of the season
A long-time member of the defensive ranks at La Liga giants Real Madrid sees his future as increasingly likely to be away from Spain’s capital beyond the coming summer.
This comes amid confirmation that Dani Carvajal is inching towards becoming a free agent.
Defender Carvajal is for his part fresh off another difficult outing this past weekend.
En route to Real Madrid putting Valencia to the sword, the veteran right-back was left on the bench for the entirety of the 90 minutes, as both David Jiménez and Trent Alexander-Arnold were favoured by Álvaro Arbeloa.
As much means that, since returning from injury back in early January, the 34-year-old has seen less than half an hour of official playing time.
Carvajal could not help but allow his frustration with this situation to show on the back of the full-time whistle at Mestalla, looking angered as he was put through his paces in a warm down session.
And if the latest word stemming from the media is anything to go by, then this could well be the beginning of the end when it comes to the Spaniard’s legendary Blancos stint.
‘Carvajal suspects there won’t be a contract renewal offer (for next season). He knows the club, he knows the timeline, and he’s seen this process repeated with illustrious names. Letting time pass, little communication, and, in the end, a silent surrender.’
Milan Waiting and Bracing for Modric Call for Next Year
Milan hope Luka Modric will pick up his option and stay next season, but they have no choice but to make contingency plans if he doesn’t. The midfielder is mulling whether to continue at San Siro, return to Dinamo Zagreb, or hang up his cleats, Mediaset reports.
The 40-year-old has dominated the minutes in his role, but Massimiliano Allegri has begun resting him more and testing new solutions. It’d be beneficial if the Rossoneri didn’t have to sign a new player should the Croatian legend depart or retire. They made two significant investments in the midfield and wish to see them come to fruition.
In addition to Modric, Milan onboarded Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari, shelling out a total of €61M, last summer. The former Torino man hasn’t been a consistent starter but has been serviceable as a box-to-box, splitting duties with Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Instead, the ex-Club Brugge starlet has missed months because of an early lower leg fracture and hasn’t been great afterward, struggling to find minutes in a team that has been functioning well without him. The management would gladly avoid another pricey addition to focus on the defense and the attack.
Our Take on Milan and Modric
They’ll qualify for the UEFA Champions League barring an unlikely collapse, and it makes all the sense in the world for him to have one last run in such a competition. That also means that they’ll have to manage him carefully next season, so the question of whether they need another ‘regista’ will still be pertinent. Allegri has had different types of players in such a role, but he has had the best results with pure and brilliant distributors. Their other two options aren’t that.
Al-Ittihad open talks to sign Mohammed Salah in the summer
Al-Ittihad have reignited talks to sign Mohamed Salah from Liverpool this summer, according to Foot Mercato.
The Jeddah club view Salah as the ideal figurehead for a new era at Alinma Stadium following Karim Benzema’s high-profile move to Al-Hilal in the winter window.
Reports indicate Al-Ittihad are prepared to triple Salah’s Liverpool salary, offering a staggering £1.2 million per week.
This would not only make him the highest-paid Arab athlete in history but also the face of the Saudi Pro League as it enters its next phase of expansion.
Salah signed a contract extension in April 2025 that keeps him at Liverpool until June 2027, but the current 2025-26 campaign has been uncharacteristically quiet for the 33-year-old.
With just six goals in all competitions and more time on the bench under Arne Slot, speculation is mounting that Liverpool could cash in—unlike in 2023 when they rejected a £150m bid.
Liverpool are expected to demand a significant transfer fee for Salah’s departure to the Middle East, even with just a year left on his contract this summer.
Offloading Salah’s £400,000-per-week wages would give the Reds major financial flexibility for a summer overhaul.
Like Al-Ittihad—seventh in the Saudi top flight—Liverpool have endured a disappointing title defence and currently sit sixth in the Premier League.
Mateta to avoid knee surgery but no timeframe on return from injury
Jean-Philippe Mateta will not undergo surgery on a knee injury, but Oliver Glasner could not provide a potential return date for the Crystal Palace striker.
The Eagles had agreed to sell the France international to AC Milan at the end of the January transfer window, but the move was scuppered after he failed a medical.
Reports suggested that Mateta would require surgery and could miss three to four months of action. However, Glasner has revealed that the problem afflicting his knee is not as bad as initially thought.
Mateta to avoid knee surgery but no timeframe on return from injury
“Fortunately he does not need surgery,” the Austrian coach said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Palace’s Premier League clash with Burney on Wednesday night.
“The knee, the injury is not as bad as feared and so we think and the opinion from several specialists and doctors is that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery. He will miss a certain time, I can’t say two weeks, three weeks, four weeks. He doesn’t need surgery, that is positive and hopefully he is back soon.”
Mateta had hoped a move to Milan would boost his chances of making the France squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, but he faces an uphill battle to book a seat on the plane.
“It was a disappointment but he is looking forward to the next months,” Glasner added. “It is good for him now that there is a final decision taken. Of course at the end he took the final decision with the recommendations with specialists and the medical departments, so they will do the rehab here at the training ground.
“He wants to be back as soon as possible and contribute to achieve our goals. That is his mindset and I think that is the best he can do.”
Despite Mateta’s insistence on leaving Palace last month, Glasner has no concerns over his commitment to the club between now and the end of the season.
“It’s important for him now that it’s clear he will be a Crystal Palace player, at least until the summer.
“Right now, he doesn’t need surgery, so it is clear what we need to do in the next couple of weeks. Clarity is the most important thing.
“I am 100 per cent convinced that JP will give us his best when he wears the Eagles shirt again.
“I think he deserves the best support and I am pretty sure our fans will support him in the best way. They appreciate what he has done for Crystal Palace.”
Former Florida football defensive lineman Caleb Banks is generating first round buzz ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
In his latest mock draft, USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz projects the Los Angeles Chargers to select Banks with the No. 22 overall pick, pointing to the interior defender's upside despite an injury-shortened final season in Gainesville.
Banks' pre-draft momentum is notable considering how little he played in 2025. The redshirt senior appeared in just three games while battling lower-body injuries but still flashed his ability late in the year, including a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in his Gator finale against Florida State.
When healthy, Banks has proven he can anchor the middle of a defensive front. During the 2024 season, he totaled 21 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a recovery across 10 starts. His dominant stretch included back-to-back performances against LSU and Ole Miss in which he generated seven quarterback pressures in each game, a rare number for an interior lineman.
At nearly 6-feet-6-inches tall and 335 pounds, Banks fits the mold of the modern interior defender who can collapse pockets rather than simply occupy blockers. If he continues trending upward after the Senior Bowl, his combination of length, strength and pass-rush upside could solidify his place in the first round.
Here is why Middlehurst-Schwartz has the Chargers selecting Banks.
Why USA TODAY Sports has the Chargers drafting Banks
"After he missed all but two games last season due to a foot injury, Banks parlayed a strong Senior Bowl showing into significant buzz in the pre-draft process. With nose tackle Teair Tart recently re-signed, the Chargers can continue to focus on setting the tone at the line of scrimmage by bringing on the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder, who might be the most disruptive interior force in the class when he's putting it all together."
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Olympic snowboarder Shaun White's former midcentury modern Los Angeles dwelling has hit the market for $5 million—two years after the sporting superstar sold the property to a Louis Vuitton executive.
The 39-year-old Winter Olympian—who split from his fiancée, Nina Debrov, 37, in September—sold the lavish abode in 2024 for $3.9 million to Michael Silvaggi, who served as the senior vice president of HR at Louis Vuitton until 2016.
White resided in the home for six years, throughout much of his relationship with "The Vampire Diaries" star Dobrev, having bought the property for $3.7 million in 2018, two years before the pair revealed the news of their relationship to the world.
He sold the home just two months before popping the question to the actress in a romantic New York City proposal—although the duo called off their engagement less than a year later.
Meanwhile, Silvaggi is understood to have spent ample time overhauling the interior of the 1955 midcentury modern abode, which is listed with Chase Rodgers, of The Beverly Hills Estates.
Many of the hallmarks of its original design remain inside the property, including the walls of windows that frame the Los Angeles views, as well as the wooden ceilings, and open-plan living spaces.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom dwelling spreads across a total of 2,000 square feet and also boasts a two-car garage.
Its listing description calls attention to the meticulous work carried out by Silvaggi, who appears to have spared no expense in his restoration of the property.
"Poised within a sanctuary of architectural beauty and raw natural landscape, this midcentury masterpiece has been reborn—an expression of quiet power, precision, and timeless seduction. Every line refined. Every material intentional," it states.
Upon entering the home, guests are greeted with floor-to-ceiling glass that frame the city's skyline and allow natural light to flood inside.
In stark contrast to its wooden ceilings, the home features black tile flooring.
"Inside, custom furnishings are handcrafted for each room, draped in fabrics from Dedar, Schumacher, Perennials, and Pierre Frey. Vintage lighting and curated accessories punctuate the modern calm with soul and sophistication," the listing adds.
The chic living area spills into the chef's kitchen, which boasts a black marble island, state-of-the-art appliances and wooden cabinetry.
Adjacent to the kitchen is a charming dining area, which comes complete with enough room for a large table and an elegant chandelier.
"A custom dining banquette captures 360-degree views; a setting that feels cinematic at sunset," the listing notes.
The primary bedroom features the same sophisticated wooden ceilings as well as large glass sliding doors that allow effortless access to the backyard.
It also comes complete with a walk-in closet and a primary bathroom, adorned with two vanities and a large shower.
"The exterior, once cinderblock, is now fully wrapped in brick--an elegant armor that speaks to permanence and design discipline. Outdoors, flagstone terraces unfold into a private, landscaped retreat Two car garage with Tesla charger," as per the listing.
The home, which is surrounded in lush greenery, features a resort-style pool, lounging area, and fire pit.
White and "The Vampire Diaries" actress began dating in 2019 and quickly became one of Hollywood's most loved couples, regularly jetting off on trips around the world together, while sharing images of themselves engaging in all manner of action-packed adventures.
Then, in October 2024, White took their romance to the next level when he popped the question to Dobrev with a stunning 5-carat diamond that she proudly flaunted on her social media accounts while announcing the engagement.
However, their seemingly perfect love story came to a sudden end in September, as per People, which first reported the news of their split.
"It was a mutual decision, and wasn’t an easy one, but it was made with love and a deep respect for one another," a source close to the couple told the outlet.
Just before the news of their split was announced, the former couple decided to rent out the midcentury modern abode that they bought together for $4.3 million in July 2023.
Although Dobrev and White each boast their own impressive property portfolios, they decided to merge their real estate holdings when they snapped up the Hollywood Hills house, which many believed would be their marital home.
The couple purchased the property after moving in together during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 3,793-square-foot home comes with four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
This offseason, the Miami Dolphins will be making two massive decisions with Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa. But, with those decisions come a lot of money restricting the Dolphins this offseason.
After moving on from Tagovailoa, the Dolphins will need to find a new quarterback. Former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis is a clear choice, especially with his link to new head coach Jeff Hafley and new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
But, ESPN's Ben Solak shared some bad news for the Dolphins on their chances to sign Willis. Thanks in part to Tagovailoa and Hill, the Dolphins are likely to be priced out of signing Willis this offseason.
Dolphins get bad news on Malik Willis free agency
"Malik Willis has the coaching familiarity, but the Dolphins will get priced out," Solak writes for ESPN.
The Dolphins, likely to have interest in Willis, are likely to get priced out of his market this offseason. Solak projected a $26 million per-year deal for Willis, which could provide the Dolphins with a tough task.
Thanks to the massive cap hits coming for the Dolphins with the release or trade of Tagovailoa and Hill, they will likely be priced out of Willis' free agent market this offseason.
Despite the two being a clear fit for one another, Willis is sure to field other offers from around the league, and the Dolphins might not have the money necessary to bring him in on a free agent deal.
Instead of Willis, the Dolphins will likely have to settle for a different quarterback, and it would be thanks largely in part to the massive cap hits coming for Hill and Tagovailoa this offseason.
This is some unfortunate news for the Dolphins, and while they could try to move money around to bring Willis in, spending so much on a quarterback after the disaster that was Tagovailoa's extension might be hard to do.
Oviedo’s girls weightlifting team, armed with six senior state qualifiers, has high hopes for this week’s FHSAA Class 3A championship meet in Lakeland.
The Lions placed third in the traditional competition last season and hope to better that finish on Wednesday at the RP Funding Center.
“We’ve had good individuals over the years, but as an overall team this is definitely the strongest team I’ve had,” Oviedo coach Danny Evans said.
Pace, a Panhandle power, has won five of the six 3A titles in the past three years and is once again the heavy favorite. Evans said a second-place finish for his Oviedo squad would be “wonderful”.
The Lions swept district and region titles with strong showings by Justice Sampson, Anna Ferrell, Marnee McCue and Olivia Chapman. Samantha Van Adelbert and Sofia Miller round out the state meet lineup.
This is the fourth state meet for McCue.
Miller is a first-timer qualifier for state weightlifting. She played golf for Oviedo in the fall and is also on the Lions lacrosse team.
Other top Orlando area contenders include Gwyneth Jensen of Winter Springs, Caitlynn Carver of St. Cloud, Molly O’Hara of East Ridge, Gia Griffith of Faith Christian and Jayleen Sanchez of Tohopekaliga.
The 2A meet is Thursday, followed by Friday’s 1A championships.
Here is a list of top area qualifiers by weight class with their best totals from district or region meets. O: denotes Olympic style (snatch and clean and jerk); T: denotes traditional (bench press and clean and jerk):
Oklahoma City Thunder prospect Nikola Topic returned to basketball Monday night following a year-long knee injury and a testicular cancer diagnosis
Topic was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the start of the 2025 NBA season
Topic made his season debut with the organization's G-League team on Feb. 9 after successfully completing his cancer treatment
After a year-long knee injury followed by a cancer diagnosis, NBA prospect Nikola Topic was back on a basketball court on Monday, Feb. 9.
The 20-year-old Serbian basketball player made his NBA G-League debut for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s developmental team, the Oklahoma City Blue, scoring seven points with seven assists in the team’s 137-135 overtime win over the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
It was a moment years in the making for Topic, who was drafted 12th overall by the Thunder in the 2024 NBA Draft. The highly touted prospect had torn a ligament in his knee two months before the draft, meaning the Thunder had to wait nearly a year for their draft pick to begin playing for its G-League developmental team last season, according to The Associated Press.
Oklahoma City General Manager Sam Presti said Topic remained active and trained during his chemotherapy treatments, PEOPLE reported last year.
"He's been in here, he's training, he's working out," Presti told reporters at the time, adding that the team was placing "no expectations" on their player to return to the court before he was ready.
Topic’s agent told Serbia’s Arena Sport TV on Sunday, Feb. 8, that Topic’s "chemotherapy was successfully completed” and that he was ready to return to basketball full time, according to USA Today’s NBA blog OKC Thunderwire.
After Topic’s debut Monday night, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault told reporters he was “thrilled” to hear the NBA prospect was back on the floor.
Nikola Topic at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on July 8, 2025 in Salt Lake City
Chris Gardner/Getty
“We’re all just collectively thrilled that he’s back playing basketball,” Daigneault told reporters, according to AP. “I know he’s missed it a great deal, and this is just so good for him mentally to get his feet back underneath him.”
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Daigneault noted that Topic’s return was a “great accomplishment,” no matter what comes next for the young player’s NBA career.
“Just can’t say enough about him as a guy, his mental toughness, maturity, resilience,” the Thunder coach said. “He hasn’t played a lot of basketball over the last two years, and he comes off a one-year rehab and immediately has a surprising diagnosis and goes through chemotherapy, three rounds of it. So for him to work himself back onto the court is just an unbelievable accomplishment, and we’re incredibly happy for him.”
Leaning on the scorer's table, a crowd of a couple of hundred sounded like thousands. For the first time since his testicular cancer diagnosis in Oct. 2025, Nikola Topic checked into a basketball game. It was a moment that had three months of build-up.
Tunneling through darkness for months, Topic finally saw some light at the end of the tunnel. He had seven points and seven assists in 16 minutes off the bench for the G League's OKC Blue. More importantly, though, it was awesome to see the 20-year-old return to doing what he loved.
The Oklahoma City Thunder announced the shocking diagnosis in Oct. 2025. Topic had his life completely shaken up by the scary development. His priorities changed from worrying about his fit alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to navigating testicular cancer.
Across the country in Los Angeles, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault felt the same way. He praised Topic's character for sticking with it despite the scary circumstances. After three rounds of chemotherapy, being able to suit up this season is an extraordinary feat in itself.
"Great accomplishment. Can't say enough about him as a guy. His mental toughness, maturity, resilience. To think of where he's been. He sat out with an ACL last year. He hasn't played a lot of basketball in the last two years," Daigneault said. "He comes off a one-year rehab and immediately has a very surprising diagnosis and goes through three rounds of chemotherapy. For him to work himself back on the court is just an unbelievable accomplishment."
Topic's NBA career was put on pause. The Thunder took him with the No. 12 pick of the 2024 NBA draft. After he missed all of the 2024-25 season recovering from a torn ACL, he's had to wait longer before he could officially log his first NBA minutes.
It didn't take long for Topic to get back into the flow of things. He immediately began spraying the ball out of the perimeter for his teammates. Dribbling the ball up on several possessions, he orchestrated the offense. On defense, he remained vocal and contested shots.
Blue head coach Daniel Dixon expressed a similar sentiment. That Topic being on the floor to even begin with should be celebrated in itself. And he's right. He's only one month removed from completing chemotherapy. To play basketball at a professional level so soon is the type of feel-good story Disney drools over for its movies.
"It was awesome. For him, there was probably a ton of emotions he was going through," Dixon said. "Having something taken away from you that you love from a young age can’t be easy."
It remains to be seen what the rest of the 2025-26 regular season looks like for Topic. Dixon wouldn't reveal their plans to him. Odds are, he'll likely stay in the G League in its final six weeks. After that, he'll likely join back up with the Thunder.
Whether or not Topic makes his NBA debut this season is irrelevant. For now, it's great to see him finally flip the page of the cancer chapter of his life and get back into the daily basketball grind.
TESERO, Italy (AP) — Competitors find it hard to fault Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo because he has it all: Technique, tactics, power and speed.
On Tuesday, the Norwegian cross-country skiing phenomenon was unstoppable again as he earned his second Olympic gold medal in his second outing at Milan Cortina, comfortably winning the preliminary rounds and final of the classic sprint.
The 29-year-old is one medal away from the Winter Olympics all-time record tally of eight golds, shared by three retired Norwegian greats of cross-country skiing and biathlon.
A formidable sprinter, Klaebo won five golds, one silver and one bronze at the Winter Olympics in Beijing and Pyeongchang. He has evolved to dominate every aspect of cross-country, winning his first distance race in the skiathlon Sunday.
Added to his explosive finish is his breathtakingly fast hill climb — a brutal run that left other racers far behind on Tuesday in Tesero, northern Italy.
“He’s taken the technical part of the sport to a new level and is exceptionally fit endurance-wise,” Ole Haldor Ensrud, a Norwegian coach with South Africa’s Olympic team, told the AP.
“What makes him a bit unique is how flexible he is in his technique. In skiing, unlike running for example, you have to adjust the technique all the time to the different terrains.”
Rival athletes add that his unmatched reserves of energy can be tapped in the late stages.
“I like to go to every race thinking that it’s a race for the win. But these days a lot of the time it’s a race for second,” U.S. silver medalist Ben Ogden said on Tuesday. “I’m proud to at least win (silver) in that race.”
‘I put a lot of pressure on myself’
Klaebo’s skills were not always so complete. Early in his career, he appeared more vulnerable in longer races. That has changed dramatically thanks to his relentless training and reputation as a meticulous race planner.
Skills were honed on fast roller-ski tracks and through varied training that includes summer stints in the United States at Park City, Utah.
That earned him the ability to switch techniques quickly, maintaining speed and offering few openings for challengers.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Klaebo admitted. “It feels good to be in a place where we kind of know the tracks. We have raced here many times before and I kind of know what I’m capable of doing. We’ve had some really good days so far.”
After blowing away the competition on the final hill on Tuesday, Klaebo eased off and coasted home, smiling and waving to fans that included members of his family, even as Ogden drew dangerously close.
Back in Norway, where skiing is a prime-time sport, praise flooded in.
“What an athlete!” the country’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Stoere, wrote moments after the win in an online post. “Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo is virtually unbeatable in the sprint. Congratulations!”
A sporting hero at home, his flowing hair and easy smile are splashed across billboards and TV ads. A feature documentary about his life hit Norwegian cinemas last December.
But Klaebo, a medal away from the history books, is enjoying a moment of calm in Italy.
“I’m just going out there and really enjoying it and it’s amazing,” he said. “Now I’m just trying to enjoy the moments.”
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🚨 Headlines
🎿 Vonn speaks: In her first public statement since Sunday's devastating crash, Lindsey Vonn said she has "no regrets" about racing on her torn ACL, which "had nothing to do with my crash." Regardless, her father hopes she never races again.
🏀 Perfect no more: No. 9 Kansas handed top-ranked Arizona its first loss of the season, rallying in the second half for an 82-78 victory at home that marked the Jayhawks' first win over a No. 1 team since 2003. With that, No. 23 Miami (Ohio) is now the last undefeated men's team in the nation.
🏈 Pearce arrested: Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. was arrested Saturday on domestic violence-related charges following a dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson. Pearce fled the scene before crashing his car at the end of a police chase.
🏀 Benches clear in Charlotte: Four players and Charlotte's head coach were ejected in the second half of the Pistons' win over the Hornets after a heated exchange following a shooting foul led to an all-out brawl.
The Olympic rings surrounded by fireworks are displayed during the Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony. (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Interest in the Winter Olympics has declined precipitously after three straight editions in locales cursed by authoritarian regimes, COVID, a lack of real snow, and more.
Flipping the script: Milan Cortina 2026 offers a return to normalcy; a much-needed respite from the cynicism. And if the response to Paris 2024 was any indication, we could be in for the most enjoyable Winter Games in quite some time.
On one hand, the Olympics are compelling no matter where you put them. For the athletes, who are mostly globetrotting anyway for big competitions, a gold medal won in Milan is no different than a gold medal won in Beijing. And for most of the world it's all just a TV show anyway. Who cares where you put the hockey rink?
But if you rewind to the summer of 2024, Paris was different. From the racy, bizarre and very French take on the Opening Ceremony to iconic Paris landmarks being used as the backdrop for competition venues, something clicked in the zeitgeist.
After several cycles of audience decline for its Olympic broadcasts, NBC rebounded with a whopping 30.6 million viewers per day across its platforms — an 80 percent increase over Tokyo three years earlier.
It felt like the Olympics as a big, galvanizing cultural force were truly back. Can Italy deliver the same irresistible experience?
The 2024 Paris Olympics saw a major viewership bump after 2021's COVID-induced decline. Will Milan Cortina experience something similar? (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports)
Don't discount the possibility, albeit with one big caveat: The Winter Games are not the Summer Games. There are fewer sports, fewer athletes, fewer countries involved and most importantly fewer mainstream superstars.
But relative to the last three Winter Games held in Sochi, PyeongChang and Beijing, these Olympics are going to visually present like a storybook Alpine adventure in a way that you simply could not pull off at a Russian Black Sea resort or on the Korean peninsula or in a smog-filled megalopolis where it almost never snows.
Another difference: NHL players are back for the first time since 2014. With all due respect to the minor-leaguers who stepped in and put on a good show in PyeongChang and Beijing, the Winter Olympics were significantly diminished by not having the elite of the elite competing in one of its marquee events.
Fresh pow. (Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Milan is also going to be different because of what we don't have to talk about. We are not in a host country rife with human rights abuses like China. We are not in a host country getting ready to invade a neighbor. And, perhaps of utmost relevance from an audience perspective, we are not in the middle of an Olympics defined by COVID infections and empty stands.
Of course, these Games are not taking place at a perfect moment for the world either. Russia will not be recognized as the war in Ukraine rages on. Tensions in the Middle East are simmering. And if the recent Australian Open is any indication, American athletes should expect to be asked about ICE raids and Venezuela and other actions by the Trump Administration generating international headlines.
There will never be an Olympics without political tension. But all in all, it has been since Vancouver 16 years ago that a Winter Games was hosted by a Western country, in a true winter wonderland, without being served on a platter of cynicism.
Instead, this one comes on a big plate of pasta. Eat up.
💯 Big numbers
(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
🏈 1 of 9
Drake Maye is one of nine QBs to start in a Super Bowl as an NFL sophomore, joining Dan Marino, Kurt Warner, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, Joe Burrow, Brock Purdy and Colin Kaepernick.
The long road back: "That group is an interesting mashup, showcasing that while some QBs are destined for more Super Bowl opportunities (Brady, Warner, Roethlisberger and Wilson), others either never again stepped on the biggest stage (Marino and Kaepernick) or are still trying to find their way back (Burrow and Purdy)," writes Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson.
🏀 183 triple-doubles
Nikola Jokić (183) has moved past Oscar Robertson (181) for second on the NBA's all-time triple-doubles list. He now trails only former teammate Russell Westbrook (207), who has added four to his tally so far this season with the Kings.
Rounding out the top 10: Magic Johnson is fourth on the list (138), followed by LeBron James (122), Jason Kidd (107), Luke Donćić (88), James Harden (82), Wilt Chamberlain (78) and Domantas Sabonis (68).
(Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
🏀 61 straight home wins
Kansas loves Mondays. With their victory over top-ranked Arizona, the Jayhawks have now won 61 consecutive home games played on Mondays over a 25-year span.
Their last home loss on a Monday? That came all the way back on Feb. 5, 2001, when the Drew Gooden-led Jayhawks fell 79-77 to Jamaal Tinsley and Iowa State.
📺 $65 per month
YouTube TV is introducing lower-priced bundles to allow subscribers to better tailor their plans to their interests. The Sports Plan will begin rolling out this week at $65 per month, which is $18 cheaper than the main YouTube TV plan.
What you get: The Sports Plan includes "all the major broadcast networks," including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, as well as TBS, TNT, FS1, USA, NBCSN, CBSSN, NBA TV, NFL Network, all of the ESPN networks. Premium channels like NFL RedZone will continue to be sold as add-ons.
(Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
🏒 10 years
Boston College are Beanpot champions for the first time in a decade after dominating Boston University, 6-2, in Monday's championship game, which was also the 300th meeting between the rival programs.
The Battle of Comm Ave: BU still leads the all-time series, but it's incredibly close. 141 wins for the Terriers, 138 wins for the Eagles, 21 games ended in a tie.
✈️ 13 hours
Roughly 13 hours after departing California where he called Super Bowl LX, Mike Tirico stepped into Studio A at the International Broadcast Center in Milan, Italy, on Monday night to host "Primetime in Milan."
The man behind the mic: "For an only child, raised by a single mom in Queens, growing up dreaming of being the next Marv Albert, Tirico is a sportscaster's sportscaster, with a rare dual ability to lead a studio and call play-by-play at the highest level. Headlining a portfolio of sports' biggest events now puts him on the path to be considered among the all-time greats in sports TV." (Andrew Marchand, The Athletic)
🇺🇸 Spotlight: Ilia Malinin
(Amber Matsumoto/Yahoo Sports)
After helping Team USA defend its championship in the team event over the weekend, young figure skating sensation Ilia Malinin begins his quest today to win individual Olympic gold as the men's singles program gets underway in Milan.
Age: 21
Hometown: Fairfax, Virginia
Fun fact: His parents were also Olympic figure skaters, competing for Uzbekistan in the 1998 and 2002 Games.
College: George Mason University
The Quad God: The two-time defending world champion, undefeated in his last 15 competitions, dominates figure skating to an astonishing degree thanks to his singular ability to pull off the hardest move in the sport: a quadruple axel.
In 2022, at age 17, the teenager who'd already nicknamed himself the "Quad God" became the first skater ever to land a quad axel in competition. And while he's repeated the move more than a dozen times since, he remains the only skater who's ever landed one.
Similar to Simone Biles, Malinin is difficult to beat not only due to his immense skill but because the base values of his routines are so high. A few minor errors won't sink him like they would someone else.
What they're saying: "It's not a shoo-in. Ilia still has to skate well to win. His competitors are good," 1988 Olympic champion Brian Boitano told AP. "But yeah, as far as the advantage of being the favorite, it's him and — well, you know, he's far ahead."
🏒 Hilary Knight:The captain of the women's hockey team, competing in her fifth and final Winter Games, has scored an American record-tying 14 career Olympic goals. With another goal in today's game against Canada, the Idaho native will stand alone atop the leaderboard.
🛷 Ashley Farquharson:The Utah native sits in fifth entering today's final two luge runs. If she can make up the 0.113-second deficit separating her from the podium, she'll become just the second American woman ever to medal in the event (Erin Hamlin, 2014).
We'll be spotlighting America's best athletes throughout the Games. Follow Team USA's progress on their homepage, and for in-depth Olympics coverage, go to ours.
An American and Canadian player fight for the puck during 2022's gold-medal match. (Meng Yongmin/Xinhua via Getty Images)
🏒 Women's Hockey, Canada vs. USA
The world's top two teams square off in their group stage finale (2:10pm ET, USA) before likely meeting again in next week's gold-medal game.
Head-to-head: Canada leads the all-time series, 106-86-2, and has a 5-2 edge in Olympic golds. But the Americans are riding a six-game winning streak against them that includes last year's World Championship final and a sweep in their annual Rivalry Series.
🎿 Alpine Skiing, Women's Team Combined
Childhood friends and USA teammates Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson go for gold in the Olympic debut of this event that, ahem, combines two disciplines. Downhill began while you were sleeping, and slalom gets underway soon (8am, USA).
Heavy favorites: Johnson already won downhill gold on Sunday, Shiffrin is the most decorated slalom skier of all-time (by a mile) and the duo took the title last year in the event's World Championship debut.
🥌 Curling, Mixed Doubles Finals
Team USA upset Italy to reach the championship(12pm, USA), where Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin will face Sweden as they seek America's third curling medal ever — and first since 2018.
Third-place matchup: Italy and Great Britain will meet in the bronze-medal match earlier in the day (8am, Peacock).
⛸️ Figure Skating, Men's Short Program
American sensation Ilia Malinin headlines the men's singles, which kicks off today with the short program(12:15pm, USA). The top 24 skaters will advance to Friday's free skate, and the combined scores will determine the medalists.
🥇 Medal events
🎿 Cross-Country Skiing: Sprint Classic Finals (6:10am, USA)
🎿 Freeskiing: Men's Slopestyle Final (6:30am, USA)
Wemby and the Spurs are rolling. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
More to watch:
🏀 NBA: Clippers at Rockets (8pm, NBA); Spurs at Lakers (10:30pm, NBA) … San Antonio (36-16) has won four straight to climb within four games of the league-leading Thunder.
🏀 NCAAM: No. 13 Purdue at No. 7 Nebraska (7pm, FS1) … Boilermakers All-American Braden Smith ranks second nationally with 8.7 assists per game.
⚽️ Premier League: West Ham vs. Manchester United (3:15pm, Peacock) … The Red Devils are 4-0-0 under interim manager Michael Carrick.
Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events happening in your city. Get tickets now!
🌎 Olympics trivia
Team USA flagbearer Erin Jackson walks in the athlete parade with her teammates. (Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
The United States has the largest delegation (232 athletes) at the Milan Cortina Games.
Question: Which country has the second-largest delegation (211 athletes)?
Hint: Host nation Italy is third (195) and Germany is fourth (189), so you can rule them both out.
Answer at the bottom.
📸 Photo finish
Athletes compete in the Mixed Relay at Anterselva Biathlon Arena. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Biathlon (cross-country skiing + rifle shooting) is one of those sports that sounds fake until you watch it for five minutes and go, "Oh wow, this rules."
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It’s been a couple of weeks since the Baltimore Ravens announced they were hiring Jesse Minter as the fourth head coach in franchise history. The early reaction says a lot about the kind of impact he made in Los Angeles, as several of his former Chargers players took to X to congratulate him and praise the hire.
On Radio Row, NFL insider Jordan Schultz — host of The Schultz Report — spoke with Chargers cornerback Cam Hart, who had high praise for Minter and what the Ravens are getting:
“I honestly believe he is one of the smartest coaches I’ve ever played for. A football maniac. A relationships dude. … They're getting a great coach."
#Chargers CB Cam Hart on what the #Ravens are getting with new HC Jesse Minter:
“I honestly believe he is one of the smartest coaches I’ve ever played for. A football maniac. A relationships dude. … They’re getting a great coach.” 😈 pic.twitter.com/B9VeXk0sVt
Baltimore has long been defined by a strong defensive backbone, and the Ravens are clearly hoping Minter can keep that tradition rolling as the franchise's fourth head coach. With players like Hart publicly backing him, Minter's reputation is already strong — now the next step is proving it on Sundays in Baltimore.
United States' Breezy Johnson shows her gold medal in the alpine ski women's downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
|
Andy Wong
The Deseret News is on the ground in Italy for the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, bringing you the most inspirational stories and images from the Winter Games.
Some 3,500 athletes from more than 90 countries will compete in the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics. More than 30% of America’s athletes at the 2026 Winter Games have Utah ties.
The Cincinnati Bengals have some big names headed to free agency this offseason.
For better or worse, two of the biggest names happen to be at one of the Bengals’ neediest areas of the depth chart, too: Trey Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai.
To get a baseline idea of Bengals free agent values, here’s a look at the estimated market values for each, based on average annual value (AAV) from Spotrac.
It’s imperfect, obviously. Cam Taylor-Britt’s on-and off-field problems and a serious injury mean he won’t get anywhere close to the projected number above. But based on his draft status, age, position and other factors, that’s how it shakes out in the formula.
For now, this is a rough idea of possible AAV metrics and useful in thinking about the Bengals’ offseason.
On Tuesday morning's "Wrestling Observer Radio," however, Dave Meltzer revealed that Breakker had been dealing with the hernia for some time, and was forced into surgery after a recent check up revealed his condition had deteriorated. Like everyone else, Meltzer didn't have a clear indication on how much time Breakker would miss, noting recovery could take anywhere from just a few weeks to several months.
"There's no timetable for a return," Meltzer said. "It's usually not, like...I mean, they're talking about a career ending [injury]. I think that's kind of an exaggeration, he'll come back. It could take a couple of months before he comes back, depending on a lot of different things. But like, he...that had nothing to do with the Royal RUmble, being out. People were going 'Oh, that's why they did the thing at the Rumble.' It had nothing to do with the Rumble, even though yeah, he probably had it long before that.
"But yeah, it had nothing to do with any bookings, anything they were doing. And then, it was just like he got checked out and had to have emergency surgery. So that's the basic story on that. And yeah...he'll be out for a while. As far as how long though, no one's really given me a timetable. I looked up some stuff, and it...it could be 12 weeks, could be 6 months at worst. Probably not that long, but again...I don't know all the details."
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Wrestling Observer Radio" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veteran reliever Ryan Brasier has agreed to a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers that includes an invitation to major league spring training for the Texas native.
The deal was announced by the Rangers on Tuesday, the same day of the team's first workout for pitchers and catchers in Surprise, Arizona. Braiser is one of 25 non-roster invitees going to camp with the Rangers.
Brasier was 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 28 appearances last year in his only season with the Chicago Cubs. The 38-year-old right-hander has a 10-9 record with a 3.90 ERA in 325 career appearances — all but six of them in relief — for four different teams over nine big league seasons. He has pitched for two World Series-winning teams, Boston in 2018 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024.
After making his big league debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013, Brasier missed all of 2014 because of elbow surgery. He pitched a season in Japan in 2017 before finally returning to the majors with Boston in 2018. The Red Sox released him in May 2023, and he signed with the Dodgers, who traded him to the Cubs just before spring training last year.
Brasier was born and raised in Wichita Falls, about 130 miles from the Rangers' home ballpark. He attended Weatherford College and was taken by the Angels in the sixth round of the 2007 amateur draft.
MILAN (AP) — Nathan MacKinnon knew he wouldn't make Canada's 2014 Olympic team as an 18-year-old NHL rookie, while Germany's Leon Draisaitl and Czechia's David Pastrnak were still a year away from being drafted.
Canadian Connor McDavid and American Jack Eichel were just 17 and Auston Matthews 16 when the best hockey players in the world went to Sochi. They all figured they'd get their chance four years later, and it never came as the league chose not to go to Pyeongchang in 2018 — and then a global pandemic wreaked havoc and wrecked the chance to play in Beijing in 2022.
“We’ve been waiting, our generation, pretty much whole of our careers to play at the Olympics,” Pastrnak said.
Victor Hedman, inexplicably snubbed by Sweden a dozen years ago, is making his Olympic debut in Milan. And the moment has finally arrived for McDavid and MacKinnon to team up with Sidney Crosby for Canada and for Eichel and Matthews to join forces in the hopes of delivering the first U.S. gold medal in men's hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
“Surreal," McDavid said, repeating himself in disbelief. “Surreal. It’s been a long time. Been a long time coming.”
The first games are Wednesday, with Finland and Slovakia kicking things off before Sweden faces host Italy in the nightcap.
“I don’t know if I'm going to feel great or awful, but I’m going to be flying for the first shifts,” Sweden's Adrian Kempe said.
Who's favored to win gold in men's hockey at the Olympics?
Canada is just over an odds-on favorite, with the U.S. a little under 2-1 on BetMGM Sportsbook. Canada won three of the first five Olympics involving NHL players dating to 1998, including the past two in 2010 and '14, and anything short of gold is a disappointment in the country that invented the sport.
“Playing for Team Canada over the years, that’s something you learn is part of it, that expectation and that responsibility,” Crosby said. “We understand that, we have high expectations ourselves, and you’ve got to go out there and play and do all the things that are necessary to try to win. You can’t think too far ahead, but we understand that’s the expectation.”
The U.S. has a stacked roster, from Eichel, Matthews and brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk up front to a deep defense led by Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy and Zach Werenski, and a stellar trio of goaltenders in Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman. Its best finishes since 1980 were losses in the final — each time to Canada — in 2002 and '10.
Given the growth of hockey in the U.S. and the pipeline that has pumped out talent over the past couple of decades, general manager Bill Guerin made it clear it's gold or bust time.
“Pretty much every country’s mindset here is to win, and our team’s no different,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “If you come here with another mindset, you probably shouldn’t be here.”
Enter Sweden, the 15-2 third choice. Losing projected No. 1 center Leo Carlsson and top-four defenseman Jonas Brodin to injury certainly hurts, but the Swedes have four players back from the team that reached the final and took home silver in Sochi.
They are not worried about all the talk being about the U.S. and Canada.
"It doesn’t hit our ego," Sweden coach Sam Hallam said. “That’s natural. It’s the two biggest hockey nations in the world at the moment.”
What's the format?
The 12 teams are divided into three groups, with each playing three round-robin games. The U.S. opens Thursday against Latvia, plays Denmark in the so-called “Greenland Derby” on Saturday and wraps up the preliminary round Sunday against Draisaitl and Germany.
Canada is grouped with Czechia, Switzerland and France. Longtime rivals Finland and Sweden are with Italy and Slovakia.
No one gets eliminated, which changes the equation of how coaching staffs approach lineup and goaltending decisions and other aspects of the tournament.
“You don’t win a gold medal in your first game, but you can work on everybody’s game and work on yourself and work on your system and keep building,” Sweden forward Rickard Rakell said.
The teams are seeded 1 through 12 based on points (three for a regulation win, two for an overtime or shootout win, one for an overtime or shootout loss and none for a regulation loss), with tiebreakers including head-to-head matchups and goal differential.
The winner of each group plus the next-best overall team advances to the quarterfinals on Feb. 18. Teams ranked 5 through 12 play each other in a qualification round on Feb. 18.
What will the hockey be like?
The last time NHL players were in the Olympics, the entertainment level was off the charts. T.J. Oshie made a national name for himself with his shootout heroics to help the U.S. beat Russia on its home soil, and Canada had a clinical march to gold.
The 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago provided a taste of what this generation can do on the international stage. The pent-up anticipation of playing in the 4 Nations created a blistering pace.
This is not a long tournament, but the stakes are high — and the speed almost certainly will be turned up, too.
“It’s not as much of a sprint,” MacKinnon said. “But I can’t imagine the pace is going to slow down.”
The Las Vegas Raiders are coming off one of the more disappointing seasons in franchise history. After hiring Pete Carroll as head coach and trading for Geno Smith, many expected the Raiders to be in the playoff mix. Instead, they limped to a 2-15 record and clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
After hiring Klint Kubiak to replace Carroll, and likely drafting Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the top pick in the draft, the Raiders could also be in the mix for a star wide receiver.
Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports labeled Las Vegas as one of the top landing spots for disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, projecting it would take a third and fifth-round pick to acquire the All-Pro receiver.
"When Philadelphia acquired Brown from the Titans in 2022, the Eagles sent the No. 18 overall pick in that year's draft to Tennessee," Sullivan writes. "Getting a first (or maybe even a second) at this stage of Brown's career seems a little too far-fetched, particularly with his age and contract situation (signed through 2029 and due $29 million in guarantees next season). Brown also appeared to lose a step in 2025, notably dropping some key balls in that playoff defeat to San Francisco. That may also make some prospective teams a bit skittish about trading blue-chip draft capital for him."
Assuming the Raiders draft Fernando Mendoza, getting Brown to be his No. 1 receiver would immediately raise the ceiling for Las Vegas, and help the Heisman Trophy winner in his early development.
A Vermonter has claimed the state's first Olympic medal at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, breaking a historic drought in the process.
Ben Ogden became just the second ever American man to win a cross-country skiing medal at the Olympics, joining Vermont's Ben Koch, a silver medalist in the 30km at the 1976 Olympics.
The Landgrove, Vermont, native won the silver medal in the skiing sprint event Tuesday with a time of 3:40.61.
Want to know more about Ogden? Read on below for some quick facts.
What are Ogden's ties to Vermont?
Ogden has rich ties to the Green Mountain state and is one of four Vermonters to be competing at this year's Olympics. His father John, a former cross-country skier at Middlebury College, introduced Ben to skiing at a young age by coaching the local youth league.
Ogden attended Stratton Mountain School and skied at the University of Vermont. At UVM, Ogden became a two-time NCAA champion winning the 10 km freestyle in 2020 and won the 10 km classic and 20 km freestyle titles in 2022. Ogden graduated from UVM in 2022 with a degree in mechanical engineering.
His sister, Katharine, skied at Dartmouth College and his younger sister, Charlotte, skied at Middlebury.
Ogden career accomplishments before Olympic glory
During his senior career, Ogden had never finished higher than third which he accomplished most frequently on Jan. 23, 2026 in the men's team sprint free.
His most recent highest finish in a solo event came in the 2025 10 km skate at the World Cup in France, where Ogden finished in third.
What does Ogden like to do off the snow?
Besides skiing, Ogden has an interest in woodworking and has spent time restoring a 1973 Land Rover which taught him how to be a mechanic and welder, per his profile on Team USA's site.
He also shared at a recent press conference in Milan that he has "gotten really into knitting recently.
"So far, I've knit a hat and a sweater this season. I'm really fired about it. I brought all kinds of yarn. I actually ordered some, so hopefully it'll get here from Iceland."
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Specs: Stainless steel heads with rear perimeter weighting and variable-thickness faces
Available: Feb. 10 (pre-order), Feb. 27 (in stores)
Who it’s for: Value-minded golfers who score in the 90s and 100s who want easier launch, more forgiveness, and reliable distance from the fairway, rough, and off the tee.
What you should know: The Tour Edge Hot Launch Max fairway woods and hybrids are designed to make long approach shots and second shots less intimidating. Players can choose between the standard Max models, which favor a more traditional look and ball flight, or the Max D versions, which add offset and heel-side weighting to help reduce slices.
The Deep Dive: Rather than chasing compact shapes or low-spin profiles that might be popular with Tour players, the new Tour Edge Hot Launch Max fairways and hybrids lean fully into the idea of being practical and helpful for golfers who just want to get the ball airborne and moving forward with minimal effort.
Both the fairway woods and hybrids use rear perimeter weighting to push mass low and deep in the head. That design increases moment of inertia (MOI) and helps maintain ball speed when contact is less than perfect, which is often the case on shots hit from the turf. The V-Taper sole complements that weighting by shifting mass outward. toward the perimeter, to help the clubs glide through a variety of lies while encouraging a higher launch angle.
Tour Edge’s Diamond Face VFT also plays a key role in consistency. The thick-and-thin areas of the face create mini sweet spots across the hitting area to preserve speed and distance on off-center strikes, not just on center hits. That matters most in fairways and hybrids, where golfers often rely on these clubs to advance the ball from uneven lies or longer distances.
The distinction between Max and Max D fairway woods and hybrids mirrors what golfers see in the drivers. The standard Hot Launch Max clubs present a more traditional setup and are designed to produce a neutral flight. The Max D versions, however, add offset and internal heel weighting, which helps the clubface square more easily through impact and can reduce the right-side miss that plagues many players.
Lightweight Aldila Ascent graphite shafts are standard throughout the lineup, reinforcing the goal of easy speed and higher launch. For golfers who struggle to elevate long shots or who find themselves laying up more often than they’d like, that combination of light weight, forgiveness and stability is the central appeal.
In the end, the Hot Launch Max fairways and hybrids are about simplicity and purpose. They are designed to give golfers confidence that when they pull out a fairway wood or hybrid, the club is working to help them, not punish them for imperfect swings.
Bayern Munich races towards a record standing for over 50 years
79 goals in 21 matches: Bayern threatens a historic record
Bayern Munich / @x.com/Gazpachen/
Bayern Munich is closing in on an exceptional attacking feat in the Bundesliga. The Bavarian club has already netted 79 goals in just 21 matchdays this season under the guidance of Belgian coach Vincent Kompany.
Bayern's goal machine aims for a feat unseen since 1972
Thanks to this impressive finishing in front of goal, the "Rekordmeister" is edging ever closer to matching their club record set in the 1971-1972 season, when they reached the milestone of 101 goals—a mark that has stood unchallenged for over five decades.
Despite this electrifying run, Kompany has sought to put the numbers chase into perspective. Following their commanding 5-1 win over Hoffenheim last Sunday, he stated: "It's not a priority for me," emphasizing that his main focus remains on clinching the Bundesliga title.
At the top of the table with a six-point lead over Borussia Dortmund and with 13 matchdays still to play, Bayern's objective is clear: maintain their grip on first place and march steadily towards the championship, all while keeping an eye on the chance to shatter a historic record that has endured for more than half a century.
A 2-0 defeat of 10-man Tottenham Hotspur further strengthened Carrick's case for a shot at the permanent job, but he knows only too well how quickly things could change.
Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to be back, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.
Below is the latest injury picture for Man United, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Mason Mount
Injury: Muscle
Expected return date: February 23 (vs. Everton)
Mount missed the Fulham and Tottenham games with a minor muscle problem. Carrick said he would miss the visit to West Ham, but he expects the midfielder to be fully fit for the meeting with Everton on February 23.
Matthijs de Ligt
Injury: Lower back
Expected return date: February 23 (vs. Everton)
Amorim said De Ligt had been suffering back pain following the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on November 30, and the centre-back has not made the matchday squad since. Carrick said on January 23 that the problem had taken longer than expected to heal, with De Ligt's return unlikely before the middle of the month.
Patrick Dorgu
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: April
Dorgu suffered an apparent hamstring injury during the second half of the win at Arsenal, in which he scored a spectacular goal. The Athletic reported on January 27 that the winger could be out for up to 10 weeks. Carrick later confirmed it would be at least "a few weeks," although he would not speculate on a precise time frame.
Man United predicted lineup vs. West Ham
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Lammens (GK)
Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw
Casemiro, Mainoo
Amad, Fernandes, Cunha
Mbeumo
Man United fixture schedule: Next five games
West Ham vs. Man United | Premier League | Tuesday, February 10
Everton vs. Man United | Premier League | Monday, February 23
Man United vs. Crystal Palace | Premier League | Sunday, March 1
Newcastle vs. Man United | Premier League | Wednesday, March 4
Man United vs. Aston Villa | Premier League | Sunday, March 15
Ten Hag leaves Twente door open for Schuurs after Torino exit
Twente’s technical director Erik ten Hag says the ‘door is open’ for ex-Torino defender Perr Schuurs: ‘I only hope he can recover in the best way for himself and his family.’
Dutch defender Schuurs recently terminated his contract with Torino, having made no appearances for the Granata in over two years.
Schuurs’ unfortunate Torino spell
Nikola Vlasic (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match Torino FC vs US Lecce at the Olimpico Grande Torino Stadium in Turin, Italy, 05 September 2022. EPA-EFE/Alessandro Di Marco
Schuurs had joined Torino from Ajax in 2022 and made 43 appearances with the Granata before his serious injury.
Before joining Roma, Schuurs had made 92 appearances under Ten Hag at Ajax and the former Manchester United coach, now the technical director for Dutch side Twente, would love to reunite with his ex-defender.
Ten Hag eager to ‘help’ Schuurs
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 27: Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, looks on as players of Manchester United warm up prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Manchester United FC at London Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
“If I have a chance to help him, I’ll surely do it. The door at Twente is always open for him, but we must first consider his shape when he returns,” Ten Hag told De Telegraaf.
“He might be a very important resource in a club like ours, but currently, I only hope he can recover in the best way for himself and his family. He deserves it. The rest will come afterwards.”
Schuurs was called up for the Netherlands’ Nations League games against Poland and Italy in September 2020 but spent both matches on the bench, failing to make his debut with his national team.
The Dutchman played 39 Serie A games with Torino, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
In a lot of ways, the recent piece from ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler rubs salt in the wound for the Vikings.
Kahler does tremendous work, digging into Sam Darnold’s background to clarify how he worked from draft bust up to Super Bowl quarterback. The NFL writer found no shortage of voices willing to praise Mr. Darnold. In fact, some of those voices came from within the Vikings’ orbit. Both of Justin Jefferson alongside Aaron Jones get roped into the mix due to their recent comments on Darnold, but it’s the Nick Mullens words that raise some eyebrows.
The Vikings Appear to Snag an Uppercut from Nick Mullens
Apparently, the full team matters.
Mullens didn’t love how the blame for Minnesota’s late-season collapse got dropped down on Darnold’s shoulders. Instead, the veteran passer spreads the blame. “A lot was put on his shoulders to really lead the team to 14 wins,” insists Mullens, “And now that he’s got a complete football [team], I’m not totally surprised. The run game is really good in Seattle.”
Dec 10, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) makes a pass attempt against the Las Vegas Raiders during the fourth quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports.
The key words? And now.
Intentional or not, Mullens is offering a pivot. There’s a reflection on Darnold picking up no shortage of criticism for struggling in Week 18 of the 2024 regular season before losing in the opening round of the playoffs. But then there’s the reflection on the situation in Seattle, a team that differentiates itself from Minnesota since the Seahawks know how to run. Did the Vikings, a team allergic to running the football with commitment and consistency, just take one on the chin?
Another round of insight from Mullens:
“It was not only Sam’s fault,” Mullens said. “To say that two weeks before those games, he was a top-desired, top-dollar free agent, and then he plays two bad games after winning 14, and then he’s, a ‘I don’t know if he truly is the guy or not.’ To go from that high to that low, I think, is an unfair judgment.”
Finally, one more idea coming from Mullens: “‘Man, to win 14 games in the NFL and not know if you’re good enough?’ Mullens said. ‘That’s brutal. Like, what do you want, undefeated?'”
There’s a lot there, folks.
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Josh Oliver (84) and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) react after the game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Mullens doesn’t outright say that O’Connell should run the ball more or that Minnesota isn’t particularly smart for allowing Darnold to slip away. There is, nevertheless, a way that Mullens’ words can be read that reflects poorly on the Vikings.
Minnesota, foolishly, didn’t setup Sam Darnold to succeed before using him as a scapegoat. Sam Darnold then went to a complete team that believes in him and supports him. The end result is not just another 14-win season — a tremendous outcome — but a Super Bowl victory while rallying behind a passer who is still just 28.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell knows much about getting the best out of his quarterbacks. He nevertheless finds himself on the hot seat as he enters the fifth season leading the Vikings. Ironically, the main critiques are that he has been too committed to featuring his QBs by being too reluctant to run the football.
Oh, and showing Darnold the door doesn’t help, either.
Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates running back Aaron Jones’ (33) touchdown run with head coach Kevin O’Connell during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Go ahead and check out the Kalyn Kahler story. It’s excellent, just as Sam Darnold has proven to be excellent.
Overall, she set a time of 1:12.31 to beat out silver medalist Femke Kok, and bronze medalist and 2022 Olympic champion Takagi Miho, as per olympics.com.
Feb 9, 2026; Milan, Italy; Silver medalist Femke Kok and gold medalist Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands and Miho Takagi of Japan during the medal ceremony for the women’s speed skating 1000m during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
That moment was definitely one which Leerdam enjoyed and cherished a great deal along with her family and her fiancé Jake Paul.
And it also seems that Leerdam is very much enjoying the food court at the Olympic village as well.
Feb 9, 2026; Milan, Italy; Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands reacts after winning gold in the women’s speed skating 1000m during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Speed Skating Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Winter Olympics food court tour
The 27 year old Dutchwoman recently posted a video on TikTok where she gave a tour of the Olympic village food court.
Thanks to Leerdam’s video, we get an insight into the meals of champions which are available to Olympians and athletes during their time at the Olympic village.
It is clear from the video that the Olympians definitely won’t be going hungry given the abundance and plethora of food options that are on offer.
The competitors were told to pick a song "in the style of the 1990s." Rather than pick a real song and get the rights for it approved, the siblings turned to AI.
They asked some artificial intelligence to give them a song that felt like it was from the '90s.
Instead, it took lyrics from an actual song, the New Radicals' You Get What You Give.
That got them into a bit of trouble.
For the Olympics, they had to change their song. They used AI again. This time, Sherman writes, the song "sucks but isn't directly stolen from anybody."
Republic of Ireland beat Qatar 3-0 in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium in 2021 [Getty Images]
The Republic of Ireland will face Qatar and Canada in summer friendlies in May and June.
Heimir Hallgrimsson's side will host Qatar, who will feature at the World Cup, at the Aviva Stadium on Thursday, 28 May with kick-off set for 19:45 BST.
It will be the third meeting between the sides, with first ending in a 1-1 draw in Hungary in March 2021 and the Republic winning the second 4-0 in Dublin in October of the same year.
They will then travel to the Stade Saputo in Montreal for their first game on Canadian soil against one of the World Cup co-hosts on Saturday, 6 June with kick-off at 00:30 BST.
The Irish won 3-0 in the only previous meeting between the two sides in a friendly in November 2003.
Those two games could act as preparation for World Cup if the Republic of Ireland navigate the play-offs and qualify for the tournament for the first time since 2002.
Hallgrimsson's side are away to the Czech Republic on 26 March in the play-off semi-final.
If they win in Prague, then they would face a winner-takes-all final against either Denmark or North Macedonia at home on 31 March.
If they progress to the finals, the Republic of Ireland would face South Korea, South and hosts Mexico in Group A.
We're about two-thirds of the way through the Premier League season, but there's so much work to do inside and outside of England for the clubs currently chasing the title.
It's just not as simple as looking at the 13 games each left on the schedules of top-three teams Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa, because the trio all have European and domestic cup games left on the docket. They could have as few as 16 or as many as 26 games between now and the Champions League Final on May 30.
Then there's the matter of determining the number teams of competing for the title, or a top-five place. Is it just being polite to keep Villa in the equation, nine points out with two teams ahead of them? Or given the potential small number of points to win the crown, should we be widening the field to include a single-competition team like Manchester United who could stay hot and make a run? Ask Kevin Keegan what's possible.
Arsenal are on pace for just over 85 points at 2.24 points per Premier League match this season and it may be possible that mid-80s is set to become the new norm for a champion of the deepest top division the world's seen. Winners with 90+ point totals became more normal over the past decade, but the depth of competition is so strong that the three centurions (Chelsea once, Man City twice) of the past decade or so already feel like outliers.
There's also the matter of expected points, possibly the most wrongly-used metric in the sport. They do show quality from previous performances but too often you'll read someone using them to project future point totals or goals. Take Arsenal, for example. They've accumulated 56 points while missing some big players earlier in that stretch. Man City have not had a full-strength Rodri until recent weeks and did not have Marc Guehi or Antoine Semenyo until this month. Man United and others missed key pieces for AFCON. Multiplying the remaining games by presuming these teams will play at the same rate against different opponents with different lineups is ridiculous. Anyway....
Before we get to projecting the winners of the Premier League, let's ask a few interesting questions. For example, might Arsenal, Man City, and Villa not be the final identity of the PL's top three?
Premier League title race — Who has the easiest road home? Who can gate crash the ‘top three?’
For this exercise, let's just examine the Premier League opposition left on the schedule.
Yes, we know that every team plays the same 19 opponents two times each, but this is about the road home and with 13 opponents left there are bound to be some duds.
And this is why Arsenal should feel great about ending their wait for a Premier League title. The Gunners have one of the four easiest fixture lists left to go along with their six-point table lead. Aston Villa are right there with them, but have to make up those nine points without facing the Gunners.
Manchester United and Chelsea surely believe they can be 4-5 points better than Villa, but is that reasonable?
Maybe.
Chelsea have the second-toughest slate left in the Premier League, and face a six-match stretch that starts with trips to Villa and Arsenal three days a part followed by Newcastle, Everton, Man City, and Man United.
But there's another way to measure ease of schedule and that's sheer number of games. Manchester United's miserable season in the cups means Michael Carrick's men have just 13 games left and two of their three biggest asks — Liverpool and Villa — go to Old Trafford. With 39 points available they could feasibly target nine wins and be very close to Villa's current points-per-match (1.88).
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Manchester United head coach / manager Michael Carrick celebrates with Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United at full time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on February 1, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Premier League title, top-five race — Most consequential games left
Almost every contender has at least one brutal stretch left on their schedule.
Arsenal have consecutive games — both London derbies — against Spurs and Chelsea a week apart later this month.
Chelsea go to Arsenal and Villa three days apart to start March, and then host Man City and Man United a week apart in April and Liverpool and Spurs a week apart in May. The latter two stretches could also touch tournament games.
Man City get Chelsea and Arsenal in consecutive April weeks with a possible Champions League quarterfinal touching those games.
Liverpool meet Man United and Chelsea in consecutive early May weeks.
Aston Villa finish the season with visits from Liverpool and Man City.
Manchester United, again, get a break from the schedule makers.
And — attention: Tampa — the weekend of April 18 is shaping up to be special, with Man City vs Arsenal, Chelsea vs Man United, and Everton vs Liverpool all dotted the fixture list.
February 22: Tottenham Hotspur vs Arsenal
March 1: Arsenal vs Chelsea
March 4: Aston Villa vs Chelsea
March 15: Manchester United vs Aston Villa
April 11: Chelsea vs Manchester City
April 18: Manchester City vs Arsenal
April 18: Chelsea vs Manchester United
April 18: Everton vs Liverpool
May 2: Manchester United vs Liverpool
May 9: Liverpool vs Chelsea
May 17: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur
May 17: Aston Villa vs Liverpool
May 24: Aston Villa vs Manchester City
Arsenal remaining schedule
*if necessary
#subject to change if Arsenal advance in cups
Feb. 12 at Brentford
Feb. 15 vs Wigan Athletic (FA Cup)
Feb. 18 at Wolves
Feb. 22 at Tottenham Hotspur
March 1 vs Chelsea
March 4 at Brighton & Hove Albion
*March 7 FA Cup fifth round
March 10-11 Champions League Round of 16 1st leg
March 15 vs Everton
March 17-18 Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg
March 22 vs Manchester City (League Cup Final)
*April 4 FA Cup quarterfinals
*April 7-8 Champions League quarterfinal 1st leg
April 11 vs Bournemouth
*April 14-15 Champions League quarterfinal 2nd leg
April 18 at Manchester City
April 25 vs Newcastle United#
*April 25 FA Cup semifinals
*April 28-29 Champions League semifinal 1st leg
May 2 vs Fulham
*May 5-6 Champions League semifinal 2nd leg
May 9 at West Ham United
*May 16 FA Cup Final
May 17 vs Burnley#
May 24 at Crystal Palace
*May 30 Champions League Final
Man City remaining schedule
*if necessary
#subject to change if City advance in cups
Feb. 11 vs Fulham
Feb. 14 vs Salford City (FA Cup)
Feb. 21 vs Newcastle
Feb. 28 at Leeds
March 4 vs Nottingham Forest
*March 7 FA Cup fifth round
March 10-11 Champions League Round of 16 1st leg
March 14 at West Ham
March 17-18 Champions League Round of 16 2nd leg
March 21 vs Crystal Palace#
March 22 vs Arsenal (League Cup Final)
*April 4 FA Cup quarterfinals
*April 7-8 Champions League quarterfinal 1st leg
April 11 at Chelsea
*April 14-15 Champions League quarterfinal 2nd leg
April 18 vs Arsenal
April 25 at Burnley#
*April 25 FA Cup semifinals
*April 28-29 Champions League semifinal 1st leg
May 2 at Everton
*May 5-6 Champions League semifinal 2nd leg
May 9 vs Brentford
*May 16 FA Cup Final
May 17 at Bournemouth#
May 24 vs Aston Villa
*May 30 Champions League Final
Aston Villa remaining schedule
*if necessary
#subject to change if Villa advance in cups
Feb. 11 vs Brighton
Feb. 14 vs Newcastle United (FA Cup)
Feb. 21 vs Leeds United
Feb. 28 at Wolves
March 4 vs Chelsea
*March 7 FA Cup fifth round
March 12 Europa League Round of 16 1st leg
March 15 at Manchester United
March 19 Europa League Round of 16 2nd leg
March 22 vs West Ham United
*April 4 FA Cup quarterfinals
*April 9 Europa League quarterfinal 1st leg
April 11 at Nottingham Forest
*April 16 Europa League quarterfinal 2nd leg
April 18 vs Sunderland
April 25 at Fulham#
*April 25 FA Cup semifinals
*April 30 Europa League semifinal 1st leg
May 2 vs Tottenham Hotspur
*May 7 Europa League semifinal 2nd leg
May 9 at Burnley
*May 16 FA Cup Final
May 17 vs Liverpool#
*May 20 Europa League Final
May 24 at Manchester City
Top-five race projected point totals
Arsenal — 88 points
Man City — 85 points
Chelsea — 76 points
Manchester United — 76 points
Aston Villa — 76 points
Liverpool — 74 points
This is so, so difficult. Arsenal's schedule not only is the easiest but also includes the fewest number of games where their dropping points would come at the direct, immediate, on-field benefit of rivals on the day. Chelsea's schedule is just so difficult, but their goal differential may swing them ahead of the bunch. And City fans, don't be mad — we've seen your team go months without losing and this projection includes a head-to-head win at home to the Gunners.
Coach Brad Brownell's Clemson Tigers continued their winning ways in ACC play with victories over both Stanford and California on the West Coast in Week 14 of the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Clemson (20-4 overall, 10-1 conference), ranked No. 18 in this week's USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and No. 20 in the AP Top 25 poll, defeated Stanford in a gritty 66-64 win at Maples Pavilion behind 16 points and seven rebounds from Nick Davidson. The Tigers then notched a 77-55 blowout win over California at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Saturday.
RJ Godfrey and Ace Buckner led the Tigers with 13 points apiece in the win at Cal while big men Jake Wahlin and Carter Welling added 11. Clemson led 39-20 at halftime and led by as many as 24 against a Golden Bears team that enters the week on the bubble of the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Speaking of March Madness, Clemson has seven games remaining on its regular-season schedule before the start of the ACC Tournament on March 10 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
With matchups looming at two top 25 teams, No. 6 Duke and No. 13 North Carolina, plus a home game against No. 23 Louisville as part of a five-game stretch that begins Saturday, the Tigers have an opportunity to get a higher seed in the NCAA Tournament than what's been projected in recent weeks.
With a win over Virginia Tech in midweek play Wednesday, Clemson also has a shot at taking sole possession of first first place when they visit Cameron Indoor Stadium to face Duke Saturday.
Here's where Clemson sits in ESPN's latest bracketology update.
Where does Clemson basketball land in latest NCAA Tournament, March Madness projections?
In Tuesday's new bracketology update from longtime ESPN college basketball prognosticator Joe Lunardi, Clemson remained a projected No. 6 seed in the NCAA Tournament after its 22-point win over California. It's the same projected seed for the Tigers as the last three weeks.
If the NCAA Tournament were to begin today, Lunardi sees the Tigers taking on projected No. 11 seed Miami (Ohio) in the first round of the West Region in Tampa, Florida.
If Clemson wins its first-round game, Lunardi sees the Tigers facing the No. 3 seed Florida Gators in the second round of the West Region, barring a first-round Florida upset by 14th-seeded Winthrop.
ACC rival one of ESPN's projected top four seeds in 2026 NCAA Tournament
The Arizona Wildcats (23-1) are the projected No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Arizona is ranked No. 1 in both the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll and AP Top 25 poll. The Wildcats have spent 10 consecutive weeks at No.1 in the AP poll.
With Arizona the projected No. 1 overall seed in the West Region, the Duke Blue Devils (21-2) remain the projected top seed in the East Region while the UConn Huskies (South Region) and Michigan Wolverines (Midwest Region) round out the list of No. 1 seeds.
March Madness 2026: Which ACC teams are in, out of latest NCAA Tournament projections?
The ACC has nine teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament in ESPN's latest bracketology, the third-most bids for any conference. That number is up from eight teams last week with the California Golden Bears jumping into Lunardi's projected Field of 68. The Big Ten and SEC lead the way with 10 projected bids apiece.
Here's a look at the ACC teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament in ESPN's latest bracketology.
Clemson faces the Virginia Tech Hokies (16-8, 5-6) Wednesday night at Littlejohn Coliseum. Clemson-Virginia Tech is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. ET. The game will be televised on ACC Network.
Here's a game-by-game look at Clemson's 2025-26 men's basketball schedule.
Could a reunion be in store for the San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Deebo Samuel? 49ers tight end George Kittle seems to think so.
Kittle strongly hinted that Samuel could return to San Francisco in 2026 when talking to Sports Illustrated last week.
"One message for Niners fans? Hey, if a rebuild year got us 13 wins and a win in the wild card, that's pretty good," he said. "It's only going to get a little better from that and all the boys are coming back again. And, who knows? We might add some past friends."
When asked who he was referencing, Kittle mentioned Samuel.
"I don't know, I hung out with Deebo last night. That was fun," Kittle said.
When pressed further about a possible 49ers reunion with Samuel, Kittle simply added: "I love Deebo. That's all. I love Deebo."
It isn't clear if Kittle has some kind of inside information or if he's just making a public wish for the Niners to bring Samuel back. Nevertheless, given the Niners' need at wide receiver, it remains a possibility.
San Francisco is going to cut ties with Brandon Aiyuk this offseason and Jauan Jennings is a pending free agent and isn't guaranteed to return.
Making the Niners' pass-catcher situation more troublesome, Kittle is recovering from a torn Achilles and may not be ready for the start of next season.
The Niners traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders in 2025, and while he was pegged as someone on the decline, Samuel showed he's got some gas left.
However, bringing Samuel back doesn't exactly fit the Niners' approach of looking toward the future and getting younger, as the former Pro Bowler just turned 30.
If the Niners do bring Samuel back, he shouldn't be anything more than a complementary addition, as San Fran needs a true No. 1 target.
Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner during the Curling Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Game against Great Britain's Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/dpa
Italian duo Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner continued the host nations' strong Winter Olympics by taking bronze in the curling mixed doubles on Tuesday.
The Italians, who had taken gold at the last Games in Beijing and are also world champions, beat British pair Jennifer Dodds and Bruce Mouat 5-3.
Constantini particularly impressed with a 92% game shot success rate.
It was the seventh bronze of the Milan/Cortina Games so far for Italy, who have also scooped two golds and two silver.
The mixed doubles final is between the United States and Sweden later on Tuesday.
Great Britain's Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds ahead of the Curling Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Game against Italy's Stefania Constantini and Amos Mosaner at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/dpa
Italy's Arianna Fontana celebrates gold medal for the Olympic Short Track Speed Skating Mixed Team Relay at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
Arianna Fontana won a third gold and 12th medal overall in an Olympic career spanning six Games over two decades when she helped hosts Italy win the short track mixed team relay on Tuesday.
Italy got the gold ahead of Canada and Belgium, with Fontana joined by Elisa Confortola, Thomas Nadalini and Pietro Sighel on the team.
Fontana gave Italy the lead with six laps left and Sighel crossed the line backwards to set off the celebrations.
Long-time leaders China had to settle for fourth.
Fontana made her Olympic debut at the age of 15 at the last Games in Italy 2006 in Turin where she got a relay bronze.
She continued to become the most successful short track athlete at the Games with now 12 medals, three gold, four silver and five bronze. She has medalled at all her six Games.
(L-R) Italy's Pietro Nadalini, Arianna Fontana and Elisa Confortola celebrate their gold medal for the Olympic Short Track Speed Skating Mixed Team Relay at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpaItaly's Arianna Fontana celebrates gold medal for the Olympic Short Track Speed Skating Mixed Team Relay at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via ZUMA Press/dpa
(L-R) Silver medallist France's Eric Perrot, gold medallist Norway's Johan-Olav Botn, and Norway's Sturla Holm Laegreid reacts on the podium after the Men's Biathlon 20km individual event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena in Antholz. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Johan-Olav Botn had his late team-mate Sivert Guttorm Bakken on his mind en route to gold for Norway in the Olympic 20 kilometres biathlon race on Tuesday.
Botn shot clean and won 14.8 seconds ahead of French contender Eric Perrot and was 48.3 seconds quicker than his Norwegian contender Sturla Holm Lægreid for his biggest career success.
Perrot and Lægreid missed one of the 20 targets each. In the 20km each miss is penalized with one minute added to the skiing time instead of a penalty lap.
Italian home team hope Tommaso Giacomel had to settle for sixth place with three missed targets.
Botn was an early World Cup season leader but then suffered from illness and even more from the death of Bakken on December 23 during a training camp in Italy. Botn found Bakken dead in his bed.
"After the last shooting, my thoughts and feelings went towards my good friend Sivert Bakken who tragically died this Christmas. It was quite an emotional last loop for me," Botn said.
"I felt like I was racing with him. I hope he was watching, and I hope he is proud of what I was doing."
The 26-year-old is part of a new generation of Norwegian skiers after last year's retirement of star siblings Johannes Thingnes and Tarjei Bø.
"When Johannes and Tarjei retired last year, we had to step up and take the spot that they left. So far, I've felt like we have done a good job, but we can always perform better," he said.
Gold medallist Norway's Johan-Olav Botn reacts on the podium after the Men's Biathlon 20km individual event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Anterselva Biathlon Arena in Antholz. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa
Below is the latest injury picture for Tottenham, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Djed Spence
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: February 10 (vs. Newcastle)
Spence missed the games with City and United due to a minor calf injury, but Frank says he is ready for the Newcastle game.
Pedro Porro
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: February 22 (vs. Arsenal)
Spurs confirmed on Tuesday that Porro was facing four weeks out with a hamstring injury. He will likely target the north London derby for his return.
Destiny Udogie
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: April 11 (vs. Sunderland)
Udogie sustained a hamstring injury in the loss at Old Trafford, and Frank said on February 9 that the left-back is expected to be sidelined for four to five weeks. That would see him return on the other side of the March international break.
Richarlison
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March
Richarlison limped off in the FA Cup loss to Aston Villa with a hamstring problem. Frank confirmed on January 15 that the forward was facing up to seven weeks out, which would see him sidelined until the beginning of March.
Rodrigo Bentancur
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: March
After picking up a hamstring injury late in the January defeat to Bournemouth, Bentancur could be out a significant amount of time. In the immediate aftermath of the match, Frank felt confident enough to proclaim that the injury "looks like a bigger one, unfortunately."
That likely means its a Grade 2 or Grade 3 injury, which could keep him out anywhere from 6-8 weeks for a Grade 2 injury to multiple months if surgery is required to repair the muscle. More should be known after further scans are conducted.
Mohammed Kudus
Injury: Quad
Expected return date: March
Kudus was injured in the early January draw with Sunderland and following a scan over the next few days, unfortunate news was revealed. Thomas Frank stated on January 8 that Kudus would be out until after the March international break.
Kevin Danso
Injury: Toe
Expected return date: March
Danso had snapped a ligament in his big toe, according to Frank, during an aerial duel while on the pitch against Eintracht Frankfurt. His manager said he is "weeks away" as of February 9.
Lucas Bergvall
Injury: Ankle
Expected return date: May
Bergvall suffered a high ankle sprain during the Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund on January 20. Three days later he underwent surgery and is set for around three months on the sidelines.
Ben Davies
Injury: Fractured ankle
Expected return date: June
Davies was injured in the loss to West Ham, and Spurs announced on January 19 that he would need surgery on a broken ankle. It means the experienced defender, who is out of contract at the end of June, could have played his final game for the club.
Dejan Kulusevski
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Unknown
Kulusevski's absence has been felt by club and country with the Sweden international yet to feature this season after undergoing knee surgery in May. He was expected back before the end of 2025, but Spurs continually refuse to give a timeline for his return. Even Frank has been frustrated by his continued absence, saying in late December: "When they are ready to be close to joining the squad then I will provide an update."
An update eventually did come in early January, when the club stated he was still 3-4 weeks away from returning to training, at which point he would likely need further ramping up to regain fitness. Yet on February 9, Frank said Kulusevski would be seeing a specialist the following week, after which the club will know more, indicating Kulusevski has once again missed his timeline.
James Maddison
Injury: ACL tear
Expected return date: June 2026
Maddison suffered ACL damage in a preseason game against Newcastle in August, with his campaign over before it even started. The England international has left a creative gap in Frank's team, but due to the length of his rehabilitation, he's not expected to feature again this season.
Kota Takai
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: Unknown
Japan international Takai is yet to make his Spurs debut following a summer move from Kawasake Frontale.
Tottenham suspension list
Cristian Romero
Length of ban: Four games
Return date: March 15 (vs. Liverpool)
Romero's straight red card against Man United means he must serve a four-game ban, as he had already been sent off once this season. He will miss the matches against Newcastle, Arsenal, Fulham, and Crystal Palace.
Tottenham predicted lineup vs. Newcastle
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Vicario (GK)
Palhinha, Dragusin, Van de Ven
Gray, Gallagher, Sarr, Spence
Odobert, Simons
Solanke
Tottenham next five games
Tottenham vs. Newcastle | Premier League | Tuesday, February 10
Tottenham vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Sunday, February 22
Fulham vs. Tottenham | Premier League | Sunday, March 1
Tottenham vs. Crystal Palace | Premier League | Thursday, March 5
Liverpool vs. Tottenham | Premier League | Sunday, March 15
Neil McCann has been speaking to the media before Kilmarnock host St Mirren in the Premiership on Wednesday night.
Here are the key lines from his press conference:
The 5-1 defeat to Rangers was a "sore one to take", but McCann says there was "loads of good stuff" to take from the performance and Killie "reacted well" to going down to 10 men.
He has been "pretty consistent" with his demands of the players and what he expects from the squad.
The absence of Dominic Thompson through suspension for the St Mirren game is a "blow" but McCann has "plenty of options to try and fill the gap".
The Rugby Park boss says it's a "nice problem" to have so many players available for selection and it "seems a really happy club" as "everybody wants to get on to the training pitch and put themselves forward for the game".
McCann says the "level of quality has gone up" since he arrived at Rugby Park with Billy Dodds last month, adding: "I'm not going to say about what's happened before. That would be hugely disrespectful. I'm talking about since we've come in the building. Their level has increased since we've been in the first week even and what we're doing with them has actually improved. And that is what you're looking for, competition during the week, which keeps us sharp going into the matches."
He stressed the importance of securing back-to-back home wins.
The new signings have "settled well in the dressing room" but still need to "adjust".
McCann praised Stephen Robinson for having a "really well-coached" St Mirren team and adds: "We know what we're going up against. It'll be an interesting technical area. I've had my exchanges with Stevie in the past and they've always been really enjoyable. We're similar characters, but I think what will be on view is two teams who have a certain way of playing. There will be no quarter given."
Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In case there were any lingering doubts as to whether the NCAA thinks buying sports event contracts on Kalshi constitutes regular old sports betting, here’s the answer: It does.
This non-surprising result is based on the fact that a University of Tennessee student, who worked on the sports broadcast team, was fired from his job because an NCAA report revealed the unnamed student placed a bet on the Tennessee football team using Kalshi, according to a report on Knox News.
Tennessee fired a student worker on the broadcast team because he bet on a Vols football game on an online app
It's a minor NCAA violation. But that's not the main story
The nature of the infraction shed light on a growing debate over NCAA gambling ruleshttps://t.co/TkPpR4Hjao
The news site obtained the report via a public records request that showed five other NCAA violations, although this was the only gambling-related one. According to the report, the student bet on NFL, NBA, and college football games on Kalshi in October 2025 and at least one of those bets was on Tennessee.
The student-worker did not work with any one team; instead, he was a cameraman and filmed live content.
Rules are rules
Despite Kalshi calling its product “financial markets but for real-world events,” the NCAA takes a more common-sense view and views the action as bets. As such, the student broke NCAA rules that prohibit anyone involved in athletics from betting on sports, college or otherwise.
Of course, in November, the NCAA relaxed that rule, allowing people connected to college athletics to bet on pro sports (but not college). That rule change lasted all of three weeks.
The offending bet was reported to the University of Tennessee in November by ProhiBet, a monitoring service used by the SEC. The student-worker was suspended, then fired, in an “institutional decision,” according to reporting by Knox News.
No additional penalties were imposed on the university.
Kalshi and the NCAA haven’t exactly been besties in recent months, culminating in December when the nascent prediction market — as first reported by InGame — was set to begin offering contracts on the player transfer portal.
This yielded an angry response from NCAA President Charlie Baker.
“The NCAA vehemently opposes college sports prediction markets,” Baker wrote. “It is already bad enough that student-athletes face harassment and abuse for lost bets on game performance, and now Kalshi wants to offer bets on their transfer decisions and status — this is absolutely unacceptable and would place even greater pressure on student-athletes, while threatening competition integrity and recruiting processes. Their decisions and future should not be gambled with, especially in an unregulated marketplace that does not follow any rules of legitimate sports betting operators.”
Kalshi then rescinded its plans for the portal wagers.
Kansas delivered one of the best wins of the college basketball season Monday night, outlasting No. 1 Arizona 82-78 at Allen Fieldhouse. But as the Jayhawks celebrated, much of the postgame conversation centered on the absence of star guard Darryn Peterson.
Kansas coach Bill Self said Peterson was ruled out shortly before tipoff due to what the program labeled as “flu-like symptoms,” a decision that had been trending since Sunday. Self acknowledged the Jayhawks hoped Peterson would be able to play, but his condition never improved enough.
“We don’t know if it’s the flu, it’s flu-like symptoms. At least that’s what I’ve been told,” Self said. “We were hoping adrenaline would kick in today, but he just didn’t feel great.”
Peterson’s absence was particularly surprising because he was never listed on the pregame availability report. Self said there was no gamesmanship involved, explaining the staff genuinely believed Peterson might be able to go until shortly before the opening tip against the Arizona Wildcats.
“You sound like you bet on the game,” Self added. “But there was no ploy with that at all.”
Bill Self on Darryn Peterson's illness:
"We thought he'd go. I thought adrenaline would kick in and he would go. He was out there at shootaround. But you could just tell he didn't feel great."
The situation intensified when a viral sideline video appeared to suggest tension between Peterson and the coaching staff. Kansas Athletics quickly refuted that narrative, saying the individual who sent the text was an ESPN-contracted statistics worker with no affiliation to the program.
Peterson’s health has been a recurring storyline this season for the Kansas Jayhawks. The freshman is averaging 20.5 points per game and has flashed superstar ability, but availability issues have repeatedly disrupted his rhythm.
Even without him, Kansas proved it can still beat the nation’s best.
When you think of the state of New York in relation to high school sports, you probably think of basketball right off rip. What is a bit underrated in the state, however, is some of the high school football talent that’s begun to come out of the Empire State.
A team that was in the conversation throughout the 2025 high school football season that figures to do so again is the St. Anthony’s Friars (NY), which released their official 2026 schedule via social media on Monday night.
The Friars are a private school that plays against many of New York’ s top catholic football programs and with the slate of games they have on tap for 2026, not much will be changing this upcoming fall.
St. Anthony’s reached the second round of the New York Catholic High School Football League (NYCHSFL) playoffs, falling to eventual state champion Iona Preparatory School, 42-0. When it comes to high school football teams out of the Empire State, the Friars are as good as they come as St. Anthony’s are slated to return one of the best running backs out of the Northeast in 2027 four-star Xavier Bala along with 2028 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle Justin Joseph.
St. Anthony’s High School is a private, Catholic, college preparatory school located in Melville, NY. Operated by the Franciscan Brothers, the school emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to others. With a tradition-rich athletic program and a commitment to the arts, St. Anthony’s fosters a well-rounded environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential both in and out of the classroom.
How to Follow New York High School Football
For New York high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Empire State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the New York high school football excitement across the state.
The referee dropped the puck at center ice, and the game kicked off fast. The players were all in their 80s; some had played professionally, while others took up the sport later in life.
Fred Merchant, 88, faced off against former NHL defender Terry Harper, 86. With their helmets on, and exhibiting powerful skating, they could have been decades younger.
Merchant scored two goals before a roaring crowd of family and friends. His team didn’t win, but he was named the MVP in the Legends Game in Superior, Colorado, during the weekend of induction activities for the USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in October.
“It didn’t matter how old they were, it didn’t matter how many injuries they had,” Merchant said of the octogenarian players who love the game so much they refuse to quit.
The USA 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame, started by Merchant last year, honors hockey players who have hung tough with the game into their 80s and beyond. So far 35 men and one woman have been inducted, a couple of them posthumously. Players anywhere in the world are eligible, despite its name.
“Oftentimes, as you get older, you’re not the star anymore,” said Merchant, who created the hall of fame to recognize the dedication of his fellow die-hard players.
He said the response has been heartening.
“It’s amazing the number of family members that show up from all across the country to pay tribute to Grandpa or pay tribute to Dad,” Merchant said. “And they get very emotional when the time comes when they’re inducted.”
Not everyone has the stamina or skill to play ice hockey, let alone into their ninth decade of life. Merchant learned to play as a kid, then took up the sport again when he was almost 70.
Merchant grew up playing hockey on frozen ponds near his home in Canada and played through high school before giving it up in college. He had a career in the retail business and raised four children with his wife, Sheila.
Decades later, when he retired to Victoria, British Columbia, a friend invited him to play hockey at the local rink.
“I said, no, that’s crazy,” said Merchant, who was 69 at the time and hadn’t played hockey in 50 years. “I can’t do that.”
His friend persuaded him to come watch, at least, and eventually Merchant agreed to join the league. The first time he played it didn’t end well: He ended up in the hospital with a hernia. But after surgery and a few weeks of recovery, he couldn’t resist getting back on the ice.
“It was very difficult,” Merchant said. “And there were many times I thought, I don’t know if I can continue doing this.”
There were new aches and pains, he was out of shape, and he had lost many skills. But nearly 20 years later, he still plays three times a week.
Merchant said he’s in better shape now than he was in his 60s. His skills are returning, he’s not winded as easily, his muscles and joints aren’t sore. He attributes his healthy aging to hockey. He loves the sport now even more than he did in his youth.
“There’s a lot more laughter going on,” Merchant said. “It’s not quite as serious.”
Merchant relocated to the United States - first to Oregon, then Colorado - and found leagues in each new place, building community around a love of hockey. Each team has had players with a range of ages, and he’s always been among the oldest.
A few years ago he played in the Canada 150 Cup, a tournament in Ottawa for players over 80. One of the players invited him to join the board for the 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in Canada. Merchant decided to start a similar hall in the U.S. since many of his compatriots still played.
“I was amazed at how they wanted to continue to play the game,” Merchant said.
He brought the idea to the Long Hockey Association, the group he plays with in Colorado. The group was started by Pat Long, who said he prides himself on running competitive games for all ages.
“Fred roughed us up on the ice,” Long said. “And then he was a charming, lovable man who had this vision of a hockey hall of fame.”
Long said that he believes playing hockey keeps people young - through community, exercise and camaraderie. At 79, Long isn’t old enough to be in the 80+ hall of fame, though he hopes to be inducted later this year.
The sole woman to be inducted so far is Ginette Hatin, 81, of Montreal, who has played hockey since she was 6. When she started playing with her brothers in Quebec, she was the only girl on the ice. She said her priest told her father she shouldn’t play with the boys - but her father encouraged her to keep playing. She did, mostly with women, but also with men as she does now.
“I guess, for me, it was important to show the way to the other girls that wanted to play,” Hatin said. “Because I suffered from that. … I was born 60 years too soon.”
Hatin said she hopes she inspires older people to stick with the sport, if their bodies allow it.
“I never quit,” said Hatin, who once broke her wrist and another time broke a rib. Whenever she had an injury, she would get back on the ice as soon as possible.
“I’m a maniac,” she said, laughing.
Bill Orban, 82, got his first pair of skates at 5, and he joked that he hasn’t taken them off since. He played in the National Hockey League, and after he retired at 36, he started playing for fun with different leagues in Canada. He still plays twice a week in a league of players 60 and up - one of the players is 91.
“Hockey is the glue. It keeps everybody coming back,” Orban said.
After Terry Harper retired from the NHL, he didn’t play for a decade. When he started again, he enjoyed it even more.
“It was no pressure, we would just play and have fun,” Harper said. “When I retired from hockey, I was so tired of the travel and everything.”
After the Legends Game, the players and their fans went to a restaurant for a banquet and an induction ceremony. Merchant went first.
Merchant’s children inducted him, speaking about his commitment to hockey.
“They were groupies for their dad,” Long said. “... His grandson knighted him with the hockey stick.”
Feb 16, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams receiver Cooper Kupp holds the Vince Lombardi trophy during Super Bowl LVI championship parade. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jason McCourty was recently asked by Kay Adams if Cooper Kupp was a Hall of Fame caliber wide receiver and McCourty asserted without hesitation “absolutely”.
“Triple Crown, Super Bowl MVP, two-time Super Bowl Champ…like…absolutely…when you talk about him in Canton, absolutely he’s earned that with his performances in the big moments obviously in his time with the Rams and how he’s come over and what’s done for Seattle…”
What an eventful year for Kupp who was cut by the Los Angeles Rams last offseason, and responded by winning his second Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks.
Kupp, by the numbers, didn’t have his best year in 2025 (his best year to date came with the Rams in 2021), BUT he caught a touchdown in the NFC Championship game against the Rams, he made some big-time plays in the Super Bowl and overall, he was a missing piece that Seattle needed in the 2025 season to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
Mike MacDonald on @EWUFootball legend Cooper Kupp: “Cooper is a force multiplier. He is a stud of a person and stud of a teammate. This should cement him in the Hall of Fame.” pic.twitter.com/gDvmqz5G9G
The Rams more or less replaced Kupp with Davantae Adams in a savvy move, but Adams was at home watching the Super Bowl wondering how he is 0-5 in NFL Championship games, while Kupp was securing another ring.
HALL OF FAMER: #SEAHAWKS WR COOPER KUPP OFFICIALLY IS A HALL OF FAMER AFTER WINNING MULTIPLE RINGS.
Super Bowl LVI MVP (2022) NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2021) Super Bowl champion (LVI) First-team All-Pro (2021) Pro Bowl (2021) NFL receiving triple crown (2021: receptions,… pic.twitter.com/J4WjDmdmgs
Both Adams and Kupp may one day find themselves in Canton, but as of 2026, only one of those players has two Super Bowl rings, and with that second ring, Kupp may have just locked up his spot in Canton, and he seemingly has the chance to add even more to his already stellar resume before his career is done.
Cooper Kupp in 9 seasons:
⭐️ 8,369 receiving yards ⭐️ 59 TDs ⭐️ 1x Offensive Player of the Year ⭐️ 1x All-Pro ⭐️ 1x Pro Bowl ⭐️ 2x Super Bowl Champion ⭐️ 1x Super Bowl MVP
La Liga giants Real Madrid were offered the chance to sign now-Manchester City star Marc Guéhi during the January transfer window.
This comes amid confirmation that the Blancos brass made the call not to pursue a cut-price deal for the England international.
Guéhi was available for a reduced fee this winter, ahead of the expiration of his Crystal Palace contract in the summer.
A whole host of clubs from across the Premier League and beyond, in turn, are understood to have expressed a keen interest in his signing.
Guéhi is widely considered to be one of the standout defensive talents in Europe at present.
It may in turn come as something of a surprise, particularly when taking into consideration their frequent problems at the back, to learn of Real Madrid’s call on Guéhi’s signing.
The future of Bron Breakker has been cast into uncertainty following a medical emergency that required a major surgical procedure. On the February 9 episode of Monday Night Raw, commentator Michael Cole informed viewers that Breakker would be out of action “indefinitely.”
While Paul Heyman suggested on-air that the injury occurred during a deadlifting session, a new report indicates that the former Intercontinental Champion has been struggling with an ongoing issue that finally reached a breaking point.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Breakker had been working through a hernia for some time before it worsened significantly, causing immediate treatment. Meltzer clarified that, while some fans speculated that his early elimination from the Royal Rumble was due to the injury, the decision was unrelated to his medical status at the time.
Unlike many athletes who undergo a standard laparoscopy for hernia repairs—which typically carries a two-month recovery window—Breakker’s injury was reportedly more severe. Meltzer noted that the procedure was a “major operation” that could significantly extend his return timeline.
“He’ll be out for a while, as far as how long, though, nobody’s really given me a timetable. It could be 12 weeks, could be six months at worst, probably not that long, but again, I don’t know the details. People have had the other surgery, and that’s usually about a two-month recovery, but his situation was worse than the regular surgery; it wasn’t the laparoscopy, this was a major operation,” Meltzer stated.
The timing of the surgery is particularly problematic given the approach of WrestleMania 42 on April 18–19. Breakker was expected to face Seth Rollins in Las Vegas, a match built on the storyline of Breakker causing a shoulder injury to “The Visionary.” While Rollins is reportedly on track to be cleared for the event, Breakker’s participation is now in serious jeopardy.
Jen Dodds and Bruce Mouat suffered Winter Olympic heartbreak in the mixed doubles curling for the second time in four years after losing out on bronze to hosts Italy.
The British duo had been peerless in the round-robin format, losing just once and topping the standings, but that fine form has evaporated in the play-offs.
A surprise defeat by Sweden in Monday's semi-finals was followed by this 5-3 loss in a febrile Cortina Curling Stadium high in the Dolomites, which leaves Team GB still searching for their first medal of the Games.
As the celebrations of the boisterous home fans rolled down the wooden bleachers in this quirky arena - where Italy's Stefania Constantini learned the game as a child - the Scottish pair suffered their latest Olympic disappointment.
"So close, but so far," Dodds told BBC Sport. "It hurts the same as four years ago but I don't want to ugly-cry so I'm going to stop there."
This time was supposed to be different. The memories of losing both play-off matches in Beijing four years ago were supposed to fuel their bid for a medal. They were supposed to have ribbon around their necks and metal upon their chests.
But instead, they will be left with more regrets as they head into the men's and women's events on Wednesday and Thursday respectively.
"It's rough. We played so much better than four years ago so to leave with the same result is going to hurt for a bit," an equally-emotional Mouat added.
In a game of fine margins, Mouat and Dodds were repeatedly an inch or two away from where they needed to be.
They started with the hammer - theoretically advantageous in allowing a team to control a match - and had a shot in the first end to take three points.
However, Dodds' effort was fractionally out and the Italians stole one. It would be a recurring theme as Constantini and Amos Mosaner dictated the contest.
The British pair levelled, before the hosts edged back ahead in a cagey third end and pinched another in the third. Again, it was a near-miss from Dodds.
That had Italy 3-1 ahead at the interval and GB chasing.
One in the fifth was less than they wanted but a big mistake by Mosaner in the sixth opened the door. Was this going to be the moment the momentum shifted?
It wasn't. Constantini - a picture of tranquility throughout - played a perfect shot to ensure the Italians edged two clear again with two to play.
GB needed a big score, and deployed their powerplay, but again could only take one and were left needing a steal to even force an extra end.
They couldn't. And they were left to face the nightmare scenario of another Games in which they have finished in fourth place and without a mixed doubles medal.
"We spoke last night about how lucky we are to be playing at the Olympics as best mates," Mouat added. "We are two people that grew up together and never really knew where we could go with curling. It has been pretty special with Jen.
"I'm obviously pretty gutted but I'm so proud of us for sticking at it."
In Beijing, they responded the right way, with women's gold and men's silver. What will they do this time?
[Reuters]
Analysis: Where did it go wrong for GB duo?
Having cruised through the round-robin with just one defeat - against Switzerland after their qualification was already confirmed - the last-four loss to the Swedes, and particularly the manner of it, would have been chastening to the GB duo
Two-time world junior bronze medallist and BBC Sport pundit Logan Gray suspects Dodds and Mouat might not have fully recovered from that by the time they returned to the ice fewer than 24 hours later.
"It's always the hardest thing to do, get yourself back up and go again in the bronze game," he said. "I think there was a bit of a hangover there in the first few ends.
"The Olympics only comes once every four years and, no matter what's happened in the round robin, it's a brand new competition in the play-offs. The pressure goes up tenfold, and that can create little cracks here and there in communication, leadership, tactical decisions.
"You end up trying to overcomplicate things, overcorrect shots, and it's just a perfect storm. I think that's what we've seen these past two days."
The challenge for the two of them now is recovering for their respective team competitions.
Mouat is back on the ice with his men's rink - who are gold-medal favourites - against China on Wednesday, while Dodds at least gets a day off before her women's team face the Chinese on Thursday (both 18:05 GMT).
Four-time Olympian and former world champion and BBC Sport pundit Jackie Lockhart hopes that having suffered mixed disappointment before might actually help them this time in Italy.
"It's a terrible thing to say, but it's good for them in a way that they've been there before and come back to win medals," she said.
"They're professional athletes and they have to know how to park it. They'll be able to cry about this in a few months but it is done for now and there's something else in front of them."
The Philadelphia 76ers were short-handed in their 135-118 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. The loss caused the Sixers to end their 5-game West Coast road trip with a thud, but coach Nick Nurse was able to see what he has in MarJon Beauchamp.
Signed to a two-way deal, the former first-round pick hopped off the bench and had 10 points, four assists, and four rebounds in 20 minutes. His points came when the game was already decided, but the Sixers have to like what they saw from Beauchamp off the bench.
"He did a good job," Nurse told reporters after the loss. "I think there’s some speed and quickness there and he jarred a couple rebounds loose. I loved his aggressiveness up the floor once he got the rebound and it was a good run out for him, for sure."
Beauchamp has been with the Sixers for a bit now after signing his two-way deal back in December. He has spent a lot of time in the G League with the Delaware Blue Coats to get acquainted with the system and everything, but Nurse has liked what he has brought to the table.
"Gotta do all that stuff leading up to that," Nurse explained. "He’s done a decent job in his minutes in Delaware. A lot of that carries over. You gotta really work at it in between times, shootarounds, stuff like that, so I didn’t think he didn’t do anything as far as not knowing what to do tonight so that’s a good job by him and our staff preparing him."
Beauchamp is an athletic wing player who can do a number of things on the floor. He brings athleticism to the wing spot that should be helpful to the Sixers with Paul George sidelined with the suspension. Also, if Dominick Barlow has to miss more time with his illness, then Philadelphia can rely on him to provide minutes.
The Associated Press national player of the week in men’s college basketball for Week 14 of the season:
Zuby Ejiofor, No. 17 St. John's
The 6-foot-9, 245-pound senior came up huge in a marquee matchup with then-No. 3 UConn and flirted with a triple-double. Ejiofor finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and two steals in Friday's 81-72 victory over UConn at New York's Madison Square Garden, ending the Huskies' 18-game winning streak. Earlier in the week, he had 16 points, nine rebounds, four assists and one block in a win at DePaul. Those performances helped St. John's enter this week with a nine-game winning streak.
Runner-up
Quadir Copeland, N.C. State. The 6-6 senior began last week with seven points, 10 rebounds and 16 assists with zero turnovers in 33 minutes of a road win at SMU. That marked the first time an Atlantic Coast Conference player had 16 assists with zero turnovers since 1997 and the first in Division I since 2019. He followed with a season-high 21 points, 10 assists and five steals in a weekend home win against Virginia Tech. Copeland entered the week ranked eighth in Division I in assists (7.0).
Dylan Andrews, Boise State. The 6-3 senior erupted with two big outputs in high-scoring wins to be named Mountain West Conference player of the week. Andrews had 25 points and six assists in a 91-87 overtime win against Nevada. He followed with 33 points and four assists in Saturday's win at New Mexico. Andrews made 16 of 26 shots (.615), 7 of 15 3-pointers (.467) and 19 of 20 free throws (.950) for the two games while committing just three turnovers in 70 minutes of game action. Andrews is averaging 12.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists.
MILAN (AP) — Antonio Calanni is a photojournalist with The Associated Press, based in Milan since 2005. He has covered major soccer tournaments like the World Cup in Brazil and Russia, and the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, France and Germany, as well as various breaking news events, including the devastating fire in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on New Year's Eve.
Why this photo?
This image struck me because it captures a beautiful and lovely moment of those behind an Olympic gold medalist. We wanted to focus on the emotional reaction of American boxer Jake Paul after 1 minute, 13 seconds of fiancée Jutta Leerdam’s intensive race.
How I made this photo
The photo is the result of perfect planning and excellent teamwork. We had a clear idea of what AP’s team wanted, so I decided on a good position to follow any reaction of Paul before, during and after the race. I was there to take photos of emotion and reaction. With new technology, our cameras deliver sharpness in the darkest conditions. I waited for the right moment and I pressed the shutter, knowing this could be a good image.
Why this photo works
The photograph is of a release of emotions, tears of joy, an emotional moment of a star. Paul represents sports and the contemporary world of social media, and Leerdam incorporates the historical values of sport. The combination is probably a winning one in the modern world.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Imariagbe #33 of the Wright State Raiders reaches for the ball against Drayton Jones #13 of the Butler Bulldogs during the second half of the NCAA basketball game between the Butler Bulldogs and the Wright State Raiders at Hinkle Fieldhouse on November 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
March is fastly approaching and while there has been some movement in the league standings, Wright State and Oakland have been solid in the top two spots for weeks. While neither team will play in a marquee matchup this week, their games will be intriguing for other reasons. There are plenty of chances for chaotic results round out the schedule. Below are five games everyone should tune into this week, for a variety of reasons.
Northern Kentucky (15-11, 7-8 HL) at IU Indianapolis (7-18, 3-11 HL)
Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
There are few games with zero league title implications in February with the potential to be as fun as this game. IU Indianapolis, in terms of scoring points, is the best team in the league. It also happens to be last in the standings by a game and a half thanks to a last-place defense. Two spots behind the Jaguars in scoring offense is Northern Kentucky. The two teams average a combined 167.1 points per game. The Norse’s defense has been more than 10 points per game better than that of IU Indianapolis, but it has had its games where it allows a ton of points.
Between the Jaguars’ Kyler D’Augustino and Northern Kentucky’s Donovan Oday and Dan Gherezgher, there could be a ton of backcourt fireworks in this contest, but Finley Woodward is a unique point forward for IU Indianapolis. LJ Wells and Kael Robinson each pose major threats up front for Northern Kentucky. Again, there’s no real championship implications here, but there’s enough offensive upside for this game to be put amongst the league’s best for the week.
Robert Morris (16-10, 8-7 HL) at Cleveland State (10-15, 6-8 HL)
Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
Prior to its disappointing loss to IU Indianapolis over the weekend, Cleveland State was the hottest team in the league. Despite the loss, the Vikings will have another great opportunity to make headlines this week. While Robert Morris isn’t in position to repeat in the regular season as champions, a home game against the defending champions is always important. The Colonials have built some momentum in the last week or so, namely by downing Wright State, which sits atop the standings.
Matching up in this game in one of the more underrated individual matchups fans will see all year will be DeSean Goode and Dayan Nessah. Both forwards do a little bit of everything for their respective squads and lead the way in scoring quite often. Each offers production down low and stretches the floor. It will be a fun head-to-head, despite the game itself not being as significant as others on this list.
Robert Morris is back over .500 and quietly climbing the standings, looking to gear up for a tournament run in efforts to get back to the Big Dance. Cleveland State still sits a few games below .500 but has shown in the past few weeks it can compete with anyone. This is an under the radar but worthwhile game.
Purdue Fort Wayne (14-11, 8-6 HL) at Green Bay (14-12, 9-6 HL)
Thursday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m. ET, on ESPN2
National TV opportunities don’t come around the Horizon League all that often, but this game is worth the national audience. Green Bay and Purdue Fort Wayne enter the week separated by a half game in the standings, and have flip-flopped a few times in recent weeks. The Mastodons had surged to pass the Phoenix before dropping both games last week as Green Bay went 2-0 to get back in front. Entering the week as the third and fourth ranked teams, both squads are well-equipped for deep runs in the league tournament next month, and this game could be a preview of a potential late-round matchup in that tournament.
Green Bay is riding high after a win at the buzzer early last week, followed by a convincing win over the weekend. Purdue Fort Wayne was throttled by Youngstown State then fell narrowly to Wright State. In desperate need of a win, the Mastodons have a grand opportunity on the road. Between Preston Ruedinger, Justin Allen and C.J. O’Hara for Green Bay and Corey Hadnot II, Mikale Stevenson and DeAndre Craig Jr. for Purdue Fort Wayne, this game will have no shortage of quality guard play and could have major implications on seeding.
Oakland (14-11, 10-4 HL) at Robert Morris (16-10, 8-7 HL)
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
Once again, the defending champs will have an opportunity to take on a top team at home after defeating Wright State last week. Should Isaac Garrett remain out for the Golden Grizzlies, this could be one of the best 2-on-2 big-man battles all season in the league. Goode and Nikolaos Chitikoudis have been some of the lone consistent pieces for Andy Toole, and Tuburu Naivalurua and Michael Houge are two of the more physically imposing bigs in the conference. A healthy Garrett would add another interesting piece to the puzzle, but should he not be able to go, the big-man matchup remains intriguing. Setting things up for those bigs will be Ryan Prather Jr. and Brody Robinson, each of which have been exceptional running the show for their respective squads this season.
The headlining pieces have been strong for these teams all season. Oakland has gotten better production from its other guys, accounting for the record difference. Still, Robert Morris seems to be finding its footing, and the individual matchups in this game could make it a thriller.
Wright State (16-9, 11-3 HL) at Cleveland State (10-15, 6-8 HL)
Sunday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m. ET, on ESPN+
For a team looking to close out a league title, no game can be overlooked and despite Cleveland State being eighth in the league standings, this game should be circled on Wright State’s calendar. Just a few weeks ago, the first-place Raiders dropped a game at home to the Vikings. Dropping a home game to a bottom-tier team could be detrimental to a team’s championship hopes, but Wright State has held steady for now. The opportunity to avenge that loss and continue to inch closer to the crown will be on the table for the Raiders Sunday.
However, that win for Cleveland State was a part of a win-streak that flipped the script on its season in a sense. The heat wore off a little as the Vikings fell to IU Indianapolis over the weekend, but when a team shoots the ball as well as Cleveland State did in its win streak, it is dangerous in any game. The Vikings will look to continue playing spoiler as the Raiders will look to avenge a let-down loss and stay atop the league standings.
Nelson County — Brody Rainsberry 6, Taven Huson 7, Zane Anderson 4, Tyler Cre-Beglau 6, Rider Schmidt 12, Jaxon Joramo 25
North Star — JD Du Preez 3, Alec Peyerl 5, Ian Westlind 8, Levi Borstad 4, Kade Mitchell 29, Hunter Hagler 15
Halftime: FB 46, WEM 22
Win-E-Mac — N. Schow 1, Haugen 4, Courneaya 10, Langseth 2, Johnson 10, Bergh 4, Smeby 2, K. Schow 5
Fertile-Beltrami — Henrickson 15, Strem 6, Haaven 8, D. Gullickson 19, Oistad 6, S. Sather 11, B. Gullickson 2, Fredricks 2, C. Sather 9, Bjerk 3
Division AA
1. Bismarck Century (19 first-place votes) 95 points, 16-0; 2. Bismarck High 76, 15-1; 3. West Fargo Horace 56, 14-2; 4. Fargo Davies 25, 11-4; 5. West Fargo 18, 12-5
Others receiving votes: Dickinson 11-5, Bismarck Legacy 11-5
East Grand Forks v.s. Warroad 7 p.m., in East Grand Forks
Championship
Bemidji v.s. Moorhead, Feb. 11, 7 p.m., in Bemidji
Tuesday's first round
No. 8 Fertile-Beltrami vs. No. 9 Crookston, 6 p.m., in Menahga
Tuesday's quarterfinals
No. 1 United North Central vs. Crookston/Fertile winner, 7 p.m., in Menahga
No. 5 Badger-G-MR at No. 4 Fosston-Bagley, 7 p.m.
No. 6 Roseau at No. 3 Mahnomen-Waubun, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Barnesville at No. 2 Frazee, 6 p.m.
Friday's semifinals
6 p.m., at Fertile-Beltrami
Friday's championship
7:30 p.m., at Fertile-Beltrami
Dual tournament
Feb. 21, in Fargo
Quarterfinals, at 11:30 a.m.
W1 Bismarck Legacy vs. E4 Devils Lake; E2 GF Central vs. W3 Williston; E1 Fargo Davies vs. W4 Bismarck Century; W2 Bismarck High vs. E3 West Fargo Sheyenne
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Michigan St., 662 (18), 22-6-0 (LW: 2)
2. Michigan, 660 (15), 23-5-0 (LW: 1)
3. North Dakota, 595, 21-7-0 (LW: 3)
4. Western Mich., 555, 20-8-0 (LW: 4)
5. Quinnipiac, 539 (1), 22-5-3 (LW: 5)
6. Providence, 512, 18-7-2 (LW: 7)
7. Penn St., 494, 18-8-0 (LW: 6)
8. Denver, 415, 17-11-3 (LW: 9)
9. Minnesota Duluth, 399, 18-12-0 (LW: 10)
10. Cornell, 370, 17-6-0 (LW: 8)
11. Connecticut, 314, 16-7-3 (LW: 12)
12. Wisconsin, 305, 17-9-2 (LW: 11)
13. Dartmouth, 303, 17-6-1 (LW: 14)
14. Boston College, 263, 15-9-1 (LW: 13)
15. St. Thomas, 201, 18-9-3 (LW: 15)
16. Minnesota St., 158, 15-8-5 (LW: 17)
17. Michigan Tech, 135, 20-10-2 (LW: 20)
18. Augustana, 99, 18-9-3 (LW: 16)
19. Massachusetts, 62, 17-11-0 (LW: 19)
20. Miami (Ohio), 43, 17-9-2 (LW: RV)
Others receiving votes: Maine 34, Bowling Green 12, St. Cloud St. 6, Boston Univ. 3, Harvard.
Below is the latest injury picture for Chelsea, including estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Reece James
Injury: Knock/illness
Expected return date: February 10 (vs. Leeds United)
Rosenior said his captain was fit to be involved against Leeds on Tuesday, although he has also reported ill, which could complicate things. James has been sidelined with a knock since the 3-2 win over West Ham on January 31.
Jamie Gittens
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Unknown
Gittens departed after 25 minutes in the comeback win over West Ham, having picked up a hamstring injury. Tests confirmed he had suffered a muscle tear, so he is facing a few weeks out at least. Liam Rosenior described it as "long-term" which is never good.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: February 13 (vs. Hull City)
Rosenior confirmed the centre-back is out "for the next few weeks" with a hamstring injury. A return against Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round looks likely after he trained early this week.
Filip Jorgensen
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: February 10 (vs. Leeds)
The Chelsea backup goalkeeper has missed four games but could be back in the squad for the visit of Leeds.
Dario Essugo
Injury: Unspecified
Expected return date: Early March
Essugo is still yet to make his Chelsea debut and suffered another setback having recently returned to training from a thigh injury.
Rosenior told his press conference prior to the Crystal Palace match in January that the player had "slipped in training" and would be out for a month. Given how long he has been absent, it would likely take him multiple weeks to ramp back up to full match fitness.
Romeo Lavia
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: March 1 (vs. Arsenal)
Lavia has not featured since the first week of November due to a thigh problem. Rosenior gave him a time frame of between 10 days and two weeks on February 9, so it looks possible he could return against Arsenal if Burnley on February 21 comes too soon.
Levi Colwill
Injury: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear
Expected return date: June 2026
Colwill suffered an ACL tear in preseason and will miss the full campaign. The England international is still in the early stages of his rehabilitation.
Mykhailo Mudryk
Suspension: Doping
Expected return date: Unknown
Ukraine international Mudryk has not been available for selection since December 2024 after failing a doping test.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs. Leeds
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Sanchez (GK)
Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella
Caicedo, Fernandez
Estevao, Palmer, Garnacho
Joao Pedro
Chelsea fixture schedule: Next five games
Chelsea vs. Leeds United | Premier League | Tuesday, February 10
Hull City vs. Chelsea | FA Cup fourth round | Friday, February 13
Chelsea vs. Burnley | Premier League | Saturday, February 21
Arsenal vs. Chelsea | Premier League | Sunday, March 1
Aston Villa vs. Chelsea | Premier League | Wednesday, March 4
"Time is the best healer," Maye told reporters on Tuesday. "Just need time off. Nothing that needs anything to be done. Just need time to rest and time away from football."
Heading into the Super Bowl, Maye was limited in practice with a shoulder injury he suffered in the AFC championship game win over the Denver Broncos. On the team's initial injury report, the 23-year-old quarterback was listed as questionable with a shoulder injury and an illness that caused him to miss a practice.
Despite being removed from the injury report and telling reporters he felt well heading into the game, Maye struggled against Seattle. He completed 27-of-43 passes for 295 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and a fumble, with most of his passing yards coming in the fourth quarter. Maye's second interception was returned for a touchdown and all but closed the game.
Maye had a strong second NFL season, making his second Pro Bowl and being named a second-team All-Pro while also finishing second in the MVP race. The Patriots ended their three-season playoff drought and flipped their record from the 4-13 finishes from the past two seasons to 14-3 and AFC East champions in 2025.
The 2025 season just concluded, but Maye is already eager to begin preparing for 2026.
"Ten weeks until we're back here," Maye said in a final message to Patriots fans. "That don't sound too far away. It turns around quickly on you. I'm looking forward to it."
Wayne Rooney sends sack warning to Arne Slot after Liverpool’s recent struggles
Rooney Warns Slot Over Liverpool Future as Champions League Race Intensifies
Liverpool’s difficult mid-season run has placed renewed focus on the long-term future of Arne Slot, with former Manchester United and England captain Wayne Rooney offering a stark assessment of the situation. Speaking recently, Rooney suggested that the Dutchman’s position could hinge on whether he can guide the club back into the Champions League places.
With results faltering and pressure building, Slot finds himself navigating his first major crisis at Anfield. Supporters remain divided, performances have fluctuated, and rivals continue to pull away in the race for European qualification. Against that backdrop, Rooney’s comments have added another layer to an already intense debate.
According to reporting from Rousing The Kop, Rooney believes that Liverpool’s summer direction could depend heavily on how the current campaign concludes.
Rooney Assesses Pressure on Slot
Appearing on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former striker did not shy away from outlining his concerns over Liverpool’s trajectory this season. He highlighted both the inconsistency of performances and the growing sense of unease around the club.
Rooney said:
“The whole season really has been a concern for Liverpool, as obviously I’ve pointed out on here many times. But yeah, I actually thought the second half, they were brilliant today and they have been good in certain games, and not picked up the results.
“So yeah, I think it just brings a little bit more pressure on Arne Slot, I’d imagine. Now they’ve got to battle on to try and make a Champions League place. So yeah, I think there’ll be pressure coming on Arne Slot.
“I don’t think they’ll change anything now, but in the summer it’ll be really interesting. Arne Slot’s job might depend on if he finishes in the Champions League places.”
Those comments reflect a wider sentiment among pundits and supporters. While there have been encouraging spells under Slot, they have too often been undermined by defensive errors, missed chances, and late collapses. The gap between performance levels and results remains a central issue.
Champions League Qualification as Key Target
Qualification for Europe’s elite competition has long been regarded as a minimum expectation at Anfield. For Slot, achieving that target may now represent more than just a sporting milestone.
With 13 league games remaining at the time of Rooney’s comments, Liverpool are facing a demanding schedule against domestic rivals also chasing top-four positions. Manchester United and Chelsea, under new management, have shown signs of revival, while Arsenal and Manchester City remain consistent benchmarks.
Failing to secure Champions League football would have significant implications. Financially, it would limit transfer flexibility. Competitively, it could make retaining and attracting elite players more difficult. Politically, within the club’s hierarchy, it would inevitably prompt internal reviews of the project.
Rooney’s suggestion that Slot’s future “might depend” on qualification reflects how closely results and long-term planning are now intertwined. For Liverpool’s board, this is likely to be viewed as a defining phase in the manager’s tenure.
Liverpool Form Raises Long-Term Questions
Liverpool’s recent run has drawn uncomfortable comparisons with previous downturns in the club’s modern history. Although the squad quality is considerably higher than in past transitional periods, the output has not consistently reflected that advantage.
Dropped points against mid-table sides, defensive fragility in key moments, and a lack of cutting edge in decisive matches have all contributed to the current league position. While Slot’s tactical ideas remain evident, execution has been inconsistent.
Internally, there is still belief that the project can succeed. Slot has been backed in the transfer market and retains the support of several senior players. However, patience is not unlimited at a club with Liverpool’s ambitions.
The coming weeks will therefore be crucial. Strong performances against direct rivals could shift momentum quickly. Conversely, further setbacks would intensify scrutiny and strengthen arguments for change.
Summer Decisions Could Shape Club Direction
Looking ahead, the summer transfer window is expected to be pivotal. Recruitment, contract renewals, and potential departures will all depend on Liverpool’s final league position and European status.
If Slot delivers Champions League qualification, he is likely to be entrusted with another phase of squad development. That would include targeting reinforcements in midfield and defence, areas that have shown vulnerability this season.
Should Liverpool fall short, however, strategic questions will emerge. Would the hierarchy continue with the current manager and rebuild, or seek a fresh start? Rooney’s comments hint that such discussions may already be taking place behind the scenes.
As reported by Rousing The Kop, Rooney’s belief is that no immediate changes are likely, but the summer represents a natural checkpoint. His view aligns with how many elite clubs operate, using season-end outcomes as a basis for long-term decisions.
For Slot, the message is clear. Results over the coming months will not only define Liverpool’s campaign but may also determine his future at Anfield. With pressure mounting and margins tightening, every fixture now carries added significance.
Report: Saudi clubs eyeing mega money deal to sign Liverpool star
Saudi Pro League Renew Interest in Salah as Liverpool Weigh Up Contract Future
Liverpool face renewed uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s long-term future after fresh reports claimed the Saudi Pro League is preparing another major financial push to prise the forward away from Anfield.
With Liverpool entering a decisive period in contract negotiations and squad planning, the coming months could prove pivotal in determining whether the club can resist what may be another record-breaking offer.
Photo: IMAGO
Saudi Pro League Plans Major Offensive for Salah
Senior figures within the Saudi Pro League are understood to be preparing a renewed attempt to sign Salah ahead of the upcoming summer window.
Sources cited by Simon Mullock suggest that officials are willing to significantly increase their financial commitment, with proposals that could at least triple his current Liverpool salary. The aim is to install the Egyptian international as the league’s next global superstar, following uncertainty surrounding other high-profile names.
The original DaveOCKOP report highlights how Saudi executives view Salah as a commercial and sporting centrepiece, capable of sustaining worldwide attention for the competition.
This is not the first time such interest has surfaced. In 2023, Al-Ittihad lodged a bid worth around £150 million, which Liverpool rejected. Since then, the Saudi Pro League has maintained regular contact through intermediaries, keeping the door open for a future move.
With broadcasting revenues and state-backed investment continuing to rise, officials believe the timing may now be more favourable than in previous attempts.
Liverpool Contract Situation Enters Critical Phase
Liverpool extended Salah’s contract in 2025, securing his services until 2027 and temporarily cooling speculation about a move abroad.
However, with that agreement now entering its final stages, club executives are increasingly aware that time is becoming a factor.
The current situation presents three possible outcomes:
A further extension beyond 2027
A lucrative sale in the final years of his deal
Risking a free transfer departure
From a financial perspective, this summer may represent the final opportunity for Liverpool to command a premium fee should negotiations stall.
Club officials remain keen to retain Salah as a central figure under Arne Slot’s leadership, particularly given his continued consistency in front of goal and influence within the dressing room.
Yet, balancing wage structures and long-term squad sustainability remains a delicate task, especially if Saudi offers approach unprecedented levels.
Financial Power Shapes Saudi Pro League Strategy
The Saudi Pro League’s pursuit of Salah reflects a broader policy shift towards elite, globally recognised players who can accelerate the league’s international profile.
Investment groups operating within the division continue to benefit from substantial state backing, enabling them to outbid European rivals on salary, bonuses, and commercial opportunities.
Reports indicate that proposed packages could include:
Multi-million-pound annual wages
Image rights agreements
Commercial partnerships
Performance-related incentives
Such deals are designed to make relocation financially irresistible, even for players competing at the highest level in Europe.
The DaveOCKOP article notes that Saudi chiefs believe Salah’s popularity across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia makes him uniquely valuable as a long-term ambassador for the league.
Replacing departing or unsettled stars remains a priority, and Salah is viewed as the ideal successor to maintain momentum.
Salah Future Could Define Liverpool Summer Strategy
Salah’s decision will inevitably influence Liverpool’s wider recruitment plans.
Should he commit to a new deal, it would provide stability and allow sporting directors to build around a proven attacking core. If talks falter, contingency planning will become increasingly important.
Liverpool’s recruitment department is already monitoring potential replacements and tactical alternatives, aware that losing a player of Salah’s calibre would require significant restructuring.
From a sporting perspective, the forward remains central to the club’s ambitions in domestic and European competition. His output, leadership, and experience continue to underpin Liverpool’s attacking framework.
However, financial realities cannot be ignored. With Saudi interest intensifying and contract timelines narrowing, both player and club face a defining period.
As first reported by DaveOCKOP and reinforced by national media sources, the Saudi Pro League’s pursuit of Salah is no longer speculative. It represents a concrete, long-term strategy that Liverpool must now navigate carefully.
Whether Anfield remains his long-term home or not may depend on decisions taken behind closed doors in the coming months.
Slot: “Are we to blame for conceding so many late goals?”
Arne Slot Reflects on Liverpool’s Season of Luck and Late Setbacks
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has offered an honest and introspective assessment of his side’s struggles this season, addressing the recurring theme of misfortune, late goals, and the fine margins that have shaped their campaign.
Speaking during his latest media briefing, Slot was asked directly whether Liverpool have been victims of bad luck. His response combined realism, self-analysis, and a determination to keep focus on performance rather than misfortune.
With Liverpool continuing to fight for consistency and momentum, the manager’s comments provide insight into how he is attempting to balance accountability with resilience during a challenging period.
Arne Slot Manager of Liverpool Liverpool v Manchester City, Premier League, Football, Anfield, Liverpool, UK
Slot Addresses Perception of Bad Luck
Slot did not dismiss the idea that Liverpool have suffered from poor fortune, admitting that circumstances have often felt stacked against his squad.
“It feels like that, that is for sure. I said even if we sign a player and he is not even playing for us he gets injured. Sometimes it feels like that but the moment you feel it is all bad luck it comes to you as well, so we should keep it away as much as possible and just focus on the performance. Focus on what we can do to improve it.”
This statement reflects Slot’s broader philosophy. While acknowledging setbacks, he is reluctant to allow the narrative of bad luck to dominate the dressing room.
From injuries to disrupted preparations, Liverpool have encountered repeated obstacles. However, Slot’s emphasis remains on controllable factors such as intensity, tactical execution, and decision-making.
By encouraging his players to “keep it away”, he is seeking to prevent negativity from becoming embedded in the squad’s mindset, particularly during a demanding phase of the season.
Late Goals Raise Difficult Questions
One of the most persistent issues for Liverpool this campaign has been their vulnerability in the closing stages of matches. Slot addressed this directly, questioning whether misfortune alone can explain the trend.
“But the amount of times we have conceded late goals in extra time is far more than usual, is it bad luck or are we to blame?”
This rhetorical question highlights the internal debate within the coaching staff. While individual incidents may appear unlucky, repeated patterns often point to structural or psychological factors.
Late concessions can stem from fatigue, lapses in concentration, or difficulties in managing pressure. For Liverpool, these moments have proved costly in terms of points and momentum.
Slot’s willingness to publicly raise this issue suggests a desire for accountability rather than excuses. It also indicates that performance analysis has become increasingly focused on closing stages, where fine margins frequently determine outcomes.
In high-level football, the difference between resilience and regret is often decided in these final minutes, making this area a priority for improvement.
Tactical Adjustments Fail to Change Pattern
Slot also revealed that he has experimented with different approaches in an attempt to address Liverpool’s late-game problems, without finding a definitive solution.
“I have tried many different things, I have made defensive substitutions and the ball went in and I kept playing the same players and the ball went in so we have tried a lot.”
This admission offers rare insight into the tactical uncertainty surrounding match management. Whether protecting a lead through substitutions or maintaining attacking structure, neither approach has consistently prevented late setbacks.
Defensive changes can sometimes disrupt rhythm, while sticking with the same personnel risks fatigue. Slot’s comments suggest that both strategies have produced similar outcomes, underlining the complexity of the issue.
For Liverpool, this has created a cycle of frustration. Matches that appear under control have slipped away late on, reinforcing the sense that something intangible may be working against them.
However, Slot’s analytical tone indicates that the coaching staff continue to search for data-driven and psychological solutions rather than accepting these moments as inevitable.
Liverpool’s Identity Under Examination
Perhaps the most revealing part of Slot’s remarks was his reflection on whether Liverpool’s struggles are purely circumstantial or indicative of deeper traits.
“I can say we haven’t been lucky, that is definitely true. Is it then unlucky or part of who we are? That is something we can find out in the upcomign three to four months.”
This statement points towards a period of self-evaluation for both manager and players. The coming months will determine whether Liverpool can redefine their narrative or remain trapped by familiar patterns.
Slot appears open to the possibility that recurring issues may reflect habits, decision-making processes, or squad balance rather than chance alone.
By framing the next phase as a test of identity, he is placing responsibility on collective improvement. The implication is clear: sustained progress will require more than hoping for better fortune.
Instead, Liverpool must demonstrate greater control in decisive moments, improved game management, and stronger mental resilience.
As the season approaches its climax, Slot’s reflections underline a manager deeply engaged with both the emotional and technical aspects of leadership. Rather than blaming luck, he is challenging his squad to shape their own destiny.
Whether Liverpool can transform frustration into consistency will define how this campaign is ultimately remembered.
Report: Liverpool already have agreement to sign Bundesliga defender
Liverpool’s Agreement for Jarell Quansah Return Highlights Long-Term Defensive Plan
Liverpool’s long-term defensive strategy is beginning to take clearer shape, with emerging details around Jarell Quansah’s future pointing towards careful forward planning at Anfield. The centre-back, currently developing his career at Bayer Leverkusen, is understood to be part of a unique agreement that could see him return to Merseyside in the coming years.
As first reported in The Times, Liverpool have already laid the groundwork for a future deal that would bring Quansah back to the club, underlining their belief in his long-term potential.
With questions surrounding senior defenders and succession planning becoming increasingly pressing, this arrangement reflects a broader recruitment strategy designed to secure continuity and stability.
Liverpool Recruitment Strategy Focuses on Future Stability
Liverpool’s recent transfer policy has shown a growing emphasis on long-term squad planning rather than short-term fixes. After several seasons without major reinforcements in central defence, the club has moved decisively to address future needs.
The arrivals of young defenders in recent windows, alongside developmental loans and structured agreements, demonstrate a shift towards sustainable squad building. Quansah’s move to Leverkusen fits neatly into this approach. By allowing him to gain regular top-level experience in the Bundesliga, Liverpool believe he can return as a more complete and reliable option.
Internally, the club view this pathway as essential. With several established defenders approaching key contract milestones, recruitment staff are determined to avoid abrupt transitions. Instead, they aim to introduce ready-made replacements who already understand the club’s culture and expectations.
The Quansah agreement is therefore not an isolated decision, but part of a wider model focused on phased succession.
Jarell Quansah Development at Bayer Leverkusen
Since joining Leverkusen, Quansah has continued to progress steadily, earning valuable minutes in domestic and European competition. His physical profile, composure in possession, and improving positional awareness have all been highlighted as key strengths.
Regular football in Germany has provided an ideal environment for his development. Leverkusen’s tactical system encourages defenders to build play from the back, test themselves against high pressing sides, and remain disciplined in defensive transitions. These are attributes Liverpool place significant value on.
At just 22, Quansah remains some distance from his peak. Club analysts believe that two or three more seasons at elite level could transform him into a dependable Premier League defender. His recent recognition in Germany and involvement at international level have further reinforced that assessment.
For Liverpool, monitoring his progress in Leverkusen allows them to evaluate his readiness without disrupting his development cycle.
Contract Planning Shapes Liverpool Defensive Future
One of the driving forces behind Liverpool’s interest in securing Quansah’s return is the evolving contract situation within their defensive unit. Several senior players are approaching decisive stages in their careers, with renewals, departures, or reduced roles all possible.
Rather than reacting late in the cycle, Liverpool’s hierarchy are attempting to plan several seasons ahead. This includes identifying potential successors, managing squad age profiles, and ensuring compliance with homegrown player regulations.
Quansah’s background and development pathway make him particularly valuable in this context. Having progressed through Liverpool’s system before moving abroad, he represents both sporting and regulatory value.
The agreement with Leverkusen reportedly includes predefined financial and contractual terms, allowing Liverpool to activate the move at an agreed point. Such arrangements are uncommon but highlight the level of confidence both parties have in his trajectory.
Leverkusen Partnership Signals Long-Term Vision
Liverpool’s working relationship with Leverkusen has played a significant role in facilitating this arrangement. Both clubs share a reputation for prioritising player development and operating within structured recruitment frameworks.
By collaborating on Quansah’s progression, Liverpool benefit from elite-level development without carrying the short-term risk of limited playing time. Leverkusen, meanwhile, gain a motivated defender with long-term upside.
This type of partnership reflects Liverpool’s evolving transfer model, which increasingly blends traditional scouting with strategic loan and buy-back structures. It allows the club to compete at the highest level while maintaining financial discipline.
Looking ahead, Quansah’s potential return could coincide with a transitional phase in Liverpool’s defence. Should his development continue on its current trajectory, he may arrive back at Anfield as a mature, battle-tested option ready to assume greater responsibility.
For now, Liverpool remain patient. Their confidence in the pathway they have created suggests that, when the time comes, Quansah’s reintegration could feel less like a new signing and more like the final stage of a carefully managed project.
Slot: “I have to give a lot of credit to my players”
Arne Slot Praises Liverpool’s Resilience After Man City Defeat Ahead of Sunderland Test
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has reiterated his faith in his players’ mentality and consistency following their recent setback against Manchester City, insisting that the squad’s response to adversity remains one of the defining features of their season.
Speaking after the defeat, Slot offered a detailed assessment of Liverpool’s resilience, highlighting how often his side have had to recover from disappointment. His comments, originally delivered in his post-match media briefing, underlined both his pride in the squad and his belief that results have not always reflected performances.
As reported in his post-match remarks, Slot said: “I have to give a lot of credit to my players because we have had so many setbacks or hits. So many times we haven’t got what we deserve but every three days they show up again and brought in a good performance.”
With Liverpool now preparing for a challenging trip to Sunderland, the Dutch coach’s words have taken on added significance, especially in the context of the title race and the demands of a congested fixture schedule.
Slot Highlights Liverpool’s Response to Setbacks
Slot’s central message was one of admiration for how his players have handled repeated obstacles throughout the campaign. Injuries, fixture congestion, and narrow defeats have tested Liverpool’s depth and focus, yet the manager believes the group has consistently responded in the right way.
He continued: “That doesn’t always lead to a win, but I have said many times I think there are only three halves this season where the other team were far better than us. That was Crystal Palace, Man City and maybe Arsenal away in the first half, but that was part of the first half.”
This assessment reflects Slot’s broader analytical approach. Rather than focusing solely on results, he places emphasis on performance levels, territorial control, and tactical discipline. In his view, Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester City was more of an exception than a pattern, standing alongside only a handful of periods where his side were genuinely outplayed.
By isolating those moments, Slot has sought to reinforce confidence within the squad, framing setbacks as learning opportunities rather than evidence of systemic problems.
Man City Defeat Put Into Wider Season Context
The loss to Manchester City was undoubtedly a setback, particularly given the implications for the Premier League title race. However, Slot has been keen to ensure that the defeat is not viewed in isolation.
His reference to Crystal Palace and Arsenal away suggests a season largely built on competitiveness and consistency. Liverpool, under his guidance, have rarely been overwhelmed, even when facing elite opposition.
Slot reinforced this point by adding: “That is credit to the players because they have had many, many, many setbacks this season.”
The repetition in his language reflects genuine admiration for the mental resilience shown by his squad. From late equalisers conceded to narrow defeats and disrupted preparations, Liverpool have repeatedly been forced to regroup. According to Slot, their ability to reset every three days has been fundamental to maintaining momentum.
This approach aligns with his long-term vision for the club, built on sustainability rather than short-term reactions. Internally, Liverpool’s coaching staff continue to focus on performance metrics and physical conditioning, trusting that results will follow.
Sunderland’s Home Record Demands Respect
Attention now turns to Sunderland, where Liverpool face one of the division’s most formidable home environments. Slot has made it clear that he is taking the challenge seriously, pointing to the Black Cats’ impressive record at the Stadium of Light.
He said: “They have a good record at home, they have had a very good season Sunderland. They have already played against City and Arsenal at home so that tells you how good of a season they are having and how strong and good they are at home.”
This assessment highlights Sunderland’s growing reputation as difficult opponents on their own turf. Hosting Manchester City and Arsenal earlier in the season has tested their credentials, and their ability to remain competitive in those fixtures has not gone unnoticed.
For Liverpool, this represents another examination of their title credentials. Away matches against organised, confident sides often prove decisive in the latter stages of a campaign, and Slot is well aware of the risks involved.
Preparation for the trip has focused on controlling transitions, maintaining defensive structure, and managing game tempo, areas Sunderland have exploited effectively against top opposition.
Liverpool’s Mentality Central to Title Push
As the season enters its decisive phase, Slot’s emphasis on mentality has become increasingly prominent. His public messaging consistently reinforces unity, resilience, and professionalism, qualities he believes are essential for sustained success.
By framing the Manchester City defeat within a broader narrative of competitiveness, Slot has attempted to shield his players from external pressure. Rather than allowing one result to define their campaign, he has positioned it as part of a longer journey.
This approach has resonated within the squad, with senior players echoing similar themes in recent interviews. The belief is that Liverpool’s ability to recover quickly, both physically and psychologically, will determine whether they can maintain their challenge.
With demanding fixtures ahead, including the trip to Sunderland, Slot’s calm and methodical leadership remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions. His trust in his players, grounded in detailed analysis and honest reflection, continues to shape the club’s response to adversity.
If Liverpool are to capitalise on their strong foundation, it will be this blend of resilience, realism, and relentless preparation that carries them through the final months of the campaign.
PREVIEW: Man City look to close title gap in home clash with Fulham
Manchester City have the chance to heap further pressure on Arsenal and go three points off the league leaders against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s 2-1 victory from a goal behind at Anfield, where they hadn’t won in front of fans since 2003, has taken them from all-but-finished in the title race to sitting on the tails of Arsenal with 13 games left of the season.
The late penalty from Erling Haaland secured all three points at what’s proven to be a bogey ground for Man City, and the visit of Marco Silva’s Fulham offers the opportunity to close the gap with Arsenal playing a day later.
Phil Foden was at the centre of the nine-goal thriller, but the Englishman has found himself on the fringes of Pep Guardiola’s squad in recent weeks as Antoine Semenyo has maintained his spot in the starting lineup.
Defensive absences persist for Man City, with Abdukodir Khusanov joining the injury list after his concussion substitution against Liverpool, but Ruben Dias came off the bench at the weekend and should be able to start on Wednesday.
Wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho also remain out, alongside centre-backs John Stones, Joško Gvardiol and central midfielder Mateo Kovačić.
Fulham travel to the Etihad on the back of a disappointing home loss to Everton, having led for the majority of the game before a seven-minute flurry and a Bernd Leno own goal.
Oscar Bobb will be a subject of attention returning to his former club, after a short cameo against the Toffees on his Fulham debut.
Bobb may struggle to come into the starting line-up, with Harry Wilson the standout performer for the Cottagers this season and Samuel Chukwueze bagging a brace in the thrilling reverse fixture.
Sasa Lukic and captain Tom Cairney are potential absentees for Silva’s side, who haven’t earned a point against City since a 2-2 draw in 2011.
The Cottagers are still in the hunt for a European place despite the disheartening loss to Everton, with eighth potentially enough for a UEFA Conference League place and the West London side just three points behind them.
Haaland’s goal at Anfield was his first in the Premier League since late December, and with seven goals in seven games against City’s next opponent you wouldn’t go amiss backing him to re-find his form.
Wednesday’s match at the Etihad Stadium, kicks off at 7:30PM with live coverage on TNT Sports.
A familiar face could still save Liverpool’s season – Opinion
Can Steven Gerrard Be the LFC Interim…?
Liverpool’s season continues to drift into uncomfortable territory and, after yet another damaging defeat at Anfield, the pressure on Arne Slot is no longer simmering quietly — it is boiling in full view. Manchester City’s 2–1 win on Sunday did not just dent league ambitions; it reinforced the sense of a team unsure of its direction, identity, and leadership. For a squad assembled at enormous cost and crowned champions not long ago, this ongoing stagnation feels alarming rather than transitional.
Slot’s tenure increasingly resembles survival rather than stewardship. Performances fluctuate wildly, in-game management is passive, and post-match rhetoric leans toward explanation rather than accountability. The belief that Xabi Alonso is being lined up for a summer return grows louder with every misstep, and with that comes a crucial question: what happens between now and then?
The Slot Problem and the Alonso Shadow
Arne Slot appears trapped between two realities. On one hand, he is managing elite players who expect clarity, authority, and conviction. On the other hand, he seems fully aware that his long-term future may already be decided elsewhere. That limbo rarely breeds confidence, and Liverpool’s body language reflects it.
A midweek trip to Sunderland now looms large. Once considered a routine assignment, it is now a fixture that carries genuine jeopardy. Sunderland are organised, physically robust, and tactically clear — everything Liverpool currently is not. A defeat at the Stadium of Light would no longer be labelled an upset; it would be confirmation of a downward spiral. Worse still, Slot’s habit of deflecting responsibility rather than confronting shortcomings suggests a disconnect with the club’s historic standards.
Behind the scenes, the likely succession plan is already written. Alonso’s anticipated arrival would usher in a structural reset — moving away from a rigid back four toward a flexible back three, redefining roles, and reshaping recruitment. That transition, however, requires time, preparation, and an emotional reset. The question is whether Liverpool can afford to wait until summer under the current stewardship.
Why Steven Gerrard Makes Sense as an Interim
If a change is enforced before season’s end, the interim route becomes not only viable but logical. Chelsea and Manchester United have both embraced internal solutions this season, injecting energy, clarity, and belief through familiar figures. Michael Carrick’s influence at United and Liam Rosenior’s impact elsewhere underline the power of connection as much as tactics.
For Liverpool, Steven Gerrard stands apart as an option no spreadsheet could replicate. His tactical ceiling as a long-term elite coach may be debated, but as a short-term galvaniser, his credentials are undeniable. Gerrard understands the club’s demands instinctively. He would not need time to learn what Liverpool means — he embodies it.
What Gerrard would bring immediately is intensity, clarity of messaging, and emotional re-engagement. Players who appear hesitant or passive under Slot would be confronted by a manager whose expectations are non-negotiable. Desire, accountability, and aggression would return to the forefront, even if the football remained imperfect.
Crucially, an interim appointment could be safeguarded by transparency. Edwards and Hughes could publicly confirm that Gerrard’s role is temporary, with Alonso taking charge at season’s end following his sabbatical after leaving Real Madrid. That clarity protects all parties. Gerrard avoids being judged as a long-term solution, Alonso prepares without interference, and the squad regains direction.
There is understandable fear that a strong Gerrard run would complicate decisions. But a charge toward a title or Champions League triumph feels unrealistic at this stage. What Liverpool needs now is stability, identity, and belief — not miracles.
If the Sunderland result goes badly, the conversation may shift from speculative to unavoidable. In that scenario, Steven Gerrard as interim is not nostalgia-driven fantasy. It is a pragmatic, emotionally intelligent bridge toward the next era — one that may already be waiting just around the corner.
Henrichs primed to face Bayern: "We have to be vigilant throughout the entire match"
Despite losing their two Bundesliga meetings with Bayern Munich by an aggregate score of 11-1, Benjamin Henrichs is positive ahead of RB Leipzig's DFB-Pokal clash tomorrow.
“Perhaps we're a bit better prepared for our opponents this time around. We were very dominant in the first half and saw what we were capable of.
"In the second half, Bayern's quality became evident. The lesson is that when we create chances as well as we did in the first half, we need to be more clinical in front of goal.
"Bayern have a lot of individual quality and can always bring on fresh legs – we have to be vigilant throughout the entire match.
“We've already had two games against Bayern this season that didn't go as planned for us. We absolutely want to do better on Wednesday,” the full-back told TZ München.
Trent Alexander-Arnold named at centre of bizarre Real Madrid plot
There was controversy in Spain over the weekend - as Trent Alexander-Arnold made his long-awaited return from injury.
The 27-year-old is experiencing a nightmare first season at Real Madrid - frequently on the sidelines due to various knocks and strains.
And when the Englishman has managed to fight his way into the Madrid starting XI he hasn’t always shown his best form.
But he made his first appearance since early December in Real’s 2-0 LaLiga victory over Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday.
Trent appeared as a substitute for the closing stages - replacing novice David Jimenez at right-back. The 21-year-old former academy player was given a start ahead of Trent and his fellow right-back Dani Carvajal.
The 34-year-old veteran - who is out of contract in the summer - has provided stiff competition to Trent in his maiden Madrid season.
His own ambitions for the campaign were scuppered by a bad knee injury but he has generally been fit enough to be in the matchday squad since the beginning of 2026.
But Carvajal’s only minutes this calendar year came in the closing stages of the Copa del Rey disaster against Albacete and in the Champions League against Monaco.
He had to watch on as Federico Valverde filled in as an emergency right-back and insult was added to injury when Jimenez started ahead of him at the weekend.
Carvajal not happy with squad role
According to various reports in the Spanish press Carvajal didn’t take too kindly to his demotion. And a report in El Nacional is claiming that Carvajal believes fit-again Alexander-Arnold is behind the plot to keep him out of the team.
Trent moved to Madrid on a bumper £280k per week package and a sizeable signing-on fee. It is believed that he received guarantees from club president Florentino Perez that he would be a key member of the team.
But ex-manager Xabi Alonso saw fit to drop Trent in favour of Carvajal owing to the quality of his performances. And now with Alvaro Arbeloa in place as head coach Carvajal is of the opinion that Trent is plotting with the former Liverpool star to shore up his position.
Carvajal points finger at Trent
“The Spanish international believes there is someone behind his current situation, and that person is Trent Alexander-Arnold,” the report reads.
“Carvajal knows that the English star asked Florentino Pérez to guarantee him a starting position in order to commit to Real Madrid.
“Otherwise, he threatened to accept one of the other offers he had received from clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester City, who also wanted to take advantage of the fact that his contract with Liverpool expired on June 30.
“And he was not at all pleased that Xabi Alonso favored Dani on several occasions.
“So, the number 12 shirt would have forced the club to leave out the 34-year-old veteran defender, in order to eliminate any competition for the starting position.
“This explains why Arbeloa has had to exclude him from the starting lineups.”
The pathway to first-team football is expected to become much clearer next season for Alexander-Arnold as Carvajal will be out of contract. But that hasn’t stopped murmurings of a departure for the former Liverpool No66.
Manchester City and Newcastle are both reported to be interested in bringing him back to the Premier League - while Madrid media suggests that the club are prepared to move on from him at the end of the season.
2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations: Is Congo Brazzaville on the verge of withdrawal?
2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations: Is Congo Brazzaville on the verge of withdrawal?
Just one week before the kickoff of UNIFAC 2026, the Congolese Football Federation was rocked by a major administrative crisis. On February 10, the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) issued a press release declaring it does not "recognize" the existence of a national U-17 team. An unprecedented situation by all standards.
As the UNIFAC tournament approaches on February 17 in Kinshasa, the Congolese federation confirmed it only learned of the U-17 squad's existence through the media. FECOFOOT made its stance clear and firm: it does not recognize the national team that is supposedly taking part in the qualifiers for the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations.
It is reported that this squad is led by Fabrizio Sinaza. According to the statement, Sinaza, during consultations in December 2025, pointed to the lack of domestic competitions and the difficulty of assembling a team. Since then, the statement adds, there has been no further communication or follow-up from his side.
Is withdrawal inevitable?
The UNIFAC 2026 tournament is scheduled to take place from February 17 to March 2, 2026 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. This administrative chaos erupts just a week before the opening whistle. With no "recognized" team by FECOFOOT, the Red Devils’ U-17 participation hangs by a thread.
As we await further developments, it’s worth noting that Congo Brazzaville was drawn in Group A, alongside the host nation and the Central African Republic.
Last updated: 7 a.m. PST, Tuesday, February 10, 2026
The United States of America currently has two gold medals, one in Alpine Skiing and another in Figure Skating.
Western Washington University alum Breezy Johnson took home Team USA’s first medal of the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games, earning a gold medal in women’s downhill skiing on Sunday morning with a time of 1 minute and 36.10 seconds.
21-year-old Ilia Malinin’s free skate secured Team USA’s second medal on Sunday as the figure skating team pulled ahead of Japan by just one point to grab the gold.
Here are the athletes from Washington state who are competing:
The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, which includes four Seattle Torrent players, kicked off the 2026 Olympic Games with a 5-1 win over Czechia.
The Torrent’s Hilary Knight was named captain of the team, with Torrent forward Alex Carpenter joining the leadership team as one of two alternate captains. Torrent forward Hannah Bilka and defensive player Cayla Barnes are also on the roster.
Aneta Tejralová is a Czech professional ice hockey player with the Seattle Torrent and is playing on the Czechia team for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Knight tied the record for the most career Olympic goals (14) in U.S. women’s ice hockey history this weekend. The five-time Olympian, who has announced the 2026 Winter Olympics will be her last, is now tied with Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Katie King and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Natalie Darwitz for most Olympic goals in U.S. Women’s Olympic history.
The postponement is the fifth at Ballymena's Showgrounds this year [BBC]
Tuesday's Irish Premiership match between Ballymena United and Crusaders has been postponed following a pitch inspection.
It is the fifth time that a scheduled match at the Ballymena Showgrounds has been postponed this year.
The remaining five matches are set to go ahead as planned with all games available on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website by using the multi-screen option.
This announcement follows the league fixture against Glenavon at the Showgrounds being postponed on 3 January as well as two attempts to play an Irish Cup fifth round tie against Larne, on 10 and 20 January.
Ballymena United and Portadown's league match also fell victim to the rain meaning only two of the fixtures due to be played at Warden Street have gone ahead in 2026.
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Liverpool at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 20:15 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
New signing Nilson Angulo is available for selection.
On defeat at Arsenal and the progress his team have made generally: "To be fair I think we played the game we wanted to play. We were bold and aggressive in our high press. I think our mid-press was better compared with the home game. Our deep press was good as well but they found solutions with shots from outside the box. We had good control of the ball. The main difference was the level of threat. They were really good with that and created five or six chances while we made one and a half. It is positive as we know where we are in our journey but there's a long way to go to achieve this challenge. It's really positive, confidence is getting better and we have more solutions now to fix different problems."
On Liverpool, Le Bris said big-name clubs in the Premier League bring an "X-factor" in individual quality which is hard to prepare for where "one player can make a difference".
Le Bris added: "It's a good opportunity to win points once again. The confidence is high at home because we probably are a bit more front-foot. It's really important to be brave, ambitious and use this energy from the crowd to build momentum, sustain momentum."
Sunderland are one of seven sides in Europe's major leagues to be unbeaten at home along with Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, PSG, Juventus and Napoli. With a smile he said: "The challenge is hard because the level in the Premier League is absolutely fantastic. So it shows so far we were really good but the next challenge is the toughest."
Despite Sunderland's impressive start he warned success means they are also "fragile" as they cannot lose focus. He stated: "We know we built strong foundations but it's always a reset."
In a news conference largely focused on his side's development, he said: "Probably the next stage is to keep the home form and the away form it's another challenge. We have won twice away which is not bad. We drew often as well. We created opportunities. In two or three games we had the opportunity to score away but didn't. The next stage is more efficiency."
On Trai Hume as captain while Granit Xhaka recovers from injury: "I think Sunderland belongs to a working-class community and Trai is a good example of earning things on the pitch. He is really well balanced, versatile, intense. He's able to wake up the crowd as well. He doesn't have the same level of experience as Xhaka but he's vocal and his speeches are always good before the game."
With the 2025-26 high school sports season ongoing, the El Paso Times will give readers a chance to vote to identify El Paso's top athletes.
This week, readers can vote for which El Paso Times' El Paso Children's Hospital high school boy athlete had the best performance in soccer, swimming, wrestling and basketball.
Here are this week's nominees:
Hector Ortiz, Eastwood wrestling. He won the 106-pound title at the Region 1-6A tourney.
Emiliano Arrunada, Coronado swimming. He qualified for Class 6A swim meet in -yard backstroke and 200-yard free relay.
Connor Gutierrez, El Paso High swimming. He finished second in the 50-yard free and 100-yard free at the Region 1-5A meet.
Curtis Hargrave, Andress basketball. In win vs. Burges, he scored 25 points.
Jared Dominguez, Eastwood basketball. He hit game-winning 3-pointer vs. Coronado.
Joshua Pichardo, Americas basketball. He scored 39 points in two games last week, including 27 vs. Horizon.
Frank De Reza, Hanks soccer. In 5-2 win vs. Del Valle, he scored two goals.
Derek Rojo, Hanks wrestling. He qualified for Class 5A state tournament in 126-pound tourney,
Felix F, Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
It was linebacker Uchenna Nwosu who scored a pick-six return touchdown. A Devon Witherspoon pressure and hit forced Patriots quarterback Drake Maye to get rid of the ball prematurely. Maye's ball landed right in Nwosu's gut, prompting the lengthy touchdown return.
CB Devon Witherspoon had 19 pass-rush snaps in 14 games heading into Super Bowl LX. Mike Macdonald sent him after Drake Maye six times, tying his career high.
The results included a pressure that forced a throwaway, a sack, and this hit that led to Uchenna Nwosu's pick-six: pic.twitter.com/2KivF35ZrO
It felt like a moment long in the making for Nwosu, who has overcome a terrific amount of adversity. Nwosu has been limited by injuries in recent seasons. It began in 2023 when his campaign was cut short in Week 7 due to a season-ending pectoral injury.
Nwosu was then injured during the 2024 preseason campaign. It led to recurring issues all season long. Nwosu began the year on IR, and ended up appearing in just six contests with knee/thigh injuries.
Nwosu agreed to a pay decrease and returned to the Seahawks in 2025. His 45-yard pick-six return touchdown in Super Bowl LX was a moment he earned via his willingness to fight through adversity. It was great to see!
Kubiak is now tasked with forming his coaching staff in Vegas. The expectation is he'll bring a few Seahawks assistants with him. One familiar name is already emerging as a likely candidate to join the Raiders' coaching staff alongside Kubiak.
Seahawks defensive assistant/DB coach Neiko Thorpe is a candidate to join Kubiak's staff, according to Bleacher Report's Moe Moton. Raiders fans should remember Thorpe. The former Auburn graduate played for the Silver and Black between 2014-2015.
Interesting nugget:
Klint Kubiak could bring Seahawks Defensive assistant/DB coach Neiko Thorpe with him to Las Vegas.
Raiders fans may remember Thorpe, who played for the Silver and Black between 2014-2015.
Thorpe later played for the Seahawks from 2016-20. He quickly became a coaching intern in Seattle just two years (2022) after his playing career ended with the same organization. Thorpe has quickly climbed the ranks.
It's unclear what role Kubiak would be hiring Thorpe for. His coaching experience has been as an assistant defensive backs coach and special teams. Is Thorpe ready to oversee one of those position group units? Either way, Raiders fans should be excited to see a familiar face returning with Kubiak.
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix did not know the full extent of his ankle injury until undergoing tests following a win in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, but it sounds like he thought he could miss a game.
NFL Films released select mic'd-up footage from the playoffs on social media on Sunday, including a clip of Nix on the sideline. In the short sequence, Nix says, "You probably won't have me next week. My ankle's blowin' out."
Nix's hunch was right. Unfortunately, his absence was much longer than a week after he broke his ankle and underwent season-ending surgery.
Nix had a muted celebration following the team's 33-30 win over the Buffalo Bills, and he appeared to be in pain while exiting the field. The news of his season-ending injury broke shortly thereafter, following tests at the stadium.
Without Nix, the Broncos and backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham lost to the New England Patriots 10-7 in the AFC Championship game. The Seattle Seahawks then easily defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl, leaving fans to wonder how different things might have been had Nix not broken his ankle in the divisional round.
Nix will now rehab and focus on returning to make another deep run in 2026. Denver is tied with 12th-best odds to win the Super Bowl next season.
As we move closer to the next stage of the offseason, we want to ensure there is a complete preview of the Bucs heading into 2026. So to achieve that, we will be doing free agent previews for notable players the team will have on the market in the coming weeks.
In this piece, we will be previewing quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The Bucs' free agency will be both interesting and pivotal to their success in 2026. As Jason Licht has shown, he can be aggressive, but it is not like him to spend a lot in free agency. However, he does tend to like to retain Tampa Bay talent that he has seen develop properly, or arrive and make a splash.
So with the table set, here is a free agent preview.
Background
College: Louisville
Year Drafted: 2014 (32nd Overall)
Notable Achievements: Pepsi Rookie of the Year in 2014 and Pro Bowler in 2015
Teddy Bridgewater was brought in when the team saw that Kyle Trask was never going to develop into anything except an emergency option at quarterback. Now, bringing in a quarterback who hadn't played in several years, but won a high school state title in the meantime, was certainly a choice. The team needs to invest elsewhere in someone younger in case of an emergency involving Baker Mayfield, and that box is not getting checked by Bridgewater. I would expect them to look for a more youthful answer to the backup quarterback situation.
With the 2025-26 high school sports season ongoing, the El Paso Times will give readers a chance to vote to identify El Paso's top athletes.
This week, readers can vote for which El Paso Times' El Paso Children's Hospital high school girl athlete had the best performance in soccer, wrestling and basketball.
Here are this week's nominees:
Sofia Garcia, Horizon basketball. In a recent game vs. Del Valle, Garcia scored 21 points, had 5 steals and 6 rebounds.
Gianna Gulley, Andress basketball. In two games last week, Gulley scored 49 points.
Cydney Davis, Bel Air wrestling. She was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Region 1-5A tournament. She won the 155-pound title.
Hailey Delgado, Eastwood wrestling. She was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Region 1-6A tournament. She won the 110-pound title.
Melanie Arriaga, Burges basketball. She scored 22 points in two games last week. And against Andress, she had 10 rebounds.
Jocelynn Custard, Montwood basketball. In win vs. Eastwood, Custard scored 33 points.
Maya Ramos, El Paso High girls soccer. In two games last week, she had three goals and three assists.
Naime Abdallah, Franklinwrestling. She took first place at the Region 1-6A tournament at 115 pounds.
Felix F, Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
Olympian Benjamin Karl celebrated winning gold at the Winter Games in one of our favorite ways — by tearing off his shirt and showing off that gold-medal-worthy body.
The 40-year-old Austrian snowboarder is no stranger to the world stage. The Milano Cortina Games mark his fifth time competing in the Olympics. This also marks his final Games, as he has announced that he will retire after this season — but not before winning gold one last time.
Prior to this victory, Karl earned a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, a bronze at the 2014 Sochi Games, and gold at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
It’s a stellar career, and he also has the body to match his incredible body of work. Let’s enjoy both. Keep scrolling to see some of his steamiest pics — and be sure to follow him on Instagram @benny_karl.
ARLINGTON, TX - JULY 26: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Globe Life Field on July 26, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Back when I was working on IWAG a lot, I noticed a dichotomy of sorts. For position players, IWAG did basically about as well as Steamer and ZiPS, which wasn’t really surprising, given that it was made to try and replicate them. No matter what year I looked at, no system really beat the others, and IWAG was right there with them, generally with the same misses and successes. In unison or individually, the systems basically gave you “the right” idea about what the position players you looked at would do, even when restricting yourself to a small group of names.
For pitchers, though, it was all over the place. Sometimes one system clearly did better than the others, but more to the point, pitchers had breakouts and lost seasons that deviated from their central estimate (or even their distribution, insofar as I could generate or infer it) more often.
Why this dichotomy? My guess — an educated guess based on me tinkering with IWAG to little avail — is that hitters playing through or affected by injury tend to just kind of look like less effective versions of themselves, but pitcher injuries completely upend both availability and effectiveness. On the flip side, I can’t really confirm that a pitcher feeling “really” healthy can set a new performance baseline, so maybe that’s just attributable to pitch design and mechanics cleanup things. Either way, though, pitchers were less predictable.
Which brings me to Grant Holmes, the subject of today’s post. There’s a lot of uncertainty with Holmes! He went down with elbow troubles last year, but didn’t have Tommy John Surgery. Is he going to be healthy enough to contribute? Well there be a rotation spot for him? He’s out of options, so short of additional minor league rehab, there’s not really anywhere to “put him.” He’s already served as a reliever, but that shoved him into the rotation, and maybe he’ll be forcibly shoved out of it by others, who knows. (And then, will other injuries pull him back in.) What’s going on with his HR/FB, which was to his benefit in 2024 but very much to his detriment in 2025? How many innings will he get, and how effective will be, depending on role and considering all of the above? Oy.
I’m not saying every pitcher is Grant Holmes, but when you consider this laundry list of “issues” with thinking about Holmes’ future versus that of your run-of-the-mill potential-starter-quality position player, you get where I was going with the intro paragraphs, hopefully.
Career-to-date, status
A first-round pick all the way back in 2014, Holmes spent seemingly forever in the minors until the Braves gave him a chance in the bigs last year. He pitched incredibly well for about five weeks as a reliever, then got a shot to start and kept up the good work. He transitioned back to a shorter-stint relief role and faltered, but finished the year fairly strong in his final four (and especially his final three) outings, most of which were starts. (He even did something pretty crazy, getting five outs in relief on September 29, before pitching four innings as a starter in a must-win-to-make-playoffs game for the Braves on September 30 — though the Mets were likely taking it very easy by that point.)
All in all, Holmes had an 86/81/87 line (ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-) as a swingman in 68 1/3 innings in 2024, which is an insanely good outcome considering he was a minor league journeyman who hadn’t gotten a shot to that point. He still has under two years of service time, so the Braves have him for quite a while… provided they don’t lose him to a roster crunch given his out-of-options status.
Recent performance
Holmes made (and kept his spot in) the obliterated Braves’ 2025 rotation — at least until he was the last guy to go down when his own elbow started barking. He struggled out of the gate with some pretty clunky pitching in his first five starts of the year, but then got it together and had an awesome nine-start stretch that was marred only by the fact that he ran a HR/FB over 20 percent in that span. That good run culminated in a 15-strikeout performance in just 6 1/3 innings against the Rockies, but then he faded again, and he was really struggling by the time his season ended in late July. Specifically, by ERA-/FIP-/xFIP-:
First five starts: 110/141/123
Middle nine starts: 87/98/71
Last seven starts: 95/102/120
Put those things together with a single dominant relief appearance he had early in the year before making a start, and Holmes finished with a 94/108/98 line in 115 innings, good for 0.9 fWAR. If not for the HR/FB, that would’ve been solid #2ish/#3ish starter production. (Alas, the homers were a problem, for him and many of his teammates.)
Forecasting
Forecasting for Holmes (and any other pitcher with an uncertain role) is tough. I theoretically should build in some module in IWAG about how to handle this separately, since it’s not exactly a pure starter or pure reliever profile, but instead, I’m going to shortcut it by assuming that Holmes completes roughly 80 percent of his 2026 innings as a starter. That can artificially inflate his WAR, since it’s technically harder to be a starter than a reliever as far as replacement level goes, so just keep that in mind…
Basically, IWAG’s point estimate is that Holmes is a guy capable of preventing runs at a roughly league-average rate when used as a swingman. If a lot of that usage is as a starter, that’s about 1 WAR for 100 innings, which is not all that exciting but also far better than letting someone bleed value.
As you can see from the projections above, this is not an off-kilter take on Holmes. Steamer has him at 0.8 WAR in 87 innings, mostly relieving. ZiPS is a little lower, but still in the same-range-ish, again, mostly seeing Holmes as a reliever. IWAG’s higher WAR total is, in part, due to the assumption above about how much Holmes will start.
I would describe this curve as “cute.” An actual curve! Neat. Basically, the main question for Holmes is availability and usage. Which, yeah, we kind of figured.
Your turn
Alright, I’ve given you the info. Well, some info. You may have your own info. With that, I ask you:
Rounded to the nearest fWAR, how much will Grant Holmes produce in 2026?
How confident are you in your choice? Go with a scale from 1-5, where 3 is “I dunno, reasonably confident,” 5 is certain, and 1 is “I am participating but have no confidence in my choice and don’t want the fact that it will likely be incorrect to affect my place in any theoretical standings all that much.”
What’s on as Brentford Women return to Gtech Community Stadium
Brentford Women return to Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday 22 February in a top-of-the-table clash against Saltdean United.
As we count down to the big day, we are pleased to announce an exciting line-up of matchday events to take place at the stadium before kick-off.
The Bees will look to make it five wins from five appearances at the Gtech as they prepare for the run-in at the top of the London and South East Premier Division.
This fixture promises to be a huge afternoon both on and off the pitch, and supporters of all ages can look forward to a fantastic range of pre-match activities for family and friends to enjoy.
The clash will also be the Bees' dedicated Football v Homophobia matchday. Brentford were recently the winners of the Football v Homophobia - Professional Game award for their commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion.
The return to the Gtech will be dedicated to the campaign to raise awareness of homophobia and how to report discrimination.
Activity Fan Zone
Join us at our matchday exclusive Fan Zone, a vibrant celebration of women’s football, creativity and community.
Open from 12.30pm in The Dugout, the Fan Zone will be packed with brilliant small businesses, interactive workshops and matchday entertainment.
What’s happening in the Fan Zone
Rosanna FS Art will be hosting a hands-on line drawing and stud painting workshop, using recycled football studs to create bold banners to support the women’s team. A unique chance to get creative and take home something special
This Fan Girl x Ailish Beadle return for this fixture with limited-edition artwork, created especially for the game. Fans can also design their own print in Ailish’s signature style, adding their own colours and personal twist. Keep an eye out for this year’s exclusive design
The first 50 fans in the Fan Zone will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Arrive early to secure yours!
Baller FC will be bringing the energy they’re known for, delivering amazing women’s football Fan Zone vibes throughout the day
A live DJ to set the soundtrack for matchday.
Face painting for fans of all ages.
More activations to be announced.
The Fan Zone is the perfect place to kick off matchday and celebrate the women’s game in style.
Q&A with Indeed
On matchday at 12.30pm, supporters are invited to a special question-and-answer session in the Legends Lounge with two Brentford Women players.
The session will be supported by our partner Indeed and hosted by a special guest.
The players will discuss their careers outside of football, how they balance the demands of playing with their work schedule, and what they love about playing at Brentford.
With limited tickets available, fans are encouraged to enter the ballot for the chance to enjoy this exclusive Q&A experience alongside access to the hospitality lounge.
Ahead of kick-off, local self-portrait business Candid Studios will be in The Dugout for fans to create a take-home memory of the day.
Sisters Aimee and Lily Barrett (who are both Brentford fans) founded Candid in 2023, born out of the desire to kickstart a self-love revolution.
The concept is simple: turn up, snap away and leave with a print of your favourite shots!
Brentford Women partnered with Candid for their 2025/26 media day and examples of the high-quality, fun-filled results can be seen below.
Tickets
Tickets for the clash at the top of the London and South East Premier Division are on sale now.
Tickets are free for under-18s and £5 for adults. Buy your tickets here.
Junior tickets must be claimed online, and all under-14s must be accompanied by an adult (up to four children per adult).
Your ticket does more than get you into the game. From every ticket, £2 will be donated to Brentford’s girls' development and recreational football programmes, creating opportunities for girls to play football through Brentford FC Community Sports Trust.
Ilona Maher and Dhar Mann are among the creators being embraced by the sports world. (Getty Collection/Christopher Smith for TheWrap)
During the fourth quarter of a Super Bowl dominated not only by the Seattle Seahawks but also commercials featuring huge names like Scarlett Johansson and Ben Stiller, mega-popular creator MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson (466 million YouTube subscribers), flashed onto America’s TVs and promised to make one lucky viewer a millionaire.
It was a bold, attention-grabbing moment that aligned with Donaldson’s long history of giving away millions of dollars to everyday people. But it also served as the latest example of the growing interest live sports organizations and networks have in creators.
On Sunday, the NFL brought over 160 creators to San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium to be part of Super Bowl LX. The biggest creator collaboration in the history of the football league came after the NFL on Sunday appointed Dhar Mann (27 million YouTube subscribers) its Chief Kindness Officer tied to its “Be Kind to Your Rival” social campaign.
“The influencers and creators have played a very important role in keeping fans engaged in season and also during the off season,” Ian Trombetta, senior vice president of Social, Influencer and Content Marketing for the NFL, told TheWrap. “[Creators] have been great for us, especially as we reach more casual fans and younger fans.”
The creator invasion of the Super Bowl is not an isolated phenomenon, as sports aggressively court YouTube and TikTok stars in a bid to draw younger audiences to their broadcasts. For the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, NBCUniversal tapped 21 creator channels for its Creator Collective program, six fewer channels than the network partnered with for the 2024 Paris Olympics (partly because NBC did not partner with Overtime or Snapchat this time around). This is in addition to the 21 creator channels that are part of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s creator program.
“[Creators] bring live sports to the masses,” Britt St. George, co-founder of Smith + Saint told TheWrap. The creator-focused talent agency specializes in working with athletes who are interested in becoming creators. “It democratizes live sports and also creates a path for the new-age commentators of sport.”
Chloe Kim of Team United States at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Sports organizations partnering with creators often leads to exactly what Trombetta has seen — bigger, broader and younger audiences. But there are also several less quantifiable benefits to these collaborations. As more leagues, networks and agencies invest in both creators and creator athletes, it’s led to increased audience interest in lesser-covered sports, more devoted fanbases, a way for athletes to make money outside of traditional endorsements and growing loyalty between the creators and these organizations. It’s an emerging trend that’s quietly transforming the live sports ecosystem.
“A lot of the time, creators are translators for the sport,” Ayan Broomfield, a NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Champion and creator with over 100,000 Instagram followers, told TheWrap. “Traditional media focuses on the results. Influencers focus more on the connection, the human side of the sport and how it fits into real life.”
Broadening audience reach
Six years ago, creator programs for NFL teams only existed in cities that already had a major concentration of creators and influencers, places like Miami or Los Angeles. Now nearly every city with an NFL team — including smaller markets like Jacksonville, Florida, and Green Bay, Wisconsin — has an influencer creator program. Connecting to local creators helps broaden regional audiences, while partnering with less obvious talent — like 12-year-old fashion creator Taylen Biggs (1.9 million Instagram followers) or cooking creators like Jack Mancuso, aka Chef Cuso (2.2 million YouTube subscribers) — helps broaden the demographic reach of the NFL.
“The purpose is to open up as many lanes as we can for fans to interact with our games and brand. Ultimately, that translates to players, clubs, partners, etc.,” Trombetta said. “It’s really a win-win because we’re also working with creators who have a real desire to work with the NFL, a specific team or player.”
This collaboration has also helped the NFL keep fans excited about football year round. Creators now share team schedules, turning what used to be a boring list of dates into a seasonal event. There’s also the NFL’s Creator of the Week program, which began with YouTube in 2023 and now includes Snapchat. The program highlights large and small creators who are fans of specific teams, giving them behind-the-scenes access to build excitement for games in the days ahead of kickoff.
Sometimes these collaborations can really blow up. A partnership between comedy creator Adam W and the New York Jets reached over 240 million views on YouTube Shorts. The sketch featured Adam W as a vendor so locked in on the game he keeps serving people the wrong order.
Partnering with creators and focusing more heavily on social media has also benefited NBC. Content from the 2024 Paris Olympics generated a record-breaking 6.55 billion social impressions across NBC Sports’ social channels with the Creator Collective directly generating over 300 million views. This return is a big reason why NBC is so focused on creators for Milan Cortina. It’s also a strategy that’s a natural evolution for the network.
“It’s somewhat similar to what we’ve been learning, ironically, around Bravo,” Jennifer Storms, chief marketing officer at NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, told TheWrap. “When you think about it, the ‘Housewives’ and the franchises that we have with Bravo, they are content creators. They are real humans, not actors and actresses. That’s been part of our DNA.”
What it takes to pick the perfect creator
The reason the NFL and Olympics’ creator programs have been so successful comes down to preparation. These organizations aren’t just going through a list of top creators and circling the people with the biggest followings. There is an intense amount of planning and research that goes into every collaboration.
For this year’s Olympics, the NBC team worked closely with their partners at YouTube, Meta and TikTok to select the right people. After coming up with the list, the NBC team held several conversations with creators to better understand who their core audience was, which events they were most interested in covering and what kind of content they wanted to post. This step was especially key for the geographically segmented Milan Cortina Olympics. So if a creator wanted to cover figure skating, the team made sure they were in Milan, but if they were more interested in documenting the vibes around the Dolomites, they were sent to the mountains.
“It’s us working closely with everybody to determine what fits, what makes sense and where are they going to get the best content to serve their fan bases? Because that’s why they’re coming over — to create the content that’s authentic to their fan bases,” Storms said.
The NFL’s program is similarly intense. The league speaks to each team’s club to pinpoint local creators who are fans. The organization also utilizes its “very sizable” social and influencer team to target emerging creator talent as well as the league’s social media partners and its agency, Whalar Group.
“We certainly respect the communities that they’ve built and their audiences, and that all comes back to how are we offering them the best creative opportunities for them to collaborate?” Trombetta said.
Also, because most athletes are younger and many are already fans of creators, these collaborations can lead to more authentic and engaging content. “We introduced Caleb Williams and the [Chicago] Bears to IShowSpeed,” he recalled, referring to the 2024 NFL draft. “There is just a level of respect there. Both of these guys, they’re at the height of their games. And there’s immediately a bond there.”
Ayan Broomfield attends the 2025 GQ Men Of The Year party. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The rise of athlete creators
As creators become more commonplace in the sports world, more athletes are becoming creators.
“It’s a growing sector. We’re seeing some clients a bit more interested in it,” Britt St. George, co-founder of the social-focused talent agency Smith + Saint, told TheWrap. “We’re seeing a lot of these athletes crossing over into the creator space. I talk every day with agents and managers, and I’m getting pitched a lot of athletes.”
St. George believes the boom in interest is partially because of the double whammy of the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics. But it also has to do with the growing trend of Gen Z audiences being more interested in real-life events.
The NFL and NBC have both invested resources into helping interested athletes improve their social content. The NFL has the Live Content Correspondent program, a nationwide program that pairs camerapeople and social production teams with players. So if a player wants to post something like their workout routine, they can get professional footage of their reps at no additional cost.
As for NBC, prior to the Olympics, the network partnered with a handful of athletes who would be part of the games to boost their social content. Each athlete had weekly calls with the NBC team who walked them through insights they learned from NBCUniversal’s promotional engine, Symphony. For example, when NBC met with track and field star Noah Wyles ahead of the Paris Olympics, he was encouraged to post about fashion and track and field at a different time of the day based on findings from the promo engine. When he did that, Wyle’s engagement and follower count jumped.
“For us, it’s a sound investment because every person that hits follow on that athlete, we believe it translates into viewership of that athlete and the Games,” Storms said. She noted that helping these athletes with their creator careers has also had the unexpected benefit of making them more eager to partner with NBC on other requests.
For athletes, becoming a creator can be a safety net. Athletes routinely risk their bodies every day to perform incredible feats. While some are well paid on the professional level like MLB or NBA players, many are training for the Olympics while holding down a day job. There’s also a mental toll that comes with being the best. Because these people have devoted so much of themselves to their sport, many have a hard time seeing themselves as more than an athlete.
“For most people, they’re lucky if they reach one Games. Some will get hurt before that, and then they’re at a major crossroads where they’re wondering, ‘What do I do?’” St. George said. “People like Ilona Maher who are doing these things and paving the path from athlete to creator to entrepreneur to investor to founder are really important for other athletes to see and know that they can step outside of those boxes.”
It’s an evolution Broomfield has witnessed firsthand. When she first started posting, her content was strictly based on tennis. But the more she posted, the more her followers engaged with her behind-the-scenes content. Now the tennis champ focuses on her sport as well as lifestyle and fashion. She’s shared everything with her followers from the best sunscreen to combat the Australian sun to a series that spotlighted Black-owned brands and designers in honor of the 75th anniversary of Althea Gibson breaking the color barrier at the U.S. Open.
“Sports can really transcend through culture,” Broomfield said. “I do think it’s growing the sport, and it’s bringing in different demographics, cultures and age groups.”
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: (L-R) Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona, Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2025 in Madrid Spain (Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images
This season’s La Liga title race has already brought plenty of twists and turns, with Barcelona currently top of the table, one point clear of Real Madrid after 23 games played and now 13 clear of Atletico Madrid in third place.
Yet things looked very different back in October when Real Madrid went five points clear of Barcelona after beating Hansi Flick’s side 2-1 in El Clasico at the Bernabeu.
But all is not well in the Spanish capital. Xabi Alonso was fired in January after less than eight months in charge and replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. However, questions remarks remain over whether he’s the right man for the job.
Over at Atletico there have also been problems. Diego Simeone’s side have only won 13 of 23 games, while star man Julian Alvarez hasn’t scored in La Liga since all the way back in November.
Barcelona have had their issues this season but are currently on a superb run. They have won all 11 home games in La Liga and their only defeat since El Clasico came away at Real Sociedad in January.
So today’s Barca Blaugranes Question of the Day is this:
Is this La Liga title race more about Barçelona’s excellence or Madrid & Atlético dropping points?Defend your answer!
Now it’s over to you! Feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and answers in the comments section below!
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Jordan Pickford of Everton gestures during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Everton at Amex Stadium on January 31, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, TSFers. We’ve finally reached our thaw here in the D.C. area. It looks as if it’ll be smooth, above-freezing sailing for most of the rest of the month. Of course, that’s brought on by winds having pushed warmer ocean waters further north, which is an El Nino thing, and will result in a warmer-than-average February, says the Washington Post weather group. So that’s probably not great, but I’ll spare you too much of my local weather talk. It looks like those of you in the Northeast are getting some snow. I’m sure that will be a welcome change from the usual snow you get this time of year.
There are four Premier League matches today:
Everton-Bournemouth, 2:30 pm ET Tottenham-Newcastle, 2:30 pm ET Chelsea-Leeds, 2:30 pm ET West Ham-Manchester United, 3:15 pm ET
None of those are particularly relevant to Arsenal’s table finish, at least not without things going very wrong for the Gunners. That West Ham-United match is interesting to me — they’re two of the form teams in the Premier League at the moment. Plus every West Ham point potentially pushes Tottenham closer to the relegation places, which is very funny.
Other than Arsenal, what PL teams do you root for (when their results won’t affect the Gunners)? Are there any clubs outside of the usuals (Spurs, United, Newcastle, etc.) that you have a particular dislike for? What about in the rest of the football pyramid? Do any of y’all care about what Wrexham are doing?
Eddie Howe coaches Newcastle United during the UEFA Champions League - League phase, Matchday 8 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Newcastle United FC at the Parc des Princes stadium. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Newcastle United travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night to face Tottenham Hotspur in MD26.
The Magpies arrive on the back of a 3-2 home defeat to Brentford, their third straight Premier League loss and fifth consecutive match without a win in all competitions, and with manager Eddie Howe under very serious pressure.
That disastrous run has Howe’s side in the bottom half of the table, closer to relegation than they are to the UCL places, but still with an outside chance to make it there.
Away from home, Newcastle have struggled throughout the season and have scored more than once in only two league matches on the road, a problem aggravated by injuries limitting Howe’s lineup options.
Joelinton, Emil Krafth, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Fabian Schar remain unavailable, while Lewis Miley a game-time decision yet not expected to return in time.
Tottenham, meanwhile, sit just above Newcastle after a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United. They are without suspended captain Cristian Romero and have a lengthy injury list, particularly in defence. The Spurs have failed to win any of their last seven league matches, so you know what’s coming.
Here are some of Howe’s Wisdom Nuggets, courtesy of NUFC.co.uk
On Miley, Gordon and Joelinton… “Miley, I need to see today – we’ll get another update on his progress. He got a nasty bang to his leg so it’s like a sort of dead leg that’s dragged on a little bit longer than we thought, so we’ll see how he is.
“Gordon, we’ll make a check on today and see how he’s progressing. Hopefully a big improvement in him.
“Joelinton won’t make this game.”
On one of the toughest spells of his reign… “I think (it is) any time when you’re not getting the results that you want. I don’t think performances have been particularly bad – statistically we’re still pretty strong in every game, but the results certainly haven’t matched that.
“It’s been a difficult run of games, it will continue to be a difficult run of games for us, but that’s where we all need to show our strength of character, resolve, resilience and our feeling of how important this is to us. That needs to show, most importantly, on the pitch.”
On the need for unity… “I think if you don’t have that, you lose everything. At the moment we still have that, and that’s the most important thing. The supporters, even on Saturday, again were incredible for us. That’s never taken for granted – that’s never, from our side, expected. We have to earn it.
“We have to continue to have the respect of our supporters, and the only way we can do that is with our intention in the next game, with how we attack the next game, with everything we give off with our body language – the supporters will feed off it, and we need to make sure it’s a positive response. I’m confident it will be, and I can’t thank the supporters for their loyalty enough.”
On where the Magpies must improve… “I think firstly we have to defend better. When you look back at the last run of games, we haven’t defended our goal well enough and that’s cost us those games. It’s a simple thing to say and sometimes a difficult thing to execute, but we need to find solutions to our defensive vulnerabilities.
“And of course we need to be more clinical the other way. The two things go hand-in-hand. We’ve not defended well enough and we haven’t been clinical enough at the other end, so it’s a bad mix and that’s a big issue for us.”
On Saturday’s result and moving on… “I was really disappointed on Saturday with the result. We’ve tried to take ownership of that, and now we focus on the future. Hopefully we’ll have a good day’s training today, and a massive game tomorrow.”
Howay!
Date: Tuesday, February 10th
Kick-off: 19:30 BST / 14:30 EST
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London (England)
The Cadillac F1 test car on display during the Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. | Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Formula 1 is going to look a little different here in 2026.
That includes the annual pre-season testing.
This year the sport ushers in a host of new technical regulations, aimed at improving the on-track spectacle. The changes are the biggest F1 has seen in years, which means the teams have a lot to learn about how their new designs will perform under racing conditions.
But that is not the only big change.
This season, the grid grows by one, as Cadillac joins F1 as the sport’s newest team. Sports fans may have been introduced to Cadillac during Super Bowl LX, when the team launched their livery for the upcoming season during a commercial.
So ahead of the first open pre-season testing session of the 2026 season — more on that in a second — let’s dive into the big questions facing the grid as it gets underway.
What is F1 pre-season testing?
Let’s start with a basic question.
What is pre-season testing?
Pre-season testing is a three-day event at the Bahrain International Circuit, site of the Bahrain Grand Prix which follows later this season, that sees all 11 teams put their challengers for the upcoming F1 season to the test. This is the first time each team will have extended sessions with their 2025 cars, beyond minimal filming or promotional days that are allowed for under the F1 Sporting Regulations.
Over three days this week (Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday) teams are allowed to put their cars on the track with minimal restrictions, to get a sense of how their setups, power, weight, aerodynamics, and more will look for the season ahead.
Each day is broken up into two sessions, a morning session which starts at 10:00 a.m. local time and an afternoon session which starts at 3:00 p.m. local time. The importance of that afternoon session is that it will last beyond sunset, allowing teams to get a feel for how the cars will run during night-time conditions.
Teams can approach these sessions in a number of different ways, but the main goal is to iron out any major issues, hone setups, and make adjustments as necessary. Teams can also isolate what areas of their cars need to be upgraded ahead of the season, which begins a few weeks later in Australia.
When is it being held?
This is one of many changes from last year.
As noted above, this season F1 ushers in a host of new technical regulations. We will dive into those in more detail in a moment, but the basis premise is that the cars are going to be smaller, lighter, and more agile, hopefully to improve the on-track spectacle. In addition, this year will see a 50/50 split between battery power and the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), as the sport continues a push towards sustainability.
To that end, this is actually the second of three pre-season testing sessions that F1 is holding this year. The sport held the first testing session behind closed doors in Barcelona during the last week of January, billed as the “Barcelona Shakedown.” Five days of testing were held, but teams could only test on three of those five days.
Now the testing goes public with the first of two sessions that we will get to see.
The third and final pre-season testing session runs later in February, from February 18 through February 20.
The first pre-season testing session is set to begin on Wednesday, February 11, and will run three days as noted above. Each day consists of two sessions, a morning session that begins at 10:00 a.m. local time, and an afternoon session that begins at 3:00 p.m. local time.
Wednesday
Morning session: 10:00 a.m. local time / 2:00 a.m. Eastern Afternoon session: 3:00 p.m. local time / 7:00 a.m. Eastern
Thursday
Morning session: 10:00 a.m. local time / 2:00 a.m. Eastern Afternoon session: 3:00 p.m. local time / 7:00 a.m. Eastern
Friday
Morning session: 10:00 a.m. local time / 2:00 a.m. Eastern Afternoon session: 3:00 p.m. local time / 7:00 a.m. Eastern
Why is it held in Bahrain?
Some seasons, a reason for holding testing in Bahrain was logistical. With the schedule beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix, it cut down on travel and freight as the teams could simply roll things over for the start of the season.
But with the season beginning with the Australian Grand Prix this year logistics are not at play.
That leads us to another reason Bahrain is the host: The configuration of the track. Here is the layout of the Bahrain International Circuit, which you can see here in a diagram from F1.com:
The design of Bahrain International Circuit allows teams to test their cars under a few different conditions. There are some long straights — including the very long straight coming out of Sector 3, through the start/finish line and into Sector 1 — and some tight corners, most notably in Sector 2.
This layout means teams will be able to test out how their cars handle both long straights, as well as tight corners.
How are tires handled at F1 pre-season testing?
Pirelli, the tire provider for F1, provides all teams an equal number of each tire compound. This allows the teams to complete as many laps as they wish with each tire compound. This allows teams to get a sense of pit strategy for when the season begins.
Ahead of testing, Pirelli announced that during the first of the two sessions in Bahrain, the teams can only run the hardest sets of tires: The C1, the C2, and the C3. Teams are allowed to use up to 28 sets of dry weather tires, while one set of the Intermediate tires, for use in damp conditions, will be available.
During the final pre-season testing session later this month all five tires in Pirelli’s range will be available, meaning the C4 and the C5 compounds will be added.
Here are the teams’ tire selections for the first session in Bahrain:
The track surface in Bahrain is one of the tougher on the F1 grid, which is why the hardest compounds are usually selected for the Bahrain Grand Prix. That is why many teams are opting to load up on the harder compounds. In addition, the reason team are loading up on the C3 compound is that it will be the most frequently used over the course of the season.
Are there specific things teams can or cannot do during testing?
Testing is not held under grand prix conditions, and while normal safety requirements must be followed, teams are permitted to design their own testing programs. That includes selecting which drivers are going to participate, including reserve and/or testing drivers who are not slated to compete in the upcoming season.
I am seeing neon paint on some of the cars. What is that?
In F1, aerodynamics is everything. How well air flows — or does not flow — over the car can mean the difference between a podium finish, and a finish outside the points.
So finding out how the air is flowing over the cars is a huge part of the process, including during testing.
To get a clearer picture of how air is flowing over different parts of the car, teams will use what is called “flow-vis” paint. This is a paint composed of a fluorescent powder mixed with a light oil, applied to the front of the car before it takes to the track. As the car works through the circuit, the paint flows over the car, following the air.
Here is a closeup photograph of Oscar Piastri and his MCL38 from a previous pre-season testing year:
Here is a better look at how the flow-vis paint can disperse over an entire car:
In the above photograph taken from pre-season testing ahead of the 2022 season, you can see the flow-vis paint on the Williams Racing car driven by Nicholas Latifi.
Do not be surprised if, when watching pre-season testing, teams try and hide the results of a run using flow-vis paint. Often when the cars return to the garage after a run with flow-vis paint, teams cover the car so their competitors cannot get a sense of what is working … and what is not.
Did someone just drive through a fence?
The flow-vis paint discussed above is not the only method teams use to gather data on the track during testing.
Allow us to introduce “aero rakes.”
Aerodynamic rakes, or “aero rakes” for short, are another means of gathering data on the cars in near real-time. These devices include “pitot tubes,” which are sensors designed to measure off-body air flow. These can be placed on various parts of the car, to measure how air is flowing over various parts.
For example, if you wanted to see how the air was flowing over the front wing, you can place the aero rake behind the front tires. If you wanted to see how air was flowing over the entire car, you can place the aero rake on the rear of the car, as you can see in this example from Alpine:
This image from testing in 2022, with a massive aero rake fitted to the AlphaTauri of Pierre Gasly, gives you a sense of how big the aero rakes can be:
So if you see these on the track this week, do not worry. Someone has not taken a wild wrong turn, instead it is another means of their teams gathering data on the car.
Are these the final cars that teams will use this season?
Adapt or die is part of life in F1. Teams are constantly looking to upgrade their cars, looking to squeeze every last bit of power out of them, and shave of every possible millisecond.
To that end, while the cars we will see this week are close to the final product, the results of testing often force some upgrades. A prime example comes to us from McLaren three seasons ago. During pre-season testing in 2023, it became clear that the MCL60 needed some upgrades.
The team rolled those out over the course of the season, and while they were fighting for points at the start of the year — as Lando Norris explained to me ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix — they were fighting for podiums and wins by season’s end.
There, there is Alpine during the 2024 season. They arrived in Bahrain and quickly learned that the A524 was overweight, and focused on upgrades throughout the season.
The team brought a substantial upgrade package to Austin for the 2024 United States Grand Prix, as both Pierre Gasly and Team Principal Oliver Oakes describe to me last October. While Alpine was at the back of the grid to start the year, they ended up finishing sixth in the Constructors’ Championship thanks in large parts to those mid-season upgrades.
How much should we read into the lap times this week?
In reality? Not much. Given the number of variables at work — teams are trying different programs, with different tyre compounds and different fuel loads — it is usually hard to get a clear sense of how the grid stacks up before the season begins. Remember, while all the tyre compounds are available during the third and final testing session, once the season begins, Pirelli allocates just three of the five different dry-weather tyre compounds for each Grand Prix. So we might see a team this week put down a fast lap time on a tyre compound that is not going to be in use later this season at the actual Bahrain Grand Prix.
Also, teams do try and hide just how strong they are during testing, saving their full performance capability during the first qualifying session of the season. This is a tactic referred to as “sandbagging.”
Still, in recent history we have seen teams strong during testing come out and secure the pole position at the same track during the season. In 2021 Max Verstappen of Red Bull posted the fastest lap time during testing, and secured the pole at the Bahrain Grand Prix later in the season. In 2020 Valtteri Bottas of Mercedes posted the fastest lap time during testing, and his teammate Lewis Hamilton qualified on pole at the Spanish Grand Prix later that year. That season testing was held in Barcelona.
What we can mainly ascertain is what teams are going to start the season on the front foot, and what teams will begin the year with some work to do. Take the 2023 campaign. During pre-season testing that season it was clear that Red Bull’s RB19 was going to be strong, and that proved to be true as Red Bull won all but one grand prix in 2023, and Max Verstappen lapped the field in the Drivers’ Championship.
But we also learned that Aston Martin had something cooking with the AMR23, and they began the year on the front foot and were in second place behind Red Bull during the early going. We also got our first glimpses of what Williams was going to bring to the table, as they delivered a promising seventh-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
We also learned that McLaren had some work to do with the MCL60. They left Bahrain promising some future upgrades to their challenger, which they slowly rolled out over the course of the 2023 season. While they indeed started on their heels, they made a mid-season charge up the table, to finish in a stunning P4 in the Constructors’ Championship.
So in many ways, pre-season testing will tell us who is on solid footing to begin the year, and who has some work ahead of them.
Is there a winner of F1 pre-season testing?
As with anything in F1, times will be kept.
But you should, as noted, take them with a pinch of salt.
Teams will be running different programs, using different setups and tire compounds, and using reserve drivers as well. So while each session will see a driver post the fastest lap time, you cannot immediately assume that that team/driver pairing will see that success continue into the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
(Although, the past few years have seen Verstappen top the timing sheets so maybe there will be some truth in the numbers).
In addition, just because a team completes a lot of laps (or conversely the fewest amount of laps) does not mean that they are either going to be consistent over the season, or struggle with reliability issues on the other end of the scale. In 2023 for example McLaren posted the fewest laps during pre-season testing.
Still, McLaren found a way to charge through the field over the second half of the season for a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
But when the dust settled at the end of 2024, McLaren stood atop the F1 world as Constructors’ Champions.
What are the major storylines for F1 2026 pre-season testing?
New regulations
As noted above, the biggest storyline headed into the 2026 season will unfold starting this week.
One of the more fascinating aspects about Formula 1 is that it is as much an engineering problem to be solved, as it is a race to be won. The sport constantly changes the technical regulations, pushing teams and designers to deliver technological advancements on the track.
This year brings a massive new set of regulations to the sport, as F1 is looking to improve the racing spectacle. The cars are going to be smaller, lighter, and more agile, and that is not all. Not only is the chassis being updated, but so too are the power units, in what F1 is calling the “biggest overhaul of regulations in the sport’s history.”
According to a presentation by F1 given to the media, including SB Nation, here are some of the major points:
Smaller and lighter: The wheelbase has been reduced by 200 millimeters, the width of the cars has been reduced by 100 millimeters, the floor width has been reduced by 150 millimeters, and the minimum weight was cut down by 30 kilograms (to 770 kilograms) to make the cars more “agile and responsive.”
Reduced downforce and drag: Not only has downforce been reduced by up to 30% due to F1 removing ground-effect “floor tunnels,” but draft has been reduced by up to 40%.
Active aerodynamics: The Drag Reduction System (DRS) has been removed, replaced by movable front- and rear-wings. This allows drivers to gain extra grip. According to F1 this means “adjustable angles of the front and rear wing elements in specific high-speed sections, designed for Corner and Straight modes. It enables strategic adaptability and maximises full usage of the car’s power through greater on track grip.”
Narrower tires: Front tires are 25 millimeters narrower, while rear tires are 30 millimeters narrower, which cuts down on both drag and weight.
Power unit: F1 has also introduced changes to the power units. There is an approximate 50/50 split between electrical power and the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). In addition, F1 has simplified the hybrid setup, removing the MGU-H and increasing the power to the MGU-K “significantly” to allow for “enhanced overtaking and straight-line speed.” The cars will also run on advanced, sustainable fuel.
Overtake mode: With the removal of DRS, drivers can now use overtake mode. When they are within one second of a car in front, they can “deploy extra power to instigate an overtake.“
Boost mode: In addition to overtake mode, drivers can also deploy extra energy from the engine and battery at the push of a button, no matter where they are on the track. This can be used offensively, or defensively.
Recharge: Drivers can also recharge their battery with recovered energy from braking, via lifting the throttle at the end of a straight, or even in corners where they do not use the full throttle.
New team
Then there is the new team on the grid.
While technically there are two new teams — Audi joins F1 as a new works operation in place of Sauber — the size of the grid has expanded by one, as Cadillac arrives for this season.
Cadillac opted for a pair of veteran drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Pérez, to begin their F1 journey. Both drivers have championships on their resume, Bottas as part of the Mercedes operation alongside Lewis Hamilton, and Pérez during his time at Red Bull with Max Verstappen.
How will the new kids on the block fare in their inaugural season? We’re about to find out.
Early drama
Then there is the “compression ratio” saga.
Under the new regulations the “compression ratio” of the V6 combustion engines — a measurement of how much the air-fuel mixture inside a cylinder can be compressed — has been reduced to 16:1 for this generation of power units. This was done to make the sport more accessible for new engine partners such as Audi.
However, some teams believe that Mercedes has found a workaround for this issue. F1 tests the compression ratio when the power units are cold, but teams such as Audi and Ferrari believe that Mercedes has found a way to expand the compression ration when the power units are running hot, giving them a potential advantage on the track.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown addressed the issue at the team’s launch, a notable point for him as McLaren is a customer of Mercedes and uses their power units.
“It’s typical politics of Formula 1. The engine has been designed and totally compliant within the rules,” he said at the launch of McLaren’s 2026. “That’s what the sport is about. No different than things like double diffusers that we’ve seen in the past where they’re compliant within the rules.
“I don’t believe there’s a significant advantage as being represented by the competition, but of course their job is any perceived advantage, they’ll make a story out of it. But the reality is the engine is completely compliant [and] passed all its tests. And I think [Mercedes] HPP has done a good job.”
What drivers are testing, and when?
We will update this list as confirmations are released by the teams.
F1 pre-season testing driver schedule by day
We will update this list as confirmations are released by the teams.
F1 pre-season testing driver schedule by team
We will update this list as confirmations are released by the teams.
Can I watch pre-season testing?
That depends on where you are reading this from, dear reader.
For those joining us from the United Kingdom and Ireland, Sky Sports F1 will provide coverage, including airing the final hour of each day.
Here in the United States, F1 is moving to Apple TV for the 2026 season. As of the time of publication Apple TV has not announced any live coverage of pre-season testing.
This post will be updated as driver and team schedules are announced.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 2: Caleb Williams #QB14 of Southern California hugs Drake Maye #QB04 of North Carolina during the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It’s complicated. Chicago Bears fans weren’t rooting for Drake Maye to play poorly in the Super Bowl. Maye, the 3rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft is a rising star with a likeable ‘aww shucks’ persona. Bears fans were simply rooting against having to hear all offseason that they once again made the wrong choice in drafting their franchise quarterback.
The Trubisky-Mahomes chatter has only recently slowed down, leaving plenty of space for NFL prognosticators to take jab after jab at the Bears’ incompetence for selecting Caleb Williams over Drake Maye. We saw it last offseason after Jayden Daniels took the league by storm in his rookie campaign, and we were all collectively wincing at the same if Maye were to win on the biggest stage.
Maye, though, had a bad night Sunday against the best defense in the league (save a few beautiful throws). The chatter around Maye as the MVP runner-up has quieted, and the chatter over the Patriots’ soft schedule has taken center stage. Which brings us to our question:
After two seasons, did the Bears select the best Quarterback from the 2024 NFL draft?
Before I answer my own question, let’s sort out some quantifiables. Below are the raw numbers by each of the quarterbacks taken in the 2024 draft’s 1st round:
That’s a lot of numbers. What do they mean? Right off the bat, you can toss out Michael Penix and JJ McCarthy – they have been significantly worse through two years than their peers.
Next, while Jayden Daniels has had maybe the most statistically impressive per game start to his career, he has shown serious injury concerns. When overlaid with his playing style and slight frame, it’s hard to argue at this point that he will overcome his injuries to be a consistent star.
That leaves us with Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Bo Nix. I think they all provide an argument and it is really a matter of personal preference.
The argument for Bo Nix is that he has put up the best numbers of the class, has led his team to two postseason appearances in two years, and looks like a great pairing with Sean Payton. The argument against Nix is threefold – he has a relatively high interception percentage compared to the rest of his class, he will be recovering from a broken ankle, and he is an older prospect — set to turn 26 on just a few days meaning he will be 29 at the conclusion of his contract. Many suggest that his age, injury, and propensity to throw bad interceptions shows a limited ceiling.
Next is Drake Maye. A few days ago, Maye looked like the clear cut answer to this question. He was the flavor of the year, as the MVP runner-up with a chance to win the Super Bowl. And then everything came to a screeching halt. Maye went 27-43 (62.8%), 295 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs, 6 sacks, and 1 fumble in the Super Bowl. That stat line actually looks tidier than what Maye’s performance looked like, as Seattle put pressure on him all night long, forcing Maye into errant throws.
Still, Maye has shown to be a composed, accurate, and talented quarterback through two seasons, but the loss in the Super Bowl leaves you wondering if his historically weak 2025 schedule covered up some growth concerns. The Patriots will also have to bolster their OL after Maye was sacked 21 times in the postseason.
Finally, we have Caleb Williams. From a pure statistical stand point, Williams has the weakest argument of the three. However, context matters when evaluating Williams. Caleb emerged from one of the worst coaching situations for a young quarterback in NFL history, only rivaled in recent memory by the TLaw and Urban Meyer season. Caleb’s rookie season was fine, if not a little disappointing. Still, he emerged from it with a hot new coach in Ben Johnson, who helped him propel to new heights.
The argument for Caleb is that he is young, improving, and has shown the potential for the sublime — throws and plays that only one other player in the league can do. The argument against Caleb is that he remains inaccurate at times, and has a tendency to try and do too much.
With all of that said, I think I would take Caleb purely on potential. His ceiling is tantalizing, and after improving his sack total drastically, he has shown the ability to make serious intentional improvements in the offseason. If you choose Nix or Maye, though, I would not blame you one bit.
Now it’s your turn! Did the Bears select the right quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft? Sound off in the comments!
For a national perspective, check out this recent poll from Dave Kluge or the Football Guys. It’s interesting to see how fans are voting following the Super Bowl.
If you’re redrafting the 2025 class today, which QB are you selecting first?
SURPRISE, AZ - FEBRUARY 19: Evan Carter #32, Sandro Fabian #81, Wyatt Langford #82, and assistant hitting coach Seth Conner #86 of the Texas Rangers look on during a spring training workout at Surprise Stadium on February 19, 2024 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Bailey Orr/Texas Rangers/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning. Texas Rangers pitchers and catchers are reporting to Surprise, Arizona today. Welcome back, baseball.
With the Rangers officially beginning their quest for glory in 2026, Kennedi Landry takes an early stab at a potential Opening Day roster.
Evan Grant lists a handful of Rangers hurlers who have the ability to gain the most from their time in Surprise this spring.
Jeff Wilson writes that one of the main battles this spring will be a duel between Kumar Rocker and Jacob Latz for the fifth spot in the rotation.
MLB dot com’s David Adler names new Texas addition MacKenzie Gore near the top of the list for arms to watch this spring.
And, Matt Snyder writes that, when it comes to the Rangers, it is the rotation that is the reason to be most excited for the upcoming season. Strange days, no?
Aug 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Colorado State Rams during the third quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
The Super Bowl is complete, and the offseason is now underway for all 32 teams.
Here is the new first-round draft order.
Updated 2026 NFL Draft order
Las Vegas Raiders
New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals
Tennessee Titans
New York Giants
Cleveland Browns
Washington Commanders
New Orleans Saints
Kansas City Chiefs
Cincinnati Bengals
Miami Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys
Los Angeles Rams (previously owned by Atlanta Falcons)
Baltimore Ravens
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets (previously owned by the Indianapolis Colts)
Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
Carolina Panthers
Dallas Cowboys (previously owned by the Green Bay Packers)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Los Angeles Chargers
Philadelphia Eagles
Cleveland Browns (previously owned by the Jacksonville Jaguars)
Chicago Bears
Buffalo Bills
San Francisco 49ers
Houston Texans
Los Angeles Rams
Denver Broncos
New England Patriots
Seattle Seahawks
What the Saints can do at #8
The Saints really need to improve their offense this offseason. Now with the boost of cap space from the offical numbers coming out, the Saints have a great amount of flexibility in free agency, but WR would be the ideal position to draft at 8. There is a guarantee that one of the four top WRs will be available at 8.
Most people talk about Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson as the three main options in the top 10, but another WR could actually rise into that conversation: Denzel Boston.
At Washington, Boston was a weapon all over the field. At 6-foot-4, he is a contested-catch machine that destroys the idea of a 50/50 ball. When you throw it up to Boston, there is a really good chance he is going to somehow catch the ball. Although most tall, contested-catch WRs can fall into the trap of not being good route runners and slow, that’s not Boston. The Washington WR can win in the short game with his route running and can speed past defenders and win deep. Although these parts of his game are not the best, they are better than what may be expected from someone his height.
FRISCO, TX - JANUARY 06: North Dakota State Bison cornerback Marcus Sheppard (10) celebrates a play during the FCS Championship game between North Dakota State and Montana State on January 6, 2025 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The reports were true, North Dakota State is joining the Mountain West as a football member. A shocking turn of events, February is not often a month producing realignment news. The Bison will immediately be contenders in the conference.
Nevada Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe is quoted in this article as saying the ball got rolling on NDSU-to-the-MWC around 10 days ago, a fascinating look inside how this all came together. Chris Murray of NevadaSportsNet has the details.
It is official, North Dakota State is Mountain West bound
Adding North Dakota State makes the Mountain West better, market size be damned. Here’s the average end-of-year Massey Ratings national rank for MW teams (current/outgoing/incoming) over the last 10 full seasons. The conference may instantly have a new frontrunner . pic.twitter.com/TQcHy7gWi9
Trade rumors can wait. Kyle Teel is busy looking like someone you don’t move. | Getty Images/Mitchell Layton
We are launching a new daily article here at South Side Sox, more prominently than our items that pop up on The Feed. It falls under the category of White Sox Discussions, which you’ll see in a few weeks will also be our new branding for Game Threads.
Today, we’re tackling another deeply personal Sox fan dilemma: the player you refuse to even hear in trade talks. Baseball is a business, or so we’re told. Prospects are currency. Windows open and close. But every now and then, logic runs straight into a brick wall labeled hands off. This is the guy you don’t include in mock trades, the name you scroll past in rumors with a scoff, the player you’d rather rebuild around than flip for “value.” You know the arguments — sell high, roster flexibility, timeline alignment — and you adamantly reject all of them.
Some players mean more than surplus WAR or controllable years. They represent belief, direction, or the faint outline of what you hope the next good White Sox team looks like. Trading them might make sense on paper, but emotionally, it feels like waving a white flag. So we’re asking you to tell us which White Sox player should be absolutely off limits, no matter the return? Who’s untouchable, and why is that the line you refuse to cross?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - SEPTEMBER 05: Relief pitcher Andrew Saalfrank #27 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the eighth inning at Chase Field on September 05, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks defeated the Red Sox 10-5. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Andrew Saalfrank shares on Instagram that he underwent surgery.
“The game of baseball can be a brutal one, but it's also given me some of the best moments of my life, and I don't expect that to change moving forward. … A big thank you to Dr. Meister and the entire team at TMI.” pic.twitter.com/bFv6v7hS3W
“It’s baseball, I understand the business side of it and how it works,” Marte said. “There were a few comments out there on social media that I wasn’t happy with, but I love the D-backs and I want to be here.”
Hazen said over the winter that he didn’t talk to Marte about the rumors because he didn’t think anything would come to fruition, but he made it a point to sit down with Marte face-to-face once he announced he would no longer listen to offers for him.
“We talked a lot and hashed some things out, talked it all through and everything is great,” Marte said. “Mike knows I love the D-backs, I love my teammates. Everyone knows what type of player I am, and I’m just happy it all worked out and I’m here.”
“According to multiple league sources, the Sox were open to dealing a package headlined by Franklin Arias and either Payton Tolle or Connelly Early in exchange for Marte,” wrote Speier. “However, when Arizona sought a package led by Marcelo Mayer and one of the pitchers, the Sox declined.”
Hazen told Gilbert he apologized to Marte for the process — not for exploring trade options, but for how widespread and public they became.
“[Trade rumors are] not an easy thing for a player to constantly read,” Hazen said. “I apologized for that part of it, and look, Ketel was great about it. I feel like the conversation with him was good and we’ll continue to have an open dialogue as we always do.
“He’s out here working his butt off already. We’ll continue to demonstrate to him that we appreciate him and did not want to trade him. He’s a superstar in the game and I think he’s gonna have another great year for us.”
The Red Sox acquired third baseman Caleb Durbin from Milwaukee in a six-player trade Monday that sent left-hander Kyle Harrison back to the Brewers, ending Boston’s winter-long search for a right-handed-hitting infielder on the eve of spring training opening.
Durbin, 25, finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting last year after winning Milwaukee’s third-base job in the wake of a trade from the New York Yankees, who had sent him to the Brewers in the Devin Williams trade. With a surfeit of young infielders, Milwaukee lined up with the pitching-abundant Red Sox as they sought to fill their third-base hole vacated by free agent Alex Bregmansigning with the Chicago Cubs.
When Munetaka Murakami first arrived at Camelback Ranch on Sunday morning, the nameplate above his home White Sox clubhouse locker read “Munetaki Murakami.”
It unofficially goes down as the first error of Spring Training.
Murakami posted the mistake on his Instagram stories at ys_munetaka55, with a “thinking” emoji followed by a “laughing” emoji.
On Friday afternoon, the Yankees and Paul Goldschmidt agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million, as ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported. Friday in the early evening, I began contemplating how I’d like my career to end. These are related incidents.
Three years ago, Goldschmidt stood at the pinnacle of the game. He’d just won NL MVP on the back of a spectacular all-around offensive season, carrying the Cardinals to the playoffs in a rousing capper to his long, decorated career. It was his eighth straight season receiving MVP votes, and brought his career WAR total to 52. Have you ever considered retiring at the top of your game? With two years left on his contract, Goldschmidt must have given the idea some thought. Finish those two out well, get a bit more hardware, and ride off into the sunset toward Cooperstown.
Phillies position players are scheduled for their first official workout next Monday. It’d make for an awkward situation if Nick Castellanos is still on the team. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported at the end of last season that the Phils would trade or release the outfielder. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has all but confirmed as much on the record, pointing to the need for a change of scenery.
Keeping Castellanos on the 40-man roster into Spring Training would be a needless distraction. It comes as little surprise that the Phils are motivated to get something done within the next week. “We’re doing everything we can to make a move by (Monday),” Dombrowski told reporters (link via Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer). “I’ll leave it at that right now.”
“I know exactly” – Pep Guardiola pinpoints where Manchester City are lacking in Arsenal title race battle
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has outlined where his side must improve between now and the end of the season to stand a chance in the title race against Arsenal.
The Blues produced a thrilling comeback win against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday to stay six points adrift of the league leading Gunners, with late strikes from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland sealing a first Manchester City league double over the Reds in 89 years.
City have 13 games left in the Premier League campaign to usurp Mikel Arteta’s high-flying side, who are the favourites to win the league title but are set to see the Blues stay on their heels in the short-term at the very least.
Guardiola’s side struggled for goals and consistency in January but after setting up a Carabao Cup final date with Arsenal at Wembley for March 22, City have given themselves a monumental psychological boost that could be a major turning point in the title race.
City scored their first set of second-half goals in the Premier League in 2026 at Anfield on Sunday, having put up a worrying record of dropping off after the interval defensively and failing to see out leads in the new calendar year.
However, the tide seems to be turning and as the Blues search for a third successive win in all competitions against Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, Guardiola has admitted there is great scope of improvement for his side.
“I don’t know if we are able to win three, four, five, six games in a row. I don’t know,” Guardiola said in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon as he cast doubt over Manchester City’s prospects of putting a lengthy winning run together in the season run-in.
Furthermore, the Catalan revealed that he has full knowledge of why Manchester City have struggled to match their first-half performances after the interval of late.
The 55-year-old added: “I know exactly the reason why we drop (off) in the second-half, I know it, I know exactly. And we are working on it, and hopefully we can be better.”
City succumbed to a 2-2 draw against Tottenham in north London two weeks ago despite entering the interval with a comfortable two goal cushion, with Dominic Solanke’s controversial second-half brace salvaging a point for Thomas Frank and co.
The Blues have also failed to see out leads against Chelsea and Brighton so far in 2026, with Guardiola missing key players but retaining enough talent to prevent dropping silly points that have cast huge doubt over City’s title chances.
Guardiola will know that City cannot hope for Arsenal to lose just yet as they need to gain further momentum and step up at least a few more gears before they can start pivoting attention to the Gunners’ fixtures in the coming months.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 24: UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell interacts with CEO Dana White during the UFC 324 event at T-Mobile Arena on January 24, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White has been running the UFC for over 20 years, but his responsibilities within the company have dramatically changed since the promotion was sold for just over $4 billion in 2016.
During a hearing in the ongoing UFC antitrust lawsuit, White testified before Judge Richard Boulware that he no longer has a hand in fighter contracts or negotiations and rarely gets involved in matchmaking outside of finalizing certain fights or cards that have already been assembled. That revelation was shocking to some because White remains the face of the UFC when it comes to the day-to-day operations, but 16-year-veteran Matt Brown says he rarely dealt with the president and CEO outside of a few rare occasions in his career.
Even under the previous owners led by Lorenzo Ferttita prior to the sale in 2016, Brown says he only dealt with White directly as he approached title contention in the welterweight division.
“When I was kind of coming up and in my prime, so to speak, making a run for the title and everything, the situation that I understood because I only spoke to Dana personally when I started getting into those top 10, top five fights,” Brown explained on the new episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Everything below that, Dana, he was clearly involved. He would talk to [the fighters] here and there, he would come back to the locker room and talk to you about it. Get little glimpses of what he wants next, but until I got into the top 10, top five, there wasn’t a whole lot of talking to Dana about it.
“But then when I got up there [in the rankings], now I wasn’t even talking to Joe Silva anymore. It was just straight to Dana.”
Joe Silva was the former head matchmaker for the UFC, but he effectively retired from combat sports after the UFC sold to a new ownership group led by Endeavor and he reportedly earned a hefty payday from the sale.
Once Silva was gone, Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard took over matchmaking duties alongside current UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell, who has largely stepped into the role that White previously filled under the old owners.
Brown says once Endeavor took over, his dealings with White effective stopped all together.
“After the buyout, this is just my own experience, I never talked to Dana or anybody other than Sean Shelby after that,” Brown said. “I never spoke to Dana on the phone about anything honestly, which was kind of surprising. I think it just got big, too, right? There’s so many fighters and everybody’s asking for something.
“I can’t imagine dealing with fighters much less 600-plus fighters. I can’t imagine what that’s like. Every single person asking for something and trying to get the next fight. That’s why they always liked me. Dana could call me and be like ‘this is who we want you to fight’ and [I’d say] OK. That was why they liked me a lot.”
Brown recounted one of the only times he sat down for a negotiation with White when he was a mainstay on the UFC roster, although truth be told there wasn’t a lot of haggling over the numbers.
“I negotiated with Dana once and that was in 2016,” Brown revealed. “It was kind of funny because I went to his office, and he kind of shows us around, it was me and my wife at the time, he shows us around. Shows us his Ferrari’s and shows us the office and finally we sit down and get to the meeting. I said ‘Dana, this is what I think I’m worth’ and he said ‘OK.’
“I was like is that it? Maybe I should have asked for more. But that was it. Went back to talking about some of the paintings on the wall or whatever kind of other shit we started talking about.”
Just because White isn’t handling fighter contracts or matchmaking any longer doesn’t mean he’s not involved with the business.
He’s handling production, sponsorships and endorsements and a lot of other issues in the UFC, but White now depends on Campbell, Shelby and Maynard to deal with matchmaking and negotiations.
Brown says in a lot of ways White deserves credit for even sticking around to do that because he could have cashed out after the UFC sold and left with a nine-figure payday.
“When you sell for [$4 billion] and Dana got I think a few hundred million out of that, you’re supposed to chill,” Brown said. “That’s literally what you’re supposed to do. I’m surprised he does as much as he does. What Joe Silva did is kind of what you expected everybody to do — take your money and go hide on a yacht somewhere. The fact that he’s even still doing anything is kind of surprising, and in my opinion, I say props to him. That shows the love and passion he does have for doing this. I respect him for that.
“Credit where credit’s due. He built a great empire, and the fact that he’s still involved with it as much as he is, it says something. He’s actually passionate about it. To expect him to still be involved in the day-to-day business and to recognize every fighter under the empire, it’s asking a lot. My biggest criticism I guess is the fact that the other things he has gone on are so silly. Like slap fighting. You going to slow down your UFC shit for f*cking slap fighting? Get the f*ck out of here. The boxing, I don’t know if it’s silly or not yet, we’ll find out. It sure seems silly the idea, but he might build that to another [$4 billion business], and I’ll eat my words.”
While Brown has strong opinions on how the UFC does business, especially when it comes to contracts, fighter pay and controlling the combat sports market, he believes White deserves praise for building the promotion into such a sports powerhouse.
Of course, Brown understands that White is going to rub some people the wrong way but that doesn’t mean he’s doing a bad job or just checked out because he’s not on the ground floor handling every single issue that arises at the UFC any longer.
“For one, when you build a business, that’s the goal to build a business — you’re not in the business, you work on the business,” Brown said. “That kind of seems the role that he’s playing now, right? But for two, some people love, some people hate Dana. Say whatever you want on his personality and the way he acts and the odd things he says and things you agree with or disagree with but the one thing you can say is he’s a f*cking grinder and he grinded hard on the business for a very long time and did a great job building it.
“You know me, as far as getting into details with the monopoly, and all the ethical shit that we don’t agree with, but the fact is the dude built a business with a good team around him that he sold for [$4 billion dollars]. You’ve got to respect that.”
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 08: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes against Marcus Jones #25 of the New England Patriots during the third quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Kansas City Chiefs will aim to retool their roster for the 2026 season in an effort to return to postseason glory. A position that certainly let the team down during a 6-11 campaign was running back, a position the Chiefs will attempt to upgrade this offseason.
One potential suitor, set to become a free agent in a month, is Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, who was crowned Super Bowl MVP in the 29-13 win over the New England Patriots. He is coming off a strong 2025 regular season, his fourth in the NFL. He started all 17 games for the first time in his career, finishing with over 1,000 rushing yards and adding five touchdowns. It was Walker’s first 1,000-yard rushing campaign since his rookie season.
In the postseason, Walker was a workhorse for the Seahawks. He added over 313 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He was the focal point of the Seahawks’ offense in the Super Bowl, a unit that includes Offensive Player of the Year, wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba. Walker had 27 rushing attempts for 135 yards, gaining pivotal first downs and wearing down a staunch New England defense throughout the night.
Walker is the first running back since 1998 — Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis — to claim Super Bowl MVP, and the first rusher to gain 100 yards in a Super Bowl since Chiefs’ running back Damien Williams in Super Bowl LIV.
Given these new accolades, Walker has likely earned a hefty pay increase for next season from his current rookie contract. Walker now headlines a group of compelling running backs set to hit free agency. Other notable upcoming free agent running backs include Travis Etienne, Breece Hall, Rachaad White, and Javonte Williams, among others.
Entering the 2026 offseason, the Chiefs do need to resolve salary cap issues if they hope to be players in free agency for a top running back. As it relates to Walker specifically, there is no guarantee he will become available on the open market. Walker is a prime candidate for the Seahawks to apply the franchise tag if the parties are unable to come to a long-term agreement.
The franchise tag for running backs in 2026 is expected to be 14.5 million, an amount the Seahawks may be willing to pay to secure their Super Bowl MVP running back to their roster. The running back position carries one of the lowest franchise tag values, making it an affordable option for clubs to utilize at a position viewed as highly volatile from an injury and longevity standpoint.
However, the possibility exists that Walker will enter the open market. There is a high price that comes with winning, and the Seahawks will soon have to pay the piper. They will soon owe long-term extensions to other franchise cornerstones, including Smith-Njigba and cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
The franchise tag window opens on February 17th and will close on March 4th. It will not be long before the Chiefs know if they will have an opportunity to speak with Walker or other free agent running backs.
Whether it be in free agency or the NFL Draft, running back is a priority for the Chiefs in the offseason. Running backs Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are both set to become free agents. Brashard Smith is currently the only running back on the Chiefs’ roster entering the 2026 offseason. With the potential departure of other veterans and the poor production in 2025, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III would certainly be an intriguing option for the Chiefs’ backfield.
Following a disappointing season where they surrendered the most points in franchise history, the Dallas Cowboys have overhauled their defensive coaching staff, hiring new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. In an effort to support this transition, the front office should aggressively pursue new personnel to match the vision of the coaching staff’s new scheme. Whether through free agency, trades, or the draft, the team should look to make the necessary investments so this new staff has a chance to succeed.
To get a sense of what’s to come, it’s always good to look at what’s happened before. Today, we thought we’d take a deep dive into the personnel in each of the first seasons of the last five defensive coordinators. What did the front office do to help them? Did they stock enough groceries in the fridge?
2014 – Rod Marinelli
Following the departure of high-priced veterans, the Cowboys looked to the 2014 NFL Draft and strategic trades to rebuild their front seven. A costly injury to their biggest defensive star forced them to be reactive and go get help.
Key defensive losses:
DeMarcus Ware (DE): The franchise’s all-time sack leader was released in March 2014 to save $7.4 million in cap space after he refused a pay cut.
Sean Lee (LB): While not a roster “loss” in terms of transactions, the defense suffered a massive blow when Lee tore his ACL during organized team activities in May, missing the entire 2014 season.
Jason Hatcher (DT): After a career-best 11-sack season in 2013, Hatcher signed a multi-year deal with rival Washington.
Key defensive acquisitions:
Rolando McClain (LB): Acquired via trade from the Ravens in July. He became a surprise success stepping in to lead the defense after the team lost Lee for the year.
DeMarcus Lawrence (DE): The team traded up to acquire him 34th overall to fill the void left after the departure of that other DeMarcus fella.
Jeremy Mincey (DE): Signed as an unrestricted free agent from Denver. He led the team with six sacks and 39 pressures in 2014, adding veteran leadership in the trenches.
Henry Melton (DT): The team’s biggest free agent signing on paper, he replaced Jason Hatcher. Despite coming off an ACL injury, he recorded five sacks before a late-season knee injury ended his year.
Terrell McClain (DT): Signed to a three-year deal, giving the team a stronger interior presence.
Anthony Hitchens (LB): A fourth-round draft pick who provided immediate versatility and depth, ended up starting 11 games due to various injuries in the linebacker corps.
One might think that Marinelli was dealt a bad hand after losing both Ware and Lee, but the Cowboys responded nicely. Good drafting and a key trade helped hold their head above water. Free agency spending was minimal.
2020 – Mike Nolan
The Cowboys focused heavily on the defensive line in free agency, spending way more money than they normally do. Sadly, most of these signings flopped, leaving them undermanned and surrendering the most points allowed in franchise history (at the time).
Key defensive losses:
Robert Quinn (DE): After leading the team with 11.5 sacks in 2019, he was allowed to walk, signing a five-year, $70 million deal with Chicago.
Byron Jones (CB): The team wasn’t sold on his skills, opening the door for him to sign a massive five-year, $82.5 million contract with Miami.
Maliek Collins (DT): A consistent interior starter, he followed former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli to Las Vegas.
Michael Bennett (DE): A mid-season rental from 2019 who didn’t return.
Key defensive acquisitions:
Gerald McCoy (DT): A six-time Pro Bowler signed to a three-year deal to provide interior pass rush. However, he suffered a season-ending injury in training camp and was released shortly after.
Dontari Poe (DT): Signed to bolster the run defense. He started seven games before being released mid-season due to performance and conditioning concerns.
Aldon Smith (DE): Signed after a four-year absence from the NFL. He became a major hit early in the season, recording four sacks in his first three games.
Everson Griffin (DE): A late-offseason addition from the Vikings to improve the edge rush. He was traded to the Lions mid-season.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S): Reunited with McCarthy on a one-year deal, but was surprisingly released before the regular season began.
Trevon Diggs (CB): A second-round draft pick who started slow but showed more promise as the season progressed.
Everything was dreadful for Nolan, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying from the front office. The team opened their wallets more than normal to add several defensive linemen, but most were old and past their prime. They were thrown a curveball in the draft that had them using their top draft resource on CeeDee Lamb instead of one of college’s best defenders, but they did swing back around on Day 2 and picked up two rookie defenders (Diggs and Neville Gallimore).
2021 – Dan Quinn
The Cowboys used their first six draft picks on defensive players for the first time in franchise history and brought in several former Quinn-guys to help implement his scheme. That’s a commitment to change!
Key defensive losses:
Chidobe Awuzie (CB): A former second-round pick, Awuzie signed a three-year contract with Cincinnati.
Xavier Woods (S): The starting free safety for the previous three seasons signed a one-year deal with Minnesota.
Aldon Smith (DE): After a successful comeback in 2020, the Cowboys opted not to re-sign Smith, who eventually signed with Seattle.
Jaylon Smith (LB): While not an offseason loss, the former Pro Bowler was released mid-season as the team prioritized Parsons’ snaps and Jabril Cox’s development.
Key defensive acquisitions:
Micah Parsons (DE): Selected 12th overall, Parsons quickly became the hands-down steal of the draft. He went on to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and became a first-team All-Pro, transforming into an elite pass rusher.
Jayron Kearse (S): Initially signed to a one-year, veteran-minimum deal, Kearse became one of the biggest value-signings of the offseason, leading the team in tackles and providing some added pop.
Keanu Neal (LB/S): A former Pro Bowler under Quinn in Atlanta, Neal transitioned from safety to a hybrid linebacker role, adding more speed to the second level.
Damontae Kazee (S): Another former Falcon who played under Quinn. He served as the primary free safety, helping to stabilize the secondary.
Osa Odighizuwa (DT): A third-round pick who provided immediate interior disruption, starting several games due to injuries and leading all rookie defensive tackles in pressures during the first half of the season.
Tarell Basham (DE): Signed from the Jets to provide veteran depth behind Lawrence and Randy Gregory, recording 3.5 sacks in a rotational role.
Quinn clearly hit the ground running, largely in scoring Parsons in the draft, but the team also had a long list of contributors that season. It didn’t come from an abundance of free agent spending, but rather a careful collection of low-cost Quinn-guys. The draft was the big winner, though. Both Parsons and Odighizuwa help the defense right away.
2024 – Mike Zimmer
The Cowboys prioritized veteran familiarity with new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s scheme while enduring several high-profile departures along the defensive line and in the secondary.
Key defensive losses:
Dorance Armstrong (DE): A consistent pass rusher who followed former coordinator Quinn to Washington.
Dante Fowler (DE): Another productive rotational edge rusher who also signed with Washington.
Stephon Gilmore (CB): The veteran cornerback, who started 17 games in 2023, eventually signed with Minnesota after hitting free agency.
Johnathan Hankins (DT): A key piece of the interior run defense who signed with Seattle.
Leighton Vander Esch (LB): A long-time defensive anchor, Vander Esch retired in 2024 following recurring neck injuries.
Jayron Kearse (S): The veteran safety and defensive leader was not re-signed.
Key defensive acquisitions:
Eric Kendricks (LB): After initially committing to the 49ers, Kendricks called an audible to sign a one-year deal with Dallas. A former Pro Bowler under Zimmer in Minnesota, he was brought in to stabilize a decimated linebacker group.
Linval Joseph (DT): Signed during training camp to bolster the run defense, Joseph reunited with Zimmer after six successful seasons together in Minnesota.
Jordan Phillips (DT): Acquired via a late-offseason trade with the New York Giants to provide interior depth. He never gained traction and was released in November.
DeMarvion Overshown (LB): Technically a new acquisition in 2023, but he never played a regular-season game his rookie year due to suffering a preseason knee injury, delaying his debut until 2024. Sadly, it was also cut short due to injury.
Marshawn Kneeland (DE): Drafted in the second round (56th overall), Kneeland was viewed as a direct replacement for departing edge rushers and an immediate contributor to the run defense.
Marist Liufau (LB): Selected in the third round, Liufau added much-needed youth and athleticism to the linebacker room.
It was almost a wash for Zimmer as the gains and losses balanced out. The Cowboys used two of their top three draft resources on offense, so that didn’t help, but the biggest issue for him was health, as the defense was decimated with injuries.
2025 – Matt Eberflus
The Cowboys lost their top two edge rushers, including a shocking trade that shipped off a cornerstone defender. A midseason trade added some strength in the middle, but it was a year-long struggle for the defense.
Key defensive losses:
Micah Parsons (DE/LB): In one of the wildest trades in franchise history, Parsons was dealt to Green Bay for DT Kenny Clark and two first-round picks following a prolonged contract holdout.
DeMarcus Lawrence (DE): A longtime Cowboys leader, Lawrence signed with Seattle in free agency, ending an 11-season tenure in Dallas.
Jourdan Lewis (CB): The team’s veteran slot corner signed with Jacksonville, leaving a void in the secondary that the Cowboys struggled to fill.
Marshawn Kneeland (DE): Shockingly, the young defensive lineman passed away midway through the season, leaving Cowboys Nation heartbroken.
Key defensive acquisitions:
Quinnen Williams (DT): Acquired from the Jets at the November trade deadline to anchor the interior run defense.
Kenny Clark (DT): Joined Dallas as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Parsons to Green Bay.
Logan Wilson (LB): Acquired via trade from the Bengals at the deadline to provide much-needed veteran stability at linebacker.
Kenneth Murray Jr. (LB): Acquired in a trade with the Titans during the initial 2025 free agency period to replace departing veterans.
Dante Fowler Jr. (DE): Re-signed on a one-year deal to rejoin Dallas for a third stint, providing rotational pass-rush depth.
Solomon Thomas (DT): Signed a two-year contract as a veteran depth piece for the interior line.
Donovan Ezeiruaku (DE): A second-round pick has a promising start to his rookie season before fading a bit late.
Shavon Revel Jr. (CB): A third-round pick who slid in the draft due to an ACL injury, eventually got on the field, but it was filled with plenty of rookie growing pains.
Last season, the loss of Parsons and Tank was substantial, and even not having Lewis and Kendricks stung a bit. The Cowboys threw the kitchen sink at fixing the defense. The new faces were plentiful, but very few players had any impact.
What does all of this tell us?
The Cowboys’ front office does make a concerted effort to buy some extra groceries for their new defensive coordinator. It never comes in the form of lucrative free agent spending, but some years they are more active than others. And the players that work out for them always seem to be a surprise. Did anyone expect the trade for Rolando McClain to work out? Who would have guessed that giving Aldon Smith another shot would produce dividends? And despite Micah Parsons being a high draft pick, he took the league by storm.
Additionally, the years they spent the most on defensive free agents (2020 and 2025) are their worst defensive years in team history. Of course, much of the blame for those seasons falls on a coaching staff that had their players running amok. Getting pricy guys isn’t the answer. Getting the right type of players who fit with what the new coordinator is trying to do will give them the best results.
What does this mean for the Parker-led defense?
More of the same. Low-cost free agents will be on their shopping list, but expect them to snag a few who played for one of the many new coaches on the staff. To fix the defense, it will take better talent, but it will also take guys who can confidently follow the scheme of the new defense. And speaking of better talent, those two first-round draft picks will clearly be the most critical dancing chips for the new staff. Between a couple of high-upside youngsters and a handful of low-cost veteran free agents, Parker and his staff should have something to work with.
The Super Bowl is just more than a finale. It marks the final event of the NFL season and draws massive travel interest from fans. With Super Bowl LX now finished at Levi’s Stadium, fans and teams have shifted their focus to the next three championship games. The NFL will host these games in modern stadiums that have already hosted or will host football’s biggest night. Here is a clear look at the venues for the next three Super Bowls.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California – Super Bowl LXI, February 14, 2027
A general view of the exterior of SoFi Stadium prior to a game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Houston Texans. Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
SoFi Stadium will host Super Bowl 61 in 2027. The stadium is located in Inglewood, just outside Los Angeles. It is home to both the Rams and the Chargers. This will be the second bowl held at the venue. The first was Super Bowl 56 in 2022. That game saw the Rams beat the Bengals by a score of 23 to 20.
The building is one of the newest in the NFL. It features a large video board that hangs above the field. The stadium also sits inside a larger sports and entertainment complex. Fans can expect warm weather and easy access to beaches and city attractions. Hosting the game again shows the league’s trust in the site. Travel demand is expected to be high due to the city’s size and appeal.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia – Super Bowl LXII, February 2028
A general view outside before Super Bowl LIII between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host Super Bowl 62 in 2028. The stadium is the home of the Atlanta Falcons. It previously hosted Super Bowl 53 in 2019. That game ended with the Patriots beating the Rams 13 to 3. It also marked the final Super Bowl win of Tom Brady’s career with New England.
The stadium features a retractable roof and a massive video screen. The design allows teams to play games in any weather. Atlanta serves as a major travel hub with one of the busiest airports in the world. Visitors can easily find hotels and transportation options near the stadium. Local officials expect another strong turnout after the success of the 2019 event.
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada (front runner)- Super Bowl LXIII, February 2029
A general overall view of Allegiant Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Allegiant Stadium is expected to host Super Bowl 63 in 2029. The venue is home to the Las Vegas Raiders. Reports say the NFL plans to award the game during league meetings scheduled for late March to early April.
The stadium opened in 2020 and sits close to the Las Vegas Strip. It has already hosted major NFL events and large crowds. Las Vegas offers more entertainment options than any other host city. Hotels, shows, and restaurants are all nearby. This would be the second Super Bowl played in the city after SB 58 in 2024. League leaders see the area as a strong match for the event due to its tourism base.
Final thoughts
The NFL will host the next three Super Bowls in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Las Vegas. Each city has hosted the game before and features modern stadiums built for major events. Fans planning future trips now know where the league will go next. These venues offer strong facilities and popular travel destinations. The NFL clearly targets sites that can handle massive crowds and global attention.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Odudel Herrera #37, Scott Kingery #4 and Roman Quinn #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies stand during the national anthem prior to the game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Detroit Tigers during a spring training game at BayCare Ballpark on March 17, 2021 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the past ten years the Phillies have had a lot of good, and even great, players who have since moved on either to other teams or to retirement. Many of those players would have provided a boost to this year’s roster. For today’s question of the day: Which player from the past decade do you think would most help this year’s roster?
Would you lean into more bullpen assistance with someone like Hector Neris, or add another starter like Jake Arrieta? Would you add consistency to the lineup with someone like Jean Segura, or add some defensive depth with Roman Quinn? Would you bring back a clubhouse leader like Andrew McCutchen, or take another chance on someone whose career didn’t pan out the way it was expected like Scott Kingery? Who would you add, and why?
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 18: Starter Zac Gallen #23 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Chase Field on August 18, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As a whole, the 2026 offseason stands in stark contrast to the disappointing winter that preceded a disappointing 2025 season. The Orioles made a major signing in slugger Peter Alonso, made major trades for Taylor Ward and Shane Baz and acquired Andrew Kittredge and Ryan Helsley to bolster the bullpen. However, one feeling remains the same from last offseason: the starting rotation still seems unfinished.
Despite the addition of Baz, the Orioles’ front office has failed to add a pitcher who can push Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers for the top spot in the Baltimore rotation. There have been some swings and misses, too. The O’s were reportedly interested in Ranger Suárez before the lefty landed in Boston on a five-year, $130M deal. The Orioles were also seen as potential front-runners in the race for former Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, before he signed with Detroit for $115M over three years.
With other starters like Dylan Cease, Michael King and Tatsuya Imai long off the board, there is one pitcher left who has the potential to truly upgrade the Orioles rotation. Enter former Diamondbacks’ All-Star Zac Gallen. While the right-hander is far from a sure thing, he offers an upside unmatched by the remaining free agents—a potential I believe the Orioles can unlock.
All-Star upside with room for improvement
Unlike Suárez and Valdez, Gallen is not coming off a good 2025 season. Arguably, the whole reason the Diamondbacks let Gallen reach free agency was the disappointment of this past season, when the former Cy Young finalist posted a 4.83 ERA, saw his K/9 drop to a career-low 8.2 and had his H/9 and HR/9 balloon to career-worsts.
Trying to explain Gallen’s sudden dip in form is tricky. His batting average against was largely unchanged from the previous seasons, while his BABIP actually went down. His average exit velocity and hard-hit rate also remained largely unchanged when compared to his previous, more successful seasons. His pitch velocities also remained largely unchanged.
What stands out as a potential cause of his regression was a trend that saw him leave the ball up and over the middle of the plate more. When Gallen was consistently a Top 5 pitcher in the NL in 2022 and 2023, he attacked the zone with his fastball and cutter while using his knuckle curve and changeup to attack below the zone and generate strikeouts. Last year, Gallen saw his fastball catch too much of the plate while also leaving his curveball up more than he’d ever done. These struggles to command the right parts of the zones led to a career-high 30.3% fly ball rate, which in turn saw his home run rate and slugging percentage against rise to career-worsts.
Gallen also seems to be in the midst of a minor identity crisis when it comes to how he uses his five-pitch mix. Declining confidence in his fastball and cutter saw him lean more than ever on his changeup last year, with the off-speed offering ranking as his best pitch for the first time in his career. Whether that increased change up usage can be refined to return to All-Star form is yet to be determined.
However, we’ve seen the Orioles help pitchers like Bradish, Rogers and Zach Eflin tinker with their pitch mix to great effect. If the pitching coaches and analytics can get their hands on Gallen, there’s reason to believe they can unlock the version of him that put up a 3.20 ERA while averaging 9.4 K/9 across 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Best fit for the Orioles’ timeline
As he heads into his age-30 season, Gallen is two years younger than Valdez and at least seven years younger than other rumored Orioles targets Chris Bassitt and Justin Verlander. While the Orioles may be one move in the rotation from truly being able to compete for an AL East title, AL pennant and World Series title in 2026, they’re also not only trying to compete in this upcoming season.
Of the Orioles’ current projected starters, only Zach Eflin is over 30 and only Rogers is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2026 season. A consistent frustration throughout Birdland is the front office treating the rotation as a patchwork quilt that needs to be cut up and reimagined every offseason. Signing Gallen to a multi-year deal would give the rotation the foundation it needs to open a window for prolonged contention—something that’s eluded the Orioles since the 70s.
Gallen also carries less injury risk than a lot of the remaining free agent starters. Other reported Orioles target Lucas Giolito missed the first month of last season with a hamstring injury and has two Tommy John surgeries in his medical history. On top of being 43, Verlander has missed time in each of the last three seasons with a variety of leg, shoulder and neck injuries.
Comparatively, Gallen has been the picture of health. The 6’2” right-hander has only had two significant injuries in his career, a hamstring strain that cost him most of June in 2024 and an elbow sprain that shelved him for five weeks in 2021. Given the lengthy medical files of several other Orioles starters, adding a proven workhorse would be a big boon for the Baltimore rotation.
Feb 7, 2026; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Derek Dixon (3) beats Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) to get open in the the final seconds of the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
UNC is coming off the heels of a massive win over Duke and are getting set to face off against Miami tonight. The Heels were able to accomplish a rare trifecta that they haven’t accomplished since the 80’s: they were able to beat Kansas Kentucky, and Duke in the same season. The jury is out on how good or bad Kentucky is — which, in my opinion, they’re not bad, they’re just not great either — but Kansas just beat No. 1 Arizona, and Duke has been in the top five for quite some time.
Having success over some of the tougher programs in the country has definitely created an interesting situation when evaluating this team. If someone asked a Carolina fan how they felt about this team after the SMU game for instance, they would say that things are really bad and that these guys couldn’t stop a nosebleed. Now? Well, they just stopped the eighth-best adjusted offense per KenPom from beating them in the Dean Dome. Even more notable is that the Blue Devils have the third-best adjusted defense.
With all of that said, our question for the day is a pretty simple one: is UNC better or worse than we thought they were? We would love to know your thoughts on this. There are solid arguments that can be made one way or another. It’s fair to believe that beating Duke doesn’t necessarily mean there was a huge jump, but also the counter to that would be that the Heels have tightened up a lot on defense over the last five games, though nobody would dare say that they are playing elite defense either.
Sound off in the comments below: do you think UNC is better or worse than we thought?
I am always in awe of the talent and determination of these athletes. Lindsey Vonn’s crash was so tragic. I really wanted her to be able to get a medal even with her torn ACL.
Watching the downhill skiing, I just can’t believe how fast they go and how brave you have to be to do that time and time again, even after falling sometimes.
How Dani Busboom Kelly retained Nebraska’s volleyball roster for 2026 season When Dani Busboom Kelly met individually with all of her players following the Huskers’ NCAA Tournament run to the Elite Eight, she had a good feeling Nebraska’s volleyball roster would stay intact heading into her second season.
Captain Rohit Paudel has called on England and cricket's other major nations to tour Nepal following their impressive start to the T20 World Cup in India.
West Indies, who played a three-match T20 series last year, are the only Test-playing nation to have faced Nepal outside of World Cups, Asia Cups, the Asian Games or their qualifying tournaments.
"It would mean a lot, especially if Australia or England comes to Nepal," said Paudel.
"That would show world cricket Nepal also plays cricket and plays decent cricket. This World Cup has shown that.
"If Australia, England, India comes our cricket will grow. It will help globalise the cricket more. It is very important."
They tried to organise more fixtures against the world's best sides afterwards but could not reach any agreements.
It is understood the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would be open to playing Nepal in the future, but the packed international calendar is an obvious stumbling block.
"We didn't get the exposure and experience we thought we would get after the [2024] World Cup," Paudel said.
"It is very important for us to get exposure and experience of playing against some of the good teams and test our skills against them.
"If we get an opportunity of playing them regularly, at least one or two series so we can test ourselves, that would be very good."
Dawid Malan and Jason Roy were among the former England internationals who played in Nepal's T20 franchise league, the Nepal Premier League, last year. It is played in Kathmandu in front of large crowds.
An ECB spokesperson said: "The quality of Nepal's cricket and the passion we've seen from their fans is a great example of how cricket is growing around the world.
"While the international schedule is already busy and challenging, we will always consider how we can continue to support nations like Nepal to grow the game further."
Nepal were backed by thousands of supporters at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai [Getty Images]
Well, that was a defensive performance, wasn’t it?
Wait, that’s what I wrote last year. Let’s try something else.
Well, that was a great halftime performance, wasn’t it?
The Seattle Seahawks kicked the New England Patriots in the tuchus all night long to take home Super Bowl LX Sunday night, 29-13. It really wasn’t even that close, as the Patriots scored twice in the fourth quarter — once to give themselves a slight chance of a comeback, and once after it was completely decided.
This was a big victory for the Seahawks defense, which had -68% DVOA and shut down MVP second-place finisher Drake Maye. This was the sixth-best defensive DVOA in a Super Bowl since 1978 (table below). The offense only had -5% DVOA, although that’s partly because the opponent adjustment is based on the regular season when the Patriots defense was bad.
This was also a big victory for us here at FTN Fantasy, because DVOA has been riding the Seahawks since early in the season. Seattle first took over the top spot in DVOA after Week 3 and they held it for most of the rest of the 2025 season except for a couple of one-week blips where the Seahawks fell all the way to second place.
Remarkably, the 2025 Seahawks are the first team to win the Super Bowl after finishing the year No. 1 in either regular or weighted DVOA since the 2013 Seahawks. (This is using the current DVOA formula; if I’m remembering correctly, the 2016 Patriots were No. 1 with an older formula, but they are now No. 2 with the current formula.) This ends a weird multi-year run of teams that were among the best in DVOA history during the regular season but could not get over the hump in the postseason: the 2022 Bills, the 2023 and 2024 Ravens, the 2023 49ers and the 2024 Lions. This year, we had the Seahawks and the Rams as historically great teams, but only one of them could get it done because they had to face each other in the NFC Championship Game.
Seahawks Join Best Teams in DVOA History
The Seahawks finish the year as the fourth-best team ever by DVOA including both the regular season and the playoffs. I know, that’s much higher than public perception, but our numbers absolutely loved the Seahawks and I think we were proven pretty accurate. Extending this table a few extra teams to get both Seahawks champions on here…
Best Total DVOA with Playoffs, 1978-2025
YEAR
TEAM
W-L
WITH
PLAYOFFS
REG
SEASON
1991
WAS
17-2
54.1%
49.8%
1985
CHI
18-1
53.0%
46.3%
2007
NE*
18-1
51.0%
52.4%
2025
SEA
17-3
46.4%
41.3%
1989
SF
17-2
45.5%
35.7%
1996
GB
16-3
44.9%
39.7%
2023
BAL*
14-5
44.4%
45.4%
1992
DAL
16-3
43.2%
35.7%
2010
NE*
14-3
42.4%
45.3%
2004
NE
17-2
41.6%
35.9%
1995
DAL
15-4
41.6%
37.9%
2024
BAL*
13-6
40.9%
41.4%
1998
DEN
17-2
40.2%
35.1%
1984
SF
18-1
39.7%
33.9%
2013
SEA
16-3
39.5%
35.8%
*Did not win Super Bowl
These numbers may differ slightly from this ESPN article listing all 60 Super Bowl champions because they are updated with some play-by-play changes from my historical video review over the last couple years.
Why did DVOA have the Seahawks higher than EPA-based power ratings for most of the year? There are four main reasons:
1) The Seahawks had more turnovers than every team in the NFL except the Minnesota Vikings, but DVOA downweights turnovers compared to EPA because they are less predictive than yards and first downs. The Seahawks ended up with zero turnovers in the playoffs after 28 turnovers during the regular season.
2) Special teams. Most EPA-based ratings do not include special teams at all. Yes, special teams are less predictive than offense or defense, but they do still matter. It turns out that Seattle’s strong special teams performance from the regular season continued into the playoffs. My formula estimates that special teams were worth a total of 15 points over average to the Seahawks during the three playoff wins, with DVOA of 23%, 13% and 13%.
3) Opponent adjustments. Seattle played the eighth-toughest schedule of opponents during the regular season according to DVOA.
4) Second downs. DVOA rated Seattle’s performance on second downs higher than EPA. DVOA had the Seahawks 17th on offense and first on defense, significantly ahead of every other team. EPA had the Seahawks 20th on offense and second on defense, significantly behind the Jaguars.
Super Bowl LX DVOA
Here are the single-game ratings with and without opponent adjustments.
DVOA (with opponent adjustments)
TEAM
TOT
OFF
DEF
ST
SEA
76%
-5%
-68%
13%
NE
-9%
-22%
-10%
3%
VOA (no opponent adjustments)
TEAM
TOT
OFF
DEF
ST
SEA
61%
2%
-46%
13%
NE
-40%
-45%
-2%
3%
We get to re-run a table from last year’s Super Bowl again. Here’s a look at the best defensive DVOA in the Super Bowl, along with where each team stood after halftime and then again after three quarters.
Best Defensive DVOA in a Super Bowl, 1978-2025
YEAR
TEAM
VS
PF
PA
DEF
TOTAL
OFF
ST
1H DEF
Q1-3 DEF
2000
BAL
NYG
34
7
-103%
102%
-16%
16%
-78%
-104%
1985
CHI
NE
46
10
-103%
115%
13%
-1%
-137%
-115%
2002
TB
OAK
48
21
-86%
89%
24%
-21%
-100%
-86%
2024
PHI
KC
40
22
-73%
80%
-1%
8%
-163%
-103%
2020
TB
KC
31
9
-71%
85%
11%
3%
-33%
-43%
2025
SEA
NE
29
13
–68%
76%
-5%
13%
-66%
-83%
1991
WAS
BUF
37
24
-67%
88%
22%
-2%
-117%
-80%
2013
SEA
DEN
43
8
-67%
129%
34%
28%
-70%
-56%
2018
NE
LAR
13
3
-58%
54%
-2%
-2%
-70%
-60%
1989
SF
DEN
55
10
-56%
120%
64%
0%
-45%
-44%
1983
LARD
WAS
38
9
-56%
89%
35%
-2%
-57%
-42%
2015
DEN
CAR
24
10
-56%
35%
-41%
21%
-52%
-43%
Now let’s look at Quick Reads with the individual numbers. There are some surprising results in here. Drake Maye actually comes out with higher DYAR than Sam Darnold because of opponent adjustments. That’s how good the Seattle defense was this year! Without opponent adjustments, Maye had the worst passing YAR total for the entire playoffs of any quarterback ever, but he’s dramatically boosted by his scrambles and by the opponent adjustments for playing four straight good pass defenses. Also, as I noted above with the entire Seattle offense, Darnold gets dinged because the Patriots defense was not good during the regular season. So we end up with Darnold going from 15 YAR to -16 DYAR and Maye going from -87 YAR to -5 DYAR.
Also, Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III was surprisingly mediocre according to the DYAR metric. Walker had only a 37% running back success rate in this game, although it is hard to blame him for three failures on third-and-long when the Seahawks decided to hand him the ball. On first downs, Walker had four runs for 9 or more yards but also had four runs that were stuffed or lost yardage, and three more runs for just a single yard.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba also comes out very low because only one of his 10 targets moved the chains. He was the target on three incomplete passes and one 3-yard completion on third downs.
The Patriots receivers come out higher than you would expect, again because of opponent adjustments for the Seattle defense.
Sep 13, 2025; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Northwestern Wildcats linebacker Yanni Karlaftis (14) tries to tackle Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) during the second half at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images | David Banks-Imagn Images
CORTINA, D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan upstaged their Olympic champion teammates, Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin.
Wiles and Moltzan won bronze in the women's team combined event on Tuesday, Feb. 10. It was the first Olympic medal for both and comes two days after Wiles finished fourth in the downhill, missing the podium by 0.27 seconds.
Wiles was fourth in the downhill portion of the event, 0.45 seconds behind fellow American Breezy Johnson. Moltzan laid down a slalom time of 44.87 to vault the pairing one spot higher with a combined time of 2:21.91.
Austria's Ariane Raedler (1:36.65) and Katharina Huber (45.01) won gold with a time of 2:21.66. Germany's Kira Weidle-Winkelmann (1:37.33) and Emma Aicher took silver in 2:21.71.
Johnson and Shiffrin were the pre-race favorites after winning the event when it made its debut at last year’s world championships, but Shiffrin posted a slow slalom score (45.38) to drop the team off the podium and into fourth.
History will be made by Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Tuesday afternoon, when the United States’ Cinderella run in mixed doubles curling continues with the gold medal match against Sweden.
Regardless of Tuesday’s result in the Milan Cortina Games, Team USA will earn its first-ever mixed curling medal.
Korey Dropkin and Cory Thiesse have stunned the world with their run through the competition, knocking off reigning Olympic champions Amos Mosaner and Stefania Constantini of Italy on Monday in a thriller. Thiesse will also become the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic curling medal.
The match is set to begin at 12:05 p.m. ET on the USA Network and Peacock, while NBC will join the match in progress, beginning at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Entering Tuesday afternoon’s gold medal match, the United States is a slight -166 favorite, while Sweden sits at +130. That means you would need to wager $166 on Team USA to win $100, while a $100 bet on Sweden would win $130.
All of the information you need to watch the highly anticipated curling showdown can be seen below.
USA vs Sweden mixed doubles curling TV Info & Viewing Details
Feb 8, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, ITALY; USA supporters cheer for Korey Dropkin of United States and Cory Thiesse of United States celebrate against Estonia during the curling mixed doubles round robin competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Issei Kato/Reuters via Imagn Images
Date: Tuesday, February 10 Start Time: 12:05 p.m. ET Location: Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium Venue: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy TV Info: USA Network, NBC will join the match in progress at 12:50 p.m. ET Live Stream:Peacock
Betting Odds: USA (-166), Sweden (+130).
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
How To Live Stream Winter Olympics Curling Online
Feb 7, 2022; Beijing, China; Christopher Plys and Vicky Persinger (USA) in the curling mixed doubles round robin against Great Britain during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Center. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-Imagn Images
Want to watch Olympic curling live on your computer screen or live stream it to your television? Well, good news, friends: we’ve got you covered! The game will be available live on NBC Universal’s Peacock streaming service.
Peacock Premium costs just $7.99 a month and includes live coverage from NBC networks, Premier League, cycling, Pro Motocross, and NTT IndyCar Series—plus all of our Premium movies, TV shows, and more.
Ben Davis (IN) is looking to bounce back from its worst season in nearly a decade and on Monday decided who would be the man to lead the football program back on its feet.
According to a press release by Wayne Township School Board, Brett Cooper has been approved to become the next head football coach at Ben Davis. The Giants are perennially one of the top football programs in the Hoosier State, but fell to a disappointing 3-7 last fall.
“My family and I are excited about the opportunity to become the next head football coach at Ben Davis High School,” Cooper said in the press release. “The tradition that is Ben Davis brings forth a level of expectation that is unmatched throughout the state of Indiana. It is an honor to now be part of a long line of legendary coaches at BD, and I am confident we will continue to build that legacy. We can’t wait to meet the team and get to work.”
Ben Davis football turns the page.
Brett Cooper has been approved as the next head coach of the Giants—bringing a proven history of building winning programs, developing student-athletes, and honoring tradition.
The Giants last season started the season 1-6 before finishing 2-1 in the final three games. Ben Davis is expected to bring back talent in the defensive secondary, including 2027 cornerback prospects Keontay Toomer and Marcus Powe.
Cooper is coming off a 2025 season where he led Bloomington North to a 7-4 record and has also had head coaching stops at Perry Meridian (2020-2025) and Indian Creek (2017-2019), according to the release.
Last season was the first 3-7 season Ben Davis has had since 2018 and the Giants ended up finishing as the state’s No. 24 ranked team, according to the final Indiana 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Ben Davis High School
Ben Davis High School, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a prominent public school known for its strong academics, competitive athletics, and active extracurricular programs. Offering a variety of AP and honors courses, the school prepares students for college and future careers. Ben Davis’s athletic teams are highly successful, often achieving state-level recognition. Emphasizing leadership, community involvement, and personal development, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.
How to Follow Indiana High School Football
For Indiana high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Hoosier State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of Indiana.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh next April, a city where the Bucs found success this preseason with a last-second field goal to defeat the Steelers. Before April, though, there will be plenty of speculation and buildup for the team and who they may add to the roster through the draft.
PFF's Max Chadwick recently released the latest 2026 NFL mock draft of the cycle. Within it, the Bucs were attached to Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk. This is a new name for the Bucs to see in mock drafts, and it is one that should excite fans based on his skill set.
Zierlein explains the Faulk pick, writing, "The Buccaneers ranked seventh in team PFF pass-rush grade this season — but only 23rd in PFF run-defense grade. While Faulk has work to do as a pass rusher, he produced an outstanding 89.2 PFF run-defense grade over the past two years. He can play at edge defender or on the interior in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense."
Faulk is one of just a few players who come in every year as a reliable edge rusher, but also as a run defender. The PFF isn't great, but he flashes moments of brilliance by being able to defend the run, which is needed based on the current build of the team.
PREVIEW: Norwich look to go seven clear of Championship drop at Oxford
Norwich City will look to pull seven points clear of the the Championship bottom three in their revival under Philippe Clement with a win at relegation-threatened Oxford United.
The resurgent Canaries have won five of their last six after struggling for form up to and after Clement’s debut draw against the U’s, beating Blackburn 2-0 at Carrow Road to go 17th and four points clear of the drop on Saturday.
Oxford’s only league win of 2026 came as they defeated Leicester City 2-1 at the King Power Stadium last month, meaning they sit four points adrift of the Foxes and safety from the relegation places.
In his pre-match press conference, Norwich boss Clement was asked as to whether teams are beginning to show more respect for his team by trying to nullify them more than going on the offensive themselves.
He jokingly replied: “You can look in my head sometimes, I think, have too many spies in the dressing room?
“That’s totally what I said to the team. Teams are more adapting towards what our team is doing, and that their first focus is to stop you. The team needs to be prepared for that.”
He also shared that he was not happy with their “sloppy” start to the Blackburn game, but praised his defense which the Belgian believed has come on leaps and bounds since he replaced Liam Manning last November.
At the centre of Norwich’s fine form is midfielder Anis Ben Slimane, scoring his first four goals of the season in five matches since breaking into the number 10 role – for which the Tunisian’s manager credited his work ethic.
The 51-year-old also voiced his praise for left-back Ben Chrisene, for stepping up to fill the role in the first-team amid a shortage of options, with Lucien Mahovo and Manchester United loanee Harry Amass both out injured.
Young Czech winger Matej Jurasek has been ruled out for nine to 10 weeks with a pressure injury to a bone in his foot.
He joins Pelle Mattson, Amankwah Forson, Mirko Topic, Jeff Schlupp, Shane Duffy, Ante Crnac, and Gabe Forsyth, who complete a worryingly long injury list for the visitors despite their strong run in the league.
But Clement couldn’t give any further information on the condition of Papa Amadou Diallo, who pulled up in the warmup before the clash with Blackburn, nor striker Jovon Makama, after he hobbled off in the first half.
US national team hopeful Josh Sargent remains out of reckoning after making himself unavailable for the FA Cup clash with Walsall in January.
The hosts will be without their top scorer Will Lankshear, after their six goal-strong forward saw red against high-flyers Coventry at the weekend.
Brian De Keersmaecker, Tyler Goodrham, Nik Prelec, Hidde ter Avest, and Greg Leig are also all unavailable, but former Norwich winger Przemysław Płacheta is set to face his former club after returning to fitness.
Matt Bloomfield, formerly of League One side Luton Town, called for U’s fans to bring their support ahead of a packed schedule
He said: “We really need our supporters tomorrow evening, because we’re in a really busy run of games. We want to be attacking as we possibly can and give them loads to get behind.
“Nobody expects us to go to Coventry and get a clean sheet, it’s us against the rest and it’s only us that’s going to get out of it – the players, the staff, the supporters, we have to be as one unit fighting our fight.”
Crucial to Oxford’s survival hopes is simply finding the net more often. While Bloomfield’s side have registered three clean sheets in his first six games in charge, they’ve only scored three.
Their form must improve under Bloomfield, despite similarly encouraging signs at the back to their East Anglian opponents, if they are to secure a third consecutive season in the second tier.
Villarreal claimed a resounding 4-1 victory over Espanyol Barcelona on February 9 as part of Matchday 23 in La Liga. Ivorian forward Nicolas Pépé netted his side’s third goal, finally putting an end to a six-month scoring drought.
Six months—half a year! That’s how long Nicolas Pépé went without finding the back of the net. The Ivorian international’s last goal came on August 31, 2025, against Celta Vigo in the third round. Yesterday, after 32 matches, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations winner could finally breathe a sigh of relief, contributing to Villarreal’s emphatic 4-1 win over Espanyol Barcelona.
After a brilliant performance last week against Osasuna (2-2), the 30-year-old striker is proving he’s back in form and full of renewed confidence. His coach, Marcelino, said: “This match suited him perfectly; he was outstanding in Pamplona, providing an assist and winning a penalty. Today, he was lively, decisive, quick, and fierce in attack, regaining his confidence and composure. He’s an extremely important player at this level, and his performance benefits the entire team.”
This tough period cost Nicolas Pépé a spot in the most recent Africa Cup of Nations. But if he maintains this momentum, he could be in line for a return to the Elephants squad under Emerse Faé.
Sabotage, stolen towels: chaos at Porto v Sporting 🤯
Maximum tension.
On Monday evening, all of Portugal had its eyes fixed on the clash between Porto (1st) and Sporting (2nd) as part of the 21st round of the championship.
Although this match ended in a draw (1-1) marked by goals from Seko Fofana and Luis Suarez, this summit of Portuguese football was also the scene of completely surreal incidents.
First of all, upon their arrival at FC Porto’s stadium, the Sporting players discovered that the walls of their locker room had been covered with posters and press clippings glorifying Porto.
In addition, the heating in the visitors’ locker room was reportedly set to maximum with no way to turn it down.
After the warm-up, Sporting midfielder Morten Hjumland was also heckled by Porto supporters. They threw Atlético de Madrid jerseys at him to reference his failed transfer during the winter transfer window.
Furthermore, according to A Bola, the Lisbon club’s goalkeeper reportedly had no fewer than three towels stolen during the match.
An incident that inevitably echoes the CAN final, where Edouard Mendy, just like Rui Silva last night, used these towels to dry his gloves in pouring rain.
Finally, images also showed that the ball boys at Estadio do Dragao had hidden balls to preserve Porto’s lead in the final moments of the match.
However, this did not prevent Sporting from equalizing in stoppage time with a penalty.
With the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, its time to focus on the upcoming NFL Draft. With the Combine fast-approaching (February 27-March 2 in Indianapolis), every team is seeking to find their own Kenneth Walker III or Christian Gonzalez. NFL Scouting Departments are scouring every campus across the United States to find that next piece.
The good news? They need look no further than NBC Sports’ College Football and NFL Draft expert Eric Froton's (@CFFroton) rankings report. It features the top draft-eligible players at the skill positions (WRs, TEs, RBs, and QBs). His breakdowns of the talent looking to hear their names called at the NFL Draft feature criticisms as well as superlatives.
We begin with the Wide Receiver category. They are ranked 1-20. Today, Froton discusses wideouts 11-20. Tomorrow the Top 10 will be unveiled.
Wide Receiver No. 20 - Skyler Bell, UCONN
Skyler Bell (6’0”, 185) revitalized his career after transferring from Wisconsin, securing 102-of-141 targets (72%) for 1,282 yards (12.6 YPC) and 13 touchdowns while posting strong efficiency against both zone (3.16 Y/RR) and man coverage (3.46 Y/RR), topped off by an 85.1 receiving grade. Bell worked primarily outside (61% wide) with a meaningful slot presence, thriving on short and intermediate concepts where his burst and twitch popped (8.2 YAC, 89th-percentile short-area impact). He consistently moved the chains and finished through contact, winning 65% of contested targets and turning structured touches into production with excellent catch-and-go confidence. The vertical profile was more uneven—just 6-of-24 on true deep shots for 170 yards and two scores—despite a willingness to test coverage downfield. Overall, Bell profiles as a reliable, multi-alignment receiver whose best work comes when he’s leveraged into space early, with NFL value tied to maximizing his short-area dynamism rather than forcing vertical volume.
Wide Receiver No. 19 - Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech
A former Florida recruit who transferred in 2024, Caleb Douglas (6’4”, 205) brought size and vertical intent to the boundary with 54 catches for 846 yards (15.7 YPC) and seven touchdowns while lining up outside on 83% of his snaps. His overall efficiency was uneven (68.3 receiving grade, 1.77 Y/RR), but he was notably more productive against man coverage (2.33 Y/RR) and flashed legitimate three-level utility, earning strong 90th percentile+ PFF grades on short, intermediate, and deep targets. Douglas’ downfield usage was heavy—28 deep looks with 12 completions—but contested success lagged (1-of-9 deep CTCs), and concentration lapses showed up in a 7-drop, 11.5% drop-rate season. With 5.4 YAC and just six missed tackles forced, he’s more of a stride-and-separate receiver than a tackle-breaker, winning when he can stack defenders and track the ball in space. Douglas offers intriguing size-speed traits and vertical stress potential, but sharpening hands consistency and improving contested-finishing will determine whether he sticks as a rotational boundary threat or ascends to a fuller NFL role.
Wide Receiver No. 18 - Josh Cameron, Baylor
Josh Cameron (6’1”, 220) is a sturdy boundary target who hauled in 69-of-102 targets for 872 yards and nine touchdowns while lining up outside on 93% of his snaps. His production profile reflects a physical, workmanlike receiver—15 missed tackles forced, 16-of-27 contested catches, and a 71.9 receiving grade—who wins more with toughness and positioning than speed or explosiveness. Cameron’s hands are dependable, and he adjusts well to the ball on downfield and sideline throws, though inconsistency on in-breaking routes exposed a smaller-than-ideal catch radius on targets outside his body. While his feet and breaks are more functional than sharp and he isn’t a vertical separator, he’s crafty at changing tempo, shielding defenders with his frame, and finishing through contact once he gets rolling. Cameron projects as a possession-oriented X who thrives on hitches, curls, and red-zone opportunities, with his NFL outlook hinging on whether his athletic testing can clear baseline thresholds.
A true nomad who attended four different schools in his collegiate career, Kevin Coleman Jr. (5’11”, 180) is a twitchy slot specialist who caught 66-of-88 targets for 732 yards, pairing a near-identical 80th% receiving grade across two seasons with steady per-route efficiency (2.23 Y/RR in 2025). The Senior Bowl standout’s role is clearly defined—87% slot rate and 62% of targets coming within nine yards of the line—but he maximizes it by catching 49-of-52 short targets, posting just two drops, and generating a strong 6.1 career YAC. Coleman is difficult to square up on hitches, curls, and screens, accelerating instantly after the catch and rarely allowing defenders to recover once he gains a step. While short-area work drives his value, he’s more than a gadget, tracking the ball naturally and blowing past slot corners on seam and post routes, including four catches for 119 yards on 20+ yard targets. His thin frame and limited play strength likely confine him to slot-only usage at the next level, but his burst, elusiveness, and confidence transitioning from catch to run give him clear NFL utility as a spacing-and-YAC weapon.
Wide Receiver No. 16 - Eric McAlister, TCU
Eric McAlister (6’3”, 205) put together a big-play season with 71 catches for 1,173 yards (16.5 YPC) and 10 touchdowns, pairing a 77.5 receiving grade with a strong 2.60 yards per route while working both outside and from the slot. He’s a physical, tackle-breaking target with 27 missed tackles forced and an elite 7.9 yards after catch, showing real play strength once the ball is secured and the ability to punish poor pursuit angles. McAlister flashes legit downfield chops—slant-and-goes, posts, and over-the-shoulder grabs in tight coverage—but his 8.7% career drop rate and seven interceptions when targeted in 2025 highlight volatility in his outcomes. Releases remain a work in progress, as he can struggle to get cleanly off the line against strong press corners and at times leans too heavily on physicality, which has led to turnovers when defenders stay connected. When he’s decisive and tracks the ball cleanly, McAlister looks like an NFL boundary weapon with size and YAC juice, but refining his releases and cutting down negative plays will be key to unlocking that upside.
Wide Receiver No. 15 - Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
A former Tulane Green Wave star, Chris Brazzell (6’5”, 200) broke out after his 2024 transfer by hauling in 61-of-86 targets for 1,006 yards (16.5 YPC) and nine touchdowns this season, operating almost exclusively outside (94% wide rate) with a 15.7 aDOT. His efficiency spiked in 2025—an 80.6 receiving grade and 2.57 Y/RR—driven by dramatic ball-security improvement (just two drops on 63 catchable targets after a 17.4% drop rate in 2024). Brazzell’s long-strider speed ramps up quickly, allowing him to get on top of defenders, and his massive catch radius shows up on deep outs and vertical shots, including multiple circus grabs against Mississippi State. He’s more fluid than most 6’5” wideouts, snapping off in-cuts and ship routes with surprising change of direction, and he remains functional on manufactured touches despite sparses tackle-breaking (6.7% career MTF rate). There’s still room for added physicality at the top of the stem and after the catch, but with strong zone production (3.07 Y/RR) and NFL bloodlines, Brazzell profiles as a field-stretching boundary weapon whose best football arrived late and loud.
Wide Receiver No. 14 - Ted Hurst, Georgia State
Ted Hurst (6’3”, 207) emerged as a Senior Bowl standout after enduring a difficult passing environment at Georgia State, finishing the season with 71 catches for 999 yards and six scores on a 12.6 aDOT while rotating 3 quarterbacks throughout the year. A rare size-speed specimen, Hurst posted an 82.1 receiving grade and 2.42 yards per route, consistently stressing defenses vertically with 22% of his targets traveling 20+ yards downfield, where he still earned a sparkling 98.8 PFF deep receiving grade despite erratic QB play. He wins outside (83% wide rate) by elevating and extending beyond his frame, securing 61% of his career contested targets and showing the strength to ward off defenders and finish through contact once the ball is in his hands. Hurst sells the fly route well, snapping off comebacks and releases with nuance, and his tape includes multiple reps where he flat-out ran past Power Four corners, including near-misses caused only by overthrows. Concentration drops (10% career drop rate) and occasional balance issues out of sharp breaks remain areas to clean up, but his burner speed, physicality, and vertical intimidation give him a tantalizing NFL-caliber boundary profile.
Elijah Sarratt (6’2/213) climbed the ladder from Saint Francis Red Flash to James Madison Dukes and ultimately Indiana alongside Curt Cignetti, earning Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2025 after producing 64-of-87 for 824 yards and a gaudy 15 touchdowns. Nicknamed “Waffle House,” Sarratt boasts elite efficiency markers—an 87.3 receiving grade, a 2.5 career Y/RR, and a 75% lifetime first-down rate—while dropping just nine balls on 248 career catchable targets. He wins with savvy and leverage rather than dynamism, posting 3.05 Y/RR vs. man (2.24 vs. zone), lining up as the X on 86% of snaps, and converting 7-of-11 deep chances despite a modest 9.6 aDOT and 12.6% deep target rate. The contested-catch profile took a step back (40% in 2025 after a sparkling 79% at JMU), but Sarratt still dictates terms on back-shoulders and short-area work, using strength and timely stiff-arms to create space. Limited after the catch (13 MTF on 117 Indiana receptions; 4.8 YAC) and not a burner, he profiles as a crafty, physical WR2 whose polish and reliability translate even if the NFL ceiling hinges on separation consistency.
Wide Receiver No. 12 - Malachi Fields, Notre Dame
A Senior Bowl standout, Malachi Fields (6’4”, 222) is a big-bodied vertical target who translated his Virginia production to South Bend by posting 36-of-62 for 630 yards (17.5 YPG) and five scores in 2025 on a lofty 16.4 aDOT. Fields possesses a pair of the steadier hands in the class—just three drops on 84 catchable targets over the last two seasons with 84th-percentile drop grades—while maintaining a consistent 5.2 YAC profile and showing the agility and strength to shed tackles on hitches and extended handoffs. His game is built on tracking and toughness downfield, extending high and bending low while finishing through contact, though a 47.3% career contested rate reflects how often he’s asked to win in tight quarters rather than with clean separation. He’s a long-strider who needs a moment to ramp up and typically must win early or late in routes, as he isn’t particularly sudden and can require extra gather steps on stops, leading to modest efficiency splits (2.05 Y/RR vs. man, 1.98 vs. zone). Fields’ struggles separating against quality coverage—most notably versus Louisville and Clemson in 2024 in the short-to-intermediate range—cap the ceiling, but the reliable hands, size, and downfield utility keep him squarely on the Day 2 radar as a complementary boundary piece.
Wide Receiver No. 11 - Omar Cooper, Indiana
Omar Cooper (6’0”, 204) is a twitchy, high-juice slot weapon whose efficiency has remained strong across alignments, posting 2.55 Y/RR in 2025 and 2.52 in 2024 while flashing real burst when he transitions from glide to full throttle. His 27 missed tackles forced on just 69 receptions this year underscores how dangerous he is once he has space, and he consistently freezes off coverage with savvy footwork, selling double moves and snapping cuts with precise timing. Cooper was primarily a slot threat in 2025 (83% slot rate) after operating outside in 2024 (90% wide), thriving versus zone (3.15 Y/RR) but showing more volatility against man coverage where physical disruption can knock him off schedule. He’s tough to stay with when getting a step on defenders, making acrobatic, high-point and one-handed grabs, though lapses in ball tracking and finishing—especially on deep flies and quick timing routes—remain on tape. The talent is obvious, but refinement off the line, cleaner route flattening, and more consistent hands discipline will determine whether Cooper becomes an effective chain-mover or an explosive yet streaky slot playmaker at the next level.
Wide Receivers 21-35
21 - Deion Burks, Oklahoma 22 - Tyren Montgomery, John Carroll 23 - Bryce Lance, North Dakota State 24 - Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech 25 - Barion Brown, LSU 26 - Lewis Bond, BC 27 - Zavion Thomas, LSU 28 - Vinny Anthony, Wisconsin 29 - Eric Rivers, Georgia Tech 30 - Chase Roberts, BYU 31 - Chris Hilton Jr, LSU 32 - Noah Thomas, Georgia 33 - Aaron Anderson, LSU 34 - Emmanuel Henderson, Kansas 35 - Harrison Wallace III, Ole Miss
Take this information and use it to learn about your team’s potential next star wideout or slot receiver. Tomorrow, we’ll publish Froton’s Top 10 Wide Receivers.
Enjoy the day and enjoy your continued prep for the 2026 NFL Draft.
If you have been around as long or longer than I have, and probably even if you haven’t, the sight of a Clemson men’s basketball team at the top of the ACC standings in February might make you want to get pinched. Clemson returns from a triumphant west coast trip and a dominant win over California to get to 20-4 and 10-1 in the league. The Hokies are in desperate need of a big win to provide some CPR to their fleeting NCAA tournament aspirations. VT has enough to be dangerous, and has a win over UVA to their credit, so Clemson will need to bring a focused effort on Wednesday night. The good news is, that is what they have consistently done just about all season long.
Mike Young has seen a little slip in the program since winning the ACC tournament title 2022. The transfer portal era has not been as kind to him, and this season looms large after not making the NCAA tournament since that season. The Hokies do have a very unique player that the Tigers will need to have to deal with who can provide some of the problems NCSU’s Quadir Copeland did in that lone ACC defeat this season. 6’9” Neoklis Avdalas is the primary ball handler for VT and a legitimate NBA prospect. Clemson definitely needs to not let him get going, particularly as a facilitator. Avdalas has really struggled from the three-point line since league play began, hitting just 20%, so it might be better to keep him out there versus getting into the paint on the screen and rolls to either kick to better shooters like Jaden Schutt (41.8%) and Ben Hammond (38.6%). Hammond and Avdalas take turns being the primary facilitators in the Hokie offense. Hammond in particular has put up some big numbers in VT’s wins, including a 30 point outburst in the win over UVA. He also topped 20 in wins over Syracuse and Georgia Tech. NCSU shut him out and that was a major factor in the Wolfpack’s most recent win over VT. I expect Jestin Porter to get the lion’s share of duty on Hammond.
Clemson typically will enjoy an advantage inside with its three headed post attack featuring R.J. Godfrey, Carter Welling, and Nick Davidson. VT is not as deep or capable in the paint, but they do feature high flying Tobi Lawal who sports a nearly 50 inch vertical leap at 6’8”. There are not many who can match Godfrey for post quickness and bounce, but Lawal can. Clemson would do well to get him in foul trouble because tweener post Amani Hansberry is their only other really functional option for trying to deal with Clemson defensively. 6’10” Freshman Christian Gurdak has flashed some post scoring ability but is not nearly as developed on the defensive end at this stage of his career. VT losing either Lawal or Hansberry to foul trouble would be extremely problematic for them.
Mike Young’s teams typically are average to slightly above average defensively and run a lot of good actions on offense to create three point looks. Clemson is just better in both areas by nearly every metric. Clemson’s defense is bordering on elite, now up to 13th in adjusted defensive efficiency, which is the best they have been since the sweet 16 team in 2018. The Clemson offense is solidly ranked 44th in adjusted efficiency, and Brownell’s best teams have been really strong on defense and top 50 offensively. By contrast, VT comes in ranked 59th on defense and 80th on offense.
One thing VT does really well is take care of the basketball, but Clemson isn’t all that reliant on forcing turnovers as much as they are forcing tough jump shots. VT isn’t all that great a shooting team in general, though they do have some guys like Hammond who can get hot. VT’s team turnover percentage is pretty strong, but Avdalas has had some rough games individually, including 5 turnovers in the loss to NCSU and 7 when they lost to Wake Forest. Hammond is the more efficient of the two players in terms of assist/turnover.
So while VT has some nice players, it is tough to look past the overall metrics which almost all favor Clemson. The Hokies don’t do anything well enough to make you think the Tigers can’t handle them at home. Every team is potentially vulnerable to a bad night at the office, but some of Clemson’s worst basketball since the calendar turned to 2026 was against NCSU and even that game took overtime to decide. The Wolfpack are also a superior team to VT. Clemson’s depth allows them to survive a tough night by a starter about as well as any program out there this season.
KenPom calls for Clemson to win 73-64. I think the Tigers do a little better than that to win 78-63 to maintain at least a tie for first in the ACC ahead of a monstrous trip to Cameron Indoor to face Duke on Saturday.
A word from our sponsor:
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CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber of Austria win team combined at Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson fourth.
US president Donald Trump, a close friend of UFC chief White, claimed in December that there would be “eight or nine championship fights, the biggest fights they’ve ever had”, and that “every one’s a championship fight”. But last week, Ari Emanuel – CEO of the UFC’s ownership group, TKO – suggested that “six to seven” fights is a more realistic prospect.
Either way, McGregor vs Covington will not be one of them, according to UFC president White.
On Monday, the Instagram account @menacemmahq posted a mock-up image of former champion McGregor and American star Covington, with the fighters facing off in front of the White House. The caption read: “Not confirmed yet by the UFC but it is highly possible that the main event for the UFC White House card is going to be Conor McGregor vs Colby Covington.
“This fight has been rumored the last few weeks after Dana said Conor will not be fighting vs Michael Chandler. Both fighters have been drug tested this year and in fact McGregor has been tested 2 times this year already.
“The press conference for this fight would be insane. The smack talk would be hilarious. If this fight happens, who do you think wins?”
Conor McGregor (left) during his most-recent fight, as he suffered a broken leg against Dustin Poirier in 2021 (Getty Images)
However, White was quick to enter the comment section under the post, writing: “Total BS.......
“White House matchmaking meeting is tomorrow. [UFC matchmaker] Mick Maynard flying in tomorrow for it.
“We will have fights dialed in by this weekend.”
Mr Trump claimed in December, “[White] is actually holding back fights right now, for six months, so he can do it for [14] June,” and although there is no definitive evidence of this, the notion might be backed up by the UFC’s public schedule.
No champions are due to defend their titles at any upcoming events, with the exception of Max Holloway, who will put the “Baddest Motherf*****” belt on the line against Charles Oliveira on 7 March. However, that is not a regular, divisional title.
Colby Covington is a former interim UFC welterweight champion (Getty Images)
Furthermore, only two title fights to have taken place so far in 2026: an interim title bout at lightweight, between Paddy Pimblett and the victorious Justin Gaethje; and Alexander Volkanovski’s successful featherweight defence against Diego Lopes. A women’s bantamweight title fight was scheduled in January, but champion Kayla Harrison suffered an injury that derailed that bout with Amanda Nunes.
McGregor and Jon Jones are among the high-profile fighters to have called for a spot on the White House card, but White has been coy on the involvement of both. The UFC president suggested he might not be able to trust Jones, who has a history of legal issues and failed drug tests, while he was non-committal on McGregor featuring.
McGregor is a former dual-weight UFC champion – the first in the promotion’s history – but has not fought since 2021, when he suffered a broken leg. The Irishman, 37, was due to return against Chandler in 2024 but withdrew from the bout on two weeks’ notice, citing a broken toe.
Over the last decade, McGregor has faced numerous legal issues and has rarely competed, fighting in the UFC just four times since late 2016 and going 1-3. He also boxed once, losing to Floyd Mayweather in 2018.
UFC president Dana White (left) with friend and US president Donald Trump (REUTERS)
Meanwhile, Covington is a former interim UFC welterweight champion, but his form has dipped in recent years, with the 37-year-old going 2-4 since late 2019.
The American’s last bout was a stoppage loss to Joaquin Buckley in December 2024, while McGregor’s most-recent fight saw him lose to old rival Dustin Poirier for the second time in a row.
While the fight card for the UFC’s White House event is up in the air, other details have emerged, with TKO boss Emanuel saying last week: “I think it’s 3,000-4,000 [attendees], and then there will be other areas [to watch the fights]. It’s gonna be CBS, Paramount+. I mean, I don’t know who is not watching that fight [card].”
Mr Trump had previously said: “I think the arena’s gonna be 5,000 or 6,000 seats, right in front of the front door of the White House, and 100,000 people in the back, where they’re putting up eight or 10 very big screens.”
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — Rich Ruohonen is a personal injury lawyer at TSR Injury Law in Bloomington, Minnesota. He is also making his Olympic debut this week as the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games at 54 years old.
Ruohonen started curling on Saturday mornings at the St. Paul Curling Club in the fifth grade and has represented the U.S. in two world championships (2008, 2018). Since he got into the sport four decades ago, he's only taken one season off – to study law at Hamline Law School, while recovering from a serious knee injury.
So when the moderator at USA Curling press conference Tuesday, Feb. 10 asked if any athletes wanted to say anything else before they bid media arrivederci, Ruohonen used his status as an attorney and an Olympian to speak on a topic he and his teammates are passionate about: Minnesota.
"I'm proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country. But we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota and what a tough time it's been for everybody. This stuff is happening right, right around where we live," Ruohonen said.
Six of the 11 athletes in Cortina for USA Curling hail from Minnesota. Ruohonen is from Brooklyn Park, which is about 18 minutes north of Minneapolis, where ICE agents have shot and killed two civilians: Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Aileen Geving and Cory Thiesse are from Duluth, a little over two hours from Minneapolis. Aidan Oldenburg is from Mapleton, about an hour and 45 minutes away. Sisters Tara Peterson and Tabitha Peterson Lovick are from Eagan, 25 minutes out.
"I am a lawyer, as you know, and we have a constitution," Ruohonen continued, "and it allows us to (have) freedom of press, freedom of speech, protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures, and makes it that we have to have probable cause to be pulled over. And what's happening in Minnesota is wrong. There's no shades of grey. It's clear."
Ruohonen is a sixth-time "Minnesota Lawyer" Attorney of the Year winner, whose trial success rate exceeds 80%. He said Tuesday that he's currently on a streak of 27 consecutive trial victories.
The curling elder statesman finished his statement by praising the citizens of Minnesota, who have not let threats and acts of violence from federal agents deter them from protesting and protecting to those in danger. Minneapolis restaurant owner Tracy Wong sheltered fleeing protestors in her Vietnamese establishment My Huong Kitchen. Thousands showed out in sub-zero temperatures last month to rally against ICE's occupation of their city. Minnesota attorney general Keith Ellison has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security on behalf of the state, Minneapolis and Saint Paul, urging the court to end the surge of DHS agents and to declare it unlawful and unconstitutional.
"I really love what's been happening there now with people coming out, showing the love, the compassion, integrity and respect for others that they don't know, and helping them out," Ruohonen said. "And we love Minnesota for that.
"And I want to make it clear that we are out here, we love our country. We're playing for the U.S. We're playing for Team USA. And we're playing for each other, and we're playing for our family and our friends that sacrificed so much to be here today. And that doesn't change anything.
"Because what the Olympics means is excellence, respect, friendship, and we all, I think, exemplify that. And we are playing for the people of Minnesota and the people around the country who share those same values. That compassion, that love and that respect."
Reach USA TODAY Network sports reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com, and follow her on X @petitus25.
Photo by Andrew Ferraro/Getty Images for Aston Martin
Lawrence Stroll is betting on Adrian Newey to help turn Aston Martin into a championship-calibre team.
After leaving Red Bull, Newey spent a period away from the paddock before making his return with Aston Martin in 2025. He came on board as managing technical partner, also taking an ownership stake in the team.
Later that year, Eddie Jordan helped him work out his contract with the team. Then, toward the end of 2025, Lawrence Stroll surprised everyone by naming him team principal on top of his existing role.
Newey’s track record includes big successes with Williams and McLaren. But while he’s known for being demanding and having strong results, his relationships within teams haven’t always been smooth.
The longest stable partnership came during Christian Horner’s time at Red Bull before Newey eventually left that project too. Now Mark Hughes has pointed out how Stroll is taking a similar approach to Horner’s when it comes to working with Newey.
Lawrence Stroll gives Adrian Newey the same freedom as Christian Horner did at Red Bull
Hughes spoke to Motor Sport Magazine about Newey’s move to Aston Martin and said: “So it’s a slightly different role now, but that team principal role does seem to be populated more and more by engineers, and Adrian Newey is the uber boss of everything at Aston Martin in terms of engineering.
“He has long raged against any control over him, and it happened at Williams. It was part of his dissatisfaction there, and it happened at McLaren with Ron Dennis and Martin Whitmarsh.
“He felt they had to control his excesses, and he felt they didn’t understand the big picture, and they were limiting what he was able to do.
“And one of the reasons why Christian Horner harnessed him so successfully is that he just said so what do you want? What do you need?
“Well, you can do it like that. You want to come in here? You want to live there? That’s fine.
Hughes added: “So he held on to him for much longer. Lawrence Stroll just seems to have given him the keys to the factory.”
Stroll has handed over more control than even Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has ever shown as he remains passionate about overseeing all aspects of their operations.
Fernando Alonso’s experience key to Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 preparation
Just because the car was out on track in Barcelona doesn’t mean Newey’s job is done. His reputation for cutting it close with deadlines suggests the car we see at the start of Bahrain testing could look quite different from what hits the track in Australia.
Damon Hill believes Fernando Alonso’s experience will be vital during testing, with his sharp instincts helping Aston Martin get the most out of their new car.
Newey has also been impressed with Lance Stroll, and together, their combined experience could be a real asset under the new regulations.
While Newey holds significant influence over Aston Martin’s prospects, many factors still lie beyond his control. This includes potential issues with partners like Honda and Aramco, which could impact hopes of securing a championship with a fourth different team.
TURIN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 04: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Getty Images) | Juventus FC via Getty Images
Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic has already been linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window after his contract with the Turin giants expires.
The striker’s good friend and fitness coach at the Serbia national team, Dusan Ilic, has now been quizzed on his future and says he expects Vlahovic to join the Catalan giants.
“He’ll go to Barcelona, for me. Before Juve, he’d spoken to Atlético Madrid, but he chose the Bianconeri. It was an offer he couldn’t refuse,” he told Tuttosport.
“Dusan loves and respects Italy. That’s why he’s stayed so long, but now he has to resume his career and try to progress. Only then will he return to being the classy player we saw at Fiorentina. He was first class, he always had those skills. He is a world-class goalscorer.”
Vlahovic is currently out injured after undergoing surgery on an adductor injury, but Ilic says he will be back soon.
“The injury occurred in a very specific area, which heals more slowly. Naturally, recovery will take longer. But with the doctors and specialists he has at his disposal, I can say we’ll see him again soon,” he added.
“He’s got a dream body, even in this condition. He could play any sport. I think we’ll see him back on the pitch at the beginning of March. And back to his old habits: scoring goals and destroying opponents’ goals.”
While the rest of the MMA world has marveled at Adrian “The Phenom” Lee‘s explosive finishing ability, Japanese star Shozo Isojima sees a young fighter whose reliance on early aggression masks critical weaknesses in his technical development.
The 28-year-old judoka will face Lee in a lightweight MMA bout at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II, live in U.S. primetime on Friday, February 13, from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, after their original booking at ONE 172 fell through due to Isojima’s knee injury.
Now fully healthy and battle-tested from his previous MMA bout against ONE Welterweight Submission Grappling World Champion Tye Ruotolo, the same man who Lee also last fell against, Isojima believes he’s identified the path to victory against the 19-year-old phenom.
Lee’s three professional victories all came via submission in increasingly faster times, with his most recent win over Takeharu Ogawa lasting just 63 seconds.
The youngest of the fighting Lee siblings has built his reputation on overwhelming opponents from the opening bell with a whirlwind of offense that leaves little room for his rivals to breathe. But Isojima has studied that approach extensively and believes he knows exactly what’s coming.
He said:
“The moment the fight starts, he just rushes forward and throws strikes continuously. So that momentum, that youthfulness – I’m training to make sure I don’t get caught up in it.”
The second-degree judo black belt’s preparation extends beyond simply surviving Lee’s initial onslaught. Isojima has identified what he sees as a fundamental flaw in the Hawaiian’s game — an overreliance on that explosive start that betrays a lack of depth in the technical aspects of mixed martial arts.
So, when Lee’s signature aggression fails to produce an early finish, Isojima believes the younger fighter’s inexperience will be exposed.
Isojima said:
“I don’t think he’s quite there yet [in terms of] the finer details of creating transitions and developments. If the fight goes long rounds, I’m not sure how it would end, but I think that could be a weak point.”
That assessment carries particular weight given Lee’s most recent performance. Against Ruotolo at ONE Fight Night 35 last September, the teenager’s aggressive start was neutralized, and once his opponent established control, Lee struggled to adapt. The fight ended with Ruotolo securing a rear-naked choke in the second round, marking the first loss of Lee’s professional career.
Isojima plans to weaponize his judo expertise in the clinch, where he believes his transitions and technical prowess will overwhelm Lee’s raw athleticism.
After all, the Japanese fighter has made his living from trips and throws in close quarters, and he sees the clinch as the perfect environment to impose his game plan and drain Lee’s explosive energy.
“My strength is in the clinch – my transitions and developments when we’re tied up. I think I can establish control there.”
Isojima Brings Hard-Earned Lessons From Ruotolo Loss
The sting of defeat often reveals more about a fighter’s character than victory ever could, and for Shozo Isojima, his first-round submission loss to Tye Ruotolo at ONE 173 provided invaluable lessons that he’s eager to apply against Adrian Lee.
The 28-year-old has been brutally honest in his self-assessment following that November setback. Rather than making excuses, Isojima acknowledged that he failed to prepare for the shortened turnaround between fights, believing he could handle what proved to be an insufficient camp.
“In my last fight, I didn’t prepare my condition. The turnaround between fights was quite short, and I thought I could handle it, but I ended up not being fully prepared. That wasn’t good.
“But facing a top-level grappler like Tye Ruotolo, I didn’t feel like there was some tremendous physical difference. So I felt like if I properly prepare and step onto that stage, I can compete. That was a huge learning experience.”
That revelation carries significant weight for his approach to Lee. Despite the dominant nature of his loss, Isojima discovered something crucial during his brief time grappling with one of the world’s elite submission artists — he belonged at that level.
The physical disparity he might have feared simply wasn’t there, and that realization has fueled his confidence heading into this matchup.
Isojima remembered:
“At the Tokyo event, when I fought Tye Rutolo, even though I ended up getting pushed back in the first round, in that moment when we clinched, I didn’t really feel his power. So I think I can compete with world-class fighters there. I want to apply what I learned from that experience.”
With improved conditioning and a clear understanding of what to expect from Lee’s aggressive opening, Isojima has developed a specific timeline for how he envisions the fight to unfold.
His game plan centers on patience and technical superiority once the initial storm passes and the fight enters deeper water:
“If Adrian comes rushing in with momentum, I think I can weather that and then in the second round take a dominant position, score points, or get close to a finish. But if he comes out measuring things in that first rush, I think it could really be a tough three-round decision.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) UFC President and CEO Dana White, UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby and UFC CBO Hunter Campbell attend the UFC 322 event at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
All the fight rumors you’ve heard regarding the big UFC White House card in June are pure lies! That’s according to UFC CEO Dana White, but things are about to change as the heads of the promotion gather in Las Vegas today to start matchmaking the America250 extravaganza.
Details on the June 15th card continue to trickle in. White has shared design drawings of what the custom light rig will look like, and has described some of the crazy expenses involved in staging a show like this. The company will pay out nearly a million dollars to replace the South Lawn following the show, and that’s chump change compared to some of the other costs.
When it comes to the actual fights on the card, we’ve heard Donald Trump claim the event will feature all championship bouts. TKO head Ari Emanuel has said there will be ‘six or seven fights.’ As for who exactly will compete? Dana White says those choices begin today, which means the reports of Conor McGregor vs. Colby Covington are false.
“Total BS,” White wrote on an Instagram post claiming Covington vs. McGregor was booked. “White House matchmaking meeting is tomorrow. Mick Maynard flying in tomorrow for it. We will have fights dialed in by this weekend.”
That’s good, because the UFC seems to be keeping all their powder dry until they decide exactly who will fight at the White House. As it stands this morning (Feb. 10, 2026) not a single UFC champion (other than the BMF belt holder) is booked into a fight. We anticipated a bit of a logjam due to the black hole gravity of the White House, and here it is. The sooner UFC deals with it, the better.
As it stands, the most likely fight we see at the top of the White House card is Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje to unify the lightweight title. Conor McGregor is still a possibility, but given how much he costs and how much the UFC is giving up to do this event without a gate, we doubt the bean counters at TKO will let him compete. Jon Jones sounds like he’s given up on trying to convince UFC to book him again. And can Kayla Harrison really recover from neck surgery in time to face Amanda Nunes? We have our doubts.
It would be nice to imagine the UFC will start announcing White House fights as soon as decisions start getting made today. In reality, they have a conveyor belt approach to fight announcement which means we’ll probably have to wait until April’s UFC 327 in Miami gets its headliner bout revealed, and then UFC 328 in May.
Let us know in the comments how you see the next couple of months shaking out matchmaking-wise!
Photo by Steven Markham/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Greg Taylor is well into his first season away from Celtic, having made the switch to Greece.
The defender decided not to extend his contract at Celtic Park, despite Brendan Rodgers’ public efforts to keep him. Instead, he saw out his deal before heading abroad.
Kieran Tierney’s arrival helped explain the timing of Taylor’s departure. Still, as one of Celtic’s most regular starters, his absence was always going to be felt in some way.
During his six years at the club, Taylor made over 200 appearances and picked up 11 trophies along the way. His most memorable period came under Ange Postecoglou.
Greg Taylor on former Celtic teammate Giorgos Giakoumakis
Photo by Mateusz Slodkowski/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Jonjoe Kenny, who spent a loan spell at Celtic, also joined the Greek side last summer after his time in Germany with Schalke and Hertha Berlin.
PAOK also signed Giorgos Giakoumakis, a striker who was popular during his time at Celtic. He is currently on loan from Cruz Azul in Mexico.
Giakoumakis also played under Postecoglou at Celtic and has now returned to Greece. Taylor mentioned how he played a part in helping PAOK sign the forward, having been asked by club officials for his opinion.
Taylor told Open Goal: “It’s real Bobby Basic, isn’t it? Good morning, goodnights, hellos…
“We’re lucky because the majority speak English unless you get a dodgy one at the petrol station.”
“Jonjoe signed a week before me and then big Giako signed about a month after,” he continued.
“I spoke to him and the sporting director was like: ‘What do you think of big Giako?’ I was like: ‘If you can get him, that’s a no-brainer.’”
How Greg Taylor is finding life at PAOK since leaving Celtic
He hasn’t featured as much as he might have hoped, but the defender has still managed to make 16 appearances for a team that’s active both domestically and in the Europa League.
In Italy, Nicolas Kuhn has struggled to break into the starting lineup at Como, making just five league starts and scoring once so far this season.
On the other hand, Alex Valle is enjoying his time under Cesc Fabregas at Como. His form has even led some to suggest he could earn a return to Barcelona in the future.
Adam Idah hasn’t seen much playing time at Swansea either, though that’s largely due to Zan Vipotnik’s impressive run as the Championship’s leading scorer.
Sadio Mane heads up an Al Nassr squad that features stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Aymeric Laporte. However, Frimpong isn’t alone among former Hoops teammates; others such as Odsonne Edouard (Al-Ittihad) and Giorgos Giakoumakis (PAOK) have also made significant moves since their Celtic days.
A little over a month ago, after the 2-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, West Ham were seven points from safety and staring a return to the Championship square in the face.
That night felt like the final nail, especially considering the manner of the defeat, where VAR disallowed a first-half goal from Crysencio Summerville that would've seen us go 2-0 up and then awarded a controversial 89th-minute penalty for Forest to snatch all three points.
But since then, West Ham have shown signs of life and fight with three wins from our last four Premier League outings, including a late win at Tottenham and a convincing home victory over Sunderland. The one defeat, against Chelsea, saw us leading 2-0 at half-time. The performances and the form have improved to the point where it would be dangerous to write us off just yet, given there's now just a three-point gap between us and 17th-placed Forest.
There are similarities to the 2006-2007 season. West Ham were 10 points from safety heading into a home game against Tottenham. Having lead 2-0 at half-time and then 3-2 with five minutes to go, Spurs scored two late goals to win 4-3. Fans were crying in the stands. Mark Noble was crying on the pitch. It felt over then.
But that defeat sparked a run of seven wins in our final nine league games, securing Premier League safety and a 15th-place finish. One of the two defeats in that run came against Chelsea, too.
There's more football to be played now compared to then, but there is real optimism that West Ham could pull off yet another great escape.
With Summerville's goal scoring form, Bowen's importance and Mateus Fernandes' midfield dynamism, anything is possible right now.
While many fans have found this refreshing and, in some cases, quite entertaining, is it really the behaviour we require from our captain?
It is much easier to lead when things are going well, but what about when you are on the cusp of a relegation battle?
Now, more than ever, we need a leader we can rely on.
This is not the time for Romero to play by his own rules, no matter how passionate he may be.
Perhaps more concerning than Romero's most recent red card, was Thomas Frank's lack of knowledge on his captain's overall discipline.
Given that Frank was unaware Romero has the most red cards of any player in the period since he joined Spurs, it feels fair to question how informed his decision-making has been in general.
Nevertheless, the Tottenham head coach is adamant Romero will reclaim the armband when he returns from his four-game suspension.
So, for that period, with James Maddison still sidelined through injury, captaincy will be handed over to our other vice-captain, Micky van de Ven.
Will the Dutchman use this as an opportunity to stake his claim for the position on a more permanent basis, or will he happily relinquish the responsibility once Romero returns?
Either way, I just hope someone can bring some much-needed composure to a team that is unravelling.
Bullen, who joined the Giants in 2024 as outside linebackers coach, stepped into the interim defensive coordinator role after Shane Bowen's midseason firing under then-interim head coach Mike Kafka.
In his brief tenure during the final games, Bullen revitalized a struggling Giants defense, shifting to a more aggressive scheme that generated consistent pressure, mixed coverages effectively, and unlocked the potential of rookies like linebacker Abdul Carter alongside stars Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence. The unit returned to playing up to traditional Giants standards, earning praise for its improved performance despite limited wins.
Bullen described serving as DC as a "great honor and privilege," focusing on hard work and player development rather than external validation. His success drew widespread interest, including prior interview requests from the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals.
Under new Giants head coach John Harbaugh, Bullen was retained on staff -- amid a broader coaching purge -- but primarily as outside linebackers coach.
Teams cannot block promotional interviews, positioning Bullen as a rising candidate for full-time coordinator opportunities. The Browns, under head coach Todd Monken following Jim Schwartz's resignation, are casting a wide net in their search.
Michael Carrick is the face of Manchester United's unlikely push for a Champions League return, and, in some ways, rightly so.
He is in charge of the dressing room, so he has to get the players on side and inspire them to win football matches. It's fair to say, after four victories from four, he's succeeding.
Much of the focus has understandably been on United's free-flowing attacking football across those games.
Ten goals scored against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur - including three at the Emirates, where Arsenal had previously only shipped five in 11 outings - is not to be snuffed at.
However, United have been scoring goals at will all season. The dramatic defensive improvement has been the foundation of the Red Devils' revival.
Open play xG (expected goals) conceded in Carrick's four matches? Man City, 0.36. Arsenal, 0.39. Fulham, 0.43. Spurs, 0.55.
United kept clean sheets against City and Spurs, while Arsenal profited from a fortunate own-goal and a scrappy corner. Fulham netted through a penalty and Kevin's wonder strike.
Steve Holland was always going to be a smart appointment as Carrick's Number two. Not only is he a lifelong United supporter, but he is a specialist in defensive set-up.
Years of experience contributing towards the success of managers like Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate in huge jobs is now showing at Old Trafford.
Carrick deserves his mass praise, as do his other assistants Jonathan Woodgate, Travis Binnion and Jonny Evans.
But Holland and United is a match made in heaven, and he must stay on, regardless of who takes the helm next season.
It's another week, and now another test. West Ham has been a hopeless hunting ground for United in recent years.
The Hammers' recent resurgence - fuelled by Crysencio Summerville's five-match scoring streak, ever-dangerous captain Jarrod Bowen and in-form talents El Hadji Malick Diouf and Matheus Fernandes - poses a serious risk of more misery.
But United can visit the London Stadium with confidence that the attack can score goals and that the defence can keep them out.
Former LSU football wide receiver Kayshon Boutte just completed a stellar season with the New England Patriots, emerging as a trusty option for the MVP runner-up, Drake Maye. Though his counting stats weren’t exceptional, with 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns through 14 regular-season games, Boutte was a crucial part of New England’s 2nd-ranked offense in 2025.
He was a standout in the postseason, as well, recording nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown across four playoff games.
The Patriots needed a herculean performance from Boutte in the Super Bowl, as their opponent, the Seattle Seahawks, finished the season as the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense.
Unfortunately for the former Tiger, New England was unable to come out on top, losing 29-13. Boutte was one of several Patriots receivers who had a rough game, seeing four targets and only coming down with one catch for 21 yards. That doesn’t mean Boutte had a nightmarish performance, however. None of those three non-completions were recorded as a drop, according to Pro Football Focus.
Here’s a look at Boutte’s 21-yard reception:
Drake Maye connects with Kayshon Boutte for 21 yards.
It was a disappointing end to what some have called a Cinderella season for the Patriots, who finished the previous year with a 4-13 record. Despite the loss, the future looks bright in New England and, in turn, for the former LSU standout.
Nebraska football is expected to hire Philadelphia Eagles defensive assistant Tyler Yelk as its new safeties coach. This was reported by Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.
The Huskers lost its previous safety coach, Miles Taylor, to the Baltimore Ravens. Now, Yelk will be able to fill in at the spot.
Yelk spent three seasons with the Eagles in various support roles, including serving as an assistant to the head coach and a defensive assistant. He was a part of the Eagles coaching staff that won the Super Bowl.
He spent 14 years in the college ranks, including as the defensive backs coach at Temple and the safeties coach at Idaho. While at Idaho, the defense was near the top of the FCS in interceptions in total defense.
This has the potential to be a strong pickup for the program as it looks to round out the coaching staff and head into spring practices.
Nebraska is expected to hire Philadelphia #Eagles defensive assistant Tyler Yelk as its new safeties coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
Nebraska lost its previous safeties coach, Miles Taylor, to an NFL job. Now expected to hire a coach from the NFL level as his replacement. pic.twitter.com/YTPkpkpW7P
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.
The Arizona Cardinals have big decisions to make at quarterback this offseason. With new head coach Mike LaFleur, they must decide whether to keep or move on from Kyler Murray, who didn't play after Week 5 last season.
While the Cardinals would like to trade him, it is possible that he returns as the starter. And such a move could make Jacoby Brissett "a workable trade candidate," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Brissett has a very reasonable contract. He is due $4.88 million in salary in 2026. He proved that he can produce as a starting quarterback, passing for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns in 12 starts. However, he went 1-11 as a starter and 2-15 over the last two seasons.
That said, Fowler says that two teams might be interested in acquiring Brissett.
New York Jets
The Jets just hired Frank Reich as their new offensive coordinator. Brissett started 15 games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2019 when Reich was the head coach. Brissett is at least a great backup option for them in a new offense and, at best, a serviceable starter.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski as head coach. Brissett started 11 games in 2022 for the Cleveland Browns when Stefanski was head coach there. Atlanta is going to release Kirk Cousins, and Michael Penix Jr. is coming back from a torn ACL and will miss much of the 2026 season. Brissett could fill the gap for them.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
When Leeds United's starting line-up was announced in a social media post from the club's account before kick-off last Friday night against Nottingham Forest, the most notable topic in the comments was disappointment that Ilia Gruev was starting.
The general sentiments can be summed up by one tweet: "Gruev wasn't good enough for the Championship, but they let him start every Premier League game."
While the Bulgarian is a defensive midfielder, his four assists and zero goals in the previous 67 league appearances before Friday night's 3-1 victory over Forest had not got everyone enthused.
But after being kicked in the head by team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the 65th minute, it was Gruev's name ringing out around Elland Road. At that stage, Leeds were 3-0 up, Gruev had two assists and was having his best game in a Leeds shirt.
But the Bulgarian midfielder didn't just play well last Friday, his performance was statistically one of the all-time great individual efforts seen at Elland Road.
One of the things the Leeds manager perhaps hasn't been given enough credit for, is improving players; and Gruev's performance has shown that even Leeds fans don't know how good this team could be.
When asked if Gruev was OK after a game in which he was kicked in the head, Farke said "Ilia is tough" and in that sense the Bulgarian is representing Leeds in more ways than one.
College sports are in a strange spot right now, and college basketball has become the latest flashpoint as eligibility battles between players and the NCAA dominate the headlines.
The most notable case is Alabama center Charles Bediako, who joined the Crimson Tide halfway through the season after spending multiple years in the NBA G League. His status has become a week‑to‑week spectacle, with each court appearance drawing national attention.
The latest ruling deemed him ineligible for the remainder of the season. And if not for the earning potential tied to NIL, there’s a strong argument that Bediako never would have returned to college basketball at all — he likely would have pursued opportunities overseas instead.
No matter where you fall on the state of college athletics, it’s clear something has to change. The most logical starting point is a universal eligibility checklist for each sport. Right now, the system is a patchwork of one‑off lawsuits, international exceptions, and inconsistent rulings that make the entire process feel arbitrary.
The second major issue is the transfer environment. Before NIL, giving players more mobility and immediate eligibility made sense. Coaches could leave at any moment, and players deserved protection. But now, with the offseason functioning as a de facto free‑agency period, it’s understandable that universities want more control over their “investment.” As uncomfortable as that sounds, it’s already happening — schools have begun suing players who leave after signing NIL deals.
What’s getting lost in all of this is the original purpose of these institutions. They are supposed to be places of higher education first, with athletics second. That’s why academic standards exist in the first place. Legendary Houston coach Kelvin Sampson captured the frustration perfectly when discussing the current landscape:
"...there is nothing educational about college basketball right now. It's all transactional."
And he’s not wrong. Programs across the country — including Texas A&M, which has navigated its own roster churn and NIL‑driven decisions — are feeling the effects of a system that changes by the month.
Where college sports go from here is anyone’s guess. What we do know is that the money will keep flowing, the athletes will keep getting paid, and the NCAA will continue fighting for relevance in a world it no longer fully controls.
You can see Coach Sampson’s full comments below.
“We're still in an educational institution, but there is nothing educational about college basketball right now. It's all transactional. And we all put our heads in the sand."
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
Such a scenario is off the board after the Seattle Seahawks easily took care of business with a 29-13 win over New England in Super Bowl LX. That means Seattle is now set to host the NFL's 2026 season opener.
The Seahawks are among the Broncos' 2026 opponents, but that game is scheduled to be played in Denver. So the league will have Seattle open the season at Lumen Field against one of their home opponents.
The defending Super Bowl champion opening the season on the road is not unprecedented, but it is uncommon. Following the 2012 season, the Broncos hosted the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 of the 2013 season, but that was due to unique circumstances.
The Ravens had a scheduling conflict with the MLB's Baltimore Orioles, so they were not able to play at home in Week 1, and the league instead scheduled a rematch with the team they knocked out of the 2012 playoffs. Denver won 49-27. The Seahawks don't have a scheduling conflict, so they will open the season at home.
Football's oldest cliche - it is a game of two halves - never rang truer than on Saturday.
In the first 45 minutes, Fulham played some of their best football of the season. A strong starting XI was complemented by an equally impressive bench as we finally emerged from the other side of our injury crisis.
It was a squad so packed with talent that defender Issa Diop and captain Tom Cairney were forced to watch from the stands.
But as we tucked into our half-time pies, there was a foreboding sense of inevitability around Craven Cottage.
Yes, we were a goal to the good, but a string of missed opportunities, punctuated by a pair of crossbar-rattlers and Raul Jimenez's decision to scuff a shot when Harry Wilson didn't have a player within 10 yards of him, meant we could all tell what was coming.
Far too often this season - as in previous campaigns - we have been the architects of our own downfall.
When Bernd Leno knocked Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's corner into his own net, it marked the seventh game this season that we have conceded one or more goals in the final 10 minutes of a game.
That has cost us 12 points. And while I am not expecting Fulham to be an infallible side that sits inside the top four - which is where we would be if we had not dropped those points - losing control in more than a third of our games leads me to wonder whether we are set for another season of missed opportunity.
It does not get any easier, with Manchester City coming up on Wednesday.
A loss at the Etihad would mark the 20th straight defeat against Pep Guardiola's side.
On paper, we know what will happen. But to use another famous cliche (thank you, Brian Clough), the game is played on grass.
Daniel Cormier is taking it upon himself to address what he sees as a major issue by sharing his expertise with the next generation.
The UFC’s broad appeal comes from its diversity, bringing together fighters from every corner of the globe. While the sport used to be heavily dominated by Americans, that is no longer the case.
With the UFC White House event scheduled for 14 June, former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Cormier has voiced concerns about where American MMA is heading.
Daniel Cormier concerned about number of American champions in UFC
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Zuffa LLC
The premier promotion will host its historic event, celebrating the history of America, on the White House lawn on June 14. However, one thing stands out: there are only two Americans holding championship belts – Kayla Harrison and Mackenzie Dern.
Justin Gaethje recently captured the interim lightweight title, but he will need to beat Ilia Topuria before he can be recognised as the undisputed champion and carry that mantle for American men.
American MMA is currently facing a bleak period, which is particularly evident in its most historically popular weight class: heavyweight. The state of the heavyweight division within the promotion is currently a huge concern.
“It’s not dead because Tom Aspinall is an absolute stud,” Cormier told Sports Illustrated.
“I think Ciryl Gane proved that there’s a lot of competition in that weight class for him in that last fight. Jon Jones is still lingering… But the heavyweight division is always going to be OK because it doesn’t take much to get people excited.”
‘DC’ went on to highlight what he sees as a more significant concern and explained how he intends to address it personally.
“The bigger problem is the Americans because not only do we not have an American in the top 10 at heavyweight, we don’t have an American in the top 10 pound-for-pound in any weight.
“Justin Gaethje now is the interim champion, it’s the only belt we have on American males. But we’ll fix that. We’ll start training some wrestlers,” Cormier stated.
The UFC commentator continues passing down his knowledge at Gilroy High School in California, working with young wrestlers looking to make their way up through grassroots wrestling.
The UFC is crying out for an exciting heavyweight prospect
While Gaethje stands as the country’s most immediate hope, confidence is not high that he will be able to get the job done against Topuria.
In fact, some believe the next real hope for an American UFC champion might not even be on the roster yet.
Gable Steveson is already 2-0 in professional MMA and has made quite a splash at regional level. With Jon Jones serving as his coach, there is a belief that the 25-year-old could quickly rise through the ranks and emerge as America’s next big hope.
To even be considered as potentially qualifying for one of the three European competitions next season, is somewhat miraculous - but is nevertheless an aim as we enter the final third of the season.
After yet another away win – which is becoming something of the Everton norm – Evertonians have already started to dig out their tin of polish, just in case dusty passports need a Spring clean in the near future.
David Moyes and the players deserve immense credit - regardless of whether the European dream can be achieved this season or not.
There's an obvious resilience that runs through the squad.
Whether it be coming from behind to pick up a point or three, or battling through a severe injury crisis to stay on the coat tails of other European chasing teams, a strong backbone has formed at our club.
On that basis, I find it somewhat mystifying that Moyes appears to have become somewhat of a target of dissenting voices recently.
No manager is perfect and differences in opinions relating to team selection can understandably spark healthy debate - but there appears to be a minority who feel compelled to berate the manager at every turn.
This sometimes spills into calls for Moyes to be removed from his managerial role. It's absolutely baffling.
A club in transition, we are understandably inconsistent, but competitive. We are able to enjoy a season without the anxiety of looking over our shoulder.
There's an obsession from some that this version of Everton is settling for mediocrity. I'd argue it's the first building block of a bright and beautiful future.
Patience is a virtue and sadly common sense is a flower that doesn't grow in everyone's garden.
Isaiah Stewart sprinting across the court to confront Miles Bridges during a heated Pistons-Hornets clash has sent NBA fans into meltdown.
The chaotic moment quickly overshadowed the game itself, with video clips spreading faster than officials could regain control.
Isaiah Stewart charges toward Miles Bridges
Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images
Footage shared by Legion Hoops captured the exact moment Isaiah Stewart broke into a full sprint toward Miles Bridges as tensions boiled over.
The incident unfolded during a dead ball after Bridges became involved in an altercation with Pistons big man Jalen Duren. As players converged, Stewart rushed in from a distance, escalating the confrontation within seconds.
According to the official NBA report, Stewart, Bridges, Duren, and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate were all ejected for fighting activity. The situation deteriorated so rapidly that officials had little choice but to clear multiple players from the floor.
The chaos did not stop there. Hornets head coach Charles Lee was also ejected later in the fourth quarter after aggressively approaching an official and needing to be restrained by his own player.
For Stewart, the moment reinforced a growing reputation. His willingness to jump into confrontations has become a defining part of his on-court identity, particularly in emotionally charged games.
NBA fans react to Isaiah Stewart’s latest fight
Fan reaction online was immediate and polarising. Some drew dramatic historical comparisons, with one writing, “Malice the Palace 2.0,” referencing the league’s most infamous brawl.
Others focused on the league’s image. “This is not a good sight for the game,” one fan commented, echoing concerns about optics and discipline.
Not everyone disapproved. Some embraced the chaos, with one post reading, “Isaiah Stewart will always be doing ts, and I love it.” That sentiment reflected a segment of fans who admire Stewart’s raw intensity.
There was also speculation about consequences. “Mr. Silver may make an example out of him,” one fan wrote, anticipating potential league discipline given Stewart’s history.
Another summed up the pattern bluntly. “I’ve never seen Isaiah Stewart’s video on the TL without a fight.” The comment captured how frequently Stewart finds himself at the center of viral confrontations.
With punches reportedly thrown and multiple ejections issued, the incident is now firmly on the NBA’s radar. Suspensions and fines remain possible as the league reviews the footage.
MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 18: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally enhanced.) Franck Ribéry of FC Bayern Muenchen enters the pitch before the FC Bayern Legends Cup at SAP Garden on January 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by S. Mellar/FC Bayern via Getty Images) | FC Bayern via Getty Images
Bayern Munich fans were dealt a shocking blow over the weekend when the name of club legend Franck Ribéry was one of hundreds of recognizable figures found within the infamous Epstein files.
It should be noted that within the files, many of the names mentioned have not been formally accused of wrongdoing or charged with any crimes connected to Epstein, a financer and convicted sex offender. The release included over 2,000 videos and 180,000 images.
At this stage, the report is not considered to be an indictment or an acknowledgement of any wrong doing by those referenced within the files. What happens with all of this detail remains to be seen.
However, Brusa Carlo Alberto, lawyer of Bayern legend Franck Ribéry, mounted a reactive attack to his client being named in the files.
“This is fake news. I will take action in my capacity as Mr. Ribéry’s lawyer and implement all necessary legal proceedings to punish those responsible for this fake news, which is an attack on the dignity of my client and his family,” Alberto said (as capture by @iMiaSanMia).
As noted above, the files have some very damaging and descriptive information on many public figures. Ultimately, government officials and authorities might nor might decide to pursue action based on some of the information contained within the dossier.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Mike Vrabel made a point of acknowledging New England Patriots fans despite the disappointment of Super Bowl LX.
The Patriots head coach stopped to greet supporters when the team returned to Foxborough following their loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
The gesture provided a moment of connection as the franchise closed the season and began looking ahead.
Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Mike Vrabel greets Patriots fans after Super Bowl loss
The Patriots returned to Gillette Stadium after falling 29-13 to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. A group of fans waited in freezing conditions outside the stadium to welcome the team home.
Mike Vrabel stepped off the bus and walked to the barricades, where he shook hands, signed autographs, and posed for photos.
He thanked supporters individually and acknowledged the effort they made to show up after the loss.
Vrabel thanks supporters and reflects on season
Vrabel addressed the fans and expressed appreciation for their support throughout the season.
He said the team wanted to deliver championships but stressed pride in the players and gratitude for the backing they received.
The moment was viewed as a reflection of Vrabel’s leadership style and his connection with the fan base.
Despite the Super Bowl defeat, the interaction highlighted the bond between the coach, the team, and the Patriots community.
Jun 15, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; NC State Wolfpack head coach Elliott Avent discusses a balk call with an umpire in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats during the eighth inning at Charles Schwab Filed Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images
We’re less than 30 days out from the start of NC State’s 2026 baseball season, so now’s as good a time as any to get to know the team before they hit the diamond. The Wolfpack will be looking for their third trip to Omaha in the last six seasons, so let’s figure out how they’ll get there (keep your “on a plane” jokes at home where they belong). We’ll try and tackle this in a few parts:
(For a look at the complete schedule, head on over to GoPack.com)
As is customary with life in a strong conference, the ACC schedule will comprise the true meat of the Wolfpack’s resume. With a lackluster overall non-conference slate, a solid showing in conference will be necessary as State looks to return to an NCAA Regional for the 20th time in the last 23 postseasons.
Boston College
2025 Record: 28-29 (11-19 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 69
Game Date(s): Mar 13-15, home
Hitter to know: rSR 1B/3B Nick Wang (.317/.364/.467, 3 2B, 2 HR, 7.5 BB%, 20.9 K%, 3-4 SB)
Pitcher to know: SO RHP Gavin Soares (4-1, 1 SV, 2.16 ERA, 33.1 IP, 8.1 BB%, 30.1 K%)
What to know about this team: Five of the top seven hitters are gone, but that might not be a bad thing as Todd Interdonato enters Year 2 of his rebuild. Nick Wang’s return from injury will be huge after he only played in 16 games last year. Three transfers will help, including rSR OF Carter Hendrickson (.283/.430/.438, 13 2B, 7 HR, 14.7 BB%, 9.7 K%, 20-21 SB) and SO INF Ty Mainolfi (.304/.409/.473, 10 2B, 7 HR, 14.0 BB%, 13.6 K%, 9-14 SB), but with just three freshmen position players, improvement on the offensive front will rely heavily on the development of the returning players. The pitching staff returns nine of 12 arms who tossed over 15.0 innings last year, including their top two weekend starters, so things are looking up there. Pitching should keep the Eagles in most games, which will allow the pesky pressure-applying offense to do their thing, assuming they can get enough guys on base.
Florida State
2025 Record: 42-16 (17-10 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 11
Game Date(s): Mar 20-22, away
Hitter to know: SO 1B Myles Bailey (.327/.441/.663, 11 2B, 19 HR, 13.1 BB%, 31.0 K%, 4-5 SB)
Pitcher to know: JR LHP Wes Mendes (7-3, 5.42 ERA, 78.0 IP, 11.4 BB%, 26.3 K%)
What to know about this team: The Seminoles have to replace four big offensive producers, but return a solid core – albeit replacing 2B, SS, and CF – and add a five-man instant-impact transfer class and a solid five-man freshmen group of position players. This offense may not be quite what last year’s was, but it shouldn’t lack for punch. Watch out for Davidson transfer rSR 2B Eli Putnam (.349/.419/.660, 18 2B, 19 HR, 7.0 BB%, 20.6 K%, 13-15 SB). Only six of 17 players who toed the rubber for FSU last year return, including losing two weekend starters and their top two saves guys. An incredibly strong 9-man transfer class of arms is going to help resolve a lot of issues. FSU should be hosting a Regional for the third straight year under Link Jarrett.
Georgia Tech
2025 Record: 41-19 (19-11 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 19
Game Date(s): Mar 27-29, away
Hitter to know: JR CF Drew Burress (.333/.469/.693, 23 2B, 19 HR, 18.3 BB%, 14.5 K%, 10-11 SB)
Pitcher to know: Jr RHP Tate McKee (8-3, 4.84 ERA, 80.0 IP, 10.5 BB%, 22.9 K%)
What to know about this team: James Ramsey steps into a great situation for his first ever head coaching gig. He’ll have to replace 3rd round pick SS Kyle Lodise, but all nine other players with 100+ PA last year return. Five of those nine posted OBPs over .400, so this lineup is again going to be fantastic. Three transfers add depth to that already strong group, including a pair of intra-ACC transfers in JR 3B Ryan Zuckerman (Pittsburgh; .295/.382/.555, 16 2B, 13 HR, 9.4 BB%, 33.7 K%) and JR 2B Jarren Advincula (California; .342/.410/.506, 17 2B, 6 HR, 8.2 BB%, 10.9 K%, 13-15 SB). The two weekend starter roles not manned by Tate McKee will need to be figured out, and the go-to reliever will need to be established if rSR RHP Mason Patel (11-2, 5 SV, 3.34 EAR, 70.0 IP, 6.4 BB%, 22.6 K%) moves into a starter role like he’s expected to. Eight of 13 arms that tossed double-digit innings return, though, and the team adds two instant-impact transfers. Expect this team to host a Regional for the first time since 2019.
Notre Dame
2025 Record: 32-21 (14-16 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 48
Game Date(s): Apr 2-4, home
Hitter to know: SO INF/OF Bino Watters (.317/.436/.549, 9 2B, 9 HR, 15.8 BB%, 12.9 K%, 3-4 SB)
Pitcher to know: JR RHP Jack Radel (7-4, 3.58 ERA, 70.1 IP, 6.2 BB%, 20.8 K%)
What to know about this team: It’ll be a rebuild in Year 4 under Shawn Stiffler. Only 12 guys received over 2 PA last year for the Irish, and 7 of those are gone, with all 7 of those being in the top 10 in PA a year ago. There are three really solid returning pieces to build around, but the question will be what the team can get out of their trio of transfers and 6-man freshman class of position players. The pitching staff is going over similar turnover, returning their top innings guy from 2025 but losing the only other five guys who tossed 30.0+ innings last year. A four-pack of transfer relievers enters the mix to provide depth, but it’s the six freshman arms that have the most upside, especially FR LHP Caden Crowell. Expect this to be a step-back year for the Irish, building towards a better 2027.
Duke
2025 Record: 41-21 (17-13 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 32
Game Date(s): Apr 10-12, home
Hitter to know: SR OF Tyler Albright (.298/.435/.502, 10 2B, 10 HR, 15.7 BB%, 21.3 K%, 15-15 SB)
Pitcher to know: SR RHP Aidan Weaver (2-0, 4.91 ERA, 14.2 IP, 17.6 BB%, 14.7 K%)
What to know about this team: The Blue Devils lost one of the most underappreciated coaches in the country in Chris Pollard and replaced him with one of the nation’s top assistant coaches in Corey Muscara, former pitching coach at Wake Forest. The coaching change results in just four of the 19 players who stepped into the batters box last year for Duke returning for 2026. Three of those four had fewer than 25 PA each, so this is going to be a tall task for Muscara. As you’d expect with so much roster attrition, there’s a 12-man class of transfer position players, led by Davidson transfer JR C/OF Cider Canon (.371/.460/.733, 16 2B, 17 HR, 11.7 BB%, 19.7 K%, 10-11 SB). An even more devastating level of attrition took place to the pitching staff, which loses their top 12 arms by IP from last year and return just 39.0 total innings from 2025. Eleven transfer pitchers enter the fray to try and do… well… something. There are only seven freshmen on the roster; that’s pitchers and position players. It’s likely going to be a rough year in Durham.
Wake Forest
2025 Record: 39-22 (16-14 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 29
Game Date(s): Apr 17-19, away
Hitter to know: JR 1B Kade Lewis (.376/.482/.602, 18 2B, 11 HR, 16.0 BB%, 16.0 K%, 4-5 SB
Pitcher to know: JR RHP Blake Morningstar (6-2, 3.87 ERA, 79.0 IP, 9.2 BB%, 26.8 K%)
What to know about this team: Tom Walter’s squad has to replace three of their top hitters who combined for 42 HR last year, but the lineup will be strong again around the six returning starters – including four guys with 10+ HR in 2025 – plus a pair of other experienced returnees. VMI transfer JR OF Boston Torres (.337/.465/.580, 14 2B, 11 HR, 17.6 BB%, 14.5 K%, 19-22 SB) leads a four-man position player transfer class which will bolster the lineup, plus four talented freshmen, led by SS J.D. Stein and C Andrew Costello. It’s Wake, so they of course lost a pair of arms to the draft, but 40 combined starts return plus they added a big-time transfer in SO RHP Cameron Bagwell (UNCW; 9-2, 3.07 ERA, 85.0 IP, 4.9 BB%, 17.8 K%), so the weekend rotation is set. With so many returning arms, not a single transfer pitcher was brought in, so instead the Deacs will build for the future with six freshman arms, including a pair of flamethrowers in RHPs Evan Jones and Marcelo Harsch. This is a Regional host caliber squad.
Pitcher to know: JR RHP Brett Renfrow (3-7, 3.89 era, 74.0 IP, 10.2 BB%, 25.3 K%)
What to know about this team: Eight of 12 players with 100+ PA last year are gone, including the Hokies top four HR guys, so the lineup will be in rebuild mode. Four transfer bats will immediately plug into the lineup and the four-man freshman class has some talent, but it’ll be an uphill climb to find the same level of production as last year’s group. Brett Renfrow returns as the ace of the staff, and while the next four highest innings totals from a year ago are gone, the aggregate of this year’s group may end up better as all four of those had ERAs over 5.35. The transfer class of arms won’t be as impactful as the transfer class of position players, but there is talent, headlined by JUCO transfer JR RHP Aiden Robertson (Walters State CC; 13-1, 4.12 ERA, 89.2 IP, 8.1 BB%, 33.8 K%), who was selected in the 13th round of last year’s draft by the Rangers but chose to attend VT instead. John Szefc coached squads are always tough outs, so expect this squad to be better than the sum of their parts.
Miami
2025 Record: 35-27 (15-14 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 34
Game Date(s): May 1-3, home
Hitter to know: JR 3B Daniel Cuvet (.372/.450/.708, 20 2B, 18 HR, 11.2 BB%, 19.0 K%, 6-7 SB)
Pitcher to know: SO RHP A.J. Ciscar (6-2, 4.46 ERA, 5.5 BB%, 22.4 K%)
What to know about this team: Scoring runs shouldn’t be an issue for an offense that returns their four best hitters from last year among their six returning starters, plus adds a slew of instant-impact transfers including former NC State player JR C Alex Sosa (.291/.401/.534, 16 2B, 10 HR, 14.6 BB%, 22.1 K%, 0-0 SB). That’s not even getting into a talented freshman class, which might not factor much this year but – assuming they stay in Miami – will have the Hurricanes set up well for 2027. The pitching staff has to replace seven of ten arms that tossed 20.0+ innings last year, but may actually upgrade at closer despite losing Brian Walters and his 11 saves last year to the draft. That’s thanks to the addition of Richmond transfer SR RHP Ryan Bilka (6-2, 3 SV, 2.18 ERA, 62.0 IP, 5.3 BB%, 23.5 K%), the most impactful of six transfer arms. That transfer class isn’t going to be enough to overcome the attrition on the mound, so if Miami is going to capitalize on their excellent lineup, they’re going to need contributions from the six-man freshman class of pitchers. This team could be anything from a Regional host to a Regional 3-seed.
Stanford
2025 Record: 27-25 (11-19 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 52
Game Date(s): May 8-10, away
Hitter to know: SO OF Tatum Marsh (.377/.459/.526, 13 2B, 3 HR, 5.2 BB%, 11.3 K%, 4-10 SB)
Pitcher to know: JR RHP Aiden Keenan (2-3, 5.59 ERA, 37.0 IP, 8.8 BB%, 26.9 K%)
What to know about this team: Can this team end the odd two-year skid following three consecutive CWS appearances? The lineup returns all but two of the significant pieces from last year, which is a solid base to build from. Only two transfer position players were brought in and neither played much last year at their prior school, but they offer significant upside. The higher upside is the six-man freshman class of position players, led by OF Brock Ketelsen (.328/.467/.458, 5 2B, 2 HR, 17.5 BB%, 11.4 K%, 35-38 in the WCL last summer). Ketelsen is a two way player, and it’s as a LHP that he’ll likely make his biggest impact this year, potentially even in the starting rotation. That’s because the entire starting rotation is open after last year (one lost to graduation, one to transfer, and one to Tommy John Surgery), but the team returns 13 of the 16 players who toed the rubber for the Cardinal last year (okay, only 12 will be available this year). It’s a deep and talented group that will be supplemented by the 7-man freshman class. This team has major upside if the weekend rotation can be worked out.
North Carolina
2025 Record: 46-15 (18-11 ACC) | 2025 RPI: 9
Game Date(s): May 14-16, home
Hitter to know: JR 2B Gavin Gallaher (.325/.409/.603, 13 2B, 17 HR, 11.7 BB%, 16.0 K%, 5-7 SB)
Pitcher to know: SO RHP Ryan Lynch (5-1, 2 SV, 2.93 ERA, 61.1 IP, 9.4 BB%, 27.2 K%)
What to know about this team: Seven of nine starters are gone and are replaced by a really strong seven-man transfer class, led by JR OF Owen Hull (George Mason; .367/.474/.557, 15 2B, 8 HR, 13.8 BB%, 15.4 K%, 42-48 SB). The Tar Heels have to replace 2025 ACC Pitcher-of-the-Year Jake Knapp and fellow starter Aidan Haugh, but return all nine other pitchers who tossed double-digit innings last year. Ryan Lynch will join returning starter JR RHP Jason DeCaro (9-3, 3.78 ERA, 83.1 IP, 7.3 BB%, 19.7 K%) in the rotation, but figuring out the third starter spot will be the key to how good this team ends up being. SO RHP Walker McDuffie (3-3, 7 SV, 3.74 ERA, 55.1 IP, 11.1 BB%, 31.9 K%) will anchor a deep bullpen. This team will be a Regional host if the transfer bats (there are no new transfer pitchers) come together.
Julia Muehlbacher of Team Austria jumps during a Women's Normal Hill training session on February 06, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy ; Dominik Paris of Team Italy during the Downhill Training on February 6, 2026 in Bormio, Italy.
Alex Pantling/Getty ; Frank Heinen/VOIGT/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics kicked off on Feb. 6 and will feature several returning sports
In addition to traditional events, the Games will also introduce the new sport of ski mountaineering
Many women's and team events have also been added to existing sports
The 2026 Winter Olympics is introducing the first new sport in nearly three decades!
In addition to adding various medals and events within existing sports, the Olympics added ski mountaineering to its roster for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. The sport, which is also called "skimo," is a combination of mountain climbing and skiing.
While ski mountaineering is the only official new sport, the 2026 Games also introduced a variety of medal opportunities in the men's, women's and team categories for a number of existing sports. Between the new sport and fresh events, there are a total of 10 additional medals up for grabs.
Here's everything to know about the new sport and medal events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Ski mountaineering
Vertical Race takes place during the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup Comapedrosa Andorra 2026 on January 25, 2026 in Arinsal, Andorra.
Martin Silva Cosentino/NurPhoto via Getty
Ski mountaineering is the only new sport to join the 2026 Winter Olympics. The sport, which is also referred to as "skimo," is a skiing event that combines climbing and skiing on mountains.
Athletes must maneuver through the challenging rugged course while attaching and unassembling their skis over and over again.
"The concept of ski mountaineering is fairly simple: Competitors climb up a mountain on skis and by foot, then descend on skis. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins," Team USA wrote in a description. "Athletes follow a designed course throughout the race, and they must navigate terrain that is more rugged than that in a traditional cross-country or alpine ski race."
The 2026 Olympics will include three medal events within ski mountaineering: men's sprint, women's sprint and mixed gender relay. The sprints will cover over 250 feet of elevation where athletes will race up and down the designated course in just a few minutes.
Meanwhile, the mixed gender relay occurs on a longer course of around 500 feet and features one male and one female athlete taking turns running the course.
The ski mountaineering competitions will be held in the Valtellina Valley town of Bormio, which is the same location as alpine skiing. The sprints are scheduled for Feb. 19, while the mixed gender relay will take place on Feb. 21. Team USA has two athletes, Anna Gibson and Cam Smith, who qualified in December 2025 for both the mixed gender relay team and individual sprints.
Freestyle skiing – men's and women's dual moguls
Birk Rudd of Team Norway during Freeski Slopestyle training before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games on February 06, 2026 in Livigno, Italy.
Ian MacNicol/Getty
Freestyle skiing has been an Olympics medaling sport ever since it was introduced in the 1992 Albertville Winter Games, but it has expanded with two medal events — men's and women's dual moguls — for 2026.
Unlike traditional moguls in freestyle skiing, the dual moguls feature a total of 30 athletes broken down into brackets of two athletes competing side-by-side at a time. In every bracket, the two designated skiers directly compete against each other as they perform tricks and run down the set course.
After they embark on simultaneous runs, the skiers are judged against each other on the same factors as traditional moguls — including turns, speed and air. The winner is determined by judges — who all have five votes they can divide between the athletes — and whomever has the most votes moves on to the next round.
For the Milan Cortina Olympics, the same athletes will be competing in both traditional moguls and dual moguls, so all 30 qualified competitors have two chances to win a medal, per NBC Olympics. The Team USA mogul skiers include Olivia Giaccio, Tess Johnson, Jaelin Kauf, Liz Lemley, Charlie Mickel, Nick Page, Dylan Walczyk and Landon Wendler.
The women's dual moguls finals are scheduled for Feb. 14 and the men's finals are slated for the following day, Feb. 15.
Luge – women’s doubles
Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal during the Luge: World Cup on January 24, 2026.
Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty
Another medal event that viewers will witness for the first time is the women's doubles luge. The sport has been a staple at the Winter Olympics ever since the 1964 Games and included men's singles, women's singles and doubles.
Although women were not explicitly ineligible from the doubles portion of the event, no women had previously competed, and it had traditionally been a men's event.
The women's double luge will resemble the men's in that two athletes will team up and lie on their back while riding a single sled and steering it with their bodies at extremely high speeds. Similar to other luge events, the team with the lowest cumulative time after two separate runs wins.
The Cortina Sliding Centre, which will host bobsleigh, skeleton and luge competitions ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games on December 11, 2025.
Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP via Getty
Skelton, the high-speed sledding event where athletes lie on their stomach and race head-first down an icy course, was first introduced in the Winter Olympics in 1928 but wasn't included as an official sport until 2002, with both men's and women's events.
For the first time since then, skeleton has launched a mixed team relay. The new event features pairs made up of one man and one woman from the same country. In a single heat, the woman will begin the course before the man immediately follows.
Both individual times are combined into a final team time, and the lowest time among competitors wins. Team members Mystique Ro and Austin Florian will be competing on behalf of the U.S. on Feb. 15.
Ski jumping – women’s large hill
Women's Normal Hill training session before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games on February 06, 2026 in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
Maddie Meyer/Getty
Another sport that has added a women's event is the large hill ski jumping program. The men's large hill event has been a signature sport at the Games ever since the inaugural Winter Olympic Games in 1924.
The men's normal hill event was later added in 1964, and the women's portion of that competition emerged in 2014. However, the women's large hill event was absent until the 2026 Games.
The women's large hill ski jumping event features female athletes launching themselves from a large ramp (around 400 feet tall). A panel of judges determine the winners based on several factors, including distance, speed and style.
Annika Belshaw, Paige Jones and Josie Johnson will compete in the inaugural ski jumping event with Team USA on Feb. 15.
Alpine skiing – team combined
Jeffrey Read of Team Canada during the Men's Downhill training before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 06, 2026 in Bormio, Italy.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty
Alpine skiing, which has been part of the Olympics since 1936, introduced a team combined medal event in 2026.
The team event consists of two athletes working together to race two runs: a downhill and a slalom. One member of the team races the downhill, while the other takes on the slalom. The pair with the fastest cumulative time takes home the gold.
The new event replaced the super combined event, which showcased just one athlete competing in both portions of the race. The 2026 Olympics will include an event for both women and men's teams.
The men's inaugural event, which took place on Feb. 9 at the Stelvio Ski Centre, resulted in Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen and Tanguy Nef winning gold. Team USA duo Kyle Negomir and River Radamus competed and placed 16th.
Meanwhile, the women's events, held on Feb. 10, will feature Team USA pairs Breezy Johnson and Mikaela Shiffrin, Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan and Keely Cashman and AJ Hurt.
Photo by Rich Storry/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images
Scottie Scheffler is currently dominating golf, as the sport looks for the next big name who can challenge the world number one.
Tiger Woods needed his Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia to push him to greatness, and Scheffler equally needs rivals to contend with him week in, week out, for the good of the sport.
Shockingly, the player who is currently taking on this role isn’t Rory McIlroy or Jon Rahm, but Chris Gotterup. The 26-year-old has won two of his three starts early in the PGA Tour season and has risen to the top five in the official world golf rankings.
But PGA Tour veterans Tommy Fleetwood and Tony Finau have chosen two different young tour rookies who they believe can be ‘special’ in the future.
Photo by Rich Storry/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images
Tony Finau and Tommy Fleetwood say Neal Shipley and Luke Clanton will be ‘special’
Six-time PGA Tour winner Finau has identified two talents on the PGA Tour who he thinks will be special, and Fleetwood agrees.
After playing against them on TGL, he predicts a bright future for both Neal Shipley and Luke Clanton. When asked what advice he would give to them, Finau said, “I would just say keep doing what they’re doing.
“They’ve gotten their careers off to a great start. The only thing they’re looking is the experience, but these young guys, what I’ve learned from a lot of these guys coming out of college, they’re not afraid of the spotlight. They’re not afraid to win. They’re not afraid to play well and be the star.
“From what I’m seeing from Luke and Neal, I think they’re great kids. I can call them that because they’re younger than me. They’re in their 20s. But they’re great guys, and they have games to back it up.
“I think they are both going to be special players on the PGA TOUR, and I don’t know that I would really share anything with them other than you guys, make sure you have good people around you to guide you down your path onward to success.”
Fleetwood added, “Yeah, I agree with Tony. I think the most important thing for those guys is to keep doing what they’re doing, and in no time, I think there’s just so many examples of — a lot of us have done it, but go searching for something that you feel like you want or lack in detriment to what you’ve already got. They’ve got so much.
“You see them, it’s amazing watching them play golf. They’ve got such a great attitude and passion for the game. I think just always protect that. It’s great watching young players like that with the fire in them and how much they love it. As long as they protect that, they’ll be fine.”
Neal Shipley and Luke Clanton endure difficult starts to rookie PGA Tour seasons
Shipley was first thrust into the limelight when he played a round with Tiger Woods at Augusta National as an amateur. He impressed at his first Masters, making the cut and finishing T53, but it’s not been the start to his first full PGA Tour season that he’d have hoped.
Shipley missed the cut at his first three starts of the season, but the WM Phoenix Open saw a slight improvement in form. The popular American made the cut and finished T68 to claim his first paycheck of the season.
Clanton has had no such luck so far. He’s yet to make a cut, missing the weekend at the Sony Open and the Farmers Insurance Open, and he withdrew from the American Express.
Both need to improve their form if they want to retain their tour cards in 2027.
Feb 25, 2021; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; A general view from the left field corner of Clover Park during New York Mets spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
This post is part of a series of daily questions that we’ll ask the community here at Amazin’ Avenue throughout the month of February. We hope you find the questions engaging and that our prompts can spark some fun conversations in the comments. We’ll see you there and plan to have staff chiming in, too.
What are your favorite and least favorite things about spring training?
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Mike Macdonald of the Seattle Seahawks looks on from the field prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 26, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There was much debate over whether or not the Tennessee Titans should hire an offensive minded or defensive minded head coach. After interviewing nearly 20 candidates, it was announced the Titans were going with Robert Saleh on January 22nd. Roughly two weeks later, defensive coaches took center stage in Super Bowl LX.
Both the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots feature defensive-minded head coaches in Mike Macdonald and Mike Vrabel. It was Macdonald’s Seahawks who dominated, winning Super Bowl LX 29-13. And with that, the Titans’ decision to hire Saleh indicates they are moving in the right direction.
The NFL is a copycat league. Macdonald became the first defensive play-caller to win a Super Bowl. Naturally, Saleh has already announced his intention to call defensive plays for the Titans.
The Titans have an ascending franchise quarterback in Cam Ward. The thought behind hiring an offensive-minded coach was to prioritize his development. The Titans ultimately went with the best leader in Saleh, in an attempt to course-correct the Vrabel-Brian Callahan mistake.
Saleh, like Macdonald and Vrabel, will be tasked with ensuring his team has the right offensive system in place to support the quarterback. Hiring Brian Daboll as OC was a home-run for Ward’s development. All defensive coaches encounter challenges here. Macdonald is about to lose his OC Klint Kubiak, forcing him to hire his third coordinator in as many seasons. Vrabel was fortunate to be saddled with Josh McDaniels.
Defenses dominated Super Bowl LX. Both head coaches were of that variety. Their offensive coordinators are current/former head coaches in Kubiak and McDaniels. Saleh should have a similar set-up with Daboll on his staff.
The Titans fired Vrabel and also interviewed Macdonald before hiring Callahan. Those are tough truths to swallow. But as Tennessee moves forward under Mike Borgonzi, appointing Saleh should come with promising returns.
Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea show off their gold medals on Feb. 8, 2026 in Milan.
Elsa/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Danny O'Shea and Ellie Kam tell PEOPLE about their hard-earned road to Olympic gold
The pair talk about how they didn't let O'Shea's broken foot or Kam's concussion get in their way
The pair won gold in the figure skating team event on Feb. 8
Just several months ago, Team USA figure skaters Danny O’Shea and Ellie Kam’s dreams of winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics were in jeopardy.
O’Shea, 34, was fresh off surgery for a broken foot — and as soon as he returned to the ice, Kam, 21, suffered a major concussion when she fell to the ice on her head, leaving her sidelined for a month. Still, the duo persevered, and on Feb. 8, took home a gold medal in the team event, proving that sometimes, believing in yourself is the best medicine.
“This whole season has been a lot of ups and downs for both Danny and I,” Kam, 21, tells PEOPLE at the Starbucks Winter House on Monday, Feb. 9 after their win. “We had a lot of injuries in the offseason and coming into this year, you know what it would mean to perform well and make it to an Olympic team and have the chance to represent the country. You want that so bad… and at times it felt like we were so far away from that end goal, and it felt like we were getting farther instead of closer.”
The pair’s roller coaster journey first started to go off the rails in March, when O’Shea broke his foot doing off-ice jumps just 48 hours before he and Kam left for the 2025 World Championships. They finished seventh, which helped earn Team USA a third Olympic spot in Milan, but O’Shea had to undergo surgery afterward, and needed two plates and 11 screws, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
Then, on July 18, just weeks after O’Shea returned from his injury, Kam suffered one of the worst concussions of her life when she fell on her head during practice, which kept her off the ice for a month. She and O'Shea were forced to pull out of a major opportunity in August, and withdrew from a competition in New York in September. The two weren't back on the ice competing at a top level until October — just four months before the Olympics.
“[Talk about] resilience. Not just pure hard work, but overcoming another roadblock, another roadblock, another roadblock. We got disheartened for sure,” O’Shea tells PEOPLE. “But [we were] not allowing that to stop us from continuing forward.”
Kam adds that she and O’Shea, who have been skating together since 2022, kept their eyes on the prize, and maintained a positive attitude despite all that life threw at them.
Danny O'Shea and Ellie Kam skating on Feb. 8, 2026.
Matthew Stockman/Getty
“I think that we did such a good job at staying together as a team and trusting the process. We had a competition that was really rough in the beginning, but I think that that was all just part of the plan,” she says. “In order to get to the high point of success, you have to go through the nitty-gritty, the dirty… It just makes me even more proud of wearing this medal around our neck, because I know what type of work it has taken us to get here. We worked so hard.”
The two were a major part of Team USA’s team event win, earning seven team points for their pair skating routine. They ultimately took home medals alongside teammates Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Ilia Malinin.
O'Shea and Kam will aim to add to their medal collection on Monday, in the final night of the pairs skating competition.
To learn more about all the Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, come to people.com to check out ongoing coverage before, during and after the games. Watch the Milan Cortina Olympics and Paralympics, beginning Feb. 6, on NBC and Peacock.
Another weekend, another win for Liam Rosenior, who now has seven from his first nine games as Chelsea boss.
The team haven't been convincing in all of them - in fact, you could argue they're yet to put in a full 90-minute performance with the new manager in charge. But the victory over Wolves showed all of the same positives we've seen developing over the last month, with new ones added.
Joao Pedro continues his improved form, this time with two penalties won rather than a goal. Building on that existing trend was his increased chemistry with Cole Palmer. Not only was Palmer the man who put both spot-kicks away, but he also showed more understanding of his team-mate's movements in open play.
More fluidity and conviction in attack was what everyone was asking for, and on Saturday they got it - at least in the first half, before Chelsea eased off in the second period. The Andrey Santos and Moises Caicedo double-pivot has already added a lot of fortitude to the shape, as has the Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah pairing at the back. Robert Sanchez has been given more protection by the block of four ahead of him, and has responded with good form of his own.
If that solid spine can keep up their good performances and the attack continues to develop ahead of them, there's no telling where this season could end up. The Blues have closed the gap at the top of the Premier League table and qualified for the Champions League knockouts.
After facing Leeds and Hull City, they also reach their first free midweek since Rosenior came in, with an international break in March also on the horizon. That provides even more opportunity for performances to catch up with results, and for the positive mood at Stamford Bridge to continue to grow.
The year didn't start too favourably for the Cherries as they had to accept life without their star man, Antoine Semenyo, after the big boys at Manchester City came calling.
Therefore, it was time for Bournemouth's recruitment team to find a new star for the south coast faithful to enjoy.
Step forward, Rayan - a teenage Brazilian, brought in from Vasco Da Gama - a lad who had received plenty of praise for his showings at such a young age in his native country.
A direct and aggressive attacker who can play anywhere in the frontline was just what the doctor ordered for the Cherries, and he was exactly the mould of player that head coach Andoni Iraola would have wanted, ensuring that he would undoubtedly be thrilled to have him at his disposal.
He was first utilised as an impact sub at Wolves, having just arrived at the club, and he got Bournemouth fans off their seats in an instant, with a powerful run seeing Rayan lay the ball on a plate to the oncoming Alex Scott to seal the points and his first assist.
Andoni obviously saw enough to then start the Brazilian star-boy in the next game at home to Aston Villa, and boy did he deliver. A display full of energy, confidence and flair was rounded off by a superb goal on his home debut, the perfect way to introduce yourself to the home supporters.
There is clearly a lot to get excited about, and the ceiling feels remarkably high, with a £100m release clause reportedly set in his Bournemouth contract, solidifying that narrative.
With those rousing Brazilian vibes now spreading across the south coast, the Cherries could well be in for a thrilling end to the season, so watch this space!
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 8: A detailed view of the patches worn on the jersey of Chris Stoll #41 of the Seattle Seahawks prior to the NFL Super Bowl LX football game against the New England Patriots at Levi's Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Here’s a list of the current Nittany Lions in the NFL listed by 53-man roster:
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane attends the team's training session at the Saebener Strasse training ground ahead of the UEFA Champions League soccer match against PSD Eindhoven. Sven Hoppe/dpa
Bayern Munich are in “intensive talks” with star striker Harry Kane over his future but proper renewal talks are yet to take place, board member for sport Max Eberl said on Tuesday.
Kane, 32, came to Munich in 2023 from Tottenham Hotspur and has a contract until 2027. The England captain has scored 123 goals in 129 matches for the Bundesliga champions and leaders.
Kane has said on several occasions that he and his family feel very much at home in Munich and that there was no need to rush into contract talks.
News reports have spoken of interest from Saudi Pro League clubs and Eberl was asked about Kane's situation on the eve of Bayern's German Cup quarter-final against RB Leipzig.
"We're talking, that doesn't mean negotiations have started. We're in intensive talks with Harry, then the next steps will follow," he said.
Eberl didn't want to comment on the rumours, saying: “All I can say is that we are in close contact with Harry regarding him and our success.”
Eberl was also asked about veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Dayot Upamecano whose contracts expire in summer.
"Manu turns 40 in March and then we'll see at the end of the season what happens next," Eberl said of Neuer, who is yet to decide whether he wants to continue or not.
Long talks with France defender Upamecano appear to have been successful and that his decision would also affect Bayern's summer transfer activities.
"With Upa we're getting closer and closer," Eberl said. "If it works out with Upa, we know we're well set in the defence for next season.
"And then we know we may not have to make an external transfer in this position. Then we could have more chances in another position."
You’ve reached the Derek Carr portion of the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason. The veteran signal-caller entered the purple rumor mill this week after reports indicated that the 34-year-old may want back in the big leagues.
It’s probably smoke, but Carr’s name fits the offseason carousel: a veteran bridge, a familiar resume, and a reasonable price tag.
Needing a quarterback to partner with J.J. McCarthy in 2026, the Vikings, in theory, could explore what it would take to pry Carr away from the New Orleans Saints, who still own his contractual rights. Carr previously retired last May.
Derek Carr Pops Up in the Vikings’ 2026 Quarterback Carousel
Every avenue at QB has been exhausted for the Vikings’ rumor mill this offseason, and we’re only a month in.
as Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr celebrates a first-half touchdown at Allegiant Stadium on Dec 18, 2022, in Paradise, Nevada, as the Raiders built early momentum against the New England Patriots. Carr’s reaction captured the offensive rhythm of the afternoon inside the domed venue during a critical late-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Carr Could Reenter NFL
Carr will be a name in the quarterback carousel this offseason. NFL.com reported Monday, “As quarterback injuries mounted this season and into the playoffs, teams conducted due diligence on Carr, trying to gather information as to whether the former Saints franchise passer would consider coming out of retirement, sources tell The Insiders.”
“The Bengals, for instance, contacted Carr after Joe Burrow went down with his turf toe injury. That work continues, and an offseason of quarterback uncertainty — with limited options in free agency, trades and the draft — makes Carr a possible solution in the right situation.”
Carr started 10 games for the 2024 Saints, fired up a 15-touchdown to 5-interception split, and his team finished 5-5 on his watch.
NFL.com continued, “The Saints still hold Carr’s rights, though Tyler Shough’s impressive rookie season, the amicable end to Carr’s time in New Orleans and the way the sides worked through any salary-cap issues add up to his tolled contract being an unlikely hurdle in the process.”
“The Saints could ask for compensation in a trade, though the price surely wouldn’t be an unreasonable ask for a player who has no future in New Orleans.”
The Vikings’ Would-Be Interest
There is no explicit interest from the Vikings in Carr; we haven’t reached that juncture of the offseason. That’s a few weeks away, if any.
But that didn’t stop Vikings-themed websites and voices from running with the Carr-to-MIN theory. For example, Minnesota Sports Fan‘s Eric Strack wrote, “Obviously, Cincinnati won’t be a landing spot for Derek Carr anymore. But I know a place that would be. Out of all the quarterbacks the Vikings could go for, Carr might be the best realistic option, if he really is as healthy as Rapoport claims he is.”
“The Vikings have made it abundantly clear to other teams and NFL insiders that ‘all bets are off’ this offseason, in their search for a veteran quarterback. And if you put Carr up against Kirk Cousins or Mac Jones… he might be the best of all three options.”
Vikings-oriented social media accounts, especially on X, ran with the Carr idea.
#Saints QB Derek Carr could unretire if the right situation and coaching staff presents itself, per @RapSheet.
NJ.com‘s Chris Franklin named the Vikings and the Dolphins as two clubs that express interest in Carr. He noted on Minnesota, “Another team to watch would be the Minnesota Vikings. Last year’s starter J.J. McCarthy struggled mightily, completing just 57.6% of his passes for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.”
“Vikings head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O’Connell will need to boost his offense to not only keep him off the hot seat but also to maximize the talent of wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who had career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and touchdowns (two). The Vikings would also have to hope their banged-up offensive line, including left tackle Christian Darrisaw and center Ryan Kelly, remains healthy.”
Carr’s Career Resume
Scaled to a 17-game season, Carr’s numbers, on average, look like this since his career began in 2014:
4,148 Passing Yards
26 Passing TDs
11 INTs
65.1% Completion
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr reacts after securing an overtime victory on Nov 20, 2022, at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, following a hard-fought divisional battle against the Broncos. The moment reflected relief and emotion after a tense finish that extended the contest beyond regulation. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s worth noting that the average includes his prime years; Carr will be 35 when the 2026 regular season begins.
Here’s his NFL ranking per season in EPA+CPOE in the last decade:
With that efficiency, Carr would likely drag Minnesota to the postseason but stumble before the Super Bowl — a story fans know too well.
Just Another Name in the Hopper
For now, Carr is just another name for the Vikings to consider in an offseason when they want to sign or trade for an extra quarterback. McCarthy will need an insurance policy or outright competition. Carr can provide either.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr celebrates after the final whistle on Nov 3, 2019, at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California, following a win over the Detroit Lions. The postgame scene captured Carr’s emotion amid the home crowd during the franchise’s final season before relocating to Las Vegas. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.
The annoying part of the blooming Carr sweepstakes is the Saints’ control. His next team must work out terms to take him away from New Orleans, and that might involve a draft pick. Most expect that draft capital to be negligible — like a 6th- or 7th-Round selection — but it won’t be as easy as signing Carr from free agency. The Saints hold the cards.
Carr has thrown for over 4,000 yards in a season four times.
Minnesota will operate this offseason, at least for a while, without an official general manager after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired on January 30th. Rob Brzezinski holds an interim title, and he’s worked for the Vikings since 1999.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 11: Caleb Durbin #21 of the Milwaukee Brewers is hit by a pitch in the fifth inning against the Washington Nationals at American Family Field on July 11, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Who is he and where did he come from?
Caleb Durbin is an infielder who played college baseball at D-3 Washington University (in St. Louis) and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 2021 draft. He was traded from Atlanta to the Yankees after the 2022 season for Lucas Luetge, and then again to Milwaukee after the 2024 season as part of a package that landed Devin Williams. A year later, Durbin comes to the Red Sox from the Brewers, along with fellow infielders Anthony Siegler and Andruw Monesterio and the 67th draft pick (Comp B), in return for pitchers Kyle Harrison and Shane Drohan, and infielder David Hamilton.
Is he any good?
It depends on where you’re setting your expectations. If you’re looking for the middle-of-the-order power bat that Craig Breslow stressed was a top need on multiple occasions, you’re not going to find that with the 5’7”, 183 lb. Durbin.
What you will find is someone with an average-to-plus hit tool, who can make the plays defensively at multiple positions, with a lot of speed on the bases. Durbin slashed .256/.334/.387 in his rookie season, with 11 home runs and 18 stolen bases, which led to third place in Rookie of the Year voting.
The ball is usually put into play when Durbin is at the plate. He was one of only five qualified hitters in all of MLB who had less than a 10% strikeout rate (9.9%), but also had just a 21st percentile walk rate (5.9%). On Monday, Breslow noted Durbin’s Air Pull%, which is well above average at 20.4%. For a right-handed hitter at Fenway, that’s never a bad thing, both for home runs and for doubles.
Defensively, Durbin started 119 games at third base, but just three games at second base for the Brewers in 2025. He was a +5 in Defensive Runs Saved at 3B, but was exactly in the middle of the range with a “0” in Outs Above Average on Statcast. He can also play shortstop in a pinch. With an emphasis on a staff filled with groundball pitchers, Durbin should be part of an improvement on the defensive side in 2026.
He’s getting hit by a pitch, something that Durbin can do with the best of them. He led the National League with 24 HBPs a season ago. While that may seem like a flukey stat, there is an art to getting hit by a pitch. If you have ever had a teammate who got hit by a ton of pitches and always found a way to make it look like an accident, you know what I’m talking about. Durbin had double-digit HBPs in each of his three minor league seasons, in significantly fewer plate appearances.
In fact, the Red Sox have brought the top two in HBP over from the NL, as new first basemen Willson Contreras was hit by 23 pitches a year ago. Is it possible that this was intentional?
In Durbin’s case, as mentioned earlier, his 5.9 BB% was in the bottom quarter of the league. But what if you include his 4.7 HBP%? A “walk rate” of 10.6% doesn’t sound so bad, and it’s a higher rate than Durbin strikes out at. In general, hit batsmen happened on 1.1% of the plate appearances in MLB in 2025, and Durbin was drilled at more than 4X that rate.
What’s his role on the 2026 Red Sox?
There were no definitive answers on day one from Red Sox executives, nor Alex Cora. It seems like Durbin would slot in at either second or third base, with Marcelo Mayer playing at the other spot. Upon prospect graduation, the 6’3”, 188 lb. Mayer had a 60-grade arm on Baseball America, where Durbin had a 50-grade arm. My best guess is that Mayer, with more size and a bigger arm, will play third base with Durbin starting at second, a position that he played the majority of the time coming up through the minor leagues. When left-handers are on the mound, Mayer may take a seat in favor of second baseman Romy Gonzalez, which may slide Durbin over to third base on those days. Roster Resource currently projects Durbin to hit seventh in the lineup behind Carlos Narvaez and ahead of Mayer, at least against RHP.
Here for a matter of weeks or months and then gone. They move on to bigger clubs, better leagues, and we become a footnote in their Wikipedia page.
Then one day you're seven pints deep at a wedding and someone you've been seated next to against your will says magic words like "James Maddison, Aberdeen", "Jay Rodriguez, Stirling Albion" or "Kasper Schmeichel, Falkirk" that sets you off. We all have our examples.
Don't fall in love with a loan player. Sound advice, of course. But frankly there aren't enough Barry from Eastenders "we're gonna do it anyway" gifs for how much I'm going to enjoy Jacob Devaney's time at St Mirren.
The 18-year-old Manchester United and Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder arrived in Paisley on deadline day and made his debut 24 hours later against league leaders Hearts.
Man of the match in a 1-0 win. Seventy minutes of composure, maturity and the kind of calmness that suggested he'd been here for months rather than a single Tuesday afternoon. Passing accurately, winning his battles, pressing intelligently. And earning the foul that got Craig Halkett sent off - not a bad first impression.
Then came Friday's cup tie at Airdrie. Nineteenth minute, Mikael Mandron flicks it round the corner, and Devaney curls it into the top corner like he's been doing this his whole life.
The kind of finish that immediately sends social media to the Paul Scholes comparison well. Beautiful technique. We won 2-1 in extra time and he was the story again - partly because that goal was genuinely brilliant, partly because the rest of the game was absolutely dire.
The reality is, he'll go back to Man United in the summer and every indication points to him having a career there. Michael Carrick values youth - we've seen it with Shea Lacey, Ayden Heaven, multiple Fletchers. And Devaney is exactly what United need.
A midfielder who doesn't panic, who receives the ball in tight spaces and plays his way out. Six months in Scottish football will give him that education - physical battles, hostile crowds, teams who'll switch from kicking you to pressing you to playing through you at the flip of a switch.
That's for later, though. Right now he's in the black and white of St Mirren. Quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup to look forward to. A league table to start climbing. Every week he's here is another week we get to watch what he brings.
Which means in 10 years' time we'll all be in the replies to Man United tweets being weird about his time in Paisley. Insisting he learned it all here. Replying to every career milestone with "well actually...". The "bring him home" pleas as he enters the twilight of his career. We'll be those fans. The ones who won't shut up about six months in 2026.
What started as a physical NBA matchup quickly spiraled into chaos Monday night in Charlotte.
The Detroit Pistons’ road game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center devolved into multiple on-court fights midway through the third quarter, resulting in four ejections and a lengthy stoppage of play.
The trouble began with just over seven minutes remaining in the quarter when Hornets big man Moussa Diabate delivered a hard foul on Pistons center Jalen Duren. Words were exchanged almost immediately, and tensions escalated fast.
Duren responded by shoving Diabate in the face. That action brought Miles Bridges into the confrontation, as he shoved Duren in retaliation. Diabate then crossed the line, throwing a punch at Duren and needing to be restrained by teammates and coaches as he continued to pursue him.
Moments later, the situation worsened.
Bridges managed to break free from the crowd and landed a punch on Duren, igniting another flare-up. That’s when Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart sprinted onto the floor from the bench and wrapped Bridges in a headlock, further escalating the brawl before officials and players from both teams finally separated everyone involved.
After officials reviewed the incident and restored order, the NBA handed out swift punishment.
Duren and Stewart for Detroit, along with Bridges and Diabate for Charlotte, were all assessed fighting fouls, which carry an automatic ejection. All four players were sent to the locker room, leaving both teams shorthanded for the remainder of the game.
The altercation marks one of the most heated on-court incidents involving the Pistons this season and could lead to additional discipline from the league office once the NBA reviews the footage.
Suspensions or fines are expected to be evaluated in the coming days.
Feb 7, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) controls the ball while being defended by during the first half at Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Baker-Imagn Images | Aaron Baker-Imagn Images
BYU Basketball is still looking to end a 4-game losing skid as it heads to Waco, Texas to face Baylor on Tuesday night.
BYU has an overall record of 17-6 and is at .500 with a 5-5 in the Big 12. The Cougars most recently played on Saturday at the Marriott Center against the Houston Cougars, losing by a final score of 77-66. Houston was no. 8 at the time of that game, and is now no. 3. BYU was no. 16 but has dropped to no. 22.
The Baylor Bears are 13-10 on the year and 3-8 in conference play. Baylor last played on Saturday at Iowa State (then no. 7, now no. 5) and lost by a final score of 72-69.
BYU and Baylor will be meeting for the 14th time historically, and it’s BYU’s 4th trip to Waco. BYU is ahead by 7-6 in the series. ESPN’s Matchup Predictor favors BYU slightly, giving them a 57 percent chance of winning.
Brahim Diaz answers AFCON pain with renewed impact at Real Madrid
Setback appears to have strengthened the midfielder
Brahim Diaz answers AFCON pain with renewed impact at Real Madrid
Brahim Diaz is rebuilding his confidence at Real Madrid after missing crucial penalty in Morocco’s AFCON 2025 final loss to Senegal.
From AFCON heartbreak to Madrid redemption
Morocco international Brahim Diaz is working to overcome one of the most painful moments of his career, the missed penalty in AFCON 2025 final against Senegal.
The 26 year-old failed to convert stoppage-time penalty in Rabat opting for a Panenka that was saved before Morocco went on to lose 1-0.
After the match, Diaz admitted that his “spirit was hurting” and took full responsibility for the defeat offering public apology to Moroccan fans.
Despite the disappointment, Diaz returned to Spain with positives. He finished the tournament as top scorer becoming the only player to score in five consecutive matches and played a key role in leading Morocco to the final.
Mental strength on display at Real Madrid
Since returning to Real Madrid, Diaz has shown clear signs of mental recovery. Spanish newspaper AS reported that the midfielder has made strong step forward in his mindset and confidence during recent matches.
Reports believe the AFCON setback has made him mentally stronger and his performances appear to support that view.
Diaz has been influential in recent wins over Rayo Vallecano and Valencia playing direct role in key attacking moments.
Against Rayo Vallecano, Diaz came on early as replacement for the injured Jude Bellingham and provided assist for Vinicius Junior before helping create the move that led to Kylian Mbappe converting decisive penalty.
Growing role in Madrid’s attack
Diaz continued his impact against Valencia contributing another key assist as Real Madrid secured their seventh straight league win following earlier defeat to Celta Vigo.
While he started that match on the bench, Diaz later operated on the left wing even though he is often more comfortable on the right.
With Rodrygo unavailable and tactical changes pushing Federico Valverde into midfield, Diaz has found new space to influence games.
According to AS, there is growing belief that Diaz could also be effective playing behind Mbappe using the French striker’s movement to find space and earn more regular starts.
Al Masry coach gives verdict on Chiefs penalty, qualification hopes
Interview
Al Masry boss on Chiefs opener, hopes of sealing progression
Photo: Al Masry SC
Al Masry SC head coach Nabil Kouki has shared his verdict on Kaizer Chiefs' penalty in their 2-1 defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup on Sunday.
The Soweto giants climbed to the summit of the table with the Egyptians' scalp, with one of their goals coming from the spot, thanks to Flavio Da Silva.
Kouki is not convinced with Chiefs' penalty, but refrained from blaming the referee for his team's shortcomings, as he acknowledges the quality Amakhosi showed on the day.
“It was a big game, we knew from the beginning it would be a hard one. The first 15 minutes we were controlling well, passing, taking [control of] the possession until the penalty came - I'm not so convinced about it,” he said.
"But after the penalty we stayed for like 10 minutes absent from the game, then we scored. Unfortunately, we received a goal after five minutes from scoring our equaliser, but we lost the game at the end of the day but we still have the last round to go through.
"I cannot say the referee has the whole responsibility or responsible [for our loss], Kaizer Chiefs made a very good game. But the penalty is a big decision to take, I can see in the pictures that my player put his hands behind his back. But I cannot say the referee took the game from us. Kaizer Chiefs played a good game also.
On qualification hopes ahead of their finale against ZESCO United in Egypt, the Tunisian mentor is optimistic his side can progress to the knockout stages, with Chiefs set to lock horns with Zamalek SC.
“Mathematically, surely we have a big chance to go through. The two teams that we are [up against] are facing each other in the last round, so for us we just need to win. We will see the calculations of how many goals that we will need in the next match,” Kouki added.
Masry sit third with seven points, while second-placed Zamalek have eight points, as table-toppers Chiefs have picked up 10 points.
Athletes from more than 90 countries will compete for Winter Olympic medals in 116 events over 16 days, and USA TODAY is keeping a tally of every nation finishing on the podium. Here's a look at the latest medal standings on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 10, as well as when each medal event will take place.
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
Broadcast coverage of the 2026 Milano Cortino Winter Olympics is airing exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many competitions airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .
What is the medal count at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics?
All data accurate as of Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, at 6:02 a.m.
The Baltimore Ravens have a new defensive playcaller: Jesse Minter, who will bring his aggressive defensive philosophy to the team. Former franchise edge rusher Anthony Weaver will serve as the defensive coordinator.
During Minter's time at Michigan, his unit achieved remarkable success, ranking as the top defense in the country in 2023. They allowed an average of just 247.0 total net yards per game, leading them to a College Football Playoff National Championship. Over his two seasons as defensive coordinator, Minter's defense ranked second in the nation, allowing an average of 268.8 yards per game.
In his first season with the Chargers in 2024, Minter transformed a struggling defense into one of the best in the league, allowing the fewest points and the seventh-fewest passing yards per game. Last season, the Chargers became only the sixth team in history to give up 20 points or fewer in eight road games. Building on the success, the Chargers finished the season ranked fifth in the league for defense. They held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times during the season and tied for third in the league with 19 interceptions. Last season, the Chargers became the sixth team to give up 20 or fewer points in eight road games. As an encore to landing the Ravens job, the Chargers finished the season ranked 5th in the league in defense. The Chargers held opponents to 20 points or fewer ten times down the stretch, tied for third in interceptions with 19.
With the offseason set to begin, we're looking at Minter's new defense in Baltimore compared to the high-powered unit he left behind in Los Angeles.
Ravens defense
Last season, Baltimore finished 24th in total defense, 30th in passing defense, 18th in scoring defense, 30th in total sacks, 18th in total turnovers, and 22nd in turnover differential. The 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate.
DL
Teair Tart logged a Pro Football Focus run defense grade of 70.3 in 2024, good for 13th among all interior defensive linemen with at least 160 plays against the run. Justin Eboigbe had 27 tackles and six sacks.
Travis Jones wrapped his 2025 season with a 79.2 PFF overall grade, the second-highest mark on the defense, behind only All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton. With Nnamdi Madbuike out, John Jenkins parlayed his production into a contract extension. Dre'Mont Jones led all Baltimore defenders in pressures (47), sacks (five), and PFF run-defense grade (81.1). Jones arrived in Baltimore with 26 tackles, including five tackles for loss this season, and came with the idea that he'd flourish with the athletic Ravens front. Fast forward five weeks, and Jones had five QB hits in the Ravens' 24-0 win over the Bengals on Sunday, and his presence has been felt in multiple categories. Before Sunday's matchup with Cincinnati, Jones generated 14 pressures on 140 pass rushes over five games since joining the Ravens at the trade deadline, according to Next Gen Stats via the Ravens' official website, which is tied for the most among all Ravens defenders in that span.
Edge Rusher
Last season under Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers had four players with at least five sacks: Tuli Tuipulotu (13.5), Odafe Oweh (7.5), Justin Eboigbe (6), and Khalil Mack (5.5). Baltimore wants an improved pass rush, and Minter's defense will pressure the quarterback.
Baltimore's 30 sacks were only three more than the franchise record for fewest in a single season (27 in 16 games in 2010). The Ravens were tied for 30th in sacks and 29th in pressure rate. Van Noy, 34, just finished his third season in Baltimore and dropped from 12.5 sacks in 2024 to two in 2025. Mike Green didn't record his first sack until Week 8 and finished with 3.5, the third-most on the team, and his 14 quarterback hits were the second-most. Still, Green logged a fumble recovery, 19 pressures, 10 knockdowns, and five hurries. Entering this season, Tavius Robinson was considered a key component of the Ravens' defense and registered two sacks in his first four games before breaking a foot. Robinson has built a reputation as a dependable run stopper and will enter this offseason looking to secure a new deal.
LB
For the Chargers, Daiyan Henley has become a tackling machine and leader of this group, and was a captain in 2025. And while Troy Dye and Junior Colson are under contract in 2026, Denzel Perryman and Del'Shawn Phillips will both be unrestricted free agents.
Teddye Buchanan ranked fourth among rookie linebackers in PFF grade at 58.4. Roquan Smith just finished a season where he earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod. Smith's team-high 130 tackles (74 solo) ranked 15th in the NFL and 7th in the AFC. He added five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. Simpson logged a career-high 2.5 sacks and recorded 66 total tackles (34 solo), including 2.5 sacks, and one pass defensed in 17 regular-season games in 2025. and finished with seven fewer total tackles than in 2024, while playing 213 fewer defensive snaps.
CB
Cam Hart led the Chargers with 11 passes defended.
Humphrey had the biggest regression, going from an All-Pro season in 2024 to one of the lowest graded players at his position. Down the stretch, the Ravens defense allowed 300+ yard performances to New England's Drake Maye, Green Bay's Malik Willis, and the Steelers' Aaron Rodgers — twice. In the season finale with DK Metcalf serving a suspension, Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers still lit Baltimore up, going 31-for-47 for 294 yards and a touchdown in a must-win scenario.
S
Malaki Starks played the most snaps, with 1065. Starks led the team's rookie class in WAR at 0.099, and he led the team's rookie class in PFF grade at 68.9. Starks, a 2025 first-round pick from Georgia, started 15 of the 17 games he appeared in this season, logging 1,060 defensive snaps (11th), 84 total tackles (49 solo) and four passes defensed, including two interceptions. Starks finished his rookie season with the third-most interceptions and the fourth-most total tackles on the Ravens' defense. Hamilton logged 96 tackles, eight passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and one sack. His ability to be a Swiss army knife is what makes him so valuable. At one point late in the season, Hamilton had played 241 snaps at slot cornerback, 215 snaps at high safety, 200 snaps at outside linebacker, 139 snaps as an edge rusher, 55 snaps at middle linebacker, 38 snaps aligned as a defensive tackle, and 33 snaps at outside cornerback. Alohi Gilman was sixth on the team in tackles with 68, six passes defended, and one tackle for loss.
For the Chargers, Tony Jefferson had 57 tackles, seven passes defended, and four interceptions. Derwin James earned a pair of Second-Team All-Pro honors under Minter, including one in 2024 when Chris O'Leary was his position coach.
Aston Martin unveiled the livery of its 2026 Formula 1 challenger in an event on Monday 9 February in Saudi Arabia.
The AMR26 features the British Racing Green colour scheme that fans have come to expect from the Silverstone outfit, with a matte finish and lime green accents.
While many fans branded the livery as “safe”, it still received a lot of praise. “So they’ve gone matte this year. It's a safe livery but it was already very nice originally so they probably didn’t need to change it much. Little fresh factors but will look good on track imo,” one fan commented on Reddit.
“AM is always just carried by its cool colour,” another fan wrote, while someone else commented: “If it ain't broke, don't fix it, but it's harder to get excited about this or McLaren compared to the new hotness we've been seeing.”
2026 marks the start of Aston Martin’s power unit partnership with Honda. Some fans would have preferred it if the branding of the Japanese manufacturer had been more prominent on the design of the AMR26.
"Was hoping for more Honda branding on spots like the wing, ala the RB16B. The new Honda typeface isn't doing it for me though," one wrote.
Aston Martin AMR26
Aston Martin AMR26
Another fan commented: "I was expecting to see a bit of red since it's Honda, but I'm fine with this car since it looks really nice and one of my favourites this season," and another added: "As an AMR fan who supported them because of the green, I am once again happy that it is indeed green. The new Honda typeface does look like sh*t though. It easily gets lost on the car, which you'd not expect considering the exclusive PU."
The reveal came ahead of the first three-day block of pre-season testing in Bahrain, which will run from 11-13 February.
Cricket’s most profitable tournament began on 7 February in a significantly diminished form, bereft of a major qualifying nation and drama surrounding the single biggest fixture in terms of the potential viewership it can attract.
A complicated mesh of diplomatic disputes among the South Asian nations involved, including co-hosts India, mean the T20 Cricket World Cup begins on Saturday under a shadow of geopolitical turmoil.
It all began with Bangladesh’s withdrawal from the tournament, kicked out by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and replaced by the next-closest team to qualifying in Scotland. Bangladesh had refused to play any of their scheduled fixtures in India and demanded they be moved to co-hosts Sri Lanka, a request that was rejected.
Then, Pakistan announced that they would not play highly anticipated T20 World Cup match against arch-rivals India, due to take place in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on 15 February. No reason was given at the time, but the decision was later confirmed as an act of solidarity with Bangladesh. Pakistan has since reversed its boycott, confirming the match will go ahead this Sunday.
These developments have put the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the centre of a dispute blending geopolitics, commercial power, and long-running grievances about how world cricket is run.
Pakistan’s players unveil ICC T20 World Cup 2026 jersey after their match against Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 1 February 2026 (Getty)
Bangladesh’s withdrawal followed a formal request to move its scheduled matches to Sri Lanka, with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) citing security concerns for its team and fans amid escalating political tensions between it and India.
Relations have dramatically deteriorated in the past 18 months since street protests brought down the Sheikh Hasina regime in 2024 and compelled the former prime minister, an ally of India, to flee to Delhi. India has ignored Dhaka’s requests for Hasina’s extradition to Bangladesh, where she has been found guilty of crimes against humanity.
Since Hasina’s government collapsed, India and India-based rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over the safety of members of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. In December, a Hindu man accused of blasphemy was beaten to death by a mob, triggering protests by Hindu nationalist groups in India.
Against this political backdrop, the Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders released Bangladeshi fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman in January after being instructed to do so by the BCCI.
Bangladeshi authorities responded by banning broadcasts of the IPL in their country.
The BCB then renewed its request for their team’s matches to be shifted out of India.
Bangladesh's Mustafizur Rahman during the T20 World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in Grand Prairie, Texas, on 7 June 2024 (AP)
The ICC rejected the request on the grounds of an “absence of any credible security threat”, and gave Bangladesh 24 hours to confirm its participation.
The Independent understands that no efforts were made to provide proof of the security threat faced by Bangladesh’s team, and when the deadline passed, Scotland were invited to take the vacant place. The governing body said it was keen not to establish “precedents that could undermine the neutrality and fairness of ICC events”.
The Pakistani government reversed its boycott on Monday, clearing the way for the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match against India. The initial boycott followed Bangladesh’s expulsion from the tournament for refusing games in India.
The India-Pakistan fixture has historically been the most-watched and commercially valuable match in global cricket. More than 600 million people watched on the Indian streaming platform JioHotstar when the teams met in last year’s Champions Trophy.
Cricketing ties between the two neighbours have been shaped by decades of conflict. They have not played a bilateral series since 2013, and India have not toured Pakistan since 2008.
Pakistan did not host any touring nations between 2009 and 2019 following an attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore that killed six policemen and two civilians.
Pakistani players have been barred from the IPL since the 2009 Mumbai attacks, which left 174 people dead.
Last year, India refused to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, eventually playing their matches in the UAE.
That led to an agreement stating that when either country hosted an ICC event, matches between them would be held at neutral venues.
India celebrate their Asia Cup Final victory against Pakistan in Dubai on 28 September 2025 (Getty)
Tensions between the neighbours escalated in the wake of a four-day military conflict last April, sparked by a militant attack on tourists in the Indian-administered part of Kashmir.
At the Asia Cup in September, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav declared that his team’s victory in the final was a “perfect reply” to Pakistan.
His team skipped post-match handshakes, later saying: “A few things in life are above sportsman’s spirit.”
Match officials later confirmed the captains had been asked to skip handshakes, prompting protests from Pakistani officials and criticism from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who called the episode “utterly disappointing”.
India refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Naqvi, who is also chief of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as well as the country’s interior minister. It ended with Naqvi walking away with the trophy.
Former PCB chairman Ehsan Mani, who also served as the ICC chief between 2003 and 2006, told the Hindustan Times the latest row about matches between India and Pakistan was likely a fallout from the Asia Cup.
"You've got to look at the background to this,” he said. “I don't think the PCB chairman was happy with the Indian players' refusal to shake hands with the Pakistani players at the Asia Cup, then their refusal to take their trophy from him. You've really got to look at the whole picture; it's not a good relationship between the countries, which is sad, because we always worked very closely with the BCCI, and their attitudes have changed significantly.”
He urged the ICC chairman Jay Shah, who is the son of India’s home minister Amit Shah, to engage with the PCB and the Pakistan government over their stance.
“The PCB is simply going to say that it is following government instructions, the same as India did for refusing to come to Pakistan in the last ICC event,” he said. “And this is all very unfortunate. I do hope that the chairman of ICC, after all, he represents all the countries, including Pakistan, is talking to Pakistan to see how they can overcome Pakistan's position. In fact, he should be engaging not only with PCB but also with the government of Pakistan.”
Taskin Ahmed of Bangladesh celebrates the wicket of Aiden Markram of South Africa during their 2021 ICC T20 World Cup match in Abu Dhabi (Getty)
The ICC responded to Pakistan’s position by calling it “difficult to reconcile” with the premise of global competition.
“Selective participation undermines the spirit and sanctity of the competitions,” it said in a statement and warned of “significant and long-term implications for cricket in its own country”.
While acknowledging the role of governments in national policy, it said Pakistan’s decision wasn’t in the interest of the game or fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.
The Independent has reached out to the ICC, BCCI, BCB, and PCB for comment.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi accused the ICC of mishandling the situation. “It's regrettable that Pakistan won't play India, but I stand behind my government's decision,” he wrote on X.
“This is the moment for the ICC to lead and prove through decisions, not statements, that it’s impartial, independent and fair to every member.”
Former PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the standoff reflected long-standing resentment over how power and revenue were distributed in world cricket. He accused the BCCI, the sport’s wealthiest board, of using its influence to dominate decision-making.
“I’m not a spokesman for the PCB, I’m giving you my view. The PCB consulted the government and they made this decision. There are 10-15 days to go before that match. My sense is that there are negotiations that are taking place, and my hope is that those negotiations will bear fruit,” he said.
Sethi linked Pakistan’s position to wider opposition to the so-called Big Three arrangement, under which India, Australia and England receive the majority of ICC revenue.
“It’s the attitude of the BCCI, that’s the problem. At every stage, they’ve been bullying people,” he said, recalling negotiations during the tenure of former BCCI chairman N Srinivasan.
“Nine members signed on and Mr Srinivasan came to me and said, ‘Why do you want to be left alone, blah blah blah, you will be isolated’, and the rest of it,” Sethi said. He described agreeing to revised revenue terms and an India-Pakistan series that later collapsed. “The contract was fine, but a year later, on the eve of the series, the BCCI, without a word, pulls out,” he recalled. “Can you think of a bigger insult?”
Sethi argued that Bangladesh’s removal had created the conditions for a broader challenge. “They have been treating us very badly. Now that Bangladesh have been snubbed in a sense, we feel there are 400 million people on one side. We can all stand up,” he said. “There may be temporary losses, but at the end of the day, we will get a better, reformed ICC.”
Players have largely deferred to governments and administrators. Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said the boycott was beyond the team’s control.
“Well, they are our brothers. I thank them for supporting us,” he said of Bangladesh. “And it's really sad to see that they are not playing the World Cup.”
The India match, he said, was not in their control. “It was the government's decision.”
Yadav said India would travel to Colombo as scheduled. “We have not refused to play, they have. We’ve booked our flight and we are going,” he said.
Imad Wasim of Pakistan bats during a Men's T20 Cricket World Cup match against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on 9 June 2024 (Getty)
The Pakistan government officially withdrew its boycott Monday evening, ensuring the tournament’s most lucrative fixture proceeds in the Sri Lankan capital.
“What was Bangladesh players’ fault? None. This is politics. Bangladesh has elections on the 12th. After that, you will see a U-turn. There will be a statement saying, ‘Considering public sentiment, cricket shouldn’t suffer, Pakistan will play against India.’ This stance is still about the Bangladesh election only,” he told India Today.
“I’ve been a politician, I’ve contested elections. After the elections, maybe even the military chief will say sport should be kept free of politics and the match should go ahead.”
Former England captain Nasser Hussain questioned whether the ICC had applied its rules consistently.
“If India, a month before a tournament, said 'our government does not want us to play in a country for a World Cup', would the ICC have been so firm and said, 'You know the rules, bad luck, we're knocking you out?'” he asked on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.
Scotland, promoted into the tournament, said preparations had been unusual. “It's been unique circumstances for us. Preparations have been different than other teams. Every opportunity, we want to make most of,” captain Richie Berrington said.
If Pakistan do boycott the match versus India, their opponent will receive two points. They face the Netherlands, USA, and Namibia in their remaining group games. Only the top two teams from each group progress, leaving little margin for error. It’s unclear what would happen if India and Pakistan were drawn to meet in the final.
There’s precedent for teams refusing to play. Australia and the West Indies declined to travel to Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup, while England refused to play Zimbabwe in 2003, citing security concerns. Those teams forfeited the matches but were not fined.
The ICC constitution, however, allows for sanctions where governments interfere in cricket administration and requires boards to operate autonomously.
Zimbabwe were suspended in 2019 on account of government intervention and Sri Lanka lost hosting rights for an Under-19 World Cup four years later following the dismissal of its board.
Cricket analysts say the financial implications of an India-Pakistan no-show will be severe. Former ICC media head Sami Ul Hasan said: “The biggest hit, if the biggest game of the tournament doesn’t take place, will come from media rights.”
The losses will be felt by member boards.
Hasan pointed to the origin of the crisis in the removal of Mustafizur Rahman from the IPL.
“We must remember that this situation arose due to one player’s removal and one administrator’s statement,” he said, referring to comments by BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who at the time blamed “recent developments that are going on all across” – a comment widely understood to refer to the protests by Hindu nationalist groups.
As the T20 World Cup gets underway, the ICC says its priority is the delivery of the tournament. It is calling on all members to protect its integrity.
The World Cup began on 7 February and will conclude on 8 March. Viewers in the UK can watch every game live on Sky Sports. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW.
San Francisco's pitchers and catchers will have their first workout during spring training on Wednesday under first-year manager Tony Vitello.
The Giants' first spring training game is scheduled for Feb. 21 against Seattle at Peoria Stadium in Peoria, Arizona (3:10 p.m. EST).
San Francisco's first spring training home game is scheduled for Feb. 22 versus the Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona. First pitch is slated for 3:05 p.m. EST.
Ahead of pitchers and catchers working out for the first time, San Francisco announced a spring training uniform change in 2026.
Vitello served as Tennessee's head coach from 2018-25 and compiled a 341–131 (125–85 SEC) record.
He guided the Vols to a 2024 national championship, two SEC Tournament titles (2022, 2024), two SEC regular season championships (2022, 2024) and three College World Series appearances (2021, 2023-24).
All 11 Formula 1 teams will each enter one car per day over the first three-day test, which runs from Wednesday 11 until Friday 13 February. Motorsport.com will be on-site to bring you all the latest news and insight from the paddock, as well as live timing.
Cars will hit the track from 10am to 2pm and from 3pm to 7pm local Bahrain time (AST, GMT+3). Here's how teams will split their line-ups across each day, with most teams electing to split their drivers between the morning and afternoon sessions. This overview will be updated.
Bahrain Test 1 Line-ups
Team
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
McLaren
Mercedes
Russell / Antonelli
Antonelli / Russell
Russell / Antonelli
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Sainz / Albon
Albon / Sainz
Sainz / Albon
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Stroll
Alonso
Stroll
Haas
Ocon
Bearman
Bearman / Ocon
Audi
Bortoleto / Hulkenberg
Hulkenberg / Bortoleto
Bortoleto / Hulkenberg
Alpine
Cadillac
The second three-day test will be held the following week from 18-20 February, before the F1 circus travels to Australia for the 2026 season opener on 8 March.
We'll continue to update this as more driver sessions are announced ahead of the Bahrain test.
Teams shook down their 2026 machinery in Barcelona at the end of January.
Teams shook down their 2026 machinery in Barcelona at the end of January.
“Niccolò isn’t leaving. He had already demonstrated his worth last year; he’s one of the players who can complete Roma’s squad. He has great ability to get into the mix and plays excellent football,” said Gian Piero Gasperini about Niccolò Pisilli after the match against Stuttgart, when the transfer window was still open and his permanence was in doubt.
The Giallorossi coach had always highlighted the talent of the 2004-born player, often expressing hope that “he could play and develop at Roma,” but the performances of his colleagues had overshadowed him.
Now, thanks to Manu Koné’s injury, the number 61 is taking center stage, but he’s had to work hard to get this far.
At the start of the season, Pisilli didn’t seem like a good fit for Gasperini. After a few minutes in the opening matchdays, the midfielder made a serious mistake in the Europa League away match against Nice, which cost him his job.
Since then, he’s been on the bench for several seasons, working quietly.
In January, amid speculation about his possible transfer, he steadily gained more minutes, scoring a brace against Stuttgart. Yesterday, in the post-match review of the match against Cagliari, Gasperini gave his final verdict: “Niccolò won back a lot of balls and made very few mistakes, with clarity and quality. He has extraordinary energy, he runs for four.”
Against the Sardinians, number 61 delivered a well-rounded performance.
As reported by SiamoLaRoma.it, Pisilli completed 100% of his tackles (2/2) and intercepted the ball twice. Furthermore, defensively, he recovered the ball eight times and won three of five ground tackles. He also performed well with the ball at his feet: he made one key pass and completed 90% of his attempts (65/72), 47 of which were in the opposition’s half.
He didn’t put his ball-handling skills to the test, attempting only one shot in the 22nd minute of the first half, but Pisilli is proving to be a complete midfielder. Nice is now just a distant memory.
Shortstop is a much deeper position than the rest of the infield positions coming into 2025, with some elite options that should fly off the board in the first round of drafts. If you miss out on studs like Bobby Witt, Francisco Lindor, Gunnar Henderson, or Elly De La Cruz in the first round, fear not; there are a bunch of young and exciting options that we can grab later in our drafts that I feel are primed for a breakout season in 2026. Let’s take a look at the 16th to 30th-ranked shortstops for the 2026 fantasy baseball season.
16) Otto Lopez, Marlins
He qualifies at both 2b and SS after switching positions with Xavier Edwards last year in Miami. Lopez has an interesting combination of power and speed, but last year’s numbers look like they might be close to the ceiling for him. Close, but not necessarily final. Slight improvements in his walk and strikeout rates give me hope that he may have one small step forward coming into his age-27 season. A 20/20 season is very possible, and I’ll take a shot on him over some of the older guys to follow on this list.
Sep 7, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) fields a grounder hit up the middle for the out on San Francisco Giants batter Drew Gilbert (not shown) in the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images
Winn was a hot target last year after posting a .267-15-57-85-11 season as a 22-year-old in 2024. He played most of last year with a torn meniscus in his knee, so I’m willing to buy in on the bounce back. At just 24 years old, with a full-time job and full health, he’s expecting to run more this year. A 20/20 season is very possible, and much like Lopez, I’d much prefer Winn to
18) Willy Adames, Giants
His power numbers didn’t take quite the hit that I expected with the move to San Francisco from Milwaukee, but his batting average bottomed out. We can give him a pass, as the numbers did improve as the season went on, so maybe it was just a period of adjustment. The stolen base total came back to earth as well after a career high of 21 in 2024. He’s a solid bet to repeat the 30 homers and chip in 10 steals or so, with a batting average closer to .245 than last year’s .225
19) Xander Bogaerts, Padres
Another veteran who isn’t quite what he used to be, Bogaerts was having a bit of a rebound season last year before a broken foot ended the campaign early. The 20 stolen bases were a career high, and I don’t think we can expect anything more in that department at age 33. If he can come close to that steal total, the rest of the numbers will all be solid across the board. A .265-15-60-80-15 season is very attainable.
20) Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies
Anybody who bought him last year based on his 2024 numbers was a bit disappointed, to say the least. He had a hip injury that forced him out of games for about a month, and when he was on the field, the only thing that carried over from 2024 was his strikeout rate. He’s still young, so I’m OK buying back in for a bounce back on the cheap. Just don’t expect 30+ home runs. I can see a return to 20+ and an uptick in steals into the double digits. His on-base skills will keep him towards the bottom of the Rockies lineup, which may limit his other counting stats.
Sep 23, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) reacts after hitting a walk off single against the Chicago White Sox during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
He has led the AL in steals for the past two seasons and doesn’t need a full-time gig to pile up steals. He will begin the season getting a decent run at shortstop while Anthony Volpe rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. Once the team is fully healthy, he’ll have to settle for a super utility role. He’s a one-category guy, so you will have to make up for the lost power numbers elsewhere. The Yankees don’t exactly let their players run wild, so he will most likely top out around 30-35 steals. He gives you a ton of roster flexibility on top of those steals, so he’s a nice option at middle infield.
22) Colson Montgomery, White Sox
Montgomery burst onto the scene last year with 21 home runs in just 255 at-bats after his call-up around mid-season. He’ll turn 24 before this season begins, and while he hasn’t peaked yet, he has some work to do before being a true fantasy asset. The power is for real as Monty is a big kid who may eventually move over to third base permanently, but for this year, he should play every day at short. He does qualify for both positions, so he makes for a better option at the thinner 3B spot for this season. He has 30+ homer upside, with a low batting average floor due to his near 30% K rate.
23) Anthony Volpe, Yankees
The good news is that Volpe’s terrible 2025 can be chalked up to him playing with a shoulder injury that required surgery in the offseason. The bad news is he will miss at least a month of 2026 as he works his way back from said surgery. The power and speed are both still there, and he’s still a baby at just 24 years old. Once he returns in May, he should play every day, and he could give us a discount version of what Zach Neto did last year. I’m not counting on it, but I can see 15 homers and 15 steals.
24) Carlos Correa, Astros
Sep 24, 2025; West Sacramento, California, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (1) hits a double against the Athletics in the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Correa has returned to the scene of his former glory days and figures to play every day between 3rd base and DH for the Astros. For this year, he still qualifies at shortstop as well as 3rd, so his position flexibility is nice. He’s just 31, but he seems much older as he has always been an injury risk. We’re not expecting 150 games, but what we can expect is that he will bat in the middle of Houston’s lineup, and he should put up decent, but not spectacular numbers. He’s a pretty unexciting option, who can give you a decent batting average with 15 or so home runs, but not much more.
25) Andres Gimenez, Blue Jays
Gimenez has been trending in the wrong direction for a couple of years now. Last year a couple of injuries knocked him out of Toronto’s lineup for most of April and May and when he returned, he didn’t run very much. He’s still just 27, so I don’t think he’s washed up, but he may fall into a platoon if he can’t improve his numbers against lefties. On the bright side, he would still be on the larger half of that platoon. Double-digit home runs are probably a stretch, but hopefully the 30-steal seasons return. If you can get him super late, he’s worth a shot.
26) Zach McKinstry, Tigers
He’s better suited to be a super utility type of guy rather than an everyday player. He qualifies at SS, 3B, and OF, so he’s a nice piece to have in deeper leagues, but last year very well may be a career year for him. At 31 years of age, I don’t see more growth coming, but he can settle in at around .250-10-50-50-15. Not exciting, but a decent streamer or deep league option.
27) Joey Ortiz, Brewers
Ortiz showed some promise as a rookie in 2024 with 11 homers and 11 steals, but last year he was pretty brutal. He’s a very good defender, so Milwaukee will keep rolling him out there, but I’m not sure how much he will help your fantasy team. He’s not particularly young, but at 2,7 he’s not too old to learn a few new tricks either. He has enough speed that he could chip in upwards of 20 bags if he can improve his on-base numbers, and he has enough pop to chip in 10 homers. Downside is he gets off to a slow start, and the Brewers decide to take a look at newly acquired Jett Williams at short.
28) JP Crawford, Mariners
Mar 9, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop JP Crawford (3) flips the ball for an out against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
He’s playing for a new contract, but at 31 years of age, I’m not sure he has much more left beyond what we’ve seen from him the last few seasons. The problem with Crawford is that his stats have been all over the map for the past three years. He missed some time in 2024 with a broken finger, but he was moved to the bottom of the lineup even before that. He’s a late-round pick that offers little to no upside. He’s the type of guy you can pick up to hold a spot in your lineup while you’re waiting for Anthony Volpe or even Ha-Seong Kim to return from injury.
29) Brooks Lee, Twins
Lee was pretty solid in his first full year in the majors in 2025, posting 16 homers over 139 games, playing all over the infield for Minnesota. He is slated to be their everyday shortstop this season, the position he filled when they dealt Carlos Correia last season. While he’s getting consistent at-bats, he’s worth a fantasy roster spot; it just remains to be seen if he can hold down shortstop for a full season.
30) Brayan Rocchio, Guardians
The Guardians seem to have had about 10 versions of this guy over the last few seasons. You aren’t the only one if you can’t remember the difference between Rocchio, Daniel Schneemann, and Tyler Freeman, etc. He began last season as the starter at short but flopped and was sent down. When he returned, he was a bit better, but nothing exciting. He’s just 25 years old, and he’s slated to be the starter as of right now. He doesn’t have much power, but has enough speed that he could steal 10-15 or so bases with a full season. He’s a deep league option or a streamer at best.
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 29: Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians attends a press conference announcing a new seven-year contract through 2032, which extends the contract by four additional seasons, at Progressive Field, on January 29, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Russell Lee Verlinger/Cleveland Guardians/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Last year, the Guardians completed the largest comeback in MLB history to win the AL Central.
This year, the entire roster is set to return, with several top prospects knocking on the door to debut.
However, the team has slashed payroll by almost $30 million and failed to find a proven centerfielder or a proven right-handed lefty masher for the middle of their order. They also will be without elite closer Emmanuel Clase and up-and-coming young starter, Luis Ortiz, who are likely to be out of baseball entirely after allegedly gambling on the game. Meanwhile, the Tigers have signed Guardians’ nemesis Framber Valdez to pair with Tarik Skubal.
Are you more excited for 2026 than you were for 2025? Why or why not?
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — From political statements to national pride and fearless personas, skeleton racers at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics use their helmets to express themselves.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Curler Rich Ruohonen became the latest U.S. athlete to weigh into domestic politics on Tuesday, condemning immigration sweeps in his home state of Minnesota that is a hotbed for the sport.
Various American athletes at the Winter Games have spoken out over events back home, with skier Hunter Hess labelled a "real loser" by an irritated U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I'd like to say I'm proud to be here to represent Team USA, and to represent our country. But we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention what's going on in Minnesota," said Ruohonen, a 54-year-old personal injury lawyer who works in Minnesota.
"What a tough time it's been for everybody. This stuff is happening right around where we live," he added in a statement at the end of a press conference.
Protests have been taking place around Minnesota after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents killed two U.S. citizens as part of Trump's push against illegal immigration.
"I am a lawyer, as you know. We have a constitution, and it allows us freedom of speech," Ruohonen went on.
"It protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures. And makes it that we have to have probable cause to be pulled over. What's happening in Minnesota is wrong. There's no shades of grey. It's clear."
CURLING STRONGHOLD
Minnesota is a curling stronghold in the U.S. and has produced a number of Olympic competitors including John Shuster, who skipped the men's team to gold at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Ruohonen, an alternate for the men's team, said he was proud of the public expressions in his home.
"I really love what's been happening there now. With people coming out, showing the love, the compassion, the integrity and respect for others that they don't know, and helping them out," he said.
"We love Minnesota for that ... We love our country. We're playing for the U.S. We're playing for each other, we're playing for our family and our friends that sacrificed so much to get here today."
The Olympics, he said, embody the same values as those shown by compatriots in Minnesota.
"What the Olympics means is excellence, respect, friendship. We all, I think, exemplify that. We are playing for the people of Minnesota and the people around the country who share those same values, that compassion, that love, and that respect."
(Reporting by Aadi Nair; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Chelsea facing big change after Paul Green departure
Just two years ago, Chelsea had manager Emma Hayes and director of women's football Paul Green in charge as the Blues continued their dominance in the women's game. However, that has all changed now with the club finally some way off top spot.
Chelsea announced the news of Green's departure yesterday evening, outlining his achievements with the team: "During that time, he played a significant role in the development and growth of the women’s programme, contributing to the establishment of strong foundations and the evolution of Chelsea Women into one of the leading teams in the domestic and European game.
"His commitment, experience and professionalism have been valued across the club, and his work has helped support a sustained period of success and progress for Chelsea Women during which we won 19 trophies."
Of course, it's not known yet the reasons for Green's departure and whether he will end up in a new role soon but his exit coming just over a season and a half after Hayes left the club means that is all change.
Sonia Bompastor did superbly well in her first season with Chelsea, winning a domestic treble. However, this has felt like 'second-season syndrome' by the club's very high standards with Chelsea sitting in third nine points off the top ahead of Sunday's game against a resurgent Liverpool.
Before last weekend's 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur, which came just after news of Bompastor penning a new deal, the Blues had lost two key games first at home to Arsenal and then a bruising 5-1 hammering away to league leaders Manchester City.
The fact that Chelsea have even lost three league games all season is eyebrow-raising considering their recent dominance and that they may need to replace some key players this summer means that the women's team suddenly has an uncertain future.
Leeds United were pleased to welcome members of Marching Out Together to Elland Road for the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Friday.
The clash marked this season's dedicated 'Premier League With Pride' clash, a new initiative representing a move away from a single campaign moment towards a more flexible, year-round approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion, focusing on education, celebration and belonging.
Marching Out Together is the club's official LGBTQ+ supporter's group, which we work together year-round to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in football.
As part of the matchday activities, Mish and Maz, members of Marching Out Together, were interviewed live on Sky Sports to highlight the importance and impact of Premier League With Pride. They spoke to Roman Kemp about the activities and initiative, to watch the video please click here.
As well as this, the pair were interviewed by Bryn Law on LUTV, before meeting more members of the fan group and heading pitchside to welcome the first team to the pitch before kick off.
We can all play a part in reporting homophobic and transphobic abuse or chanting. If you see it, please make sure you challenge it and report it. Football is for everyone.
Paul Wotton has been Torquay United manager since the summer of 2024 [Shutterstock]
Torquay United boss Paul Wotton has been named National League South manager of the month.
Wotton oversaw a run of four wins in five games in January as the Gulls rose to the top of the division.
Torquay won three consecutive away matches including an impressive 2-1 win at then-leaders Hornchurch as Wotton's side overturned a first-half deficit.
They are three points clear at the top of the table, although second-placed Dorking Wanderers and third-placed Hornchurch each have a game in hand, albeit with inferior goal differences.
Wotton was selected ahead of Dorking boss Marc White, Hemel Hempstead Town's Lee Allinson and Chesham United duo James Duncan and Michael Murray.
The Aberdeen victory was a massive shot in the arm for Killie fans and players alike. Defeat at Rangers could have been very different had we kept 11 players on the park.
There is still a general feeling of positivity that hasn't been around for a while - however the St Mirren game on Wednesday is absolutely huge.
Victory would put us just three points behind the Buddies and a few teams in mid-table would start to get very nervous.
Defeat would leave us isolated along with Livingston, but we'll try not to think like that for now.
The early signs are the new guys could make a significant difference, with Findlay Curtis and Joe Hugill likely to be regular starters for us in forward positions.
A win on Wednesday would give us an extra boost for the weekend when Celtic come calling.
I fancy we'll give them a game, plus we are due some favourable VAR decisions against the bigger teams.
Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine
Mikaela Shiffrin's flop in the slalom run cost her and the USA gold in the women's team combined at the Winter Olympics (Stefano RELLANDINI)
Mikaela Shiffrin suffered more Winter Olympic pain on Tuesday after the US ski star failed to claim a medal in the women's team combined, bringing back memories of her disastrous performance at the Beijing Games four years ago.
America's top team were firm favourites to win gold after Breezy Johnson topped the times in the morning's downhill run, but Shiffrin stuttered through her slalom and the pair finished out of the medals, in fourth.
Shiffrin's unusually underpowered display in a discipline she has dominated for years allowed Austria's second-ranked duo of Ariane Raedler and Katharina Huber to claim gold.
"I didn't quite find a comfort level that like allows me to produce full speed, so I'm going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust in the short time we have before the other tech races," Shiffrin told reporters.
She added: "There's something to learn from this day, and I'm going to learn it."
Johnson and Shiffrin, already world champions in the discipline, had a slender lead of 0.06sec over Austria 2's downhill specialist Raedler.
Shiffrin's World Cup form had been so good that the prospect of any other winners seemed impossible, but she was only 15th fastest down the slope in Cortina d'Ampezzo, her flop costing new downhill champion Johnson a second gold medal in northern Italy.
"We already celebrated the medal and when it was silver, it was more than OK," said Huber. "Now it's gold and it's unbelievable."
Shiffrin left Beijing without a single Olympic medal four years ago -- failing to finish three of six races -- and her disappointing display in her favoured discipline came in complete contrast to her form throughout this season.
- Pressure -
The 30-year-old, who previously won Olympic golds in slalom (2014) and giant slalom (2018) and a combined silver in Pyeongchang, has won a record 108 races on the World Cup circuit, including seven of this season's eight slalom races.
But she was a full second slower than Emma Aicher whose session-leading time of 44.38sec gave Germany silver, with Kira Weidle-Winkelmann having raced the downhill.
An American pairing did claim a medal, but it was the USA 2 pairing of Jacqueline Wiles and Paula Moltzan, who took bronze, the latter almost half a second faster than Shiffrin in the slalom run.
There will now be huge pressure on Shiffrin for next week's slalom, the final women's alpine skiing event at this year's Olympics.
Petra Vlhova, Shiffrin's main rival for slalom honours before suffering a knee ligament injury, made her return to competition after two years away but failed to finish her run.
There was also disappointment for Italy as only one of the host nation's four teams managed to complete the race.
Sofia Goggia, the downhill bronze medallist, lost control of her skis and skidded off the piste in the morning, thankfully keeping enough control to not smash into the netting.
And Laura Pirovano's impressive downhill run, the Italian finishing 0.27sec behind Johnson, was for nothing as Martina Peterlini was one of eight athletes to fail to complete the slalom.
The team combined made a successful Olympic debut at the this year's Games, with Switzerland's Franjo von Allmen and Tanguy Nef winning the men's event on Monday.
It comprises two racers from the same nation racing a downhill and a slalom, with the fastest aggregate time earning the gold medal.
Countries are allowed to enter multiple teams in the event, with women's skiing powerhouses the USA, Switzerland, Italy and Austria each having four pairings entered on Tuesday.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The pressure is on Mikaela Shriffrin after her American teammate Breezy Johnson put up another lights-out run down the Olympia delle Tofane in the women’s Alpine skiing team combined event Tuesday morning.
In combined, one teammate skis a run of downhill and the other skis slalom, and the times are added together to produce the team’s result.
Johnson, the gold medalist in Sunday’s downhill and Shiffrin’s teammate in the team combined, performed a near carbon copy of her gold-medal run.
On Sunday, Johnson skied sixth and put down a lightning-fast run with just one early slip as she blazed through the rest of the jumps, twists and glides into the finish, where she pumped her poles knowing she’d likely locked up a medal, and very likely a gold.
On Tuesday, under cloudy skies and fast racing conditions in the Dolomites, Johnson skied 14th and recovered from an early slip near the top of the track, but steadied her skis through the rest of the tricky jumps and steeps in the first half of the run. Then, one of the best gliders in the world did her thing — gliding down to the finish and getting her skis back on the snow in a hurry on the final two jumps, to finish in 1:36.59, about a half-second behind her pace Sunday but good enough for the top spot.
Now it’s up to Shiffrin to solve the Olympic hex that fell over her in Beijing, where she crashed three times in six races and left the Games with no medals for the first time in her career after winning gold in both Sochi in 2014 and Pyeongchang in 2018.
She is the greatest technical skier in history and has won nearly every slalom race she has entered this season. She will enter the race that begins at 2 p.m. local time, with a cushion of .06 hundredths of a second.
Jackie Wiles, who finished fourth in the downhill Sunday was fourth near the conclusion of the downhill competiton. Isabella Wright missed a gate, eliminating her and Nina O’Brien.
Chelsea vs Leeds United: Match Preview, Latest Team News and Score Prediction
Chelsea vs Leeds as context reshapes a familiar Premier League meeting
There are fixtures that arrive with a sense of routine and others that feel quietly loaded. Chelsea against Leeds, under the lights at Stamford Bridge, belongs firmly to the latter. On the surface, this is another midweek Premier League encounter. Beneath it sits a story about momentum, managerial tone and how quickly football narratives can be rewritten.
When these sides last met at Elland Road in December, Leeds United won 3-1, a result that fed into a bleak stretch for Chelsea, just one victory in nine league games and a title challenge that quietly dissolved. Nine weeks later, the landscape looks very different. Chelsea return home reinvigorated, Leeds arrive cautious but defiant, and the meaning of the fixture has subtly shifted.
A change of manager has been central to that transformation. Liam Rosenior has brought a sense of calm authority to Chelsea’s dugout, overseeing four consecutive league wins and guiding the club into the Champions League last 16. Aside from Carabao Cup semi final defeats to Arsenal, the early signs suggest a side rediscovering structure and belief.
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Chelsea resurgence under new direction
Rosenior’s Chelsea feel more measured, less frantic, a team that understands when to control a game and when to accept discomfort. That has translated into points and confidence, particularly at home, where Stamford Bridge has begun to resemble a place of assurance rather than anxiety.
Tonight’s challenge, however, comes with a familiar warning. Leeds have already shown they can hurt Chelsea this season and will take confidence from that December evening. For Rosenior, the task is less about revenge and more about confirmation, proof that this Chelsea can impose themselves even when faced with opponents carrying psychological leverage.
Leeds outlook shaped by survival instincts
Leeds arrive in west London with a different priority. Their campaign has been defined by survival, by the constant arithmetic of the bottom three. A bruising 4-0 home defeat by Arsenal briefly threatened to pull them back into danger, but last Friday’s response, a win over Nottingham Forest, restored breathing room.
Six points clear of the relegation zone, Daniel Farke’s side travel knowing a draw would be useful, a win transformative. Leeds have been stubborn, organised and capable of springing moments of clarity, though their away record remains a concern. They have won just once on the road in the league, a statistic that hangs over this trip like an unspoken doubt.
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Team news adds layers of intrigue
Chelsea’s preparation has been shaped by fitness management rather than crisis. There is optimism that Reece James could return. The captain missed recent games against Arsenal and Wolves with what Rosenior called “a pain management issue”. That problem has eased, although illness may still rule him out.
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Elsewhere, Andrey Santos is available despite limping off late against Wolves, while Filip Jorgensen could return to the matchday squad. Tosin Adarabioyo may not be ready to return from a hamstring issue, though he is back training alongside Romeo Lavia. Jamie Gittens, Dario Essugo and Levi Colwill remain sidelined.
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Leeds, by contrast, are close to full strength. Anton Stach is unavailable with a hip problem, while Pascal Struijk also misses out. Dominic Calvert Lewin and Ilia Gruev are expected to be fit, giving Farke a squad that feels unusually stable at this stage of the season.
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Prediction framed by form and history
Form suggests Chelsea, context urges caution. Leeds have already demonstrated they can disrupt this opponent, but Stamford Bridge has rarely been forgiving to them. Chelsea have not lost at home to Leeds in any competition since December 1999, a run that has outlasted managers, rebuilds and entire squads.
That history, combined with Chelsea’s recent control of matches, points towards a narrow home win. Leeds are likely to compete, to frustrate and to linger, but their away struggles are difficult to ignore.
Barcelona forward’s future at club depends on upcoming presidential elections – report
Marcus Rashford has made the most of his opportunity since joining FC Barcelona on loan from Manchester United in the summer.
The 28-year-old attacker has racked up ten goals and 13 assists from 34 matches in all competitions, despite not always being a regular starter.
The England star’s performances have won over those at Barcelona, so much so that the decision has been made to sign him permanently in the summer by activating the €30 million purchase option.
Uncertainty remains over Rashford’s future
However, according to The Times (h/t SPORT), Rashford’s future as a Barcelona player also depends on the outcome of the presidential elections, which will be held on 15 March.
The outgoing Barcelona board, led by Joan Laporta and with Deco as the top executive in the sporting area, decided to stick to the original plan agreed when the loan from Manchester United was secured.
Will Rashford remain at Barcelona next season? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
If there are no physical setbacks or an unthinkable short-term sporting decline, the club intend to exercise the purchase option, and Rashford would sign a further three-year contract with Barcelona.
They consider that the €30 million, given the player’s performance, represents a market figure that is manageable for the club’s finances.
Rashford’s willingness to adapt his salary to Barcelona’s economic situation and to the dressing room’s wage limits is also a major positive factor.
However, it must be noted that one of the pre-candidates in the election race, Victor Font, has already made it clear that he would not retain Deco, who was a key figure in Rashford’s signing.
While the position of other pre-candidates like Marc Ciria, Xavi Vilajoana, and Joan Camprubi is still unclear, the outcome of the presidential elections could end up changing things at the club, impacting Rashford’s continuity beyond the season.
Eintracht Frankfurt lead the way for Hertha Berlin’s 16-year-old midfield Kennet Eichhorn
Bildreports that Eintracht Frankfurt are the club with the best chance to sign Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn.
There is no doubt that Frankfurt need a defensive midfield to help their defensive problems. It is said that Markus Krösche is now making a push to sign Eichhorn in the summer.
Frankfurt have been in contact with the 16-year-old for over a year and made an attempt to sign him last summer, but he opted to stay in the Hauptstadt.
Eichhorn has played 14 times for the Hertha senior side this season, before an ankle injury sidelined him. The midfielder also has a release clause in his contract worth €10-12m.
However, die Adler are the team with the best chance to sign Eichhorn, but face competition from other Bundesliga sides such as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Frankfurt’s summer plans:
Frankfurt can offer Eichhorn a regular starting place in the system of new head coach Albert Riera as he would prove to be a more mobile option compared to the Spainard’s current choice of number six – Ellyes Skhiri.
Peterborough United will not take risks over midfielder Matty Garbett's recovery from a foot injury to avoid jeopardising his chances of playing at the World Cup.
The New Zealand international missed Saturday's 6-1 demolition of Wigan Athletic which put Posh 10th in League One, having been bottom of the table when boss Luke Williams took over in October.
"He needs protection and constant monitoring because it's a very minor injury that can suggest a more serious injury - if you manage the minor one, you prevent the major one," Williams told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.
"He's a very important player, he's got a huge role to play in the team going forward and there's a chance the boy is going to play at the World Cup and we have to help him be in the best possible shape.
"We have to try to make sure we protect him and don't put him at a huge risk that is unnecessary and irresponsible."
Williams said it was not possible to say at this stage when Garbett, 23, might be able to return to action.
"I'm very confident we'll be able to manage him successfully to a swifter return," he added. "How swift that return is, is more like a piece of string but we've managed to prevent something that could have certainly been more serious."
Garbett signed a two-year deal with Peterborough last summer after being released by Dutch club NAC Breda, and he has made 26 appearances this season.
He also played in international friendlies against Colombia and Ecuador in November as New Zealand prepare for this summer's World Cup in North America - their first appearance in the tournament since 2010.
Peterborough, meanwhile, are away to Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening.
Inter Milan Vs Juventus – Italy & Turkey Megastars Return From Injury & Will Be At Cristian Chivu’s Disposal
Inter Milan stars Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu will reportedly be in contention for Saturday’s home clash against Juventus.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the midfield duo has just returned to training.
Despite their absence in recent matches, Cristian Chivu’s men have gone from strength to strength.
Indeed, Sunday’s 5-0 rout of Sassuolo marked Inter’s fifth consecutive win in Serie A, moving them eight points clear of second-placed AC Milan.
However, Juventus are likely to put Inter’s title credentials to the test this weekend.
Barella & Calhanoglu Hand Inter Milan Huge Injury Boost Ahead of Juventus Clash
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Nicolo Barella has been on the sidelines since late January due to a muscle injury, skipping Inter’s last two league fixtures.
Meanwhile, Hakan Calhanoglu has been in the pits since the beginning of the calendar year.
Indeed, the Turkish playmaker suffered a nasty calf problem during Inter’s 2-2 home draw against Napoli in early December.
On the positive note, Piotr Zielinski has thrived in their absence, seamlessly filling the creative void in midfield.
Those messages were passed from the dugout by the boundary edge to England captain Harry Brook on the field.
"I've played in the IPL [Indian Premier League] with Gujarat where [coach] Ashish Nehra was very active on the boundary rope," said Buttler, who was England's white-ball captain until last year.
"It seems like cricket is the sport where we're still a bit behind in that area.
"You look at other sports, like rugby where they run messages on. Maybe that will come more and more into cricket."
McCullum, whose side play West Indies in their second match at the T20 World Cup on Wednesday, has been using the walkie talkies throughout recent weeks, including in England's successful white-ball tour to Sri Lanka.
"It's been there so he [McCullum] can just send a few messages down to the guys on the bench and if there's anything he's seeing from up the top to relay on to the pitch for Harry and the bowlers," said Buttler.
"It is just a more obvious line of communication."
Cricket's brushes with innovation & England's change for Windies
The coded messages via numbered and lettered cards was a ploy of England's former analyst Nathan Leamon [Getty Images]
Cricket is almost unique in sport given the captain remains the key decision-maker in the middle. A coach also has to contend with the large distances between the dressing room.
Long before England's coded messages, South Africa coach Bob Woolmer and captain Hansie Cronje wore earpieces to communicate during a match against India at the 1999 World Cup.
That tactic was quickly banned by organisers.
The England camp is playing down the significance of the latest methods but it appears a more hands-on approach from the typically relaxed McCullum.
McCullum, who oversaw England's Ashes defeat this winter, has presented a similar laid-back look on the sidelines regardless of the match situation throughout his time with England. He has spoken of wanting players to use their instinct on the field.
"That's obviously the energy he wants to have to allow guys to feel less pressure in a game that has a lot of pressure," Buttler said.
"That image is important to him, but don't mistake that for someone whose mind is relaxed and whose not got his finger on the pulse.
"He wouldn't be a great player and great captain without having that, being fiercely competitive and a will to win."
England have made one change for the match against West Indies with all-rounder Jamie Overton replacing left-arm quick Luke Wood.
The Windies, who beat Scotland in their opening match, are expected to provide England a different challenge compared to Nepal with their trademark six-hitting.
Sunday's match was England's first meeting with Nepal in any format. In contrast, England have played four T20 series against West Indies since the start of 2022.
They were comfortable winners of the past two - a 3-0 victory at home last year and a 3-1 win in the Caribbean the previous winter.
Wednesday's match will also be played on a fresh pitch and, crucially, later in the evening.
That should help run-scoring and dew could have a significant impact, giving an advantage to the chasing side.
England XI to play West Indies: Phil Salt, Jos Buttler (wk), Jacob Bethell, Tom Banton, Harry Brook (capt), Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Liam Dawson, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid
Jonas Urbig has been handed playing time in the DFB-Pokal earlier this season, but Bayern Munich will rely on Manuel Neuer in goal for Wednesday’s quarter-final against RB Leipzig.
“Manuel Neuer will start tomorrow,” confirmed FC Bayern coach Vincent Kompany at a press conference on Tuesday.
"We always have to treat the goalkeepers a bit specially. Jonas Urbig's progression and the plans for his development are something we've been talking about for a long time.
"He's already played in important games for us, and he'll continue to get games in the future, which will always be planned with Michael Rechner and Manu. When he plays, he's also supported by Manu. We have a good flow there."
Bayern expect to have a full squad available for the game, just as they had for Sunday's 5-1 win over Hoffenheim.
“It's a positive that the boys are fit and I hope it stays that way until the end of the season. We'll rotate these players as often as possible. Basically it's a positive situation. If all goes well today, we'll have a full squad again tomorrow,” said Kompany.
With all players fit, Kompany will have to leave some out of the squad, with the Belgian coach set to make the decision on Tuesday evening.
"It's a decision that has to be made, it's a positive because it means the boys are fit. Of course, I'm not happy for the players who have to stay at home, but I am about the fact we have every player available."
Bronte Law (holding trophy) won her singles match at the 2019 Solheim Cup to allow Suzann Pettersen to win the overall contest for Europe moments later in a thrilling finish [Getty Images]
Bronte Law is looking forward to "feeling the buzz" of being involved in this year's Solheim Cup despite accepting this season will be "different" as a new parent.
The Englishwoman, who last contested the biennial event in Europe's victory at Gleneagles in 2019, does not expect to play against the USA in September, but will be there as a vice-captain for the Junior Solheim Cup earlier in the week.
"With the lengths that Team Europe goes to, it's not just about the people that are playing," Law told BBC Sport.
"If there's anything that I can do to shout a bit louder or give a high five to the players...
"It's those connections and people that inspire you to want to achieve and bring out the best of you in those moments."
But while Law said there is "no doubt I'll want to make sure I'm playing Solheim Cup again at some point" she accepted this year is going to "look a bit different".
Law and her wife welcomed the birth of their son in November, and the golfer admitted she has been "winging" it in the first three months.
"My wife has been enrolling our son in baby classes and I've been whisking myself to the golf course when that's happening," the 30-year-old said.
"The hardest part was getting in the gym with no sleep, but I'm back into the schedule of doing three workouts a week."
Law plans to play one-third of this season's 30 Ladies European Tour (LET) events, which will collectively yield a record prize fund of more than 40m euros (£34.5m).
"I'm going to use it as a learning experience for myself and also for the family, getting that balance right and not putting too much pressure on myself," said Law, who will also devote time to her Bronte Law Junior Series, run in collaboration with England Golf.
"I certainly have a change of perspective and suddenly golf doesn't seem like the most difficult thing any more.
"I guess there's a lightness to that, in that I'll just go out and play for the enjoyment of it and ultimately that mentally can be a really good place to come from."
The scramble for Solheim Cup places ratchets up a notch this week as the LET cranks back into gear in Saudi Arabia with the PIF Saudi Ladies International.
The US recorded their first victory in the event since 2017 to win back the trophy in Virginia in 2024.
Europe captain Anna Nordqvist's 12-strong team will comprise the top two eligible players from the LET Solheim Cup points list, the top six eligible players on the Women's World Golf Rankings and four picks.
Double points are on offer at qualifying events during 2026 with the team to face the US at Bernardus Golf Club in the Netherlands from 11-13 September to be decided after the AIG Women's Open, which concludes on 2 August.
But while Charley Hull, Carlota Ciganda and Celine Boutier will be among Europe's Solheim Cup stalwarts chasing points at the season opener in Riyadh (11-14 February), their former team-mate Law has conceded she has "absolutely no idea" how she will fare having last played in September.
"It's not the best preparation I've ever had going into a season," she said with a smile.
"I have absolutely no idea what's going to come but preparation comes in all shapes and sizes.
"Sometimes I've had weeks where I felt really good going into an event and then would miss a putt.
"Equally, I've had times where I felt really injured going into a tournament, not really in a great place, and I would do really well."
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 09: Moussa Diabate #14 of the Charlotte Hornets fights Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons during the second half of a basketball game at Spectrum Center on February 09, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons visited the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night and to say things got a bit heated is an understatement.
In the third quarter, Jalen Duren drove to the basket and was fouled by Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate. They got into it and it just spiraled from there as a major brawl broke out. Isaiah Stewart left the bench to get into it, so he’s facing some real trouble.
There were two things that really jumped out to us: the reactions of Kon Knueppel and referee Dannica Mosher.
When the fight started, Knueppel, who often looks a bit sleepy, though his play belies that, was in the corner. He didn’t seem to realize what happened right away and didn’t rush in immediately either. When he did, predictably, he played peacemaker, trying to get his teammate Diabate out of it.
Mosher also hung back, and that’s a different issue.
On the one hand, for the most part, she did what most sensible women would do: she let the guys work it out themselves, and these are particularly large, strong guys, so good call.
But she is an NBA official, and part of her job is to manage things like this. You can’t really blame her, it was entirely rational, but she failed to do her job.
This is not good. Officials need to manage the game and when violence occurs, they have to get it under control. She was clearly not willing to get involved and in fact stepped away.
Mosher is obviously a good referee or she wouldn’t be working NBA games. However, this could have spun out of control and she was nowhere to be found.
Obviously it’s not all on the officials. There are only three of them. They rely on the coaches and their staffs to help them in situations like this.
Still, running away from a fight is a terrible reaction for an official. If the players deserve to be suspended, and they clearly do, Mosher does too for dereliction of duty. Her reaction was entirely unacceptable for an NBA referee.
Michael Carrick: Ferdinand responds to Roy Keane’s criticism of United coach
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has hit back at the recent criticism of Michael Carrick from former teammate Roy Keane. The former English midfielder arrived at Old Trafford last month to take over the reins of the first-team squad following the dismissal of former head coach Ruben Amorim.
The Red Devils had been inconsistent under the Portuguese, but turned over a new leaf after Carrick took charge. The Englishman has since masterminded four wins in his four games in charge, helping his team sit fourth in the Premier League table after 25 games.
There have already been claims of handing Carrick the full-time job, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp urging United to make his stay permanent. However, there have also been others, like Sam Allardyce, who have advised caution regarding the matter.
Former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane was initially quite critical of Carrick, but although he has softened his stance of late, he has still suggested that the English manager should not be considered for the permanent job. Ferdinand has now responded to Keane’s criticism of Carrick.
Risk does not justify Carrick criticism
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, as cited by The Daily Mail, Ferdinand insisted that the United job is full of risks, but that does not justify ruling Carrick out of the permanent manager race. He said: “There’s risks with anyone that goes in there.”
“No matter what Michael Carrick does, how well he does, and if he got the job on the back of a great ending to the season, there’s still risk. There’s an element of risk, but with every one of the names that get thrown into the hat, there an element of risk with all of them.”
“I don’t know in any walk of life, where someone comes in given the opportunity to do well, and put their first foot forward for a job opportunity, they smash it – and hopefully he carries on, at the moment he’s smashing it, four wins out of four, and people are going ‘no, he shouldn’t get it though’.”
“I don’t understand that with Roy, I’ve got to be honest. I don’t know how you can be so against it.”
What has Roy Keane said about Carrick?
Speaking on The Overlap podcast last month, Keane initially tracked back on his previous comments, wishing Carrick well and even saying that he hoped the Englishman would get the job.
When reminded of his earlier stance by Gary Neville, Keane was quick to point out that United could get a better manager than Carrick this summer. He said: “I think you can get a better manager than Carrick, absolutely.”
“But I think he’s doing a good job, perfect timing for him, and even if he doesn’t get the United job, these results a bit like Ruud (Van Nistelrooy), he can get another job, probably another Premiership manager. But just cause you’re doing well at United, it doesn’t mean he’ll do well at another club.”
A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Fulham could pounce on the English manager if he becomes available this summer.
Final Thoughts
United’s search for their next permanent manager is turning out to be an intriguing affair, with the team’s 100% run under Carrick making him an enticing prospect for the role. However, it is also true that INEOS must be patient regarding the matter, especially since their decision could impact the Red Devils’ progress in the coming years.
Premier League: date, time, channels and lineups for Chelsea vs Leeds
Date, time, channels and lineups for Chelsea vs Leeds
Chelsea – Leeds/@sofoot
Chelsea host Leeds this Tuesday evening as part of Matchday 26 in the Premier League. It's a chance for the Blues to exact revenge for their 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture on December 3.
Sitting fifth with 43 points, the London side are aiming for a fifth consecutive league win as they look to break into a Champions League qualifying spot. Only one point separates them from fourth-placed Manchester United.
Leeds are 16th with 29 points, just six points behind West Ham, who sit just above the relegation zone. Their mission: win and put some distance between themselves and the drop zone.
Date and time for Chelsea vs Leeds
This clash will take place on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, kicking off at 7:30pm GMT at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images
Oscar Piastri could become a major talking point in the F1 driver market this season if things don’t go to plan at McLaren.
McLaren are hoping to stay on top heading into 2026, despite the sport’s major regulatory overhaul.
Despite holding onto the drivers’ championship lead for most of last season, Oscar Piastri won’t be sporting the number one plate this year. That distinction goes to Lando Norris, who edged out both his teammate and Max Verstappen in a tight title fight.
Piastri’s long-term contract with McLaren offers some stability, but nothing is ever guaranteed in Formula 1. There’s already been talk of him being an ideal fit to replace Fernando Alonso at Aston Martin come 2027.
And now, there are early suggestions about what team principal Andrea Stella needs to do if he wants to keep hold of Piastri beyond this season.
Mika Hakkinen weighs in on what it’ll take to keep Oscar Piastri at McLaren
Mika Hakkinen believes keeping Oscar Piastri happy is key for McLaren. The team started well last year but couldn’t maintain their lead through the full season as other teams caught up later on. Heading into this year, there’s plenty of speculation that Red Bull will make a strong comeback under new regulations.
Piastri has always made it clear that his priority is competing for race wins and championships. If Red Bull look like serious contenders again and Lando Norris manages a repeat title win, McLaren could face real pressure to deliver something substantial early in the campaign to convince Piastri they’re still the right place for him.
Andrea Stella’s papaya rules could cost McLaren Oscar Piastri
Piastri finished 13 points short of Norris in the 2025 drivers’ standings, staying in the hunt right up to the final round.
He made an early move on Norris but couldn’t catch Verstappen and was willing to play a team role if it meant helping his teammate secure the title.
According to Blick, there are more developments regarding where the 24-year-old could end up next.
Piastri will be out for revenge this year, but whether that happens will depend heavily on McLaren’s aerodynamic setup and how much power Mercedes can bring to the table.
The report adds that if those same ‘papaya rules’ get in his way again, Piastri could be gone by 2027.
In terms of pure numbers, Piastri is building an impressive career profile. Through 70 Grand Prix starts, he’s already collected nine wins, six pole positions and finished on the podium nearly 40% of the time.
Which F1 teams might be interested in Oscar Piastri if he decides to move on from McLaren?
If Piastri were to leave McLaren, there would be no shortage of interest from other teams across the grid.
Right now, he seems content with how things are set up internally at McLaren, but it’s still early days and that could change as the season progresses.
Aston Martin has already been mentioned as a potential fit, especially if Alonso steps away from the sport. It wouldn’t be a surprising move given their ambitions and resources.
Piastri would likely back himself as the number one driver at Adrian Newey’s team ahead of Lance Stroll. With Newey’s design pedigree and Honda power behind them, Aston Martin could become a real threat in the coming seasons.
Red Bull and Ferrari could also come into play if either Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc decided to make a change. And even beyond the top teams, there are several midfield outfits that would jump at the chance to bring someone of Piastri’s calibre on board.
MILAN — Who knew the Minions – the comedic, yellow creature always engaged in shenanigans in the "Despicable Me” franchise – would be such a hot topic at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
It was expected to be a crowd favorite at the Olympics, but it was in jeopardy of not being performed due to music copyright issues. Sabaté publicly said on Monday, Feb. 2 the music wasn’t cleared to be used, just over one week before he was scheduled to perform.
The news drew outrage from the figure skating world, but also from skaters themselves, all who felt like they were being robbed of a must-see performance.
“I told people they were gonna see the minions of the Olympics, and I don't want to be a liar,” U.S. figure skater Amber Glenn said.
Thankfully, figure skating fans weren’t upset for long. They rejoiced a few days later when Sabaté announced the music was cleared, meaning the Minions would make it to the rink.
This isn’t the biggest storyline in figure skating. It’s centered around bringing a fun, enticing program to the Olympics. But it highlights a larger issue that has plagued figure skating, despite attempts to fix it.
“It's something that we kind of all worry about,” U.S. skater Ilia Malinin said. “I like to pick really unique pieces of music that I skate to, and there's a lot of the challenges of whether people will like it, but also it's whether you'll be able to skate to it.”
Why music causes problems in figure skating
Coming up with the music for programs is already a challenging task. The whole program is built around it, finding the right medley and parts of songs that dictate choreography and costumes.
Then comes making sure the music is good to use. It had been a long process before where skaters had to figure out who owned the music, negotiate with them and pay to get permission. But that was when music was usually classical and instrumental.
It wasn’t until 2014 when the International Skating Union allowed music with lyrics it became a bigger problem. Artists and record labels own the songs and a license is needed from every song rightsholder.
Headaches throughout figure skating led to the ISU partnering with ClicknClear, a licensing platform that works with record labels and publishers to pre-clear music so it can easily be used, all that is needed to pay for it. Seems simple, but it still hasn’t fixed the problem.
The issue came to focus at the 2022 Winter Olympics, when music group Heavy Young Heathens sued NBC, U.S. Figure Skating and pair Alexa Knierim and Brandon Frazier, alleging they violated the copyright of the song "House of the Rising Sun.” The lawsuit was eventually settled.
“We have tried our hardest to get everything clear, do what we can, and honestly, a producer could just decide no ... We don't have 100,000% control,” Glenn said. “I've honestly just seen from what avenues I have available to me that it is clear, and then I'm just hoping and praying that I don't get an email saying, ‘Oh, by the way, they reached out and they said they don't want you to use it.’”
“It's been a very strenuous process for many of us,” she added.
How Minions got approved for Olympics
The issue for Sabaté was the music was owned by Universal Pictures, which owns the rights to the Minions. The music was restricted and Sabaté’s team tried for individual one-off clearances, but got denied, ClicknClear founder Chantal Epps told USA TODAY Sports.
“Because of the increasing risk of using music unlicensed across figure skating and other sports, (Sabaté) and his federation made the decision to not proceed with the program, because obviously there'd have been some legal dispute,” Epps said.
Sabaté could have used an old program, but Epps said that music wasn’t cleared, so “it would have been just as much work, if not more, because we'd be starting from scratch.” Epps decided to get involved and work with Universal Pictures to get approval.
By Tuesday, Feb. 3, two of the songs were good to use. A third song was inputted in the system wrong and actually had clearance, so it was good. The last holdup was “Freedom” by Pharrell Williams, which Epps said took the longest to get because the master side of it is restricted under the deal with Sony.
“I went around on a wild goose chase trying to get through to the person who could actually give us approval, made a lot of calls,” Epps said. “It was approved by (Friday, Feb. 6) morning. I let Thomas know on Friday morning that it was all approved, and now the world is going to be very happy that we're going to see Minions on the ice.”
A happy ending, but a roller coaster of a ride that shows how difficult it can be, and not everyone is as fortunate. Epps added the publicity from Sabaté helped in getting the approvals.
Glenn nearly had an issue for these Games. Her free skate includes the song "The Return" by artist Seb McKinnon, and he posted on social media the song was used without his permission. However, Glenn had done the process correctly and McKinnon didn't know his label approved the use. He congratulated her when he learned she earned team gold, and Glenn put out a statement on Feb. 10 that "sometimes new friendships start in unexpected ways."
"It was a dream come true to perform at the Olympic Games and to have Seb acknowledge my performance and congratulate me afterward made the moment even more special. It's my sincere hope that I was able to help create new fans of both figure skating and Seb," she wrote.
How figure skaters try to avoid music problems
Some U.S. skaters have built-in ways to avoid issues. The main one is simply connecting with those who make the music, something Malinin makes it a point to do.
“I always try to reach out to whoever's in charge of that decision for music, and especially, I like to reach out to the artist directly,” he said. “Try that as an option, and most of the time, it usually works out in my favor.”
Other examples include Alysa Liu, who skates her short program to “Promise” by Laufey. The reigning world champion has a public friendship with the artist, even connecting at one of Laufey’s concerts. After Liu skated the program in the team event on Friday, Feb. 6, Laufey posted a TikTok dedicated to the skater with the caption “that’s OUR olympian alysa liu.”
Glenn's short program is to “Like a Prayer” by Madonna, and she hasn’t heard anything from the iconic artist. If Madonna decided to tell Glenn she didn’t want her to use the song, she wouldn’t see it as the worst thing.
“If I do get a message from Madonna saying she doesn't want me to skate to her music, I mean, I'll just be excited to get a message from Madonna,” Glenn joked.
It appears Glenn won’t have to worry about this one though, recently revealing Madonna follows her on Instagram.Safe to assume nearly all of the figure skating audience will enjoy watching Sabaté skate his program, knowing the fight it took to make it happen. Skaters around the world hope they won’t have to go through the same thing.
“You really don't know what you're getting into, but you kind of just have to hope everything works out,” Malinin said.
The Eagles were one and done in the playoffs, but it wasn't all bad for a team that finished the regular season 11- 6 overall. The first back-to-back NFC East Champion since the 2001-04 Eagles (four) over two decades ago, Philadelphia is the only NFL team to repeat as a division winner in 2025. The Eagles have won NFC East crowns in three of the last four seasons (also 2022 and 2024). Philadelphia is one of just two NFL teams with five consecutive postseason berths (tying a team record set from 2000-04), joining Buffalo (seven). The Eagles are also one of only three clubs to have advanced to the playoffs in eight of the previous nine seasons (along with Buffalo and Kansas City), representing the best nine-year stretch in franchise history.
After retooling the offensive coaching staff, the Eagles will decide on 22 free agents and make decisions on contract extensions for quarterback Jalen Hurts, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, and defensive tackle Jordan Davis, among others.
With the Super Bowl now complete and the new league year fast approaching, we're predicting the Eagles' offensive depth chart heading into free agency.
DL: 6
Starter: Jordan Davis: $12,938,000
Starter: Jalen Carter: $6,938,331
Starter: Moro Ojomo: $3,624,446
Byron Young: $1,523,007
Ty Robinson: $1,263,917
Gabe Hall: $885,000
Edge: 2
Starter: Jaelan Phillips (free agent)
Starter: Nolan Smith: $3,815,769
Jalyx Hunt: $1,536,282
The Eagles traded a 2026 third-round pick to acquire Phillips, who came to Philadelphia on the final year of his contract. The former Dolphins first-round pick finished with 28 tackles and two sacks in 8 games. Phillips didn't put up all-world sack numbers, but he put pressure on the quarterback, and his 73 were the 9th-best in the NFL according to PFF.Phillips played 819 snaps at edge rusher in 2025, while posting a 77.1 pass rush grade, 20th best in the NFL.
Phillips is essential because, while Jalyx Hunt is an outstanding pass rusher, there's no guarantee he'll develop into an All-Pro, and Nolan Smith's injury history is becoming a concern.
With Phillips in the lineup, the Eagles limited opponents to the league's lowest completion percentage (56.8%), their best since 2008 (54.1%). Philadelphia gave up a league-low 14 passing TDs this year, which were the fewest surrendered by an Eagles defense since 2001 (13). Philadelphia held opponents to the 2nd-lowest passer rating (75.4) in the NFL (Eagles' best mark since 2008, when they allowed a 72.9 passer rating), behind the L.A. Chargers (75.0). The rating included a 58.1 mark on third/ fourth down and a 64.6 mark in the red zone – both 1st in the NFL. Philadelphia ranked 5th in points allowed per game (19.1), trailing only Seattle (17.2), Houston (17.4), Denver (18.3), and New England (18.8).
LB: 6
Starter: Zack Baun: $7,538,000
Starter: Jihaad Campbell: $3,387,176
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. $1,157,117
Smael Mondon Jr.: $1,103,865
Chance Campbell: $1,030,000
Jose Ramirez: $1,005,000
Ben VanSumeren: RFA
A versatile player with a bright future, Jihaad Campbell played in all 17 games and started 10, logging 80 tackles and one interception to go with a fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Campbell's 76.2 grade from Pro Football Focus was the 13th-best among 88 NFL linebackers, and his presence is the main reason the Eagles can feel comfortable allowing Nakobe Dean to depart in free agency.
CB: 8
Michael Carter II: $10,120,000
Starter: Quinyon Mitchell: $4,041,299
Starter: Cooper DeJean: $2,531,897
Draft pick
Kelee Ringo: $1,350,232
Ambry Thomas: $1,162,500
Tariq Castro-Fields: $1,145,000
Jakorian Bennett: $1,145,000
Mac McWilliams: $1,116,030
Philadelphia has hit on the cornerback position in NFL drafts recently, and 2026 could present another opportunity to upgrade the cornerback spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell. In 2024, Cooper DeJean was expected to excel, but after an All-Pro season in 2025, he's now the best slot cornerback on the planet after DeJean led all NFL slot cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade (79.3), catch rate allowed (61.4%), passer rating allowed (55.4), and yards allowed per coverage snap (0.72) (min. 350 coverage snaps as a slot CB; min. 50 targets). DeJean has never allowed a passing TD as a slot cornerback. Will Vic Fangio keep DeJean in the slot or expose him to the difficulties of playing on the outside?
Images of Burnley's Marcus Edwards have been going viral after the 27-year-old was seen wearing barely-visible shin pads during a Premier League match against West Ham.
It echoes a similar situation from last year when a picture of Brighton's 17-year-old midfielder Harry Howell celebrating with team-mate James Milner also gained attention after fans noticed the visible difference in the size of their shin pads.
Howell's 'micro' pair were an obvious contrast to Milner's far more traditional-sized guards.
So what is behind the trend of extra-small shin guards, and why are they used instead of regular-sized pairs?
The simple answer is that players can choose what size shin pads they want to wear.
The International Football Association Board (Ifab), responsible for the laws of the game, say that shin pads are a mandatory piece of equipment players must wear while playing.
Law 4.2 states that shin pads must:
Be made of a suitable material
Be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks
And players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shin pads
The law does not define what an "appropriate" shin pad size is, but leave that decision to each individual player.
Shin pads provide vital protection for players to prevent serious injuries.
There has been a rising trend in younger footballers, as well as some big stars, wearing small shin pads during matches.
The reason for this could be for more comfort and to allow players to move around with greater ease.
Referees are only required to check that some form of shin guards are being worn, Ifab told BBC Sport.
Ifab said players - or the parents or guardians of youth players - must take responsibility for their own safety on the pitch.
While shin pad size is ultimately an individuals choice, any decisions around player safety would also be made in consultation with their club and medical staff.
Have small shin pads been banned?
Grassroots football teams have started to ban small shin pads for safety reasons.
There are concerns that small shin pads do not cover the shins properly, which can lead to an increased risk of injury - especially at non-elite level.
Penistone Church player Alfie Collins broke his tibia and fibula in a tackle during a game. The teenager's shin pads, which were no bigger than a credit card, were similar to a size recently worn by some stars of the professional game.
Shin pads "play an important role in injury prevention as they are intended to protect the shin from injury", the Football Association said.
"'Micro' or 'mini' shin pads may therefore increase the risk of injury due to the smaller amount of shin covered compared to larger sized shin pads", they added.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych will be allowed to wear a black armband in competition at the Milan Cortina Games, the International Olympic Committee said Tuesday, but not the helmet he wanted to commemorate the lives of some athletes from his country who were killed in the war with Russia.
The IOC called the move a compromise.
“I think what we’ve tried to do is to address his desires with compassion and understanding,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Tuesday. “He has expressed himself on social media and in the training and, as you know, we will not stop him expressing himself in press conferences, as he leaves competition in the mixed zone and elsewhere. We feel that this is a good compromise in the situation.”
Heraskevych said the IOC told him Monday night that he could not wear the helmet that shows the faces of several Ukrainian athletes who have been killed since 2022, because Olympic officials decided it broke the rule banning political statements.
Heraskevych — who was fourth at last year's world championships and is generally considered a medal hopeful at these games — has more training runs scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, and he is expected to compete in the Olympic men's skeleton race Thursday.
It was not immediately clear if he would wear the armband. The IOC also pointed out that it has banned armbands in the past, but is willing to make an exception in Heraskevych's case. The move by the IOC doesn't mean all athletes can wear armbands, and if Heraskevych chooses to do so, it can not include any text, Adams said.
“We didn’t violate any rules, and it should be allowed for me to compete with this helmet,” Heraskevych told The Associated Press on Monday, before Ukrainian sliding officials met with a representative from the IOC and learned the helmet would not be allowed. “I cannot understand how this helmet hurt anyone. It’s to pay tribute to athletes and some of them were medalists in the Youth Olympic Games. That means they’re Olympic family. They were part of this Olympic family, so I cannot understand they would find a reason why not.”
Figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, a onetime Youth Olympic Games teammate of Heraskevych, is on the helmet, as are boxer Pavlo Ishchenko, hockey player Oleksiy Loginov and others. Some, Heraskevych said, were killed on the front lines; at least one died while trying to distribute aid to fellow Ukrainians.
Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy weighed in on Heraskevych’s quest, with a post on his Instagram page saying that he wanted to thank the slider for “reminding the world the price of our struggle.”
If you were a Washington Commanders fan watching the NFL playoffs over the past month, you were likely discouraged. How could the Commanders, one game from the Super Bowl last year, go 5-12 this season? Well, there were plenty of reasons, with one of them being the health of quarterback Jayden Daniels.
After winning the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award, Daniels missed 10 games in 2025. He had a knee injury, a hamstring injury and a dislocated elbow. He played in only seven games, finishing only four. When he did play, he was often without some of his top offensive weapons, mainly wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
While Daniels was out, fellow 2024 first-round quarterbacks Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears), Drake Maye (New England Patriots) and Bo Nix (Denver Broncos) were the toast of the NFL. The NFL, much like everyday life, is a "what you have done for me lately" league.
Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl in 2025 before losing the Seattle Seahawks. Williams led the Bears to the NFC North title and the NFC Divisional Round, while Nix helped the Broncos to the AFC's No. 1 overall seed before falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
Maye had a great year after struggling as a rookie. Williams showed tremendous improvement under new coach Ben Johnson, while Nix was mostly steady again for the second straight year. When it came playoff time, Maye was horrendous in all four of New England's games. Williams made highlight plays in both of Chicago's games, while Nix, again, was steady.
In the playoffs, Williams lacked consistency, continuing to struggle with his accuracy, but people only remember the spectactular plays.
Now, back to Daniels. Did we forget what Daniels did in three playoff games last January? He led the Commanders to two road wins, at Tampa Bay and at No. 1 seed Detroit, before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in the NFC Championship. If not for his teammates continuing to fumble in that game, the score would have been much closer. Also, don't forget that it was Daniels who gave legendary Philadelphia defensive coordinator Vic Fangio fits last season, including throwing for five touchdowns in a December win.
Anyone remember what Patrick Mahomes did against the Eagles in last year's Super Bowl?
Oh, how soon we forget how great Jayden Daniels was.
Clutch play is one of the many elements of quarterback greatness. While Maye and Nix had two of the NFL's top defenses in 2025, Williams was backed by a defense that forced more turnovers than any other team. Washington's defense was abysmal in 2024. Daniels carried the Commanders on his back throughout the season, but especially in the playoffs. He didn't receive much help from his defense. In 2025, that Washington defense was even worse.
One of the best metrics to determine quarterback performance is ESPN's QBR. Let's look at the Total QBR of each of these four quarterbacks from the last two years:
Jayden Daniels: 84.2 (3 games)
Bo Nix: 64.1 (2 games)
Caleb Williams: 53.4 (2 games)
Drake Maye: 40.0 (4 games)
This isn't to put down Nix, Williams, or Maye. They're all going to be excellent NFL quarterbacks. Instead, it's more of a way to show all of those loudmouth analysts or former NFL players on Radio Row last week "redrafting" the 2024 NFL Draft and putting Daniels behind Maye and Williams. Or, for those on X, making top-32 lists and ranking Daniels 20th.
Oh, how soon we forget.
As far as Commanders' fans, you shouldn't feel hopeless. You have Jayden Daniels. As long as GM Adam Peters does his best to give Daniels more help, he'll be among the NFL's best for years to come.
Sure, the injuries this season were a concern, but you can't fake what Daniels did last season. He carried his team. The others had a lot more help.
The Philadelphia 76ers were unable to end their road trip on a good note as they fell to the Portland Trail Blazers 135-118 on Monday night. The Sixers were looking for a 4-1 West Coast trip, but the Blazers turned them back as they used a big 49-22 third quarter to take control of the game with Philadelphia unable to rally back.
The Sixers were led by Tyrese Maxey with 30 points and four assists, Kelly Oubre Jr. added 19 points and four steals, and Trendon Watford had 12 points. Justin Edwards had 10 points and VJ Edgecombe had 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists.
Here are the three biggest takeaways following the loss:
3-point discrepancy
This was the big difference in the game. The Blazers knocked down 22 triples compared to just 11 for Philadelphia as it allowed Portland to gain the separation it did in the third quarter. Toumani Camara, especially, was terrific for the Blazers as he knocked down eight by himself. These nights happen in the NBA, but the Sixers were unable to keep up with the hot shooting Blazers on Monday night.
Rebounding difference
There isn’t much the Sixers could do in this one with so many players sidelined. Not having Embiid and Barlow certainly hurt in this part of the game as there was a lot of pressure on Drummond, Adem Bona, and Watford to have to hold off the likes of Donovan Clingan, Deni Avdija, Camara, and others. There isn’t much the Sixers could do in this one due to the players who were sidelined, but the Blazers dominated in this area and it led to a big offensive night for them.
An overall good road trip
Despite this loss in Portland, the Sixers had a very good road trip at 3-2. They very easily could have picked up a fourth win in Los Angeles when they saw a 14-point lead slip away to the Lakers, but Philadelphia has to be happy with the results when considering it was the trade deadline, the team dealt with the emotions of the Jared McCain and Eric Gordon trades, and some weird scheduling in California on the trip. The Sixers will now look to head home and enter the All-Star break on a high note when they host the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
That figures to be the theme throughout what should be a tightly bunched Major League Baseball season, and USA TODAY Sports’ projected win totals for 2026 reflect as much.
Our five-person panel’s aggregate rankings suggest it will be another late September of scoreboard-watching, tiebreaker-computation, gut-wrenching baseball as the season enters its final stretch.
Except, perhaps, for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
They’re projected to win the National League West by eight games, though that will guarantee them little once October comes around and they seek a third consecutive World Series crown. And they’re projected to win “just” 98 games, the panel pegging them for anywhere from 93 to 104 wins.
But that’s why they play the games, right? A look at our panel’s aggregate record projections as spring training gets underway:
AL East
Here comes another coin toss between the Toronto Blue Jays (91-71) and New York Yankees (90-72). The biggest question in this loaded division: How much will the Blue Jays miss Bo Bichette? … The odds favor the Baltimore Orioles (85-77) returning to the playoffs, even if they may be one starter short, but flush with a Polar Bear. … Did the Boston Red Sox (84-78) throw enough into the pot as the price of poker keeps going up in this division? The pitching is as admirably deep as the lineup is questionable. … The Tampa Bay Rays (76-86) rearranged an awful lot (Gavin Lux, Cedric Mullins and Nick Martinez are in, Brandon Lowe, Josh Lowe and Shane Baz out) and are projected to backslide by one whole game.
AL Central
The surprise Framber Valdez signing likely iced the division for the Detroit Tigers (90-72), though a very streaky offensive group returns intact for a club that blew a 14-game division lead. … Could the Cleveland Guardians (83-79) capitalize on a similar swoon this year? Most of their division-winning group is back, though they’ll be counting on rookie Chase DeLauter to stay healthy and contribute. … A healthy Cole Ragans will go a long way toward the Kansas City Royals (83-79) getting back in contention, but they’ll need behemoth slugger Jac Caglianone to stick and ensure the lineup extends more than four deep. … Can the Chicago White Sox (67-95) avoid 100 losses for the first time since 2022? Many eyes will be on them if only to see whether Munetaka Murakami will be worth far more than the $34 million required to sign him. … Hard to believe the Minnesota Twins (65-97) could supplant the White Sox in the cellar with Joe Ryan and Pablo López still around. Then again, maybe they won’t be in July.
AL West
Acquiring Brendan Donovan filled the last significant hole on the roster and established the Seattle Mariners (92-70) as AL favorites, one year after they fell eight outs shy of their first World Series. … The Texas Rangers (86-76) moved the furniture around quite a bit and burned some prospect capital to reel in MacKenzie Gore, who, should he find elusive consistency, may form a dominant 1-2-3 behind Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom. … Are the Houston Astros (84-78) settled for the spring, even as they’re infield-deep and outfield-thin? Regardless, the Tatsuya Imai-for-Framber Valdez swap may determine their fate. … The Athletics (76-86) return for their second of three seasons in Yolo County with half their lineup (Brent Rooker, Jacob Wilson, Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler) locked into long-term deals. Pitching, though, may not enable them to take the next step. … A third consecutive last-place finish is projected for the Los Angeles Angels (72-90), who are nonetheless projected to have nine players between the ages of 33 and 39 on the active roster.
NL East
Since when did the annual playoff runs for the Philadelphia Phillies (92-70) go from a joyous exercise to a Sisyphean slog? Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto are back along with the rest of the gang (though soon minus Nick Castellanos). One of these years, it will click. … Your January probably wasn’t as productive as David Stearns’s, and for that reason the New York Mets (87-75) are once again World Series contenders. So long as they stay healthy, watching Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto and Bo Bichette align at the top of the lineup will be a treat. … Are the Atlanta Braves (84-78) perpetually gone for good from the elite and in perpetual hope-for-the-best mode come October? GM Alex Anthopoulos generally doesn’t get stuck in the middle, but they’re light on starting pitching and will be missing shortstop Ha-Seong Kim for a minute. … What does a next step look like for the Miami Marlins (79-83)? One of baseball’s best teams since late June didn’t significantly augment, unless hitting prospect Owen Caissie is ready to rake from the jump. … It could get pretty bad for the Washington Nationals (62-100), who are rightfully rebuilding (again), traded MacKenzie Gore and added virtually nothing externally.
NL Central
If Alex Bregman can’t get the Chicago Cubs (88-74) over The Brewers Hump, nothing likely can. The Cubs haven’t won the Central in a full season since 2017 and Bregman has never missed the playoffs in his 10 full seasons. … Of course, the Milwaukee Brewers (87-75) did their part to come back to the pack, dealing ace Freddy Peralta and spinning off reliever Tobias Myers, infielder Caleb Durbin and outfielder Isaac Collins. Yet it always seems to work out, doesn’t it? … The Cincinnati Reds (83-79) ducked into the postseason field on the final day of the season and we’ve got ‘em right on the bubble again. Will the good vibes only that Eugenio Suárez provides be enough in an otherwise still offseason? … It was a winter of relative aggression and even a little success for the Pittsburgh Pirates (74-88), who added some sentient bats at reasonable prices. Enough to click with an increasingly nasty pitching staff? We’ll see. … They stripped the roster as promised, but how ugly will it get for the St. Louis Cardinals (68-94)? There will be rays of light as young players get their cracks, with infielder JJ Wetherholt the most anticipated arrival.
NL West
What does $550 million in payroll and penalties buy you these days? The Los Angeles Dodgers (98-64) hope it at least ensures a 13th division title in 14 years. Have they mastered the art of getting their pitchers fresh and safe to October? We’ll see. … The San Diego Padres (85-77) remain active even if the salary bacchanalia from a few years ago has ended. If Michael King stays healthy all year they are a threat. … Will Tony Vitello be the shock paddle that jolts the San Francisco Giants away from their addiction to the .500 mark? Probably not. … In coming weeks, Arizona Diamondbacks (80-82) corner infielders Nolan Arenado and Carlos Santana will turn 35 and 40, respectively. They’ll need some gulps from the fountain of youth to ensure the bottom of the lineup isn’t an arid wasteland. … We won’t yet call it a plan, but the Colorado Rockies (57-105) do have the semblance of a plan with brand new upper management. Yet even purposeful lab experiments might look ugly in the win-loss column.
The Cincinnati Bengals are going to attack the defensive front seven this offseason.
Not that they have a choice. The interior of the defensive line is seriously lacking. Joseph Ossai is a free agent. So is Trey Hendrickson. Shemar Stewart’s rookie year had a few false starts. Myles Murphy is only just starting to get a green light going into Year 4.
But it sure doesn't hurt to hear that Bengals coaches are all over it.
Take, for example, defensive line coach and run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery.
"At the end of the day, we need to be able to affect the quarterback with interior guys on a consistent basis," Montgomery told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. "We just have to get better. From that standpoint, I thought we really started to come on after the bye."
Not the Montgomery doesn’t like what the Bengals have in the building. He added this: "I think from the bye week on, those guys were so locked into those things that it slowed the game down for them. We've just got to keep bringing everybody along."
Looking at the depth chart right now, though, the only sure things about the defensive line going into 2026 are Stewart and Murphy, plus Kris Jenkins Jr. Everything else might be up for grabs. There’s cap savings to be had by moving on from one of TJ Slaton or BJ Hill. Everything else is noise.
Maybe the Bengals bring back one of Hendrickson or Ossai. But if and when they make a big splash in free agency, it’s bound to be on the offensive line. Ditto for the first round of the draft.
After all, the Bengals have seen what elite trench play got Philadelphia and Seattle over the last two years in Super Bowls.
Atlanta Falcons rookie edge rusher James Pearce Jr. was arrested over the weekend and faces five felony counts, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, following a dispute with his ex-girlfriend. Pearce has been released on a $20,500 bond, but his legal troubles are far from over.
Aside from the legal ramifications, Pearce will likely face some type of punishment from the NFL once the situation is resolved. A suspension seems inevitable at this point. The NFL has already been in contact with the Falcons regarding the incident, per ESPN's Marc Raimondi.
"We have been in contact with the club regarding the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy," NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy told ESPN in a statement.
If Pearce is suspended under the NFL's personal conduct policy, it would automatically void the remaining guaranteed salary of his rookie contract. Beyond the financial aspect, the Falcons will need to figure out whether or not they want Pearce to be a part of the team going forward.
Regarding James Pearce Jr., NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy gave this statement to ESPN: "We have been in contact with the club regarding the matter which will be reviewed under the personal conduct policy."
Pearce's legal team, consisting of Jacob Nunez, Yale Sanford and Joshua Cohen, released the following statement on Monday morning:
"We look forward to working with the State Attorney's Office in fully investigating this case and uncovering the truth. Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while allegations have the power to shape a narrative, that it is hardly the full, complete story. We look forward to vigorously defending our Client and remain confident that he will continue contributing positively to both his team and the community he serves so well." -- Statement via James Pearce's legal team
With the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine coming up this month, the Falcons may have to do more work on the edge rusher group than they initially planned.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics continue on Tuesday, February 10, with another full day of action across the slopes and ice in Italy, with the United States competing in several high-stakes events.
The action gets underway bright and early across the NBC network of families, with every event streaming live on Peacock.
Among the highlights on Tuesday afternoon will be the men’s short program in figure skating, Team USA vs. Canada in women’s hockey (one of the greatest rivalries in sports), and the mixed doubles gold medal final between the United States and Sweden.
Feb 9, 2026; Milan, Italy; Players of United States celebrate after the match against Switzerland in women’s ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Entering Tuesday, the United States sits at No. 5 on the medal count, with two gold medals.
When will your favorite athlete or event air on Tuesday?
A full list of events in the Milan Cortina Olympics for today is below.
2026 Winter Olympics TV schedule – Tuesday, February 10
A general view of an Olympics logo during curling mixed doubles round robin competition during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
3:15 a.m. ET: Cross-Country Skiing – USA Network
Men’s & Women’s Spring Classic: Qualifying
4:30 a.m. ET: Alpine Skiing – USA Network
Women’s Team Combined Downhill
5:45 a.m. ET: Freestyle Skiing – USA Network
Men’s Moguls: Qualifying Round 1
6:10 a.m. ET: Cross-Country Skiing – USA Network
Men’s & Women’s Sprint Classic: Finals
6:30 a.m. ET: Freestyle Skiing – USA Network
Men’s Freeski Slopestyle: Final
8 a.m. ET: Alpine Skiing – USA Network
Women’s Team Combined: Slalom
Feb 9, 2026; Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy; Jennifer Dodds of Great Britain during a curling semifinal match during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
9 a.m. ET: Curling – USA Network
Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Final – Great Britain vs. Italy
9:45 a.m. ET: Cross-Country Skiing – USA Network
Men’s & Women’s Sprint Classic: Finals
10:15 a.m. ET: Freestyle Skiing – USA Network
Women’s Moguls: Qualifying Round 1
11 a.m. ET: Luge – USA Network
Women’s Singles Luge: Run 3
Feb 7, 2022; Beijing, China; Christopher Plys and Vicky Persinger (USA) in the curling mixed doubles round robin against Great Britain during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at National Aquatics Center. Mandatory Credit: George Walker IV-Imagn Images
11:30 a.m. ET: Speed Skating – USA Network
Mixed Team Relay Finals & More
12 p.m. ET: Curling – USA Network
Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Final Sweden vs. USA
12 p.m. ET: Freestyle Skiing – NBC
Men’s Freeski Slopestyle: Final
12:15 p.m. ET: Figure Skating – USA Network
Men’s Short (Part 1)
Feb 8, 2026; Milan, Italy; Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea celebrate with Ilia Malinin of the United States of America after winning gold in the figure skating team event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
12:40 p.m. ET: Figure Skating – NBC
Men’s Singles: Short Program
12:50 p.m. ET: Curling – NBC
Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Final – Sweden vs. USA
1:45 p.m. ET: Figure Skating – NBC
Men’s Short (Part 2)
2:10 p.m. ET: Hockey – USA Network
Canada vs. USA (Women’s Group A)
Feb 9, 2026; Milan, Italy; Caroline Harvey of United States scores their fifth goal against Switzerland in women’s ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
4:30 p.m. ET: Biathlon – USA Network
Men’s 20km Individual
5 p.m. ET: Curling – CNBC
Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Final (Re-air) – Great Britain vs. Italy
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Super Bowl had good news for the Miami Dolphins — this was the second consecutive season that a non-Hall of Fame quarterback won the title. On Sunday, defense and run game won the Super Bowl. That confirms there’s more than one way to win in the NFL.
I trust that Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and coach Jeff Hafley got the message.
We can all agree that there are a few ways to interpret the Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
There’s always a Super Bowl lesson for the Dolphins whether it’s from last year or the year before that or the year before that. The lesson could be about your team’s GM.
To me, the biggest offshoot from Sunday is that Seattle’s win should ease the pressure on the Dolphins to find a Hall of Fame-caliber quarterback this year or even next year.
The pressure should be on finding a quarterback who can lead you on a path to improvement. Sometimes defense and special teams can take care of the rest. The Dolphins seemed to get that message during their coaching search. Perhaps it’ll carry through.
Consider what we’ve seen in the past two Super Bowls. On Sunday, Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold was under center as the Seahawks won the crown this year.
Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts was the quarterback last year when the Eagles dismantled the Kansas City Chiefs, 40-22, in the Super Bowl.
But defense, not strong quarterback play, has won the past two Super Bowls.
And defense has played a bigger role for the league’s top teams in each of the past two seasons.
Are we seeing the start of a trend?
Perhaps.
Here’s what we know from the past two seasons — you don’t need a Hall of Fame-level, Tom Brady- or Patrick Mahomes-type quarterback to win a Super Bowl.
In fact, some of the league’s best quarterbacks (Mahomes, Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow) missed the playoffs in 2025.
The NFL remains a quarterback-first league, make no mistake.
Life is much easier when you have an elite quarterback.
What we’re seeing now, however, is that teams can have big one-year or two-year turnarounds with a less-than-elite quarterback just as teams such as Seattle and Philadelphia can win a Super Bowl with a less-than-elite QB.
You want some names of the non-elite quarterbacks scheduled to become free agents on March 11 (all won’t actually hit free agency)? Green Bay Packers’ Malik Willis. Indianapolis Colts Daniel Jones. Russell Wilson of the New York Giants. Pittsburgh Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers. Washington Commanders’ Marcus Mariota. Jimmy Garoppolo of the Los Angeles Rams. Trey Lance of the Los Angeles Chargers. Baltimore’s Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. Buffalo Bills’ Mitchell Trubisky. Miami’s Zach Wilson. Las Vegas Raiders’ Kenny Pickett.
You want some names of non-elite quarterbacks the Dolphins could draft in the first three rounds in April (this could change after the NFL scouting combine and pro days)? Alabama’s Ty Simpson. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier. Miami’s Carson Beck. Penn State’s Drew Allar.
It’s not a pretty picture.
But it’s not a hopeless picture.
Quarterback play was suspect throughout these playoffs.
Darnold was good, not great. He ended with five touchdowns, no interceptions and a 102.4 passer rating despite completing just 61.5% of his passes (56 of 91).
How was New England’s Drake Maye, the regular-season MVP runner-up, in these playoffs? He finished with six touchdowns, four interceptions, seven fumbles and an 82.2 passer rating.
Matthew Stafford of the Rams, the league MVP? He finished the playoffs with six touchdowns, one interception and a 94.4 passer rating while completing just 55.5% of his passes, a number that wouldn’t have ranked him in the top 50 for the regular season.
Want more? Buffalo’s Josh Allen had four touchdowns, two interceptions and a 99.8 passer rating to go along with three fumbles. He had four turnovers (two interceptions, two lost fumbles) in Buffalo’s 33-30 overtime loss to the Denver Broncos.
Denver’s Bo Nix had three touchdowns, one interception and an 87.1 passer rating while completing 56.5% of his passes in the playoffs.
Much to the dismay of NFL marketing, you can make the playoffs, advance in the playoffs and win a Super Bowl even if you don’t have a Hall of fame-caliber quarterback.
Sullivan and Hafley can start their rebuild from any position they’d like. The key is not forcing themselves to fall in love with a quarterback they merely like instead of a QB they love.
If Sullivan and Hafley have conviction about a quarterback, perhaps Willis, then OK, make a move.
They shouldn’t, however, make a two- or three-year commitment to someone just because they think they must find a long-term answer at quarterback this year.
Again, the recent trend shows you don’t need an elite-level quarterback to win a Super Bowl or make a big turnaround.
This is the Dolphins-specific takeaway from this year’s Super Bowl and the past two seasons. We’ll see if they’ve received the message.
November 24, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Monaco are being fined for each match that Sébastien Pocognoli coaches
AS Monaco are incurring a fine of €25,000 for every match that Sébastien Pocognoli (38) coaches, because he lacks the requisite qualification, L’Équipe has reported.
Despite coaching Royale Union Saint-Gilloise to the Belgian Jupiler Pro League title last season, Pocognoli is still studying for his professional coaching qualification, which he is due to acquire this coming summer. According to French football regulations, a qualified coach must be named as head coach for any domestic league or cup match, failing which a €25,000 fine is incurred.
Aware of the situation when Pocognoli was appointed to replace Adi Hütter last October, Monaco considered Damien Perrinelle – an assistant coach under both Hutter and Pocognoli – as his proxy on the team sheet. Perrinelle even secured a pay rise in consideration for this and was named on the team sheet for a match against Toulouse FC in October.
However, Perrinelle also lacks the correct qualification so the fine was incurred in any case. Since then, the role of head coach has been left blank on official team sheets.
Pocognoli has to date presided over 17 domestic matches (14 in Ligue 1; three in the Coupe de France), lifting the fine to €425,000. Should he remain in the head coach role until the end of the season, the fine will rise to €750,000.
Under Pocognoli, Monaco have won just four of those 14 Ligue 1 matches played.
Premier League defender admits returning to Real Madrid ‘would be a dream’
In an exclusive interview with Mundo Deportivo, AFC Bournemouth defender Alex Jimenez has admitted that he would love to secure a future return to his boyhood club Real Madrid.
The 20-year-old right-back spent over a decade at Real Madrid’s La Fabrica, before leaving for AC Milan in 2023, initially on a loan move, which was made permanent a year later.
After impressing in Italy, Jimenez was signed by Bournemouth last summer, on a loan deal, with a mandatory buy clause which was activated last week.
Jimenez has been impressing in his debut season in the Premier League with the Cherries. However, the youngster refused to close the doors on a future return to Real Madrid.
“Right now I’m focused on Bournemouth, on this season, but going back would be a dream for me because I grew up there and it’s the place where I learned what I am now,” said Jimenez about a hypothetical return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
“Right now, all I know is that I have a contract with Bournemouth and I’m very happy here,” he added, when asked if he was aware where he would be playing next season.
Alex Jimenez not ruling out a future return to Real Madrid. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Another former Real Madrid academy gem, linked with a return to the club, happens to be Nico Paz, who is shining at Como in Italy. And Jimenez believes that the Argentine is ready to move back to the Spanish capital club.
“Yes, he’s ready. He was very good last season and this season he’s taken another step forward. I’ve always liked him and I’d be very happy for him if he ends up returning to Madrid,” said the right-back.
Jimenez worked with current Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa during his time at La Fabrica.
“He knows how to manage the team well and has clear ideas about what he wants to do,” the 20-year-old defender said about the manager.
When asked about his role models and references, Jimenez named Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal and summer signing Trent Alexander-Arnold among the players he followed.
“I’ve always looked up to Carvajal because I spent many years at Real Madrid. Also Alexander-Arnold, Davies, and Theo Hernández, with whom I was lucky enough to play at AC Milan,” he said.
Mark Cuban is weighing a possible move to regain control of the Dallas Mavericks after a chaotic stretch for the franchise.
The situation follows the heavily criticised Luka Doncic trade and a series of decisions that have drawn sustained backlash from the fan base.
Attention has now shifted to whether Cuban could play a larger ownership role again after the recent organisational upheaval.
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
Mark Cuban explores path to buy back Mavericks
The Stein Line has reported that a group of unidentified Dallas-based investors has shown tangible interest in partnering with Mark Cuban to attempt to buy the franchise back from the Dumont and Adelson families.
Patrick Dumont and Miriam Adelson have owned the Mavericks for less than three years, and a source close to Dumont said the family remains excited about the future of the franchise and the Cooper Flagg era.
Cuban declined comment when contacted, but he has continued to serve as an official adviser to Dumont since the firing of general manager Nico Harrison on Nov. 11.
He still owns 27 percent of the franchise as a minority owner, although that stake can be reduced to seven percent at the discretion of the current ownership group within the first four years.
Luka Doncic trade fallout reshapes franchise direction
Dumont replaced Cuban as operating owner near the end of 2023, bringing an end to Cuban’s 23 and a half seasons in charge of the organisation.
The Mavericks followed an unexpected run to the NBA Finals by trading Luka Doncic on Feb. 2, 2025, for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and one unprotected first-round pick in 2029.
Nico Harrison absorbed months of fan anger as the strongest internal supporter of the deal before being dismissed in November and replaced by Matt Riccardi and Michael Finley as co-interim general managers.
Under their direction, Dallas later traded Davis to the Washington Wizards in a move that created financial flexibility but returned limited draft and player value.
MILAN (AP) — The organizing committee for the Milan Cortina Olympics is apologizing for the surface of the podium used at the Milano Ice Skating Arena that caused minor damage to the blades of figure skaters celebrating their team medals last weekend.
Several of the athletes, including Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the gold medal-winning U.S. team, reported nicks and blemishes from the anti-slip surface. Japan's Kaori Sakamoto, whose team took silver, was among those who noticed it right away, skating away from the podium to check on her blades while simultaneously celebrating her medal.
Japan eventually lodged a formal complaint about the abrasive nature of the podium.
The organizers said that they were “taking steps to replace the surface to prevent a reoccurrence," and that blade-sharpening services would be made available along with an additional training session for the U.S., Japanese and bronze medalist Italian teams.
“We also understand that some (National Olympic Committees) have offered their services to the impacted athletes from other countries in a true example of the Olympic spirit,” the committee said, adding that it “apologises for the inconvenience caused and reiterates its commitment to ensuring the best possible conditions for all athletes.”
Skaters typically use freshly sharpened blades as a last resort, because it can take time for them to get worked back in. Instead, they turn to what are called honing stones that they run along the blades to remove any nicks and burrs.
Some wondered whether the blades may have caused a problem for Chock and Bates in the rhythm dance on Monday night, when the favored Americans were beaten by the French couple of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron by a slim margin.
“I think the skates are fine. The blades are good,” Bates said afterward. “We skated great. We felt like it was really strong.”
The next medal ceremony at the Milano Ice Skating Arena was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon, following the mixed team relay in short-track speedskating. The next figure skating medal ceremony is on Wednesday night, when Chock and Bates hope to make up their deficit to Beaudry and Cizeron in the free dance and climb onto the top step of a resurfaced podium.
Germany's Franziska Preuss attends a press conference after training. Face masks are a quite common sight at the Olympic biathlon venue as Germany and other teams are taking no chances when it comes to health and fitness. Sven Hoppe/dpa
Face masks are a quite common sight at the Olympic biathlon venue as Germany and other teams are taking no chances when it comes to health and fitness.
The German quartet celebrated their mixed relay bronze in this way, and Franziska Preuss shrugged off any raised eyebrows when she told broadcasters ARD that "there are worse things."
"The top priority is that everyone gets through this healthy, and we do have contact with the outside world. We are convinced that we stay healthy in this way - and for that you must always wear a mask," she said.
Retirement-bound Preuss, who is the reigning World Cup champion, has had a fair share of illnesses in her career, including early this season when she first contracted the coronavirus and then influenza.
The Germans are not alone, with team-mate David Zobel saying: "You can see that every team that wants to achieve something is doing it."
Zobel referred to a norovirus outbreak in the Finnish ice hockey team in Milan which forced the postponement of one of their games which quickly silences the mask critics.
The German ski federation has imposed a strict hygiene concept since the Covid outbreak in 2020 which is to prevent any infection spreading through the team.
Wearing a mask has become a daily routine and Zobel said that while the concept was set up by the federation "it is accepted by us.
"You only have to do endurance sport and then fall ill. If I now have something, a flu or a cough then that's it at the Olympics for me," Zobel said.
Nkunku: France have three teams to win World Cup, Rabiot ‘a beast’
During his interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan striker Christopher Nkunku praised many of his Rossoneri teammates and said France could compete to win the World Cup with three different teams.
Milan striker Nkunku has been in excellent form in recent weeks, scoring one Serie A goal every 63 minutes since the end of December.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan hugs teammate Christopher Nkunku during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
During his interview with Gazzetta, Nkunku spoke highly of many of his Milan teammates, including his compatriots Adrien Rabiot and Mike Maignan.
Nkunku and Rabiot are Milan’s best scorers in 2026.
Nkunku: Rabiot ‘could play 90 minutes every day’
“Adrien always been like this; maybe he’s just more decisive now,” Nkunku said.
“Allegri wants him to play more in attack, while before he used to be more defensive. Adrien has a phenomenal shot, and he runs so much. I think he could play 90 minutes every day because he’s never tired. He’s at the peak of his career, between 29 and 31 years old. He has no limits; he always pushes on and off the pitch. He’s a beast.”
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan inflates a balloon as he celebrates with teammates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Maignan has recently extended his Milan contract and has been a crucial player for the Serie A giants this term. The French keeper saved penalty kicks against Inter and Roma, so Nkunku was asked whether he can score consistently from the spot in training, against his compatriot.
“I would say it’s 50-50, Mike has helped us earn points,” the striker replied.
“He has great leadership inside the dressing room. Everyone listens to him when he says something. He always speaks for the team’s good, as a true captain. We couldn’t tell him to stay, but now that he has extended his contract, we are calmer. It’s good for the club that he stays.”
Do the French players in the Milan team talk much about the upcoming World Cup?
“Not much, because now we are all focused on winning at Milan,” Nkunku said.
“The World Cup will be in three or four months, and if we give our best for the club, we’ll have more chances to be called up.”
The French forward sustained an injury just a few days before the start of the 2022 World Cup.
“It was sad; every footballer dreams of playing at the World Cup. Now I must work to make it happen,” Nkunku said.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan celebrates with his team-mates after scoring their team’s first goal1 from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“France are really strong. We could have three teams, and each would be competitive to win, because we have youth sectors that work well.”
Nkunku faced two final questions about other Milan stars, Rafael Leao and Luka Modric. Who is faster? Nkunku or Leao?
“Luka [Modric] is super, he has a unique quality and makes some fantastic long passes with the outside of his foot. If I even try, my hip goes out. It’s unbelievable that he’s 40. He could still play until 45 or 46.”
Espérance de Tunis appoints interim coach to replace Maher Kanzari
Christian Bracconi steps in as interim for Espérance de Tunis
Christian Bracconi@L'Equipe
Espérance Sportive de Tunis has handed the reins of its first team to Christian Bracconi, just a day after the dismissal of Maher Kanzari.
The Beb Souika club issued a statement announcing that the assistant technical director will serve as interim coach until a new manager is appointed.
The French coach will oversee training sessions and will be on the bench for the 6th matchday of the CAF Champions League group stage CAF Champions League clash against Petro Luanda at the end of the week.
The Blood and Gold need at least a draw in this encounter to secure their spot in the quarterfinals, as they currently sit second with a better goal difference than the Angolan side.
Recall that Maher Kanzari was relieved of his duties on Sunday evening following an away defeat to Stade Malien (1-0). That loss complicated the team’s quest to book a place in the quarterfinals of the competition.
End of the suspense: Endrick is coming back to Real
Real Madrid: Endrick, return confirmed
Endrick's future already appears to be sealed. After a brief loan spell, the young Brazilian striker is set to rejoin Real Madrid at the end of the season, as confirmed by his agent, Thiago Freitas, putting an end to all speculation surrounding his situation.
"Endrick was loaned out for six months. The decision has already been made and Endrick will return to Real Madrid at the end of the season," he stated,
stressing that there is absolutely no uncertainty. According to him, "there is no ambiguity or secret about this."
The player's representative also clarified that the agreement does not include a purchase option, ensuring his return to Madrid. As for what comes next, he remains cautious:
"I can't predict the future, but I can tell you that at the end of the season, Endrick will once again be a Real Madrid player."
Ex-Kaizer Chiefs star maintains red-hot form in Saudi
Former Chiefs striker continues scoring form
Photo: Al-Adalah
Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Ranga Chivaviro continued his red-hot goal scoring form as his team, Al-Adalah, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Al-Arabi in the Saudi second tier.
The 33-year-old centre-forward opened the scoring in the 59th minute, but the home side swiftly turned the game around with goals from Gatoch Panom and Fahad Al Johani.
Chivaviro's team dropped to the relegation zone following the defeat, having amassed 15 points in 21 league outings.
Meanwhile, the former Marumo Gallants talisman has now scored six goals and provided one assist in 16 matches across all competitions.
Notably, Chivaviro scored five of the goals in his last five appearances for the club - this after failing to score in his first nine matches.
The South African attacker signed for the Saudi First Division side in September 2025 after he was deemed surplus to requirements at Naturena.
He lifted the Nedbank Cup with Chiefs under the tutelage of Nasreddine Nabi last season - the club's first trophy in a decade.
With the 1-on-1 Tournament set to begin on Wednesday, Unrivaled regular-season action temporarily pauses after a pair of Monday night games.
First, we had Phantom coming from behind to beat Vinyl 76-73, and then Mist dominating Rose 90-64.
Phantom’s one-two punch knocks out Vinyl
In traditional basketball, a couple of players can make all the difference. While basketball is a team sport, there are only a handful of players on the court at a time, so if one or two can play above the rest of the competition, it can tip the scales in one direction.
That’s what happened in Phantom’s win over Vinyl as Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston were unstoppable.
Boston had a game-high 33 points along with 16 rebounds, earning Player of the Game honors. Plum scored 30 points and shot 50 percent from the field. That means the pair scored 63 of their team’s 76 points.
It was simply an unreal performance from the best guard-big combo in Unrivaled.
The victory clinched a playoff spot for Phantom, making them the second Unrivaled team to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Even as Boston and Plum were almost unguardable, the game wasn’t easy for Phantom.
Midway through the third, Vinyl was ahead by 11. Then, Phantom went on a run. Boston scored inside, Kiki Iriafen converted a basket, Natasha Cloud hit a 3, and after a make from beyond the arc from Boston, it was suddenly a one-point game.
Vinyl re-established some breathing room entering the fourth, as they were ahead 65-61. Plum and Iriafen scored four-unanswered points to once again cut the deficit down to one, but Vinyl kept Phantom at bay for a bit longer with makes from Erica Wheeler, Rhyne Howard and Brittney Griner.
With the winning score set at 76 and Vinyl at 73 point, they were knocking on the door of victory.
Unfortunately for them, their shots went cold—and Plum took over. She hit a 3-pointer to put Phantom ahead and then she destroyed Rae Burrell, her Los Angeles Sparks teammate, with a pump fake and some fancy footwork to win the game.
This season has been a letdown for Vinyl. They’ve struggled all year, and at 4-7, just making the postseason would be an accomplishment.
Howard had a good game with 22 points, and Dearica Hamby was efficient with 14 points on 60 percent shooting, but a bad shift in the third quarter and some poor offensive execution down the stretch led to another fall-from-ahead loss.
Mist vs. Rose was over before it began
Rose made news early on Monday, as they were part of a three-player trade with Breeze and Hive. Courtney Williams was moved from Vinyl to Breeze, Saniya Rivers from Hive to Vinyl and Azurá Stevens from Rose to Hive. It was the first in-season trade in Unrivaled history.
Perhaps the news of the trade that impacted Rose’s ability to play, because things got ugly in a hurry in their loss to Mist.
In the opening quarter, they were competing well. Shakira Austin and Chelsea Gray were scoring in bunches, and Rose was down by just two points after seven minutes of play. However, in the second quarter, Mist applied pressure, and Rose wilted away.
Breanna Stewart got going, Allisha Gray was contributing to the backcourt production, and once Arike Ogunbowale got hot, the advantage quickly ascended into double figures for Mist.
Stewart started the scoring for the Mist in the second half with a layup, and they were officially up by 20 points.
Rose was never able to spark any sort of run or response to Mist’s level of play, and that was the ball game. Ogunbowale, named Player of the Game, had 29 points in the win. Gray was lights out with 19 points on 70 percent shooting, and Stewart had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
In defeat, Austin had 19 points for Rose, and Chelsea Gray finished the game with 17.
Rose can still make the playoffs and salvage their title defense. After losing Stevens in Monday’s trade, we’ll see if another player is added to the club’s permanent roster or if they will rely on developmental players to supplement their group if injuries or illnesses drop them below five players.
Ben Ryan: The Olympic gold medalist helping Brentford reach peak performance
Name the Englishman who led Fiji's rugby sevens team to Olympic gold and ended up with his very own waterfall and his face on a specially commissioned $7 note.
The answer is Ben Ryan - or 'Ratu Peni Rayani Latianara' to give him his Fijian chief title by which he is also known.
Seven years have passed since Ryan led Fiji to its first-ever Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro, but he is still given a hero’s welcome when he returns to the country.
“I went back for three weeks last summer, and it was like I’d never left,” he says.
“There aren’t many gingers on the island, so I don’t get left alone! I will be asked for over 1,000 photographs a day, easily. My face hurts so much from smiling!
“I have to plan a trip to the supermarket – I know it’s going to take an hour and a half to get a loaf of bread – but it’s joyful and the people are very well meaning. It’s very nice to have so many people who feel so warmly about me.”
While Ryan will forever be connected with a country some 10,000 miles away in the South Pacific Ocean, his current role has brought him home.
Growing up, he lived on Field Lane, Brentford, less than a mile from Griffin Park. On matchdays, the sound of the crowd carried down the railway line at the bottom of his garden.
Ryan’s professional rugby career, which began as a player at the age of 17 and then evolved into coaching, meant he had little time to watch the Bees, but he squeezed in games whenever he could and became a season ticket holder in 2011.
“There was no phone coverage, and the toilets were s**t, but I’d get my Bovril at half-time and I could have 90 minutes where everything just disappeared,” Ryan recalls fondly.
“I was fully focused on watching Brentford. I’ve had some fairly big jobs, so knowing I could go to Griffin Park for a couple of hours was so good. I enjoyed it immensely.”
“There was no phone coverage, and the toilets were s**t, but I’d get my Bovril at half-time and I could have 90 minutes where everything just disappeared'
Like any supporter, Brentford was once a place for Ryan to escape the pressures of his working life. But now the club is his working life.
Appointed as the Bees’ performance director in June 2022, Ryan is among five staff, including head coach Thomas Frank, who report into director of football Phil Giles, while medical, welfare, logistics, performance, nutrition and kit staff feed into him.
Ryan specialises in improving culture and performance. The Loughborough and Cambridge graduate coached England’s rugby sevens before his time with Fiji, leading the side to their first World Cup final in 20 years, and after leaving full-time rugby worked as a consultant for world-class athletes, organisations and teams.
With Fiji, Ryan found himself building from the ground up (“it was me and a whistle and nothing else”). Lots of the processes, standards and strategies he implemented were new to the players and staff.
On a sevens trip to Dubai, he spotted one his players Mosese Mawalu strolling back to his table with a tower of 10 pains au chocolat, each with a fried egg on top. Mawalu was not wilfully choosing whatever he wanted to eat; he just had no real idea about what was best for an athlete.
“In Fiji, I sorted out their nutrition strategy, their diet, their physical load and educated them on some of the nuances around when to eat for training and competition. They saw an immediate benefit in energy levels and performance, so they bought straight in,” says Ryan.
“It’s the same for fitness standards, discipline, timings and tactics. If they immediately see there’s a benefit and they haven’t had that before, they’re in.”
Hero’s welcome: Ryan waves from the truck as Fiji’s rugby sevens team celebrate their Olympic triumph on the streets of Suva
Walking through the gates at newly promoted Brentford - an already successful set-up - posed an altogether different challenge…
“When there’s something already in place – ‘Okay, you’ve got something good here, but I think it could be better if you did A, B, C and D’ – you’re quite rightly going to have people who question why. ‘Why are you changing this? It’s worked really well.’ It’s a very good question, and that’s why you have to have things evidenced,” says Ryan.
“I was given time during the first few months to take a look at the landscape and make a personal MOT of the club.
“Look, observe and ask questions. Be open-minded and curious. Where are the gaps and opportunities?
“Then I sat down with Phil and started to talk about some of the things I was seeing. Some changes could be made five minutes later; others might be one or two seasons later. There’s a cadence for some of these things and you’ve got to prioritise.
“I always apply the Pareto principle: 80 per cent of your success is on 20 per cent of the things you do. These are the trampolines. What can we jump on to accelerate our performance?
“During the first season, we completely changed our grounds staff at the stadium and the training ground. That might sound fairly standard, but we’ve now got pitches where we can take corners and do set-pieces regularly and that’s important to us. Before, it was too muddy, it was wet and there wasn’t enough grass coverage.
“The operations department was also significantly changed, and a player care department created.”
Ryan adds: “There are other changes that are a bit more subtle but could have just as big an impact on performance, health of players and making as many players as possible available for selection. All of these things are important, they just have different timelines.
“We’ve had some injuries this season and we’re obviously looking hard at why that is. We’re not just deciding that they’re all unlucky. We’re not naïve enough to think that.
“And it goes back to what I was saying that everything is a journey and things take time to unpack.”
Last term, it was discovered that Brentford’s blue second kit soaked up sweat, meaning each player was carrying up to 500g extra during games. The Bees often decided to wear their third kit instead and worked with technical supplier Umbro to remedy the issue.
While valuable, Ryan is quick to stress that such changes are “the little extras, not the core part of my job.”
“The shirt was a bit of a headline,” he says. “I worked as a consultant for Nike in innovation and I can see why people grab those headlines, but those are just the standard things. You obviously want kit that fits, that doesn’t weigh you down and isn’t against your performance.
“If there’s anything small I see on the hoof – half-time, pre-match or post-match – I’ll ask, ‘Have you thought about this?’
“But I’ve got departments we’re trying to get as good as we possibly can – the fundamental stuff. Most things take time to improve and to grow.”
To steal a line from Ryan’s own website, his story is not about sport but about people.
Whether it’s a grounds person, a chef, a masseur, a coach, a physio or a player, building relationships and understanding what makes each individual tick is fundamental to his role.
Tattooed on Ryan’s wrist is ‘Vei Lomani’, a Fijian phrase that means love one another and work together.
“As a performance director, the easy bit is knowing the solution to making something better, whatever that might be,” Ryan insists.
“The hardest bit is then persuading, influencing and negotiating with the people involved to make them see that the change is going to be good and make that process happen. That’s the tricky bit.
“That’s probably the biggest challenge for anybody who’s looking to change processes or improve things. Or not change things as well, because people might feel they need change when they should actually stick to the process they’re working to. It’s about bringing people on the journey.
“As a performance director, the easy bit is knowing the solution... The hardest bit is then persuading, influencing and negotiating with the people involved to make them see that the change is going to be good'
“Trust takes time to build. No matter how good people think you are, you still need time to build trust for people to realise you’re doing it in their best interests and for the benefit of the club.
“There are a lot of moving parts, so you’ve got to be careful: this is what we want to change, these are the timelines, narrate that to the right people, evidence it and then communicate those steps all the way.
“It’s not straightforward but it’s part of the challenge that I really like, particularly once you see some benefits – a staff member stepping up or a process kicking in that has a tangible impact.”
No matter how strong your processes are, luck is always going to be a major factor in football, with matches often decided by the finest of margins. An unintentional handball adjudged to be a penalty, a deflection off the post or a marginal offside can decide the outcome of a game.
In a sport of such randomness, and when success is so often judged by a scoreline, how important is rational decision making?
“The lead from the top is crucial, from Mathew [Benham], Phil, Jon [Varney], Lee [Dykes], Nity [Raj] and Cliff [Crown],” says Ryan.
“You shouldn’t underestimate the quality they bring into the building to be strategic and make sensible, right decisions in the best interest of the sustainability of the club in the Premier League.
“I’ve been massively impressed. I’ve worked in a lot of big organisations, and I’ve had line managers who have been convicted murderers and military dictators, so I know how difficult it can be to get it right at the top and how it cascades down and impacts the day to day.
“Thomas is in that group as well. He’s so consistent with his energy, how he relates and communicates with people, and that’s a real super strength of his. All of that is wrapped up in the club to ensure we’re not making knee-jerk reactions or getting too carried away either way.”
“He’s so consistent with his energy”: in conversation with head coach Thomas Frank
Ryan continues: “Phil’s said that if we were to do a documentary here, and the club’s probably turned down a few offers in the past, it might be quite boring!
“We’re just doing sensible things every day, and that shouldn’t be underestimated in elite sport. We’re not suddenly hoofing out half the staff after a poor run of games, deciding to bring in a bit of kit that a quarterback has used in a Netflix series or hiring someone because they’ve got friends at the club or they’re a former player.
“We do things in a professional way, and we’ve consistently done it, and that’s a big reason why we are where we are.”
'We’re just doing sensible things every day, and that shouldn’t be underestimated in elite sport'
The Premier League is not a level playing field. With Brentford regularly competing against clubs with far greater resources, what does success look like to the Bees’ performance director?
“I’m not naïve enough, with almost 25 years working in professional sport, that it’s not a lot harder without the resources the top teams have,” Ryan concedes.
“But, in my head, nothing is impossible. Other clubs can spend money on players that we can’t, however there are things that we can do here that would be best practice in the league - as good as anything City, Liverpool or United do.
“Cash isn’t always a limiting factor for us; it’s just good joined-up thinking and getting the right people in the building who are making the right decisions.
“There’s no reason why we can’t be the best-run club in the Premier League, because that’s not about cash, that’s just good thinking, and that’s always our aspiration.”
The Eagles were one and done in the playoffs, but it wasn't all bad for a team that finished the regular season 11- 6 overall. The first back-to-back NFC East Champion since the 2001-04 Eagles (four) over two decades ago, Philadelphia is the only NFL team to repeat as a division winner in 2025. Philadelphia is one of just two NFL teams with five consecutive postseason berths (tying a team record set from 2000-04), joining Buffalo (seven). The Eagles are also one of only three clubs to have advanced to the playoffs in eight of the previous nine seasons (along with Buffalo and Kansas City), representing the best nine-year stretch in franchise history.
Now, Howie Roseman will decide on 21 free agents and build Sean Mannion's scheme around quarterback Jalen Hurts.
With the Super Bowl now complete and the new league year fast approaching, we're predicting the Eagles' offensive depth chart heading into free agency.
QB: 2
Starter: Jalen Hurts: $31,971,800
Tanner McKee: $1,191,630
At an average annual salary of $51 million a year, Hurts is the first NFL quarterback to make over $50 million in a season and win the Super Bowl. The previous record was held by Patrick Mahomes. The Eagles quarterback is entering the third year of the five-year, $255 million deal he signed prior to the 2023 season, and his $51.5 million salary is guaranteed for 2026 as he'll count $31,971,800 against the cap with a September 1 option bonus looming. This season will be the final year of guaranteed money, and his cap hit will rise to $42,132,800 in 2027 and $47,541,000 in 2028, according to Over The Cap.
RB: 4
Starter: Saquon Barkley: $9,881,100
Tank Bigsby: $1,485,399
Will Shipley: $1,254,241
Carson Steele: $1,005,000
Ben VanSumeren: RFA
WR: 7
Starter: A.J. Browns: $23,393,498
Starter: DeVonta Smith: $10,726,510
Britain Covey: $1,215,000
Quez Watkins: $1,075,000
Starter: Johnny Wilson: $1,054,252
Darius Cooper: $1,010,000
Danny Gray: $1,005,000
We don't think Philadelphia will trade A.J. Brown, and Johnny Wilson was displaying dynamic potential before his knee injury.
TE: 3
Starter: Dallas Goedert (Free Agent)
Draft pick
E.J. Jenkins: $1,025,166
Jaheim Bell: $1,005,000
Cameron Latu: $1,005,000
We're predicting Goedert returns on a team-friendly one or two-year deal. Philadelphia should still draft another tight end, with Grant Calcaterra a free agent.
OL: 12
Starter: Lane Johnson: $20,299,000
Starter: Jordan Mailata: $15,855,233
Starter: Landon Dickerson: $10,275,000
Starter: Cam Jurgens: $5,421,200
Starter: Tyler Steen: $3,900,534
John Ojukwu: $1,172,500
Drew Kendall: $1,093,769
Willie Lampkin: $1,005,000
Cameron Williams: $960,392
Myles Hinton: $943,316
Hollin Pierce: $885,000
Jake Majors: $885,000
A full off-season and an extra month of rest could allow this unit to return to its dominant ways, with Cameron Williams being a player to watch.
'He might be interested': Arne Slot offered Anfield escape route
Arne Slot got off to the perfect start as Liverpool head coach.
Signed in the off-season before the 2024/25 campaign, the Dutchman was identified as the outstanding candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp.
And the 47-year-old proved his worth immediately - winning the Premier League title at the first time of asking.
Once Richard Hughes - Liverpool’s sporting director - adding £450m worth of new players in last summer’s transfer window it was expected that the Anfield side would embark on a long period of success.
But it’s not turned out like that.
Where next for Arne Slot?
Slot has had difficulty integrating his new signings and the champions have been plagued by injury issues all season long.
Following defeat to Manchester City on Sunday Liverpool have won only ONE of their seven top-flight games played in 2026.
It has left the club well adrift of Arsenal and Man City in the title race - and it looks like they are even in danger of missing out on the Champions League next season.
Slot is expected to retain FSG’s backing until summer - but with the tactician’s contract expiring in 2027 a parting of the ways could be on the cards if Liverpool do not hit their targets for the remainder of the campaign.
There is a clamour for Xabi Alonso to be appointed and it leaves Slot’s next move in doubt should Hughes end up sacking him.
Arne Slot named as potential Koeman replacement
One option according to Soccernews could be to take over the Netherlands national team job after the FIFA World Cup.
Ronald Koeman’s contract is due to expire after the summer showpiece and according to the report Peter Bosz and Erik ten Hag have both ruled themselves out of the running.
Therefore the Dutch outlet speculates that the Liverpool boss could be the next man up - where he would link up with plenty of his current players.
“Slot might be interested,” the report reads. “[He] was once asked if he ever saw himself as the national coach of the Dutch national team.
"At a certain age, I could imagine it being desirable not to be on the pitch every day. You could go to Ibiza more often," he is reported to have said.
"Or play golf. Or paddle tennis."
Therefore depending on what happens at Anfield at the end of the season he could be receiving a call from the Dutch football federation.
Forward Rhian Brewster says Derby County need "better quality in the final third" after missed chances cost them against fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town.
Brewster, 25, scored the Rams' only goal in their 2-1 defeat by Ipswich at Pride Park on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, Brewster said he thought "for the majority of the game" the Rams were "the better team".
"We stuck to the game plan and conceded early on to a set-piece," he added.
"I thought the boys responded very well. We kept pushing, kept going and equalised, and then conceded against the run of play."
Brewster said he is not immune to criticism and took responsibility for missing opportunities which have been costing his side.
"I think the quality in the final third just needs to be better from me and from everybody," he said.
"We will try to put it right on the training pitch and try to put it right next week."
Derby are currently are ninth in the Championship table, and Brewster made it clear that a top-six finish is what the Rams want.
"Our aim for the next 15 games is to win as many as possible and get into the play-offs," he said.
Those who know Anna Gibson desperately want to try to explain Anna Gibson.
Unable to draw her as an actual action hero in a comic book, they resort to what feels like hyperbole. David Roche, her coach in an array of running pursuits, says: “In another life, she’d be a professional soccer player or a point guard or racing in the Tour de France or whatever else she wanted, because she’s not only an endurance freak, but she’s just a monstrous athlete.” Matt Chorney, her high school track coach, explains that this has always been clear. “When she was in ninth grade, I said, ‘This girl is going to the Olympics.’”
Which is exactly what’s happening now, because, as her teammate Cameron Smith says, “She wins everything she shows up to.”
For instance, the International Ski Mountaineering Federation World Cup in Solitude, Utah. It was back in mid-December. Gibson stood on the starting line. A newbie.
Ski mountaineering, or skimo, is a big deal in parts of Europe, but especially niche in the U.S. To the unacquainted, the sport sounds like some kind of punishment handed down by an Alpine god. Athletes race up — up! — a mountain using “skins,” essentially abrasive wraps attached to the bottom of skis, allowing one to move uphill on snow, defying nature and physics. Racers move through obstacles, reach a flat point on the course, remove the skins, transition to downhill skiers and race to the bottom.
Confused viewers will find out all about skimo as the sport makes its Olympics debut this winter. The docket includes men’s and women’s individual sprint races and a mixed relay.
Gibson grew up in Jackson, Wyo., spending an idyllic childhood at the foot of the Tetons, wearing skis as often as shoes. Her parents, Les and Maggie Gibson, owned a bagel shop in town, but focused most of their time and energy on outdoor sports and breathing the air. They dabbled a little in the traditional long-distance version of ski mountaineering. So, young Anna did, too.
But that was as a kid. Now, at 26, Gibson was set to compete in her first professional skimo race — a World Cup relay for a chance to go to the Olympics in a sport she began training for only six months earlier. The starting gun sounded, and off she went, jostling through a pack of 12 women, most far more experienced.
Gibson was teamed in the relay with Smith, a friend and 13-time American male national champion skimo racer. He was the one who convinced her to lean into the sport. He approached her at a trail running race earlier in 2025 and made his pitch. He felt Gibson’s natural speed and power might translate to world-class skimo racing and be enough for them to claim one of the 12 quota spots in the mixed relay at the 2026 Olympics.
With North America assured one spot in the Games, the duo’s lone goal at the Solitude race was to beat the Canadian team. It didn’t matter if Smith and Gibson finished 11th. As long as the Canadians were 12th, the U.S. would score a ticket to Italy.
That was the extent of expectations. After all, the U.S. team finished 10th, 11th or 12th in its six previous World Cup relays.
And what happened?
A bizarre confluence of fates. Gibson dominated. Smith dominated. The Americans not only beat the Canadians, but everyone else, too. Their winning time of 32 minutes and 17 seconds was nearly a full minute faster than the field. What began as a long shot ended with Gibson and Smith claiming the first U.S. gold medal in a skimo World Cup — ever.
“There’s no logical reason why we should have won the race,” Smith said.
Which is why everyone tries to explain Gibson.
“She’s the type of person,” Smith said, “that you want involved no matter what it ends up looking like.”
Why? An accumulation of talent and a disregard for limits. While Gibson nods along in conversation and admits, sure, she’s taken a bizarre course to the Olympics, she is not exactly surprised by any of this. Everything she’s done, everywhere she’s been — this is where it was going. This is what happens when you grow up in an era of hyper-specialized youth sports and refuse to follow the trends.
“I had a lot of moments in my childhood where there was pretty strong pressure from coaches or other people, even other athletes, thinking that I needed to choose what I wanted to do,” Gibson said. “I never bought into that policy. So I kept doing everything, switching from one sport to the next, from season to season. I just did the things I loved doing.”
At age 10, Gibson was a great Alpine skier, dreaming of the Olympics. “That was my thing.”
By 13, she started drifting toward Nordic skiing. “I thought that might be my thing.”
By 16, she was one of the best middle- and long-distance runners in Wyoming and recruited by top college track and field programs. She fell in love, she says, “with the exacting nature of running.” That did not stop her, though, from going out and winning some Nordic skiing junior national championships on the side.
This is about when the typical elite teenage athlete — those few of the few — would subscribe to travel camps and intense training schedules. Gibson spent her summers kayaking, camping, hiking, climbing, windsurfing, walking, running, searching, finding. Whatever she woke up wanting to do.
Gibson began college at Brown University, combining track and field with an Ivy League degree. Derailed by injuries, she never competed for the school and transferred to the University of Washington. There, she qualified for two NCAA indoor and two NCAA outdoor track championships and anchored the school’s NCAA record-breaking distance medley relay in 2023. This was, in theory, a time for Gibson to narrow her focus.
Instead, she disappeared on weekends to go backcountry skiing in Vancouver or hiking around the mountainsides outside Seattle. Why? Not because she wanted to, but because she had to.
“My college teammate saw me in this phase where I was escaping the NCAA intensity by driving up into the mountains to get away,” she said. “I don’t think they ever had a full concept of what I was doing or why I was doing it.”
This is Gibson’s wiring. It’s never changed.
She’s remained among the top American 1,500-meter runners since college. She landed an endorsement deal with Brooks and qualified for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Ore. It amounted to the biggest race of her life on the biggest stage in American track.
The week before the Trials, though, Gibson decided to compete in the Broken Arrow VK at Palisades Tahoe ski resort, a 3.6-mile dash up 3,000 feet of ascent to the summit of 9,000-foot Washeshu Peak.
“The polar opposite of what anyone else on the starting line at Hayward Field would’ve been doing a few days before the trials,” Roche, her coach, said. “But Anna is Anna, so you just go with it.”
Of late, Gibson has gravitated more and more toward trail running, a sport gaining popularity and sponsorship opportunities. Last summer, at the U.S. national championships — two laps up and down Mount Sunapee in New Hampshire — she hoped for a solid showing and instead won. In September, making her debut in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Spain, she won bronze in the Uphill 6K and finished 13th (out of 110) in the 14K Mountain Classic.
But biking is interesting, too, no? So Gibson has gotten into that. She entered the Crusher in the Tushar in July, an elite 69-mile gravel race through Utah with 10,000 feet of incline. She finished third.
“Unheard of,” said Chorney, her former high school track coach, now a friend and training partner. “That was as wild to me as making these Olympics. Like, skiing is at least similar to running, as far as going uphill. But on a bike? There are people who devote their entire lives to doing what she did.”
Add it all up. If, in a lab of some sort, one humming with supercomputers and unstable molecules, you were concocting the ideal ski mountaineer, mixing the right combination of power, endurance and one obscure superpower — an innate ability to always move uphill, against all rationale — this is what you’d get.
You’d get Anna Gibson.
When Smith approached her with the idea, it all made sense. Gibson is, at heart, a skier. Roach didn’t hesitate to put her running training schedule on hold this winter because, as he puts it, “You can’t keep Queen Elsa off the ice.”
There was only the matter of, you know, learning the sport. Transitions, for instance. One of the keys to skimo is a racer’s ability to remove the skins from the skis and morph into a downhiller. (Think of a pit stop in NASCAR.) What might take you or me 10 minutes, they do in about 15 seconds. Gibson has spent every free moment practicing the process, over and over, wherever she is. Chorney arrived at her house not long ago to find her sitting on a yoga mat in her front yard, going through the routine.
Is she improving?
“I think so?” she answered, shrugging.
Not exactly what you expect to hear from an Olympian, but Gibson doesn’t seem fazed.
“I’m a beginner,” she continued. “Like, I am new to skimo itself. I don’t know all the names. I don’t know all the characters. I don’t have all these skills perfected. But at the same time, in some sense, I have been training for this my entire life.”
Hamburger SV will have to manage without Sambi Lokonga for some time.
The North German side announced on Monday evening that the central midfielder suffered a lateral ankle ligament tear in Saturday's 2-0 away win over Heidenheim.
As a result of the injury, Lokonga is expected to be out for a couple of weeks.
The 26-year-old has featured 16 times in the Bundesliga, scoring four goals, following his move from Arsenal last summer.
CHENNAI, India (AP) — The United Arab Emirates won the toss and chose to bat first against New Zealand in a tough Group D game at cricket's T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
New Zealand had already crossed the first hurdle by beating Afghanistan at the same venue in a group that also features 2024 finalist South Africa and Canada.
“It’s a tough group but we are ready for that challenge,” UAE skipper Muhammad Waseem said at the toss.
On the eve of its opening game, UAE sent batter Muhammad Zohaib back home for what it called disciplinary reasons on Monday and the Emirates Cricket Board said it will provide more details "in due course.”
New Zealand made no changes and captain Mitchell Santner said he hoped the red-soiled wicket will have some bounce to suit his three fast bowlers.
De Leede stars in Dutch first win
Earlier at New Delhi, Bas de Leede’s all-round show earned the Netherlands a seven-wicket win over Namibia in Group A.
De Leede grabbed 2-20 as the Dutch used eight bowlers and Namibia scored 156-8. De Leede then smashed four sixes and five boundaries and guided his team to 159-3 in 18 overs with an unbeaten 72 off 48 balls.
Pakistan vs. US
In the night game on Tuesday, Pakistan will take on the United States in Group A.
Pakistan has reversed its decision to boycott the T20 World Cup game against India and was directed to “take the field” in Colombo on Sunday.
___
Lineups:
UAE: Aryansh Sharma, Muhammad Waseem (captain), Alishan Sharafu, Mayank Kumar, Sohaib Khan, Harshit Kaushik, Muhammad Arfan, Dhruv Parashar, Haider Ali, Junaid Siddique, Muhammad Rohid.
New Zealand: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Mark Chapman, James Neesham, Mitchell Santner (captain), Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy.
Alonso, who turns 45 in July, has made a record 425 starts in F1 and will take to the grid this year a full quarter of a century after his debut in the sport, which came at the Australian Grand Prix in March 2001.
Formula 1 has completely overhauled its car regulations this year, which is expected to shake up the status quo of the sport, with every team scrambling to make a car that can best take advantage of the new rules.
Aston Martin, who are also having Honda replacing Mercedes as their power unit provider, are widely expected to be more competitive under the new regulations, thanks to the presence of multi-title-winning design genius Adrian Newey – who has taken over as team principal for the new campaign – and technical guidance of former Ferrari man Enrico Cardile.
Alonso revealed that he hasn’t yet decided whether this season will be his last in F1 but he’s planning to enjoy every second of the new year, in the new car.
“This first year in this set of regulations will provide a lot of action and a lot of input and feedback from the driver,” Alonso told Reuters at the livery launch. “I think it’s going to be a very interesting season from a driver point of view.
"I feel very proud to be part of this organisation. I don’t know if it’s going to be the last (season) but my plan is to enjoy every second. And then if I make one more (season), I will be also happy. So let’s see. I will do race by race.”
Aston Martin revealed their livery for the new F1 season (Aston Martin F1)The car is visually striking but also has a different nose, side pods and engine cover to their rivals (Aston Martin F1)
Aston Martin will hope their new AMR26 car can finish higher than the seventh place they managed in the 2025 Constructors’ Championship, with Alonso admitting a top-five placing is “a must”.
The 44-year-old last won a grand prix back in 2013 with Ferrari, while his pair of Drivers’ Championship title came with Renault in 2005 and 2006.
But he is still inspired to race and helped the Silverstone-based team reach their ceiling.
“I feel very motivated. I feel very focused into the new system,” added Alonso. “But Formula One is a dynamic sport. It keeps changing every week.
“There is not only the racing part of it, there are a lot of marketing events, a lot of commitments off track and your batteries are getting drained during the season.
“Let’s see these regulations, how they work, how easy or difficult it is to follow cars, how much action we see on track. There are things that will play a part also in my decision for 2027.”
Aston Martin’s new car, which is certainly visually striking, may be slightly behind the curve after turning up late to the recent shakedown in Barcelona, where it was coated in a temporary black camoflague livery.
Aston Martin have stuck with their patented ‘racing green’ colour scheme (Aston Martin F1)F1 genius Adrian Newey is the new team principal (Getty)
The actual livery revealed on Monday sticks with the classic ‘racing green’ the team have used since returning to F1 in 2021, while the car’s nose, side pods and engine cover have all raised eyebrows due to the stark difference to those on rival models. Have Newey and co unlocked a hidden advantage or will their different design prove to be a dud?
Newey believes the team will be slightly behind their opponents in the early part of the 24-race season anyway, due to the fact that their brand-new wind tunnel – which is pivotal in testing the new designs – wasn’t available until April 2025, while their rivals had access in early January 2025.
Asked by Sky Sports News whether that delay would cost Aston Martin in the early part of the 2026 campaign, Newey replied: “It’s bound to, to be perfectly honest.
“We got in the tunnel mid to late April, as opposed to January 2 for everybody else. But more than that, everybody else has been working on their CFD [Computational Fluid Dynamics] and general layouts and mechanical layouts way, way before us, so we’re starting on the back foot and we’ll do our best to catch up.
“We’ve been working on updates initially for race one, and we’re now thinking about subsequent updates, which is the nature of Formula 1 in any case, but also this is a very new set of regulations and a car that’s had a very compressed cycle.”
Wigan’s Fraser Murray / | PA Images via Getty Images
Form
Wigan Athletic finished 15th in League One last season, 10 points clear of the relegation places. This season marks their third straight year in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in 2023, after finishing 22nd in the league.
The Latics are currently fighting at the wrong end of the table, sitting in the relegation zone in 22nd place, but are currently only two points away from safety. Their recent form has been poor, having seen four losses and one draw in their last five league games, with their last win coming at the end of December, when they beat Burton Albion away from home.
They come into this Tuesday’s game off the back of a heavy 6-1 away defeat to Peterborough United. Reading claimed the double over Wigan last season, winning 2-0 at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the first few weeks of the season before following up with a 1-2 away win last March after second-half goals from Jayden Wareham and Tyler Bindon.
The boss
Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow (interim managers): Wigan are on the hunt for their next manager after Ryan Lowe was sacked following their heavy 6-1 defeat to Peterborough over the weekend.
Lowe had been in charge for almost a year, having been appointed Wigan boss in March 2025. Former Stoke and Republic of Ireland midfielder Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow have been placed in temporary charge of the Latics while they search for their next permanent managerial appointment.
Squad
Wigan signed four players during the winter transfer window with one arriving permanently and three joining on loan.
Their permanent signing was defender Jack Hunt, who joined on a free transfer following the end of his contract at Stockport County. Those joining on loan included midfielder Owen Moxon (Stockport), former Royals forward Caylan Vickers (Brighton & Hove Albion) and striker Joe Taylor (Huddersfield Town)
Wigan are expected to be without defenders Jason Kerr and James Carragher for this Tuesday’s game.
7. Fraser Murray: Midfielder Murray joined Wigan last summer on a free transfer following the end of his contract at Kilmarnock.
He started his career in the youth setup at Hibernian and made his debut for the club at the age of 17, back in 2016. He went on to make 30 appearances for Hibs while also spending time on loan at Dunfirmline Athletic. Murray went on to join Kilmarnock on a permanent deal in 2021 and made over a century of appearances for the club, scoring 14 goals.
He has five goals to his name so far this season, making him the club’s joint-topscorer so far. The 26-year-old Scotsman was capped at under-19 level, making three appearances for his country.
Murray is a versatile midfielder who can play in either the middle of the park or out wide and is a strong passer of the ball.
One to watch
8. Callum Wright Midfielder Wright joined Wigan on a season-long loan deal from Plymouth Argyle over the summer.
During his youth career he spent time at Tranmere, Everton, Blackburn Rovers and Leicester City, which is where he signed his first pro deal. Wright never made a first-team appearance for the Foxes, but spent time on loan at Cheltenham Town, before he moved to Blackpool on a permanent deal in 2022.
Wright only spent four months with the Tangerines before joining Plymouth Argyle, where he had his first proper settled period of first-team football. He has made 89 appearances for Argyle, scoring five goals.
He has already matched this goal tally this season with another five goals to his name in the 33 Wigan appearances he has made so far. The 25-year-old is an attacking midfielder who can play in the number 10 role and who is strong in the air.
NEW DELHI:Bangladesh allrounder Mustafizur Rahman took to social media on Tuesday to share a celebratory moment, posting a picture with the winner’s trophy after Dhumketu XI clinched the Odommo Bangladesh T20 Cup title. The triumph came at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, where Dhumketu XI edged past Durbar XI in a tense final.
Mustafizur was released from Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season.
"Alhamdulillah", Mustafizur wrote.
Dhumketu XI sealed the title with a narrow seven-run win, successfully defending 208 in a high-scoring 20-over final. The night belonged to Tanzid Hasan, whose match-winning innings (88 not out off 54 balls) earned him the Player of the Match award.
Asked to bat first, Dhumketu XI were powered by a commanding opening partnership between Saif Hassan and Tanzid. Saif set the tempo with a fluent 79 off 44 balls, striking seven sixes as the pair put Durbar’s bowlers under sustained pressure. Their 149-run stand inside 13.1 overs laid the foundation for a big total.
— Mustafiz90 (@Mustafiz90)
Following Saif’s dismissal to Hasan Mahmud, Tanzid assumed the anchor’s role with composure. He remained unbeaten on 88 from 54 deliveries, peppering the boundary eight times and clearing it on four occasions. Late cameos from Litton Das, who smashed 15 off seven balls, and Towhid Hridoy, who added an unbeaten 13, lifted Dhumketu XI to an imposing 208/3.
In reply, Durbar XI began aggressively, with Habibur Rahman Sohan blasting 67 from just 27 balls. His assault threatened to swing the contest, but Mustafizur’s timely breakthrough brought Dhumketu back into the game. Durbar continued to fight through Nurul Hasan’s steady 54 and Afif Hossain’s unbeaten 60.
The chase went down to the wire, but Mustafizur kept his composure in the closing overs, returning figures of 2 for 33. With Rishad Hossain also striking at a crucial moment, Durbar XI were restricted to 201/5.
Tanzid Hasan’s unbeaten knock ultimately proved decisive as Dhumketu XI held their nerve to clinch a memorable title win.
Bruno Fernandes is on target to break a Premier League record.
The Manchester United captain has 12 assists from his past 15 Premier League matches and needs just nine more from United's final 13 games to become the league's all-time single-season assists record holder.
He would be in good company if he did. The list for most assists in a single Premier League season is so stacked with legends it has inspired us to build this quiz.
After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.
Scottish referee Hollie Davidson will make history when she takes charge of the men’s Six Nations clash between Ireland rugby and Italy rugby in Dublin.
The 33-year-old will be in control of proceedings at the Aviva Stadium in round two as the first female official to be appointed referee for a men’s game in the championship, continuing her rise through the refereeing ranks.
Davidson has already overseen two World Cup finals, of course, including England’s win over Canada at a sold-out Allianz Stadium, Twickenham last September, which followed an inaugural appointment to the tournament decider in Auckland in 2022.
Davidson joined Andre Watson as the only match officials to referee back-to-back Rugby World Cup finals, with the South African overseeing men’s title deciders in 1999 and 2003 - though Englishman Ed Morrison whistled the 1995 men’s and 1998 women’s World Cup finals.
Having taken up refereeing in 2015 after her chances of a senior Scotland debut as a player were disrupted by a dislocated shoulder, Davidson has emerged as one of the game’s highest rated officials.
She operated as an assistant referee at the 2017 Women’s World Cup and experienced her first Test with the whistle little more than a year later, and has since broken new ground in the men’s and women’s game.
A first appointment to a men’s professional match came in early 2021 with Davidson subsequently leading the first all-female team of match officials for a men’s Test in a 2022 fixture between Portugal and Italy.
Scottish referee Hollie Davidson has worked across the men’s and women’s games (PA Wire)
Last year, she oversaw Bath’s Challenge Cup final win over Lyon in another significant appointment.
Davidson will be aided by fellow Test officials in Matthew Carley (England) and Luc Ramos (France) as assistant referees, with Ian Tempest (England) the Television Match Official (TMO) and Tual Trainini of France the Foul Play Review Officer (FPRO).
While new Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh still has a few spots to fill on his coaching staff, some of the team's former coaches continue to find new homes across the league.
The latest to find work appears to be linebackers coach Frank Bush, who reportedly is following former defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the New York Giants.
A veteran NFL assistant, Bush got his start in the NFL with the Houston Oilers in 1987, eventually working his way onto the coaching staff as linebackers coach in 1993. He reconnected with Wilson when he returned to the Titans in 2024 as linebackers coach; the two coached together with the New York Jets in 2019 and 2020.
Bush joins Wilson, Tyke Tolbert, Bo Hardegree, and Bill Callahan as coaches from Brian Callahan’s staff who have found new jobs during this coaching cycle.
Former Washington Redskins running back John Riggins sold his Super Bowl XVII game day jersey.
Riggins, who is part of the most iconic play in Washington's history, appeared on Pro Football Talk last week during the buildup to Super Bowl LX. Riggins, speaking with hosts Mike Florio and Chris Simms, said his jersey, which had not been washed since the game, would go on sale at the 18th Annual Super Bowl Live Auction, conducted by Hunt Auctions in partnership with the NFL.
In that game, Riggins carried the ball 38 times for 166 yards, both Super Bowl records at the time. The biggest play in franchise history occurred in the final quarter with Washington trailing Miami 17-13. The Redskins faced a 4th-and-1 at the Miami 43. TE Clint Didier lined up tight left, went in motion right, turned around, reversing back to his left. As he did so, Miami corner Don McNeal slipped, rose again to his feet, but found himself the only player with a shot at Riggins.
Riggins had been handed the ball by Joe Theismann on his way to running right between LT Joe Jacoby and LG Russ Grimm. On the play, Didier kicks out the Dolphins' edge defender, Jacoby gets his man, as does Grimm, and FB Otis Wonsley gets his man as well. Thus, Riggins was only left to face McNeal. McNeal hit Riggins but fell off of No. 44, who not only had the first down, but then sprinted down the left sideline for the 43-yard go-ahead score, providing the Redskins a 20-17 lead.
So, what happened with Riggins' dirty jersey? The game-worn jersey used by John Riggins in Super Bowl XVII sold for $470,000 Saturday! This far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $100,000–$200,000. Riggins immediately voiced that when the franchise chose the name "Commanders," he felt disenfranchised. He apparently means it, selling more valuable "Redskins" memorabilia.
Here is rest of that memorabilia:
Super Bowl XVII championship ring – $105,750
Pro Football Hall of Fame ring – $11,162
1983 NFC Championship ring – $22,325
1985 Washington jersey – $32,312
Joe Jacoby, still unfairly not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, also sold his three Super Bowl-winning jerseys, which totaled $55,225, while a helmet from his playing days sold for $14,158.
Here is the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics competition schedule for Tuesday, Feb. 10. The games are exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many competitions airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
Feb. 10 Winter Olympics events
All times Eastern and accurate as of Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 2:02 p.m.
2 a.m. - Luge: Women's Doubles Official Training Runs 5 & 6, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d'Ampezzo)
2:53 a.m. - Luge: Men's Doubles Official Training Runs 5 & 6, Cortina Sliding Centre (Cortina d'Ampezzo)
3 a.m. - Nordic Combined: Normal Hill Official Training 2, Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium (Val di Fiemme)
The regular season of Augusta high school basketball is now in the books. Seeding for the region tournaments are finalized, and now the postseason of hoops season is now upon us. Before we get into tournament play, let's look back and recognize the performances by players from last week. It is now your opportunity to vote for who should be named the Athlete of the Week for Feb. 1-8.
Below are the nominees for the Athlete of the Week from last week's action. The poll will be open until Sunday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
Readers can nominate local athletes for future polls by emailing sports reporter Dhani Joseph (dajoseph@gannett.com) or messaging him on X (@TheDhaniJoseph).
Corrine Dukes, Thomson girls basketball
The sophomore had 19 points and nine rebounds.
Celena Grant, North Augusta girls basketball
The senior scored 22 points and grabbed four boards.
Ashley Walker, North Augusta girls basketball
The junior had 22 points to go along with four steals.
Azaria Sapp, North Augusta girls basketball
The sophomore had 9 points and 10 rebounds.
Kamryn Simmons, Harlem girls basketball
The senior had 10 points and 9 rebounds.
Lauren Reid, Harlem girls basketball
The freshman scored eight points and made her presence felt on the boards with 14 rebounds.
Paris Eaves, Harlem girls basketball
The freshman put on a show with a 20-point, 15-rebound double-double.
Kimariya Hinton, Evans girls basketball
The senior went off for 28 points and also grabbed 13 boards.
India Williams, Westminster girls basketball
The senior had 28 points and five steals.
Naomi Bailey, Westminster girls basketball
The sophomore scored 13 points and stole the ball nine times.
Chabria Tate, Laney girls basketball
The junior created at a high level against the opposition, scoring 16 points and dishing out 10 dimes.
Jenisa King, Josey girls basketball
The junior had 11 points and two rebounds.
Montana Jenkins, Josey girls basketball
The senior had 11 points and five rebounds.
Paris Rosser, Thomson girls basketball
The senior scored 18 points and had seven assists as well.
Janiya Scott, Thomson girls basketball
The senior had 15 points and two steals.
Makhi Tutt, Glenn Hills boys basketball
The senior went off for 36 points and six rebounds.
Khimon Sanders, Glenn Hills boys basketball
The junior scored 22 points and grabbed two rebounds as well.
T.K. Reeves, Burke County boys basketball
The junior had a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double.
De'Quavian Lovette, Burke County boys basketball
The sophomore scored 20 points and added seven rebounds.
AJ Williams, Harlem boys basketball
The junior had 31 points and 5 rebounds.
Ty Shine, Harlem boys basketball
The junior scored 41 points and dished out four assists.
Jayden Adkinson, Westside boys basketball
The senior had 18 points and eight rebounds.
Delontae Tagget, Westside boys basketball
The junior had 16 points and three boards.
Ti-Zher Scott, Evans boys basketball
The junior had 14 points and three rebounds.
Chandler Love, Evans boys basketball
The senior scored 15 points and had three steals as well.
The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are off and running with 16 sports taking over 25 different venues. Here's a look at the TV schedule for Tuesday, Feb. 10 and how to watch all the action. The games are exclusively airing across NBC's suite of networks with many events airing live on its streaming service, Peacock, which you can sign up for here .
USA TODAY Sports has a team of more than a dozen journalists on the ground in Italy to bring you behind the scenes with Team USA and keep you up to date with every medal win, big moment and triumphant finish. Get our Chasing Gold newsletter in your inbox every morning and join our WhatsApp channel to get the latest updates right in your texts.
All times Eastern and accurate as of Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, at 2:02 p.m.
Feb. 10 Winter Olympics TV Schedule
1:00 AM - PRIMETIME IN MILAN (REPLAY) Figure Skating, Freestyle Skiing, Alpine Skiing NBC
1:00 AM - ALPINE SKIING (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Men's Team Combined: Downhill & Slalom USA NETWORK
2:00 AM - FIGURE SKATING (REPLAY) Rhythm Dance USA NETWORK
3:15 AM - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (LIVE) Women's, Men's Sprint Classic Qualification USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
4:30 AM - ALPINE SKIING (LIVE) Women's Team Combined: Downhill USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
5:45 AM - FREESTYLE SKIING (LIVE) Men's Moguls Qualification #1 USA NETWORK
6:10 AM - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (LIVE) (Medal Event) Women's, Men's Sprint Classic Final USA NETWORK
6:30 AM - FREESTYLE SKIING (LIVE) (Medal Event) Men's Slopestyle Final USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
8:00 AM - ALPINE SKIING (LIVE) Women's Team Combined: Slalom USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
9:00 AM - CURLING: (LIVE) (Medal Event) Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal Match USA NETWORK
10:00 AM - CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Women's, Men's Sprint Classic Final USA NETWORK
10:30 AM - FREESTYLE SKIING (REPLAY) Women's Moguls Qualification #1 USA NETWORK
11:00 AM - LUGE (LIVE) Women's Singles: Run 3 USA NETWORK
11:30 AM - SHORT TRACK (REPLAY) (Medal Event) Mixed Team Relay Prelims, Final USA NETWORK
12:00 PM - CURLING: (LIVE) (Medal Event) Mixed Doubles Gold Medal Match USA NETWORK, PEACOCK
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says he doesn't know what is happening to football when Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is coming under pressure from supporters.
"I can't stand what football is becoming," Sutton told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
"Look at the job he has done. They are 12th now and it's a disaster, some Newcastle fans are saying. What about having a bit of faith in a manager who needs a bit of support and help now?
"Football has got so short term. It's all about instant success and if you can't change it we'll change.
"Newcastle fans need to have patience. They need to understand the squad is stretched this season and cut him a bit of slack."
In making his case, Sutton pointed to Newcastle's Carabao Cup win last season, a first trophy since winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1968-69.
"That's amazing in itself," he said.
"I don't know what the world is coming to with how managers are viewed now. The first sign of trouble and it's: 'Get him out and someone else in.'
"What's a new manager going to come in and change now? January is gone."
The best Section 4 indoor track & field athletes gathered at Cornell University's Barton Hall this past weekend, with numerous high school athletes adding to their first-place collections. See who took the top spots in the 2026 Section 4 Class Championships:
55-meter dash
Boys
Candor senior Logan Aman captured gold in the boys' 55-meter dash with a final time of 6.54 seconds, while senior Horseheads athlete Patrick Laney finished in the same heat, with a time of 6.60 seconds.
Girls
Dejah Taylor (Sidney Track) captured first place in the girls’ 55-meter dash with a time of 7.35 seconds, while Mattisen Johnston (Corning) finished in the same heat at 7.41 seconds. Cassidy Howard (Oneonta) secured third place, crossing the line in 7.46 seconds.
300-meter dash
Boys
Owego Free Academy senior Gavin Heath won the boys' 300-meter dash with a final time of 35.99 seconds. Keegan Waltz from Oxford Academy placed second at 36.58 seconds, while Corning's Wyatt McDonald received third place with a time 36.67 seconds.
Girls
Dejah Taylor (Sidney Track) captured another first-place win with a time of 40.80 seconds in the girls' 300-meter dash, while Cassidy Howard (Oneonta) secured second place, crossing the line in 42.26 seconds. Corning's star athlete, Cella McLaughlin, followed shortly after with a time of 42.57 seconds.
Groton senior, Ross Bush, secured the 600-meter title with a time of 1:23:86. Maine-Endwell's Wyatt Richardson placed second with a time of 1:26:43, while Johnson City athlete, Connor Smith, lost out on second place by just a hair, finishing third at 1:26.69.
Girls
Eva DiNunzio-Welch (Binghamton) won the girls’ 600-meter run in 1:40.07, followed by Vestal athlete Bailey Parsons in second place with a time of 1:41.43. Fellow teammate Natalie Tripp secured third place, finishing in 1:42.45.
1000-meter run
Boys
Nicholas Kowel, a senior from Horseheads, earned the top spot in the boys' 1000-meter run with a time of 2:32.69, just missing Ithaca's Zoltan Nadasdy, who secured second place with a time of 2:34:07.
Placing third and fourth were Corning's Sebastian Boutwell and Nicholas Ferratella, who finished with times of 2:34.35 and 2:34.51, respectively.
Girls
Dryden athlete Reagan Burnham claimed first place in the girls’ 1000-meter run with a time of 3:10.58, while Hope Syzmaniak (Binghamton) placed second in 3:15.44. Kayla Fletcher followed, completing the run at 3:16.33.
1600-meter run
Boys
Lansing athlete Trent Thibault emerged victorious in the boys' 1600-meter run with a time of 4:30.11. Gordon Smith (Oxford Academy) finished second at 4:32.79, while senior Corning athlete Sebastian Boutwell took third place with a time of 4:38.35.
Ithaca athlete Tsadia Bercuvitz captured first place in the girls’ 1500-meter run, finishing in 4:34.70. Corning athlete Olivia Martinec placed second in 5:02.75, while Mackenzie Baker (Horseheads) earned third place with a time of 5:04.70.
3200-meter run
Boys
Corning's Christopher Lawson came out on top in the 3200-meter run, with a winning time of 9:30.80, followed by Corning teammate Bryce Hammond, who received second-place honors with a time of 9:32.68. Following was Trent Thibault (Lansing) with a time of 10:00.78.
3000-meter run
Girls
Corning's Olivia Martinec secured the championship in the girls’ 3000-meter run, crossing the line in 10:41.99. Ithaca athlete Avery Whittaker earned second place in 10:48.23, while Corning's Kateland Dininny placed third overall with a time of 11:13.24.
55-meter hurdles
Boys
Oneonta athlete Beckett Holmes claimed first place in the boys' 55-meter hurdles event with a time of 7.93 seconds. Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton athlete Harpo Hardt placed second at 7.98 seconds, while Union Springs athlete Brayden Taylor followed shortly after with a time of 8.07 seconds.
Girls
Corning's Cella McLaughlin placed first in the girls’ 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.94 seconds. Chenango Valley's Delaney Walters finished shortly after with a time of 9.03 seconds. Candor's Lindsey Morse placed with a time of 9.08 seconds, while Chenango Valley athlete Molly Walters finished at 9.11 seconds.
4x200-meter relay
Boys
The Horseheads boys relay team captured first place in the 4x200-meter relay, with a final time of 1:34.27, followed by Vestal, who finished second with a time of 1:39.77. The Lansing boys relay team crossed the line not even a second later at 1:39.86, securing third.
Girls
The Sidney Track relay team captured first place in the girls’ 4x200-meter relay, recording a winning time of 1:51.74. Whitney Point finished second at 1:52.39, while Oneonta secured third place in 1:52.97.
4x400-meter relay
Boys
Corning received first-place honors in the boys' 4x400-meter relay with a time of 3:31.85. Vestal crossed the line second, with a time of 3:37.07, while Ithaca finished third shortly after with a time of 3:37.28.
Girls
Corning earned first place in the girls’ 4x400-meter relay with a time of 4:13.86. Vestal placed second in 4:18.78, while Binghamton finished third in 4:28.32.
Horseheads earned first place in the boys' 4x800-meter relay, with a time of 8:50.90. Walton-Downsville followed closely, earning second place with a time of 8:55.82. Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton earned third with a finishing time of 8:57.75.
Girls
Ithaca claimed the title in the girls’ 4x800-meter relay, finishing in 10:07.36. Corning earned second place in 10:31.08, while Unadilla Valley completed the podium in third place with a time of 10:48.60.
High Jump
Boys
Binghamton athlete Milo Wilson won the boys' high jump, clearing 6 feet, 10 inches. Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton athlete Isaiah Hampton placed second with a high jump of 6 feet, 2 inches, while Oneonta athlete Beckett Holmes secured third place with a record of 6 feet.
Girls
Both Chenango Valley athletes, Delaney Walters and Molly Walters, tied for first place, clearing 5 feet, 3 inches, while Maine-Endwell athlete Desianna Dingle followed, reaching a height of 5 feet, 1 inch.
Isaiah Hampton (Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton) won first place in the boys' long jump event with a distance of 22 feet, 3 inches. Beckett Holmes (Oneonta) placed second at 22 feet, while Milo Wilson (Binghamton) followed at third, with a jump of 21 feet, 4 inches.
Girls
Cella McLaughlin (Corning) captured first place in the girls’ long jump with a leap of 19 feet. Appalonia Bushaw (Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton) followed with a finish of 17 feet, 5 inches, Mattiden Johnston (Corning) earned third place with a jump of 16 feet, 5 inches.
Triple Jump
Boys
Darren Rose (Oneonta) secured the first-place spot with a distance of 46 feet, 1 inch in the boys' triple jump. Harpo Hardt (Bainbridge-Guilford/Afton) finished shortly after with a distance of 41 feet, 11 inches. Wyatt Richardson (Maine-Endwell) finished third with a distance of 41 feet, 9 inches.
Girls
Amanda McEwen (Corning) earned the championship in the girls’ triple jump with a distance of 34 feet. Keiyra Morton (Oneonta) finished behind McEwen with a mark of 33 feet, 11 inches, while Giada Horan (Union Endicott) finished third after jumping 32 feet, 11 inches.
Gavinn Albrecht (Tioga) secured first place in the boys' pole vault event with a height of 14 feet, 6 inches. Michael Akulis (Johnson City) earned second place, clearing 14 feet, 6 inches, while Maxwell Jennings (Corning), placed third with a height of 13 feet, 6 inches.
Girls
Reese Conway (Corning) secured first place in the boys' pole vault event with a height of 11 feet, 6 inches. Maren Golden (Ithaca) earned second place, clearing 9 feet, 6 inches, while Trumansburg athlete, Evey Pennock, placed third with a height of 9 feet.
Shot Put
Boys
Michael Morrissey (Sidney Track) won the boys' shot put event with a throw of 52 feet, 7 inches. Unatego athlete Derek Jordan followed with a throw of 46 feet, 10 inches, placing second, while Union Endicott athlete Chris Feliciano earned third with a mark of 45 feet, 7 inches.
Girls
Grace Walley (Walton-Downsville) won the girls’ shot put with a throw of 42 feet. Johnson City athlete Gianna Harrington placed second at 31 feet, 11.25 inches, while Sidney Track athlete Lennon Swain secured third place with a mark of 31 feet, 11 inches.
Weight Throw
Boys
Norwich's Kaden Downey secured first place in the boys' weight throw finals with a mark of 64 feet, 7 inches. Ithaca athlete Hayden Cornell finished second with a mark of 63 feet, while Corning's Freddie Collins received third with a throw to the 60-foot, 4-inch mark.
Girls
Oneonta's Becky Foko secured first place in the girls' weight throw finals with a mark of 47 feet, 8.5 inches. Corning athlete Samantha Harvey finished second with a mark of 46 feet, 8.75 inches, while Maine Endwell's Maddie VanPatten received third with a throw to the 40-foot, 5-inch mark.
The Southern Tier Athletic Conference crowned the best high school cheerleading teams in the league over this past weekend, and the Horseheads cheer team came out on top, bringing the girls their second STAC championship in a row. See which schools placed where for the 2026 STAC Competitive Cheerleading Championships:
Spurred by an anonymous $1.5 million donation, Lake Superior State University’s athletic department has embarked on an ambitious campaign designed to raise an additional $1.5 million to support its hockey program.
LSSU announced the development of the Laker Hockey Challenge last month, with more than 70% of the additional $1.5 million sought having already been raised with the help of former Laker coaches and players. The funds will be used to support student-athletes in a variety of ways, from expanding leadership, development, and wellness resources to funding player payments allowed by revenue sharing and athlete payments through name, image and likeness (NIL), officially recognized by the NCAA in 2021.
While CCHA college hockey programs aren’t generally considered revenue generators for universities like LSSU, athletic departments can choose to share a portion of revenues with athletes in various sports. NIL allows student-athletes to be compensated for their marketing value in a variety of ways.
LSSU Athletic Director Tory Lindley indicated that some of the funds raised through the Laker Hockey Challenge could support player salaries or stipends. However, the money would also be used in support of the players and the program.
“It has become abundantly clear that winning (hockey) programs will be the ones that galvanize the most support from their fans and communities,” Lindley said. “(This finding) allows us to truly reimagine our hockey program. It lets us further invest in ways to improve the athletes’ experience here.”
During its nearly 60 years of Laker Hockey, LSSU has captured five national championships. The $1.2 million already raised on top of the anonymous donation was committed by longtime LSSU coach Jeff Jackson, and a large group of former players, including Ian Ward ’76, Steve Davies ’77, Doug Laprade ’88, Terry Hossack ’88, Bob Ciotti ’81, Gary Machacek ’77 and Bud Denker ’80.
“This campaign is about giving our student-athletes the resources they need to grow, compete and represent Laker Hockey with pride,” said Jackson in a press release. He coached at LSSU from 1986 to 1996, serving as the head coach starting in 1990. Jackson finished with a 182–52–25 record during that time, including the 1994 national championship.
“The generosity shown so far speaks volumes about the strength of this community,” Jackson added.
Lindley hopes the campaign will help rally the greater Sault Ste. Marie community in support of the program through cash, pledges and estate gifts made this year. He believes it can help LSSU compete at the highest levels of the sport, not just in the CCHA but nationwide.
“Our community here in (Michigan and Ontario, Canada) embraces the sport of hockey like no other community I have been in,” Lindley said. “There are advantages to that, and our location in that we’re a big fish in a small pond.”
The athletic department has created a multi-year strategic plan designed to support the program financially and operationally, Lindley added. It had fallen behind some of its competitors in recent years, and Lindley compared it to running two laps behind in a NASCAR race.
“We needed to catch up with other (Division 1 hockey) programs, and this will help us return the program to the big stage,” he said.
TAMPA, Fla. – As the Yankees officially begin spring training this week, there isn’t much intrigue about the roster makeup of this 2026 version.
They’ve reassembled the lineup that you last saw in 2025, so there’s no position battles, the key bullpen spots are pretty much spoken for, and the opening rotation – barring injury – appears set.
And yet, there are plenty of things to watch in camp, and here’s a few that pique our interest as pitchers and catchers report:
Status of Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones
Dominguez and Jones remain in something of a holding pattern.
With the return of outfielders Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, the Yankees’ outfield is set.
For now, Dominguez is a fourth outfielder, Jones’ is part of the club’s depth, and both are potential trade chips – which could become more interesting as the late summer deadline approaches.
In a healthy outfield, will there still be 450-500 plate appearances for Dominguez – who made just 29 starts in last year’s second half and requires more outfield time and at-bats against lefty pitching to refine those skills?
Jones’ combo of power and base stealing ability has been on display in the minors, where he’s also piled up big strikeout totals. Even with a big spring, is he still destined to start the season at Triple-A?
Advancement of Cam Schlittler and Ryan Weathers
Schlittler’s dominant playoff performance against the Boston Red Sox was a 2025 highlight, and he’s now a primary rotation figure after his sharp rookie season.
Weathers arrived via trade from the Miami Marlins, making him that rarest of 2026 Yankees – an outside addition who could have an impact on their pennant hopes.
Both young pitchers are seeking to refine their arsenal in camp.
For the right-handed Schlittler, we’ll be interested to see if he can add a changeup to his electric, power stuff.
How much might we see him throw the changeup during exhibition games, and can he quickly gain confidence in it?
The lefty Weathers has already mentioned the Yankees’ interest in seeing him develop a two-seam fastball to improve the effectiveness of his four-seamer and sweeping slider.
Ben Rice's development as a first baseman
When it comes to the 20-somethings on the current roster, few things excite the Yankees’ brass more Rice’s potential as an impact hitter.
But he’s got to become a more reliable defender at first base.
And how will the Yankees strike that balance of wanting to keep Rice’s hand in as a catcher, occasionally drawing starts behind the plate?
Having the veteran Paul Goldschmidt return is a big plus for Rice’s defensive development, further benefitting from the Gold Glove first baseman’s tutelage.
Goldschmidt’s presence could also limit Rice’s at-bats against lefty pitching, though Rice’s future as a regular requires more experience versus lefties.
But as camp begins, Rice’s big focus is in becoming a more natural first baseman.
Anthony Volpe’s progress, team status
We’ll be watching how injury-rehab starters Carlos Rodon, Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt progress this spring, with the expectation of boosting the 2026 rotation.
Also, shortstop Anthony Volpe’s recovery from offseason shoulder surgery means he won’t start the season on time, and his return to the lineup – sometime in May? – hasn’t been made clear.
And you wonder how a month-or-so look at Jose Caballero at shortstop might alter things.
Even if Caballero’s offensive (including his stolen base threat) requires his regular lineup presence, he has the defensive flexibility to move around the diamond.
That could ultimately impact Amed Rosario or Oswaldo Cabrera more than Volpe, who still has the trust and support of GM Brian Cashman and manager Aaron Boone.
By starting his fourth MLB season on the IL, and in need of making consistent strides, Volpe’s pinstriped status is an interesting one.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. entering free agent walk year
There’s little doubt that Chisholm has enjoyed his year-and-a-half as a Yankee, but that association might be in its final season.
This is Chisholm’s free agent walk year, and the Yankees aren’t likely to extend the lefty-hitting second baseman’s contract. He was also the subject of trade speculation this offseason.
But Chisholm’s offensive talent is such that, even in a 2025 season where he was compromised (groin, oblique) he still became only the third Yankee to reach 30 homers and 30 RBI in a single season.
At his best, Chisholm is an impact middle-of-the-order hitter and a good defender with a strong arm.
But we've also seen the occasional lapses at the plate, in the field and on the bases, and a tempestuous side that can get the better of him when things go sideways.
Can Chisholm channel his All-Star level best (and stay off the IL) in this vitally important season for his career, and toward the Yankees' pennant hopes?
The four-time Olympian failed to medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing but is still considered among the favorites for a gold medal in her three core events – slalom, giant slalom and another slalom run as part of the team combined event.
Shiffrin competed in all six events in 2022 but cut her schedule down to her three best events for 2026 as she looks to get back on the podium. The 30-year-old is the only alpine skier in world history with 100 or more wins and is a five-time World Cup champion.
The youngest slalom gold medalist in Olympic history (18 years old in 2014) is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars in Italy the next few weeks.
Here's what to know of Shiffrin, one of Team USA's top contenders for a medal this year:
How many gold medals does Mikaela Shiffrin have?
Shiffrin has two gold medals, winning slalom in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and giant slalom in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. She also has a silver medal from the combined team event in 2018.
Shiffrin, despite being the favorite for her core slalom events in 2022, failed to medal at her third Olympic Games.
Mikaela Shiffrin career wins
Shiffrin, perhaps the greatest alpine skier ever, has 108 career World Cup wins, 93 of which have come in slalom and giant slalom. Her 108 World Cup wins are the most by any skier – men's or women's – ever.
Shiffrin also has 15 combined World Cup wins in downhill, super-G, combined and parallel in her career. She made her World Cup debut in 2011 when she was 15 years old and has won five overall titles since.
When is Mikaela Shiffrin competing at 2026 Winter Olympics?
Here's a look at Shiffrin's competition schedule for the 2026 Winter Olympics:
Feb. 10: Women's team combined (slalom) | 8 a.m. ET
Feb. 15: Women's giant slalom run 1 | 4 a.m. ET
Feb. 15: Women's giant slalom run 2 | 7:30 a.m. ET
Feb. 18: Women's slalom run 1 | 4 a.m. ET
Feb. 18: Women's slalom run 2 | 7:30 a.m. ET
How to watch Mikaela Shiffrin at 2026 Winter Olympics
Here's how to watch Shiffrin at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy:
Each Olympic event can be viewed live with Peacock, NBC's exclusive streaming service, or NBCOlympics.com. NBC and USA Network will also air highlights and select live events on TV.
Ilia Malinin begins his quest for Olympic gold in the men's singles figure skating competition beginning with the short program on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
Known as the "Quad God," Malinin comes from an Olympic family — his parents competed for Uzbekistan — and is set to make his debut on the Olympic stage in Milan as a member of Team USA. He's also added a new element to his routine for the Winter Games with a backflip no longer banned in competition.
If he can nail his routines in the short and long programs, Malinin could add his name to the list of Olympic champion men's figure skaters from the United States.
Who's last American to win gold in men's Olympic figure skating?
In the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing, Nathan Chen became the seventh American man to win the gold in Olympic figure skating, winning by a comfortable 22-point margin over Japan's Yuma Kagiyama.
American men to win Olympic men's figure skating gold
Here's the full list of Olympic champions in men's figure skating from the United States:
The Oshkosh and Fond du Lac Athlete of the Week poll from Feb. 2-8 is live until noon, Friday, Feb. 13.
Cast your vote for an area athlete that participated in sports including boys basketball, girls basketball and hockey.
To nominate someone for Athlete of the Week please email BSchultz@usatodayco.com with the athlete’s name, school, sport and why they’re deserving by noon on Sunday to be considered for the next poll.
Nominees
Awut Alic, Oshkosh North basketball
Alic had a season-high 36 points in a win over Fond du Lac. She also had six rebounds, six steals and four assists.
Matthias Behling, Valley Christian basketball
Behling had 26 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in a win over Wayland Academy.
Blake Bradley, Ripon basketball
Bradley had 27 points, six rebounds, one assist and a block in a win over Wautoma.
Jake Broeske, Lomira basketball
In a double overtime win over Xavier, Broeske finished with 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Josie Christian, Lomira basketball
Christian had 26 points, 10 steals, three assists and two rebounds in a win over Oakfield.
Joey Coon, St. Mary’s Springs basketball
Coon finished with 29 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in a win over Sheboygan Christian.
Collin Gamble, Fond du Lac hockey
Gamble had 17 saves and kept a shutout in Fond du Lac's 3-0 win over Appleton United.
Mya Moran, Valley Christian basketball
Moran had 33 points, six steals, five rebounds and two assists in a win over St. Mary’s Springs.
Finley Morgan, Laconia basketball
Morgan had 23 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal in a win over Edgewood.
Hayden Redington, Berlin basketball
In a win over Omro, Redington finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Brittany Reilly, Campbellsport basketball
Reilly had 15 points, 17 rebounds, two steals and an assist in a loss to St. Mary’s Springs.
Past Winners
Aug. 21 – Aug. 30: Maya Hawi, Lourdes Academy girls tennis (10,768 votes)
Sept. 1 – Sept. 6: Jack O’Brien, Valley Christian cross country (4,437 votes)
There's no greater honor than winning an Olympic medal for your country. The top three athletes or teams in each event get to witness their nation's flag being raised from the podium, while the gold medalist hears their national anthem, during the medal ceremony.
But, national pride and patriotism isn't the only thing on the line at the 2026 Winter Games. Many countries offer Olympic medalists financial incentives, meaning cold hard cash is also up for grabs. How much you may ask? USA TODAY Sports reached out to National Olympic Committees of 30 countries to ask about their medal payouts, 25 responded.
On average, the 25 nations said they will pay athletes the equivalent of $123,736.72 for gold, $72,450.92 for silver and $44,549.12 for bronze. (The amounts are paid in the host country's currency, but have been converted into U.S. dollars for consistency.)
Which country pays the most or the least? Where does the USA fit in? We got you covered.
How much do Team USA athletes get paid for winning an Olympic medal?
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee's "Operation Gold Awards" will pay athletes $37,500 for gold, $22,500 for silver and $15,000 for bronze at the 2026 Winter Olympics,. It's the same amount awarded at the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and 2024 Paris Olympics.
Team USA's medal payments rank in the middle of the pack, although the USOPC normally has to pay bonuses for more medals won. For example, the USOPC paid out $5.6 million in Operation Gold payments for medal performances at the 2022 Beijing Games and other qualifying events after Americans captured 25 total medals, the fifth most of any country. Of the 25 Olympic medals, nine were gold, the third most of any country.
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Which countries pay their athletes the most for winning Olympic medals?
Singapore made its Winter Olympic debut at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics and the nation is in pursuit of its first Olympic medal at the Winter Games. Singapore has sent one athlete to the Games, alpine skier Faiz Basha, and he will walk away with a massive payday if he's able to make the podium.
Singapore is among the highest paying countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics, offering a whopping $788,907 for the country's first gold medal of the winter Games. A silver pays $394,497 and bronze $197,282. Like Singapore, Hong Kong is offering a king's ransom for the nation's first Winter Olympic medal: $767,747 for gold, $383,877 for silver and $191,938 for bronze.
Italy has offered a large financial incentive to athletes going for gold in the host country. The Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) will award $209,804 to each gold medal winner, even in team events, while $104,924 will be awarded to silver medalists and $69,946 to bronze medalists.
Italy is already on the hook for a good chunk of change. Home turf has proved advantageous for the Italian team, which won six medals on Sunday − the most the country has won in a day at the Winter Olympics. Italy leads all countries with nine medals as of Monday afternoon: one gold, two silver and six bronzes.
Cash is not the only thing up for grabs. Poland is offering up a treasure trove of goodies for Olympic gold medalists. In addition to $211,268 split between cash and tokens, Olympic champions will receive a Toyota Corolla, fully furnished two-room apartment, painting, holiday voucher and jewelry.
Meanwhile, Austria pays out its bonuses in gold coins known as ‘Philharmoniker.’ The country awards $23,747 to gold medalists, $20,229 for silver and $16,659 for bronze medalists.
Which countries pay their athletes the least for winning Olympic medals?
Not every country awards payouts to Olympic medalists. Sweden, Norway and Great Britain are among the nation's that don't offer financial incentives to athletes that reach the podium at the Winter Olympics, but these nations aren't leaving their athletes high and dry. They provide financial support in the lead-up to the Games.
Great Britain offers the Athlete Performance Award, which is funded by the National Lottery and supplements housing and living expenses for elite competitors. This support only qualifies for athletes that aren't considered professional and don't have sponsorship endorsement.
Norway, the all-time winningest country in the Winter Olympics in gold medals and overall, offers Olympic medalists an annual sports stipend worth $17,734.
Don't forget about fourth place and coaches
First-, second- and third-place finishers at the Winter Olympics aren't the only ones earning reward. Some countries recognize athletes just miss the podium. For example, Belgium awards fourth-place finishers with $11,914, the same amount the German Sports Aid Foundation is offering German athletes for a bronze medal. Belgium is also paying athletes that finish in fifth through eighth place with an award of $5,957.
Belgium also provides coaches, who help their athletes reach Olympic glory, a financial prize equal to 25% of the amount received by their athletes. Estonia offers coaches the sum of 50% of their athlete's bonus.
Slovakia and Poland are two another countries offering money to fourth through eighth-place finishers. Poland, one of the highest-paying countries, is offering $14,000 for a fourth-place result in tokens, just under the amount offered to U.S. bronze medalists.
The next generation of hockey talent takes center stage this week at the AHL All-Star Classic.
Two days of action including a skills competition and a 3-on-3 tournament will feature rosters that include a dozen former first-round NHL draft picks and numerous players who have appeared in NHL games this season.
Among the brightest stars set for time in the spotlight this year are the league's leading goal-scorer, Arthur Kaliyev (29 G) of Belleville, and former first-round picks like Jakob Pelletier of Syracuse and Bradly Nadeau of Chicago.
All 32 teams will have at least one representative at the All-Star Classic, which will be held at the BMO Center in Rockford, Illinois — the home of the Rockford IceHogs.
The Sporting News gets you set for everything that you need to know about this year's AHL All-Star Classic, including TV and live stream information for the festivities.
The AHL All-Star Classic can be streamed live with AHL TV on FloHockey.
FloHockey allows fans to watch every AHL regular season and Calder Cup playoff game. AHL TV on FloHockey is available on desktop, tablet and mobile devices. A subscription costs $29.99 per month or $150 per year.
This year's skills competition and the main event will also air live on NHL Network, which can be streamed via Fubo.
AHL All-Star Classic schedule 2026
This year's All-Star Classic events will take place in Rockford, Illinois.
The 2026 AHL All-Star Challenge will feature teams representing the league's four divisions — Atlantic, North, Central and Pacific — playing a 3-on-3 round-robin tournament of eight-minute games.
The top two teams after the round-robin will meet in an eight-minute championship game.
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 08: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates his goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Now that Kenan Yildiz’s new contract has been officially signed and all of the promotion of said newsworthy event have been sent out on social media, there still still remains other contract extension matters that need to be sorted out by Juventus’ front office.
Like the future of Weston James Earl McKennie.
As we know, McKennie’s current contract runs through the 2025-26 season and nothing more than that. It has, especially late, become a very prominent matter for the Juve higher-ups to address considering McKennie is arguably on his best run of form since he arrived in Turin in the summer of 2020, with a big assist going new manager Luciano Spalletti, who took over in late October after the firing of Igor Tudor. It is that form that has given McKennie plenty of reason to hope that Juventus are to re-open contract talks just when it looked like things might be heading in the other direction just a couple of months ago.
But things appear to be changing.
Late Monday, Italian transfer reporter Nicolo Schira reported that Juventus are set to offer McKennie a new three-year contract that would run through 2029 — giving the American midfielder the long-awaited stability when it comes to his future that many feel he deserves. Schira adds that Juve will offer a salary of €4 million net per season, a figure that would be a significant jump from the reported €2.5 million net salary that he currently earns.
🚨 Excl. – #Juventus are ready to offer to Weston #McKennie a 3-years contract extension with a salary around 4M/year to keep him despite several interests and approaches received by Serie A, Ligue1, La Liga, PremierLeague, Super Lig and MLS Clubs. Reflections ongoing. #transfershttps://t.co/NroG6wIZzn
In a recent interview, McKennie made it be known that he would certainly prefer to stay with Juventus even as he is currently free to negotiate with other clubs ahead of a potential move as a free agent. In Schira’s reporting, he points out that McKennie has interest from all over Europe, with clubs in Serie A, Ligue 1, La Liga and the Premier League all interested in potentially bringing McKennie in this summer if his contract with Juventus were to run out at the end of June.
But, with Juventus now re-opening contract talks, the club is hopeful it doesn’t get to that point.
Having played the back-and-forth game in which he’s in the squad then out of the squad and then back in it the last few years, to now see him thriving under Spalletti — a manager who McKennie said after the win over Parma two weekends ago was the best coach he’s ever worked with — is proof enough that a new contract is something that has come to the forefront now that Yildiz’s new deal is officially signed and crossed off the to-do list.
Since Spalletti took over as manager, no Serie A midfielder has scored more goals in all competitions than McKennie has with seven. It’s already a career-high goal total for McKennie, who is also close to matching his career-best goal contributions total of 10 that he set when he was dishing out assists left and right in Max Allegri’s final season as manager and the versatile Texan was usually fielded as a wingback on the right wing.
Coppa Italia: Napoli vs. Como – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV
January signing Giovane is expected to start his first game for Napoli against Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals tonight.
It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT) at the Stadio Maradona.
The Partenopei are short of options in attack and midfield, with Scott McTominay, Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres, Matteo Politano and Billy Gilmour all injured.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Giovane of SSC Napoli runs with the ball whilst under pressure from Khephren Thuram of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Therefore, Eljif Elmas will start in central midfield alongside Stanislav Lobotka, while the attacking midfielders behind Rasmus Hojlund will be Giovane and Antonio Vergara, according to Sky Sport and Gazzetta.
According to reports, Amir Rrahmani, Juan Jesus and Sam Beukema will start in central defence for the Partenopei.
Como are way more rested than Napoli as they didn’t play in Serie A this past weekend, making their last competitive outing on February 1.
Fabregas is expected to pick his ideal Como XI with Anastosis Douvikas and Nico Paz in attack. The only doubt for the Azzurri seems to be on the right wing with either Mergim Vojvoda or Jayden Addai starting.
The winner between Napoli and Como will meet Inter in the semi-finals.
Napoli vs. Como – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on Premier Sports 2 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide a live commentary via a live blog.
Napoli vs. Como – probable line-ups
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Elmas, Olivera; Giovane, Vergara; Hojlund.
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Addai, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Brentford welcome Arsenal to the Gtech Community Stadium as the Premier League title race moves into a key midweek round.
The fixture sees Keith Andrews lead Brentford against Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, with both teams focused on maintaining momentum at opposite ends of the table.
Attention now shifts to the match details, viewing information, team availability, and how this London derby is expected to play out.
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Game information
The match will be played at the Gtech Community Stadium in London, which has a capacity of 17,250. Kick-off is scheduled for Thursday, 12 February at 8 pm UK time.
Where to watch
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League (TV), Sky Go (streaming)
United States: USA Network (TV) and Peacock (streaming)
India: Star Sports Select (TV) and JioHotstar (streaming)
Australia: Stan Sport
Team News
Brentford: Kevin Schade is suspended, while Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva remain unavailable through injury.
Reiss Nelson is ineligible to face his parent club, and no further absentees have been confirmed.
Arsenal: Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino, and Max Dowman remain sidelined. Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard are fitness doubts following recent injury concerns.
Prediction
Brentford have been competitive at home and are capable of making this a difficult contest. Arsenal arrive in strong form and appear well placed to claim a big away victory.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 21: Ferran Torres of FC Barcelona celebrates 2-0 with Raphinha of FC Barcelona, Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona, Dani Olmo of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona v Getafe at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium on September 21, 2025 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Barcelona are looking ahead to the summer transfer window and particularly how to strengthen Hansi Flick’s squad for the 2026-27 campaign.
According to Diario Sport, Barcelona are also going to have to choose between Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, with one player set to leave.
Lewandowski appears the most likely, as he’s into the final months of his contract, but it has been reported Barcelona could offer him another year on reduced wages.
As for Ferran, his current contract runs until 2027 and an extension has yet to be agreed. The situation means that Barcelona either need to tie him down to a new deal this season or put him up for sale.
Torres has long made it clear he doesn’t want to leave Barca and seems to be first choice ahead of Lewandowski. He’s scored 16 goals this season (from 31 games), while Lewandowski has 13 from 28.
What do you think Barca should do this summer with Lewandowski and Torres?
Photo Credit: Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images
Livvy Dunne reportedly had a blast at the Super Bowl. While she enjoyed being part of the buzz during Super Bowl weekend, her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, was absent from the celebrations.
The couple often attends events together. However, this time, the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher had a different professional commitment that kept him from attending the Super Bowl. Skenes is busy with spring training with the Pirates, which was the reason behind his absence from the festivities. He reportedly “clocks in early at work” as he’s gearing up for the Major League Baseball season.
Livvy Dunne’s boyfriend Paul Skenes ‘clocks in early’ at work while she attends Super Bowl
While Livvy Dunne attended the Super Bowl, her boyfriend, Paul Skenes, was notably absent.. But there’s a reason why the couple didn’t arrive together at the Super Bowl. USA Today and The Sun reported that Skenes is at spring training and fully prepared for the upcoming Major League Baseball season. According to reports, he “clocks in early for work” and is fully focused on the MLB campaign.
The Pirates star is focused on the upcoming MLB campaign. This includes rigorous training and being fully equipped with his game plan. All in all, his absence from the 2026 Super Bowl wasn’t due to any fallout between the couple. It was simply due to his professional commitment.
Meanwhile, Dunne was seen on the red carpet at the Fanatics Super Bowl party in San Francisco. She looked stunning in a chic black top with a bold neckline and thin straps. The former LSU gymnast paired it with matching bottoms and accessorized with a bracelet, a necklace, and earrings. She carried a stylish purse to complete the look with style.
The 23-year-old shared her sentiments on Bad Bunny performing the Super Bowl halftime show. She told The Sun that she is very excited that Bad Bunny is performing, as she finds him “amazing.”
With 9 points to their name, they are guaranteed to finish, at worst, second in Group B.
The second qualification spot will be contested between AS FAR and Young Africans. The Moroccan side, with 8 points, sits three points clear of their Tanzanian rivals.
AS FAR will book a place in the quarter-finals with either a win or a draw in their final match against Al Ahly.
Even a defeat could be enough, provided Yanga fail to win their match against JS Kabylie, or AS FAR maintain their superior goal difference (+1 for AS FAR versus -2 for Young Africans).
Daniëlle de Jong: Juventus energy at ‘top level’ ahead of UWCL play-off against Wolfsburg
Juventus star Daniëlle de Jong is ready for the challenge of facing VfL Wolfsburg in their blockbuster UEFA Women’s Champions League play-off clash this week.
The six-time Italian champions will make the trip to Germany on Thursday as they hope to put one foot in the quarter-finals.
De Jong has seemingly cemented herself as the first choice goalkeeper at Juventus following the departure of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to the NWSL.
The Netherlands international has won silverware at every club she’s represented and will be looking to use that experience to help Juventus overcome Wolfsburg in the UWCL play-offs.
Having previously been the first choice keeper at Eredivisie champions FC Twente, it hasn’t taken De Jong much time to adapt herself to the same level in Italy. Juventus are in fine form currently with four wins from their last five domestically. In Europe, the side finished one point behind Real Madrid in the UWCL to qualify for the play-offs.
Daniëlle de Jong not fazed by pressure
At just 23 years old, De Jong is young for a first choice goalkeeper. Especially in one of Europe’s elite teams. The line between winning and losing a game often lies with the goalkeeper and their split-second decisions. With that being said, De Jong still oozes composure in her play and assures she doesn’t let pressure get to her.
“I’ve always been a pretty calm person, on and off the pitch. I don’t really put that pressure on myself,” the shot-stopper said. “To be honest I just love playing the game, I love being a goalkeeper. I trust my teammates, to show them that I feel good about the game, that not only am I ready, but we are ready as a unit, to show them they can trust me too. As long as I feel good and enjoy the game, that’s how I perform best.”
The Turin based side qualified for the UEFA Women’s Champions League comfortably. Juventus secured wins against St. Pölten, Atlético Madrid and Benfica, while also stealing points from European royalty Lyon.
“I think we’re in a really good place as a team,” De Jong said. “We’ve been playing some good games, I think the energy that we have in our squad at this moment is on a top, top level.”
However, VfL Wolfsburg will be no easy opponent for the Italian outfit.
The German side finished just a single point behind Juventus to see them qualify for the play-offs as a non-seeded team. With wins against Vålerenga, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, they’ve made a good account of themselves. Wolfsburg have also averaged 2.17 goals per UWCL match this season. De Jong will have quite the task ahead of her between the sticks.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game. I think we have to be prepared for every player in a team like Wolfsburg,” De Jong admitted. “Of course, they have key players we know about but you have to be ready for everyone. Who knows what the starting 11 could be. We’re feeling really good, we’re ready for it.”
TILBURG, NETHERLANDS – JUNE 03: (L-R) Danielle de Jong #23 of the Netherlands and Lize Kop. Koning Willem II Stadion on June 03, 2025 in Tilburg, Netherlands. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
An honour to wear the Juventus badge
The recently capped Netherlands starlet has never been far away from a trophy win at any point in her career. De Jong has won silverware at all three of her senior clubs — PSV, Twente and now Juventus.
That being said, it’s no secret that the UWCL is regarded as the pinnacle of domestic titles.
“I would love to be able to say one say one day that I won it [the UWCL],” De Jong said. “First thing’s first, I’m honoured to play here at Juventus. I’m honoured to play in the Champions League. I think it’s the biggest and most important competition in Europe.
“Right now, my focus is on each game with Juventus and winning each and every game. We’re doing it step-by-step and game-by-game. I’d love to be able to say one day that we did it here.”
How to watch Juventus vs Wolfsburg in the UEFA Women’s Champions League
Juventus will take on Wolfsburg in the first leg of their UWCL play-off clash on Thursday, February 12th. The two teams will then meet again in Italy on Thursday, February 19th. The winner of the two legs will progress to the quarter-finals.
Tickets for both matches can be purchased here. You can also watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, live on Disney+ as part of existing customer subscriptions.
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WSL: Sonia Bompastor extends Chelsea contract until 2030
Serie A match-day 12 round-up: Parma denied famous Roma win as Inter title hopes boosted
Wolfsburg’s Ella Peddemors talks winning mindset ahead of blockbuster UWCL clash with Chelsea
It all starts with five centimetres of insulation laid down on the concrete floor. A vapour barrier is placed on top of the insulation, before engineers lay mats containing glycol on top to keep the ice cold.
Boards and glass walls are then placed around the rink and then roughly two inches of water is added above the mat - this is when the ice sheets are created.
The surface is painted white and sealed, with ice hockey markings and logos added.
Finally, the rink is topped with three to four centimetres of water to create the playing field. Temperatures are kept between -5 and -4C.
Resurfacing machines, colloquially known as Zambonis, are sent out regularly to shave away ice and form a new smooth layer.
Ice master Mark Messer, who is overseeing the long track speed skating said the hardest part is "working with a new system for such a high profile event, with little time for preparation".
He added that although ice has been made on temporary settings, it has not been done on this scale for an Olympic Games.
Milan-Cortina will be the first time a temporary venue has been used for long track speed skating at a Winters.
Ice resurfacing machines are used to fix the top layer of ice [Getty Images]
How does the ice differ between sports?
Each sport at the Winter Olympics will require a different ice format to support the athletes in their performance.
Depending on the sport, ice may need to be soft or hard, and even warmer or colder.
"People may not realise how many different kinds of ice there are for the different sports. Each sport has its own demands and conditions," Messer told BBC Sport.
For curling, ice sheets need a pebbled texture - this is where the surface is sprayed with water so the droplets freeze.
Ice hockey requires a harder surface in order to allow athletes to stop on an instant when needed.
Long track speed skating requires a thin and hard surface of ice, which is the coldest of all Olympic ice sports.
In Milan-Cortina, the figure skating and short track speed skating will be hosted in the same venue, leaving the technicians with the job of changing the surface throughout the duration of the Games, which can take up to three hours.
The ice must be warmer and have a softer surface for figure skating to allow cushion landings. If the ice is too cold, it could shatter on impact. However, short track speed skating requires the ice to be thinner and colder.
"These are the best athletes in the world, so everything has to be the best," Moffatt said.
Team GB's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson will compete in figure skating (ice dance) [Getty Images]
What about the water type?
The purity of the water is also key to the creation and maintenance of Olympic ice.
Ice masters look at the PH levels of the water and purify it to remove minerals and impurities.
They also measure the total dissolved solids, which is the combined contents of all organic and inorganic substances, such as minerals, in water.
If there is a high amount, the ice can cloud over, but if the amount is too low, the ice will not bond and can break apart.
Can external factors affect the ice?
External factors can possibly influence changes to the ice, which could affect the way an athlete performs.
Factors such as a sudden temperature change, lighting in the venue and how packed a venue is are all taken into consideration.
"Air temperature, air movement, humidity, spectator sound, heat from lighting, water composition and others all affect the final product. As well, the ice resurfacer operator can change ice conditions tremendously," Messer said.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
Barcelona young attacker may have to undergo surgery after fresh injury blow
This past weekend, FC Barcelona youngster Dani Rodriguez was struck down by a new injury while in action for the reserve team, Barça Atletic, against UD Barbastro.
The 20-year-old winger, who spent more than three months out during the summer of 2025 due to surgery on a dislocated shoulder, has now suffered a serious leg injury.
Surgery a possibility for Dani Rodriguez
In fact, according to SPORT, tests carried out have confirmed a partial tear of the quadriceps tendon in his knee, which may require surgery.
It is a serious setback for Rodriguez, who was enjoying his best moment of the season and had returned to a high level of performance, reopening the door to call-ups with the first team.
The incident occurred during an individual action in the game against Barbastro. Dani took on his defender down the right flank, attempted to beat him, and, at that moment, felt a sharp pain in his leg. He went straight to the ground and immediately called for assistance.
Dani Rodriguez has picked up a serious injury. (Photo courtesy: X/FCBarcelona)
The La Masia prodigy’s gestures and the reaction of his teammates already suggested that the problem was significant. The player had to leave the pitch on a stretcher and was replaced by Oscar Gistau, leaving an image of deep concern.
The diagnosis confirms the worst fears but rules out any involvement of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. However, the partial tear of the quadriceps tendon will force him to stop amidst his good run of form.
The player and the club are now awaiting the next step. In the coming hours, it will be decided whether the treatment will be conservative or whether surgery will ultimately be required, a decision that will determine the exact length of his recovery.
In any case, the lay-off will be prolonged and will once again demand patience from a talented young footballer who was primed for a breakthrough into first-team football.
There are a few reasons we don't tend to see as many records set at the Winter Olympics compared to the summer Games.
One of the explanations is the fact Winter Olympics venues and tracks are not identical in size and layout across the years.
Over the various editions of the Games, tracks and courses have been designed differently for the host venues.
This variation makes it difficult to get a consistent record time for speed.
For instance, the men's alpine downhill skiing at the 2026 Games is 2.14 miles long, whereas the 2022 course was just 1.96 miles.
This is also the case for other sports such as sled sports, snowboard and cross-country skiing.
However, short track and long track speed skating have all been contested over the same distance at every Winter Olympic venue and world championship over the years.
That consistency means that there are official Olympic and world records for these sports.
Norway's Sander Eitrem broke the Olympic record for the men's 5,000m speed skating at the 2026 Games.
Other sports are scored by judges, based on the skill and execution in a sport.
Figure skating is a judged sport, but does not have an upper limit to the scoring.
Since the 2018 Games, an International Skating Union (ISU) judging system has been used for Olympic records.
USA's Nathan Chen holds the men's single records, with the highest points in the short, free and combined events.
Athletes in the ski and snowboard big air events are given a score out of 100, marked across four broad categories: difficulty, execution, amplitude and landing, with extra points also available for progression - pulling off new unseen tricks that 'progress' the sport.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
Man United injury latest: Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount and more
Manchester United Injury Update: Mount and Dorgu Timelines Offer Hope for Man Utd
Manchester United’s push for consistency in the second half of the season continues to be shaped by fitness concerns, with Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu both working their way back from injury. As reported by the Evening Standard in its latest injury update, manager Michael Carrick is hopeful of welcoming key players back at a crucial point in the campaign.
With important fixtures approaching and European qualification still within reach, United’s medical department is under growing pressure to deliver timely recoveries. Mount’s prolonged stop-start campaign and Dorgu’s recent setback have disrupted squad balance, forcing Carrick to rely on rotation and academy depth.
The coming weeks could prove decisive in determining whether Man Utd can sustain their recent momentum.
Mount Recovery Progress Provides Timely Boost
Mason Mount’s time at Old Trafford has been hampered by recurring fitness issues, limiting his ability to establish rhythm since his arrival. His most recent absence, triggered by a minor training injury in January, once again halted his momentum just as he appeared ready to reclaim a starting role.
Speaking ahead of United’s recent victory over Tottenham, Carrick confirmed that Mount was edging closer to a return, suggesting the midfielder was “not too far away” from competitive action. Those comments echoed the optimism reported by the Standard, which noted that club staff remain confident about his short-term outlook.
Mount’s versatility remains central to United’s tactical planning. Comfortable operating as a central midfielder, advanced playmaker or wide option, his availability would provide much-needed flexibility. With West Ham and Everton on the horizon, United are targeting late February as a realistic return window.
If managed carefully, Mount could play a decisive role in the final stretch of the campaign, particularly in high-tempo fixtures where his pressing and movement add value.
Dorgu Setback Disrupts Carrick’s Tactical Plans
Patrick Dorgu’s resurgence under Carrick had been one of the more encouraging narratives of recent weeks. The young winger had impressed with his direct running and attacking intent, culminating in a standout performance against Arsenal.
However, that progress was abruptly halted when Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury during the same match. Initial assessments suggested a lengthy absence, with medical staff projecting up to ten weeks on the sidelines.
Carrick later confirmed that the issue was more serious than first feared, admitting the club would need to monitor his recovery closely. According to the Evening Standard, an early April return now appears the most realistic scenario.
Dorgu’s absence reduces United’s options in wide areas and places added responsibility on senior attackers. His pace and confidence had added unpredictability to United’s forward play, something the side has occasionally lacked in his absence.
Long-term, the club remain confident in his development, but short-term planning has been complicated by the injury.
Squad Depth Tested During Key Run of Fixtures
With Mount and Dorgu sidelined, United’s squad depth has been tested during a demanding schedule. Carrick has been forced to shuffle his midfield and attacking combinations, relying on rotation to maintain performance levels.
Despite those challenges, recent results suggest United have adapted well. Four consecutive wins, including the notable victory over Tottenham, underline the resilience within the group. Yet the margin for error remains slim.
The return of Mount would ease creative burdens on central midfielders, while Dorgu’s eventual comeback would restore balance on the flanks. Both players are viewed internally as important components of Carrick’s long-term vision.
Sports science staff are now prioritising gradual reintegration, mindful of Mount’s previous setbacks and Dorgu’s age profile. Rushing either player back could jeopardise availability later in the season.
This cautious approach reflects lessons learned from earlier campaigns, where premature returns led to repeat injuries.
Man Utd Strategy Focused on Long-Term Fitness Stability
United’s injury management strategy has come under scrutiny in recent seasons, prompting internal reviews and changes to conditioning programmes. The current handling of Mount and Dorgu illustrates a shift towards longer-term thinking.
Sources close to the club, quoted by the Standard, suggest that Carrick has been closely involved in rehabilitation planning, ensuring medical decisions align with tactical priorities. This integrated approach aims to reduce recurrence rates and protect player availability.
For Mount, the focus remains on rebuilding match sharpness gradually, likely through controlled minutes and managed workloads. Dorgu, meanwhile, is undergoing phased rehabilitation designed to restore explosive sprinting capacity before full training resumes.
With financial sustainability also shaping recruitment policy, maximising the contribution of existing assets has become essential. Keeping Mount and Dorgu fit could prove more valuable than any short-term transfer activity.
As United enter the decisive phase of the season, their ability to reintegrate key players safely may determine whether recent progress translates into tangible success.
Arne Slot ready to backtrack on £30m summer transfer deal
Liverpool’s centre-back situation is evolving.
Last summer we saw Giovanni Leoni arrive on a £26m deal from Parma. And in the winter transfer window Richard Hughes wrapped up moves for Noah Adekoya and Mor Talla Ndiaye.
That pair will first go into Rob Page’s under-21 side where they will be joined in summer by another promising teenager in Ifeanyi Ndukwe.
The biggest confirmed centre-back deal however concerns Jeremy Jacquet. The 20-year-old will come on board from Rennes after the Premier League champions secured a deal worth around £62m.
The club have been tipped to conclude a move for an experienced figure in order to help the transition. And one name seems to be now emerging above all others - and it’s one that will be very familiar to Liverpool supporters.
According to a report in Football Insider a pre-contract agreement has already been tied up with the England international - who has been a mainstay in the Bundesliga and Champions League this term.
The 23-year-old is exactly the kind of figure that could help with easing in the next generation - and replace Virgil van Dijk who is set to leave in 2027.
“Qaunsah’s return to Anfield can be sealed with a pre-agreed fee, and the contract and paperwork are already in place for the transfer to go through,” the report reads.
The report claims that Arne Slot signed off Quansah’s sale last summer after the centre-back fell out of favour.
He made only appeared 13 times across the title-winning top-flight campaign - but it looked like the Anfield side’s head coach is ready to give Quansah another chance by “backtracking” on last summer’s deal.
“The Dutchman decided at the end of the campaign that the 23-year-old’s services were no longer needed at Anfield, although he could now be about to backtrack on that,” the report states.
Endrick (19) has begun life at Olympique Lyonnais in excellent form. Playing a bit-part role at Real Madrid, he made the move to France to get his career back on track and to make a push for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad, ahead of this summer’s FIFA World Cup.
He could hardly have hoped for a better start. He already has five goals in just six games for OL, including the first hat-trick of his professional career, which came against FC Metz. Paulo Fonseca helped convince his fellow Lusophone to make the move to the Groupama Stadium, but there is no question about where the young striker’s long-term future lies.
Speaking in an interview with AS, the player’s agent, Thiago Freitas, confirmed a return to Real Madrid at the end of the current season. “The decision has been taken. He will return to Real Madrid at the end of the season, no ifs, no buts. It is a loan without a buy option, so he will go back,” said Freitas.
And what about a new loan, perhaps even to OL, where Endrick has said that he is currently happy? “What will happen next season? It is difficult to say, but one thing is for certain: at the end of the season, Endrick will once again be a Real Madrid player,” added Freitas.
Before the Brazilian returns to his parent club, he will hope to bring silverware to the Groupama Stadium, with Lyon still in contention in the UEFA Europa League and the Coupe de France.
‘I’m here to win, I know how to do it. I’ve never thought about leaving; I only needed time. Allegri told me to smile; he was right.’
Inter, no wing-back in Europe is as decisive as Dimarco
Juve: McKennie at San Siro as a false nine, then the renewal.
Roma, Malen’s brace. Cagliari surrendered (2-0).
Napoli, Coppa Italia target: Fabregas with an attacking Como.
Corriere dello Sport
Juve limits
Derby d’Italia on Saturday
Chivu’s team scores a goal every 7.7 shots. Spalletti also pays for Vlahovic’s absence.
Inter’s attack: 12 goals more. Yildiz alone. David-Openda flop.
Lautaro, Thuram, Esposito and Bonny have scored 29 goals. Lucio has made the playing style take off, but his quartet has only managed 17. Cristiano: +9 from the appointment of the ex-CT.
Napoli, Conte launches Giovane
Fenucci: ‘Yes to VAR, but not this way.’
Magic Malen: Roma sit fourth
A brace in front of Totti. The Dutchman has scored three goals in four matches. Gasperini catches Juventus.
Tuttosport
Maratona once again empty ‘to defend Toro’
‘The Italian VAR helps cheating.’
Everyone against the referees: Juve among the most affected, Ravanelli complains.
The ex-striker: ‘Abroad, they use technology differently.’ Irritated by referees’ mistakes, the Bianconeri seek replies from ref chiefs. Meantime Spalletti pushes for McKennie’s renewal. Ilic, Serbia’s fitness coach: ‘Vlahovic he’s hungry for goals, he’ll join Barça.’
“Darryn [Peterson] won't play tonight. He has flu-like symptoms. He went out with the team for warmups but can't go,” a Kansas spokesperson told ESPN’s Myron Medcalf.
Kansas entered the game without one of its best players — a daunting situation for many teams. Instead, the Jayhawks used it as motivation, pulling off a massive home victory and handing Arizona its first loss of the season.
“Kansas delivered a shocking 82-78 upset victory over No. 1 Arizona on Monday at Phog Allen Fieldhouse as the Wildcats lost for the first time this season. Melvin Council Jr. and Flory Bidunga combined to score 32 of Kansas' 39 second-half points after it was announced just prior to tipoff that star guard and NBA Draft prospect Darryn Peterson would not play due to flu-like symptoms,” CBS Sports’ Cameron Salerno wrote.
After the game, Kansas players and fans celebrated a huge win for the program. During the postgame press conference, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd was asked about Peterson, and he quickly made it clear that the story belonged to Kansas’ team effort.
“Let’s not make this about Darryn Peterson…they beat the number one team in the country at home tonight,” Lloyd told the media.
Tommy Lloyd after taking questions on Darryn Peterson’s late scratch: “Let’s not make this about Darryn Peterson…they beat the number one team in the country at home tonight…” #kubballpic.twitter.com/aI53eivXiu
Lloyd is absolutely right. The Jayhawks found a way to win without one of the best players in college basketball, and Arizona suffered its first loss of the season as a result of Kansas’ collective performance.
While the Jayhawks will certainly hope to have Peterson back soon, that shouldn’t overshadow what was an incredible game. Lloyd once again showed why he is considered one of the classiest coaches in college basketball.
This wasn't supposed to happen. It was meant to be Nottingham Forest's best season in 30 years. The best squad this century, a European campaign and a chance to further ourselves in the Premier League.
The downward spiral since August is well documented. But now every time it feels like we have the chance to progress, we get sucked back into trouble. Which is pretty much the definition of a relegation battle.
Wolves and Burnley could be dead and buried - that doesn't mean Wednesday's home game against Rob Edwards' Wolves will be easy - but dropping points against Leeds United, who looked to be down and out themselves, does not help our cause.
There are now five or six clubs in the battle to avoid 18th place and the rest of the season is going to be ups and downs. We're not the only ones going through a crisis - everyone from Newcastle United in 12th down is having a moment, and you have to wonder what the bottom three will be come May.
Friday's 3-1 defeat against Leeds wasn't helped by the disruption to the back five - with a newly arrived goalkeeper, two full-backs out of position and one of our most valuable players unavailable at centre-back. However, two of the transfer window's new additions had useful cameos, and Luca Netz and Lorenzo Lucca could have pivotal roles to play in the coming weeks.
A weekend off will hopefully give the players time to regroup ahead of the Europa League play-off tie against Fenerbahce as well as matches against Liverpool, Brighton and Manchester City. Four wins and a couple of draws from our remaining 13 games will probably be enough to see us safe, but where and when those points come from is hard to know.
On paper, Sean Dyche is the man you want to see you through this kind of storm. But being nominated for January's manager of the month doesn't mean much in February if we play like we did against Leeds United. This wasn't supposed to happen - but it is.
I am running out of superlatives to describe Keith Andrews' Brentford team.
Week after week they keep achieving more and more and even conservative me has started to think about the possibility of a "European tour" next season.
There is a long way to go and, as I've said before, I will still be quite happy if we finish 10th... but it all adds excitement to what has already been a memorable season.
The past week has been one of the most incredible of the campaign. The hundreds of miles covered and many hours spent travelling have been totally worth it for us fans.
I must admit I expected one or two points at best from the Aston Villa and Newcastle away games - but to earn six is surely beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
For the history buffs, it was our first win at Villa Park in our 12th visit, and our first in 11 matches at St James' Park since 1934.
Both victories were totally deserved.
At Villa, it was a backs-to-the-wall defensive display after Kevin Schade's dismissal - while at Newcastle it was our refusal to give up at 1-0 down, and 2-2 after leading, to win 3-2.
We also made sure Yoane Wissa knew how we felt about him forcing a move to the Magpies and disrespecting us - although only for 65 minutes as that's all he got before being substituted!
The delight on the players' and staff's faces at each result when they came over to us at full-time was plain to see - even from 14 flights up on Saturday!
Andrews is now showing his post-match emotions more than earlier in the season with fist pumps to us after both games.
The players don't know when they are beaten and even if we lose to Arsenal on Thursday, they make us believe anything is possible!
With his double in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, Viktor Gyokeres has now scored six goals this year, more than any other Premier League player.
The Sweden striker arrived in the summer as a statement. Fans expected an instant impact, something like an Erling Haaland-esque explosion into the Premier League. They didn't get it. But with his recent run of form, it looks like he could be exactly what Arsenal needed.
Despite his recent improving run of form, a common criticism of Gyokeres from rival fans is that he only scores against the league's newly promoted sides, or those in the bottom half. Factually, this is true. Five of his eight Premier League goals have come against Burnley, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest.
But Arsenal's title charge faltered last season against exactly these types of sides. Conversely, this season, Gyokeres is precisely the man to dispatch these sides, even if they still put up an organised and, at times, suffocating defence against the Gunners. This isn't a player stat-padding against smaller sides, it's one doing exactly what we need him to do.
It's also been an eye-opener for fans watching a player adapt to life in the English top flight while very publicly learning on the job. Physicality-wise, there is simply nowhere to hide in the Premier League, and Gyokeres has sometimes looked significantly off the pace. However, he has failed, adjusted, and improved in the public eye and under immense scrutiny. This is to be lauded.
He is proof that the move from Primeira Liga isn't just about technical skill, which he is still working on. It is as much about the mental strength to fail and grow while the world watches.
These early signs of him 'coming good' are no fluke, but the result of a player willing to be imperfect while the finishing touches fall into place. And his recent form shows every indication that they will.
Photo by Steven Halliwell/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Sunderland host Liverpool at the Stadium of Light in a midweek Premier League fixture with both sides under pressure to respond.
The game brings together Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris and Liverpool manager Arne Slot as the two teams meet with contrasting home and away form.
Focus now shifts to the match details, broadcast information, team availability, and how the contest is likely to be decided.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Game information
The match will be played at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, a venue with a capacity of 49,000. Kick-off is scheduled for Wednesday, 11 February at 8:15 pm UK time.
Where to watch
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League (TV), Sky Go (streaming)
United States: USA Network (TV) and Peacock (streaming)
India: Star Sports Select (TV) and JioHotstar (streaming)
Australia: Stan Sport
Team News
Sunderland: Granit Xhaka and Jocelin Ta Bi remain unavailable due to ankle injuries. Bertrand Traore will be assessed closer to kick-off as a late fitness decision.
Liverpool: Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez are all sidelined through injury.
Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended and will miss the trip to the Stadium of Light.
Prediction
Sunderland have been strong at home this season and remain difficult to break down on Wearside. Liverpool possess greater attacking quality, but a narrow away win appears the most likely outcome.
Indeed, the former sporting vice-president took over from Laporta after his resignation in order to stand in the elections.
And, on Monday night, Yuste represented the Catalan club at the first edition of La Nit de la Ràdio, organised by Cadena SER, where he spoke for the first time as interim Barça president.
Yuste explained his intentions while he remains in charge of the club until a new president is elected, saying:
“The goal is to maintain the course set so far. We want to bring the greatest joy to the Barça members.”
Rafa Yuste is the interim Barcelona president. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)
The Barcelona president also chose not to respond to the provocations of Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa regarding the Negreira case.
“Focused on Barça and listening to the people who are key figures at our club, in this case, within the sporting department, and offering my full support to Flick, his staff, Deco, and Bojan, and nothing else,” he said.
“I have nothing to say about Madrid or any other team,” Yuste added.
Finally, he also avoided speculating about the possibility of lifting the Champions League as president later in the season, saying:
“What I’m imagining now is going to Madrid on Thursday and playing a great match. And as Flick says, taking it one step at a time.”
West Ham United have proven to be something of a bogey team for Manchester United in recent years and will be hoping to continue their good form when the two sides meet at London Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers have won four of their last six Premier League games against the Red Devils, including both meetings last season - more than they had in their previous 28 meetings.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side find themselves in 18th position, largely because of some dreadful home form that has earned them just 10 points from a possible 36, but they have beaten Manchester United in their last three encounters in east London.
Hammers shed unwanted record
Saturday's 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Burnley was West Ham's third win in four after 10 games without a victory.
It saw the Irons end a dire run of 21 league games without a clean sheet – their first under Nuno – a welcome shutout that coincided with a debut for on-loan Chelsea defender Axel Disasi and a recall for goalkeeper Mads Hermansen.
In attack, the Hammers are notably more dangerous since January arrivals Valentin Castellano and Pablo entered the fray, having scored at least twice in four consecutive top-flight games for the first time since a run of five in December 2021-January 2022. But one of the main reasons they've won three of their last four league games is Crysencio Summerville.
The rejuvenated Dutch winger is one of the league's in-form players, with a fine display in the FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers triggering a run of five goals in five consecutive games in all competitions - the first West Ham player to achieve that feat since Jesse Lingard in March/April 2021.
[BBC]
High five for Carrick?
Four wins on the spin for Manchester United under Michael Carrick has the Old Trafford faithful dreaming of Champions League football again with the Red Devils sitting fourth, unbeaten in eight, just three points behind Aston Villa.
A 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday marked the first time United have won four league games on the trot since February 2024 under Erik ten Hag; it was during the Dutchman's reign they last won five-in-a-row in a single league season, in November 2022-January 2023.
The sparkling form of Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha has helped the Reds rattle home 10 goals in Carrick's four games in charge, but equally as pleasing for the new head coach will be the two clean sheets in that time – as many as United had recorded in the 23 games this season prior to his appointment.
Carrick's return to the dugout against Manchester City marked the first time Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez had started a league game together since February 2025 and their experience in place of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven has resulted in form befitting of a team targeting a top-four finish. Nobody in the competition has won a higher percentage of duels than Maguire (81.5%) since his return from injury.
[BBC]
The expectation will be on Carrick to record a fifth successive win but he will be wary of the club's poor recent record in midweek away games; United have won just one of their last nine such games on the road, losing five.
This is the most played Premier League fixture never to finish goalless, with the 61 meetings producing 196 goals at an average of 3.2 per game.
True to form, December's reverse fixture ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with Tottenham twice coming from behind late on to earn a point thanks to Cristian Romero's 95th-minute overhead kick.
Spurs 'desperate to win games'
Just as Romero eased the mounting pressure on head coach Thomas Frank two months ago by preventing a sixth defeat in eight games for Spurs, he has added to it with his recent words and deeds.
At the end of a week in which Romero publicly took aim at the club's hierarchy for the second time in a month, the team captain incurred a red card and four-match ban on Saturday for his forceful challenge on Manchester United midfielder Casemiro.
Frank, who has repeatedly defended Romero, admitted on Monday that players and staff are "desperate to win games" - Spurs and Burnley are the only sides not to do so in the Premier League this calendar year.
Spurs had 10 players out at the weekend, and Destiny Udogie now faces a month out because of the hamstring injury he sustained at Old Trafford. Nonetheless, the team's form - even preceding Frank - makes for damning reading:
Tottenham are on a seven-match winless league run for the third time since the start of last season – they hadn't previously gone that long without a victory since 2008.
They've only managed two wins in 16 top-flight games since the start of November, drawing six and losing eight.
Spurs have won just four of 26 home league fixtures, suffering 15 defeats.
In the 14 months since 16 December 2024, Tottenham have won more matches in Europe (12 of 18) than in the Premier League (11 of 47).
[BBC]
Defiant Howe has problems to fix
Like Spurs, Newcastle are a big club at a crossroads in their season. They've suffered three successive league defeats and only won one of their past nine matches, excluding the FA Cup penalty shootout success against Bournemouth.
In the build-up to this game, head coach Eddie Howe said there's "no doubt" in his mind that he's best-placed to restore Newcastle's fortunes. "If I didn't think I was the correct man to take the team forward, and I couldn't give the players what they need, then I would step aside and let someone else do it."
Newcastle's poor away form – two league wins in 15 attempts on the road – is one of several issues for Howe to fix.
Another was highlighted by Romero's last-gasp equaliser for Spurs in December and also when Brentford scored a late winner at St James' Park on Saturday. It means Newcastle have dropped 19 points from winning positions this season, more than any other Premier League side.
Tuesday night's encounter between Everton and Bournemouth sees two of the Premier League's form sides - both unbeaten in their last five - meet at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Everton have lost just once since Christmas, a run that has coincided with striker Thierno Barry finding his shooting boots. The former France Under-21 international found the net just once in his first 20 appearances for the Toffees following a £27m move from Villarreal but has shown his worth recently with four in his last eight – only three players have scored more since Christmas.
Another summer signing enjoying something of a purple patch is midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who also has four goals in his last eight league appearances, as many as he scored in his first 82 games in the division.
Fine margins for Moyes' men
David Moyes' side, currently in eighth position with faint hopes of a push for the European spots, could perhaps have done with a little more luck to turn some of their recent draws into wins.
They've hit the woodwork 11 times in the league this season, with only Manchester United (18) and Newcastle (14) doing so more often. Indeed, Everton have hit the bar or the post in four of their last five league games.
[BBC]
Everton's home form has been consistently inconsistent this season, with four wins, four draws and four losses at their new stadium. A 1-0 win at the Vitality Stadium in December means they are looking to complete the league double over Bournemouth for the very first time.
Moyes also has a strong record against this opposition, with five wins and four draws in his 10 top-flight meetings with the Cherries - among sides he's faced 10 or more times in the competition, he has only lost a lower percentage against Sunderland and Birmingham City.
Cherries on the climb
Only Manchester United and Chelsea can boast a better points tally in the last five games than Andoni Iraola's Bournemouth, who have moved from 15th to 11th place since the turn of the year.
Teenage forward Rayan, a £24.7m January arrival from Vasco da Gama, has made an immediate impact. The Brazil Under-20 international followed up an assist for Alex Scott on his debut with the equaliser in last week's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa, making him the youngest South American to register goal involvements in each of his first two Premier League appearances.
[BBC]
Iraola's fresh-faced team – all three of Bournemouth's youngest-ever top-flight starting XIs have come in the past five months – have been playing with an energy recently that has resulted in three stoppage-time goals since January.
Trips to Merseyside have not proven fruitful for the Cherries though, with just two wins in a combined 17 league visits to Everton and Liverpool. Troublingly for Iraola, not one of those games has seen them keep a clean sheet.
The long midweek trip north from the Dorset coast could also take its toll on Bournemouth; they've won just one of their last eight league games to take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, though that victory did come in their last such match against Spurs in January.
In-form Chelsea are seeking a seventh successive home league win over Leeds United, whose most recent victory at Stamford Bridge came in December 1999.
Nonetheless, Leeds won this season's reverse fixture 3-1 and are looking to complete their first league double over Chelsea since the 1991-92 title-winning campaign.
Chelsea making most of favourable fixtures
Seven wins in nine games has been an impressive riposte by Liam Rosenior to those who questioned his appointment as Chelsea head coach five weeks ago. On Saturday, aided by Cole Palmer's club record fourth Premier League hat-trick, he became just the second English manager to win his first four matches in charge in the competition.
The first, Craig Shakespeare, went on to win his first five with Leicester City in 2017 but was sacked six months later. Rosenior will be well aware how quickly fortunes can turn.
Rosenior's lack of experience at a top-level club means he is considered by some to be a gamble. The odds have been in his favour so far thanks to a kind run of league fixtures; Leeds and Burnley are up next, meaning Chelsea will have played five top-flight games in a row against sides in the bottom six at the time.
Their record against teams in the lower part of the table is the third best in the division. The greater test for Rosenior and his players will be to sustain their form in the games that follow, starting on 1 March with a trip to Arsenal.
[BBC]
Whites flag on the road
Leeds United are one of two sides, along with Brighton, among the current bottom eight to have beaten Chelsea this season. That was a 3-1 victory for the Whites under the lights at Elland Road in December, and they made it five wins from five in night games at home this season by beating Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Manager Daniel Farke, who was understandably delighted with "a massive performance and a massive win", took four points from his two previous meetings with Rosenior when the latter was in charge at Hull City in the 2023-24 Championship season.
However, Leeds have only won two of their past 25 Premier League away fixtures – both against Wolves, in March 2023 and September this season.
They have seven away points this season from 12 games. Only Wolves and Burnley have a worse away record, and Leeds have earned a lower proportion of their points on the road than any other side in the division.
Cambridge United forward Ben Knight has signed a two-year contract extension to run until the end of the 2027-28 season.
Knight, 23, has scored six goals in 29 appearances this season - including three in the past four games - to help the U's into the League Two promotion race.
They are fifth in the table, just two points below the top three, despite their 14-match unbeaten run coming to an end at Harrogate on Saturday.
"We are in a strong position and it's a really exciting time - that's why I want to be here," said Knight, who joined Cambridge last summer after beginning his career in Manchester City's academy.
Boss Neil Harris added to the club website: "Over the last seven months, Ben has developed hugely, both on and off the pitch, and there's still so much more to come from him.
"He has a clear development pathway in front of him that I believe will see him continue to grow as a footballer, and his form over the last six to eight weeks has certainly coincided with our rise up the league table."
Cambridge are in action again on Tuesday evening with an away game at Crawley Town.
Kaizer Chiefs coach speaks on 'Group of death' ahead of finale
Interview
Chiefs coach weighs in on 'Group of death'
Photo: Phillip Maeta/ Gallo Images
Kaizer Chiefs co-coach Khalil Ben Youssef has weighed in on the tough competition in Group D ahead of the high-stakes penultimate matches at the weekend.
The Soweto giants top the group of death with 10 points, while Egyptian heavyweights Zamalek SC sit second with eight points, as fellow Egyptians Al Masry SC closely trail in third with seven points.
Chiefs will visit Zamalek on Sunday, while bottom-placed ZESCO United, who shockingly beat the White Knights travel to Al Masry on the same day.
With the finale looming, Ben Youssef has admitted his team is in the toughest group, with a new team occupying the summit after each matchday - a testament to the unpredictability of the group.
“I think when we received the draw we said that the most difficult group will be our group. I mean competing against one of the biggest team in Egypt Zamalek, Al Masry also they've got a lot of experience - they have played this competition in the last few seasons,” he said.
"For us, we have been out of this competition for the last five years. More than 80% or 85% of our players, it's the first time they play this kind of competition. You see the results, every week a new team is number one.
"Coming back from Zambia with three points, people think it was easy, but it was very tough for us. We spent a lot of energy, it's hot, it's a difficult pitch. You saw today [Sunday] the result of Zamalek they lost against Zesco.
"I think it's a difficult group, we have to continue to fight and I think to be honest the three teams deserve to qualify but those are the rules - two of us will be qualified.
Though Chiefs failed to collect maximum points in their first two outings, the Tunisian mentor says they approached every match like a cup game, with the team now in pole position to advance to the knockout stages.
“To be honest from the beginning we said that for us the first important thing is to compete and take each game as a cup game and when we finish the six games we'll see if we are qualified,” Ben Youssef added.
"We are happy for this and if we are not qualified, also we are happy for the players because they performed very well and they fought every game. It's a difficult group, it's a very tough group. Playing against Zamalek in Egypt, no one can say it will be an easy game.
"It will be a difficult game with the experience that they have. We expect to qualify, yes, but to finish number one or number two we don't know. For us we'll have the next game as a final cup [match]. We have to compete, continue to fight to qualify.
CAF Champions League: Qualification scenarios for the quarter-finals in Group A
The qualification scenarios for the quarter-finals in Group A of the CAF Champions League
RS Berkane et le Power Dynamos/@CAF
The reigning champions, Pyramids FC, have already secured their ticket to the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League after collecting 13 points, thanks to a record of four wins and a single draw.
The second qualifying spot will be contested between RS Berkane and Power Dynamos, both sitting on 7 points, each with two wins, one draw, and two defeats.
The Moroccan side holds a slight advantage, as they will host bottom-of-the-table Rivers United on matchday six. Meanwhile, the Zambian club will welcome table-toppers Pyramids FC.
RS Berkane will book their place in the quarter-finals with a win. Even a draw, or potentially a loss, could be enough, provided Power Dynamos record the same result.
If the two clubs finish level on points, RS Berkane would advance thanks to a superior head-to-head goal difference.
Still, Digard, Vieira: Franck Haise’s rivals for the vacant Rennes job revealed
Habib Beye was relieved of his duties as Stade Rennais manager on Monday. The former Red Star manager paid the price for a poor run of form in 2026, with Saturday’s 3-1 loss against RC Lens their fourth in succession in all competitions.
With reports of discord in the Rennes dressing room, too, the writing was on the wall for Beye, especially given that Franck Haise, whom Arnaud Pouille already knows from his time at Lens, was starting to be linked with the position.
Haise, who left OGC Nice in December, is the clear favourite for the role, however, there are alternative targets, L’Équipe understands. Rennes are also looking at Patrick Vieira, Laurent Blanc, Will Still, Didier Digard, and Alexandre Dujeux. The latter two are currently in jobs, with the former at Le Havre AC and the latter at SCO Angers. Both are exceeding expectations at their respective clubs, but Rennes would be forced to pay a compensation fee in order to acquire their services.
South Korea have named their squad for next month's Women's Asian Cup in Australia (DAVID GRAY)
A dispute that saw South Korea's players threaten to boycott next month's Women's Asian Cup over "discriminatory conditions" has been resolved, football officials in the country said Tuesday.
South Korea's national women's squad last year complained of "poor" treatment by the Korea Football Association (KFA) compared to their male counterparts.
A statement from September, made public in January, said players would boycott games and training ahead of the Asian Cup if the KFA did not address their concerns over travel, training facilities and accommodation.
The KFA told AFP that the matter had "been resolved" and named a 26-player squad for the Asian Cup, which is being held in Australia and kicks off on March 1.
The KFA said that starting from this year, the association would provide business-class travel for all women's team squad members when long-haul travel was involved.
The association also said that they aim to "strengthen a sustainable support system that allows the players to perform at their best while taking pride in wearing the national colours".
The squad will convene at South Korea's national training centre on Sunday before leaving for Australia four days later.
The team have been drawn in a first-round group with the hosts, Iran and the Philippines.
Coach Shin Sang-woo's squad includes former Chelsea midfielder Ji So-yun and US-born 18-year-old Casey Phair of Angel City FC.
Eight overseas-based players were named, including AC Milan's Park Soo-jeong.
South Korea open their campaign against Iran at the Gold Coast on March 2.
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Keion White underwent surgery after being shot in the ankle at a post-Super Bowl event early Monday morning.
San Francisco police say they responded to calls for the shooting on the 1700 block of Mission Street around 4 a.m. Monday.
ABC7 Eyewitness News' partners at the San Francisco Standard report the defensive end was hosting a party at Dahlia's - a bar and nightclub.
They report that at some point, White got into an argument involving rapper "Lil Baby." That's when White was shot in the ankle.
SFPD said in a statement that "the victim was injured when shots were fired by an unknown suspect."
News of the shooting has sent shockwaves through the Bay Area which had just finished hosting a successful Super Bowl hours before.
The 49ers released the following statement:
"Keion White was a victim of a shooting and sustained a bullet wound to his ankle this morning in San Francisco. He is currently undergoing surgery at a local hospital. We will provide further updates when appropriate."
In a post on X, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie wrote:
"Any violent incident in our city is unacceptable, and I'm hoping Keion recovers quickly. I've spoken with SFPD and 49ers leadership- we are all grateful to our SFPD officers for their quick response. As always, I will continue working with San Francisco law enforcement to ensure our neighborhoods and our residents are safe."
On Monday morning, White took to his own social media to post a photo from the stands at the Super Bowl.
Comments on that post show an outpouring of support from fans after word had gotten out.
On the streets of the city near where the shooting happened, people who live there are also processing the news.
Elina Kang says she was woken up by the police activity outside her apartment.
"My window is right by my bed so I saw lights. I think that's why I woke up at first," said Kang.
Kang said she only moved to the area last week but knows it's had its problems with safety in the past.
"It kind of seems par for the course. I'm not entirely like how could this happen here," said Kang.
The San Francisco Police Department says the case remains open and no arrests have been made.
The Washington Commanders posted a message on their X account right after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots. The message was clear: it's on to 2026, using the tagline, "A new journey begins."
The message and accompanying photo show several players in the tunnel, getting ready to come onto the field. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin and running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt were in the center of the photo.
So, what stood out? The Commanders were wearing their Super Bowl-era uniforms, with the white jerseys. They wore them as alternates for only three games in 2025, but the rumor was they would be permanent in 2026. The message "2026" with the white jerseys makes it clear: the Commanders will be going back to a look that should please fans.
The longstanding rumor is that Washington will also be introducing burgundy jerseys from the same era that look similar to this.
That would mean the jerseys introduced in 2022 as part of the Commanders' rebrand would be discontinued. It's uncertain if Washington will keep the black uniforms and helmets as alternates once the Super Bowl-era uniforms become permanent.
Zach Cohen of FanDuel, who often breaks uniform news, says the burgundy jerseys should be introduced before April's 2026 NFL Draft.
As you can tell, I’m pretty excited we got more uniform news (even if I’m exhausted from the weekend) 😂
“The worst-kept secret in Washington” has its first official teaser, sort of
There's one more item prominently featured in Washington's logo. On the Commanders' crest, two spears and two stars are featured. The spears appear to be part of Washington's look going forward. Could this also mean a helmet change?
It will be interesting to see what Washington moves forward with, but fans should be happy to know that the initial Commanders jersey from the 2022 rebrand is on the way out.
After a couple weekends of cancelled and postponed games, college men's lacrosse is back on. No. 15 Johns Hopkins will host No. 17 Towson on Tuesday for a heated matchup.
Hopkins enters this season looking to bounce back after an underwhelming 2025, in which it went 6-8 and was winless in conference. The Blue Jays' season ended early, as they were not able to secure a bid to the NCAA tournament. The program will be looking for a more successful outcome this spring.
On the other hand, Towson returns to the field with more hope for the season ahead. The Tigers were undefeated in conference play, and went on to win the CAA tournament before ending their season in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Who can earn a win this week?
Here's everything you need to know about Johns Hopkins vs. Towson, including TV channel and streaming options for the men's lacrosse game.
Where to watch Johns Hopkins vs. Towson men's lacrosse
The college lacrosse matchup between Johns Hopkins an Towson will be broadcast live on ESPNU, but cord-cutters can also catch the action live on Fubo.
Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox and 100+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
Johns Hopkins vs. Towson men's lacrosse start time
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 10
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Johns Hopkins vs. Towson men's lacrosse will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. ET. The game will be played at Homewood Field in Baltimore, Maryland.
Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse schedule 2026
Here's a look at the Blue Jays' next five matchups.
Miguel Cardoso makes rallying plea to Sundowns supporters
Interview
Cardoso implores Downs fans ahead of MCA clash
Photo: BackPagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns head coach Miguel Cardoso has made a rallying plea to the Masandawana faithful ahead of their Group C finale against Rulani Mokwena's MC Alger on Saturday.
The Brazilians will host the Algerian champions in a must-win match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, as they aim to secure passage to the knockout stages of the CAF Champions League.
Downs sit third with six points from five matches, while Mokwena's side is in second spot with seven points in as many matches.
With the high-stakes encounter looming, Cardoso is optimistic of securing a favourable result, and has called on the club's supporters to come out in numbers to get the team over the line.
“The team is strong, the team is united, the team is brave, the team will face this week with a lot of enthusiasm because we want to do well. We want to open a page ahead in the competition and for that we need to be strong and we need to be prepared,” he said.
"We hope that in the next match we'll have a full stadium with only one thought - to support the team, not support nothing more. I hope that the opponent doesn't guess or knows how we are going to play. I hope it's controlled so that we can make a fair game from our side.
On their frustrating one-all draw with FC Saint-Eloi Lupopo in DR Congo at the weekend, the Portuguese tactician slammed the Congolese team for their theatrics during the match.
“A lot of theatre during the first half especially, but also in the second one together with a few moments of football. A lot of stops, a lot of players falling down here and there - something that we need to understand gives nothing to football in the future,” Cardoso added.
"It's not the way football gets developed in a country and in Africa in general. It's something that really needs to be fought by the referees and today it was not. So every time we had a moment of energy there was someone falling down. But we knew we had to fight against that also.
Notably, the last time Sundowns were eliminated in the group stage was back in the 2017/18 campaign, and Mokwena could inflict the same fate on his former employers by avoiding defeat.
Chelsea host Leeds United at Stamford Bridge as the Premier League schedule moves into a decisive midweek round.
The fixture sees Chelsea continuing their early momentum under Liam Rosenior, while Leeds United travel south looking to stabilise their league position.
Attention now shifts to the key match details, broadcast coverage, team availability, and how the contest is expected to play out.
Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images
Game information
The match will take place at Stamford Bridge in London, which has a capacity of 41,312.
Kick-off is set for Tuesday, 10 February at 7.30pm UK time.
Where to watch
United Kingdom: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League (TV), Sky Go (streaming)
United States: USA Network (TV) and Peacock (streaming)
India: Star Sports Select (TV) and JioHotstar (streaming)
Australia: Stan Sport
Team News
Chelsea: Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Jamie Gittens, and Tosin Adarabioyo are unavailable, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended.
Reece James is a doubt due to illness, and Filip Jorgensen is facing a late fitness check.
Leeds United: Anton Stach is the only confirmed absentee as Daniel Farke prepares to select from an otherwise fit squad.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been managing illness but is expected to be available if cleared.
Prediction
Chelsea arrive in stronger form and have been producing consistent attacking performances at home. Leeds have shown signs of improvement, but Chelsea are expected to have enough to secure the result.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 01: Dominic Solanke of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 01, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning and welcome to another edition of A Look at the Lower Leagues, where the hoddle takes a glance at the lower levels of the English football pyramid. Sure, it’s fun watching the Premier League (this season not included), but it can also be fun to see what clubs like Cardiff City are up to.
If there’s one thing I know, it’s how much you all crave your Leagues One and Two content on the day Tottenham are supposed to play in the Premier League. So, here you go.
League One:
Last we checked in here, Bradford City were battling it out for the automatic spots. Now, after winning just two of their seven games in 2026, they’re barely hanging on to the playoff spot. The question is whether or not former Wrexham star Paul Mullin, who is now at the club on loan, can revive their promotion hopes.
Otherwise, it appears Cardiff have strengthened their grip at the top. They’ve got a game in hand on third-place Bolton and currently sit eight points clear.
Top six:
Cardiff (63 Pts, +26 GD, 30 MP)
Lincoln City (61 Pts, +22 Pts, 30 MP)
Bolton (55 Pts, +12 GD, 21 MP)
Stockport (53 Pts, +7 GD, 30 MP)
Huddersfield (49 Pts, +11 GD, 31 MP)
Bradford City (49 Pts, +4 GD, 29 MP)
Bottom four:
Burton (32 Pts, -12 GDm 30 MP)
Wigan (31 Pts, -10 GD, 29 MP)
Rotherham (31 Pts, -12 GD, 29 MP)
Port Vale (22 Pts, -18 GD, 28 MP)
League Two:
Poor Harrogate Town. Hoddle Headquarters has a soft spot for this small club, which currently sits dead last in the league. All hope’s not lost, though. They’re only three points away from safety. Nothing else in the league looks terribly exciting to me. Barnet are in a good run of form and solidly 12th, just three points away from the playoff spots. That’d be a fun story to watch if it continues to develop.
Top seven:
Bromley (62 Pts, +22 GD, 30 MP)
Notts County (57 Pts, +16 GD, 30 MP)
Swindon Town (55 Pts, +16 GD, 3o MP)
MK Dons (54 Pts, +26 GD, 30 MP)
Cambridge United (53 Pts, +15 GD, 29 MP)
Salford (52 Pts, +6 GD, 29 MP)
Walsall (49 Pts, +7 GD, 30 M)
Bottom two:
Newport Coutny (21 Pts, -25 GD, 29 MP)
Harrogate Town (21 Pts, -28 GD, 31 MP)
National League
Can Scunthorpe make a return to the English Football League? The Irons were relegated from League Two in 2022, ending their 72-year run in the Football League. They followed that up with a second straight relegation, sending them to the National League North. They were promoted back to the National League via playoffs last season, and now sit in third place in the league. With Rochdale and York City battling it out for the lone automatic bid, Scunthorpe will be pushing to make the return via the playoffs.
Top two:
Rochdale (70 Pts, +36 GD, 28 MP)
York City (68 Pts, +49 GD, 30 MP)
Fitzie’s track of the day: See No Evil, by Television
And now for your links:
The Athletic ($$): “Luka Vuskovic: Tottenham’s hottest prospect, but when will he actually play for them?”
Alasdair Gold: “Every word Thomas Frank said on worrying Kulusevski update and if Spurs are in a relegation battle”
The Independent: “Thomas Frank ‘desperate’ for Tottenham wins as relegation battle looms”
He’s not Jack Grealish: Manager of Chelsea loan player doesn’t sound convinced
Everton manager David Moyes does not sound convinced about Tyrique George yet, despite loaning him in the January transfer window.
He points out the fact that they were not getting a Jack Grealish when they signed the Chelsea youngster on deadline day in the winter window this year and for me, I’m not too sure that he really rates him!
EXCLUSIVE! Summer Scouting Transfer Shortlist Files – New attackers! – We’ve covered CBs, GKs, FBs, and CMs now it’s attackers – FIVE names in this including TWO that have never been linked 👀
It’s some bizarre words really. Did Moyes even watch George play much before he agreed to sign him? Is it the fact that he’s only on loan so it doesn’t really matter anyway? Maybe he just wanted him for a bit of extra numbers in his squad for the rest of the season and has no plans to use him much?
What Moyes has said about George
Tyrique George signs for Everton.
As cited on X this week, David Moyes said on Tyrique George:
“I am seeing a bit of him which I like but again he’s a young player. He’s still a young boy. So, we have to be careful and we don’t expect too much from him. It is not as if we are getting a Jack Grealish.”
Wow. Baffling. That’s hardly going to inject any confidence into a young player now, is it?
I don’t personally think George is ever going to make it at a top club, but he’s certainly got a bit about him.
It looks like Chelsea have got rid of yet another very popular staff member who has been at the club a long time, and this one will not go down well at all.
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