ONE Championship delivered an unforgettable night of world-class martial arts action over the weekend, as history was made inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium.
This past Friday, February 13, ONE Fight Night 40 on Prime Video aired live in U.S. primetime and featured eight thrilling matches across MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling.
The card produced high-paced showdowns, a spectacular submission, and memorable knockouts that will be talked about for years to come.
In the main event, ONE Women’s Strawweight Muay Thai World Champion Stella “Always Hungry” Hemetsberger etched her name into the record books once again.
The Austrian striker dethroned ONE Women’s Strawweight Kickboxing World Champion Jackie Buntan via hard-fought split decision to capture two-sport glory.
After becoming Austria’s first-ever ONE World Champion last year, Hemetsberger cemented her legacy by becoming her country’s first-ever two-sport queen and only the third female striker to achieve the feat in ONE Championship history.
The co-main event delivered another crowning moment, as Scottish knockout artist “King of the North” Nico Carrillo outclassed hometown hero Shadow Singha Mawynn to claim the ONE Interim Featherweight Muay Thai World Title.
With the impressive victory, Carrillo has now secured a highly anticipated unification bout with divisional king Tawanchai PK Saenchai whenever the Thai megastar returns from injury.
Before we turn the page, take a look at the best pictures from ONE Fight Night 40, courtesy of our ringside photographers.
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 23: Head Basketball Coach Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines speaks to media during the post game press conference after a college basketball against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Crisler Arena on January 23, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 74-62. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
After securing the top spot in the KenPom, NET ranking, EvanMiya.com and Bart Torvik, the Michigan Wolverines secured the top ranking in the final list — the AP Poll — on Monday afternoon. As Michigan continues to sit in a perfect spot to be a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament, most agree that the Wolverines are the top program.
Michigan has only been No. 1 in four previous seasons: 1964-65, 1976-77, 1992-93 and 2012-13. The milestone does not guarantee anything, but the turnaround that head coach Dusty May has put together is meant for congratulations and appreciation. Two years into his tenure, anMay has a Big Ten Tournament championship, a Sweet Sixteen appearance, and now the top spot in college basketball.
“Our personnel last year, we didn’t have enough dogs to win the league,” May said earlier this month. “I loved our guys last year, but we just didn’t have enough dogs, and so we were able to solve those issues in recruiting. We were close (last year), but we just didn’t have enough. And sometimes it’s just being a year older, and sometimes, I think our staff did a great job of being intentional about fixing the things that needed to be fixed, instead of just hoping that things change or go away. So, we learned from all of our tough experiences last year, but to be honest, this year, we expected to win. We like our team a lot. We think there’s great substance.”
With that expectation in mind, you may not be surprised to hear that May is not putting any credence into the top ranking his team received on Monday.
Being ranked No. 1 in February does not guarantee that Michigan will win the National Championship in April. For that reason, May acknowledges while it is exciting for the program and for the fan base, for him personally, it doesn’t mean anything.
“It says that we have a really talented group of people — coaches, players, support staff, everyone involved — that make each other better,” May said ahead of the team’s top ranking. “I think if you take several of our guys away, then we’re not near as good. It’s what they bring to the table, it’s how we embrace each other and our strengths.
“As far as the No. 1 ranking, it means absolutely nothing right now. I don’t know, any staff that I’ve ever been on, what we were ranked at the end of the year, to be honest. I don’t recall and don’t really care. It’s awesome for our fans. It’s cool for the energy and intensity that it brings to the games and being able to do cool things like College GameDay and whatnot. But as far as internally or emotionally, it doesn’t mean anything.”
May has all of the reason to believe that, especially with the gauntlet of a schedule his team has coming up. With a two-game lead in the Big Ten standings, the Wolverines close the regular season at No. 7 Purdue, vs No. 3 Duke in Washington D.C., home against Minnesota, at No. 10 Illinois, at Iowa (KenPom No. 25) and home against No. 15 Michigan State.
It has been a special season so far, as this the first Michigan team since the Fab Five in 1992-93 to have multiple double-digit win streaks in a single season. Add that up with the best start in program history at 24-1 (including 14-1 in Big Ten play), plus a perfect 9-0 record against Quad 1 teams, and it makes perfect sense why Michigan is ranked at the top.
Nonetheless, May won’t be satisfied until he is hoisting the National Championship trophy.
Elana Meyers Taylor of United States celebrates after winning gold in the women's monobob at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Monday in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Photo by Andrea Solero/EPA
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Elana Meyers Taylor edged Laura Nolte by four-hundredths of a second in Monday's women's monobob, earning an elusive maiden Olympic gold medal.
Meyers Taylor, who won three silver medals and two bronze medals through her first four Olympics, also tied speed skater Bonnie Blair as the most decorated American female in Winter Olympics history.
Fellow American Kaillie Armbruster Humphries -- the 2022 monobob gold medalist -- clocked a total time of 3:58.05, 0.12 behind Meyers Taylor's 3:57.93, to earn a bronze medal. Nolte -- a gold medalist from the two-woman bobsleigh in 2022 -- finished in 3:57.97 to give Germany another silver medal.
At 41, Meyers Taylor also set a record as the oldest women's bobsled medalist.
Meyers Taylor -- who won silver in 2022 -- was in second place, 0.15 behind Nolte, through the first three heats Monday at Cortina Sliding Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Humphries first submitted a 59.54 on her final run, momentarily jumping into first place. Meyers Taylor then jumped into her sled, careering through the track at speeds of nearly 80 MPH en route to a final time of 59.51.
She was forced to sit and watch as Nolte sprinted and jumped into her bright yellow sled. But the German was loose from the start, contacting several walls and skidding down the track for a final time of 59.70, losing her edge over the Americans and dropping down the podium.
Meyers Taylor, who was overcome with emotion after Nolte's last effort, collapsed in celebration of her first Olympic gold medal.
She is scheduled to compete with Jadin O'Brien in Saturday's two-woman bobsleigh Saturday, where she could break her tie with Blair as the most decorated American female in Winter Olympics history.
The two-man bobsleigh final will take place Tuesday at Cortina Sliding Centre.
Haji Wright's hat-trick sent Coventry City back to the top of the Championship with a deserved win over Middlesbrough.
Just seven days after losing their long-held lead to Boro, the Sky Blues regained it at the first opportunity with a display full of energy and effervescence.
USA forward Wright had only managed two goals in his previous 19 games but he chose the ideal night to return to top form.
He had already headed one against the post when he scored midway through the first half before adding a second 10 minutes after the break.
Riley McGree halved the deficit with a fine finish for the Teessiders, before Matt Targett conceded a penalty for handball 17 seconds after play had restarted.
Wright stepped up to put it away and seal a huge victory for Frank Lampard's side as they climbed back into first, one point above their opponents.
It ended a run of six straight wins for Boro, whose miserable record against the Sky Blues now extends to seven losses in a row.
Into this breach has stepped newly-signed Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who is fully intent on putting the “utility” back in super-utility player as a backup option to Willson Contreras.
Kiner-Falefa’s principal positions are second, short and third. But having played literally every other position on the field in the majors — including catcher — Kiner-Falefa has one last positional box to check.
And so it was that for the second straight day Monday, he got some work in at first.
“Having experience all over the field helps out a lot so going there is a little easier,” he said. “I think the hardest thing is the range factor, getting back to the base, footwork and then the cuts (cutoff plays on throws from the outfield) and bunt plays.
“Other than that, playing the position, I felt fine. It’s going to be more about the bunt plays, holding the runner on, the little things that make some guys better than other guys. If I’m at any spot on the field, I want to make sure I’m the right guy for the job. If I have to pinch run for Willson (Contreras) late in the game, they’re not going to move (Caleb) Durbin or Marcelo (Mayer) off their spots because they’re really, really good players. If that’s how I fit in, I’ve got to keep working there.”
It may be that Kiner-Falefa isn’t needed at first at all. But he’d rather be proactive now and get acclimated then to scramble and have to play catch-up when called upon.
“Instead of doing it the day before they think about putting me in that situation,” he said, “this gives me time to work on things and gives them time to see me out there and see if they actually want to trust me instead of doing it on the fly. It’s smart to try it early. I’ll probably be in the outfield one of these days, who knows? Even if I put the (catcher’s) gear on, I’d rather do it now than the day before they’re thinking about it.
“I think my job as a utility player is, I have to be ready for anything and everything. It’s just allowing me to not starting doing things in the middle of August.”
Kiner-Falefa last played first — for four innings — in the minors.
“It’s the last (position) I haven’t played in the big leagues,” he said with a smile, “so when they asked me, I was excited. Once I checked this one, I can do it all, officially.”
With averages of 12.7 points (38.7% on 3-pointers) and 3.0 assists in 24.7 minutes, second-year guard Reed Sheppard is already a very effective player on offense for the 2025-26 Houston Rockets.
But defensively, it’s more of a challenge for the 21-year-old, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 182 pounds. Many players he’s tasked with guarding or switching onto are older, larger, and known for a physical presence.
At All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, where the Kentucky product competed in the NBA’s Rising Stars challenge, Sheppard identified “defensively being more physical” as a priority in his sophomore season.
I’ve always had the swiping down, but the part I had to get better at is the bumps before. Being physical, using your chest and trying to bump them, and then swipe down. As far as that goes, just continuing to work on it and continuing to get better defensively.
Sheppard is averaging 1.4 steals per game, which easily leads the Rockets on a per-minute basis among rotation players.
But timing that swipe-down move is essential, as is avoiding cheap fouls that can unnecessarily put opponents at the free-throw line.
After averaging just 22.6 minutes per game in January, Sheppard is back up to 25.5 in February. That could perhaps signal that head coach Ime Udoka, long known as a defensive tactician, is seeing signs of progress.
Sheppard and the Rockets (33-20, No. 4 in Western Conference standings) will look to build on that when their 2026 All-Star break ends later this week. In a road matchup, Thursday’s tipoff versus the Charlotte Hornets (26-29) is at 6:00 p.m. Central.
The France hockey team has suspended blueliner Pierre Crinon for the rest of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina after he got into a fight with Canada's Tom Wilson following a questionable hit on Canadian forward Nathan MacKinnon. Crinon grappled Wilson before skating away and being shielded by officials, as fighting in the Olympic iteration of ice hockey is forbidden.
To exacerbate the issue, as Crinon went to the locker room, fans in the stands recorded him waving his arms to the crowd, which was largely in favor of Canada. He also cupped his hands to his ears in a "let me hear you" type of motion. This provoking behavior got Crinon suspended for the rest of the Games, according to the French Ice Hockey Federation.
"Pierre Crinon's provocative behavior when he came out of the ice, even though he had just been excluded from the match for a fight, is a clear violation of the Olympic spirit and also undermines the values of our sport. A decision was therefore made, in full alignment with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, not to authorize his participation for the next meeting(s) of the Olympic tournament."
France hockey schedule
France is 0-0-3 in these Olympics and has a match against Germany at 3:10 p.m. ET Tuesday, Feb. 17. It has a goal differential of -15, exacerbated by a 10-2 drubbing at the hands of Canada in the game that saw Crinon and Wilson fight.
Pierre Crinon history
Though not mentioned in the statement announcing his suspension, Crinon has a checkered past that may have given him less leeway in the decision.
He was suspended for seven games in France with Ligue Magnus' Bruleurs de Loups Grenoble when he punched a maskless goalie several times, injuring the goalie's eye. Crinon also had a whopping 95 penalty minutes in 36 games with Ligue Magnus in 2023-24, second in the league. Crinon this season has 66 penalty minutes, tied for third.
LINCOLN, Neb. — Ava Heiden had a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, Taylor Stremlow added a career-high 17 points, and No. 13 Iowa beat Nebraska 80-67 on Monday to sweep the season series.
Iowa (20-5, 11-3 Big Ten) secured its 10th straight 20-win season.
Heiden helped Iowa build a 45-27 lead by halftime after scoring 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting.
Nebraska went on a 10-1 run early in the third quarter to get within 52-41, but the Cornhuskers did not get any closer the rest of the way.
Iowa led by as many as 27 points, 76-49, with 7:54 left in the fourth.
Chazadi Wright chipped in with 14 points and seven assists, and Journey Houston added 10 points off the bench for Iowa. Heiden was 12 of 15 from the field, and Stremlow made her first six shots.
Britt Prince scored 13 points for Nebraska (16-10, 5-10), which has lost five straight games. Eliza Maupin added 11 points and Amiah Hargrove had 10. Prince had her consecutive free-throw streak end at 56 straight makes.
Nebraska has lost 13 of the last 15 meetings with Iowa.
Up next
Iowa: Stays on the road to play at Purdue on Thursday.
Nebraska: Travels to Oregon to face the Ducks on Thursday.
The Green Bay Packers will be one of the most limited teams in terms of available resources to improve the roster entering the 2026 offseason.
In reviewing salary cap space and draft capital, NFL.com's Zak Koeppel ranked all 32 teams by "offseason resources," and the Packers ranked 30th out of 32 -- beating only the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills. Koeppel ranked each team in salary cap space and draft pick capital individually and then averaged out the two numbers to develop the overall rankings.
By Koeppel's deduction of Over the Cap's numbers, the Packers rank 22nd in salary cap space and 29th in draft pick capital.
As of Feb. 16, the Packers remain over the 2026 salary cap -- meaning a bunch of moves are required to become cap compliant by the start of the new league year in March. The Packers have salary cap levers to pull, and general manager Brian Gutekunst believes he has the flexibility to make any move his team wants to make. But it would be fair to say the Packers are in a far more constricted financial situation entering this offseason, and the roster cannot avoid losing multiple veteran players. Even if the Packers can clear some cap space, do not expect a spending spree in free agency, especially with the possibility of cashing in with compensatory picks in 2027.
By simple restructure potential, the Packers rank 25th out of 32 teams. There is wiggle room, but all teams have these same levers to pull.
How much cap space could each NFL team free up with simple restructures?
1. DAL $131M 2. DET $128M 3. KC $109M ... 32. PHI $0.2M 😅
Data: @Jason_OTC (02/11/2026) A simple restructure converts payments into prorated signing bonuses spread over the remaining years of the… pic.twitter.com/knNG9kAbzB
On the draft pick capital front, the Packers lack a first-round pick after trading for Micah Parsons last August. Gutekunst and the Packers won't be on the clock in the 2026 draft until No. 52 overall in the second round, and Green Bay has only two picks -- No. 52 and No. 87 -- in the top 100. Adding instant impact players will be difficult via the draft.
The official draft order hasn't been established, but according to Tankathon, the Packers rank 29th in draft capital.
The reality for the Packers entering this offseason? Improving over the 2025 roster is going to be close to impossible, given the team's free agent class, salary cap space and draft capital. Gutekunst will need to make the right calls on picking and choosing free agents to return, veteran free agents to target on the open market and positions to target early in the draft. The roster is going to go through turnover in the coming months, and the Packers lack the big-time resources required to fill new roster holes.
Hat-trick hero Wright sends Coventry top of the Championship
Haji Wright scored a hat-trick in Coventry’s 3-1 win over Middlesbrough to send his side top of the Championship.
The top of the table clash did not disappoint as Frank Lampard’s side returned to top spot. Wright secured the victory with his third goal in the 71st minute from the penalty spot to cap off a memorable night for the striker.
Matt Targett conceded the penalty when the ball struck his arm following Josh Eccles’ cross into the 18-yard box. Although Solomon Brynn dived the correct way, he could not stop Wright’s effort from hitting the back of the net.
The goal came just 17 seconds after the restart, once Middlesbrough got themselves back into the game thanks to an emphatic finish from Riley McGree. Aidan Morris’ initial effort was blocked, but the ball bounced back into the danger area to McGree. The Englishman met the ball and smashed it home to make it 2-1.
Wright’s first of the game came in the first half. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was at the heart of the action, as he beat Targett before finding Jack Rudoni. The 24-year-old fed the ball through to Wright who guided the ball past Brynn to give the hosts the advantage.
Their second goal was totally against the run of play. Boro were probing in the early stages of the second half but could not find the equaliser. Unfortunately for them, all their intricate play was undone by a route one pass from Carl Rushworth.
The Sky Blues’ goalkeeper punted the ball long and found Wright, who thumped the ball past Brynn and into the far corner with his left foot to double his side’s advantage.
Even after Coventry re-established their two-goal cushion, Kim Hellberg’s side refused to give in. They maintained their onslaught on the Coventry goal, but the hosts’ defence held strong.
The all-action contest meant that Coventry returned to the summit of the Championship, one point clear of Boro. City face West Brom next, whilst Middlesbrough will look to bounce back against Oxford United.
GIRONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 16: Pau Cubarsi of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and FC Barcelona at Montilivi Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Girona won it late on thanks to a goal from Fran Beltran which Barcelona thought should have been ruled out for a clear foul on Jules Kounde in the build-up.
Here’s what Cubarsi had to say after the game:
“Everyone saw it. I’m not going to comment. People know what happened. We couldn’t do anything from the inside. We shouldn’t criticize the referee. We need to improve ourselves, and we played a bad game,” he told the media.
“We’ve been lacking a little bit of everything. We need to be self-critical. We need to improve. We need to rest and recharge our batteries because we have a long week ahead. We need to improve four things and get our act together.”
The results put a dent in Barcelona’s hope of retaining their league title as they remain in second place, now two points behind Real Madrid.
Surfer and hotel owner Kurt Van Dyke, 66, was killed during what authorities believe was a robbery at his home in Costa Rica
The Judicial Investigation Agency alleged at least two armed men entered the residence, bound Van Dyke's girlfriend and stole valuables
Officials said Van Dyke was found beneath a bed with a sheet over his head. No arrests have been announced
Kurt Van Dyke, a 66-year-old California native from a prominent surfing family, was killed in what authorities believe was a robbery at his home in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency, known as the OIJ, received a report Saturday morning about a homicide in Hone Creek, in the Cahuita area of Limón province, according to Costa Rican outlets CRHoy, La Nación and Teletica, which cited an official preliminary release from the agency.
According to the release, as reported by the three outlets, Van Dyke was inside the residence with his girlfriend when at least two armed men allegedly entered, threatened them with a firearm and held them in a room for several minutes before stealing valuables. Investigators believe the suspects then killed Van Dyke and fled.
The preliminary cause of death was asphyxiation, and his body also showed multiple stab wounds, according to CRHoy, La Nación and Teletica, citing the OIJ release. The release stated that the body would be sent to the Judicial Morgue for further examination.
Kurt Van Dyke/Facebook
A preliminary report from Costa Rica’s Fuerza Pública, cited by CRHoy and La Nación, stated that Van Dyke was found beneath a bed with a sheet over his head and a knife beside him.
Van Dyke’s girlfriend survived the attack and was not seriously injured — she told authorities she had been showering when the suspects entered the home and that she was bound before they fled, according to CRHoy and La Nación. Security footage showed two vehicles leaving the scene, the outlets reported.
No arrests have been announced and the investigation remains ongoing.
GoogleMaps
Van Dyke had lived in Costa Rica’s Caribbean region for decades and owned Hotel Puerto Viejo in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Known among surfers as “King,” he became a respected figure in the local surf community, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody,” his brother, Peter Van Dyke, told the Chronicle. “Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him.”
Roger Sams, president of the Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, told La Nación that the killing could impact the region’s image.
“Evidently this will affect our image,” Sams said, adding that the case appeared to be isolated and unrelated to tourists.
"Between Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean, the Mets have a formidable 1-2 punch," Maguire writes. "While there are multiple intriguing options beyond those two, they’ll need a third starter to step up as a legitimate No. 3 starter. In 2024, Manaea certainly was that kind of pitcher, posting career-best figures in ERA (3.47), xERA (3.75) and innings (181 2/3). The veteran left-hander struggled last season with a 5.64 ERA in 60 2/3 innings and didn’t debut until July 13 due to multiple injuries."
Maybe Manaea needs to bring back his long hair. We're kidding. Sort of.
In reality, he just needs to stay healthy. A consistent workload can go a long way for a pitcher, as opposed to a bumpy, injury-plagued season like the one Manaea just had.
"The good news is Manaea has been a durable starter throughout his career and under the hood, his numbers weren’t quite that bad last year," Maguire writes. "The lefty had a career-best 28.5 percent strikeout rate and only walked 4.6 percent of opposing hitters, with an inflated home run rate (1.93 HR/9) being his main issue. If Manaea is closer to his 2024 version, the Mets’ rotation is going to look awfully good."
Manaea and David Peterson can provide a pair of left-handers in the rotation to go with the star right-handers like Peralta, McLean and maybe Jonah Tong.
If it all comes together and guys stay healthy (a big if with modern pitching), it could be quite formidable.
The Mets collapsed down the stretch last season because they didn't have enough pitching.
Manaea could be the guy that ensures that these Mets have more than enough pitching.
(L-R) Germany's runner-up Laura Nolte, US' winner Elana Meyers Taylor and US' third-placed Kaillie Humphries celebrate their medals at the awards ceremony after the Women's monobob 4th run Bobsleigh at the Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Robert Michael/dpa
Elana Meyers Taylor of the United States finally claimed a long-awaited Olympic bobsleigh gold with a win in the women's monobob at the Milan/Cortina Winter Games on Monday.
The 41-year-old had previously won five Olympic medals - three silvers and two bronzes - and broke into tears, celebrating with her children, after the last competitor, Laura Nolte, couldn't beat her time.
Meyers Taylor won with a combined time of 3 minutes 57.93 seconds from four runs.
Germany's Nolte had topped all the previous three heats, but she made too many mistakes at the top, losing precious time, and watching her 0.15 seconds lead vanish.
The World Cup winner had to settle for silver, 0.04 seconds behind Meyers Taylor, while bronze also went to the US with Kaillie Armsbruster Humphries.
Germany's Laura Nolte celebrates her silver medal at the awards ceremony after the Women's monobob 4th run Bobsleigh at the Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Robert Michael/dpaUS' Kaillie Humphries celebrates her bronze medal at the awards ceremony after the Women's monobob 4th run Bobsleigh at the Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Robert Michael/dpaUS' winner Elana Meyers Taylor sings the national anthem with her gold medal after the Women's monobob 4th run Bobsleigh at the Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Robert Michael/dpaGermany's Laura Nolte reacts at the medal ceremony after the Women's monobob 4th run Bobsleigh at the Cortina Sliding Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Robert Michael/dpa
(L-R) China's runner-up Eileen Gu, Canada's winner Megan Oldham and Italy's third-placed Flora Tabanelli celebrate their medals at the award ceremony after the Freestyle Skiing Women's Big Air final at the Livigno Snow Park, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Oliver Weiken/dpa
Canada's Megan Oldham beat top favourite Eileen Gu of China to win gold in the women's freestyle skiing big air on Monday at the Milan/Cortina Winter Games.
Oldham fell in her final run but that didn't matter as she already had gold secured when she took the piste for her final jump after none of the competitors were able to beat her score.
The Canadian, who already had slopestyle bronze, scored a total of 180.75 from the two highest scores after three runs.
Gu, the defending champion in the discipline, added a second silver to her Milan/Cortina collection, repeating her slopestyle result.
Bronze went to Italian Flora Tabanelli, who had the highest jump score of the day: 94.25 points in her third run.
The start of the competition was delayed for more than an hour due to the weather conditions in Livigno.
Some 20 minutes before the scheduled start time, heavy snow started to fall, causing low visibility and safety concerns.
It was initially unclear whether the final would take place, but the competition went on as planned.
Canada's Megan Oldham celebrates winning the Freestyle Skiing Women's Big Air final at the Livigno Snow Park, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Oliver Weiken/dpaCanada's Megan Oldham celebrates with her gold medal after the Freestyle Skiing Women's Big Air final at the Livigno Snow Park, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Oliver Weiken/dpaChina's Eileen Gu celebrates with her silver medal after the Freestyle Skiing Women's Big Air final at the Livigno Snow Park, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Oliver Weiken/dpaItaly's Flora Tabanelli celebrates with her bronze medal after the Freestyle Skiing Women's Big Air final at the Livigno Snow Park, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Oliver Weiken/dpa
Kris Statlander taunts Thekla in the middle of the ring, strap around her wrist, during their strap match for the AEW Women's Championship on "AEW Dynamite." - AEW/Lee South
Former AEW Women's Champion Kris Statlander just doesn't seem to have much luck in the state of California when it comes to defending her gold, something she realized after being dethroned by Thekla in a strap match on "AEW Dynamite" last Wednesday. Statlander took to X (formerly Twitter) to briefly gripe about her misfortune.
"I gotta stop giving people title shots in California not a good track record for me smh," she wrote.
Before losing the top women's title to "The Toxic Spider" in the main event of "Dynamite" live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, Statlander lost the TBS Championship in California back in 2023. Her reign with the TBS title ended at Full Gear in the state when she lost to Julia Hart in a triple threat match also involving Skye Blue.
I gotta stop giving people title shots in California not a good track record for me smh
Statlander put up a fight against Thekla on "Dynamite," even bleeding throughout the brutal strap match, but just couldn't keep "The Toxic Spider" down. In the end, it was Blue and Hart to interfere on Thekla's behalf, causing the distraction, for Thekla to hit a Curb Stomp to Statlander for the win. After the match, Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter ran down to keep The Triangle of Madness from further causing harm to Statlander, as the former champion's friends, The Babes of Wrath, had already left for Australia ahead of Grand Slam.
Thekla ended Statlander's reign at 144 days. "Stat" won the gold from "Timeless" Toni Storm in a shock victory in a four-way match involving Hayter and Thekla at All Out in September.
The Miami Dolphins entered the offseason with a lot of tough and big decisions to make. While it's barely even begun, the Dolphins have already begun to make moves. Their biggest move was releasing veteran wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
After ten years in the league, he's a free agent for the first time. Following the brutal injury, which was a dislocated knee and torn ACL, Hill missed the majority of the 2025 season and was a clear-cut candidate for Miami this offseason.
After getting cut by the Dolphins, Hill posted an emotional message on Instagram, which thanked the Dolphins organization and the fans, while also leaving with one clear message: "The Cheetah will be back."
Tyreek Hill shares emotional message after Dolphins release
"The Journey Don't Stop," Hill writes. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the entire @miamidolphins organization, my teammates, the staff, and most importantly, Fins Nation, for an unforgettable 4 years. ...So to everyone wondering what's next... just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back...Born again."
Hill has a lengthy recovery ahead of him. In Week 4 against the New York Jets, he suffered a dislocated knee and torn ACL, which could jeopardize his 2026 NFL season.
He could, in theory, return in time for the beginning of the 2026 NFL season, but that's not a very likely outcome for Hill. Most likely, he'll begin the season on injured reserve and return to whichever team signs him partway through the season.
But being able to recover and play in the NFL after such a gruesome injury would already be a win for Hill. He's turning 32 years old on March 1st. Injuries as players get older are harder to recover from, and if Hill can come back for even part of 2026, it would be a win.
The 10-year NFL veteran wide receiver has eight Pro Bowls, five All-Pros, and is a Super Bowl champion. He's put up 11,363 receiving yards in his career to go with 83 touchdowns, which featured an 1,799 yard, 13-TD season in 2023 in Miami.
While 2024 and 2025 didn't go to plan for Hill, he's still a dynamic wide receiver who is well worth taking a chance on if a team needs a wide receiver.
Some team will take a chance on Hill for 2026, even if it means only getting him for the second half of the year. Hill is worth a flier, and as he mentioned in his Instagram post, he's not done just yet.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The New York Mets will not be naming a captain anytime soon. Not in 2026, and not as long as Steve Cohen is running the show.
“As long as I’m owning the team, there will never be a team captain,” Cohen said Monday at Clover Park. “That was my decision.”
This effectively put an end to the speculation that the Mets would name Francisco Lindor the captain. For years, rumors have circulated that the club was going to name Lindor the king of the Queens clubhouse. After David Wright’s No. 5 was retired last summer, the rumors hit a fever-pitch, especially after a leaked video that appeared to come from MLB showed Wright passing the proverbial torch to Lindor.
The video was quickly deleted, but it only amplified the discussion. Fans expected Lindor to be named the fifth captain in team history, but the 2025 season came and went without any sort of announcement, and the offseason passed without one either.
Now, there is confirmation that no such announcement will ever come.
“My view is, the locker room is unique,” Cohen said. “Let the locker room sort it out year in and year out.”
Cohen has long held the belief that the captain is not for him to determine as an owner. The Mets have been without one since Wright retired following the 2018 season. Wright held the title from 2013-2018.
Maybe there is something to this philosophy.
The Mets struggled without clubhouse leadership during Wright’s final seasons. With his neck and back preventing him from being on the field for much of 2016-2018, Wright was forced to spend most of his time in Port St. Lucie rehabbing. While other veterans like Neil Walker and Curtis Granderson stepped up, they were careful not to cross a certain line. They weren’t captains and they didn’t want to take the title away from anyone else, especially not a respected figure like Wright.
In 2017, the veterans were all traded away. When Mickey Callaway replaced Terry Collins as the manager in 2018, the culture completely eroded. There was little accountability with a rookie manager who took offense to being questioned, and showed little interest in even commanding respect of his clubhouse.
Accountability completely disappeared.
The Mets are on their third manager since then, with Carlos Mendoza now responsible for implementing the culture of the team, something Cohen has been happy with through two seasons. Mendoza has one more year left on his contract.
“I think Carlos is a great manager, OK? I think he’s a great motivator,” Cohen said. “I believe a manager’s main job is culture. Obviously, you’re making in-game decisions, right? But it’s really about creating the right culture, and I think Carlos does it really well.”
The team leaders help uphold the culture and the standards set by both policing and supporting the rest of the group. Since Cohen became the majority owner in 2021, the leaders have been Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Pete Alonso, Max Scherzer and to a lesser extent, Starling Marte. Now, only Lindor remains, and whether he wants to lead or not, outfielder Juan Soto has an outsized influence on the team just by the nature of being the highest-paid player on the team, and one of the highest-paid players in baseball.
Reports that Lindor and Soto didn’t get along last season, their first on the Mets together, were overblown. The two might not be extremely close, but insist they have a strong relationship. This season, the Mets have brought in a group of players known for their key roles in other clubhouses, like Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta and Marcus Semien, a former captain of the Texas Rangers.
They’re all expected to contribute positively to the culture, leading in their own ways.
“I think that’s the thing that a lot of people may get misunderstood about a veteran leader. You can say captain, or you can say a group of veteran leaders,” Semien said over the weekend. “I think that’s a better way to put it … We all want to be the best versions of ourselves in the field, and if everybody gets the right information out to each other, and we win more games, I think everybody would be happy.”
Not naming one singular captain could prevent someone from getting upset over threats to power. It’s a way of saying everyone in the clubhouse is equal to some degree, while still ensuring there are players modeling the right behaviors.
But then again, it also could offend someone who wanted that role. It’s unclear if Lindor or anyone else in the current Mets clubhouse believes they should hold the title, though Cohen does communicate frequently with the leadership group.
Regardless, no one should be getting their hopes up.
“It’s my own views on how I want a locker room to be,” Cohen reiterated. “My view is, every year the team is different, so let the team kind of figure it out in the locker room, rather than having a designation. Actually, having a captain in baseball doesn’t happen often. It’s actually unusual. So whatever previous ownership did, that was their way of doing things.
Tom Wilson got ejected from Canada and France's Olympic men's ice hockey game on Sunday. He dropped the gloves in the dominant win for Team Canada and had an early exit.
Olympic ice hockey is conducted with International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) rules. Those rules ban fighting in hockey. They can't keep players from dropping the gloves, but it comes with an ejection, penalties and a possible suspension.
The fight was a response to Wilson's teammate, Nathan MacKinnon, taking a hard hit. The initial hit likely came from frustration on France's part as they were getting blown out 10-2 in the third period. Regardless, Wilson was forced to hit the locker room early on Sunday.
Here is more on why Wilson was ejected from the Canada-France Olympics blowout.
In the third period of Canada's dominant blowout of France in the Olympics, Wilson got into a fight. France's Pierre Crinon bumped MacKinnon, and he hit the ice hard.
Wilson went for a hard hit on Crinon, who dropped the gloves, and Wilson accepted his ask for a dance. They each got two minutes for roughing, five minutes for fighting and then automatic game misconducts for fighting.
Wilson completed the rare Gordie Howe hat trick in the Olympics with a goal, an assist and a fight.
Crinon is notorious for fighting. He was suspended for seven games in the French league earlier this season for punching a goalkeeper.
Fighting is prohibited in IIHF competitions, which include the Olympics.
They can't stop them from dropping the gloves, but while NHL referees give players a little leeway to handle their business initially, Olympic referees will do their best to separate the players before any punches are thrown.
Fighting in the NHL comes with a five-minute major penalty. The Olympics are conducted under International Ice Hockey Federation rules that state, "Any player who persists in continuing or attempting to continue a 'fight or altercation' after they been ordered by the referee to stop, or who resists a linesperson in the discharge of their duties shall, at the discretion of the referee, incur at least a major penalty, plus an automatic game misconduct penalty."
A major penalty means that the player will be removed from play for five game minutes. While that could put their team at a disadvantage, the game misconduct penalty is an instant ejection. Ejections are at the referee's discretion and can be handed out if both players continue fighting after being urged to stop, or if a "third man in" teammate goes in to help break it up, because players are supposed to be at their bench during the fight.
Though, Wilson's counterpart France’s Pierre Crinon has been banned for the rest of the Olympics by the French Hockey Federation.
Following his fight with Tom Wilson, France’s Pierre Crinon has been banned for the rest of the #MilanoCortina2026 Olympics by the French Hockey Federation. The federation has cited his “provocative behaviour” after being ejected as a “violation of the Olympic spirit”.
Canada's Maxime Deschamps and Canada's Deanna Stellato-Dudek compete in the figure skating pair skating free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on February 16, 2026. (Photo by WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty Images)
WANG ZHAO via Getty Images
MILAN — There are two distinct kinds of happy Olympians in the moments after an event: those who are happy they medaled, and those who are happy to be there. The medalists go home with hardware and fame; the others take satisfaction in the fact they’ve accomplished their dreams. Even if they take, say, an extra 25 years to achieve.
At the pairs figure skating event on Monday night, Japan’s Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kiahara claimed gold, Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won silver and Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin earned bronze. Americans Emily Chan and Spencer Howe finished sixth while Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea finished eighth. They were all happy in their own ways, but none of them were quite happy in the way that Canada’s Deanna Stellato-Dudek was, because none of them have a story that can quite match hers.
At age 42, Stellato-Dudek embodies persistence, stubbornness, hard-headedness … whatever you’d call the will to stick with your Olympic dreams even after a long retirement. A junior skater with substantial promise, including a silver medal in the 2000 World Junior Championships, she initially targeted the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics as her goal. But persistent injuries forced her into retirement in 2001, and for 16 years, that seemed like the end of her figure skating story.
Something nagged at her, though, some unfinished business deep inside. At a team-building exercise in her mid-30s, she surprised herself by answering the question, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” with “I would win an Olympic gold medal.” She then decided she wanted to take one more run at the Olympics, she had to overcome doubts from virtually every corner. There aren’t many Olympians who start skating again in their mid-30s, after all.
On the suggestion of a U.S. Figure Skating official, she tried pairs, which better fit her skillset. She paired with 2014 Olympian Nathan Bartholomay until he was forced to retire in 2019 with persistent knee injuries. To keep her career going and her dreams alive, Stellato-Dudek opted to move to Canada and pair with Maxime Deschamps, eight years her junior. The duo decided to skate for Canada, reasoning that it would be easier to get Stellato-Dudek a Canadian passport in time for the 2026 Olympics than for Deschamps to get a U.S. one.
The pair won a surprise gold at the 2024 World Championships, and continued to push forward toward the 2026 Olympics even as the obstacles grew higher and higher, from tougher competition to lingering illness and injury. Still, they persisted, and in January were named to the Canadian Olympic team and slated to skate in the team event.
But since nothing is ever easy for Stellato-Dudek, disaster again struck. Just days before the pair was scheduled to leave for Milan, days before she would finally achieve her Olympic dream … she hit her head in a training accident. Suddenly, everything she had worked for over the course of decades was in jeopardy.
Doctors finally cleared her to fly early last week, and the pair landed in Milan well after the Opening Ceremony had started. They had little time to get accustomed to the ice of Assago Ice Skating Arena, and struggled through their short program, finishing 14th of 19 teams after a late fall marred their routine.
“The potential was still there, but there was nothing I could do. It was an accident,” she said. “Stuff like that happens in life all the time, and I'm not young, so I'm aware of that.”
In one way, being so close to competing for a medal was surely maddening. In another, it didn’t really matter, not when you’ve waited your whole life — a life twice as long as some of your teammates — to be here at the Olympics.
“We've been really busy, busier than normal, so I have not been able to enjoy much,” Stellato-Dudek said. “I look forward to having a great Olympic experience now that the ‘work’ is done. I'll take the photo with Maxim in front of the rings and go get some of the free stuff. We've gotten nothing so far, so we look forward to doing that now.”
And after Milan? Who knows? Could she be a 46-year-old Olympian?
“I'm not certain that I'm done,” she said. “I think the only limits you have are the ones that you set on yourself. Even though everybody loves to try to put limits on me because I'm 42. I don't believe in any of that. Only I can put limits on myself. So I might see you again in four years."
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Brandon Bussi to a three-year, $5.7 million extension, keeping the one-time waiver pickup in place through the 2028-29 season.
The Hurricanes announced the deal Monday, the latest chapter in Bussi's unlikely rise to prominence for one of the Eastern Conference's top contenders. The rookie is tied for third in the NHL with 23 wins and second with a 2.16 goals-against average. He was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
“I think we have the potential to do very exciting things here over the next few years," Bussi said in a Zoom call with reporters. "It kinda felt like a no-brainer when this became an option to explore and kind of make it happen.”
Carolina acquired Bussi on waivers from two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Florida in October, when the Hurricanes were sticking with veteran Frederik Andersen and 26-year-old Pyotr Kochetkov as their top two netminders. But that depth play — both Andersen and Kochetkov have had a history with injuries — has turned into a massive transaction.
Now he’s seized control of the crease for Carolina, potentially for the longer term, with the 36-year-old Andersen not being as effective and Kochetkov lost to season-ending surgery for a lingering lower-body injury by December.
Before this season, the 27-year-old Bussi had never played in the NHL while appearing in 111 games in the American Hockey League after playing in college at Western Michigan.
“Before we brought him to Raleigh, Brandon had been successful at every level from the USHL to college to the AHL,” general manager Eric Tulsky said in a statement. "Given the opportunity at the NHL level this season, he’s proven to be a winner here too. We are thrilled that he will continue to provide a steady presence in the crease for this team into the future.”
Bussi's existing deal for this season is worth $775,000. Andersen is making $2.75 million this season and is due to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, while Kotchetkov is under contract for another season at $2 million.
The Hurricanes announced their charitable foundation would also make a $10,000 donation to the Autism Society of North Carolina in honor of the extension. Bussi's younger brother, Dylan, has autism and his goaltender mask is a tribute to his brother to raise autism awareness.
Carolina has won at least one postseason series for seven straight seasons, including trips to the Eastern Conference final in 2019, 2023 and last year during that span. The Hurricanes entered the Olympic break with 78 points and ranked third in points-percentage (.684) behind league-leading Colorado (83 points, .755) and Tampa Bay (78, .709).
The Hurricanes had earned points in their last 10 games before the break, winning eight.
“It's difficult to break into the league,” Bussi said. "Sometimes different opportunities pop up in different ways. Mine happened in a way that doesn't happen for a lot of people. But there's a lot of good hockey players out there and things happen for a reason. That's kind of been my motto, and I'm very fortunate that it gets to happen here for longer."
Freestyle skier Kirsty Muir once again came heartbreakingly close to a Winter Olympic medal for Team GB with her second fourth-place finish of the Games.
Competing in the big air, Muir scored a combined 174.75 points from her best two runs, 3.5 points shy of Italian bronze medallist Flora Tabanelli.
It comes exactly a week after the 21-year-old missed out on slopestyle bronze by just 0.41 points.
Canada's Megan Oldham won gold with China's defending champion Eileen Gu - competing in a big air competition for the first time since winning the Olympic title four years ago - settling for silver this time.
"I'm really proud of myself for putting the two tricks down that I did, and also going for it in that third run because I've never landed that trick before," Muir, competing at her second Games, told BBC Sport.
"I just had to go for it, and yes I crashed out, but I'm still proud of myself."
The final had been delayed by more than an hour after a heavy blizzard set in at Livigno Snow Park, while Mathilde Gremaud, a big favourite for a medal, was one of two Swiss skiers to withdraw last-minute through injury.
That looked to have opened up the field for Muir, who had qualified in fourth for the final.
But in an astonishing first round, four skiers posted scores of 90.00 points or more, with Muir languishing in seventh and knowing she needed to go big.
She did just that, posting 93.00 with a 1620 trick, featuring four and a half rotations, the highest score of the second run and one that catapulted her up the standings into silver medal position.
At that point Gu, already a silver medallist in the slopestyle at these Games, was way off the pace having struggled with her second attempt, but she made amends on her final jump to bump Muir down into third.
The Chinese skier celebrated like her medal was confirmed at that point, despite plenty of skiers waiting in the wings to nudge her off the podium.
As it proved, they couldn't do that, though Tabanelli's final jump of 94.25 points - the biggest score of the night - came just 0.75 points shy of silver medal position.
That piled the pressure on Muir's third and final jump.
She took her time at the top of the big air structure, talking through her options with her coach and decided to go for another 1620 trick with a different grab, but ultimately could not land her effort, leaving her lost in her thoughts of what might have been as she sat on the snow.
"When the scores came in for the other girls, I knew I had to give it something really, really good to try and get on that podium, so I'm stoked that I did try that," she said.
It marks an agonising fifth fourth-place finish for Team GB at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, with time running out to hit the minimum target of five medals set before the Games by UK Sport.
In addition to Muir's two near-misses, snowboarder Mia Brookes finished fourth in the big air, while the same position was reached by Bruce Mouat and Jen Dodds in the mixed doubles curling, and Marcus Wyatt and Freya Tarbit in the mixed team skeleton.
Brookes had been expected to contest for the medals in Tuesday's slopestyle final but failed to qualify, while both GB's men's and women's rinks face uphill battles to reach the semi-finals in their respective curling finals.
High hopes remain in freestyle skier Zoe Atkin, who is the current halfpipe world champion. She starts her campaign with qualifying on Thursday, with the final set to take place on Saturday.
Should GB reach the target of five, the team would equal its record haul from a Winter Olympics, achieved at both the 2014 and 2018 Games.
But even if it doesn't, these Olympics should still be seen as a success for the nation.
So far, three gold medals have been won, a historic achievement given Team GB had never before won more than one at a single Games.
That total includes a first Olympic gold on snow, from Huw Nightingale and Charlotte Bankes in the mixed team snowboard cross, in addition to double gold from Matt Weston in the skeleton, the second of those coming in the mixed team event with Tabby Stoecker.
The Washington Wizards aren’t short on promising young talent — rookie Will Riley has emerged as a spark plug off the bench.
As they have taken the direction of the future, the Wizards are assembling a group of rookies and sophomores who are trending upward.
The faces of this new identity have put the league on notice. Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson were all named to Rising Stars teams for All-Star weekend. Bub Carrington was also selected as an injury replacement for Sarr, who is out with a hamstring strain.
But one of the lesser-known members of the Wiz-Kids is showcasing his skills away from the limelight.
After a quiet start to the season, Will Riley has found another gear in the second half of the year.
Will Riley’s Recent Surge
The No. 21 overall pick in the draft started February on a tear. Over the first five games of the month, Riley averaged 18.2 points per game and 1.4 steals. He did it efficiently, converting 49.3% of his shots from the floor and 46.4% from the perimeter.
His 18-point performance against Sacramento to open the month was a coming-out party. It marked the first 30-minute outing of his career, and he made the most of it, draining a career-high four triples.
Riley took his production up a notch two games later. Against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons, he spearheaded Washington’s biggest upset win of the season. Riley gave the league’s second-best defense 20 points on hyper-efficient 64.3% shooting.
Against Brooklyn, Riley reached his current apex. He exploded for a game-high and a career-best 27 points, knocked down four triples, and shot 52.6% from the floor. The outing also displayed his ability to play extensive minutes, logging 45 minutes of playing time.
Will Riley 27/3/2/3s/1b on 10/19 FG – 4/6 3PFG vs Brooklyn
Before this stretch, Riley averaged just 5.6 points per game and had never scored more than 15 in an NBA game. The leap has been telling.
Look Out For the Future
Rookie development rarely follows a straight line. Riley, who just turned 20, is navigating the learning curve as he acclimates from college ball to the NBA. His unassuming start to the year is the same silent path that many young players take before elevating.
With the District’s clear intentions to tank for a high pick in the draft, their youth is sure to get some more playing time.
Riley is averaging 16.6 minutes per game. That figure will climb as Washington approaches the finish line and begins to let its bench shine. A rise in his time on the hardwood was already likely, and with his production as of late, it’s a guarantee.
He also spent some time in the G League on the Capital City Go-Go, the Wizards’ minor league affiliate.
Will Riley in his Capital City Go-Go debut tonight:
Having averaged 26 points through three games, his comfort was clear. Now the magnifying glass intensifies on him to see if he can bring that same energy from early February to the closing stretch.
After the All-Star break is when his questions can start getting answers. Much of Riley’s buckets come off of drives and spot-up shots from the perimeter. Can he keep exhibiting his downhill mentality and shooting touch? Solidifying that hot start as no fluke and proving himself as a scorer deepens Washington’s bench even more.
He doesn’t have to be viewed through the lens of this season alone, though. A key marker of success is the ability to improve in the offseason.
One known phenomenon in the NBA is the sophomore slump — where a player’s statistics take a drop after their rookie year.
Emulating the opposite, much like teammates Sarr and George have been, would be pivotal.
An incline in his numbers both this and next season would establish Riley as a proven member of the Wiz-Kids.
If his future is anything like we have seen as of late, Washington’s young core has yet another name that can’t go unmentioned.
It’s normal for fans to begin speculating about an aging star’s immediate future in the big leagues.
Take Golden State Warriors stud Stephen Curry, for example. While the 37-year-old is still playing at an exceptionally high level despite his advanced age, it feels as though his time in the NBA is limited.
While speaking to People’s Lizzie Hyman, Curry made his stance clear on retirement with a three-word message.
“It’ll declare itself,” Curry said Monday before stating that he doesn’t think he’ll retire anytime soon.
Curry’s ultimate goal is to win another championship before retiring from the NBA. Curry is already a future Hall of Fame point guard with four championships on his resume. However, a fifth title would be the icing on the cake for the 2022 NBA Finals MVP.
While it’s a long shot, Curry is hoping he achieves that goal this season. The Davidson product is averaging 27.2 points per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three on a Warriors squad fighting to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
Adding Kristaps Porzingis will help bolster the franchise’s frontcourt depth. That said, losing Jimmy Butler to a midseason ACL injury will make it challenging for the Dubs to reach the promised land.
Still, Warriors supporters should expect Curry to do his best to help Golden State orchestrate another successful championship run in the 2020s.
The last time was in Dec. 2016, when the Hornets handed the Eagles their only loss of the regular season, 84-73. It was the second time that year East Hartford had beaten East Catholic – the Hornets did it in February the previous season, too.
A decade later, a senior-laden East Hartford team beat East Catholic, 61-59, last Monday.
“(East Catholic coach) Luke (Reilly) has a great system, the kids play hard and they do what they’re supposed to,” East Hartford coach LeRon Gittens said. “This is my third year at the school so we’ve been developing the program and trying to change the culture. Our guys played hard. They were focused. You have to play almost perfect basketball, in a sense, to beat East Catholic because they are so well coached and they’re so disciplined.
“My guys were locked in and played well.”
The clock was winding down and the score was tied when senior De’Mar Moore hit one of two free throws to put East Hartford up by a point. The Hornets got a defensive stop and Zasheem McCoy hit one of two free throws with seven seconds left to put the Hornets up by two. East Catholic had a chance but missed a shot to end the game.
McCoy, who averages 19 ppg and Kehari Walker (17 ppg) are captains and two of the 10 seniors on the team. Five seniors start.
“They give us that leadership we need,” Gittens said. “They score when we need them to score, they do the little things to get guys organized.”
East Hartford (15-3) has two regular season games left this week, against Enfield and Manchester.
Meanwhile, East Catholic used the loss for motivation and finished the week with an overtime win over Bishop Hendriken (R.I.) and knocked Windsor out of the unbeaten ranks with a 75-74 win Friday.
“We had a disappointing game against East Hartford at home, but the bounce back was great and it made Friday that much sweeter,” Reilly said. “Sometimes you have to trade for some learning experiences and cash in on the back end, that’s kind of what happened.”
Windsor (16-1) beat East Catholic 87-71 on Jan. 9. Last week, Joey Montalvo, who had 10 points, hit the winning layup with seven seconds left on the clock.
“Last time I said we weren’t ready to win this game at this time,” Reilly said. “We didn’t have the experience and the time together. I think we were able to tighten up on a few things.”
Some highlights from last week:
Jack Curtis, Ellington: Curtis scored 30 points in a 65-42 win over Xavier Thursday.
Aiden Delaney, Hall: Delaney had 29 points in a 73-72 victory over Northwest Catholic Tuesday.
Tommy Dinunzio, Lewis Mills: Dinunzio had 28 points and 10 rebounds in Lewis Mills’ 62-42 win over Conard Thursday.
Sincere Folk, East Catholic: Folk had 18 points and 11 assists in a 75-75 win over Windsor Friday.
Christian Gaskins, E.O. Smith: Gaskins had a double-double (16 points, 12 rebounds) in an 88-64 win over Manchester Friday.
Syre Gillespie, Capital Prep: Gillespie had 27 points in a 71-53 loss to Aerospace Friday.
Jamaul Padilla, East Catholic: Padilla, a sophomore, had 24 of his 33 points in the first half in a 75-74 win over Windsor Friday and scored 19 points in the loss to East Hartford Monday and 17 in an 81-72 overtime win over Bishop Hendricken (R.I.) Wednesday
EJ Perez, Manchester: Perez scored 26 points in a loss to E.O. Smith Friday.
Tavin Royster, Old Saybrook: Royster scored 27 points in a 55-54 loss to Old Lyme Tuesday.
Alex Weaver, Windsor: Weaver had 27 points and 13 assists in a 106-74 win over Burke High School Saturday and 22 points in a loss to East Catholic Friday.
Games to Watch
Stafford (16-3) at Somers (13-5), Wednesday, 6:45 p.m.: Stafford has won 12 straight and is on top of the Division V standings, with Somers in the No. 3 spot.
Ellington (18-0) at Old Lyme (16-2), Friday, 7 p.m.: The Knights put their unbeaten record on the line against last year’s Division V runners-up.
Granby (16-3) at Haddam-Killingworth (12-5), Friday, 7 p.m.: Granby’s only losses have been to Ellington (twice) and Lakeview while H-K knocked off Cromwell on Feb. 6. after losing to the Panthers earlier in the season.
Altay Bayindir: Besiktas remain in contact with hopes of agreeing summer deal
Manchester United’s early struggles this season were in no small part due to their issues with the goalkeeping position.
Both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir were responsible for costing United points and progress in cup competitions before INEOS eventually went into the market to rectify the problem.
Senne Lammens was brought in from Royal Antwerp and instantly improved United’s game, with the Belgian settling into life as United’s number one nicely.
No way back for United understudy
Onana has since found himself shipped out to Europe, plying his trade for Turkish side Trabzonspor, with Bayindir remaining in Manchester as Lammens’ understudy.
However, as reported by Fotomac via Sport Witness, Bayindir’s days at Old Trafford are set to be numbered, with Besiktas interested in taking the keeper to the Super Lig as well.
It was reported the Turkish giants attempted to get a deal over the line in the January window but failed in their attempts, with United blocking the move in the last knockings.
Despite this, Fotomac say Besiktas “remain in talks” with United and the player, with the intention of securing the transfer in the summer market.
The report will come as good news for the stopper, who will no doubt be itching to get his career back on track.
United are not expected to stand in the 25-year-old’s way at the end of the season as INEOS look forward to another busy close season at the Theatre of Dreams.
Move makes sense
A parting of the ways is, no doubt, the right move for both the player and the club, with Bayindir just not quite good enough for the gig in Manchester.
After his strong start, Lammens will go into next season firmly as the number one choice in net, and Bayindir will have to move on if he has designs on regular game time.
Additionally, the stopper does still hold some market value and United will look to squeeze as much as they can out of the deal, with any funds expected to be plugged back into the squad rebuild.
Unless Lammens suffers an injury or suspension in United’s remaining 12 games, Bayindir is likely to have played his last game for the club, with a move back to his homeland the most likely option for him to continue his career.
Bayindir has played 17 times for United since signing from Fenerbahçe in 2023.
Utah head coach Gavin Petersen calls out to his players during an NCAA basketball game against Iowa State held at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026.
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Isaac Hale, Deseret News
A usual culprit — turnover issues — plagued the Utah women’s basketball team in its 73-55 loss at Oklahoma State Monday afternoon at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Utes had a season-high tying 24 turnovers in the blowout loss, and the Cowgirls turned those takeaways into 26 points.
“There’s a level of toughness and focus and intensity that is required to win against good teams like Oklahoma State on the road, good teams like Iowa State at home, and we continue to just be careless with the basketball over penetrating for whatever reason,” Utah coach Gavin Petersen said in his postgame interview on ESPN 700 AM.
It was more than just that: the Cowgirls took the fight to Utah, and the Utes didn’t have an answer.
Oklahoma State’s suffocating defense — aided by a whistle that seemed to favor the home team in terms of physicality — kept Utah’s offense out of rhythm, and the Cowgirls blew the game wide open in the third quarter when they outscored the Utes 24-8.
“Teams are going to try to be physical with us, and we’ve got to do a better job handling that,” Petersen said.
It added up to a frustrating loss for Utah (17-10, 8-7 Big 12) on President’s Day. It’s the team’s fourth defeat in its past six contests.
With only three games left in the regular season, the Utes may need to win out to earn a first-round bye at the Big 12 tournament next month.
Only the eight top seeds earn a first-round bye, and with the loss, Utah is all alone in ninth place in the conference standings.
“I keep challenging them, who is going to start to be accountable? Be that accountable leader for us on the floor,” Petersen said.
“That’s what we’ve got to finish off the season with, being accountable — not looking to point fingers, not getting defensive if you’re being coached hard.”
Utah’s offense never got on track until the game was in hand, as the Utes scored only 31 points over the first three quarters. Utah shot 38.6% from the field and 6 of 18 from 3 in the game.
While Oklahoma State (21-7, 10-5 Big 12) and Utah both went into halftime shooting 38% from the floor, the Cowgirls improved offensively in the second half and finished the day shooting 43.1% overall.
Oklahoma State also shot 14 more field goal attempts than Utah, thanks to the turnover disparity.
All totaled, the Utes missed 14 layups and had only 10 assists, their second-worst effort in that category of the season. The Cowgirls also had a 34-20 edge in points in the paint.
“We’ve got to do a better job of moving the basketball, playing with pace, and that just wasn’t there,” Petersen said.
Utah’s offense finally found a semblance of itself in the fourth quarter, when it shot 54.5% and made three 3-pointers, but by then, the game was well in hand for the home team.
Little-used Samantha Crispe and senior Maty Wilke were the only two Utes to score in double-figures, as they both had 10 points.
“I love Sam because of her willingness to play multiple positions for us, and I keep telling her, it is really about matchups for her to get into the game,” Petersen said.
“Oklahoma State, at times, goes five guards. It’s a challenge to guard her there at the four position, so I told Sam, you got to be ready for the five. ...Just proud of the kid, because she has the grit, that grind mentality, she keeps showing up. That’s all her.”
Brooke Walker (eight points, four rebounds, two assists) and Evelina Otto (six points, seven rebounds) provided some positive minutes for Utah, though leading scorer Lani White was held to seven points.
The Cowgirls, meanwhile, had five players score in double-figures, paced by 17 points from Micah Gray and 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists from Haleigh Timmer.
Despite the turnover troubles and poor shooting, the Utes trailed only 29-23 at halftime, thanks to its own gritty defensive effort against a normally potent Oklahoma State offense.
Walker hit a jumper just before the halftime buzzer to make it a six-point game, and though the Utes had 14 of their turnovers in the first half, they had stayed within striking distance.
The start of the third quarter, though, all but extinguished Utah’s hopes, as the Utes turned the ball over on three of their first five possessions of the second half and Oklahoma State used a 7-2 spurt to go ahead by double-digits.
That set the tone for a third quarter that saw the Cowgirls shoot 8 of 17 from the floor, 2 of 5 from 3 and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line, while the Utes shot 2 of 9 and turned the ball over six times.
With Utah squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble, and probably on the outside looking in after Monday’s result, it needs a strong finish before the NCAA tournament field is revealed on March 15.
Up next is a home game against BYU on Saturday (2 p.m. MST, ESPN+). When the two rivals met in Provo earlier this year, the Utes had a 10-point halftime lead, but the Cougars rallied to win 77-65.
“I want to see a focus and intensity from our team,” Petersen said. “We’ve got to get better at limiting our turnovers. We’ve got to do a better job of executing running our offense when we call a play, not three people knowing what we’re doing and two people guessing, or four people knowing and one person like, what are we running?
“That type of stuff is just, we’ve got to get on the same page, just being coachable. That’s what I fell in love with this team with early in the year, and we’ve got to continue to be coachable as we near the finish line of the Big 12 Conference.”
The Brooklyn Nets made a decision that many around the NBA were skeptical of when they selected BYU guard Egor Demin with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Brooklyn chose Demin somewhat within the range of where he was expected to go in the Draft, but it seems that at this point in the season, some pundits are giving the Nets credit for the move.
"If you're wondering, then, yes, it is a bit unnerving to make this pick with both Johnson and Fears still on the board," Zach Buckley wrote for Bleacher Report for the outlet's 2025 redraft article. Ironically enough, Brooklyn still takes Demin with the eighth overall pick according to B/R's staff, but it seems that there is some significant shifts in where some of the guards within the top-10 fall based on their performances this year.
"But the Nets clearly prioritized playmakers—they essentially spent four first-round picks on the archetype—and Dёmin checks that box better than the other two," Buckley continued. "He's also, apparently, an absolute net-shredder. One year removed from converting just 27.3 percent of his long-range looks at BYU, Dёmin is suddenly splashing to the tune of a 39.5 percent conversion clip from the NBA arch."
Demin, 19, is having a solid rookie season for the Nets as he's averaging 10.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 40.6% from the field and 39.6% from three-point land. Demin had a slow start to this campaign as he was adjusting to the NBA game, but since December, he's averaging 12.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 41.9% from the floor and 41.9% from deep.
When it comes to this redraft, and how it relates to Demin still being taken by the Nets, it's important to note that the main changes are that Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson and New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears are selected later than they were in the actual draft. Part of that is due to how well forward Kon Knueppel has played for the Charlotte Hornets and what a revelation forward Cedric Coward has been for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Ultimately, Demin has played better than expected due to how well he is shooting the three-pointer (he shot 27.3% from behind the three-point line while at BYU). Demin hasn't shown as much of the passing ability that many scouts raved about, but that could be for the best as guard Nolan Traore appears to be the point guard of the future for the Nets since Demin has assumed the off-guard role.
NEW YORK — Cleveland Browns safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. was assaulted by a group of men in a New York hotel early Monday, according to police.
Hickman, 24, who hails from South Orange, N.J., was attacked by four men just before 4:30 a.m. in the lobby of the SIXTY LES hotel on the Lower East Side.
Just before the assault, both sides argued but it isn’t clear what the dispute was about or if the attackers recognized Hickman as an NFL player, witnesses said.
Hickman was treated at a New York hospital for minor injuries. He was “later released, and is home resting with his family,” a Browns spokesperson said.
There was no immediate description of the suspects, who fled and have not been caught.
Hickman, a three-year veteran, played college football at Ohio State University.
Hickman signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent on May 12, 2023. He has a career total of 173 tackles and three interceptions, according to ESPN.
Who says you can't win Olympic medals in your 40s? On Monday, Team USA star bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor won gold in Milan during the 2026 Winter Games.
In a thrilling monobob final, Taylor took home the gold by .04 seconds, beating out Germany's Laura Nolte who took home silver. Fellow American Kaillie Armbruster-Humphries took home the bronze, finishing .12 seconds behind Taylor.
Taylor, participating in her fifth Olympic games, has finally won gold at 41 years old. Let's take a look at where Taylor's age ranks among other Olympians in their 40s.
Elana Meyers Taylor is 41 years old, born October 10, 1984. During the 2026 games, Taylor joined fellow 40-something-year old athletes such as snowboarder Nick Baumgartner (44), Armbruster-Humphries (40) and skier Lindsey Vonn, 41. Her winning race was a sight to see:
With her gold medal, Taylor now has the record for the oldest U.S. woman to win an individual winter medal.
Elana Meyers Taylor wins monobob gold by .04 in the closest women's bobsled finish in Olympic history. Meyers Taylor's first gold in her fifth Olympics -- after five previous silver or bronze medals -- and, at age 41, is the oldest woman to win an individual Winter Olympic medal.
Taylor has competed in five Olympics, dating back to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. She has won six Olympic medals across her career, including three silver from 2014, 2018 and 2022, as well as two bronze from 2010 and 2022. Taylor participates in both the monobob and the two-woman races in the Olympics.
She can also take home a medal in the two-woman bobsled ace later this week.
Elana Meyers Taylor medal count
Meyers Taylor has won six Olympic medals, with another 12 medals in international competition.
Games
City
Event
Medal
2026 Winter Olympics
Milan
Monobob
Gold
2022 Winter Olympics
Beijing
Monobob
Bronze
2018 Winter Olympics
Pyeongchang
Two-woman
Silver
2014 Winter Olympics
Sochi
Two-woman
Silver
2010 Winter Olympics
Vancouver
Two-woman
Bronze
2024 Pan American
Lake Placid
Two-woman
Gold
2024 Pan American
Lake Placid
Monbob
Gold
2009 World Championships
Lake Placid
Two-woman
Silver
2012 World Championships
Lake Placid
Mixed Team
Gold
2012 World Championships
Lake Placid
Two-woman
Bronze
2013 World Championships
St. Moritz
Mixed Team
Gold
2013 World Championships
St. Moritz
Two-woman
Silver
2015 World Championships
Winterberg
Two-woman
Gold
2017 World Championships
Koinigsee
Two-woman
Gold
2016 World Championships
Igris
Two-woman
Bronze
2024 World Championships
Winterberg
Monobob
Silver
2025 World Championships
Lake Placid
Monobob
Bronze
How many medals has Elana Meyers Taylor won?
She has won 18 medals across her career, including in Olympic and other international competition. Taylor participates in monobob, two-woman and mixed bobsled events.
Elana Meyers Taylor's first Olympics, revisited
Meyers Taylor participated in her first Olympics in 2010. With her two-woman partner Erin Pac, they won the bronze medal, finishing +1.12 behind two teams from Canada.
How many Olympics has Elana Meyers Taylor competed in?
Elana Meyers has participated in six Olympic games, dating back to her first in 2010 in Vancouver. The 2026 Winter Games marks her fifth Olympics.
Is Elana Meyers Taylor the best female U.S. Winter Olympian in history?
Elana Meyers Taylor is tied with one of the greatest U.S. Winter Olympians, speed skater Bonnie Blair with six Olympic medals. Blair won five gold medals with a bronze medal from 1988-1994 across three Winter Olympics.
The Baltimore Ravens are going to be an interesting watch this offseason under Jesse Minter, who takes over the head coaching role for John Harbaugh.
With Minter also calling the defensive plays, one would think he might want to make one big move to assert his authority on the team.
Given that Lamar Jackson is the straw that stirs the Ravens' drink, figuring out his contract situation is clearly job No.1, but so is getting some more defensive help, and more importantly, more pass-rush help.
And it is here where ESPN's Bill Barnwell has the Ravens trading for New York Giants edge Kayvon Thibodeaux.
"Jesse Minter, who turned around Oweh, is now the head coach in Baltimore," Barnwell wrote. "And Minter might fancy his chances of getting more out of Thibodeaux, who came into the league with a top-five-pick toolbox and racked up 11.5 sacks in his second year with the Giants. The Ravens would be taking a targeted swing on a talented player in a contract year who just turned 25 in December."
But for the Ravens to be players in free agency, the franchise must first work out Lamar Jackson's contract, which right now counts a whopping $74.5 million against the cap in 2026.
So, things will need to be massaged, say, like an extension, to bring that number down, which will then free up salary cap for Baltimore to go after a player like Thidobeaux.
You could make the case that the Ravens' entire offseason plans hinge on their star quarterback getting his future sorted sooner rather than later, because the longer it takes, the longer the Ravens will have to wait to improve their team.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 23: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and David DeCastro #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers react after scoring a touchdown during a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The past week and a half have been nothing but a whirlwind with controversy surrounding Joey Porter Sr., Ben Roethlisberger, and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Porter went after Roethlisberger and James Harrison for criticizing Mike Tomlin this season. He went as far as saying that Roethlisberger is a “bad teammate” and is a “bad person” too.
Former Steelers offensive guard David DeCastro defended his former teammate on Monday.
“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” DeCastro said on 93.7 The Fan. “I guess, negativity seems to sell these days, but I loved playing with Ben, for Ben, protecting him.”
A two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection, DeCastro spent all nine years of his career with Roethlisberger from 2012-2020. He made the Pro Bowl in his final six years and still resides in Pittsburgh.
DeCastro complimented Roelisberger’s fight and competitiveness on the field.
“I just loved his energy,” DeCastro said. “Ben’s the ultimate competitor, no matter what it is.”
Fellow teammates Maurkice Pouncey and Zach Banner also defended Big Ben over the last week, while others have criticized the two-time winning quarterback. Other current and former Steelers supported Porte,r taking shots at Roethlisberger and Harrison for talking badly about Tomlin.
“Go off @jportersr55”, Mason Rudolph wrote on the post promoting Heyward’s podcast.
“Peezy talking that talk,” former Steelers safety Mike Mitchell said.
While some Steelers players may be trying to defend Tomlin, the appearance is that they are also taking shots at Roethlisberger. This is the most vocal we have seen former Steelers talk about their teammates in years, taking shots at each other on social media and podcasts.
It feels very anti-Steelers. But the reality is, not everyone got along on the 2005 Steelers Super Bowl XL winning team, and it likely won’t be the last time we hear about teammates complaining about one another, despite some of its history occurring in Pittsburgh 20 years ago.
A week after Texas Tech and NiJaree Canady booted defending national champion Texas and Reese Atwood from the top of The Oklahoman's College Softball Super 16, Tennessee has taken over at No. 1. The Volunteers were a near unanimous choice at the top after notching big-time wins against Nebraska, UCLA and Florida State at the Clearwater Invitational.
The Vols are not only undefeated against what has been one of the nation's toughest schedules so far, but they're also winning games by an average of 7.2 runs.
How about an 11-0 five-inning run-rule victory over UCLA?
The Bruins, who have the most national titles in the sport, rarely get run ruled; it's only happened twice in each of the past two seasons. Even rarer is the double-digit run-rule loss. Not since Feb. 10, 2024 did UCLA lose a game like that, falling to Texas 16-0 in five innings.
This season, the Bruins have questions in the circle, but they have some of the biggest hitters in the game. For the Vols to shut them out, it's a big-time accomplishment. And get this: Tennessee didn't even throw ace Karlyn Pickens; Erin Nuwer got the start and went the distance, allowing just one hit while striking out four and walking two.
Voters:Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman; Nathan Giese, Lubbock (Texas) Avalanche-Journal; Cora Hall, Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel; Eric Lopez, In The Circle; Justin McLeod, D1Softball.com; Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman; Noah Ram, The Gainesville (Fla.) Sun; Colton Sulley, The Oklahoman; Brady Vernon, Softball America; Kirk Walker, Oklahoma City Spark general manager; Scott Wright, The Oklahoman.
Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Gabriel BOUYS / AFP via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
Team USA's two duos in pairs figure skating were unable to medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe finished above their teammates Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, but neither pair made the podium
Kam and O'Shea will still go home with a medal, after winning gold in the team event on Feb. 8
Team USA is out of medal contention in pairs figure skating, after both American duos struggled with falls during their free skating program.
The two sets of pairs — Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea, and Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe — made several mistakes during their routines, ending up with deductions that pushed them down in the overall standings on Monday, Feb. 16 at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
O'Shea, 34, and Kam, 21, came in Monday hoping to improve on their seventh-place position after the short program the day before. They scored 122.71 in the free skate, bringing their total to 194.58. Chan and Howe, meanwhile, were in ninth to start the night, but improved, with a 130.25 in the free skate and a total of 200.31, finishing ahead of Kam and O'Shea.
The duos ended up swapping places in the standings in the final part of the event, with Chan and Howe finishing seventh overall, and Kam and O'Shea two behind them in ninth.
"I’m a little disappointed, I wish that I could’ve held out a little bit longer for another clean skate," Kam told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the event. "I feel like we built so much great momentum here at this competition and every single time we’ve stepped out on the ice it’s felt more comfortable."
Emily Chan and Spencer Akira Howe at the 2026 Winter Olympics
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty
"Skating on Olympic ice is literally dreams coming true," O'Shea added, before joking, "This whole 17 weeks that we’ve been here has been an amazing experience. It’s definitely one where we’re feeling a little tired by the end of it, but we’re very proud of the whole body of work that we put out across the time that we’ve been here and some programs were really, really good."
Howe told reporters, including PEOPLE, after the skate that they were "grateful" to be at the Olympics.
"There was so much pressure trying to get to the Games, and for here, now that we made it, it’s that pressure of being able to skate great performances in front of such a large crowd," he said. "We work so hard to get to this stage, and then once you make it, it’s kind of like your brain doesn’t know how to process that. It’s hard to explain. We felt really grateful to be here and then also to be able to skate as well as we did, it’s a huge blessing for us."
Ahead of their performance, Kam and O'Shea, who have been skating together since 2022, told PEOPLE their season has been full of "a lot of ups and downs" for the both of them, namely injuries.
"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," said Kam. "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.”
Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea after winning gold in the team event
Elsa/Getty
In March 2025, O'Shea broke his foot doing off-ice jumps, and it happened just 48 hours before the duo was set to depart for the World Championships. They still competed, and finished in seventh place, helping Team USA earn a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
O'Shea underwent surgery for the injury, which required two plates and 11 screws, according to U.S. Figure Skating.
Months later, Kam suffered a concussion, one of the worst of her career, during a practice. The head injury kept her off the ice for one month, forcing the pair to pull out of an August opportunity and a competition that September. The pair returned to competition at the top level just four months before taking the ice in Milan.
“[Talk about] resilience. Not just pure hard work, but overcoming another roadblock, another roadblock, another roadblock. We got disheartened for sure,” O’Shea said while speaking to PEOPLE. “But [we were] not allowing that to stop us from continuing forward.”
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.
Alabama has reportedly been listed as one of the final five finalists in the recruitment of linebacker Joakim Gouda, per Rivals' Hayes Fawcett.
Gouda is a talented linebacker that has drawn interest from a multitude of programs around the country. At 6’2”, 225 pounds, Gouda could prove to be an excellent fit on the Crimson Tide’s defense in 2027, should he commit to Alabama.
The playmaker will more than likely continue narrowing down his options in the near future, as Gouda currently has Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and Texas listed as his top five programs.
Gouda is ranked as the No. 61 linebacker and the No. 739 overall player from the class of 2027, per the 247SportsComposite rankings. An attendee of South Paulding High School in Georgia, Gouda is widely regarded as a top linebacker from the state of Georgia and could quickly prove to be a difference maker at any program that lands his commitment.
Alabama's 2027 recruiting class currently has four commitments, one of which comes from the state of Georgia in cornerback Nash Johnson III.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
Jesus reacts to finally playing a full game for Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus played his first full match for Arsenal since returning from a long-term injury and expressed clear delight at reaching this milestone. The Brazilian striker was sidelined for 11 months during 2025, a lengthy absence that also prevented Arsenal from selling him last summer, particularly as they moved to sign Viktor Gyokeres.
Since returning to fitness in recent weeks, Jesus has been gradually reintegrated into the squad. Initially, he was either substituted at halftime or introduced from the bench, allowing him to build match fitness carefully. His positive response to these opportunities convinced Arsenal to allow him to complete the full 90 minutes against Wigan, a decision that reflected both his readiness and importance to the team.
Impactful Performance Against Wigan
The Gunners began the match strongly, scoring four goals within the first 30 minutes. Jesus played an important role in their performance, contributing to the team’s attacking momentum. His full participation provided a demonstration of his regained fitness and sharpness, while also offering reassurance to the coaching staff that he can endure the demands of consecutive matches.
The striker is keen to build on this performance and increase his involvement as the season progresses. Completing a full match is a crucial step in regaining the consistency needed to return to peak form, and it marks a significant moment in his rehabilitation journey.
“I am in a good spot now. This was my first 90 minutes of the season. It is an amazing achievement for someone that was away for 11 months. A lot of players that had the same injury normally struggle a little bit to come back and play. Today I could play 90 minutes and run a lot. I am very, very happy.”
His comments underline the personal satisfaction of overcoming a challenging period while also highlighting his determination to contribute fully to Arsenal’s campaign. For supporters, Jesus’ return to full matches is a welcome development and offers optimism that he can play a pivotal role in the remainder of the season.
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Premier League Giants Challenge Everton For £50m Star’s Signature: Why The Toffees Will Still Be Ahead?
Everton find themselves at a critical junction regarding Jack Grealish‘s future. This follows a season where he truly found his form again on Merseyside. According to journalist Pete O’Rourke on the Transfer Insider podcast, the Toffees lead the race to sign the Manchester City attacker. They stay ahead of the pack despite interest from several other Premier League teams.
Everton lead chase for resurgent Jack Grealish amid injury blow
Grealish famously got back into his groove at Everton, but a painful foot injury recently cut his loan spell short and ended his season early. O’Rourke suggests that while European clubs and local rivals are watching closely, the player wants to stay at Everton for good. He specifically enjoyed his time playing for the current coaching staff.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, he explained: “I’m sure there are other Premier League clubs who will be monitoring his situation at City as well.
“As I said, he’s got back to his best form during that loan spell at Everton as well, so there’ll be other clubs who will be keeping tabs on his long-term situation as well.
“Not just in the Premier League, but in Europe because he has impressed with Everton.
“I think you probably have to say that Everton are in pole position to sign Grealish if he does end up leaving Man City.
“The positive news for Everton here is that Grealish is very much open to a return to Everton.
“He’s really enjoyed his time at the club, which has obviously been cut short by this injury, which was a big blow to him and a big blow for Everton as well.
“He has performed well for Everton, six assists and two goals in 20 Premier League appearances, he’s really enjoying working under David Moyes.”
Tactical rebirth and the David Moyes effect
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – JANUARY 18: Jack Grealish of Everton warms up prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Everton at Villa Park on January 18, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Jack Grealish became the main man for the Toffees during the 2025/26 season. He played with a sense of freedom that he lacked during his final years at the Etihad. Now 30 years old, the England star arrived at Everton needing to show he was still a top-tier player.
David Moyes deployed the playmaker mostly on the left wing but also gave him the freedom to move into the middle of the pitch. From there, Grealish could run the show and set the pace of the game. This setup paid off quickly, as he racked up six assists and two goals in just twenty Premier League games before his injury.
Moyes made Grealish his go-to guy for moving the ball forward. He trusted the winger to win fouls and pull defenders out of position. The player stepped up by carrying the ball more than anyone else in the squad, acting as the link between a steady midfield and the strikers.
While the injury is a big setback, Everton have a clear advantage because their star fits perfectly into this specific style of play. Other clubs like Tottenham or Newcastle United might pay more, but they cannot promise him the same starring role. Moyes has already built the team around him at Everton.
Everton look like the top choice to sign him because the player cares more about being a regular starter than a backup somewhere else. Manchester City seem happy to let him go, and the bond between Grealish and the Hill Dickinson Stadium’s fans acts as a major factor. Other teams cannot easily match that connection. If the Toffees negotiate the reported £50 million price tag down to a more affordable figure, they secure a proven leader. He has already shown he can be the creative spark the club need.
The big event at Bramall Lane this week is, of course, the Steel City Derby. But, before Sunday, there is this Thursday’s first ever Fan’s Advisory Board Forum.
If you collect a free ticket from the club shop, you can find yourself with Stephen Bettis, the club’s CEO, standing right in front of you. Ready to answer your questions. You can submit these early by emailing info@sufc-fab.co.uk or just turn up and try your luck with the open Q&A. The doors to the event open at 7 pm and the event starts at 7.30pm at The Pavilion, Bramall Lane.
So if you have or have ever had any burning questions. This is as good a time as any to try and get the answers you want. Let your mind run wild(er). Sorry, that was bad.
There’s also a chance to meet the Fan Advisory Board which is now in its second season. Their suggested topics are discussions on fan experience, stadium development, ticketing, loyalty and community engagement. The event is a major milestone for them and hopefully it can lead to more of us being on the same page. Fans and club alike. At the end of the day that should always be the aim.
Me, Nick and Ollie will be there from the channel (if that doesn’t put you off too much). See you there.
Serie A | Cagliari 0-2 Lecce: Huge 3 points in Serie A relegation battle
Lecce picked up a massively important 2-0 victory away against Cagliari in Serie A on Monday evening, which has lifted them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Fiorentina and has also drawn Genoa and Cremonses back into the dogfight: Omri Gandelman and Ylber Ramadani with the goals at the Unipol Domus.
Riccardo Sottil came close after 28 minutes when the ball bounced up for him inside the penalty area, but the former Fiorentina man saw his shot sail over the crossbar.
Gabriele Zappa also had an opportunity on the half volley inside the area down at the other end. The ball set up kinder for him than it did for Sottil, but he too blazed over the crossbar with his effort.
The eventual Lecce opener couldn’t have come in much simpler circumstances. Sottil stood over a free kick just off the right flank, he lofted one into the area where January signing Gandelman rose and powered in a header from the edge of the six-yard box.
That was the Israel international’s second goal in as many matches for the Salentini.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Omri Gandelman of Lecce scores his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
It was another set-piece that indirectly led to Lecce doubling their advantage 10 minutes later.
Another Sottil free-kick off the right was aimed at Gandelman again, but he was unable to get his head on it this time. Cagliari struggled to clear their lines, Ramadani found himself on the left corner of the penalty area and managed to squeeze a shot past Elia Caprile.
The Cagliari stopper presumably saw the shot late, but will have been disappointed to have been beaten from that angle and range.
This is an enormous three points for Lecce in their bid to avoid relegation to Serie B. They move out of the relegation zone and move three points above Fiorentina, and are now level on points with Genoa and Cremonese in 15th and 16th respectively.
Cagliari now sit just four points above Lecce and have a seven-point cushion between themselves and the bottom three.
Cagliari 0-2 Lecce
Gandelman 64’, Ramadani 76’.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 16: Omri Gandelman of Lecce celebrates his goal 0-1 during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and US Lecce at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 16, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Lautaro Martinez admitted to Kalulu: “It wasn’t a yellow card”
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez gave a fair assessment regarding the incident involving his teammate Alessandro Bastoni and Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu.
The Nerazzurri won Saturday’s Derby d’Italia by three goals to two thanks to Piotr Zielinski’s last-gasp winner.
However, the contest was blemished by the refereeing error that occurred late in the first half when Bastoni threw himself to the ground, prompting match official Federico La Penna to show Kalulu a second yellow card.
Lautaro Martinez insists Kalulu didn’t deserve to be sent off
Following the incident, almost every fan, observer and pundit has given their take on the situation.
Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini urged AIA designator Gianluca Rocchi to resign, while Inter president Beppe Marotta felt that the Bianconeri’s reaction to the incident had been out of proportion, although he admitted that Bastoni committed a mistake by diving and celebrating his opponent’s dismissal.
For his part, Inter head coach Cristian Chivu tried to defend his player by claiming that Kalulu should have kept his arm closer to his body.
(Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Nevertheless, Martinez had none of it, as his immediate reaction to the incident was an instant acknowledgement that the referee had it all wrong.
“Listen, listen, it’s not a yellow, but he’s already blown the whistle anyway,” said the Inter skipper while talking to the incredulous Kalulu immediately after the incident.
The DAZN cameras were able to pick up this brief chat, as reported by IlBianconero.
Could Pierre Kalulu avoid a suspension?
While Lautaro made a frank admission, Bastoni kept claiming that the Juventus right-back had pulled him, as suggested by his hand gestures.
Unfortunately for Kalulu, he still has to serve a one-match ban, as the sports judge isn’t allowed to overturn second yellow cards.
The only way to prevent this unfair suspension is for FIGC president Gabriele Gravina to interfere and hand him a special pardon, but it remains wishful thinking at this point.
PREVIEW | O´Higgins vs Bahia - team news, lineups, predictions
O´Higgins and Bahia clash this Wednesday at the El Teniente of the Copa Libertadores. O´Higgins mark their 5th participation in the competition, whilst Bahia go into their 5th.
In their last game, O´Higgins lost 2-1 against Deportes Limache (Chilean League 2026). In their last outing, Bahia drew 2-2 against Jacuipense (Campeonato Baiano 2026).
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was almost fatally shot last summer by a 17-year-old during a robbery attempt.
According to AP, Pearsall was alone and walking to his car after shopping at luxury stores in the city's Union Square when the suspect saw that the NFL star was wearing a Rolex watch and other expensive jewelry and tried to rob him at gunpoint, San Francisco police said.
A struggle ensued, and gunfire from the suspect's firearm struck both Pearsall and the teenager, who was shot in the arm, per authorities. The teen was arrested about a block away from where he allegedly confronted Pearsall.
Pearsall, in a recent interview, recalled that night and said he was terrified that he could die.
Pearsall said he called his father to say goodbye.
"Siri, call my dad or call my girlfriend… Daddy… dad, I love you, dad." His father kept asking him what was wrong over and over, and finally, Pearsall tells him he had just been shot.
Pearsall then asked the officer on the scene if he was going to die. The female officer then tried to comfort Pearsall, telling him it wasn’t his time.
A Browns spokesperson confirmed Hickman was assaulted in a statement, adding that he “was treated for minor injuries at an area hospital after the incident, was later released, and is home resting with his family.”
Hickman was signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2023.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were fined $749,747 during the 2025–26 season — the second-highest total in the NFL, according to new data from The Action Network. Only the Washington Commanders ($1.49 millon) lost more money to league discipline.
The Steelers had 18 total infractions (second-most in the NFL). The Steelers’ $749,747in total fines accounted for nearly 9% of all league-wide fine money.
The Steelers were the third-most fined team in the NFL during the 2024 season. In the last three seasons, the Steelers have been in the top 3 among most-fined teams. The Steelers were the most-fined team in the NFL in 2023, with fines totaling $478,091.
At the player level, Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf was responsible for a substantial share of Pittsburgh’s total, losing over $582,000 following a two-game suspension and multiple conduct-related fines — making him one of the most financially penalized repeat offenders in the league this season.
Eduardo Camavinga spoke to the press this Monday ahead of Benfica clash
Real Madrid: Eduardo Camavinga makes a confession
Before the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid, Eduardo Camavinga addressed the media alongside Alvaro Arbeloa.
During Monday's press conference, Eduardo Camavinga made an honest admission about his performances at Real Madrid. The Frenchman has not lived up to expectations since his arrival in 2021 and he isn't hiding from it.
"I think I need to do much more. I'm aware of it and I know I'm capable. The fans haven't seen everything from Camavinga yet—I can give a lot more. My favorite position? As I've always said, I love playing as a number 6. Maybe I'm lacking a bit of consistency and focus on the pitch, because sometimes I make mistakes, I'm aware of that," he stated.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 14: Jorge Masvidal is seen on stage during a Q&A session prior to the UFC 322 ceremonial weigh-in at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) | Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The former UFC welterweight title challenger has two shows planned for 2026, with a stop in Dominican Republic on April 10 followed by a second card on May 1 in Miami. The former will consist of a 16-man heavyweight tournament with 16 lightweights getting matched up for the latter.
Both tourneys come with $500,000 in prize money.
“I don’t mind taking the loss (from a smaller gate) for making a huge statement online,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie Radio. “We’re giving as much money as we can to the fighters. Really, who’s doing anything right now? It’s just worked out perfectly. As I wasn’t able to pump so much GFC, the other shows were kind of dying off. And now, I don’t know about these other shows. I haven’t heard a date or anything. So we’re coming in strong these next few years. People are going to have to move aside, brother.”
Here is the current heavyweight lineup for April 10:
Anthony Smith vs. Chase Sherman Guto Inocente vs. Mohammed Usman Alexandr Romanov vs. Nikolay Kovalenko Bruno Cappelozza vs. Todd Duffee
“I never wanted to leave,” Masvidal continued. “The whole time I was working, in the shadows in the back. It’s what business owners do. I was just hustling, brother. Seeing what I could do, what networks I could get on, what sponsors I could bring on board. I did everything to keep the dream alive, just like fighting. I was able to secure some funds, so here we go.”
Expect more Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA matchup in the coming weeks.
Austria's Jan Hoerl won the men's super team large hill ski jump on Monday night alongside Stephan Embacher. (Tobias Schwarz/AFP via Getty Images)
TOBIAS SCHWARZ via Getty Images
Austria only needed two jumps on Monday night after all to claim a gold medal in Predazzo, Italy.
The Austrians claimed the men's super team large hill ski jump on Monday after the event was canceled early due to a large snowstorm that worked its way into the area. Conditions on the course got very bad out of nowhere during the third round of the competition, and officials ended up wiping the round altogether — as several teams had yet to make their third and final jumps.
So, since Austria was in the lead after the second round, they took the gold medal.
The Austrian duo of Jan Hoerl and Stephan Embacher finished with 558.7 points to win the event, just more than 20 points ahead of Poland. Norway then finished in third, less than half of a point ahead of Germany.
The American pair of Kevin Bickner and Tate Frantz ended up in eighth with a score of 520.2.
This post will be updated with more information shortly.
EAST HARTFORD, CT - SEPTEMBER 21: UConn Huskies assistant wide receivers coach Kashif Moore during the college football game between the Florida Atlantic Owls and the UConn Huskies on September 21, 2024, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
11 days ago, Matt Campbell’s inaugural staff was dealt a blow with wide receivers coach Noah Pauley making the move to the NFL and the Green Bay Packers. Penn State now has its Pauley replacement in Colorado State wide receivers coach Kashif Moore, according to a report from Matt Zenitz.
Penn State is expected to hire Colorado State’s Kashif Moore as wide receivers coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
The ex-UConn star receiver was UConn’s WR coach the last three years before following to Jim Mora to CSU. Helped Skyler Bell become a Biletnikoff finalist in 2025. pic.twitter.com/5DV8ytNTtd
Moore spent the last three seasons at his alma mater, UConn, working under Jim Mora. While at UConn, Moore played a key part in developing Skyler Bell, who was a Biletnikoff finalist this past season after finishing his senior year with an impressive 101 receptions, 1,278 yards, and 13 touchdowns.
Moore checks a lot of boxes of what you’re generally looking for from a wide receivers coach. He’s young, he’s from the area (New Jersey native), he’s coached around the Northeast (Albany and Cornell stops as well), and he has some real development chops as shown with Bell. I know Penn State fans feel a bit snakebitten when it comes to wide receiver coaching hires in recent times, but I think there’s good reason to be excited about Moore.
The NBA got creative with its All-Star game format on Sunday as the traditional East vs. West was moved to the side. The league has been tinkering with the mid-season game in an effort to bring more interest back as the All-Star game has lost some of its overall luster.
Therefore, the format of USA vs. World was brought to the forefront.
In a round-robin tournament style, with games being 12 minutes long, there were two USA teams compiled of American-born players and one World team consisting of international players. Philadelphia 76ers star Tyrese Maxey was on Team Stars alongside the likes of Cade Cunningham, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Duren.
It brought out a lot of competition with the first three games going down to the wire. Team Stars knocked off Team World in overtime in the first contest before falling to Team Stripes on a De'Aaron Fox game-winning triple. Team Stripes then rallied to knock off Team World in a close contest before Team Stars earned the All-Star title with the win over Team Stripes.
"I think it was more just -- I don't know," Maxey told reporters after the game. "We wanted to play hard. It doesn't matter what the format was, I came in--I'm going to play some defense. I'll score when I can, but I want to play hard, bring energy, get some steals, and have fun."
Team Stars was filled with a lot of younger players featuring Maxey (26), Cunningham (24), Duren (22), and Holmgren (23). Booker (29) was the "old head" of the group while Team Stripes featured "the uncs" such as LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and others. It was a good win for the Stars group.
"Yeah, we one up on them right now," Maxey added. "We definitely one-up on the uncs right now."
Maxey and the Sixers will get back at it on Thursday when they play host to the Atlanta Hawks.
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 17: Dalton Kincaid #86 of the Buffalo Bills catches a 14 yard touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Empower Field At Mile High on January 17, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) | Getty Images
One of the story lines that fans of the Buffalo Bills will be following this offseason is the decision the club needs to make on tight end Dalton Kincaid’s fifth-year option. The team has until May 1 to make a decision on Kincaid’s option, which would pay him close to $9 million for the 2027 season.
This past season, Kincaid again struggled with injuries — which included knee-injury carryover from the 2024 season. In total, Kincaid played in 12 regular-season games and caught 39 passes (49 targets) for 571 yards and five touchdowns. Kincaid played in both of Buffalo’s playoff games this past season, recording nine catches on 11 targets for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
In full disclose, picking up the fifth-year option on Kincaid seems like an obvious decision to me. With that being said, I wanted to get some feedback from Bills Mafia to see if they felt the same. Kincaid was the focal point of the discussion in my latest episode of “The Walkthrough” — an episode where I chatted at length about the affordability it would give the club for a reliable pass catcher through the 2027 season. I know that injuries are a concern for many fans, but a one-year extension for less than $9 million is relatively affordable by today’s standards.
In addition to the discussion on the podcast, I also took to social media to see if the decision seemed to be an obvious one for them as well. In a poll conducted over the weekend, over 91% of respondents replied that they wanted Buffalo to pick up the fifth-year option. Over 200 followers responded, so I felt like this was a valid sample size when considering the opinion of Bills fans.
Be sure to share your thoughts regarding Dalton Kincaid and a potential fifth-year option in the comments section below. Perhaps the injuries are too much for you at this point. Or, maybe you see the impact that Kincaid has on the offense when healthy. Is your decision either way an easy one?
If you’re the Bills, do you give Dalton Kincaid the 5th year option? It would be just under $9 million guaranteed.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day leads his team onto the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium on Aug. 30, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Leading into the 2025 season, Ohio State’s schedule featured multiple matchups in Big Ten play perceived as marquee games. Michigan, Penn State, and Illinois. All three of those games were viewed as major games on the schedule.
Those three games, though, turned out to be cakewalks for the Buckeyes. Overall, Big Ten play became a cake walk for the Buckeyes. It felt as if Ryan Day and the players were playing the long game in staying fresh for The Game and the Postseason. That was fine at the time, but it came back to be a negative for the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff.
Thankfully, that will probably not be the case in 2026. Penn State isn’t on the schedule, but Indiana, Oregon, Michigan, and Iowa are. Good. There needs to be stiffer competition in the Big Ten during the regular season. Make the games entertaining. This team needs to be battle-tested, and they will be in 2026.
Forget Indiana, Michigan, and Oregon. The Buckeyes play at Iowa in their second Big Ten game this season. That’s never an easy road trip. Indiana and Oregon both won at Iowa last year. It clearly benefited both of them. The same may be true for the Buckeyes this year if they can win on the road in a tough environment against a tenacious Iowa team.
Playing at USC. I don’t care if USC isn’t what it was in the mid-2000s. It’s still playing a prestigious program in Los Angeles at the Memorial Coliseum. Late October traveling to the West Coast, even off a bye week, is not going to be an advantage for the Buckeyes. That game is a trap game epitomized. It’s after the bye week and after the game at Indiana… and before the game against Oregon.
I’m very interested in seeing what the road game at Nebraska could look like. The weather could be brutal, and that is one of the last places you want to play before The Game the following week. Nebraska is an unknown going into the 2026 season, but they have a tough home environment. That game cannot be overlooked.
The Big Ten becoming what it became last season was out of the Buckeyes’ control. This season, though, I’m confident it will be a tougher schedule. There won’t be any cakewalking. Julian Sayin will be playing meaningful snaps in the fourth quarter, and the Buckeyes will be much more battle-tested going into The Game and the Postseason. It all should lead to a deeper Playoff run.
TimesofIndia.com in New Delhi: After the heartbreaking defeat against South Africa, the Afghanistan team converged in the manager's room for dinner. The team sat down, just hours after going down in twin Super Overs, and talked positively about their effort.
There was very good reason to be downbeat after such a loss. They could have won in regulation time. They could have won in the first Super Over but for a last ball six by Tristan Stubbs. And then a hat-trick of sixes wasn't enough in the second Super Over.
Rashid Khan, a leader in the dressing room and one of the most experienced players in the format, stressed the need to keep their heads up or they would go "one or two years back."
The dinner helped as well. The squad devoured Peshawari food, including Dal Bukhara (Dal Makhani) and Tandoori Chicken, to "vent their anger." It is understandable that the Afghan squad misses home food as they travel from country to country and are stationed away from home.
Ever since becoming a Full Member of the ICC, Afghanistan have never played at home and have used different training facilities to prepare for major events such as the T20 World Cup. From Dehradun at start to Sharjah now, Afghanistan have never found a home footing.
"What we miss a lot is the home food, to be honest. We go around everywhere, we're not getting that Afghani home food, and that's something which we struggle with," said Rashid on the eve of their contest against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
"Other than that, I feel we have enough people around the team who give us the best company and we don't really miss home. And also, wherever we go, we get so much love from everyone, and that's something which doesn't even let us to feel like we are not home.
"But sometimes you do feel, you do miss your home. You want to be having your own crowd, people cheering for you, but unluckily we are not having that opportunity where we can play in front of that crowd. But still, it's harder.
"Professional cricket, you have to manage yourself with all these and not too much think about all those other stuff. I think what we're here for; we have to put that thing first. And there are people who don't go home for five, 10 years. We're lucky. We go after the tour to home, and we have a good time with the family," he continued.
Delhi, which hosted Afghanistan's most recent match in the ongoing T20 World Cup, has a sizeable Afghan population. There are pockets in the national capital - such as Lajpat Nagar and Bhogal - which the refugees have called home for many years now.
Some of them made the trip to the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday morning carrying flags and some wearing the traditional attire. Their presence, and noise, became even more important in the aftermath of the heartbreak that the team suffered less than a week ago.
As it transpired, the Afghan team needed every ounce of that positive energy to go past the UAE -- winning by 5 wickets with four balls remaining -- and keep their T20 World Cup Super Eight hopes alive. New Zealand are still favourites to seal the second spot from the group, alongside the already qualified South Africa, if they beat Canada on Tuesday. That would render Afghanistan's final contest against Canada as a dead rubber.
"Hoping for the best. Yes, (we) still have a little bit of hope, we can make it to the next stage and we just need to come up with a positive mindset (against Canada)," said Rashid after beating the UAE, once again stressing on the need to remain upbeat.
"Next game, you never know, it's a T20 game, we'll have to come up with a good brand of cricket. Even if we don't make it to the next round, we want to play with the same brand of cricket and make the country and our people proud and happy."
Having already faced heartbreak of gigantic proportions, as the ask got tougher in the 161-run chase vs UAE, the nerves started to climb.
Coach Jonathan Trott expressed pride in how the team turned things around, especially after the suffering in Ahmedabad.
"We were under pressure (and) that's the pleasing thing for me as coach. I would have liked it (if it was a) lot easier. But at the end of the day when you come out on the right side of pressure situations... like we were having the history of the last game, I've certainly seen a shift. We've lost tight games like that and then after that it's very much - been hard to pull it back, the confidence. So I see a bit of an improvement in the resilience, cricketing-wise, but also mentally," said Trott in the post-match press conference.
In the aftermath of a win, their first of the tournament, the mood in the team hotel would be a bit more upbeat. However, a trip to Lajpat Nagar for some home style food would be unfathomable, despite the suggestions of a reporter. For now, all the Afghans can do is stay positive and hope their stay in the Indian sub-continent gets longer.
If star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is not planning on returning this season, he is doing a very bad job of telegraphing that. The latest hint that the St. Louis native will be back on the court for Boston in the near-term future is word that Tatum will soon be releasing a new docuseries following the Duke alum through his (presumably that will end soon) rehab for the Achilles tendon injury he sustained vs. the New York Knicks in the 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Posted to his official YouTube page, Tatum released a 90-second teaser for the series – to be known as "The Quiet Work" – which will have five installments.
Per the video, the series "follows Jayson through the most challenging stretch of his career as he fights to return to the NBA. From the locker room to the hospital room, through rehab and recovery, and ultimately back to the court."
The series is to air every Sunday night on NBC during their Sunday Night Basketball games, and there is growing speculation that the NBA moving the start time to Boston's March 1 tilt vs. the Philadelphia 76ers is a sign that Tatum could return to play for the first Sunday tilt of the month.
No official word to such an effect, but with Taco Jay having previously suggested he wants to return at home, the prognostication aligns with the limited data we have on when such a return might come.
We’ve almost reached the top 10 Montreal Canadiens prospects, as voted on by Habs fans.
Before we get there, we must discuss the prospects ranked 15-11, a list that includes several players with good size who were selected in the later rounds of the NHL Entry Draft.
15. Tyler Thorpe, Right Wing, Shoots Right, 20, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’5″, 220 lb. Picked 130th overall in 2024.
One of the clear mandates put in place when Ken Hughes took over as general manager of the Canadiens was finding players who have the rare combination of skill and size to bolster the prospect pool.
Of the 20 players drafted in 2024 and 2025, 19 of them happen to be 6’0″ or taller, ample evidence to suggest the size transformation is in full effect.
Standing at 6’5″, Thorpe is the tallest prospect in the system, and thanks to an excellent showing at development camp alongside players who were drafted well ahead of him, the 20-year-old forward already signed an entry-level contract with the Habs.
However, it must be said his introduction to professional hockey has been rather underwhelming from a production standpoint, as Thorpe has scored just two goals and seven assists in 47 games with the Laval Rocket. Of course, context is key, and it should be noted he’s mostly been used in a fourth-line role, which has mitigated his scoring opportunities.
It’s not a surprising result by any means, as Thorpe never produced the type of numbers in Junior hockey that would suggest he would be a reliable source of secondary offence in the AHL. In 167 games with the Vancouver Giants, Thorpe managed 54 goals and 48 assists, well below a point-per-game pace.
And yet, there’s no reason to panic when it comes to his potential. Thorpe was never expected to be a top-six player. Realistically, he has the potential to one day ascend to a fourth-line role in the NHL, but to do so, he’ll have to find a little more consistency in his offensive game.
He has an excellent shot, and fantastic hands for a player of his stature, but he will need to work on his edge work, as to improve his speed and agility.
Ideally, Thorpe would find his offensive rhythm in the AHL during his sophomore season, a lot like Jared Davidson did before him.
In the meantime, his job will consist of protecting some of his teammates when opposing players step over the line, as he did when he got involved in an old-school fight with Joe Arntsen in the clip embedded below.
Few players enjoy getting involved in physical play as much as Protz. That’s not to say he’s void of talent, as evidenced by his invitation to take part in Team Canada’s Junior Summer Showcase. Protz did not make the team, but the mere fact that he was invited despite not spending much time in any of Hockey Canada’s development programs goes to show that he’s more than just a violent defenceman.
His gap control and reach allow him to patrol the blueline with efficiency, and though his offensive potential is limited, he does not hesitate to join the rush when an opportunity arises.
That being said, Protz is clearly a harbinger of violence. From the very moment he jumps on the ice, he’s looking to land a big hit, doing so without pulling himself out of position. One of his favourite tactics is cutting off opposing players, driving them towards the boards, and then proceeding to remind them that it was a mistake to drive down his side of the ice after he lands a massive hit.
His limited offence reduces the odds he’ll ascend to a top-four role once he’s ready for professional hockey, par for the course when we consider he was drafted 102nd overall, but he does have a legitimate chance to one day ascend to the NHL in a third-pairing role.
Konyushkov suffered a downtick in production following his first two season in the KHL, which saw him produce 25 and 28 points, respectively. He managed just 17 points in 67 games last season, a considerable red flag when evaluating his overall progression.
The good news is that he’s back on track in 2025-26, and is on pace to finish the year with seven goals and 29 assists, which would set a new career high.
There are a few things we must keep in mind when discussing his North American potential, including his contract, which is set to expire in 2026-27. Therefore, we shouldn’t expect him to make his way to Canada next season, a situation that’s far from concerning when we consider he’s being given ample ice time in a professional league. He’s averaging 21:30 TOI with Torpedo this year, accumulating important experience while facing opponents who can bank on much more professional experience.
Konyushkov is a mobile defenceman with a heavy shot who does not hesitate to stretch his legs in the offensive zone, much like Adam Engstrom. However, he’s not quite as agile as his Swedish counterpart, while offering more in the defensive and physical department.
He projects as a player with top-four potential, though he will likely need a long runway once he makes the jump to North America, to allow him to acclimatize to his new surroundings.
12. Jared Davidson, Centre, Shoots Left, 23, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’0″, 183 lb. Picked 130th overall in 2022.
Admittedly, I try to take an unbiased approach to describing prospects, but there are exceptions to the rule, as some players are simply more entertaining than others.
Davidson is the perfect example.
Few shifts go by without Davidson making an impact, whether it be through his excellent one timer, or his affinity for big hits and fights. He may not be the most skilled player on the ice at all times, but he has a history of outworking his opponents, while providing an honest effort every shift.
He reminds me a lot of NHL players in the 80s, combing all the good aspects of old school hockey with a modern training regiment that allows him to offer secondary production in situations that are not conducive to scoring.
During his 10-game audition with the Montreal Canadiens, Davidson was quite clearly focused on providing a physical element to the team, and his 12.42 hits/60 still ranks fourth on the team, behind Samuel Blais, Arber Xhekaj, and Joe Veleno. He did not get many opportunities to feature his elite one-timer with the Habs, but a quick look at his AHL highlights will confirm that Davidson absolutely loves to connect on fast, hard passes in the offensive zone.
Davidson projects as a bottom-six player with above-average offensive upside who could earn a permanent role in the NHL in the next two seasons.
11. Joshua Roy, LW, Shoots Left, 22, Laval Rocket (AHL), 6’0″, 190 lb. Picked 150th overall in 2021.
Roy is one of the few holdovers from the previous regime, having been drafted in 2021 during Marc Bergevin’s tenure. He was Montreal’s best forward prospect for many years, a situation that pushed the expectations beyond the realm of reasonable for a player who was drafted 150th overall.
In reality, Roy becoming the team’s top prospect was a sign of a weak prospect pool, rather than his elite potential.
But we should guard against dismissing him outright at this point in his development.
With 94 points in 123 career games in the AHL, Roy has clearly shown he can produce at the professional level, as long as he’s used in a situation that allows him to spend time in the offensive zone. In other words, there’s very little value in using Roy as a bottom-six player in the NHL, yet another situation that works to his disadvantage.
Of course, Roy is far from a perfect player. He’s excellent in the offensive zone, and his hockey sense is off the charts, but there’s still a concern when discussing his consistency from an effort standpoint.
And now that the Montreal Canadiens have added a myriad of talented players to their prospect pool, he’s no longer the lone shiny toy in a poorly built cabinet. Simply put, through a combination of factors, many of them out of his control, he’s at risk of becoming a classic hockey tweener.
All Montreal Canadiens prospect statistics via Elite Prospects.
Jude Bellingham, born and bred in Stourbridge, is one of the best footballers in the world.
Bellingham began his career at Birmingham City, rising through the ranks before transferring to Borussia Dortmund at the age of 16 on July 20, 2020.
After three successful seasons in Germany, Bellingham was attracting the interest of many major clubs in Europe, including Liverpool.
The English talent decided to swap Germany for Spain, joining Real Madrid for a British record fee of £86m.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Bellingham won the UEFA Champions League in his first season with the Spanish giants and has continued to be a major fixture in the Real Madrid side.
Recently, Bellingham revealed his favourite sporting moment from 2025, and it was not anything witnessed on a football pitch.
Jude Bellingham says the French Open Men’s Singles final was his favourite sporting moment from 2025
As reported by The Tennis Letter, Jude Bellingham has chosen Carlos Alcaraz’s French Open triumph as his favourite sporting moment of 2025.
Bellingham said: “I do think watching that Alcaraz Sinner final, actually, at the French Open.
“That was probably the most involved I’ve felt, being in a sports moment that I wasn’t in.
In what was one of the greatest sporting spectacles in history, Alcaraz fought back from two sets down against Sinner to win 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.
Remarkably, Alcaraz saved three consecutive championship points at 4-5 in the fourth set, before coming back to claim victory.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
The victory marked Alcaraz’s second French Open title and fifth major title. Since then, he has gone on to win two more Grand Slams at the US Open and Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev or Andrey Rublev are Alcaraz’s likely semi-final opponents in Doha, before a potential clash with Jannik Sinner in the final.
What did Carlos Alcaraz say after the French Open final?
“The match is not finished until he wins the last point,” Alcaraz said after clinching the title. “It’s just one point away from losing the match, yeah, but a lot of times people came back from match-point down in the final of a grand slam or even in other matches.
“So I just wanted to be one of those players who saved match point in the grand slam final and ended up winning.
“I just believe all the time. I have never doubted myself. Even though in those match points down, I thought just one point at a time.
“Just one point and then after one point and then try to save that game and keep believing. That’s what I thought.”
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
“Today there were few moments of the match that, I mean, the level was insane.”
Sinner said: “I prepared for the grand slam with one tournament, also on clay, making the final. Of course, difficult to accept now because I had lots of chances, but this is the good part of the sport.
“Also, today it got me the sad part, no? But if you watch only the sad part, you’re never going to come back, no? I believe I have improved as a player since last year, which is good. So we try to keep pushing.”
“Being Jannik on the other side of the net playing at such a great level, sometimes I thought: ‘What can I do? What can I do?’ He was moving unbelievable.
“He was hitting amazing shots. There were a few moments of the match that he couldn’t miss any ball. I mean, that level, it was really, really high.”
Wisconsin's Nick Boyd (2) celebrates during the Indiana versus Wisconsin men's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. | Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
I feel the need for a caveat at the beginning of this piece: I’m well aware that the NCAA’s NET Rankings in mid-February will not determine what line the Wisconsin Badgers are on in March. But they are a good guidepost for what the Committee thinks about Wisconsin right now, and that’s relevant.
Greg Gard’s squad currently sits at No. 33 in the NET rankings, which, to be blunt, seems low for two main reasons.
Wisconsin has been objectively better than some teams above them
I’m not going into a comparative analysis for every head-to-head gripe I have here, but one team from the Big Ten is a good example that I’ll lean on.
We need look no further than Iowa who, relative to Wisconsin, has the same overall record, inferior conference record, worse performance in both Q1 and Q2 games, zero top 30 NET wins, and an easier strength of schedule, yet preposterously sits at No. 27 in the NET, a full six spots (and TWO seed lines, 7th vs 9th) ahead of the Badgers.
In addition, Iowa has two bad losses: one to NET No. 86 Minnesota and another to NET No. 151 Maryland (!). Wisconsin’s worst losses are to NET No. 48 USC and NET No. 45 TCU. Spot the difference yet?
The Badgers have a robust troika of massive wins that Iowa can’t come close to sniffing (more on this in a moment), and zero bad losses, so there is really no way to explain why Iowa is ahead of Wisconsin in the NET beyond some weird built-in bias.
No team has a better package of elite wins than Wisconsin
Layer on a wire-to-wire home bludgeoning of Tom Izzo’s Spartans (now No. 15 in the NET but then No. 12), and Wisconsin has a handful of massive wins that nobody else can match. Not just the teams around them in the NET, but nobody in NCAA Basketball.
Yet they still sit at No. 33, behind Iowa and a mere one slot ahead of Indiana, a team Wisconsin “lost” to, but who is 17-9, 2.5 games behind Wisconsin in the Big Ten, and just got blown out by the same Illinois unit Wisconsin beat just six days ago. This looks even sillier when you see that Wisconsin is 9-7 in Q1 + Q2 and Indiana is 4-9. A joke, really.
Hopefully, the Badgers will keep their foot on the gas and force the NET to keep elevating them in both an absolute sense and also relative to the teams they’ve objectively been better than. Wisconsin hosts Iowa this weekend with a chance to force the NET’s hand a bit on this.
McKennie: ‘We hope Galatasaray won’t boo Juventus because of Yildiz’
Weston McKennie has shared his thoughts ahead of Juventus’s upcoming Champions League play-off round tie against Galatasaray, has commented on his contract status and has joked that he hopes the passionate supporters in Turkey will go easy on the Bianconeri due to the presence of Kenan Yildiz.
The Bianconeri finished the league phase in 13th place, three points shy of a spot in the top eight and a guaranteed place in the round of 16. That means that they will have to beat Galatasaray over two legs if they are to make it into the hat for the round of 16.
McKennie: ‘We want to win because we are Juventus’
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“It’s a really important game for us, we want to win every game because we are Juventus,” McKennie told the media during his pre-match press conference.
There have been suggestions that McKennie could play as a false nine on Tuesday evening given that Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are all unavailable.
“I’m a player who is always available for my team. I play where the coach wants me to play, even in goal,” the American said.
And on his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, McKennie said: “We’ll think about it later because I’m here to win a game.
“That’s something that’s between Juventus and my agent. I just have to think about the work on the pitch and my agent will think about the renewal.”
Weston McKennie celebrates his goal for Juventus against Pafos in the Champions League (@juventusfc)
McKennie was also given an opportunity to share his thoughts after the controversial Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter in Serie A over the weekend, but preferred to keep his focus on the task at hand against Galatasaray.
“It’s a bit difficult when these things happen, We have to just focus on tomorrow and we’re only thinking about winning. We want to give our best.”
And on the atmosphere that awaits the Old Lady in Istanbul and whether Yildiz has told the squad how to deal with it, McKennie said: “He’s talked about that and I played here many years ago as well, so I know what the atmosphere and the fans are like. We hope they won’t boo us too much because of Kenan.”
PSG’s João Neves on Ousmane Dembélé’s explosive ‘individualistic’ comments: ‘When we have something to say to certain players, we say it to their face.’
Ousmane Dembélé’s (28) comments in the wake of Paris Saint-Germain’s defeat to Stade Rennais on Friday (3-1) have caused plenty of noise.
The defeat to Rennes would ultimately see PSG lose top spot in Ligue 1, with RC Lens beating Paris FC (5-0) the next day to usurp them. Dembélé, post-match, was critical of attitudes. “Above all, we have to play for Paris Saint-Germain to win matches because, if we play alone on the pitch, that won’t work. Last year, we put the club above everything else, before thinking about ourselves. We need to rediscover that. We have to play for the club first and foremost before thinking about ourselves,” said the Ballon d’Or winner in his post-match interview with Ligue 1 Plus.
Those comments elicited a strong response from PSG manager Luis Enrique. “I won’t allow any player to be above the club. That is clear. I won’t allow any player to think he is more important than the club,” said the Spaniard.
‘There is always noise around PSG’ – Luis Enrique
Understandably, on the eve of Les Parisiens’ UEFA Champions League encounter against AS Monaco, Dembélé’s comments were still a topic of discussion. It is a topic broached by João Neves. “The atmosphere is good in the dressing room. The players are confident, the mood is good and we are ready for tomorrow. I think Ousmane already spoke about it. But I think what he wanted to stress was what we did last year, playing as a team in a collective way. It is one of PSG’s main strengths and we are showing it in every match through how we play. I think that is what he wanted to highlight,” said the Portugal international.
He did, however, add, “When we have something to say to certain players, we say it to their face.” On Dembélé’s comments post-Rennes, Luis Enrique said, “There is always noise around PSG, and you have to accept it […] we are used to it.”
What a story Brandon Bussi has become, and what a great thing for the Carolina Hurricanes to be the paper on which that story is written. After an incredible start to his NHL career, the 27-year-old has struck a deal to stay in Carolina for years to come. …But how does it stack up to other goaltender contracts across the NHL?
Monday, the Hurricanes signed Bussi to a three-year extension worth $5.7M, with an average annual value of $1.9M, including a 10-team no-trade stipulation for the final year.
Alongside the contract, the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation also donated $10K to the Autism Society of North Carolina. Bussi, an advocate for autism in sports since before his professional career began, has notably worn goalie masks painted as an homage to his younger brother, Dylan, who has non-verbal autism. This season’s mask features puzzle pieces and rainbow butterflies, as well as Dylan’s initials.
Brandon Bussi vs. the World
Considering Bussi’s play, ranking second in high-danger save percentage (.869) and notching a 23-3-1 record this season, $1.9M per year is notably low.
To compare with Ilya Sorokin, the league’s top dog in high-danger save percentage this season – who had similar numbers to Bussi in his early years – signed a three-year contract in September 2021. The annual price tag came at $2M, a slightly higher cost. However, that was before the salary cap increases, which began in the 2022-23 season and took a steep climb in 2024-25. In 2023, the New York Islanders’ star goalie signed an eight-year extension worth $8.25M.
Meanwhile, the current price tags for both of Bussi’s Hurricanes teammates – Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen – are $2M and $2.75M annually, respectively.
Other notable comparisons are the San Jose Sharks’ tandem, whom Bussi faced in his NHL debut. Yaroslav Askarov, who signed his first extension in 2024 (before the cap increase), is on a two-year contract that nets an annual value of $2M. Additionally, Alex Nedeljkovic, who also signed a two-year deal in 2024, earns $2.5M per year.
While Bussi’s sample size remains rather small, having only played 27 games in his career, if he continues to manage similar results, it could go down as one of the greatest signings of the decade.
The Mets and Dodgers both pursued outfielder Kyle Tucker in free agency this offseason, with the Dodgers emerging as the winner on a four year, $240 million deal.
Jan 21, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (23) is introduced to the media during a news conference at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
That acquisition in particular rankled Cohen, he told SNY.
“I actually went to bed annoyed. ‘Oh, we didn’t get him,'” he said.
It’s not all doom and gloom for the Mets, though, as Cohen and company quickly found another high-value free agent to add shortly after losing out on Tucker.
“The agent for Bo [Bichette] had called us right after and discussions started,” he said “You never know how they’re gonna go. They moved really quickly.”
By signing Bichette, the Mets are actually in a better position than they would’ve been with Tucker, Cohen argued.
“Frankly, once it was all done, and we got Bo to come to the Mets, (I) actually feel Bo might be a better fit for the team,” said Cohen, as reported by Tim Britton for The Athletic. “So I think things worked out for the best.”
Baseball Split on Big Spenders
The Dodgers’ big spending has led to criticism by some in baseball, and the MLB, the only major North American sports league without a salary cap, could make major changes after this season.
For now, though, prominent players are standing up for the Dodgers’ willingness to spend, arguing that it’s good for the sport.
“I f—ing love it,” San Diego Padre and former Dodger Manny Machado said of the Dodgers’ spending. “Every team should be doing it. … S— is f—ing great for the game. So I think every team has the ability to do it, so I hope all 30 teams can learn from that.”
Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies echoed that sentiment.
“I love what the Dodgers do, obviously,” Harper said. “They pay the money, they spend the money. I mean, they’re a great team. They understand how to run it. They run their team like a business, and they run it the right way. They understand where they need to put their money into.”
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo López ended a bullpen session early on Monday over what manager Derek Shelton said was “a little bit of elbow soreness.”
López, who turns 30 next month, threw two-plus innings before shutting things down. He was considered ahead of schedule in preparations to join Venezuela for the World Baseball Classic.
López has been the opening day starter for the Twins the past three seasons. He was limited to 75 2/3 innings last year, with three stints on the injured list for hamstring, shoulder and forearm issues.
The 2023 All-Star had made 32 starts in each season from 2022-24, the first of those with Miami before a pair with Minnesota.
“We decided, out of an abundance of caution, let’s get him off, let’s get him off the field and make sure he’s OK,” Shelton told reporters at the club's spring training facility. “We’ll get some imaging on it, just because of how important it is and he is to us.”
Lopez was 5-4 with a 2.74 ERA last season. He won 10 games in each of the previous three seasons, capped by a career-best 15 in 2024.
The Georgia high school boys basketball 2025-26 campaign is shifting from the regular season to the postseason in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA).
The eighth set of the latest Georgia Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings of the regular season sees the defending GHSA Class 6A state champion Wheeler retake the No. 1 spot from the Grayson Rams, which held it for three straight weeks previously. The Rams-Wildcats remain the consensus top two clubs, but who else should we watch for out of Georgia when it comes to the state’s top high school boys basketball squads?
The Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule, and margin of victory.
Here’s a look at the top 25 teams in the country according to the Massey Ratings, which ranks teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory, as of Feb. 16.
1. Wheeler Wildcats (21-5)
The WheelerWildcats (21-5), the defending Class 6A state champions, retake the top spot in our latest Georgia high school boys basketball Top 25 rankings. Featured on the Wildcats’ roster is UConn commitmentColben Landrewat point guard and Ole Miss pledge Jaron Saulsberryat small forward. 2027 guardKevin Savage is a four-star recruit and has offers already from schools like Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Sacramento State. The Wildcats will take on No. 17 ranked Walton tomorrow night.
2. Grayson Rams (22-2)
The GraysonRams (22-2) drops down from the No. 1 spot as they have been the state’s most consistent team so far. The Rams’ only loss of the season toDecatur, as they’re currently riding a 3-game winning streak. The Rams feature a roster that can matchup with just about anyone in the state, seeing this team make another deep run is certainly not out of the question. Grayson will be led by the talents of 2027 three-star shooting guardMarcus Curry, who was named a first-team preseason Class 6A all-state selection. The Rams have defeated Newton twice in the last three games.
3. Gainesville Red Elephants (24-0)
Checking in at No. 3 in our latest set of Georgia high school boys basketball rankings are the undefeated GainesvilleRed Elephants (24-0), which have raced out to a strong start to the 2025-26 season with 24 straight wins. Gainesville doesn’t look like they’ll be slowing down anytime soon heading into the GHSA playoffs. Gainesville also recently knocked off Florida’s No. 28 rankedNSU University School, 57-46 and then went on to defeat No. 9Milton, 68-60. Gainesville is coming off a 59-35 thumping of No. 26 Johns Creek.
4. McEachern Indians (20-4)
The McEachernIndians (20-4) are winners of eight straight after a loss to Pebblebrook back on Jan. 16. There’s a lot of optimism surrounding the program as the Indians have one of the top rising combo guards in the state in 2027 four-star Chase Lumpkin. Lumpkin, who stands 6-foot-5, has been receiving plenty of interest from Power 4 schools. McEachern’s only four losses on the season have come against nationally ranked Wheeler, Link Academy (MO), Pebblebrook (Ga.) and Alexander (Ga.), respectively. The Indians closed out the regular season out with a 82-68 win over the No. 13 Pebblebrook.
5. Alexander Cougars (23-2)
Rounding out the Top 5 of our rankings is the AlexanderCougars (23-2), which are winners of 18 straight games which includes a victory over No. 4 McEachern. The Cougars have been pretty dominant all throughout the season, with Alexander defeating their last opponent, South Paulding, 72-64 in the most recent victory. Leading the way for the Cougars on the hardwood is the play of three-star point guardGregory Dunson, who is already committed to Colorado State.
Massey Ratings Georgia High School Boys Basketball Rankings Nos. 11-25
Texas A&M looked far more like the team many expected to see last season, outscoring Tennessee Tech 45–14 across a dominant three‑game sweep at Olsen Field. It’s only one opponent and only the first weekend, but for fans in Bryan‑College Station, it was a fun and encouraging start.
After launching eight home runs in the first two games, the Aggies had to manufacture offense differently on a windy Sunday. They responded exactly how a mature lineup should—by hitting balls hard into the gaps, stringing together quality at‑bats, and piling up 12 hits for seven runs. Through three games, the offense looks solid and, for now, appears more like a strength than a question mark. The early returns also suggest that head coach Michael Earley reclaiming hitting‑coach duties is already paying off, with nearly every hitter showing more confidence and clarity at the plate.
Fielding was another preseason concern, but outside of a few hiccups, A&M turned in a respectable defensive weekend. Considering the number of new faces—and two true freshmen starting in the infield—the Aggies handled themselves well, though there’s still plenty of room to tighten things up. One clear upgrade came on the basepaths, where A&M played far more aggressively, taking extra bases and capitalizing on Tennessee Tech’s mistakes.
Pitching remains the biggest unknown. All three starters were serviceable but not spectacular, and it feels likely the staff will continue to experiment with the rotation before SEC play arrives. Someone will need to seize the reins, but for now, the group did enough to keep the Aggies comfortably in control.
Overall, it was a strong opening weekend for Texas A&M, and they’ll carry that momentum into Tuesday night’s midweek matchup.
All major national polls kept the Aggies inside the Top 25 following the sweep, a fitting reflection of a team that handled its business from start to finish.
Texas A&M will host A&M-Corpus Christi in their first midweek game of the 2026 season on February 17 at Blue Bell Park in Bryan–College Station.
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.
MILAN — Aerin Frankel banged her stick on the ice, banged it some more. At the other end of the ice, her USA women's hockey teammates swarmed Sweden.
After a period that put Frankel on pace to see but a handful of shots, the Swedes gave their best push to start the second period of the early semifinal on Monday, Feb. 16 at Santagiulia Ice Arena. At stake was a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics gold-medal game. Frankel helped secure USA's spot there with a 21-save performance in a 5-0 victory. The women go into the final with a remarkable five-game shutout streak.
"The team is playing so well in front of me, defensively," Frankel said. "They're making my job easy, making the plays in front of me predictable, so I can do my job. I think we're all just playing together as a group, and that's our strength.
"This group is so good because of how we play together, so any time I can just focus on my job and let them do theirs, because that's why we're finding so much success, and that makes us a pretty hard team to score on."
It was Frankel's third shutout, setting a single-tournament Olympic record. She and Gwyneth Philips give their teammates an unshakeable sense of calm.
"I think our goaltending is everything," Laila Edwards said. "Even if other teams aren't getting too many shots, it's because we're allowed to play aggressive and confident, knowing who we have backing us up, so it makes a big difference."
The Swedes looked intimidated in the first period, running around their own zone trying to keep track of the puck. It was past the halfway point before they got the puck up ice, with Hilda Svensson getting a shot off a breakaway. The only other puck that came near Frankel (Boston Fleet) was near the end of the period, a bobbling shot that she easily handled.
"It's definitely hard sometimes to stay engaged," Frankel said, "but you've got to try, play the puck when you can, talk to your teammates, and get involved any way that you can."
The Swedes, desperate to get something going and take advantage of a score that was only 1-0, gave it their all when the second period began, outshooting the Americans, 6-2, and forcing multiple tricky saves from Frankel.
"I think staying engaged throughout that first period when it was a little bit quiet helped me to focus on the shots I got in the second period, and build off that for the rest of the game," Frankel said.
Frankel is USA's go-to in goal, and while the team has routed opponents en route to the final game, teams don't succeed without the steadiest of goaltenders.
"They're awesome," Joy Dunne said. "Knowing that we have the depth in the goaltending as well, you can trust them back there. You know, we all make mistakes. It's a game of transition. So to know that they have our back back there means a lot."
Reddick had not led at any point in the race before passing Chase Elliott on the final lap for his first Daytona 500 win. Reddick's win came after going winless in 2025 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Here's everything you need to know about 2026 Daytona 500 champion Tyler Reddick:
Tyler Reddick is married to Alexa DeLeon Reddick. They were married on July 25, 2024, in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Alexa DeLeon Reddick, 30, is the daughter of late Major League Baseball pitcher Jose DeLeon.
Jose DeLeon was a right-handed pitcher who played 13 years in the Majors for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Montreal Expos.
Tyler and Alexa have two sons − Beau Reddick, 6, and Rookie George Reddick, 9 months.
Reddick, who was born in May, was diagnosed with a kidney tumor in his chest. Rookie underwent surgery, which was deemed successful, and he was present for the Daytona 500 victory celebration.
Who is Tyler Reddick's car owner?
Tyler Reddick drives the No. 45 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing. The team is co-owned by former NBA star Michael Jordan and current NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin.
Reddick's 23XI teammates include Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst.
How old is Tyler Reddick?
Tyler Reddick is 30. He celebrated his birthday on Jan. 11.
How many NASCAR wins does Tyler Reddick have?
Including the 2026 Daytona 500, Tyler Reddick has nine NASCAR Cup Series wins.
He also won at Miami, Michigan, and Talladega in 2024; at Kansas and the Circuit of the Americas in 2023; and at Texas, Indianapolis (road course), and Road America in 2022.
Has Tyler Reddick won at Atlanta?
The next NASCAR Cup Series race is Feb. 22 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Tyler Reddick has never won at Atlanta.
Reddick finished fourth at Atlanta in June 2025 and 19th in February.
In addition to his June 2025 finish, his other best finishes at Atlanta came in March and July 2023, when he was fifth in both races.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
The five-time All-Pro wide receiver suffered a season-ending injury just four weeks into the 2025 season, which ultimately marked the end of his time with the Dolphins.
With new head coach Jeff Hafley taking over, and the future of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa uncertain, the Dolphins are set for a complete overhaul this offseason.
Hill's release was a move to save money against the salary cap, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 10-year vet wasted no time updating his social media account following the news of his departure from Miami. The star receiver has already updated his Instagram bio to read "Unemployed."
‘He 100% leaves’ – Sky Sports pundit is sure that there’ll soon be a big-name exit from Liverpool
Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood is ‘100%’ convinced that there’ll be a big-name departure from Liverpool in the next three or four months.
Speculation has surrounded several members of Arne Slot’s squad throughout a turbulent season, including Mo Salah, who infamously declared in December that his relationship with the head coach had broken down and suggested that he’d been scapegoated for the team’s troubles.
Thankfully, the winger has been fully reintegrated into the squad since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations and has been in improved form for the Reds over the past month, with two goals and four assists in that time.
Sherwood: Salah will ‘100%’ leave Liverpool this year
Despite that minor resurgence and the fact that the 33-year-old’s contract runs to June 2027, Sherwood firmly believes that Liverpool’s third-highest goalscorer of all time is already in his final season at Anfield.
Speaking on Fan Club for Sky Sports News, the pundit declared: “We have to thank Mo Salah for the time he has given to the Premier League. In an era where there’s not a great deal of world-class players, he’s certainly been one.
“In my opinion, I think he 100% leaves that club and he gets a fantastic ovation at the end of the season, whether that’s with a bit of silverware or not. He deserves silverware, he certainly does, but whatever happens, he’s been a magnificent servant to the club.”
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Hopefully this isn’t Salah’s final season at Liverpool
It’s not unthinkable that, should Liverpool receive a big-money transfer offer for Salah in the coming months, they might opt for pragmatism over romanticism and accept a lucrative approach from overseas.
Objectively, there’s a logical argument for cashing in on a player who’ll turn 34 in June and who’s the highest earner in the squad on £400,000 per week (Capology). As we know, however, the emotional investment of football makes it an untypical industry from a business sense.
Even though the Egyptian is on course for by far his least productive season at Anfield, the thought of saying farewell to him in just three months’ time when no announcement to that effect has yet been made would be agonising to contemplate.
It might’ve felt like Salah was on borrowed time in December after his outburst at Elland Road, but his performances since returning from AFCON have been those of someone who remains fully committed to the cause and is very much playing for his head coach, his club and their supporters.
His work rate out of possession – an aspect for which he’s been criticised in the past – has been praised in recent games, and his display against Brighton on Saturday suggested that he could be increasingly influential in the final third of the campaign.
Let’s hope that Sherwood’s prediction turns out to be misguided!
Liverpool are ‘in the mix’ to sign midfielder in potential £25m move
Liverpool Considering Move for 20-year-old Midfield Wonderkid
Liverpool’s midfield planning continues to gather pace ahead of the summer window, with fresh discussion around emerging talent and possible outgoings. With uncertainty surrounding the futures of Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister, recruitment staff appear to be widening their search, identifying profiles that suit Arne Slot’s evolving system.
Speaking on Anfield Index’s ‘Transfer Show’ podcast, Dave Davis shared insight into Liverpool’s interest in FC Nordsjaelland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi, a player who is rapidly climbing the club’s shortlist.
Rising Interest in Yirenkyi
Dave Davis explained: “Liverpool have watched him a few times now and he had a great game against Copenhagen this weekend.” The growing attention reflects Liverpool’s ongoing focus on younger midfield options who combine technical ability with athleticism. Recruitment sources suggest the club’s data driven model has flagged Yirenkyi as an intriguing option, especially as Slot looks to balance intensity with control in the centre of the pitch.
Davis added further context, saying: “They had a serious ask about Yirenkyi in January and they are still in the mix for a move in the summer.” That level of engagement hints at groundwork being laid well in advance, a strategy Liverpool have followed successfully in previous windows.
Midfield Targets and Competition
Liverpool’s recruitment team are rarely focused on a single name. As Davis noted: “We’ve mentioned before that Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is also being watched, but he has really struggled this season.” Monitoring multiple profiles allows flexibility, particularly with Champions League qualification still shaping the club’s financial planning.
From a tactical perspective, Yirenkyi’s mobility and positional discipline could align with Slot’s preference for midfielders who can transition quickly between defensive and attacking phases. Liverpool’s interest in players of this mould suggests a desire to maintain intensity while refreshing depth.
Data Driven Evaluation Behind Move
Perhaps the most telling detail from the podcast centred on analytics. Davis revealed: “We’re also told that because of how Yirenkyi is performing and the numbers behind his performances, he has jumped ahead of a lot of candidates.” Liverpool’s recruitment department has increasingly leaned on performance metrics, particularly when assessing younger players in smaller European leagues.
The reported valuation also appears to fit Liverpool’s risk profile. As Davis said: “His price tag, expected to be around £25-30m, makes it a fairly low-risk move. He would be the perfect Wataru Endo replacement.” That assessment highlights how the club may be planning for succession in key squad roles, ensuring continuity without significant disruption.
Photo: IMAGO
Champions League Factor in Transfer Decision
While interest is clear, the wider context remains important. Davis concluded: “Of course, nothing is guaranteed and a lot of it depends on Liverpool securing Champions League football. So we will see what develops from this one.” Qualification could influence both spending power and player appeal, shaping the direction of Liverpool’s summer strategy.
For now, Yirenkyi represents another example of Liverpool identifying emerging talent early. With Slot guiding a squad still adapting to his ideas, recruitment choices over the coming months will reveal how the club balances youth, experience and tactical flexibility.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed relief pitcher Alex Vesia struck out two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani during his first live batting practice of 2026 spring training.
Vesia let out a loud “YEAH” after striking out the superstar, followed by light applause from the onlooking fans. Following the end of his bullpen, the fans cheered much louder.
Vesia hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since the NLCS in 2025, as he missed out on the World Series after he and his wife, Kayla, tragically lost their daughter.
“The amount of support you’ve given Kay and I has been overwhelming in the best way,” Vesia said. “We’re beyond grateful to be a part of the organization and this family. So many of you have stepped up and been there for us in a big way over the past few months. It’s meant the world to Kay and I.”
Alex Vesia’s full comments on the matter:
I just want to start off by acknowledging my wife, Kayla, who is not only the strongest person that I know, but a support system for me every bit as much as I am for her. Part of what I am here to share is on behalf of the both of us.
I will start off by thanking the Dodgers: Andrew Friedman, Brandon Gomes, Doc, the whole coaching staff, and all of my teammates. The amount of support you have given Kay and I has been overwhelming in the best way. We are beyond grateful to be a part of this organization and this family. So many of you have stepped up and have been there for us in a big way over the past few months, and it has meant the world to both Kay and I.
I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Toronto Blue Jays—their front office, coaching staff, and their players—for showing us the support. They are a first-class organization, and I just want to say thank you to them.
When Kay and I were watching the World Series, we noticed there was 51 on Louie Varland’s hat. I immediately texted Gus Varland—it’s his brother—and I asked him if I was seeing that correctly. He texted me back right away and said, “The Varlands love you, dude. The whole Toronto bullpen has it too. It’s bigger than baseball. We love y’all.” Kay and I were very emotional. We were super overwhelmed with emotion, and the community, the relationships that you make along the way… it showed that it was much bigger than baseball.
The outpouring of love and support Kay and I have had over the past few months has been unmatched. We’re both grateful to not only Dodger Nation but the fans worldwide. My DMs are basically broken on Instagram from all the love and support that we’ve had. I’ve tried to read all the comments and everything, and it’s meant the world, really.
We even got a jersey from the L.A. Rams with all their signatures on it. That was a surprise and very cool as well. We’ll have that framed and put up in our house.
The lessons we have learned from this is that life can change in an instant for us. Ten minutes is all it took. Sterling Sol was the most beautiful girl in the world. We got to hold her, change her diaper, read to her, and love her. Our time together was far too short. Kay and I will keep those precious moments and memories to ourselves.
I hope that anyone listening can empathize and respect our wishes for privacy as we continue to heal and navigate the ups and downs of a baseball season. Stepping away from the team—the brothers that I go to war with every day—was difficult. But it was also an easy decision because my family needed me.
We still watched every pitch of the World Series. And for us, in so many ways, that was a light in our darkness. We got back to Arizona like the first or the second of November, and I immediately got back into the gym. I started my throwing program. Having something to look forward to has helped me. The gym has been my mental clarity.
Being around the guys again, preparing for Spring Training, it’s been really nice. I’ve gotten a lot of love so far in the clubhouse, and being able to laugh and joke around has been really nice for me.
Kay and I started therapy about six weeks ago. It hasn’t been easy, but talking to someone has made a difference. For those out there who have lost a child or are fighting through any struggle, if you can take anything from this, please seek help. Talk to somebody. It’s definitely helped Kay and I. Please don’t be afraid to speak up. Your mental health matters.
I’ve learned that what has happened to us has also happened to so many families. Realizing that has deepened our empathy and our gratitude for this community. The baseball community is extremely strong.
I was not prepared to not bring my baby girl home. But we’re carrying her with us every day. It’s been hard, but we’re doing okay. Thank you.
Oct 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia (51) reacts in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers during game four of the NLCS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What Role Will Alex Vesia Play for the Dodgers in 2026?
Vesia has been with the Dodgers since 2021, and has played an important role in both of their World Series runs over the last two seasons.
He is one of several left-handed relievers currently on the Dodgers’ roster, and he will more than likely be one of the more important players out of the bullpen in the coming season.
The southpaw had a 3.02 ERA through 68 appearances last season, striking out 80 batters through 59.2 innings pitched. He also recorded a sub-1.000 WHIP for the second season in a row.
L.A. is looking to improve in their bullpen in 2026 after a late-season collapse in 2025, and will hope Vesia can get on the right track heading into the regular season. He has more than a month to get going, though, and if he’s already striking out the best player in MLB, there shouldn’t be much to worry about.
Are you looking forward to seeing Alex Vesia back in action?
For most of the league, the NBA All-Star break gives guys a chance to catch their breath. The week-long vacation is their last time to enjoy a mini-vacation before the final one-third of the 2025-26 regular season and beyond.
While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jared McCain were part of the All-Star weekend festivities, the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder enjoyed some downtime back at their hometowns.
Cason Wallace also joined in on the trend of one of his former basketball homes honoring him. The 22-year-old had his No. 22 high school jersey retired at Richardson High School in Texas.
That's where Wallace became a five-star recruit. He eventually committed to Kentucky as a one-and-done college player. The Thunder selected him with the No. 10 pick of the 2023 NBA draft. He's helped OKC become an instant title contender in three seasons.
Wallace has been one of OKC's best defensive players. He's in the race to win the steals title this season. He's averaged 8.1 points on 42.4% shooting, 3.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists. He's shot 34.8% from 3 on 3.8 attempts. He's averaged two steals.
The Thunder won an NBA championship in 2025. Wallace played a key role in their run as a role player. Considering he'll be eligible for a contract extension this upcoming offseason, expect OKC to sign him to a new deal that'll keep him around for the rest of this contending window.
22’s in the rafters 🤝 @wallace_cason had his jersey retired at Richardson High School in Texas, stamping his legacy at his old stomping grounds 🦅 pic.twitter.com/GsZ3l3m3ho
Benfica vs Real Madrid: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news, and prediction
Benfica welcome Real Madrid to Estadio da Luz for the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off first leg on Tuesday evening.
Benfica secured their play-off spot after beating Madrid 3-2 in their previous meeting, denying Los Blancos automatic qualification for the round of 16.
Match preview
Benfica struggled during the league phase, collecting just nine points from eight matches, but will take encouragement from their recent performance against Madrid.
While Madrid dominated possession, Benfica were the better attacking side, creating eight big chances to Madrid’s three.
However, Jose Mourinho’s side need to defend better to stand a chance of qualifying for the round of 16 ahead of the second leg.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side continue to rely on Kylian Mbappe’s brilliance. The Frenchman netted twice against Benfica last time out and is the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals.
Madrid are aiming to progress beyond the play-offs for the second consecutive season, after edging Manchester City 6-3 on aggregate last term.
Across four meetings with Benfica in the competition, the Spanish giants have won once and lost three.
Team news
Richard Rios, Fredrik Aursnes, and Alexander Bah are ruled out for the hosts. Joao Veloso and Samuel Soares are doubtful.
For the visitors, Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are unavailable, with the latter pair suspended.
Predicted line-ups
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Anatoliy Trubin, Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea , Gianluca Prestianni, Georgiy Sudakov, Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis.
Real Madrid (4-3-1-2): Thibaut Courtois, Alvaro Carreras, Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Arder Guler, Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe.
Prediction
We predict a 3-1 victory for Madrid.
Stats from sofascore.com, whoscored.com, & uefa.com
Aston Villa And Chelsea Failed With Move For €55 million Star: Is It A Setback?
Lucas Bergvall is still the name on every scout’s lips. This follows his incredible start at Tottenham Hotspur. Recent reports from The Athletic highlight his progress. The young midfielder has settled into life in London with startling ease. He became a key part of the first team almost instantly. Aston Villa and Chelsea failed with approaches for the player in the January transfer window.
The Meteoric Rise of Lucas Bergvall: Tottenham’s Swedish Sensation
He played a huge part in winning the Europa League trophy for Spurs under Ange Postecoglou. This achievement made Bergvall an instant hit with the fans. Consequently, the club gave him the Player of the Year award during his first season. This was a massive milestone for a newcomer in the English top flight.
A Tug-of-War for North London’s Crown Jewel
Bergvall is now 20 years old. He is a regular for the Sweden national team. He has successfully carried his early form into the current 2025/26 campaign. As of 15 February 2026, he has already played over 1,300 minutes across all competitions.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham Hotspur walks off the pitch after an injury during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on January 20, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Bergvall has chipped in with a vital goal and four assists. Meanwhile, he keeps his pass completion rate near 83%. On the pitch, he offers a combination of physical strength and technical skill. Lucas stands at 1.87 m but has the agility to glide past aggressive presses.
Observers often praise how he reads the game and finds open space. These traits allow him to pick out teammates with sharp passes before opponents can react. However, some analysts think he needs to be tougher in defence and better in the air. Bergvall occasionally avoids gritty physical battles. Despite these small areas to work on, his value has jumped to around €55 million. This has led to serious interest from rival clubs.
Regarding the winter window, Tottenham didn’t budge. They turned down official offers from Aston Villa and Chelsea. In my view, missing out on Bergvall is a big blow, especially for Villa. Unai Emery loves technically gifted “interiors” who can move the ball forward. Bergvall fits that style better than almost any other youngster in Europe.
Some might say Villa have enough players in that spot. However, the Swede offers something different. He would have been a perfect long-term replacement for their older midfielders. The Chelsea board continue to push hard for him. On top of that, other clubs with steady Champions League football are calling. So, the market will likely produce a massive summer bid. This will make it much harder for Spurs to hang onto their star man forever.
The New York Jets have some work to do this offseason. Both sides of the ball need improvement. But one of the more difficult decisions isn't about improving the roster.
Instead, the biggest question the Jets are facing this offseason is what to do about running back Breece Hall. He's going to be a free agent this offseason, and the Jets have a big decision to make.
The Jets face three choices, one which would be worth $14.5 million, another at $11.7 million, and the other, a more unpopular one, which wouldn't cost anything. ESPN's Rich Cimini highlighted all three choices the Jets could make this offseason with Hall.
Jets face tricky $14.5M, $11.7M Breece Hall decisions
"If he hits the open market, he will attract significant interest," Cimini writes. "... A franchise tag will be pricey (projected $14.5 million), but he and WR Garrett Wilson are the only two proven playmakers on offense. ...The transition tag at $11.7 million is a possibility, too."
The Jets could franchise tag Hall on a fully guaranteed $14.5 million contract, or they could let him walk and field significant interest, likely leaving in free agency.
Or they could put the transition tag on Hall, which would give Hall a chance to negotiate with other teams, while the Jets hold the ability to match whatever offer he gets and re-sign him at that figure.
There is one big downside to the transition tag: if the Jets don't match the offer sheet, then they won't get any draft pick compensation for losing Hall.
If the Jets simply let Hall walk in free agency, they would be able to land a compensatory draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
But, if they transition tag him, then the Jets would not land any compensation if they don't match the contract he returns to the Jets with.
Tagging Hall at $14.5 million would be a lot for a running back, but considering Hall is their best playmaker other than Wilson, the Jets, with plenty of cap space, can justify splurging a big deal to retain Hall this offseason.
This is the most interesting decision for the Jets this offseason. While the quarterback change will be fascinating to follow, how the Jets handle Hall will be one of the more interesting free agent decisions across the NFL this offseason.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missing the playoffs following a 5-1 start to the season was not on their bingo card, or the card of fans. As a result, folks will have some anger heading into 2026, and they want to see change, but instead, the team is looking to heal up and see how things go.
However, with so many questions on the defense as a whole and around the roster remaining, can the Bucs actually return to the playoffs? ESPN's Jeremy Fowler discussed every team that missed the playoffs, including the Bucs, and offered suggestions on why they will or won't make the playoffs in 2026.
For the argument that they can't return to the playoffs, it all starts with the aforementioned defense.
Fowler writes, "Tampa Bay falls somewhere between contention and the need for a mini rebuild. The Bucs need to address their defense this offseason. The group needs talent improvements at all three levels, most notably pass rusher. This would be as good an offseason as any to take some chances to acquire quality defensive players."
Depending on how aggressive they want to be, they have some highly talented options to consider to improve the unit. Via trade, the king's ransom they would pay to acquire Maxx Crosby would be worth it. Meanwhile, veterans like Trey Hendrickson and Bradley Chubb are on the market and could sign for cheap to improve their edge-rushing unit.
One way or another, there are options, and there are no excuses for general manager Jason Licht.
Wrexham won in the fourth round on Friday, 1-0 over Ipswich Town.
Josh Windass scored the lone goal of that matchup in the 34th minute, and Wrexham dominated the shooting numbers as they mostly controlled proceedings.
Before that, Wrexham had pulled off a wild win on penalties (4-3 on the spot kicks) over Nottingham Forest in the third round.
Chelsea cruised on Friday in their fourth round matchup against Hull City, 4-0. They had previously dispatched of Charlton, 5-1.
Now, it's the Hollywood lads of Wrexham against the high-powered side from West London.
It promises a lot of attention, to be sure. Chelsea will be heavy favorites, but Wrexham could write some serious headlines with an upset.
FORT MYERS, Fla. — Pablo López walked off the Hammond Stadium mound after delivering a pitch, cutting short his live batting practice session. López was in his third “up” or simulated inning when elbow soreness forced him to shut things down.
The news of López’s right elbow discomfort marred an otherwise positive day of camp for the Twins, who held their first full-squad workout of the spring on Monday at their complex in Southwest Florida.
The Twins plan to send López for imaging and will have more information after they do so.
“After he and (pitching coach) Pete (Maki) talked, we decided like ‘Hey, out of an abundance of caution, let’s get him off. Let’s get him off the field and make sure he’s okay,’” manager Derek Shelton said.
The starting pitcher is further ahead in his preparation for the season than some of his teammates because he was planning on participating in the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela for the second time in his career. This news puts that in jeopardy for López.
For now, the Twins plan to move cautiously with López, one of their top arms. López was highly effective last year when he pitched, but he made just 14 starts as he dealt with a myriad of injuries — a hamstring strain, a shoulder injury and a forearm strain suffered while fielding his position all landed him on the injured list.
“I don’t live in a speculative world. It’s a terrible place to be in this game,” Shelton said. “Right now, I’m taking we had a really good day. He felt some soreness. We’ll get it looked at and kind of move on from there.”
The day started with a team meeting during which Shelton, who took over for Rocco Baldelli this offseason, gave a speech hitting on a number of topics including intent, accountability and the group sticking together.
New team executive chair Tom Pohlad also spoke, and Shelton said called his message “passionate,” and “from the heart.”
“When we walked out of that meeting this morning, there was a really good feeling about the messaging I think we wanted to get across,” Shelton said.
While pitchers and catchers have been in camp for days and all of the position players had already reported by Sunday, Monday’s workout saw an extra flurry of activity.
Like every year, hope springs eternal in the early days of a new season. Even if the expectations of the team aren’t high outside of the clubhouse — projections and betting lines have them as a sub-.500 team — there’s optimism within the clubhouse.
“It feels like everyone’s excited for the year. You can genuinely feel that,” third baseman Royce Lewis said. “I think we’re ready to shock people. We don’t even have to say anything about it. People just keep writing us off. Whatever. That’s fine. I’m ready for that.”
The North Carolina Tar Heels went 1-1 last week, losing at Miami before beating Pitt at home. The loss was a tough one, being on the road and against an underrated Hurricanes team. But the bounce-back win over the Panthers was impressive as they were without Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar.
Now, UNC enters another important week.
They are set to face off against NC State on the road Tuesday and then head to Syracuse for a Saturday afternoon game. When they do begin this week of play, they will do so as the No. 20 team in the country per the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
UNC fell seven spots after that loss at Miami a week ago, one of their biggest drops of the season. Below is the full poll released on Monday:
Teams generally don’t find impact players in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, so one wouldn’t blame the Tampa Bay Buccaneers if they didn’t think that about Tez Johnson.
But Johnson wasn’t like most late-round picks.
Anybody who watched the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game between Oregon and Penn State knew that Johnson was a college star.
In a game that featured (at least) four future first-round picks, Johnson was the best player on the field, torching Penn State for 181 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches to win the game’s MVP.
Johnson was hardly a one-game wonder.
He caught 10 touchdowns each in the 2023 and ‘24 seasons, going for nearly 1,200 yards in 2023.
Johnson did better than most rookie receivers in 2025, and his season was even more impressive considering he was one of the last players selected in the draft.
Bucs Roundtable will take a look at where each 2025 Bucs draft pick stands after their rookie season, starting with their seventh round pick.
Why Johnson Slipped
Johnson wasn’t supposed to fall to the seventh round. Coming into the draft, most projections had him going on the second day, with the possibility of slipping to early in the third day. But Johnson’s frame (5-foot-9, 154 pounds) and underwhelming combine performance (40-yard dash above 4.5) led to him being available for the Bucs at pick No. 235.
Great Value
Based solely on 2025, Johnson was Tampa Bay’s best value pick. He ended his rookie season with 322 yards and five touchdowns on 44 catches. Compared to Tampa’s past seventh round picks, such as 2024 pick Devin Culp, who had one reception in 13 games this season, and 2022 pick Andre Anthony, who the team waived before the start of the regular season, Johnson did quite well.
In fact, Johnson’s five touchdown receptions were tied for the third most of any seventh rounder ever, behind only Marcus Colston (2006) and Randy Vataha (1971).
Through Week 12, the only rookie who had more receiving touchdowns than Johnson was his teammate Emeka Egbuka, who was Tampa's first-round pick. Although Johnson tailed off in the last six weeks of the season, not catching a touchdown pass in that span, him being among the rookie TD leaders that late into the season is pretty good for the 27th receiver taken in his class.
With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both in their 30s, the Bucs are going to have to look to the future of their receivers room eventually. Johnson might not have the upside of Egbuka or Jalen McMillan (third-round pick, 2024), but unlike a lot of seventh-rounders, he could well be a part of Tampa's future plans.
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The outfield will look different for the Chicago White Sox, especially in center field. For the first time since the 2021 season, Chicago does not know who will be taking the majority of the reps up the middle in the outfield.
It was Luis Robert Jr.'s job, but he was traded to the New York Mets during the offseason. In exchange, the White Sox received Luisangel Acuna, Ronald Acuna Jr's brother, and RHP Truman Pauley.
Acuna is one of the players who will be battling for the starting job in center field, but he is not the only one. There is a four-man race for the job coming into camp.
The White Sox face a competitive four-man race in center field
The corner outfield spots are already locked in. You can expect to see Andrew Benintendi out in left field, while newly signed Austin Hays will likely patrol right field for the club.
Center field is where fans will want to pay attention. Multiple guys can get the job, including Brooks Baldwin, Luisangel Acuna, Everson Pereira, and Jarred Keleneic, via Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter.
"With the Luis Robert Jr. era at an end, the White Sox have a hole to fill in center field. Former infielders Brooks Baldwin and Luisangel Acuna will get the first look, with Baldwin coming off an 11-homer, 93 OPS+ season and Acuna offering top prospect pedigree. The battle is wide open enough to believe out-of-options Everson Pereira or non-roster invitee Jarred Kelenic could crash the party as they fight for a spot on the roster."
Reuter believes the real battle will be between Baldwin and Acuna, but still mentions Pereira and Kelenic since they will come into camp with a chip on their shoulders.
You can never count out players who are fighting for their roster spot during the spring.
A two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher has just hit the open market, and the Carolina Panthers should be on his trail.
According to multiple reports from Monday morning, the Miami Dolphins are releasing outside linebacker Bradley Chubb. Chubb, along with several other veterans including wide receiver Tyreek Hill, will be shed off the books in Miami—where an organizational reset is well underway.
But where will Chubb look for a reset of his own?
Well, how about in some familiar territory?
The former North Carolina State University star may be a perfect fit for the Panthers, whose pass rush has not been near the standard of president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan.
"Our pass rush, obviously—to me, and everybody in the building will tell you—wasn't up to par," Morgan stated in an interview on WFNZ's Mac & Bone last month. "We had the second-lowest pressure rate in the league this year. Obviously, that's not acceptable. And if you're not protecting the quarterback and you're not affecting the quarterback, you're not gonna win many games in this league—especially at a consistent level."
As Morgan noted, the Panthers finished with the second-lowest pressure rate (16.5 percent)—as well as the third-fewest sacks (30)—in 2025. 2024 wasn't much different, as they amassed the the lowest pressure rate (16.2 percent) and the third-fewest sacks (32).
Chubb could come back to North Carolina and help. The 29-year-old is a consistent producer, having amassed at least 7.5 sacks in each of his five healthy campaigns.
This past season, Chubb tallied 8.5 sacks and 48 pressures—one year removed from a torn ACL. The season before his setback, 2023, saw him post 11.0 sacks and a league-leading six six forced fumbles.
He also has a bit of experience with Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from 2022. Before being shipped to Miami in a midseason trade, Chubb played eight games under Evero in Denver—where he ripped off 5.5 sacks and 26 pressures.
Although Chubb may not be as splashy of an acquisition as Maxx Crosby or Trey Hendrickson would be, he can still bring the Panthers some much-needed firepower off the edge.
“The Golden State Warriors are signing Nate Williams of the Long Island Nets to a two-way contract,” Fischer reported Monday.
It was unclear which direction the Warriors would go with one opening remaining. Lonzo Ball appeared to be the most popular option, since most of the franchise’s ideal buyout targets were no longer available.
Instead, Golden State elected to sign a player with significantly less NBA experience than Ball. Williams, who inked a deal with the Lakers last September before getting waived ahead of opening night, has only competed in 47 NBA games since joining the big leagues in 2022.
Williams is averaging 3.9 points and 1.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.7% from the field for his career. Ball, another former Laker, averages 10.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game for his career (322 total outings), shooting 39.2% from the field and 35.5% from three.
At the end of the day, the Warriors clearly saw something in Williams to sign him to a two-way deal this season. Perhaps, the Buffalo product will prove Golden State right and eventually earn a standard contract with the seven-time NBA champions.
Last time out, Club Brugge triumphed 1-2 against Cercle Brugge (Jupiler Pro League 2025/26). In their last fixture, Atlético de Madrid suffered a 3-0 reverse against Rayo Vallecano (La Liga 2025/26).
The last meeting between the two teams ended in a 0-0 draw.
Ivan Leko faced Diego Simeone on two occasions, recording a draw and a defeat
Diego Simeone faced Club Brugge on four occasions, recording a victory, two draws, and a defeat
Ivan Leko faced Atlético de Madrid on two occasions, recording a draw and a defeat
TEAMS
Away, Atlético de Madrid currently has one defeat in the last nine games.
At home, Club Brugge currently has three defeats in the last 19 games.
At home, Club Brugge currently has a draw in the last 12 games.
At home, Club Brugge is coming off five consecutive games scoring goals.
At home, Club Brugge is coming off three consecutive games without losing.
At home, Club Brugge is coming off three consecutive victories.
Club Brugge currently has one defeat in the last six games.
Club Brugge currently has a draw in the last 27 games.
Club Brugge is coming off two consecutive games without losing.
Club Brugge is coming off two consecutive victories.
HEAD TO HEAD
Club Brugge and Atlético de Madrid have faced each other eight times, there is no advantage between Club Brugge and Atlético de Madrid: three wins each in eight games.
At the Jan Breydelstadion, Club Brugge has an advantage in the clashes against Atlético de Madrid: three wins in four games. Atlético de Madrid has never won at Club Brugge's ground, with one draw recorded.
In the Champions League, six matches were played between the two teams, with Club Brugge winning two, two draws, and two victories for Atlético de Madrid.
Champions League: Will Mbappé play against Benfica? Alvaro Arbeloa gives his verdict
Alvaro Arbeloa reassures fans about Kylian Mbappé ahead of the Benfica Champions League playoff
Champions League: Will Mbappé play against Benfica? Alvaro Arbeloa gives his verdict
In Monday's press conference, on the eve of the high-stakes clash between Benfica and Real Madrid in the Champions League playoffs, Alvaro Arbeloa once again addressed the situation surrounding Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid face Benfica this Tuesday as part of the Champions League playoffs. This match is crucial for Los Merengues, who are looking to exorcise their demons following the humiliating defeat they suffered in Lisbon a few weeks ago. The showdown could also go ahead without Kylian Mbappé on the pitch.
Having missed the weekend's fixture against Real Sociedad, the Frenchman is included in the squad traveling to the Portuguese capital. "He’s here, he came with us. He’s going to train. And... tomorrow, you’ll see if he plays or not," Alvaro Arbeloa revealed during Monday’s press conference.
Seattle, known as The Emerald City, sometimes sees minor earthquakes generated from the raucous fans at Lumen Field. Most recently, the Seahawks’ aftershocks have been felt around the NFL due to winning the Super Bowl, a reality that has impacted the Vikings more than any team other than the Patriots.
Most obvious, of course, is that Sam Darnold has proven to be not just a viable QB1 but, rather, a QB1 who can lead a team to the Super Bowl. Working through injury, Darnold went 3-0 in the playoffs, completing roughly 61% of his passes for 672 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Standing alongside those QB numbers is a loaded roster with high-end homegrown talent alongside ample cap flexibility.
The Vikings, The Seahawks, & A Massive Competitive Chasm
In particular, there’s long-and-strong corner Tariq Woolen. Signing the 6’4″ corner would be a nice development in the Twin Cities. He could slide into that boundary corner job that was supposed to be held down by Jeff Okudah. Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers can then get the burden of beefy receivers taken off their shoulders.
Dec 22, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass while defended by Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the second half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.
Woolen leaving Seattle behind appears likely not because there isn’t money. Unlike the Vikings, the Seahawks have a ton of open cap space. Rather, it’s that Seattle boasts a ton of talent in the secondary even without the services of Mr. Woolen.
Indeed, Seattle has demonstrated the benefits of drafting well. Having a well-stocked cupboard of young, cost-controlled talent allows for spending elsewhere. No need to (potentially) overpay for Woolen when there’s already CB Devon Witherspoon (No. 5 in 2023) and S Nick Emmanwori (No. 35 in 2025) under contract.
Moreover, the front of the defense is being uplifted by Byron Murphy II (No. 16 in 2024) along the defensive line and Derick Hall (No. 38 in 2023) along the edge. Partner the young lads with excellent veteran adds in Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, and Ernest Jones. Combined, that’s a fearsome defensive front.
No wonder defensive wizard Mike Macdonald put together the NFL’s best defense in 2025 by allowing 17.2 points against per game.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
On the other side the ball, the Seahawks got tremendous play out of WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 20 in 2023), RB Kenneth Walker III (No. 41 in 2022), RB Zach Charbonnet (No. 53 in 2023), TE AJ Barner (No. 121 in 2024), OT Charles Cross (No. 9 in 2022), and OT Abraham Lucas (No. 72 in 2022).
Goodness, Michael Dickson — perhaps the NFL’s best punter — got drafted by Seattle. He went to the Seahawks at No. 149 in the 2018 NFL Draft.
The Seahawks, unlike the Vikings, are a team built out of the draft.
The success over in Seattle has created the conditions where Darnold can get plugged into the team, thriving early. A perfect storm awaited Mr. Darnold, someone who got all of the help he could possibly want in the form of an elite defense, a great running back, a high-end WR1, more pass catching talent beyond JSN, and an overall great franchise.
Things get even more wild upon considering that Seattle currently boasts more than $63 million in open cap space. The Vikings, in contrast, are worse than $40 million in debt, per the Over the Cap estimate. As of mid-February, Seattle is more than $100 million healthier while having the quarterback position settled and while coming off a Super Bowl.
Wild, right?
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) runs the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Standing back to assess where the Vikings are in relation to the Seahawks leaves one with a bleak assessment. Seattle has all of this:
A proven, 28-year-old QB1 to build around
North of $60M in open cap space
Talent in the trenches
An elite CB1
An elite WR1
A talented run game
A coaching staff that has proven itself capable of winning it all
The Vikings can match Seattle since Justin Jefferson is an elite WR1. The Vikings can surpass the Seahawks in draft ammunition leading into the 2026 NFL Draft. There isn’t too much else, though, for the Vikings to hang their hat (horned helmet?) on.
Indeed, the Vikings are in a world of hurt unless the drafting turns around in a hurry. Very little of the roster’s deficiencies can’t be at least partly attributed to what has been a horrendous stretch of drafting.
Again, the key takeaway: plucking fantastic, young, cost-controlled talent out of the draft is the single best thing a team can do to build a juggernaut.
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
The Seahawks are moving ahead with their QB position settled and cap in a very healthy spot due to being so excellent in the draft. Even better for Seattle is that they’re moving through 2026 as the reigning champions.
Meanwhile, the Vikings will be looking to capture some of that Seattle brilliance. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that the recent add to the front office was for Matt Thomas, the long-time Seattle executive.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: Interim offensive coordinator Parks Frazier of the Indianapolis Colts looks on during warmups before the start of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to name Parks Frazier as their new quarterbacks coach, according to a report from Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Frazier joined the Eagles’ coaching staff last offseason as their pass game coordinator. The Eagles’ passing game wasn’t strong in 2025; here’s how the team ranked in a number of key categories:
Passing yards per game: 23rd
Completion percentage: 17th
Dropback EPA: 16th
Dropback success rate: 23rd
Pass offense DVOA: 12th
Of course, it’s hard to know from the outside looking in how much Parker played a role in these struggles. The Eagles obviously held former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo responsible by effectively firing him from his play-calling position.
Speaking of Patullo, he used to hold the pass game coordinator title in Philly from 2021-2024. That title has since reportedly gone to former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who was reportedly hired shortly after the Eagles announced Sean Mannion as their new OC. The addition of Grizzard left Frazier without his old title but he’s now the Eagles’ QB coach.
This development seems to indicate that Scot Loeffler will not return to Philly just one year after leaving his role as Bowling Green’s head coach. Jalen Hurts will now have his sixth different position coach during his time in the NFL.
2020 — Press Taylor 2021 — Brian Johnson 2022 — Brian Johnson 2023 — Alex Tanney 2024 — Doug Nussmeier 2025 — Scot Loeffler 2026 — Parks Frazier
Getting back to Frazier, here’s a snapshot of the 34-year-old’s coaching experience:
2015 — Samford defensive quality control
2015 — Middle Tennessee State defensive quality control
As you can see, he overlapped with Nick Sirianni in Indy from 2018-2020. He also has some experience calling plays since he did that in an interim role during the 2022 season after Frank Reich got fired by the Colts.
The Philadelphia Phillies proved to the MLB that they still want to contend when they re-signed Kyle Schwarber to a long-term deal. However, with the losses of Nick Castellanos and Harrison Bader, they need someone to anchor their outfield.
Fansided’s Mark Powell and Wynston Wilcox, believe that the move the Phillies need to make is trading for Minnesota Twins two-time All-Star and Wilson Overall Defensive Player of the Year Byron Buxton. Buxton would anchor center field, and provide another All-Star bat to their lineup.
“What do the Minnesota Twins actually gain from keeping Byron Buxton at this point? That's the biggest reason the Twins would trade him…It makes sense for the Phillies to get aggressive in adding to their roster if they want to keep up with the Dodgers. The Phillies threw a massive extension as the Schwarber to make sure they can remain one of the top teams in the National League. Adding Buxton just gives them one more solid hitter to keep up with the juggernaut Dodgers,” Powell and Wilcox wrote.
This past season, Buxton slashed .264/.327/.551/.878 with 21 doubles, 35 home runs, and 83 RBI in 126 games played. He would replace Castellanos’ spot in the outfield, and honestly would be an upgrade both offensively, and definitely defensively.
Buxton’s only set to make around $45 million over the final three years of his contract, and for a Phillies team that just shelled out for Schwarber, that could be incredibly attractive.
The Phillies have already made multiple trades with the Twins recently, so they better pick up that phone and make one more before another contender grabs Buxton before they do.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 20: Zak Kent #61 of the Cleveland Guardians pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the ninth inning of game two of a doubleheader at Target Field on September 20, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Righthanded pitcher Zak Kent has been claimed off of waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals, it was announced today. The Rangers had designated Kent for assignment a few days ago to clear a 40 man roster spot for the newly signed Jordan Montgomery.
This is the second time this offseason that the Cardinals have claimed Kent, who was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2019, and then traded to Cleveland for international bonus pool money at the end of spring training 2024 when the Rangers were opening 40 man roster spots for Jared Walsh, Wyatt Langford and Jose Urena.
Kent made his major league debut for Cleveland in 2025, but was placed on waivers in December, with St. Louis claiming him. The Cardinals then waived him in January, and Texas claimed him. Now he’s back with St. Louis, and I would wager he’ll be placed on waivers again towards the end of spring training when the Cards need a 40 man roster spot and teams are flooding the waiver wire with similar guys, making it more likely he goes unclaimed and can be outrighted.
Mar 2, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josue De Paula against the Chicago White Sox during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Eric Longenhagen, Brendan Gawlowski, and James Fegan wrote up the prospects, a list that was expanded from 100 to 110 to account for the prospects with a Future Value rating of 50 (on the 20-to-80 scouting scale) or higher.
Three outfielders lead the Dodgers contingent represented here, with Josue De Paula ranked 17th, Zyhir Hope 41st, and Eduardo Quintero 43rd.
De Paula is ranked between 14th and 24th on prospect lists at FanGraphs, Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, ESPN, The Athletic, and MLB Pipeline, with an average ranking of 18.5. Says FanGraphs of his future: “De Paula’s combination of present raw power and long-term physical projection give him a great shot to develop 40-homer raw power at peak, though it’s debatable whether his hitting skills are the kind that will allow him to actualize all of that raw thump in games.”
Other Dodgers to show up on the list at FanGraphs are shortstop Emil Morales ranked 61st and pitcher River Ryan at 107th coming back from Tommy John surgery. De Paula (48th) and Ryan (101st) are the only Dodgers returning from last year’s preseason ranking at FanGraphs.
Switzerland's Loic Meillard celebrates his gold medal at the award ceremony after the alpine skiing Men's Slalom 2nd round at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Switzerland's Loic Meillard added Olympic slalom gold to his world title from last year on Monday and completed a full medal set at the Milan/Cortina Games with it.
Meillard won from second place after Norwegian first run leader Atle Lie McGrath straddled a gate early in the second run.
McGrath threw away his poles, took off his skis and walked to a wooded area on the edge of the piste where he fell to the ground in bitter disappointment over his race and apparent ongoing grief over the death of his grandfather on the night of the opening ceremony.
"A mix of shock and everything in between. It was a surreal feeling, I haven't really experienced anything like it before," he told journalists hours after the event.
"I'm normally a guy that's very good when it comes to perspective on things. If I don't ski well in a race, I can at least tell myself that I'm healthy and my family's healthy, and the people I love are here. So that's nice, but that's not been the case. I've lost someone I love so much, and that makes it really hard," he said.
Meillard could meanwhile celebrate as he added gold to team combined silver and giant slalom bronze. He won .35 of a second ahead of Austrian Fabio Gstrein and Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen got bronze as in 2014, 1.13 seconds beind the winner.
"It's amazing. It's been long days, a lot of expectations about what you want to achieve, a lot of pressure on yourself," Meillard said.
"So to make it again, I would say after last year, world champs, leave with all the medals, with a world title in slalom and an Olympic title this year, it's crazy."
Looking at the fate of slalom World Cup leader McGrath, he added: "Atle Lie would've deserved it as well, he was the best skier this season, but that's part of slalom, that's part of sport."
Meillard's success meant that Switzerland won four of the five men's races at the Games, with Franjo von Allmen responsible for the others in downhill, super-g and the team combined together with Tanguy Nef.
The other winner was Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen in the giant slalom.
Pinheiro Braathen was among the casualties in difficult conditions on Monday, falling in the first run of a race where only 44 of 95 starters reached the second run and 38 eventually finished.
"Of course I'm conflicted. Oh man, this sport. It brings you up to the sky and it just slams you back into reality equally as fast. That's exactly what makes it the art it is," he said.
"I put myself out there when I was able to bring home the gold and that's exactly what I did today as well."
He was in good company as French twice season winner Paco Rassat, last month's Kitzbühel winner Manuel Feller of Austria, Italy's Alex Vinatzer and Finnish talent Eduard Hallberg did also not reach the finish line of the first run.
Frenchman Clement Noel straddled a gate in the second run which means that no man has ever managed to win back-to-back Olympic slalom golds.
Retirement bound veteran Dave Ryding, the first ever Briton to win a World Cup race 2022 in Kitzbühel, was 17th.
Former world championship silver medallist AJ Ginnis of Greece was unable to ski competitive due to injury but lined up for a ceremonial run in what was his last career race.
"Being able to end it, kicking out of the gate to become an Olympian, something I've never done before, is something magical," he said.
The Olympic alpine ski races end on Wednesday with the women's slalom in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
(L-R) Austria's runner-up Fabio Gstrein, Switzerland's winner Loic Meillard and Norway's third-placed Henrik Kristoffersen celebrate at the medal ceremony after the alpine skiing Men's Slalom 2nd round at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa(L-R) Austria's runner-up Fabio Gstrein, Switzerland's winner Loic Meillard and Norway's third-placed Henrik Kristoffersen celebrate at the medal ceremony after the alpine skiing Men's Slalom 2nd round at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Atle Lie McGrath of Team Norway competes during run 1 in the Men's Slalom in alpine skiing at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Norway's Atle Lie McGrath spoke of the worst day of his career after missing out on an alpine skiing medal at the Milan/Cortina Olympics on Monday.
McGrath led after the first slalom run but straddled a gate early in the second run and didn't complete the competition.
"Sports-wise, it's the worst. It's not the worst moment of my life, but it's the worst moment of my career, and it's been one of the toughest moments of my life with everything that's been going on," he told journalists hours after the event.
"I was hoping I was going to be able to crown off this tough period with something good today. I had to really stand through so much tough stuff and stay really strong. That makes it an extra tough one."
McGrath threw away his poles, took off his skis and walked to a wooded area on the edge of the piste where he fell to the ground in bitter disappointment over his race and apparent ongoing grief over the death of his grandfather on the night of the opening ceremony.
"It was a surreal feeling, I haven't really experienced anything like it before," he said.
"I'm normally a guy that's very good when it comes to perspective on things. If I don't ski well in a race, I can at least tell myself that I'm healthy and my family's healthy, and the people I love are here. So that's nice, but that's not been the case. I've lost someone I love so much, and that makes it really hard," he said.
He explained that he ran off the course and into the woods because he "needed to get away from everything.
"I thought I would get some peace and quiet, which I didn't because photographers and police found me out in the woods. I just needed some time for myself," he said.
"It's hard to think that the next time I'll be able to ski the Olympics, I will be 29 years old and not 25. I gave myself the absolute best opportunity you could today, and I skied so great and I still couldn't get it done, so that's what really hurts."
Asked whether his grandfather's death had negatively impacted his skiing, he admitted that it affected him "a tremendous amount," but not his focus.
"I honestly think he was the only reason why I was able to lead the first run today, and also lead by so much. It takes a lot of courage, and it's really tough to stand there and think of him and want to perform when everything feels so small."
Switzerland's Loic Meillard took gold, finishing .35 of a second ahead of Austrian Fabio Gstrein and Norwegian veteran Henrik Kristoffersen got bronze as in 2014.
Will Jacks produced a blistering all-round display as England cricket team defeated Italy national cricket team by 24 runs to book their place in the Super Eights of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, in their Group C fixture at Eden Gardens on Monday.
Asked to bat first, England surged past the 200-mark for the first time in this edition, finishing on 202 for 7. The charge was led by Jacks, whose explosive unbeaten 53 came off just 22 balls and included four sixes and three fours. His late assault rescued England after they had slipped to 105/5. Sam Curran added a valuable 25 from 19 balls as the pair combined for a rapid 54-run partnership off only 25 deliveries for the sixth wicket.
Earlier, Phil Salt had set the tempo with 28 off 15 balls, helping England cross 50 inside five overs. However, Jos Buttler’s lean run continued as he departed for three, dismissed by Grant Stewart. Salt later fell to Ali Hasan, while Jacob Bethell (23 off 20) and Harry Brook (14 off 9) also failed to convert starts. Tom Banton contributed a fluent 30 off 21 before holing out to Manenti.
Italy’s chase began in dramatic fashion. Jofra Archer’s searing opening over at 146kph reduced them to 1/2, soon becoming 22/3. Anthony Mosca fell first ball, while JJ Smuts edged to first slip. Harry Manenti followed, leaving Italy reeling.
Yet the debutants responded bravely. Ben Manenti launched a stunning counterattack, smashing 60 off 25 balls, including a 22-ball fifty — the joint-fifth fastest of the tournament and joint-second fastest by an Associate batter in its history. He hammered five sixes and four fours, taking 21 runs off one Jacks over. Justin Mosca supported well with 43 off 34 as the pair added 92 in 48 balls to revive hopes.
Jacks broke the stand by dismissing Ben, caught by Banton, before Adil Rashid removed Justin. Grant Stewart then reignited the contest with 45 off 23, striking two sixes off Archer and three against Rashid.
However, Curran halted the surge with two wickets in two balls on his way to 3/22, while Jamie Overton claimed 3/18. Italy were bowled out for 178 in 20 overs, and England advanced with their Super Eights spot secured.
NEW DELHI: India’s march in the T20 World Cup 2026 gathered further momentum in Colombo as they outclassed Pakistan by 61 runs, reinforcing their dominance in the tournament’s most intense rivalry. It was India’s eighth win in nine T20 World Cup meetings against their neighbours, and the comprehensive result ensured qualification for the Super Eight stage with room to spare.
Yet, while the scoreline reflected control and authority, the talking point after the final ball had little to do with numbers.
Moments after Pakistan were bowled out at the R. Premadasa Stadium, television cameras captured an animated exchange involving Hardik Pandya, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav. As players lined up for the customary handshakes, Hardik appeared visibly charged up, gesturing toward Kuldeep in what seemed like a heated discussion. Tilak Varma watched on with concern before Rinku Singh stepped in, seemingly attempting to cool tempers.
Speculation quickly swirled on social media, with fans debating whether frustration had spilled over despite the comfortable win.
Suryakumar, however, moved swiftly to diffuse the narrative.
The India skipper shared a light-hearted video on social media in which he is seen walking up to Kuldeep and hugging him warmly.
He captioned it: “Gussa chodh do bhai”. The post instantly went viral.
India had earlier set the tone through Ishan Kishan’s explosive 77 off 40 balls, an innings studded with boundaries that lifted the total to 176. Tilak Varma and Suryakumar ensured stability through the middle overs.
— surya_14kumar (@surya_14kumar)
The bowlers then dismantled Pakistan with clinical precision. Hardik struck in the opening over, while Jasprit Bumrah’s incisive spell derailed the chase.
Axar Patel and Kuldeep tightened the screws as Pakistan’s middle and lower order folded under pressure.
Report: Chelsea and Man City still keen on Brentford attacker
Man City Remain Alert in Igor Thiago Race Despite Brentford Contract Boost
Manchester City are not walking away from their interest in Igor Thiago, despite Brentford tying the Brazilian striker down to a new long term contract. TeamTalk report that Hugo Viana has already been conducting due diligence as City assess their future at No.9, and sources insist the Premier League champions remain attentive.
Photo IMAGO
Brentford, for their part, are celebrating. On February 13, the club confirmed Thiago has committed until 2031, with an option to extend by a further year. It is a statement of belief and reward after a campaign that has elevated the 24 year old into elite company.
Brentford Reward Form and Character
Thiago’s numbers command respect. Eighteen goals in 27 appearances this season, 17 of those in the Premier League, second only to Erling Haaland, and recognition as Player of the Month in November 2025. That production has altered perceptions across Europe.
A well placed source told TeamTalk: “The club are over the moon with the new deal.
“Thiago is a great footballer but also a great presence around the place.
“He and his people know about the interest, of course, but they are not pushing for a move in the short or medium-term.
“He is very happy at Brentford and believes he can achieve all his immediate goals with them.”
Brentford’s conviction is striking. Insiders believe Thiago has the potential to become the best striker in world football. That is bold territory, yet grounded in his growth since arriving from Club Brugge in 2024, when a serious knee injury disrupted his early months in England.
Photo: IMAGO
The Bees held their nerve. They felt he could surpass Ivan Toney, and this season has vindicated that faith.
Man City and Chelsea Monitor Developments
TeamTalk confirm Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have all been left hugely impressed. Every major club in Europe is said to have watched Thiago in the past six months. His trajectory has not gone unnoticed.
City’s interest is strategic. Viana’s involvement suggests long term planning around the No.9 role. Haaland remains central to Guardiola’s project, yet elite clubs prepare for every eventuality. Succession planning and squad depth remain permanent considerations.
Chelsea are also admirers, while Bayern Munich are assessing options as they contemplate life after Harry Kane. In that context, Thiago’s combination of physicality, intelligence and ruthless finishing fits modern demands.
Player and Manager Speak from Heart
Brentford manager Keith Andrews has spoken warmly since the announcement. He told the club’s official website: “It’s brilliant that Thiago has committed his long-term future to the club.
Photo IMAGO
“The connection that he has with his team-mates, the staff and the fans, as well as how much the club means to him and he means to us, is pretty evident for everybody to see.
“Again, it’s the person before the player. I love working with him and I’ve loved seeing his evolution as a player. How he plays is such a big part of how we play and what our season has been so far.
“He’s been a massive player for us, so it’s a contract he thoroughly deserves and I’m really happy that the club have been able to get it done.”
Thiago himself spoke with similar warmth. He said: “I love the club and the people in the club. It’s a true love, a real love.
“In the beginning, when I first came, I had the injury. The staff and the people around the training ground were helping me and supporting me.
“When the fans support me, and I see them singing my name and singing my song, it gives me more power. I’m really happy for all of the love they have given to me. It means so much.”
The striker added: “With Keith, it’s more of a relationship as a father and a son. I’m really happy with him as he trusts and believes in me.”
“I’m enjoying every single day and every single training session so much. It’s been a good journey and I’m happy to be here.”
Those words carry authenticity. Yet in modern football, new contracts do not extinguish interest. They redefine leverage.
Brentford have strengthened their position. The release price, if it exists, will be substantial. Clubs such as Man City and Chelsea can afford patience. Monitoring can turn to movement quickly if circumstances align.
Our View – EPL Index Analysis
Chelsea supporters have long craved a reliable focal point, someone capable of leading the line with authority and composure. Thiago’s 17 Premier League goals underline that he is more than a fleeting phenomenon. Fans would argue that if the club are serious about competing for titles, this is the calibre required.
There will be questions about cost and fit within the squad, yet the appetite for a proven striker remains strong at Stamford Bridge. Brentford’s new deal complicates matters, but it does not close doors.
Manchester City supporters may view this through a different lens. With Haaland entrenched, some would see Thiago as future proofing. Others might question whether resources are better allocated elsewhere. Yet City’s recruitment model prizes foresight. Monitoring emerging elite talent is part of that philosophy.
For both fanbases, the story reinforces a familiar truth. Premier League excellence attracts attention, and Brentford have nurtured a striker now coveted by the biggest clubs.
Florida basketball keeps moving on up as the 2025-26 regular-season schedule continues to wind down.
The latest edition of the AP Top 25 now has the Gators up to No. 12 in the nation after beating the Georgia Bulldogs, 86-66, and the Kentucky Wildcats, 92-83, this week to continue their late-season run. That puts the Orange and Blue between the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs and No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders.
Compare that with the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, which put Todd Golden's team one spot ahead at No. 11 this week.
Six games remain on the schedule before the postseason begins and Florida holds the top spot in the SEC standings. Next up is a rematch with the South Carolina Gamecocks inside the O'Connell Center on Tuesday night.
SEC schools in AP Top 25 after Week 15
The Southeastern Conference still has four schools among the top 25 this week, with the Alabama Crimson Tide creeping back into the fold at No. 25, taking the spot from Kentucky, which earned 15 votes.
Florida maintains the highest ranking among SEC teams at No. 12, followed by the Vanderbilt Commodores and Arkansas Razorbacks at Nos. 19 and 20, respectively, to round out teams in the top 25. The Tennessee Volunteers also picked up 15 votes this time around.
AP Top 25 Men's Basketball rankings after Week 15
Michigan
Houston
Duke
Arizona
UConn
Iowa State
Purdue
Kansas
Nebraska
Illinois
Gonzaga
Florida
Texas Tech
Virginia
Michigan State
North Carolina
St. John's
St. Louis
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Louisville
Miami (OH)
BYU
Wisconsin
Alabama
Others receiving votes
Clemson 55, Utah St. 45, Tennessee 36, Villanova 29, Kentucky 15, Miami 10, Saint Mary's 3, VCU 1.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
✅ Cagliari v Lecce line-ups: Cheddira, Esposito, Kilicsoy choices
The 25th matchday of Serie A concludes with the late game between Cagliari and Lecce. This is a crucial clash in the relegation zone, with the Sardinians potentially able to pull away for good, while the Salentini, on the other hand, are in need of a win.
Lamine Yamal 2nd R of Barcelona shoots during the La Liga football match between Barcelona and Girona in Barcelona, Spain, Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo by Joan Gosa/Xinhua via Getty Images)
WELCOME TO MONTILIVI!!! The tiny home of Girona in Catalonia is the site of a big Monday night derby between the hosts and Barcelona, who come into this one desperate for three points to bounce back from a painful defeat to Atlético Madrid and return to the top of the La Liga table. This should be fun, and you’re welcome to join us to follow and comment all the action. Vamos!
Date/Time: Monday, February 16, 2026, 9pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8pm GMT (UK), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 1.30am IST (India, Tuesday)
Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Referee: César Soto Grado
VAR: David Gálvez Rascón
HOW TO WATCH
On TV: ESPN2 (USA), Premier Sports 1 (UK), SuperSport (Nigeria), others
Online: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports Player (UK), FanCode (India), DAZN (Spain), others
Matchday Thread Rules
We don’t have a lot of rules here, but there are a few things to keep in mind when joining our matchday threads:
Even if the referee sucks or we lose the game, watch the swearing. It’s just unnecessary. Also, don’t discuss illegal streaming links. Those who do it will be warned, and those who post links will be instantly banned. Finally, be nice to each other. This is a Barcelona community and we don’t need to offend one another.
Have fun with the game! Forever and ever, no matter the competition, VISCA EL BARÇA!
Villanova has been left out of the AP Top 25 once again but continues to receive votes as one of the top teams on the outside looking in.
This begs the question — will the Wildcats debut in the rankings at any point this season?
Villanova was one of eight teams to receive votes this week. The Wildcats received 29, which was behind Clemson, Utah State, and Tennessee.
The team improved to 20-5, and 11-3 in the Big East, with a road victory against Creighton on Saturday. Many might think that this is enough to get the team ranked in the middle of February.
If you are a conspiracy theorist, you might be thinking that there is a bit of a hangover from the Kyle-Neptune era. A 20-win team in the Big East seems like a legitimate candidate to be in the top 25, but this is also a team that has missed the tournament in each of the last three years.
Ultimately, this is not the actual reason. While it might have some truth to it, the overall body of work has lacked that one signature win that Villanova might need to take that next step.
The Wildcats are currently 2-4 against Quad 1 teams this season. The two victories came on the road against Seton Hall and in what is categorized as a neutral-site game against Wisconsin, despite the game being played in Milwaukee. An early-season loss to Creighton was recently dropped to a Quad 3 loss following the struggles of the Blue Jays.
There will be chances for Villanova to earn a signature win that could catapult the team into the rankings. The Wildcats will host No. 5 UConn on Saturday and have a trip to Madison Square Garden to take on No. 17 St. John’s on Feb. 28.
There are six games remaining on the schedule. Kevin Willard has this team firmly in the field to return to the NCAA Tournament but nonetheless, the Wildcats do not want to get tripped up against an inferior opponent. If Villanova can pull off an upset, it might be what it takes to receive enough votes to crack the AP Poll.
College Basketball AP Top 25 Poll
Michigan
Houston
Duke
Arizona
UConn
Iowa State
Purdue
Kansas
Nebraska
Illinois
Gonzaga
Florida
Texas Tech
Virginia
Michigan State
North Carolilna
St. John’s
Saint Louis
Vanderbilt
Arkansas
Louisville
Miami (OH)
BYU
Wisconsin
Alabama
Receiving votes: Clemson 55, Utah State 45, Tennessee 36, Villanova 29, Kentucky 15, Miami 10, Saint Mary’s 3, VCU 1
It will be our fifth encounter with the Magpies this season following our 2-1 Premier League away defeat, two Carabao Cup semi-final triumphs and upcoming home league clash against Eddie Howe’s side this weekend.
The match will take place over the weekend of 7 and 8 March, with a specific date and time for our fixture to be confirmed in due course.
City’s cup campaign began with an outstanding 10-1 victory over Exeter City in January where new signing Antoine Semenyo and a handful of Academy graduates took centre stage in City’s first game to hit double figures in almost 40 years.
Then, in the fourth round, our clash at the Etihad with Salford provided a much more testing affair, with City able to see out a difficult 2-0 win last weekend, as we continue our fight for four major trophies.
Our opponents, Newcastle, confirmed their place in the latest round following a 3-1 comeback win over Aston Villa. Prior to that, the Magpies also knocked out fellow Premier League outfit Bournemouth on penalties following a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park.
Keep across mancity.com and the Official Man City App for updates on a confirmed date, kick-off time and ticket information for our FA Cup fifth round tie.
FULL DRAW DETAILS
Fulham v Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Leeds United v Norwich City
Mansfield Town v Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool
Wrexham v Chelsea
West Ham United v Macclesfield or Brentford
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Bring the sash home by getting 50% off our home shirt right now.
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Arbeloa talks Mbappe, Valverde, Guler, Camavinga, Mourinho ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid
Having had a disappointing end to his last visit to Lisbon, Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa will be hoping for a different outcome when his team face Benfica tomorrow in the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs.
Los Blancos fell to a 4-2 loss against Benfica last month, which cost them a top-eight finish in the league phase, forcing to play the playoffs, with the draw pairing up them against Jose Mourinho’s men again.
Ahead of the first leg, which Real Madrid enter high on confidence after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 at the weekend, Arbeloa addressed the media in his pre-match press conference.
“We know how difficult tomorrow will be, the atmosphere here, and the pressure it always puts on us. We must give our all to win, which is the goal,” said Arbeloa, highlighting what will be key for Real Madrid to win tomorrow.
“You know we’re good friends, we wish each other the best, and we have a great relationship.”
On whether he would like to see the Portuguese tactician back at the Santiago Bernabeu in the future, the current head coach said:
“As I just answered, I can only say that I always wish Jose the best. My goal is to eliminate Benfica, obviously, and then, for him to win everything. And from there, I wish him all the best.”
Real Madrid have strung together a positive streak in La Liga, where they have won eight in a row in the Spanish top-flight. On how much percentage of credit should go to him for that run, Arbeloa replied:
“I don’t know… I don’t think in terms of percentages. Since I arrived, I’ve seen a very positive attitude from all the players, and that’s been key.
“In football, it’s much easier to be a coach than a player because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to actually do it. So, a large part of the credit has to go to the players themselves, to their effort and hard work.
“The good results are thanks to the 20-25 players we have who prepare for every match as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that level of commitment, good results are coming. But we’re confident we can do even better.”
Regarding the level of trust he has managed to establish with the locker room since taking over last month, the Real Madrid boss said:
“They’ve welcomed me warmly from day one. The goal is the same: to work hard and win. Their willingness to receive me has been outstanding.
“Obviously, we haven’t been together very long, but I couldn’t ask for more than for them to maintain the same attitude.”
On what kind of Benfica he expects to see tomorrow, Arbeloa stated: “One team, obviously, has more individual talent. But their spirit will be very similar to what it was three weeks ago. They have a leader who sets the course, dictating how they play and compete.
“From there, there are minor differences. But it will be a very competitive, tough team. And we must be prepared.”
Looking forward to facing Mourinho again. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
On Mourinho’s comments about how they will see a ‘wounded’ Real Madrid coming for revenge, Arbeloa noted:
“No, no, no. We always think about winning. Our goal isn’t just to eliminate Benfica, but to win the Champions League. Getting through this round isn’t about revenge, it’s about achieving our objective.”
When asked about the lessons he had learnt from the previous game against Benfica, Arbeloa replied:
“For us, it’s a new game; we’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a new game… and we want to put on a great performance. There’s no other objective than to win.”
Regarding his recent switch to playing with a bank of four midfielders and whether he felt that it made the team more solid, Arbeloa explained:
“We came from Villarreal… and that day we played without that system. The goal is always to be solid. It’s very difficult these days to play good football if you’re not solid, compact, and don’t know how to press high up the pitch.
And to do all that, you need a lot of concentration; a lot of work and training. Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, and Güler are doing a fantastic job, and I don’t need to tell them anything new.
“They’re doing well, like everyone else. When a team is solid, it’s because of the work of ten players.”
Providing an update on the fitness of Kylian Mbappe, who did not play against Real Sociedad, Arbeloa said: “He’s here, he came with us. He’s going to train. And… tomorrow you’ll see if he plays or not.”
Concluding, Arbeloa was asked about how he would like the Santiago Bernabeu next week for the reverse fixture. In response, he said:
“He’s going to be greeted with a huge ovation, because Real Madrid fans are aware of everything Jose did for the club, which was giving his all and then some. So I’m sure he’ll be welcomed with a huge ovation.”
When the Los Angeles Rams signed Tyler Higbee and Rob Havenstein to their most recent contracts, they tacked on void years for salary cap purposes. That allowed the team to spread money out after the contracts expired, lowering each player’s cap hits at the cost of paying more after their deals end.
Well, the bill has come due because both contracts have officially voided. Havenstein, despite retiring, leaves behind a dead cap charge of $6.97 million on the Rams’ books. That was going to go on the Rams’ salary cap regardless of whether he left in free agency, retired or re-signed with Los Angeles.
Higbee’s expired contract carries a dead cap charge of $2.1 million. Like Havenstein, he’s a pending free agent and could either retire, re-sign with the Rams or sign with another team in March.
Combined, that’s a dead cap charge of $9.07 million, which is essentially cap room that the Rams can no longer use. By no means is this a surprise to the Rams or anyone else. They knew that when they signed Higbee and Havenstein to new deals, they would have dead cap charges for both players in 2026.
According to Over The Cap, the Rams’ total dead money now sits at $9.77 million, which is only the 19th-highest total in the NFL. They have an estimated $46.44 million in cap space right now, the eighth-most of any team.
They’re still in great shape financially, even having to pay $9 million in dead money.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Michael Jordan inherited the racing bug from his late father, who routinely packed everyone into the car and drove from North Carolina to a handful of tracks every year as attending NASCAR races became Jordan family vacations.
Decades later, Jordan is now a Daytona 500 winner.
He was an ecstatic team owner during the victory celebration, which he joined seconds before winner Tyler Reddick was presented the trophy.
Reddick paused the party and was enveloped in Jordan’s arms before the Basketball Hall of Famer gave high-fives to the No. 45 crew from 23XI Racing. A stream of well-wishers soon followed, including NASCAR chairman Jim France, who warmly congratulated Jordan with a smile and a handshake.
It was at least the second cordial public interaction the two have shared since December, when France and NASCAR settled the federal antitrust lawsuit that 23XI and Front Row Motorsports had lodged. The lawsuit consumed the sport for more than two years and ended on the ninth day of trial, when NASCAR relented and settled before the top motorsports series in the United States suffered any more humiliation.
The settlement was a huge win for Jordan, who forever will be viewed as the team owner bold enough to stand up to NASCAR’s dictatorship way of ruling the series. But that was already behind Jordan by the time he got to Daytona International Speedway, where he started Sunday by insisting the goal was to help grow NASCAR moving forward and focus on making 23XI a championship-contending race team.
“Both sides have been somewhat at a stalemate and we both needed to have conversations about change, how we can grow this sport,” Jordan told Fox Sports before the green flag. “Unfortunately, we had to go through what we had to go through. But I think coming out of that, you have a much better appreciation for each other and I think it opens up conversations amongst each other to continue to grow the game.”
Hours later, he was in victory lane celebrating as if he'd just won a seventh NBA championship. When France stopped by, it was clear all parties are moving forward.
Denny Hamlin, the three-time Daytona 500 winner who is partners with Jordan at 23XI, was the winning team owner representative in post-victory requirements and said there are no lingering bad feelings among the parties.
“I think December was a wake-up call. I think that the conversations since then have been a lot of self-reflection, in my opinion, from NASCAR. I think they would have done things differently had they had the opportunity to,” Hamlin said. "But we knew that we needed to stick up for what we believed was right. We have to now figure out how we can get the sport back where it was decades ago.
"In order to do that, the only way we can do it is we’re all going to have to pull the rope in the same direction. Even conversations that I’ve had with NASCAR executives as late as a couple days ago, sitting in a bus talking about what do we need to be five years from now, two years from now, 10 years from now. What does the sport need to look like?
“Those were all really good conversations, and they were very open to suggestions.”
Jordan didn't become a NASCAR participant until 2021, when he partnered with Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner, to form 23XI. He attends races — sometimes he watches from pit road, other times a suite — and although others run the team, Jordan is involved and sounds committed to NASCAR.
The Reddick win was a win for NASCAR, Hamlin argued, because it got Jordan into the headlines.
“It’s big for the sport. He’s the most popular athlete in the world. I don’t think there’s any disputing that,” Hamlin said. “He loves the sport, and certainly he goes to a lot of races. Sometimes you don’t even see him and he’s there. He makes more races than people know. He loves this race team.”
Emirates FA Cup Draw: Leeds United will face Norwich City in Fifth Round
Leeds United have found out their opponents in the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round, following Monday night’s draw. The Whites will take on Sky Bet Championship side Norwich City, in a rare home tie.
So far this Cup campaign, United defeated Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park in the opener before beating Birmingham City on penalties last weekend, after Lukas Nmecha had scored in normal time.
The Canaries meanwhile overcame Walsall in the Third Round before beating West Bromwich Albion last time out.
Ties are due to take place over the weekend of Saturday 7th March 2026. Full fixture and ticket information will be released in due course.
Shawn Michaels at the Raw on Netflix premiere - Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
When a new stable emerges in WWE, AEW, TNA, or any other American wrestling company, it's a pretty safe bet that a bit of trademark news isn't that far behind. And that's exactly the case for a new "NXT" stable that seems ready for a big push. On February 11, WWE filed to trademark the name "Birthright." As per usual, the trademark sees WWE looking to secure the name for the usage of entertainment services, almost all of which are related to pro wrestling.
Though not confirmed, speculation has centered on "Birthright" being used for the name of a stable headed by "NXT" star Lexis King, who has been using the word "birthright" on "NXT" television over the last several weeks. So far, King has recruited Arianna Grace and her fiancée Stacks into the stable, while also making an effort to recruit Charlie Dempsey and Uriah Connors. Grace, Dempsey, Connors, and King are all second or third generation wrestlers, suggesting that Birthright could be a modern day version of legacy, the stable of second and third generation wrestlers created by Randy Orton in the late 2000s.
A former Spartan will be returning to the Breslin Center on Tuesday, and Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo is hoping the Spartans fanbase greets him with cheers.
UCLA forward Xavier Booker is making his first return to the Breslin Center on Tuesday since leaving via the transfer portal this past offseason. Booker -- who was a five-star prospect and one of the highest-rated players to ever sign with Izzo -- had a tough two seasons with the Spartans before electing to find a new home via the portal, and now comes back to Michigan State for Tuesday's matchup between the Spartans and Bruins.
On Monday, Izzo was asked about playing Booker for the first time since he left, and had only kind things to say about Booker.
"I hope our fans treat him with the respect he deserves," Izzo said during the media availability -- quote courtesy of Jim Comparoni of SpartanMag. "He was a great student. He never caused any problems. He always did his job. I hope our fans welcome him back.
"I really think a lot of him and wish I could have done a better job getting everything out of him. I pull for him every game but one."
In his first season with the Bruins, Booker has started 23 of 25 games played, averaging 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game --all three are career highs. He is also shooting above 40 percent from three-point range, which was something he had shown flashes of with the Spartans but never with this much consistency.
It was disappointing Booker never worked out with the Spartans, and like Izzo said, I hope things continue to go better for him with UCLA. Hopefully, Michigan State will be able to slow him down on Tuesday as the Spartans are in need of a victory badly right now.
Tom Izzo on Xavier Booker of UCLA returning to Breslin on Tuesday: "I hope our fans treat him with the respect he deserves. He was a great student. He never caused any problems. He always did his job. I hope our fans welcome him back. I really think a lot of him and wish I could…
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
The Sabres return to action the following Wednesday, Feb. 25, against the New Jersey Devils.
There's always a chance they choose to use both Thompson and Dahlin in that game, no matter what. But at least with one of them, there'll be less to think about.
Obviously, Buffalo would like all of its players to do as well as they can at the Olympics.
On the flip side, they'd like to get their stars back healthy and in good shape. The Sabres are in position to end their 14-year playoff drought.
To get that job done, Thompson and Dahlin will be crucial.
So getting one of them back a little earlier will be a good deal for NHL hopes.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Head Coach of Real Madrid CF, talks during a press conference before the UEFA Champions League match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid CF at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, on January 27, 2026. (Photo by Rodrigo Moreira/NurPhoto via Getty Images) | NurPhoto via Getty Images
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke form the Estadio Da Luz in Lisbon on Monday evening to preview the UEFA Champions League play-off first leg clash with Benfica, reflecting on their recent meeting in the league stage by saying, “for us, it’s a new match, we’re not thinking about anything else. It’s a new match… and we want to put in a great performance. There’s no other objective than to win.
Arbeloa on the keys to the match
“We know how difficult tomorrow will be, what the atmosphere is like here and how demanding it always is for us. We must give our all to win, which is the objective.”
Are you planning to invite Mourinho to the ‘grey sofa’?
“No… well… if I invite him, it will be for lunch. He doesn’t need to sit there. You know that we’re good friends, that we wish each other well and that we have a great relationship.”
Arbeloa on a Mourinho return to Real Madrid one day
“As I just said, I can only say that I always wish Jose the best. My goal is to eliminate Benfica, obviously, and then for him to win everything. And from there, I wish him the best.”
Arbeloa on how much of the credit for this run goes to him
“I don’t know… I don’t think in terms of percentages. Since I arrived, I’ve seen a very good attitude from all the players and that has been key. In football, it’s much easier to be a manager than a player, because it’s easier to say what needs to be done than to do it. So much of the credit must go to the players. To their effort and hard work. The good results come thanks to the 20-25 players we have who prepare for every game as if it were a final. And with that mentality, that demand, good results are coming. But we are confident that we can go even further.”
Arbeloa on his speech to players pre-match
“It will be about football, as always. To win, we will have to play very well, and to do that, we have to do a lot of things right. We will have to defend well and attack well. We will have to be focused on set pieces. And we will have to play a very complete game for 90 minutes.”
Arbeloa on Benfica
“We expect a team, obviously, with more individual possibilities. But their spirit will be very similar to three weeks ago. They have a leader who sets the tone, the way they play and compete. From there, there are small nuances. But it will be a very competitive, tough game. And we must be prepared.”
Arbeloa on Mourinho talking of a “wounded” Madrid
“No, no, no. We always think about winning. Our goal is not only to eliminate Benfica, but to win the Champions League. Getting through the tie is not revenge, but a goal.”
Arbeloa on confidence with the players
“They have welcomed me very well from day one. The goal is the same: to work and win. Their willingness to welcome me has been maximum. Obviously, we haven’t been here very long, but I can’t ask for more than for them to continue with the same attitude.”
Arbeloa on whether he was surprised by Mourinho
“No, I don’t think he can surprise me; I know exactly what he’s capable of. I said here that it didn’t matter if they fielded their Youth League team, because the intensity would be maximum. Tomorrow… more of the same. They are capable of playing even better and we must be prepared for that. We must all be clear about what we are up against.”
No.14 Rutgers Wrestling closed out its Big Ten dual season with a 29-9 win over Michigan State. The win elevated the Scarlet Knights to 5-3 in conference play, meaning that the program will finish with a positive Big Ten conference record for the second season in a row under head coach Scott Goodale. Friday night also marked the program’s fourth straight win over the Spartans and gave the Scarlet Knights their fifth winning conference record since joining the Big Ten in 2014. As of now, Rutgers sits at fifth in the conference standings
Rutgers’ biggest highlights of the match were No.29/nr 149-pounder Andrew Clark pinning Clayton Jones, No.19/24 165-pounder Andrew Barbosa winning by tech fall over Jack Conley, and No. 17/20 174-pounder Lenny Pinto recording a major decision over Connor O’Neill.
In total, Rutgers beat Michigan State by an 8-2 match split.
Ayden Smith faced Nick Corday to open the dual, forcing a stall in the opening minutes for a quick 1-0 lead. Smith followed with a takedown in the second, muscling a 4-0 decision to give Rutgers a 3-0 advantage.
Dylan Shawver followed with a 7-3 decision over Caleb Weiand. During Shawver’s bout, the Rutgers bench was deducted a team point after a clock malfunction, while a loss at 141 pounds made it 5-3 through three bouts.
That would be the closest Michigan State would get in the dual, as Clark pinned Clayton Jones in the second period for a six-point swing. No. 26 Anthony White (157) then secured an 8-4 decision over Darius Marines to give Rutgers a 14-3 lead at intermission.
Barbosa and Pinto registered back-to-back wins by bonus to put the dual all but out of reach. Barbosa landed six takedowns on Jack Conley for a third-period tech fall, while Pinto hit a clean double with 40 seconds remaining on former Scarlet Knight Connor O’Neill for a 10-2 major decision.
No. 20 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (184) muscled a 10-4 decision before Cotton faced Wisley in the lone ranked-vs.-ranked matchup of the night. Cotton finished a double in the first period, landed another takedown in the second, and collected more than two minutes of riding time for the 8-1 decision against his former team.
Brandon Toranzo (HWT) earned the start at heavyweight and lost to Josh Terrill, as RU left East Lansing with a 29-9 win.
Next, Rutgers closes out its dual season with a home match against Princeton Feb. 16 and a road match at Hofstra on Feb. 18. The Scarlet Knights’ dual with the Tigers is set for a 7 p.m. start at Jersey Mike’s Arena and will stream on Big Ten Plus.
No. 14 Rutgers 29, Michigan State 9
125: 24/22 Ayden Smith (RU) over Nick Corday (MSU) by dec., 4-0; RU leads, 3-0
133: 24/32 Dylan Shawver (RU) over NR/30 Caleb Weiand (MSU) by dec., 7-3; RU leads, 5-0*
141: Andy Hampton (MSU) over Mason Gibson (RU) by dec., 9-5; RU leads, 5-3
149: 29/NR Andrew Clark (RU) over Clayton Jones (MSU) by fall (3:46); RU leads, 11-3
157: 26/27 Anthony White (RU) over Darius Marines (MSU) by dec., 8-4; RU leads, 14-3
165: 19/24 Andrew Barbosa (RU) over Jack Conley (MSU) by TF, 19-4 (5:45); RU leads, 19-3
174: 17/20 Lenny Pinto (RU) over Connor O’Neill (MSU) by MD, 10-2; RU leads, 23-3
184: 20/18 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (RU) over Ryan Boucher (MSU) by dec., 10-4; RU leads, 26-3
197: 16/16 Remy Cotton (RU) over 23/23 Kael Wisley (MSU) by dec., 8-1; RU leads, 29-3
HWT: Josh Terrill (MSU) over Brandon Toranzo (RU) by stall dsq. (6:09); RU wins, 29-9
You’ll be forgiven if you have a healthy amount of skepticism when it comes to me announcing alternate Texas A&M uniforms, but I promise this one is real. On Monday, Aggie Men’s Basketball unveiled a Corps of Cadets themed uniform. It is a cream-colored uniform that features the iconic corps patch logo on the shorts, and perhaps most visibly, mimics the look of a white Corps belt and gold buckles on the shorts. The Aggies will debut these uniforms on Wednesday night at Reed Arena when they host Ole Miss.
A&M has a bit of a checkered past when it comes to alternate uniforms (thanks to a terrible Adidas template from last year). But these look pretty darn clean. It’s also the second time in recent years an A&M sports team has donned Corps-inspired uniforms, with baseball doing so in 2023.
What once looked like a wild idea from President of the United States Donald Trump appears one step closer to materializing. UFC CEO Dana White provided a major update on the event held at the White House later this year.
During the Zuffa Boxing 3 post-fight news conference, White announced that the matchmaking process for the MMA event was complete.
“We have like two different options laid out and the matchmaking process has already started out,” White said (4:40 timestamp). “So yeah, we got the White House card done last week.”
The event is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C. It will likely feature multiple title fights at some point in June.
“We laid out two different options – I didn’t say it was done, I said the card was built,” White said. “I’m not talking about the White House card. We’ve been kicking around a lot of ideas and me and (Craig) Borsari actually fly to D.C. this week and sit down with the President and his team and start walking them through not just the production, but the fight card. We have like three different options on all the different production stuff, and we will see what he likes and what he doesn’t like. But let me tell you this, this event is going to be so badass and so unique and so special, and so expensive.”
Former UFC fighter casts doubt on potential “biggest fights” in company history
Jun 1, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Former President Donald Trump talks with UFC President Dana during the fight between Cesar Almeida (red gloves) and Roman Kopylov (blue gloves) during UFC 302 at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Retired welterweight fighter Matt Brown shared his concerns about whether the UFC can book the biggest fights in history for the highly-anticipated White House event.
“It’s hard to imagine you’re not (setting yourself up for disappointment),” Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Because they don’t have the stars that they used to have and Conor’s not fighting on it. I don’t care what he says. I don’t care what Dana [White] says. They’re using him to promote it and using his name to get it out there. He’s not fighting on that s*t.”
Some big names, such as Justin Gaethje, floated the idea of unifying the lightweight champion against Ilia Topuria during that event. Fans will have to wait a little bit more to know more details.
Saint Louis, Miami (OH), Utah St. and Saint Mary’s remained 1-4 in this week’s Men’s Other Top 25. San Diego St. and VCU each moved up one spot as Santa Clara slid four places following its loss to Gonzaga.
New Mexico rejoined the top 10 and came in at No. 7. Belmont moved up one place to eighth. Liberty remained at No. 10.
Then came South Florida. The Bulls skyrocketed from No. 23 to No. 11. They have won four games in a row to surge into sole possession of first place in the American. USF is 10-3 in the conference and holds a two-game lead over Tulsa and Wichita St. It defeated both the Golden Hurricane and the Shockers within the last nine days. Bryan Hodgson’s team prevailed 83-81 in overtime at Florida Atlantic Sunday in its most recent game.
The Bulls are 18-8 overall this season. They are 57th in the NET, 60th in KenPom and 68th in BartTorvik. They are 18th in adjusted tempo, per KenPom.
A trio of teams joined the ranking this week: UNC Wilmington (T-18), Winthrop (T-22) and UC Irvine (24).
UNCW had a gigantic week with three wins. The Seahawks won 76-64 at Charleston in a battle of the top two teams in the CAA. They then defeated Elon and closed the week by picking up a 70-66 win over Hofstra in another matchup of top-four teams in the conference. Takayo Siddle’s group is 11-2 in the league and 22-4 overall.
Winthrop is one of the hottest teams in the country. The Eagles have won 11 straight to improve to 19-8 and 11-1 in the Big South. They play at High Point Saturday in a showdown of the top two teams in the conference.
UC Irvine gives the Big West two teams in the ranking by joining Hawaii, who came in tied for 17th this week. The Anteaters and Rainbow Warriors are tied atop the league standings at 10-4.
Here is the full ranking:
Ranking
Team (First-Place Votes)
Points
Last Week
1
Saint Louis (5)
125
1
2
Miami (OH)
120
2
3
Utah St.
114
3
4
Saint Mary’s
107
4
5
San Diego St.
101
6
6
VCU
97
7
7
New Mexico
86
11
8
Belmont
84
9
9
Santa Clara
74
5
10
Liberty
72
10
11
South Florida
60
23
12
Nevada
58
T-13
13
Yale
57
16
14
George Mason
56
8
15
Akron
52
15
16
Stephen F. Austin
51
12
17
High Point
38
T-18
T-18
UNC Wilmington
32
RV
T-18
McNeese St.
32
T-18
20
Tulsa
31
T-13
21
Grand Canyon
23
T-21
T-22
Hawaii
19
17
T-22
Winthrop
19
RV
24
UC Irvine
18
RV
25
Murray St.
12
20
Others Receiving Votes:
Northern Colorado 11; Austin Peay 11; North Dakota St. 9; Bradley 9; Montana St. 9; Harvard 8; UC Santa Barbara 6; Boise St. 5; Cal Baptist 4; Charleston 3; Merrimack 3; Sam Houston St. 3; Navy 2; Dayton 2; NJIT 2
Dropped from Rankings:
Cal Baptist – T-21; Utah Valley – 24; Boise St. – 25
A day after World Curling ramped up monitoring of the matches, it pulled the plug, saying umpires would retreat and be available on request but not by default.
The move came after a quick meeting between national curling federations and World Curling on Sunday in which curlers expressed dissatisfaction with the increased surveillance. Athletes wanted less monitoring, not more.
Why would Olympic curlers, playing a sport where mere centimeters can make the difference between a winning and losing stone, choose to send the umps away? The answer may have to do with the longstanding spirit of the game, which some athletes are clinging to even as it grows more popular — and professional.
“I think there’s a lot of pride in trying to be a sport that kind of officiates ourselves a little bit, so to speak,” said Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, whose teams have been at the heart of the uproar over the past several days. “I think it was just everybody taking a deep breath and going, OK, let’s just finish this Olympics the way we know our sport is to be played.”
World Curling rethinks officiating
The saga began Friday, when Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson accused Canadian Marc Kennedy of breaking the rules by touching the rock again after initially releasing it down the sheet of ice. Kennedy’s expletive-laden outburst drew widespread attention, as did the sport, which tends to fall off the radar outside the Olympics.
World Curling decided it needed to double down on game surveillance, even though it was already midway through the Olympic men’s and women’s round-robin competition.
From then on, the federation said, two umpires would step out from behind the courtside table and watch the “hog line” — the point at which curlers must release the granite stone down the sheet of ice — from close proximity. That way, they’d be able to more closely check for illegal double-touches.
In just a day, officials called two double-touch infractions, by Rachel Homan of Canada and Bobby Lammie of Britain, removing their stones from play.
It is rare for stones to be removed from competition so frequently.
By Sunday afternoon, players and coaches were fed up, and World Curling changed its policy after the meeting.
“When the players started complaining, it puts them in a tough position because they want to do their jobs and listen to the players that think that there’s a problem out there,” said Emma Miskew of Canada. “I’m happy with how the discussion went and what the ruling came to.”
Olympic curlers say the double-touch is not a big deal
Several Olympic curlers said that double-touching did not necessarily reveal a nefarious desire to cheat, and that penalizing a quick and accidental graze of the granite could be over the top.
“If you get a hog line violation, it’s not cheating,” Homan said Monday.
Miskew added that it was rare to hear the accusation, at least in women’s curling, while Alina Paetz of Switzerland agreed with Homan that it is a minor infraction.
“If you do it, it’s not allowed, but I think they blew it up a little bit, so it’s a bigger thing than it actually is,” Paetz said. “It’s the Olympics, there’s emotion in it. I don’t think it is actually that big of a deal.”
The Men’s Ice Hockey Qualification Play-Off begins Tuesday, February 17, and my top Sweden vs. Latvia predictions and free betting picks have you covered for the nightcap between the two nations.
Sweden vs Latvia prediction
Sweden vs Latvia Best bet: Under 6.5 (-125)
The Latvians have only scored seven times through three games, and have the personnel to play a defensive brand of hockey to stay competitive against the superior Swedes
Both teams also have experienced NHL goaltenders on the roster, and Sweden hasn’t been overly efficient with an 11th-ranked 7.5 team shooting percentage, so I think Latvia can hang around to do its part to keep this total Under the number.
Additionally, Sweden has been reasonably stingy with just eight goals allowed, and I think there is a statistical correction ahead of its eighth-ranked .885 team save percentage.
I’m expecting the Latvians to sacrifice offense for sound defensive play in an attempt to keep this a low-scoring game. Sweden hasn’t been running over opponents, either, so Latvia being handed a three-goal spot is cushy.
Sweden vs Latvia SGP
Latvia +3.5
Under 6.5
Sweden vs Latvia odds
Moneyline: Sweden -1100 | Latvia +625
Puck Line: Sweden -3.5 (+125) | Latvia +3.5 (-160)
Over/Under: Over 6.5 (-105) | Under 6.5 (-125)
How to watch Sweden vs Latvia
Location
Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, Milan, Italy
Date
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Puck drop
3:10 p.m. ET
TV
CBC, NBC
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here
When AS Monaco faced a French club in the European Cup
As the Red and Whites gear up to face PSG in the Champions League play-offs, we look back at their two-legged tie against Olympique de Marseille in the 1998–1999 UEFA Cup - the only French team the club had faced in Europe up to that point.
An unprecedented clash on the horizon. Having once again qualified for the Champions League playoffs, AS Monaco have been drawn against PSG. Although they have never faced PSG in continental competition, the Red and Whites have previously taken on another French club in Europe – Olympique de Marseille. We take a look back at that two-legged tie, which took place during the 1998–1999 UEFA Cup. Flashback. 🔙
A tense first leg 🥊
Reaching the round-of-16 after progressing past Polish side LKS Łódź (3-1) and Austrian outfit Grazer AK (7-3), the Red and Whites were handed a meeting with OM. The first leg took place at the Stade Louis-II at the end of November that year, barely three weeks after a league meeting at the Vélodrome (a 1–0 defeat).
Photo Credit: Luttiau-Presse Sports
Trezeguet responds to Pirès opener
Keen to exact revenge, Jean Tigana’s men started brightly, with Philippe Léonard forcing Stéphane Porato into a fine save from a free kick (3′). Unfortunately, from their very first real opportunity, the visitors opened the scoring through Robert Pirès (0–1, 9′). The response came almost immediately, courtesy of David Trezeguet from the penalty spot after a foul on Victor Ikpeba (1-1, 18′). Monaco dominated, and the Nigerian striker saw an effort narrowly miss the post on the half hour mark (32′).
An open and feist first leg
However, the Phocéens regained the lead moments later through Aboubacar Camara (1–2, 39′). AS Monaco once again fought back, this time with Ludovic Giuly netting at the near post (2–2, 56′). No further goals were scored in this tense encounter, in which the referee handed out 12 cards, including reds for Florian Maurice (63′) and Franck Dumas (69′). Everything was still to play for in the return leg.
Match report:
UEFA Cup 1998-1999 – round-of-16
AS Monaco 2-2 Olympique Marseille
Half time: 1-1
Goals: Trezeguet (17′), Giuly (56′) for AS Monaco; Pirès (9′), Camara (39′) for Olympique Marseille
Yellow cards: Djetou (33′), Dumas (37′, 69′), Sagnol (45′), Giuly (87′) for AS Monaco; Maurice (6′, 63′), Blondeau (47′), Blanc (63′), Camara (69′), Colleter (90′), Bravo (95e) for L’OM
Red cards: Dumas (69′) for AS Monaco; Maurice (63′) for L’OM
Played at the Vélodrome, the second leg took place barely two weeks later, but the game did not go as planned. The Red and Whites were quickly reduced to 10 men following Muhamed Konjić’s sending off (38′). Despite being a man down, Victor Ikpeba’s teammates held firm and managed to keep the score at 0–0 at half time.
Photo Credit: De Martignac-Presse Sports
A narrow and frustrating defeat
Unfortunately, as the clash came to a head, Xavier Gravelaine picked out Aboubacar Camara in the box. Camara held off Christophe Pignol and beat the Monaco goalkeeper from close range (0–1, 71′). After that, AS Monaco pushed for an equaliser but were unable to find the goal, ultimately losing by the narrowest of margins. It was a result that meant elimination in the round-of-16 of the UEFA Cup (3–2 on aggregate).
Magpies handed home tie with City in FA Cup fifth round
Eddie Howe's side came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the fourth round on Saturday evening, with Sandro Tonali's brace and Nick Woltemade's clincher seeing off the hosts at Villa Park.
Their reward is a home game against Pep Guardiola's side, who were beaten in last year's final by Crystal Palace.
City beat United in this term's Carabao Cup semi-finals, and are the Magpies' Premier League opponents this coming Saturday. The fifth round meeting between the sides at St. James' Park will be the fifth game between the two teams this season.
The draw took place at the Leasing.com Stadium before Macclesfield's fourth round clash with Brentford, with ex-England internationals Joe Cole and Karen Carney conducting it.
FA Cup fifth round ticket details
For season ticket holders in the cup scheme, ticket information will be communicated soon.
Once the fixture is confirmed, we’ll release the dates for the Mags Member Ballot and open up hospitality packages.
How to secure your place
Become a Mags Member to access the ballot, the Mags Member GA sale and the Mags Member Ticket Exchange: https://book.newcastleunited.com/Memberships
Matchday hospitality: register your interest here and we’ll let you know as soon as packages go live
Ties will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 7th March.
The Cleveland Browns have two main needs this offseason: wide receiver and the entire offensive line. Other positions could use help; OL and WR are by far the two biggest needs.
While the Browns will likely end up using free agency and the NFL Draft to improve those two positions, they could also turn to the trade market to acquire veteran talent to bolster those rooms.
ESPN's Bill Barnwell proposed one such trade the Browns could make, where they link up with the Jacksonville Jaguars once again, and trade for $40.5 million veteran offensive tackle, Walker Little, in a late-round pick-swap.
Browns trade proposal lands $40.5M Jaguars OT for pick swap
This trade isn't a 2026 NFL Draft swap, as the Browns wouldn't be landing a 2026 draft pick in return. But, they would still be getting a draft pick back, while also landing a much-needed veteran offensive tackle to bolster their offensive line.
Thanks to the Jaguars no longer needing Little, thanks to the emergence of a different tackle, the Browns can pounce and swing another trade with the Jaguars over the last year.
These teams have a strong link already, as they made the blockbuster draft-night trade to help the Jaguars land Travis Hunter while the Browns traded back, got an extra first-rounder, and still got Mason Graham.
With Cole Van Lanen emerging as a star for the Jaguars, Little becomes expendable, and the Browns can swoop in like Barnwell proposes and trade for the veteran OT.
Little is 26 years old and a former second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Jaguars. He's started 39 games in his career, with the bulk of those starts coming in the last few seasons since 2023.
He's under contract for the next two seasons and has an out after 2026. If he works out in Cleveland, the Browns can keep him for an extra year. But if he doesn't, moving on from him is very doable.
Little is the exact kind of player the Browns should be looking to acquire, and this move, between two teams that have been involved in a few big trades in the last year, would make a lot of sense for both sides.
A University of Wisconsin signee, Van Laningham is the back-to-back Class 3A individual state champion, breaking the Kentucky Horse Park course record in each victory.
As a senior, he won seven races and set a personal best of 14:38.5 with a third-place finish at the Trinity/Valkyrie Invitational. In the postseason, he finished in the top five at the Nike and Brooks regional meets, then placed ninth at Nike Cross Nationals and sixth at the Brooks XC Championships.
Van Laningham has four total state titles to his name, winning the 2025 indoor 1,600-meter run in 4:13.04 and the 2025 outdoor 1,600-meter run in a new overall state meet record of 4:08.25. He later ran a personal best of 4:06.48 at Nike Outdoor Nationals and could break the overall state record of 4:01.82, set on June 5, 2025, by former Covington Catholic standout Will Sheets.
Outside of sports, Van Laningham maintains a weighted 4.63 GPA, is a Freshman Mentor Program leader at Cooper, has gone on mission trips as a member of Antioch United Methodist Church and won best in show at the 2024 Kentucky Duck Stamp Competition.
After a 2025 season that was filled with a long list of setbacks for the Minnesota Twins' pitching rotation, this same momentum has converted into 2026.
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reported that right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez discovered elbow soreness, which resulted in the 2023 All-Star leaving live batting practice on Monday.
Twins manager Derek Shelton said Lopez will undergo further MRI testing on the elbow.
Pablo Lopez gets dealt another injury scare before Spring Training
Lopez, 29, had an injury-plagued season in 2025, and this has continued to play out into 2026.
To begin 2025, he suffered a hamstring strain that resulted in him missing 14 games. This was followed up by a 60-day IL stint due to a right teres major strain in his throwing shoulder that led to him missing three months.
Now it appears that he's dealing with a new injury to a different part of his throwing arm. More details will come out, but Lopez could be on the verge of missing the start of the 2026 regular season.
Heading into his age-30 season, Lopez has two years remaining on the four-year, $73.5 million contract he signed with the Twins in 2023.
The 25-0 Miami University RedHawks are ranked No. 22 in the latest AP Top 25 men's college basketball poll released Feb. 16, up from 23rd one week earlier.
The RedHawks received 238 votes in the new poll. MU defeated Ohio, 90-74, on Feb. 13.
The RedHawks are 12-0 in Mid-American Conference play this season. They are scheduled to play next on the road at UMass on Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.
Miami is the only undefeated Div. I men's basketball team in the country.
RedHawks head coach Travis Steele said during an interview with Rece Davis on ESPN's "College GameDay" that he'll commit to wearing a Speedo and being hoisted in the air while making a swimming motion at the team's NCAA tournament Selection Sunday watch party, if MU finishes the regular season undefeated and wins the MAC tournament.
University of Wisconsin–Green Bay men's basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb took a shot at the RedHawks' schedule, and suggested that he would like his team's chances in a head-to-head meeting with Miami.
During the Jan. 30 broadcast of Akron's win against Kent State, CBS Sports college basketball analyst and former Xavier Musketeers head coach Pete Gillen said the RedHawks' NET strength of schedule "is gonna really hurt them."
The Cleveland Browns are hiring Atlanta Falcons defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Rutenberg as their defensive coordinator, according to multiple reports. Rutenberg joined Atlanta's staff in 2025 after spending four seasons as the linebackers coach for the New York Jets (2021-2024).
The Browns have been looking for a replacement for long-time defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, who stepped down after the team passed him over for the head coaching vacancy. Despite their poor record in recent seasons, the Browns have some talented pieces on defense.
Cleveland took home the Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards at the 2026 NFL Honors. Defensive end Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sacks record with 23 total, while linebacker Carson Schwesinger led all rookies with 146 total tackles.
Rutenberg spent seven seasons working for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2013-2019) in different roles. He joined the team as an assistant defensive backs coach in 2013 and later took over as the assistant linebackers coach from 2018 to 2019.
In 2020, Rutenberg took a one-year pit stop in San Francisco, serving as a defensive pass-game specialist before linking up with Ulbrich in New York. After Ulbrich was fired by the Jets in 2024, he took over as the Falcons defensive coordinator and brought Rutenberg along as his pass-game coordinator.
In other Falcons coaching news, the team has hired former Wisconsin wide receivers coach Jordan Reid as their new assistant quarterbacks coach.
Photo Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images
Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game may have featured the best basketball players duking it out against one another, but it was former president Barack Obama who stole the show with an accidental intervention. Clips of the celebrated politician inadvertently intercepting a loose ball have since gone viral on the internet, with fans buzzing over Obama’s cameo in the star-studded match-up.
On February 15, the NBA All-Star round-robin clash between the USA Stars and the World Team featured a distinguished lineup of attendees, including Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle Obama, basketball legend Julius Erving, and more.
At one point during the game, a deflected loose ball ended up flying out of the court, only for the two-time president to catch it on his courtside seat. The incident incited laughter in the crowd, including Michelle Obama. In a video shared by the NBA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, the former First Lady could be seen making animated gestures while her husband looked on.
Obama scored some more points with the public during an on-court interview with former Indiana Pacers legend Reggie Miller. Taking a jibe at the Hall of Famer, Obama, who famously supports the Chicago Bulls, noted, “I always enjoyed watching us beat Indiana. Although I will say that nobody terrified me more than Reggie Miller with a possible 3-point shot at the end of a game.”
The NBA All-Star Game, which had Barack and Michelle Obama in attendance, ended in favor of the USA Stars, who ran out 37-35 victors at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The Stars lost their remaining round-robin match-up against the USA Stripes, but still managed to qualify for the final, owing to the World Team’s winless run at the event. The Stars ultimately triumphed in the Championship game, beating the Stripes comfortably with a scoreline of 47-21.
Originally reported by Apoorv Rastogi on Mandatory.
Manchester City discover FA Cup fifth round opponents following Salford win and completed draw
Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have now found out their opponents for the next stage of the FA Cup following progression into the fifth round of the tournament.
After a staggering 10-1 win in the third round of the competition against Exeter City, matters were made slightly more complex against Salford City in the next round, despite the Ammies playing their league football below Gary Caldwell’s now-former club.
Having taken the lead inside the opening 10 minutes of the weekend’s affair through an own goal from Alfie Dorrington, many would have expected Manchester City to go on and put several more goals past Salford.
However, a resolute defensive showing from the Greater Manchester side and a couple of strong saves from James Trafford to deny an equaliser meant it took until the closing exchanges for City to confirm victory.
The second, and decisive, goal of the contest would come courtesy of an unlikely source as substitute Marc Guehi recorded his first goal for his new side after joining Manchester City from Crystal Palace in January.
Now, as City look to make it all the way to the FA Cup final once again under Pep Guardiola, it has been confirmed that the Catalan coach and his players will take on Newcastle United in the fifth round of the competition at St James’ Park.
Completed FA Cup Fifth Round draw
Fulham vs Southampton
Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland
Newcastle vs Manchester City
Leeds United vs Norwich City
Mansfield Town vs Arsenal
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool
Wrexham vs Chelsea
West Ham United vs Macclesfield or Brentford
The fifth round of the FA Cup will be played around the weekend of Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March 2026.
For Manchester City, that will mean that their cup tie against TEAM will follow a midweek Premier League clash at home to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, 4 March with kick-off at 19:30 (UK).
Following the FA Cup meeting, Manchester City will then take on a UEFA Champions League Last-16 First-Leg tie during midweek, with their opponents for that clash yet to be confirmed amid the play-off round for the round of 16.
Wayne Rooney singles out Michael Carrick call that put Man United “on the back foot” vs. West Ham
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has highlighted a decision made by Michael Carrick, which slightly disadvantaged the team in the 1-1 draw with West Ham.
United held
Having won his first four games since being named as interim head coach, Carrick’s flawless run was brought to an end last week as United were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.
West Ham sat in a compact defensive block, restricting the space United had to operate in between the lines.
Things worsened for United shortly after the break when Tomas Soucek gave the hosts the lead after some pitiful defending from Carrick’s men.
With a lead to protect, West Ham retreated further into their own half, digging in to grind out a victory. It looked like they were set for all three points but Benjamin Sesko came on from the bench and scored a beautiful goal in the dying embers of the game to rescue a point for the Red Devils.
After the final whistle, Carrick hailed his players for giving it their all until the very end. Gary Lineker insisted that for United to become a true juggernaut, Carrick must first solve the puzzle of breaking down stubborn low blocks.
Speaking on BBC Sport’s The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney noted that Carrick’s use of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha probably didn’t help United’s cause against West Ham.
Rooney highlights Carrick misstep
United’s record goalscorer said, “I think he made a big call, Michael, in Mbeumo and Cunha, changing them two around.”
“I think that may have affected the way they play because Mbeumo is one who is running behind and Cunha coming in off the side has been better or playing as a [No] 10 times.”
“So, I think that little change may have put United on the back foot a little bit, but [they] done well to come back in the end.”
Rooney was also asked whether he would be open to joining Carrick’s backroom staff if he were offered the opportunity.
He answered, “Of course I would. It’s a no-brainer. I’m not begging for a job here by the way. Just so everyone knows, if I was asked to go in of course I would.”
“Appointing the manager is the most important thing.”
United are next in action on Monday, February 23, when they go away to Everton.
Mo Salah misconception is brutally unfair on legendary Liverpool star
There's a misconception about Mo Salah this season. And it's brutally unfair on the legend.
Mo Salah is not having a good season. We can get that out of the way early.
The Egyptian broke records galore last season as he won the PFA Player of the Year, the Premier League Golden Boot and the Premier League Playmaker award. It was a sensational campaign - unlike anything we've ever seen, really, even in a title-winning season.
That earned him an enormous two-year contract extension as Liverpool committed to their legendary no.11. Unfortunately, that deal hasn't worked out as Salah's output has dropped enormously this season.
He's got just four goals and six assists this season. Those numbers almost certainly comndemn him to his lowest numbers of his Liverpool career. Maybe even since his Chelsea days.
But there are some misconceptions about Salah and his season. They're very unfair, too.
Mo Salah's season so far
Salah has not scored anywhere near as many goals this season. That's led to analysis such as this from the Telegraph:
"Last season, Salah outperformed his expected goals [xG] by 3.6. This season he is underperforming his xG by 2. Other metrics related to creative moments on the pitch are also down, albeit by a smaller amount. He is still involved in games at the same level – he is simply not delivering the same outcomes at the scale he once did."
This is an unbelievably unfair way of judging Salah's efforts this season. The data is correct - no denial there - but the idea that he's involved in games 'at the same level' is plainly wrong.
Salah's xG last season was 27.71 (per Understat) and that worked out at around 0.74 per 90 minutes. It was the fourth-highest of his Liverpool career.
This season? 6.51 so far, working out to be 0.38 per 90 minutes. This is considerably lower than his previous lowest as a Red (0.59 in 2020/21).
Salah simply is not as involved. He's not a player who creates his own chances out of nothing consistently and instead gets on the end of moves.
Yes, of course, Salah has a fantastic collection of incredible goals he made happen out of nothing. His bread and butter, though? It's being in the right place to receive the ball.
That has not been happening this season. Now, maybe it's because he doesn't have the ability to get into those positions. It feels unlikely, though, given the overall play of the entire squad has dropped.
Salah is far from the only player to see a massive drop in form this season. The squad isn't functioning properly and it's meant far less creation for the Egyptian.
He literally has not been as involved as a goalscoring force. His finishing compared to xG has been a negative, certainly, but the lack of creation for him plays a much bigger role in his overall drop-off.
To miss that point is doing the Liverpool legend an enormous disservice.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets owner Steve Cohen likes the vibe in a revamped clubhouse, and says he'll never have a captain in charge of that scene.
“As long as I’m owning the team, there will never be a team captain,” Cohen said in his first meeting with reporters at spring training Monday. “That was my decision. My view is the locker room is unique. And let the locker room sort it out, year in, year out.”
New York said goodbye to popular slugger Pete Alonso, star closer Edwin Díaz and two other Mets stalwarts before Christmas, but added free agent Bo Bichette and traded for All-Star pitcher Freddy Peralta.
The Mets are going into their third season with manager Carlos Mendoza after they missed the playoffs following a run to the 2024 NL championship series.
“I just was in that locker room and in the meeting and I sense an energy that really is exciting,” Cohen said on the day of the team's first full-squad workout. “These are new faces, fresh faces that I think our fans are really going to enjoy watch playing. It’s different. And I think we’ll play a different type of baseball, and I think that’s great.”
The rival Yankees had Derek Jeter, known simply as the “the captain,” for all 20 of the Hall of Famer's seasons. Becoming an owner in the same city won't sway Cohen, whose view might also keep the Mets from having a tricky choice between two of their biggest stars, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto.
“Just my own views on how I want a locker room to be,” Cohen said. “My view is every year the team’s different and let the team kind of figure it out in the locker room rather than having a designation. Having a captain in baseball doesn’t happen often. It’s actually unusual.”
40 years and counting
The Mets have alternated between making and missing the playoffs during Cohen's tenure. New York made the playoffs in 2022, then missed in 2023 with an underperforming group that led to the unloading of star pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer at the trade deadline.
Disappointment returned last season after the Mets lost in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 NLCS. New York's most recent World Series title came in 1986.
“About not winning? Yeah, I’m annoyed,” Cohen said. “I’m absolutely annoyed. Every year that goes by, I get frustrated. I’m really committed to this team. I know how much the fans care. I know we’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of 1986, and that’s just too long.”
Looming labor situation
Asked about the big-spending Dodgers, Cohen said he had no problem with their approach, while drawing laughter from reporters by saying the billionaire hedge-fund manager could spend big, too.
Cohen also didn't sound opposed to a salary cap, which figures to be the primary point of contention during collective bargaining talks that could jeopardize the 2027 season.
“Obviously, I’m listening to all the arguments,” Cohen said. “But I’ve always been a league-first owner. So I’m listening to all the sides and I haven’t made up my mind yet. We’ll see where it goes. Sometimes I put the league’s interests above my own interests.”
Tuckered out
Although the Mets pivoted with the signing of Bichette and the trade for Peralta, they thought they were going to land the biggest prize in free agency before four-time All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker signed with those free-spending Dodgers.
“I’m competitive,” Cohen said. “When you’re actually making a bid and you decide you want that player, you don’t want to lose, like anything else. And then you get over it, and then you move on. It’s sort of like in my business. I have a bad trading day, all right, I move on to the next day, and then the next day's better.”
More investment
The Mets are set to break ground on a player development complex at their spring training home in Port St. Lucie. The 55,000-square-foot facility will include locker space, a training room, therapy pools and a dining facility.
Harbaugh will now be looking for another new assistant defensive line coach because Matt Robinson has changed his mind and opted to take the better position of safeties coach in Las Vegas. The team had even set up a page for Robinson on their website, but if you click it now, you just get an empty page.
Another change: Giants assistant defensive line coach Matt Robinson, who left his job as Baltimore’s outside linebackers coach this off-season to go to New York, is now going to the Raiders as their secondary coach, per source. The Giants gave their permission, and supported…
Harbaugh had Robinson on his staff in Baltimore for the past five seasons, the past two seaons as his outside linebackers coach. Making assistant defensive line coach kinda look like a demotion. So, a full position coach post looks better.
Coming to Las Vegas is also joining another familiar face for Robinson. He and Raiders new DC Rob Leonard coached together in Baltimore in 2022. Leonard was the outside linebacker coach that season while Robinson was a defensive quality control coach.
Hiring a linebacker/defensive line coach as a safeties coach may seem odd, but before Robinson played linebacker as a fifth-year senior at Maryland, he spent his first four seasons as a defensive back.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - OCTOBER 27: New York Jets linebackers coach Mike Rutenberg before a game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets on October 27, 2024, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken has put in the time to find a replacement for the departed and petulant Jim Schwartz as the defensive coordinator of his first NFL staff.
Monken considered both internal options – Jason Tarver (linebackers coach) and Ephraim (safeties coach) – along with a healthy list of external candidates, including Jonathan Cooley (defensive pass game coordinator for the Carolina Panthers), Charlie Bullen (interim defensive coordinator for the New York Giants), Aubrey Pleasant (assistant head coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams), and Cory Undlin (pass game coordinator for the Houston Texans).
But there can be only one to fill the role, and that is reportedly going to be Mike Rutenberg, who spent last season as defensive pass game coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.
That is according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Browns are hiring Mike Rutenberg as defensive coordinator, per source.
Prior to his time in Atlanta, Rutenberg spent four seasons as the linebackers coach for the New York Jets. He also spent six seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, starting as an assistant defensive backs coach (2013 to 2015), before moving up to a defensive assitant role (2016 to 2017) and then as an assistant linebackers coach (2018 to 2019).
The one part of Rutenberg’s resume that stands out is the year he spent with the San Francisco 49ers as their defensive passing game specialist in 2020. That season, as well as the time he was with the Jets, Rutenberg worked with Robert Saleh, who is now head coach of the Tennessee Titans and was interested in Rutenberg as defensive coordinator before hiring Gus Bradley.
Saleh’s defensive principles share similarities to the system that Schwartz ran with the Browns, so that should hopefully make for a smooth transition with Rutenberg in charge.
The reported hiring of Rutenberg rounds out the coordinator positions, with Monken expected to Travis Switzer as offensive coordinator and Byron Storer as special teams coordinator. Those hirings have not been made official by the Browns, but all signs point to them being the ones that Monken wants to work with.
Justin Fields' days with the New York Jets are numbered.
Fields was signed to a two-year, $40 million deal in 2025 to serve as New York's starter, but that experiment failed spectacularly and he was ultimately benched.
Because of how poorly things went for Fields in New York last season, The Athletic's Zach Rosenblatt pegs Fields as a cut candidate this offseason.
"Unless someone wants to trade for him (unlikely), the Jets will have one of two options for cutting him: do it outright, incur a $22 million dead cap hit and only $1 million in savings, or designate him a post-June 1 cut, spread that dead cap hit out over two years and save $10 million — savings which wouldn’t come onto the books until after June 1," he said. "Since the Jets don’t need the space, the first option feels likely."
We would agree that the Jets will look to trade Fields first, but the more likely outcome is a release.
A $22 million dead-cap charge isn't ideal, but if there's a year in which the Jets could easily absorb it, it's this one, as Gang Green sports a ton of cap space.
The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy, but the team needs a veteran insurance policy behind the young signal-caller.
Fields isn't guaranteed to answer the bell if called upon given his poor showing in the NFL thus far, but he would at least offer some competition and perhaps Kevin O'Connell can work his magic on the former first-round pick to help revive Fields' career just like he did with Sam Darnold.
The Niners have one of the better starter-backup situations in the NFL with Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, but Jones is a logical trade candidate after he revived his career with the Niners last season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has said the Niners are intent on keeping Jones, and rumors suggest that's not just posturing on Shanahan's part. However, if a team comes calling with a big offer, the 49ers would be silly not to consider it.
And, if Jones gets shipped off, the Niners will have a need for a veteran backup and we could see Fields being Shanahan's next reclamation project.
The Dolphins look like they'll need a new starter in 2026, with the expectation that the team will trade or cut Tua Tagovailoa. Backup Zach Wilson is also a pending free agent and those two departures would leave Miami with just Quinn Ewers.
At the very least, the Dolphins need to add some veteran competition to the room. Fields would be a decent one-year option for Miami until it figures things out for the long haul.
We know the identities of the majority of the 2025-26 FA Cup's final 16 teams and now we know where they were drawn for the fifth round.
The fourth round draw guaranteed that the fifth round would include at least three teams from outside the Premier League, and Wrexham AFC have already claimed a place in the last 16.
Who will join them? Well, Mansfield Town have knocked off Burnley in a true upset and they are going to welcome a massive club.
And of course the weekend ends with the potential for the biggest upset, as sixth-tier Macclesfield host Brentford at Moss Rose on Monday. The winner will head to London to visit a Premier League club.
When is the FA Cup fifth round?
The FA Cup fifth round will be staged around the weekend of March 7-8, with games likely for Friday the 6th and Monday the 9th as well.
How to watch FA Cup quarterfinal draw live: Date, time, stream link
When: 1:30pm ET Monday (February 16) Stream: YouTube.com
FA Cup fifth round draw: Qualified teams
So far, the following teams have won their third-round ties:
Premier League: Chelsea, West Ham United, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Liverpool, Wolves, Fulham, Sunderland, Leeds, Arsenal Championship: Wrexham AFC, Norwich City, Southampton League One: Mansfield Town League Two: TBD National League: None National League North: TBD
FA Cup fifth round draw
Fulham vs Southampton Port Vale or Bristol City vs Sunderland Newcastle United vs Manchester City Leeds United vs Norwich City Mansfield Town vs Arsenal Wolves vs Liverpool Wrexham vs Chelsea West Ham vs Macclesfield or Brentford
FA Cup fifth round draw: Ball numbers
1. Liverpool 2. Fulham 3. Sunderland 4. Southampton 5. Wrexham AFC 6. Arsenal 7. Chelsea 8. West Ham United 9. Mansfield Town 10. Norwich City 11. Port Vale or Bristol City 12. Wolverhampton Wanderers 13. Newcastle United 14. Manchester City 15. Macclesfield or Brentford 16. Leeds United
Hot favourite Ilia Malinin finished eighth in the Olympic men's figure skating final in Milan (WANG Zhao)
Ilia Malinin suggested Monday he has been the victim of online attacks and is "fighting invisible battles" in his first public statement since his shock eighth-place finish in the men's figure skating final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 21-year-old American star posted a message on Instagram with a video which switched between him celebrating victories and sitting with his head in his hands.
"On the world's biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside," Malinin wrote.
"Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure.
"It all builds up as these moments flash before your eyes, resulting in an inevitable crash. This is that version of the story."
The two-time world champion also teased that something was "coming February 21", which is the day of the Olympic figure skating exhibition gala.
Malinin came into these Olympics as the hottest of favourites, but the skater who had not lost for more than two years suffered a nightmare on the ice.
Heading into the free skate section in the lead, Malinin capitulated, fluffing his signature quad axel jump and falling twice to the ice to plummet to eighth spot overall.
Stunned, he held his head in his hands after his disastrous performance and said afterwards his failure was "definitely mental".
"Maybe I was too confident it was going to go well. Honestly, it happened. I can't process what just happened," he told journalists.
Mikhail Shaidorov, the Kazakh skater who no-one had predicted would win gold, watched not just Malinin but his Japanese rivals make error after error and rode to an unlikely title.
Although Chris Kavanagh failed to award a penalty to Newcastle, the Magpies scored from the resulting free-kick [Getty Images]
Referee Chris Kavanagh and his assistant Nick Greenhalgh have not been selected for a Premier League game this weekend.
The pair were heavily criticised for their decisions in the fourth round FA Cup tie between Aston Villa and Newcastle United on Saturday, in which there was no video assistant referee.
VAR will not be brought in until the fifth round.
Referees' body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) bases its selections on factors including post-match performance assessments conducted by an independent Key Match Incidents panel, ensuring accountability for officials.
Among the errors, Kavanagh and Greenhalgh missed a clear offside against Tammy Abraham for Villa's opening goal.
A potential red card for Lucas Digne for a challenge on Jacob Murphy was also missed, along with a possible offside against Dan Burn on Newcastle's equaliser.
But it was the Digne non-penalty decision that really left most speechless.
The Villa full-back was two yards inside the penalty area when he was penalised for a handball, but Kavanagh and Greenhalgh decided the offence was a yard outside the area and awarded a free-kick - from which Newcastle's Sandro Tonali scored the 63rd-minute equaliser.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney said it was "one of the worst decisions I have ever seen".
However, despite the criticism Kavanagh is highly regarded and in December was promoted to Uefa's elite list of referees to join Michael Oliver and Anthony Taylor.
The other assistant at Villa Park, Gary Beswick, has been appointed to Nottingham Forest versus Liverpool on Sunday.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 16: Tyson Fury tickles Arslanbek Makhmudov in the face off during the Tyson Fury v Arslanbek Makhmudov press conference at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 16, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Tyson Fury will return from retirement to battle Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11, live on Netflix from inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. Both combatants were on hand today for their official kickoff press conference, which you can watch in the embedded video above.
“The Bible says tomorrow is not a gift,” Fury said. “Tomorrow ain’t promised. Tomorrow is a mystery. So we have to live for today. And me living for that day, I made my mind up there and then that I’m going to come back to boxing. Because it’s something that I love and I’m passionate about. And that I’ve always been in love with. And there is no tomorrow to put it off to. So that’s why I’m back today for this big fight.”
“I was on holiday with my family in Thailand for Christmas, just to get away from the rain. Sick of the rain, it was depressing me,” Fury said about hearing the news of Anthony Joshua. “And then I hear all that bad news that’s gone on. And I thought, you know what? Life is very, very short and very precious and very fragile. Anything could happen at any given moment. And you should never, never put things off until tomorrow or next year or next week.”
Being a Daytona 500 winner is a whole lot like being a Masters champion or an Oscar winner. No matter where you go for the rest of your life, no matter what you do in the rest of your career, you’ll always be known as a Daytona 500 winner.
Plus, you get a pretty sweet ring and a Rolex, too.
Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 Sunday night in one of the wildest, most chaotic final laps in recent memory. Probably a good dozen drivers had a shot at winning the race as it wound through its final turns, but in the end, 23XI’s Tyler Reddick was the last man driving. (Almost literally; the second through fifth cars crashed behind him, joining the dozens that had wrecked earlier in the race.)
Going on a couple hours’ sleep — “I’m used to that with an 8-month-old and a 6-year-old” — Reddick spoke to Yahoo Sports Monday morning to discuss that finish, his new jewelry, and what happens when Michael Jordan himself tells you you’re his driver.
“Something felt right from the beginning of the day, to go the way it did,” Reddick said. “It's surreal. You dream of having the opportunity to cross the finish line first in the Daytona 500. To be able to seize the opportunity was huge, because some drivers go their whole career with only getting one shot. Some drivers never get that opportunity to win that race. So it was super important for me to capitalize on the moment in front of me.”
In front, behind and around him. Reddick combined data, strategy and good old gut instinct in that final lap. “It took a little bit of everything,” he said. “The things we’ve learned, been working on on the Cup side, the strategy to get in that position, leaning on numbers and data decisions about the final laps. And then I leaned on and relied on instincts, the type of things that helped me get to where I am today from dirt racing.”
A self-professed late bloomer, Reddick first attended the Daytona 500 as a fan, sitting in the backstretch and watching Matt Kenseth’s rain-delayed win in 2012. Back then, he was a dirt track racer just trying to break through the dirt-to-asphalt barrier. He found a seat in Ken Schrader’s ARCA car in 2013, and then caught the attention of Brad Keselowski, who put him in a Camping World Truck in 2014. From there, he moved upward through the ranks of then-Xfinity and Cup series … until the day in 2022 when he received the proverbial summoning before the throne.
Two days after the now 30-year-old Reddick was born, Michael Jordan — then with only three championships to his name — dropped 48 points on the Philadelphia 76ers. So Reddick knows Jordan as a basketball player only from highlight films. Even so, the GOAT’s shadow was long enough to intimidate Reddick … right up to the moment that Jordan and Denny Hamlin — co-owners of 23XI Racing — made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“The first time I met him,” Reddick recalled, “he and Denny both told me, ‘Of all the drivers in the Cup garage, you’re the guy we want the most. You’re our first pick, and we’d love to have you drive our race cars.’”
That made an impression on Reddick, even if he can only remember Jordan on the Washington Wizards. “When you have someone like [Jordan] that believes in you and what you do, what you're about and how hard you work, and how much you care about racing,” Reddick says, “and then hearing how much he cares about racing too on top of that, it just helps really sell it that 23XI is where I need to be.”
Jordan and Hamlin’s faith paid off. Reddick has won six races since joining 23XI at the start of the 2023 season, and he’s made the playoffs every year. He won the 2024 regular-season championship and was one of the now-defunct Championship 4 that year. He and his family struggled through personal challenges last year — his infant son Rookie had to have surgery after doctors found a tumor in his chest — but wife Alexa, Rookie and Rookie’s older brother Beau were in victory lane Sunday night.
“We travel on the road together,” he said. “I feel it's important to share these moments with our children. To celebrate the biggest times together is important, especially coming off of some of the things we went through the last year.”
Reddick is in the midst of a media crush — his voice is already ragged, and he’s got a New York media car wash to go — and then he’ll need to get ready for the Atlanta race this coming weekend. But he’s already getting used to the fact that, yes, he’s a Daytona 500 champion.
“Looking at the ring, it helps,” he said, laughing. “Looking down at my Daytona Rolex watch, yeah. Every time I look at the time on this thing, I’ll think of this race and that day.”
In the most recent edition of Becoming the GM, we took a look at the running back room for the Minnesota Vikings. We naturally move outside to the wide receivers next. Headlined by the best receiver in football, Justin Jefferson, this room lacks quality depth, a major blemish we need to address. Let's not waste any more time.
We immediately start by shipping out Jordan Addison. He's entering his fourth year, which means a decision would have to be made regardless on his fifth-year option. I want no part of Addison or his off-field concerns, and I do not want to pay him the $17.5 million that option would carry. We are going to list him available for trade, and pray we can catch a day two pick for him. He isn't a cut candidate, but he will not be suiting up for the Vikings in 2026.
This leaves this room in shambles. We have Jalen Nailor and Rondale Moore, both free agents this offseason, but we will bring back Nailor at minimum. Nailor was a bright spot in this offense this season, and we want to continue his development here. So we really just have Jefferson and Nailor on the roster as viable options. There is a clear path for us to go down, so walk with me.
We have already established a plan to free up cap space, so let's go spend some of it. His ability to stay healthy is a concern, but landing someone like Mike Evans in free agency would be massive for J.J. McCarthy. Evans and Jefferson outside with Nailor in the slot is lethal. Another name that intrigues me is Alec Pierce, but he might be priced out of our range. His ability to take the top off a defense would free up Jefferson underneath and over the middle. Rashid Shaheed is also someone worth bringing in, as he is similar in playstyle to Pierce, but could take over return duties from Myles Price.
Even with landing one of these guys, I still want to spend a premium pick on a wide receiver. This class is rich in talent, and there are a number of guys who would fit seamlessly in this offense. In round two, someone like Germie Bernard (Alabama) or Antonio Williams (Clemson) would complement our guys. If we look later on, names like Bryce Lance (NDSU),Chase Roberts (BYU), Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana), or Skyler Bell (UConn) are worth fliers on their upside. If someone like Zachariah Branch (Georgia) falls, we'd consider moving up for him.
Here is how the wide receiver depth chart would read:
WR1: Justin Jefferson
WR2: Mike Evans/Alec Pierce/Rashid Shaheed
WR3: Germie Bernard/Antonio Williams/Bryce Lance/Chase Roberts/Skyler Bell/Zachariah Branch/Omar Cooper Jr.
WR4: Tai Felton/Myles Price
Any of these pairings looks significantly better than it did last year. There also isn't a rule that says we can't draft two of these names. The secondary needs help, and we could use another pass rusher, but spending two picks on two of the prospects listed seems worth it if J.J. McCarthy wins the job. We have to surround him with as many weapons as possible to make life easier, and our plan does just that.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho wants to see a fast start from his side when they travel to Charlton on Tuesday (19:45 GMT), after bemoaning a lack of goals in recent games.
"Unfortunately, over the past couple of weeks I think we've controlled games, we've also created chances but we haven't put the ball in the back of the net," he told BBC Radio Solent.
"We've just got to add the goals at the top end of the pitch. Everything underpinning the performance [against Sheffield United] was good but we didn't put the ball in the back of the net at the crucial times."
Pompey are yet to score in February after back-to-back 1-0 defeats by the Blades and Preston North End, and have only scored more than one goal once in 2026, in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.
Mousinho's side travel to Charlton in the rearranged fixture that was abandoned in December when a Charlton fan had a medical emergency in the stands during the game and later died in hospital.
"A strong start is important. It's important away from home on a Tuesday night when Charlton haven't had a game at the weekend to maybe just try to dampen everything down and make sure that we control the game," Mousinho said.
The Charlton game marks the start of a run of three away games in eight days for Pompey as they also travel to Millwall and Wrexham in the Championship.
"We've got three away games in a very short space of time. [It's] really unfortunate considering the [Charlton] game was called off before Christmas and that's really added pressure on the fixtures this week. We have to make sure we try to do our best to deal with those three consecutive away games," Mousinho said.
"[There's] plenty of points to play for, we just have to try to pick up as many points as we can. That's the priority."
Portsmouth are looking to do the league double over Charlton after their 2-1 win at Fratton Park over Christmas, something that hasn't happened since the 1985-86 season.
"They're a very solid side as you'd expect a Nathan Jones side to be," added Mousinho.
"They create a lot of problems with the way that they play with the physicality they have on display, they're really effective, particularly at home recently."
IOWA CITY, IA - FEBRUARY 14: Purdue Boilermakers head coach Matt Painter as seen during a Big Ten Conference basketball game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, on Feb. 14, 2026, at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, IA. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It was a successful week for the Boilermakers as they secured two victories away from Mackey Arena when they beat #7 Nebraska in Lincoln and Iowa in Iowa City. That success culminated in Purdue moving up 6 spots in the AP Poll on Monday, from 13th to 7th. They are ranked behind Michigan, Houston, Duke, Arizona, UConn, and Iowa State in that order.
This week, Purdue will take on newly top-ranked Michigan who surpassed Arizona this week. The matchup in Mackey Arena will start a stretch of 3 straight home games for Purdue as they will also take on Indiana and #15 Michigan State at home. Following the stretch, Purdue will play Northwestern and Ohio State on the road before taking on #24 Wisconsin at home to close the regular season.
Sports fans rely on X (formerly Twitter) for breaking news.
On Monday, that news came from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reported on the Miami Dolphins' decisions to cut both Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb.
Not long after those posts on the platform, X was down altogether.
It simply wasn't working. No, Hill and Chubb didn't "break Twitter."
But if there were more moves to come later on Monday, fans weren't finding out about them on X.
Is X down?
Yes, it appears X is down as of Monday midday.
The website Down Detector actually shows that X had issues Monday morning, before those Schefter breaking news posts, and that the issue has returned after 12 noon ET.
Other platforms have begun to gain some of the momentum that X/Twitter has lost in recent months, but nothing matches that app during a major sporting event.
The Olympics are going on. The NFL never stops. MLB spring training is just getting rolling.
And yet the app is a bit off-kilter on Monday anyway.
Fans will just have to use old-fashioned methods of gathering information, like websites or television, since apparently social media isn't coming through on Monday.
The site will surely be back up soon enough, with plenty more sports news to learn.
The stadium lights in Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena may glow in a smaller barn and on a shorter sheet, but they burn brighter as the elimination portion of the Men’s Ice Hockey tournament kicks into high gear tomorrow. Nathan MacKinnon is built for the heat—and he’ll be right at the center of any Team Canada Olympic glory.
2026 Olympic Men's Hockey Playoff Bracket Quarterfinals on Wed. Feb. 18: 1. CAN 🇨🇦 vs. Winner CZE 🇨🇿/ DEN 🇩🇰 2. USA 🇺🇸 vs. Winner SWE 🇸🇪 / LAT 🇱🇻 3. SVK 🇸🇰 vs. Winner GER 🇩🇪 / FRA 🇫🇷 4. FIN 🇫🇮 vs. Winner SUI 🇨🇭 / ITA 🇮🇹
Eyes may be wide from the Olympic scale, but that just lets MacKinnon see the game on a level few can match.
He may not be sleeping as soundly these nights, but between the whistles? He hasn’t shown a hint of it.
Managing Nerves
Ahead of Canada’s tournament opener against Czechia on Feb. 12, Nathan MacKinnon laid it bare: the Olympic weight was real. “The Olympics are huge, and I was nervous,” he said. “I can usually sleep before a game, and I could not sleep.”
Men's #Olympics preliminary round Power Rankings are here!🔥 #IIHF
Those nerves haven’t surfaced on the ice. Canada dominated the group stage—3-0, outscoring opponents 20-3, capped by a 10-2 rout of France on Feb. 15—and MacKinnon has been electric. He followed up with: “We are good at what we do, but we feel like kids at this tournament.”
That wide-eyed wonder is a superpower. Staying connected to the kid who fell in love with the game keeps the pressure from crushing you; it channels it. And make no mistake—for Team Canada, the pressure is immense as single-elimination begins tomorrow.
As Canadian captain Sidney Crosby framed it pre-tournament: “There’s expectations, there’s pressure that comes with that, but it’s about our group and trying to be the best team we can. It’s on all of us to help each other, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
So far, all that pressure has done is polish MacKinnon into a sharper diamond. The Avalanche star arrived feeling the magnitude; now he’s shining under it, ready for the knockout rounds.
Humble in Highlights
One clear sign of MacKinnon honoring that younger self is his humility amid Canada’s dominance in the group stage.
After burying a power-play goal on a feed from Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, he deflected credit: “Two of the best players in the world, and passing it to me was cool. I did not do a lot on that one. Anyone could put that in.”
He’s shown similar grace toward 19-year-old phenom Macklin Celebrini, the youngest NHL player ever to suit up for Canada at the Olympics (with NHL players).
When asked if he could have matched Celebrini’s poise and production on this stage, MacKinnon told Arpon Basu of The Athletic: “I was an idiot. No, no. Not good enough, not mature enough, not anything enough.”
Some might push back—after all, an 18-year-old MacKinnon torched the NHL in his rookie year and shone in the playoffs—but this stage carries heavier stakes and deeper anxiety.
I think the same 18-year-old Nathan would be pretty proud of where he is today—on the cusp of adding the one piece of hardware he’s never had the chance to win: Olympic gold.
Business Time
One of the early narratives of this tournament tried (yet again) to paint Nathan MacKinnon as a no-fun, super-serious, emotionless robot—as headlines latched onto his claim that he wasn’t in Milan for fun, but to win gold.
Emotionless? Nothing could be further from the truth.
What we’re witnessing at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games is pure, unadulterated passion, pride, and purpose.
MacKinnon is in Milan for one thing: to win a gold medal and honor the young Nathan who watched Sidney Crosby score the golden goal in 2010 and surely thought, “That’s gonna be me one day.”
National pride and historical dominance often dictate the narrative of the Olympic Games, but the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan have reinforced a cold, hard truth: on the snow and ice, the world is chasing the shadow of Northern Europe. While the summer cycle is frequently a battle for supremacy between global superpowers, the winter season belongs to the specialists — nations that turn rugged landscapes into gold-medal factories.
In 2026, the gold medal itself is a masterpiece of that very spirit. For nations like Norway, which has already collected a dozen of these treasures, the gold is more than just an award; it is a confirmation of a cultural obsession with winter sport. Even as host nation Italy celebrates its most successful Winter Games ever, already surpassing its all-time record for total medals, the gold standard remains set by the relentless efficiency of the Nordic and Alpine powers.
Here is the updated gold medal tracker for all competing nations at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Miami Dolphins are making a lot of roster moves this offseason already, with the release of four veterans on Monday, February 16th. Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, James Daniels, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine are all now free agents.
This string of roster moves is just the beginning, as the Tua Tagovailoa decision is a massive one on the horizon for the Dolphins. But, with the moves they've made thus far, the Dolphins are saving a lot of cap space.
But, how much are they actually saving? According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Dolphins are reportedly set to save over $50 million in cap space and over $60 million in total money this offseason.
Dolphins already saving over $50M in cap after Hill, Chubb cuts
"Releasing Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, James Daniels, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine clears $66.98 million and over $56 million in 2026 cap space," Pelissero reports. "One or more could be held until March 11 for additional cap savings. Roster reset underway in Miami."
The release of these four veterans, including two multi-time Pro Bowlers in Hill and Chubb, will save the Dolphins $56 million in cap space for the upcoming 2026 season.
Not only are the Dolphins now cap compliant with these roster moves, but they will be capable of cutting Tagovailoa now without being significantly in the red.
Pelissero does mention the Dolphins can hold onto one of these players to save some extra cap space down the road, which could involve a post-June 1st designation.
Such a move would spread out the dead cap hit over two seasons, which would allow the Dolphins to save more money in the short term by borrowing from the future.
But, even without doing that, they're already saving $56 million in cap space for the 2026 season with these roster moves.
Jon-Eric Sullivan's roster transformation is underway, and he's not holding back from making tough decisions. Tagovailoa is next in line for his future to be decided, and based on these four cuts, Tagovailoa is not likely to return to the Dolphins in 2026.
More moves are coming for the Dolphins, and more cap savings might be on the horizon as well. It's going to be a busy offseason for Miami's front office, and they've already done four huge moves, saving $56 million in cap space for the 2026 NFL season.
Dan Barefoot’s first Olympic Games are officially in the books. While the Pennsylvania native’s racing time in Italy might be over, the memories are far from finished.
Even though Barefoot talked about the mental and physical toll the Olympics takes out of an individual, being an Olympian is still so surreal for him.
“It takes so much to just accept what’s going on,” he said. “I think that’s a lot of it. You just have to accept that you are at the Olympics. Everything that you’ve been dreaming about is here.”
For those unfamiliar with skeleton, it‘s easy to underestimate how long it takes to prepare equipment and how long athletes train every week. Additionally, most athletes have full-time jobs outside of training to be an Olympian.
The sled is one of the keys to success, and so are the mental reps.
“We only go down the track for one minute, but to get good at that, it takes hours and hours and hours of mentally doing it,” Barefoot said. “Like closing your eyes and pretending you’re doing it -- lying on a sled and watching YouTube videos from past races. Working on your equipment is way more time than a lot of people prefer, but I’m a hands-on kind of guy, and I like that kind of stuff.”
Barefoot was only expected to compete in the skeleton men’s singles competition, where he finished 20th in the world with a 3:49.86. But to his surprise, the day before the mixed skeleton competition, he found out he would be racing again.
On Sunday, he raced with Team USA teammate Kelly Curtis in the mixed doubles. Each athlete had one run, and both of their times were combined for an overall time for the mixed competition. The pair finished 10th out of 15 teams, with Curtis notching a 1:01.30 and Barefoot finishing with a 1:00.13.
Meeting Flavor Flav and other celebrities he’d grown up watching will always stick with Barefoot.
“We’re talking to celebrities, people that you watch growing up on TV and now they’re like dapping you up every time you see them,” he said. “And you’re like, ‘please no, I’m not worthy.’”
Even though it still sometimes feels like an out-of-body experience for Barefoot to be an Olympian living in the Olympic village, wearing Team USA special Olympic athlete gear, and walking in the Olympic Opening Ceremony, these will be moments he will never forget.
The Washington Commanders are in dire need of help at edge rusher this offseason. On Monday, another viable option became available when the Miami Dolphins released veteran Bradley Chubb.
Chubb, 29, turns 30 in June and is a former No. 5 overall pick by the Denver Broncos in the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent the first five seasons of his NFL career in Denver before he was traded to Miami in 2022. A two-time Pro Bowler, Chubb started all 17 games for the Dolphins in 2025, recording 47 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 20 quarterback hits. In the Week 11 game vs. Washington, Chubb was held without a sack matched up against Laremy Tunsil.
The Dolphins, who have a new GM and head coach, cut Chubb and other veterans as part of cost-cutting. Chubb is immediately eligible to sign with a new team now, weeks before free agency officially opens.
The Commanders will bring Dorance Armstrong and Javontae Jean-Baptiste back next season. Armstrong was having a career season before tearing his ACL in Week 7. Jean-Baptiste, more of a rotational piece, missed most of the season after tearing his pec in Week 4. Von Miller, who led Washington in sacks last season, is a free agent, as is Jacob Martin. Washington will likely target an edge rusher in free agency and in April's 2026 NFL Draft.
Sources: The #Dolphins and two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Bradley Chubb are parting ways, making the 29-year-old a free agent.
In his two full seasons with the Dolphins (2023 & 2025), Chubb has 20 sacks, 8 FF, and 117 tackles. He should have a nice market. pic.twitter.com/u19NEaBZV9
In 2023, Chubb started 16 games for Miami, recording 73 tackles, including 11 for loss, 11 sacks, six forced fumbles and 22 quarterback hits. He missed the 2024 season with a torn ACL.
In eight NFL seasons, Chubb has 48 sacks, 53 tackles for loss and 15 forced fumbles. He should have a strong market by being available before free agency begins.
Feb. 16—Lake Mills hosted the district wrestling tournament Saturday and continued their incredible season.
The Bulldogs won the team title with 211.5 points, easily outdistancing runner-up Central Springs who had 127.5.
Another exciting achievement for the team was tying a school record by qualifying seven individuals for state. Four wrestlers advanced by winning their respective weight class. Seniors Steve Brandenburg and Josiah Kjeldahl both pinned their way through their brackets. It will be Brandenburg's fourth trip to Des Moines and Kjeldahl's first.
Brandenburg also broke the school record for pins in a season. He started the day tied with Wyatt Hanna (2025) at 40 pins and had three on the day to push the new mark to 43.
Junior Caleb Skogen punched his first ticket to state with two wins that came down to the end. Mason Helgeson, a freshman, was the final champion.
Three Bulldogs advanced to state by placing second. Freshmen Micah Skogen and Carter Ham wrestled well to get in, and senior Royce Peterson claimed his second trip to state.
"What a tremendous day for our kids," said coach Alex Brandenburg. "In my 22 years as a head coach, I have not had a team wrestle as well at districts as today."
Seven state qualifiers ties a school record with squads from 1989 and 1998.
"I can't say enough good things about the kids on this team, as they have improved so much throughout the season," Brandenburg said. "To tie the school record and likely break the record if we didn't have a season ending injury, is an amazing accomplishment after losing nine seniors last year."
Team scores: Lake Mills 211.5, Central Springs 143.5, Emmetsburg 127.5, Sumner-Fredericksburg 123.5, Saint Ansgar 116, North Union 58.5, Northwood-Kensett 50, West Bend-Mallard 46.5, Newman 32, West Fork 22.
Other Lake Mills finishes: 3rd: Case Casperson (132), Luke Fjeld (175), Mason Gaetzke (190), Chis Bloedel (285); 4th: Lane Sprecher (165); Dnp: John Fjeld (144)
Major League Baseball was forever changed 50 years ago this month. That was when arbitrator Peter Seitz ruled in favor of pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally against the league. The two had played 1975 after refusing to sign contracts for their respective teams and the opportunity had finally arrived in full for the MLB Players Association to take down the reserve clause in full following years of pioneering efforts from the likes of Marvin Miller and Curt Flood.
The Seitz Decision killed that infamous clause and opened up new avenues for players to hit the open market after six or seven years of service time, depending on the circumstance. While the majority of owners griped and bemoaned the end of the spirit of the game (clearly just that and not their outright feudal control of the market), the avenue was open for teams to make big improvements by simply forking over some cold, hard cash. And no one was more prepared to do that than the New York Yankees and still-new owner George Steinbrenner.
Upon purchasing the Yankees from CBS for $8.7 million with his group of partners in 1973, Steinbrenner had told the press, “We plan absentee ownership as far as running the Yankees is concerned … We’re not going to pretend we’re something we’re not. I’ll stick to building ships.”
That promise hardly lasted through the first week of spring training. Indeed, it was soon obvious that Steinbrenner was willing to do just about anything to win, and as free agency became integrated within the sport, he proved to be quite ready to open up the checkbook. The Yankees often had well-paid stars, going back to the days of Babe Ruth making more more money than President Herbert Hoover and Joe DiMaggio becoming MLB’s first $100,000 player. But Steinbrenner’s near-relentless pursuit of top free agents—both the best players and ones who simply happened to be among the best available at the time—inextricably tied the Yankees to the whole process. Even in relative down years, they were always lurking like a tiger, seemingly ready to pounce at whichever opportunity most appealed to them at the time.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of free agency as we know it, we’re telling 50 different stories of notable Yankees free agent signings in chronological order, from those that were smash hits to ones that blew up in their faces. They are all parts of Yankees history, for better or for worse, and free agent busts can be more famous than most signings.
As a disclaimer, please know from the jump that we are not necessarily just looking at the smartest moves, the best bargains, or all of the richest contracts. Those are all separate categories. The screening process aimed to capture the Yankees free-agent signings that generated the most buzz at the time. So, for example, while the resurrection of 2011 Bartolo Colón was a smashing success on what was initially a minor-league deal, that will not qualify.
Extensions were also ineligible because those negotiations are naturally different than when the open market is a legitimate presence. If players became free agents and re-signed, however, then that entry would be under consideration. Trading for a big contract isn’t the same as a free-agent signing, so you won’t find the deal for Giancarlo Stanton here, nor the acqusition of Randy Johnson, who was quickly extended. The negotiations are just an entirely separate affair than free agency. Lastly, some players might have had multiple free-agent signings qualify, but to ensure variety, we only have major contract per player.
Enough with the methodology! It’s time to explore the actual stories. Beginning today, we’ll have a historic free agent signing to discuss almost every day until spring training begins, primarily posting on weekdays and skipping holidays. This intro will remain pinned to the front page and update with links to the new articles as they go up.
The Tyreek Hill era is over. In south Florida, at least.
The Miami Dolphins will reportedly release their WR1 after a tumultuous and often thrilling four years. He was a first-team All-Pro in his first two seasons after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs. Hill racked up more than 3,500 receiving yards in 2022 and 2023 to make Tua Tagavailoa a fantasy football hero and get the Dolphins back to the postseason. However, his efficiency dipped significantly in 2024. A modest bounce-back in 2025 was cut short by multiple torn ligaments in his left knee.
Hill is soon to be 32 years old, which isn't a great age to be as a speedster wideout. He also brings off-field baggage stemming from investigations into assaults and domestic violence across his college and professional careers. He'll undoubtedly draw interest in the free agent market -- Stefon Diggs just played a significant role for the AFC champions after a torn ACL suffered in his age 31 season after all -- but he won't be the prized playmaker he once was in Miami and Kansas City.
His yards before catch and average target distance in four healthy games last season paint him as a Pro Bowl-caliber deep threat depending on how he recovers from a catastrophic knee injury. Who could be interested in an accomplished veteran and potential Hall of Famer staving off diminishing returns on the field and legal drama off it?
1. Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas will almost certainly make Fernando Mendoza the first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. He'll have Brock Bowers at tight end and Ashton Jeanty at tailback, which is great. His top returning wideouts are Tre Tucker, Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech, which is not. Hill's downfield playmaking could create space for Bowers to keep thriving. Or he could merely be the recipient of Mendoza's absolute dots to the sideline on out routes. Either way, the Raiders need playmaking talent and partial team owner Tom Brady is plenty familiar with Hill's game.
2. New York Jets
Tyrod Taylor and Brady Cook finished 2025 winging passes to Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III. Garrett Wilson's return from injury will help, but the league's third-worst passing offense badly needs reinforcements. Hill won't be at the top of embattled head coach Aaron Glenn's priority list -- he's got to figure out who'll be throwing the ball in northern New Jersey first -- but Hill's veteran presence and steady route-running could lessen the double-teams Wilson is certain to face and help unclog a stagnant offense.
3. New Orleans Saints
New Orleans traded away its deep flier at last fall's deadline when Rashid Shaheed earned a Super Bowl ring with the Seattle Seahawks. While Chris Olave and Tyler Shough performed admirably without him, there's a need for receiving talent in head coach Kellen Moore's offense. Ideally that will come via young, inexpensive talent in the draft.
But general manager Mickey Loomis enjoys a big-name new arrival every spring despite limited cap space. In recent years that's brought Chase Young, Justin Reed, Brandin Cooks, Derek Carr and Tyrann Mathieu to varying degrees of success. A 32-year-old Hill fits in that group.
4. San Francisco 49ers
Kyle Shanahan has never been big on the deep ball, instead creating space for one of the NFL's most devastating run-after-catch offenses. But things may have to change in 2026 with George Kittle 32 years old (and coming off an Achilles tear), Jauan Jennings unlikely to return to the team in free agency and Brandon Aiyuk exiled from Santa Clara. The Niners have two quarterbacks who failed to crack the top 22 in deep ball rate last season, so bringing in a field-stretching presence like Hill, even as his yards after catch numbers are dropping, could make sense for a team in need of receiving depth.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce may have priced himself out of Indiana after a stellar 2025; the Colts have middle-of-the-road salary cap space and much of that will be tied up in re-signing Daniel Jones after his revelatory comeback campaign. Hill could be a cheaper option and, thanks to Indianapolis' receiving depth, one whose waning effectiveness could be well camouflaged thanks to the presence of Michael Pittman, Josh Downs and Tyler Warren. Hill lacks the size and effectiveness of Pierce, but his ability to consume safeties' attention would continue to make Jones' life easy in his new home.
CENTERVILLE — The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont wrestling team allowed themselves a little time to enjoy the accomplishment of winning the Class 2A state dual championship.
"We were riding high for a couple of days," EBF junior Gage Spurgeon said. "As soon as it was time to lock in for districts, we got down off that high pretty quickly and started to work towards the next big thing."
It was anything but an emotional letdown for the Rockets on Saturday in the Class 2A, District 3. EBF qualified 11 of their 14 wrestlers for the Iowa High School Boys State Wrestling Tournament, walking out of Lakeview Gymnasium with the district championship banner racking up 254.5 points nearly doubling the 132-point total of district runner-up Fort Madison.
"It's hard to get off that high of winning a state championship together," EBF sophomore Slater Thomas said. "It was a really big accomplishment that we've been working for ever since we lost in the regional duals last year. We got off that high and got focused. We know our job's still not finished. We still have some unfinished business at state."
Thomas, Simon Bettis and Landen Davis will all return to compete at state after falling in state championship matches last year. Davis, who has not lost since last year's state final, improved to 37-0 on his senior season pinning PCM freshman Jared Sutton in the opening period of the 140-pound final while Thomas improved to 41-4 on his sophomore season shutting out fellow state qualifier Matt Genobana of Centerville for a 10-0 majority decision in the 126-pound district title match.
"I felt like wrestled really good and stayed really composed," Thomas said. "The biggest thing I learned from last season is that there is always someone that's willing to work just as hard as you. You need to remember that to push yourself past your limit every time you can."
Bettis, who like Thomas competed for a state title last year as a freshman, was nearly derailed at winning a district title on Saturday with a knee injury that cost the EBF sophomore time on the mat this season. Bettis went down early holding his knee early in the 120-pound district final with Fort Madison sophomore James Fuller and appeared in danger of having to forfeit the match.
"I was pretty scared in that moment," Bettis said. "Luckily, the pain started to ease up and the adrenaline of it getting a little rough made me want to get back into it."
Bettis not only got back up and on the mat, but dominated Fuller to secure the third of EBF's seven straight wins in district finals. Two takedowns and a nearly fall in the final 77 seconds of the opening period gave Bettis a 10-2 lead before three more takedowns over the next two periods clinched a 19-4 tech fall over Fuller secured with 23 seconds left in the match.
"I was out for blood. (Fuller) was clearly pulling on my knees when he knew I was out earlier this season," Bettis said. "I was pretty fired up. It's been doing a lot better as of late. I know I'm going to be good for state, but anytime I get in those positions, I've just got to be safe and got to be careful."
Spurgeon, a state champion as a freshman two years ago and a third-place medalist last year as a sophomore, improved to 51-0 on his junior season by rolling to the 132-pound title. The Most Valuable Wrestler of last week's state duals pinned his way into the finals before winning a 17-4 major decision over PCM state qualifer Kaliber Fry.
"I like to move up in weight every year that I wrestle, so that's been my goal all along to go after the 120-pound state title this year," Spurgeon said. "It feels good to get back to state, but it will feel even better if I can help us bring home another state championship banner."
Keller Little earned his first district title in his first district tournament, improving to 37-5 by pinning Clarke senior Angel Gomez-Perez in the opening period of the 106-pound final. Garrett Pumphrey earned a 113-pound district title for EBF, returning to state with an 11-9 win over Fairfield senior Cael McCabe scoring a takedown with 23 seconds left after McCabe scored a pair of nearfalls in the final minute to erase a 9-0 deficit.
"I was chasing it. I was feeling good and I just wanted a little more," Pumphrey said. "I was happy overall with how I wrestled. I just went for too much late in the match and almost got caught. I just tried to fight hard to get out of bounds and got out of that pinning combination."
Kaden Kirkpatrick (138) and Corbyn Padgett (285) also picked up district championships for the Rockets while Zane Mullenix (157), Tatian Freeman (175) and Logan Gardner (190) wrestled their way back from earlier losses to secure state berths. With 11 wrestlers representing the team next week, EBF has the depth to go after the program's second traditional state tournament title as a team after finishing second to Burlington-Notre Dame in the championship race last season.
"I sent out a photo to all of our wrestlers of last year's second-place trophy as a little extra motivation going into districts," EBF head wrestling coach Dimitri Boyer said. "I'm not sure we've ever had this many boys competing in one state tournament. It's pretty big for us and something I'm really proud of. Everyone's ready for the next step."
Who was the Milwaukee area's top prep athlete last week? You tell us.
You can vote for the Piggly Wiggly Milwaukee Journal Sentinel high school athlete of the week until 3 p.m. Feb. 21. You don't have to be a subscriber to vote. Votes are limited to one per hour per device.
Here are this week's nominees. If the poll does not display, refresh your browser.
Declan Foy, Marquette boys swimming and diving
The junior won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events while contributing to winning 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay teams at the Muskego Sectional on Feb. 14, earning WIAA state qualifications in all four events.
Casen Piotrowski, Germantown boys swimming and diving
The freshman earned a WIAA state qualification with his dive event score of 393.10 at the Waukesha South Sectional, good for second in the event.
Alijah Thames-Martin, Brown Deer/Messmer/Shorewood boys wrestling
The boys co-op will send seven grapplers to the WIAA individual state wrestling tournament in Madison, including senior Alijah Thames-Martin for the first time in his career. Thames-Martin captured his first sectional title at 165 pounds on Feb. 14 with a fall victory and two majority decision wins, including in the final with a 14-2 victory over Nicolet's Cameron Berry-Stricklen.
Riley Ward, Whitnall girls basketball
The senior was excellent in both of Whitnall's dominant victories over Shorewood and Cudahy this past week. On Feb. 10 against Shorewood, Ward almost outscored the Greyhounds on her own with a 29-point, five-assist outing in a 74-29 victory for the Falcons. Two nights later against Cudahy, Ward scored 32 points on 10-of-13 shooting and six 3-pointers.
Jackson Zolper, New Berlin West/Eisenhower boys wrestling
The junior pinned all three of his opponents at the Greenfield Sectional on Feb. 14 to win the 285-pound weight class and earn his first WIAA state individual wrestling qualification.
With the fresh fantasy baseball season approaching, it’s time to get you some tiered rankings from my Shuffle Up series. Use these for auction drafts, straight drafts, keeper decisions or merely a view of how the position ebbs and flows. We started last week with infield spots, and today we complete them with the shortstop position. The outfield and the pitching spots will follow later this week.
The numbers are unscientific in nature and meant to reflect where talent clusters and drops off. Assume a 5x5 scoring system, as usual.
In what can fairly be termed an off year, Witt still led the majors in hits and doubles and was the seventh-most valuable hitter for 5x5 leagues. The Kansas City lineup has an upgraded feel to it, with eight of its primary starters expected to be league average or better. Witt likely hasn’t peaked yet, about to enter his age-26 season.
De La Cruz has trimmed his strikeouts significantly the last two seasons and he’s no longer a batting average risk. And when you combine his speed with his average exit velocity, we can confidently project him to have a high BABIP yearly. De La Cruz had a strange powerless stretch last year, going 74 games with just one homer, and it’s possible he might eventually move off shortstop. But I still want to be proactive to his case, knowing we haven’t seen his peak yet.
Neto won’t be a screaming bargain, but he’s likely undervalued simply because he missed 36 games last year and it slightly muted his counting stats. Neto has improved his average every season and already has the category juice you demand in the early rounds. Even with a pedestrian Anaheim lineup supporting him, I’ll consider Neto in the second round and pounce on him in the third. You want players on the escalator, and Neto steps into his age-25 season.
I had to regretfully move Lindor down after we learned he needed hamate bone surgery. I’m not going to play the injury optimism game, especially for someone reading for his age-32 season.
Legitimate Building Blocks
$25 Geraldo Perdomo
$24 Corey Seager
$23 Jeremy Peña
$22 Bo Bichette
$22 Maikel Garcia
$20 CJ Abrams
Peña grew into a star last year but he’s still underpriced, perhaps because a month on the injured list muted his final counting stats. Take advantage of the price this one last time. He’s expected to bat leadoff in Houston, which is good for the volume. And he’s right in the middle of his peak years.
It hurt me to fade Seager, one of the best hitters in baseball. Seager’s plate discipline is so perfect that there’s a popular zone-judgment metric that’s named after him. But the reality is that Seager has played just one full season out of the last seven (ignoring the 2020 truncated year) and that’s not a trend to swim against as he turns 32. Seager’s average has dropped into the .270s the last two years and he’s never been interested in stealing bases. I’ll stay open-minded if his price slips in my rooms, but I can’t consider him at current ADP.
Perdomo was the No. 11 player in 5x5 value last year but his ADP is nowhere near that for the fresh season. This presents an attractive “regress and win” opportunity where Perdomo can actually give back a significant amount of last year’s stats and still be a fantasy profit. Perdomo is a high-percentage base-stealer and entering his age-26 season, so I’m not worried about that column. And he’s the rare player who had more walks than strikeouts last year, and those players are always attractive targets. Maybe the 20 homers won’t come back, but there’s enough broad profile here to make Perdomo a cornerstone player.
Talk Them Up, Talk Them Down
$19 Willy Adames
$18 Trevor Story
$16 Dansby Swanson
$15 Xavier Edwards
$14 Jacob Wilson
$13 Masyn Winn
$13 Colson Montgomery
$12 Brendan Donovan
Adames was a screaming fade last year after changing teams on a big contract and heading to a roomy park, but that angle only worked for the first half. He conked 18 homers and slugged .494 in the second half, and he even picked up his running. He might be a shade past his peak into an age-30 season, but so long as you’ve assembled batting average elsewhere, I could sign off on Adames around his Yahoo ADP of 106.3.
Wilson’s profile is filled with some interesting contradictions. He’s the hardest player to strike out in the AL but he actually has a poor chase rate and a low walk rate, too. His contact metrics were also low, which is why his Savant page suggests a .277 average last year, not the .311 number he finished with. But if you pick Wilson you’re betting on the Sacramento park (great for offense) and Wilson’s pedigree (he was the sixth overall pick in 2023 and zoomed through the minors). He’s capable of stealing 10-12 bases, too, like any front-9 ballplayer is.
Some Plausible Upside
$11 Ezequiel Tovar
$11 Bryson Stott
$11 JJ Wetherholt
$10 Otto Lopez
$8 José Caballero
$8 Xander Bogaerts
$7 Jackson Holliday
$7 Jake Cronenworth
$6 Ernie Clement
$6 Carlos Correa
$5 Konnor Griffin
Holliday gave us category juice and a trimmed strikeout rate last year, but he needed hand surgery in mid-February and should open the year on the injured list. This is the type of news that could wreck a season, because we can’t expect Holliday to be sharp — and ready to run — the moment he comes off the injured list. Ultimately, the conclusion is the same as with Lindor — don’t be the injury optimist in your pool.
The Red Sox take a lot of heat for money not spent, but they were lucky when Bogaerts walked after the 2022 season. The X-Man hasn’t even been a league-average hitter the last two years. It’s a good thing he’s running, because he’s below code in every other column we use for scoring. The Padres are on the hook for eight more years.
BLOOMFIELD — For a team that has overcome a 24-point halftime deficit this season, three points with four minutes left seemed pretty simple.
The Davis County girls basketball team simply believes that things will turn out well in the end. That belief has carried the Mustangs to the most single-season wins in over two decades.
On Saturday, it helped carry Davis County to a 46-38 win over South Central Conference rival Centerville in the Class 3A, Region 6 quarterfinals. The Mustangs scored 11 unanswered points late in the game, holding the Redettes scoreless for over four minutes after a five-point possession had given Centerville a 36-33 fourth-quarter lead showcasing the same resiliency that rallied Davis County to an overtime road win at Albia in a game the Mustangs trailed 27-3 after two quarters.
"It was just a matter of playing our game and playing with the same confidence that we always do," Husted said. "Coming out in that fourth quarter, we had to come out strong. We were able to execute that and play with confidence."
Husted led Davis County with a double-double, scoring a team-high 16 points including 10 in the first half while hauling in a game-high 10 rebounds. The Redettes held the Mustang senior to just two field goals in the second half, including a 3-point play with under five minutes left that put Davis County on top 33-31.
Centerville, just eight days removed from pulling off a 53-41 win over the Mustangs in Bloomfield as part of a five-game winning streak to close out the regular season, answered back as Erin Shinn connected on a go-ahead 3-pointer on the next possession for the Redettes while Payley Poe was whistled for fouling Addison Drew, leading to a pair of free throws with 4:24 left that gave Centerville their late lead.
"We played hard and gave a good effort," Centerville head girls basketball coach Nic Belloma said. "Once we got the lead, that led to the defining stretch of the game."
That stretch began with a clutch 3-pointer by Hayden Humphrey on just the second shot attempt of the game for the Mustang senior, tying that game at 36-36 with just over four minutes to go. Davis County's defense ultimately made the plays that provided the Mustangs with the postseason win, including consecutive steals by Paylin Lawson and Culee Smith that led to the next four points that put Davis County on top for good.
"We just had a few too many turnovers that were kind of uncharacteristic for us," Belloma said. "They weren't really forced turnovers. We just couldn't completely prepare for their length. When they got into that 1-2-2 defense. We knew they played 2-3 a couple of other times, but that 1-2-2 is their base defense. You get Husted and (Nadia) Zmolek down there with their long arms, it causes problems."
Davis County's defense forced Centerville into 22 turnovers, including 12 steals from six different players led by Lawson's three steals. Zmolek and Husted, meanwhile, combined to swat away five shots when the Redettes tried to take the ball to the basket.
"We flustered them enough to keep them from getting a few extra points here or there," Davis County head girls basketball coach Matt Zeitler said. "We took away their two players in the post (Payden Hoffman and Kelsie Taylor) and forced their girls at the top of the triangle to shoot. Our game plan was to stop Addison Tuttle after she scored 25 points against us last week."
Tuttle finished with 16 points to lead Centerville, scoring seven on two plays alone connecting a 3-pointer from the corner while being fouled cutting an 18-10 Davis County lead in half late in the first half before driving in for a basket on a fastbreak while being fouled in the third quarter to help rally the Redettes from a 10-point deficit.
"Our kids fought hard to win 15 games this season," Belloma said. "It's just the leadership of our kids. They've learned how to take on those roles and how to spread the ball around. We won 15 games and could have had a few more, plus we have everyone back next season."
Ultimately, Davis County's experience came through frustrating Centerville in the final four minutes to secure the rubber match with the Redettes after winning the first of the three meetings between the teams at Centerville last month. Smith finished with nine points, seven rebounds and three steals scoring five of Davis County's final eight points in the contest as five Mustang seniors combined to score 32 of Davis County's 46 points.
"Basketball is a game of momentum, so you just have to ride it out when things aren't going your way," Smith said. "Our team has been really good about working our way through those rough patches. We're good at wiping the slate clean. We've done that in several scenarios just like we did in this game when Centerville made that comeback."
While Centerville ends the season with a record of 15-7, Davis County (16-5) will face a stiff road test in Wednesday's 3A regional semifinal. The Mustangs travel to eighth-ranked Mediapolis, who improved to 22-0 on the season with a 70-40 win over Central Lee on Saturday.
"We've just got to leave all out there on the court on Wednesday night," Smith said. "We're all on the same page there."
The U.S. women’s hockey team is officially one period away from a gold-medal showdown in Milan. While their run has been anchored by a historic defense that has allowed only one goal all tournament, the second period of Monday's semifinal proved the Americans have plenty of offensive firepower to spare.
After a tight first period, the U.S. blew the game open with four goals in the second frame, chasing Swedish goaltender Ebba Svensson Traff and taking a 5-0 lead into the final intermission.
The U.S. has outscored opponents 31-1 so far this tournament and is 20 minutes away from its fifth consecutive shutout. Goals from Abbey Murphy, Hayley Scamurra and Laila Edwards in rapid pace made the game a blowout in the middle frame.
Here's a full look at the box score from Monday's semifinal game between the United States and Sweden.
Woking Gymnastics Club has been named Community Club of the Year [Getty Images]
Woking Gymnastics Club has won a national prize at the British Gymnastics Awards.
The 2026 Community Club of the Year award recognises not only gymnastics but the way the club uses sport to create a long-term impact for the wider community.
Chief executive Andrew Challis said most of the club's more than 1,000 members were in its recreational programme.
Challis told BBC Radio Surrey young members want to come along, have some fun and see if they like gymnastics probably making the club "the largest youth organisation in the Woking area".
Challis said the award was open to every club in the UK, describing Woking's win as a "huge testament to the work and everything we try to do at the club".
Many children join from preschool age and remain for years. He said the club's leading gymnast, Jamie Lewis, "joined us at four" and is now the senior British men's champion.
The award also highlights the club's growth, rising from 482 members in 2021 to 840 in 2025.
Challis said inclusivity was central to the club, noting one coach won the National Inclusion Award for working with children with special educational needs last year.
The club said its additional needs classes were not a bolt-on programme but were central to who they are.
Challis said Woking Gymnastic is "a fairly large local employer...we have about 50 55 staff. A lot of them are young people" providing a first introduction to the workplace."
With demand continuing to rise and a waiting list of more than 100 gymnasts, the club is considering expanding its facilities.
While his pop-event for his 741 brand did not go as planned thanks to the intervention of the Beverley Hills Police Department, star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown played well in his two mini-tilts played for Team Stripes in the 2026 NBA All-Star Game.
In the first of the two tilts, Brown's 11 points, 3 rebounds, and a block helped to power his squad to a 42-40 victory over Team Stars. In the second of the three mini-games, Brown may not have scored, but his assist, steal, and 2 blocks helped to put Team Stripes over Team World with a 48-45 victory.
The folks behind the official "Boston Celtics" YouTube channel put together a clip of the best of Brown's play in both games. Check it out below!
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The world of curling has spent decades trying to figure out a way to raise its profile beyond the “once-every-four-years” curiosity it becomes during the Winter Olympics.
Turns out, all it took was a graze of a finger on a 40ish-pound piece of granite, an allegation caught on camera followed by an impassioned expletive-laden response.
Social media and the white-hot spotlight that only the Games provide did the rest.
The animated back-and-forth between Sweden's Oskar Eriksson and Canada’s Marc Kennedy during a match Saturday night — when Eriksson accused Kennedy of an illegal “double touch” — managed to do in a handful of seconds what years of promotion by those within the sport that looks like a combination of shuffleboard, chess and vacuuming the living room could not: cut through the noise to push it to the front of the line, ahead of the skiers and skaters and snowboarders that typically dominate the conversation whenever the Games roll around.
Alina Paetz watched the proof unfold in real time. The longtime Swiss curler was scrolling on her phone over the weekend when she ran across a headline about it from celebrity-focused “People" magazine, not exactly considered a go-to for all things curling.
“That's pretty new,” Paetz said.
A lot of this kind of is.
There is no such thing as bad publicity
Here is the delicate part for those within a sport that dates back centuries and is steadily cultivating a larger fanbase. Does it matter that the gateway for many into curling is two guys snapping at each other and not an exquisite takeout or a dramatic hammer that decides a match?
“I think that for curling, to grow the sport, publicity is good,” said Canadian Emma Miskew, a three-time world champion whose own skip — Rachel Homan — was accused of the same “double touch” violation as Kennedy. “But in this situation, it just was a little blown up. It was a little too far.”
On that, Mishew is right. The conversation grew so intense online that Nolan Thiessen, CEO of Curling Canada, told The Associated Press there have been “disgusting” emails directed toward family members of the Canadian team.
“That’s where it’s going to stop, right? We keep it on the ice,” Thiessen said. “If you want to hate our teams, that’s your right as a sports fan.”
Thiessen, however, also recognizes the opportunity all this has provided. The pushback by self-appointed curling experts — many of whom likely didn't know the hog line even existed until a few days ago — is tough to stomach. At the same time, curling has never been such a prominent part of the Olympic conversation.
“It's both sides of it, right?” he said. “You get the people reaching out that are really upset about the rules infraction. And then you get the people that are reaching out about the drama between the two teams.”
That second part is not nothing. There are many paths to fandom. Almost all of them have the same starting point: exposure. This time, the exposure seems to be wrapped up in what could best be described as Olympic catnip.
The fact that the teams at the Cortina Curling Center compete under the flag of the country they represent means there are built-in allegiances. Throw in a sport whose nuances are largely a mystery, mic up the athletes to provide an intimate glimpse, put national pride on the line in the form of Olympic medals and you've got all the ingredients necessary to get a foot in the door.
“I think that there’s value in creating people watching curling, people getting interested in curling,” said Kristian Heldin Lindstrom, manager of Sweden's women's Olympic team. “And if you start watching it, maybe you’re going to keep watching it because it is a very interesting sport, there is a lot of complexity to it.”
Eyeing the future
Nic Sulsky is kind of banking on it. The CEO of The Curling Group acquired the rights to the Grand Slam of Curling in 2024 in hopes of creating a sustainable professional league.
The organization pointed to the spring of 2026 as a potential launch date from the second it took over the Grand Slam. The Rock League will kick off with a one-week event in Toronto in April, when six teams of 10 curlers (five men and five women) will face off.
The calculus was easy. Sulsky, a Montreal native whose background is in gambling ventures, knew there would be a spike in interest in curling once the Olympics began, just like there always is.
The sport's ubiquity during the Games — the competition actually began two days before the opening ceremony and will wrap up with the women's gold-medal match just hours before the closing ceremony starts — combined with its relatability as one of the few Winter Olympic disciplines where danger isn't imminent, makes it a fun hang.
Sulsky felt April would be a chance to strike while the rock is hot. He just didn't envision it being quite this hot or being talked about in quite this way.
“Would we have all preferred if the world fell in love with curling because of an incredible curling shot? Sure," Sulsky told The AP. “But what do fans love more than anything else? They love personality, they love stars.”
And there was a realness in the exchange between Ericksson and Kennedy that wouldn't have been out of place on a soccer pitch or a hockey rink.
“All this has done is just shine a light on how competitive, how emotional and how interesting these athletes are,” he said.
The reality is, Ericksson and Kennedy's spat isn't that uncommon, particularly when it comes to double-touching.
The rule that bars those curling the stone from touching it with their fingers once they release it can be difficult to police. There's typically an honors system involved. There is no official video replay available to sort it out, leaving it up to the officials or the competitors themselves. It can lead to messily authentic moments like the one that went viral on Saturday night.
Given the massive stir it has created, maybe Kennedy and Ericksson were on to something.
Asked if this means curling could one day borrow a page from professional wrestling and give competitors microphones where they can cut promos before and after matches to create storylines in hopes of keeping a foothold in the public consciousness, Paetz laughed.
“I don’t know,” she said. “Who knows how it looks in five years? I think maybe it just stays the way it is right now."
And that might be more than enough.
___
Associated Press writer Julia Frankel contributed to this report.
Real Madrid youngster has an outside chance of playing for Spain in World Cup
Gonzalo Garcia has been quite the find for Real Madrid this season, especially after his breakthrough at the FIFA Club World Cup.
While the Spaniard’s first half of the season was far from ideal, under the leadership of Xabi Alonso, the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa has worked wonders for the player.
While Kylian Mbappe still remains the undisputed number nine for Real Madrid, Garcia has emerged as an intriguing alternative, who has been racking up the minutes since the turn of the year, even earning praise for his qualities.
An outside chance at the World Cup?
As reported by Diario AS, there is still an outside chance for Garcia to be selected into the Spanish team for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente lacks a definitive candidate for the centre-forward role, as current options like Mikel Oyarzabal and Ferran Torres are not natural strikers.
Can Garcia sneak into the Spain team for the upcoming World Cup? (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
The leading candidate, Samu Omorodion, has been ruled out of the tournament following a devastating cruciate ligament tear.
This injury has left the search for a traditional number nine more open than ever, giving Gonzalo a genuine outside chance if his clinical form continues.
The numbers behind Gonzalo’s rise are increasingly difficult for both club and country to ignore. He has already been involved in eight goals – six goals and two assists – across 950 minutes of action this season.
This equates to a goal involvement every 119 minutes, proving he can deliver significant output with limited opportunities.
This is a quality that often becomes useful at a stage like the World Cup, as evidenced by the success of a certain Mirsolav Klose.
Puyol, Pique and Liverpool superstar: Barcelona defender names his role models
In about a year and a half, Pau Cubarsi has established himself as one of Barcelona’s defensive gems.
At the age of just 19, the Spaniard is now a key component in Hansi Flick’s defensive setup, having already racked up over 100 competitive appearances for the club. He now ranks among one of the most valued defenders in the world.
The youngster has impressed onlookers with his calmness and ability to operate in a high defensive backline, which is why it came as no surprise when the player revealed his role models in a recent interaction.
Who are Cubarsi’s role models?
Indeed, Cubarsi, in a recent interview with L’Equipe (h/t AS), has revealed that he has long followed the gameplay of two of Barcelona’s most prominent defenders in the 21st century in the form of Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique.
“My references have always been Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique. With Puyol, I mostly watched highlights. I tried to draw inspiration from his character and the way he led the team,” he said.
With a combined total of more than 1,200 appearances for Barcelona, Puyol and Pique, have indeed been critical to Barcelona’s success since the dawn of the new century.
Pique is one of Cubarsi’s biggest role models. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Cubarsi added that Pique, in particular, has helped him learn more about ball progression and positioning.
“From Pique, who I had the chance to watch play, I tried to learn his ball progression and positioning. That really helped me become the player I am today,” he said.
In addition to Puyol and Piqué, though, Cubarsi revealed that Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk is also one of his role models.
The Barcelona defender added that he admires van Dijk because of his composure, leadership and ability to circulate the possession from the back.
“I really like Van Dijk, a benchmark for his composure, leadership, and the way he builds from the back,” he concluded.
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl confirmed interest in signing Jérémy Jacquet
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed the German club’s interest in signing Stade Rennais player Jérémy Jacquet (20) during the winter transfer window.
“Jérémy Jacquet, from Stade Rennais, would have been an excellent player for us. But when you see that he is going to Liverpool at the age of 20 for €70 million, you have to think about what is best for Bayern Munich,” explained the 52-year-old executive in an interview with Sport1.
So, while unable to secure the services of the promising French centre-back, who will join the reigning English champions at the end of the season, the Rekordmeister have finally managed to extend the contract of his compatriot Dayot Upamecano (27). A real victory for Eberl.
“He knows the club, he’s in top form and he’s one of the best centre-backs in the world,” he summarised. “From a sporting and financial point of view, it’s the right decision. That’s why I’m talking about an ‘internal transfer’.”
Previously contracted to Bayern Munich until June 2026, Upamecano has signed a new deal extending his stay until 2030.
F1 testing wrapped up its first week in Bahrain on Thursday with a whole lot of data and very few answers. The good news? Week 2 kicks off on Wednesday, and this time you can actually watch it.
Unlike the first F1 test — where only the final hour of each day was broadcast — the second session, running February 18-20, will be shown live in full on F1 TV in the United States. For fans in the Eastern time zone, sessions run from 2 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET. Early alarms, yes. But worth it.
If you thought three days of running at the Bahrain International Circuit would sort out who has the fastest car, think again. Teams spent the week pointing fingers at each other, and no team was willing to claim it had the edge.
Ask Mercedes who’s quickest, and they’ll tell you it’s Red Bull. Ask Red Bull, and they say they’re fourth. Ferrari points to Red Bull and Mercedes. And McLaren — the defending constructors’ champions — insists all three of those teams are ahead of them.
Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen put it bluntly. The competitive picture has shifted almost daily. “If you’d asked me that in Barcelona, I would’ve probably said Mercedes is head and shoulders above the rest,” he said. “If you’d asked me on Wednesday, I would probably have said Red Bull is the benchmark. If you’d asked me yesterday, I would’ve said, ‘Wow, you want to see Ferrari’s long run.'”
That kind of volatility is rare. And it comes down to the single biggest storyline of 2026 testing so far: energy management.
What Is Energy Management and Why Should You Care?
The new 2026 power units produce three times as much electrical power as their predecessors. Sounds great. But there’s a catch: the batteries drain fast. Really fast.
Williams team principal James Vowles offered the simplest explanation anyone has heard heading into the second incarnation of F1 testing in Bahrain.
“Think about it this way,” Vowles said. “In one braking zone, you can nearly fill the battery up, but in half a straight, you can deplete the entire battery.”
That tradeoff is rewriting how drivers approach every corner. Sometimes it makes more sense to lift off the throttle in a fast turn, save the energy, and blast it down the next straight. Teams that figure out the best balance between harvesting energy in corners and deploying it on straights are going to have a massive advantage. Nobody’s cracked the code yet. That’s what Week 2 is for.
Fernando Alonso believes the requirement for extensive energy management in F1 2026 could take “some of the joy” away from driving.https://t.co/MVIAGQ0XYF
George Russell said the Red Bull Ford power unit’s deployment advantage over its rivals could be worth half a second to a full second per lap, calling the gap “pretty scary to see.”
Red Bull technical director Pierre Wache disagreed.
“We are not the benchmark, for sure,” he said, placing Ferrari, Mercedes and McLaren all ahead of Red Bull in his own team’s internal analysis.
Somebody’s sandbagging. Probably everybody.
Verstappen vs. Norris: The Driver Debate
The new regs haven’t just confused the competitive picture. They’ve split the drivers right down the middle.
Max Verstappen didn’t mince words after his first week with the new units during the F1 testing. “A lot of what you do as a driver, in terms of inputs, has a massive effect on the energy side of things,” he said. “For me, that’s just not Formula 1.”
He compared the experience unfavorably to Formula E, the all-electric racing series, calling the 2026 cars something like a juiced-up version of that format. The driving demands have changed dramatically; some drivers are reaching for first gear through corners that used to be taken in third, just to keep the turbo spooling and the battery charging.
Fernando Alonso, who has raced at this track since 2004, noted that Bahrain’s famous high-speed Turn 12 has been fundamentally altered. Speeds have dropped to roughly 38 miles per hour because it simply doesn’t pay to push through it anymore. “Even our chef can drive the car in Turn 12 at that speed,” he joked.
Lando Norris took a different view entirely.
“It’s a challenge but it’s a good fun challenge for the engineers, for the drivers,” Norris said. “You still get to drive cars and travel the world and have a lot of fun. So, no, nothing to complain about.”
Safety Questions Loom Large
Credit: F1
Beyond the driver complaints, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella raised issues that could demand rule changes before the March 6 season opener in Australia.
Race starts have become a serious concern during F1 testing in 2026. The new power units lack a component called the MGU-H, which previously helped spool the turbocharger for clean getaways. Now drivers need to rev the engine hard for more than 10 seconds before the start, and there’s a real worry that cars at the back of the grid won’t have enough time under the current start procedure to get their turbos ready.
“We need to make sure that the race start procedure allows all cars to have the power unit ready to go,” Stella said, “because the grid is not the place in which you want to have cars slow in taking off.”
Stella also flagged potential dangers from cars lifting and coasting along straights to harvest energy, which could create closing-speed differentials and lead to collisions. The F1 Commission is expected to discuss these issues at its meeting on Wednesday during Week 2 of F1 testing.
Who Needs a Big Week at F1 Testing?
Aston Martin enters the second test in rough shape. They managed just 206 laps during Week 1 — the lowest of any team — after being plagued by reliability problems. Lance Stroll publicly admitted the car was four and a half seconds off the pace of the frontrunners, and Fernando Alonso acknowledged the team must “walk before we run.” For Week 2, Aston Martin is the only squad skipping the harder C1 and C2 tyre compounds entirely, loading up on 20 sets of the softer C3 as they scramble for data and development mileage.
Kimi Antonelli needs a rebound too. The young Mercedes driver managed just 94 laps across the three days — fewest of any driver — due to reliability headaches. “It is much better to have these issues now,” he said, “rather than them happening during race weekends.”
On the flip side, Cadillac — the newest team on the grid and the first American constructor in decades — had an encouraging debut. They banked over 1,700 km across the three days, completed race simulations with both Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, and showed the kind of operational smoothness you wouldn’t expect from a brand-new outfit.
The Bottom Line
Week 2 is when testing gets real. Teams will push harder, reveal more, and start to show their actual pace ahead of the Australian Grand Prix on March 6. The politics around Mercedes’ engine compression ratio controversy, the safety concerns about starts and overtaking, the massive unknowns around energy management: it all comes to a head this week.
Volunteers and students waved the Trinidad and Tobago and Yorkshire flag side by side [BBC]
At a North Yorkshire garden centre, volunteers and students huddled around a television to offer their unlikely backing to a bobsleigh team as the competitors took their place in the Winter Olympics.
Rather the the red, white and blue of the Team GB's Union flag, these fans proudly waved the black, red and white of Caribbean nation Trinidad and Tobago.
The pilot of the sled in question, rushing 1,745m around the Cortina D'Ampezzo track, was Axel Brown, a local athlete who supports the Harrogate-based charity Horticap
Brown, who races for his mother's home country, had previously said his plan for the Olympics was "Operation Don't Come Last".
Horticap, which organised the watch party, teaches disabled adults outdoor skills and horticulture at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries.
Brown's mother volunteers at the garden centre and the athlete has always got stuck in to support the cause - including walking through the town dressed as an elf.
At the front, Axel Brown, from Harrogate, competes in the two-man bobsleigh event for Trinidad and Tobago [Getty Images]
Operations manager Phil Airey said: "He's done crazy things for us, he loves coming up, he loves our students.
"Trinidad is a long way away and Italy is a long way away, but this guy from Yorkshire, from Harrogate, is our friend and having somebody that they know in the Olympics, it's just very exciting for them."
Ahead of the run, the Airey said the group hoped for a good result and for Brown's wish not to come last to come true - but that they would be proud of him, no matter what happened..
"I couldn't care less where he comes, it would be just great to see him there and then hopefully when he comes back he's going to be bringing the bobsleigh up here for our students to see," he added.
Phil Airey organised the watch party to cheer on friend and supporter Axel Brown [BBC]
Instructor Erica Ward said the team had been following Brown's journey for a while and the students were "inspired and excited" by his story.
"The lead up to any event like this is such a great thing for the students, it has such an impact on them," she said.
"They can see that people can do all these amazingly different things, it's a great opportunity for them to see what's going on."
Ward added the athlete was part of the family and they were fully behind him and the Trinidad and Tobago team as well as Team GB.
"We've got both camps and we're happy to support them both!" she laughed.
Students cheered after hearing the results of Brown's bobsleigh run [BBC]
Joe Burrow’s future with the Cincinnati Bengals became a popular topic during the 2025 NFL season. The star quarterback. Back in December, he sounded like somebody tired of losing and seeing his team’s front office not do anything to change the situation.
Ever since that moment, his future has been subject to speculation. The former No. 1 overall pick would be a sought-after player if he asked out of Cincinnati, but that might not be happening right now.
However, TV personality and Bengals superfan Nick Lackey joined the “Fitz and Whit” podcast, where he said the team must do something big if it wants to keep Burrow on the roster.
“Unless something changes, and changes in a big way, I don’t think it’s a strong chance, ’cause I think he’s the kind of guy who is the ultimate competitor,” Lachey said. “And Whit, you told me this about him before. He wants to win. Period. I think he would love to win there. I think he would love to finish what he started there. We saw the cracks in the foundation a little bit this year, and he did a good job backpedaling out of it.
“The guy wants to win, and if he doesn’t think it can happen there, then at some point he’s gonna get frustrated to the point of having to throw down an ultimatum.”
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) paces between plays in the second quarter of the NFL Week 18 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium in Downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
Joe Burrow didn’t have the best 2025 season, despite a promising 2-0 start. A toe injury limited him to eight games. He went 173 of 259 for 1,809 yards and 17 touchdowns. Once he returned, the Bengals were in a complex position and couldn’t challenge for a playoff spot.
Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on November 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Back in December, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Burrow and the Bengals weren’t precisely on the best of terms.
“Does that mean he’s thrilled with everything inside the Bengals’ building? No. People close to him have made it clear that certain parts of the Bengals’ operation, with the smallest coaching and scouting staffs in the league, have previously frustrated him,” Russini wrote.
Ja’Marr Chase explained the front office knows what the team needs to be competitive again. Time will tell if they do what they need to make a splash in the AFC.
Guard depth has been an issue for the Philadelphia 76ers all season really, but especially since the trade deadline when they moved both Jared McCain and Eric Gordon and didn't bring any bodies back.
Well, now the team has addressed the issue.
76ers signing Cam Payne for remainder of season
The Sixer are signing veteran guard Cam Payne for the remainder of the season, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. Payne previously played with the Sixers in 2024.
Payne is currently playing with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, and will secure a buyout in order to return to the NBA.
During his first stint with the Sixers in '24, Payne played in 31 games and averaged 9.3 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per performance.
Now back in Philly, Payne will join a guard rotation that also features Tyrese Maxey, V.J. Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and Kyle Lowry. Given the team's lack of depth at the position, Payne is likely to see some legitimate playing time, at least during the regular season.
The Golden State Warriors added a 7-foot-2 unicorn and former New York Knicks All-Star to their roster before the Feb. 5 deadline to assist Stephen Curry.
While the 30-year-old big man is expected to make a significant impact with the Dubs down the stretch of the 2025-26 season, the San Francisco Standard’s Danny Emerman believes there's a chance he won't compete with the organization next year.
“The Warriors could look to sign-and-trade him (Kristaps Porzingis) in the offseason as part of a bigger deal," Emerman wrote on Feb. 7. "Without (Jonathan) Kuminga, they lack the type of meaty, mid-sized salaries required for matching salaries to complete big trades.”
“In this route, the Warriors would be able to aggregate his sign-and-trade salary, too. The other option would be for the Warriors to let Porzingis walk, shaving $30 million off their books. That wouldn’t make them a cap space team, but it would likely get them out of the luxury tax.”
If the Warriors are presented with an opportunity to include Porzingis in a deal for Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, don’t expect the seven-time NBA champions to look the other way.
Antetokounmpo is the asset the Warriors were hoping to strike gold with during the trade season. Despite growing rumors that the Dubs were in good shape to land the two-time MVP, Golden State was unable to complete a blockbuster deal.
That said, the Warriors are set to give it another try in the summer, which could be bad news for Porzingis.
Letting Porzingis walk seems like an unlikely option. However, if the Warriors don’t feel comfortable moving forward with an injury-prone center, they could consider the possibility during free agency.
It’ll be interesting to see how Golden State manages the Porzingis situation this upcoming offseason.
High school football schedules for the 2026 season are coming out one-by-one out of every state around the country and one that is a breeding ground for college prospects is Maryland, with a number of squads finalizing their fall slates.
When it comes to well known high school football programs out of the state of Maryland, you can’t go too far without mentioning the Good Counsel Falcons. Good Counsel is slated to bring back a plethora of talent to its roster this upcoming fall, with 2027 four-star EDGE Anthony Sweeney and three-star interior offensive lineman Jaiden Lindsay returning.
Looking deeper into the Falcons’ fall schedule, Good Counsel is looking to remain in the national spotlight as they have lined up half a dozen out of state opponents, with the opener being on the road against Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) on Aug. 28.
Iron sharpens iron.
This seasons schedule isn’t for the comfortable. It’s for the committed and that’s exactly how we like it.
Good Counsel finished 6-5 this past 2025 Maryland high school football season playing up against some of the best teams in the DMV region. The Falcons during the season defeated Miami Columbus (Fla.) to start the season and then faced teams like DePaul Catholic (N.J.), St. Joseph’s Prep School (Pa.), The St. James Academy (Va.) and nationally ranked DeMatha Catholic (Md.).
Good Counsel finished as the No. 4 team in the state, according to the final Maryland 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Good Counsel High School
Good Counsel High School, located in Olney, Maryland, is a prestigious private Catholic institution known for its rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and dedication to spiritual growth. The school offers a variety of AP and honors courses, preparing students for higher education and future success. Good Counsel’s athletic teams are highly competitive, often achieving state championships. Emphasizing leadership, faith, and community service, the school ensures students are well-rounded and ready for future challenges.
How to Follow Maryland High School Football
For Maryland 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 Terrapin 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 Maryland.
Australia's hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup are all but over after Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka hit a brilliant unbeaten 100 to condemn them to an eight-wicket defeat in Pallekele.
Stunned by Zimbabwe in their second outing on Friday, Australia needed a win to keep their qualification fate in their own hands but it is Sri Lanka who march into the next round.
For Australia to sneak through as the second-placed team from their group, they now need Zimbabwe to lose both of their remaining matches against Ireland and Sri Lanka and then to defeat Oman themselves which would bring net run-rate into play.
Australia's predicament came from their inability to convert a good start from their openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh as they set the home side a target of 182 after a collapse in the second half of their innings.
Despite the feeling Sri Lanka could have a complicated chase on their hands because of a pitch which was slowing down, they eased to victory with the Australian bowling attack lacking any bite in the absence of injured Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
And the Sri Lanka duo of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took full advantage.
With wicketkeeper Mendis providing perfect support with a composed 51 from 38 balls, Nissanka brought up his century in 52 balls to take his side past the finish line with an innings that blended brute power and finesse.
Australia had Marsh return after recovering from a groin injury that forced him out of the first two matches and the returning skipper gave his side a solid platform batting alongside Head, who hit a long-overdue half-century off 27 balls.
They powered Australia to 104-0 in 8.2 overs before Head departed for 59 and it marked the beginning of dramatic downturn.
Marsh followed him shortly with a brisk 54 as they unravelled alarmingly to be bundled out for 181, losing their final five wickets in the space of just seven runs and 14 balls.
With Sri Lanka chasing down the target with ease, the Australians are left clinging to only the slimmest mathematical hope and will watch nervously as Zimbabwe face Ireland on Tuesday.
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 10: Members of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrate late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on February 10, 2026 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re quickly nearing the final stretch of the season, and that means every team is making its final push to improve its seeding for the Big Ten Tournament as they hope to make it to the big dance. Other than the top two projected teams in the bracket dominating, upsets up and down the standings stole the show in a very eventful week of games in the conference.
Michigan – No. 1 Seed (No. 1 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 1 Seed (No. 2 overall)
At first glance, it looks like the Wolverines had two comfortable victories against two unranked teams, but in reality, both games were a tale of two halves. Michigan trailed Northwestern 44-35 at the half, but outscored the ‘Cats 45-17 to claim an 87-75 victory. The Wolverines followed up that massive comeback at home with a much more dominant performance on Saturday. Although Michigan only led UCLA 40-38 at halftime, the Wolverines outscored the Bruins 46-18 in the second half to finish with an 86-56 victory. Michigan enters its toughest week of the season next week, as the Wolverines will take on Purdue on the road and Duke in Washington, D.C., in a battle of two projected No. 1 seeds.
Purdue – No. 2 Seed (No. 7 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 3 Seed (No. 9 overall)
The Boilermakers had a tough assignment, as they attempted to win two straight road games against NCAA Tournament-caliber teams, but they rose to the task. Purdue started out the week with an 80-77 victory in overtime against Nebraska, grabbing arguably its best win of the season in the process. The Boilermakers kept it rolling on the road, dominating Iowa 78-57 in Iowa City to grab their second Quad 1 road win of the week. Purdue’s seeding was in flux after losing a few games and playing close against Oregon, but the two great wins this week gave the Boilermakers some much-needed cushion within the top-ten overall seeds, and put them back on the inside track to a No. 2 seed.
The Fighting Illini suffered a surprising loss this week to Wisconsin at home to open the week. Illinois led by as many as 12 points, but ultimately fell 92-90 in overtime. The Illini played that game without Andrej Stojaković and Kylan Boswell, though, and Boswell became a valuable reinforcement to Illinois over the weekend. The Illini were able to utilize a much more normal rotation against Indiana in a 71-51 win. Overall, the overtime loss barely affected Illinois’ positioning within the projected field, as many other teams around it also lost games this week.
Nebraska – No. 3 Seed (No. 10 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 2 Seed (No. 8 overall)
The Cornhuskers had two home games this week and went 1-1 in those games. Nebraska started the week by playing in one of the more entertaining games of the season in conference play, as it trailed by 16 at the half and by as many as 22 points against Purdue at home, but mounted a comeback to send the game to overtime. The Boilermakers eventually defeated the Cornhuskers 80-77, but Nebraska fought hard to keep that game close. The ‘Huskers bounced back from that loss at home with a comfortable 68-49 home victory against Northwestern, but fell to the three-seed line as a result of Purdue’s great week.
Michigan State – No. 4 Seed (No. 15 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 3 Seed (No. 10 overall)
The Spartans had one game this week, and it was a rough one. Michigan State traveled to Madison to take on Wisconsin and lost 92-71. The Spartans’ defense was shredded by the Badgers’ outside shooting as Wisconsin hit 15 threes in the game. Nick Boyd (29 points) was the individual performer who especially hurt Michigan State in the loss. The Spartans will now return home for two games against UCLA and Ohio State, which are absolute must-win games to stay in the conference title race.
Wisconsin – No. 8 Seed (No. 29 overall)
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 38 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Badgers arguably had the best week any team in the conference has put up this entire season. Wisconsin was an underdog against two top-ten teams in the AP poll, but found a way to get it done in both games. First, the Badgers took the show on the road, knocking down 16 threes and beating Illinois 92-90 in overtime. But Wisconsin wasn’t done just yet. The Badgers returned home and knocked down 15 more threes against Michigan State in a 92-71 beatdown against the Spartans. All of a sudden, Wisconsin goes from on the bubble with a resume anchored by a massive road win against Michigan to a team with three extremely high-quality victories. The Badgers now loom as an incredibly high-potential No. 7 or 8 seed in the big dance.
WHAT A WEEK FOR WISCONSIN‼️
The Badgers are now the ONLY TEAM with three top-10 wins this season, taking down No. 10 Michigan State and No. 8 Illinois earlier this week 😤 pic.twitter.com/Mtvqd2WLLe
Last week, I said that the Hawkeyes could finally make some positive movement in the bracket if they could get a signature win against Purdue, but Iowa did just the opposite. In fact, the Hawkeyes couldn’t even beat Maryland on the road, falling 77-70 and snapping a six-game winning streak. That loss already sent Iowa much closer to the bubble than it has been throughout most of the season, and that was before the weekend. The Hawkeyes couldn’t even keep it close against Purdue at home, falling 78-57. Iowa is now just 2-5 in Quad 1 games (check this), and with a Quad 3 loss also on its resume, the Hawkeyes are getting dangerously close to being a true bubble team.
Indiana – No. 10 Seed (No. 38 overall, Last Four Byes)
Previous seeding: No. 9 Seed (No. 34 overall)
The Hoosiers played two games that were polar opposites of each other this week. Indiana defeated Oregon 92-74 at home to start the week, but fell 71-51 on the road against Illinois over the weekend. The Hoosiers are still in a good position to make the big dance, but have a golden opportunity to lock up a bid this week by completing the season sweep against Purdue. For now, Indiana sits just above the true bubble teams.
UCLA – No. 10 Seed (No. 41 overall, Last Four Byes)
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 40 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Bruins’ only game this week was either going to be a prime opportunity to shock the world and move off the bubble or a loss that probably wouldn’t affect their resume if the game was close. The caveat on that statement turned into the story of the game, as UCLA kept it close with Michigan at the half, but eventually fell 86-56. The Bruins are still in the tournament field as things stand, but need to take care of business down the stretch to keep it that way.
USC – No. 11 Seed (No. 42 overall, Last Four In)
Previous seeding: No. 11 Seed (No. 41 overall, Last Four Byes)
The Trojans only played one game this week, and it was another game without Chad Baker-Mazara. USC lost 89-82 against Ohio State on the road, but all things considered, there’s a lot to feel good about for the Trojans. Alijah Arenas wasn’t exactly efficient (he went 6-for-19 from the field), but he scored 25 points against the Buckeyes, which marked his third straight game with 24 points or more. If Arenas and Baker-Mazara can build up more chemistry, USC might have a lethal scoring duo in March Madness.
Previous seeding: No. 10 Seed (No. 44 overall, Last Four In)
The Buckeyes performed right at their expected level this week. Ohio State beat USC 89-82 at home on Wednesday, but fell 70-66 to Virginia in a rare late-season non-conference matchup. The lack of quality victories has always been a sticking point for why the Buckeyes’ resume potentially isn’t good enough to be on the right side of the bubble, and as more teams around the country have picked up quality victories, Ohio State has lagged behind. Three of the Buckeyes’ next four games are Quad 1 games, with their next game (against NET No. 33 Wisconsin) just on the wrong side of the threshold necessary for a Quad 1 game. If Ohio State can’t get at least two wins in that span, the Buckeyes won’t be hearing their name called on Selection Sunday.
Washington – Out
Previous seeding: In Consideration
The Huskies have finally turned the corner on their schedule, with multiple games in a row against the bottom teams in the conference, but Washington couldn’t take care of business. The Huskies fell 63-60 to Penn State in a game that turned into, in all likelihood, the final nail in the coffin for an already weak NCAA Tournament resume. Washington bounced back by defeating Minnesota 69-57, but the Huskies don’t really have many opportunities left to claim resume-defining wins until conference tournament play, leaving almost no room for error for the rest of the season.
Minnesota – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Golden Gophers started their trip to the Pacific Northwest this week, taking on Washington on the road. Minnesota fell 69-57 on the road while allowing Washington to shoot 63% from the field. Next up for the Golden Gophers is the second leg of the road trip against Oregon, before returning home to face Rutgers.
Northwestern – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Wildcats’ relatively young rotation continued to flash moments of potential, but still hasn’t been able to play at a consistently high level for 40 minutes. Northwestern led Michigan by nine at the half, but collapsed in the second half and fell 87-75. The Wildcats had another late lead against a conference championship contender, as they led Nebraska 39-38 with 12:32 left in the game on the road. But the Cornhuskers woke up, outscoring Northwestern 30-10 to secure a 68-49 victory.
Oregon – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Ducks finished off their road trip to the state of Indiana with a 92-74 loss to the Hoosiers. Oregon returned home over the weekend and defeated Penn State 83-72 behind 22 points each from Nate Bittle and Takai Simpkins. The Ducks came very close to winning a few games in the last month or so, but this week they finally got back in the win column, snapping a 10-game losing streak.
Penn State – Out
Previous seeding: Out
The Nittany Lions were able to squeeze out a split on the Pacific Northwest road trip. Penn State shockingly upset Washington 63-60 to claim its first Quad 1 win of the season, but couldn’t finish the road trip 2-0 as it fell 82-73 to Oregon. The Nittany Lions return home to face Rutgers in the middle of the week before a road trip to Nebraska over the weekend.
Maryland – Out
Previous seeding: Out
Maryland was a win away from being the team of the week, as the first game it played this week was a big story. The ‘Terps knocked off Iowa 77-70 at home in a big upset victory. Maryland looked for a three-game winning streak following its 1-10 start in conference play, but unfortunately, the Terrapins didn’t have what it took to beat Rutgers on the road, falling 68-57 in that game. Maryland will play Northwestern to finish off its road trip before playing Washington at home this weekend.
The Scarlet Knights had an entire week to prepare for Maryland, and the extra rest definitely paid off. Rutgers beat Maryland 68-57 in a game that won’t have any NCAA Tournament implications, but was important for Big Ten Tournament seeding. The Scarlet Knights will now go on the road to take on Penn State and Minnesota.
Pakistan’s crushing 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup has largely been framed around their shortcomings, especially after they were bowled out for just 114. Much of the discussion has centred on Pakistan’s lack of intensity and inability to match the defending champions, particularly with the bat.
However, former India cricketer Mohammed Kaif believes that narrative has unfairly overshadowed India’s own excellence on the night. While acknowledging that Pakistan fell well short of the required standard, Kaif argued that India’s quality and composure under pressure deserved far greater recognition.
Speaking on ABP News, Kaif expressed frustration at the way the debate was shaped, singling out Shoaib Akhtar for focusing heavily on Pakistan’s struggles rather than India’s performance.
“Ever since we started the show I’m not happy, because you have been saying the Pakistan team is anyway weak, is an unenergetic team. If that team had won today, then 100% Shoaib Akhtar would be saying right now that BCCI is prideful, that the players had too much ego,” argued Kaif.
“I want to say that by showing Pakistan as weak, you are taking away India’s excellence. You have just been showing that Pakistan is in trouble, that there’s no system, but what does that matter for India?” he continued.
Kaif pointed to Ishan Kishan’s match-winning 77 off 40 balls as an example of India thriving under extreme pressure. The opener, playing his first game against Pakistan, delivered one of the standout knocks in India-Pakistan T20 World Cup history despite the challenging surface.
“We are talking about India, the Indian captain, Ishan Kishan who has played against Pakistan for the first time – how much pressure he must have on him, we aren’t talking about that. Give India’s players the credit because they are playing in a circumstance where imagine if they lost, then it would have been an outcry,” Kaif pointed out.
He also underlined the intense scrutiny Indian players face in such high-stakes clashes, recalling how criticism can spiral after defeats like the 2021 World Cup loss.
“You would say Suryakumar Yadav isn’t shaking hands and now the team has lost, they think they are so brave. Ishan Kishan, Jasprit Bumrah, all would have been on trial if they lost this match today,” stated Kaif.
With India now through to the Super 8 stage, Kaif’s remarks serve as a reminder that victories in contests of this magnitude are built not only on opposition errors but on skill, temperament and the ability to withstand enormous pressure.
But since the 2022 Games in Beijing, the Team USA figure skating star has traveled quite the career journey.
After that competition, in which Liu finished seventh, she retired. She had to find herself.
Now, she's back, and she's part of a high-powered U.S. trio.
"Liu this month will be part of a three-woman American figure skating team that offers the US its best Olympic hopes in decades," writes Dana O'Neil for CNN. "Except this time when Liu steps on the Milano Ice Skating Arena for her short program, it won’t be from inside the confines of a cage. Alysa Liu will skate free."
Liu and her teammates will skate Tuesday in the short program portion of the women's figure skating competition.
After that, the top performers will return to the ice later in the week for the free skate. Combined scores will determine who medals.
Liu is grateful that she's traveled this particular path back to the Olympics.
“I thought the only way for me to try other things was to leave this because I really felt trapped and stuck, and the only way in my brain to break out was to leave the sport,’’ Liu told CNN. “And it worked.’’
She already has gotten to skate around the Olympic ice with a gold medal from Team USA's team event.
But she will seek more this week as an individual.
Liu is a fun competitor, with intriguing hair and teeth adding to her exciting energy.
Her retirement was temporary. This is Liu's redemption tour.
We are just a few weeks away from the start of NFL free agency and the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of those teams with some money to spend. One the dust settles on that, we will have a much clearer picture of who the Steelers will target in the 2026 NFL draft. But for now, here is how our top five roster needs for the upcoming draft shake out for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
1 - Quarterback
The Steelers have suffered through mediocre quarterback play for years since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers have tried and failed to fill that void with veterans and rookies but nothing has helped. This doesn't mean the Steelers will use their first-round pick on a quarterback but it remains the top roster need.
2 - Wide receiver
The Steelers staff rolled the dice on their wide receiver depth chart last season and failed. DK Metcalf proved he cannot carry a passing offense and his old team won the Super Bowl without him. This is the position we see as most likely to be the team's first-round pick with a very talented wide receiver class.
3 - Safety
Pittsburgh could lose three of their four top safeties in free agency this offseason which would make this a much more significant draft need. The 2026 NFL draft has three big names at the top and if Pittsburgh could land on in the top two rounds, it would fill a huge need.
4 - Offensive guard
This is a pick if the Steelers don't keep veteran Isaac Seumalo. The Steelers' offensive line held up well despite lots of injuries last season, and we view offensive tackle as more secure than guard this offseason in terms of the draft.
5 - Defensive line
Last season, rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon was tremendous and the lone bright spot on the defensive line. Cam Heyward cannot play forever and the jury is still out on Keeanu Benton so we'd have no issue with this need being pushed up ahead of offensive guard.
LAS VEGAS – The UFC's White House event is one step closer to materializing.
Dana White was asked about the June event, which is expected to take place on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., and feature multiple title fights. It is unknown how many fights will take place on the card, but the UFC CEO says the matchmaking process is complete.
"We have like two different options laid out and the matchmaking process has already started out," White said during the Zuffa Boxing 3 post-fight news conference. "So yeah, we got the White House card done last week."
White clarified that while the fights are set, logistics aren't just yet. He refused to divulge into any further details, but did reveal that he's meeting U.S. President Donald Trump to further discuss plans.
"We laid out two different options – I didn't say it was done, I said the card was built," White said. "I'm not talking about the White House card. We've been kicking around a lot of ideas and me and (Craig) Borsari actually fly to D.C. this week and sit down with the President and his team and start walking them through not just the production, but the fight card. We have like three different options on all the different production stuff, and we will see what he likes and what he doesn't like. But let me tell you this, this event is going to be so badass and so unique and so special, and so expensive."
The Tyreek Hill era is officially over in Miami Gardens.
The Miami Dolphins released Hill, 31, on Monday, Feb. 16 in the highest-profile move from a wave of player transactions.
Hill was one of the NFL's top receivers in four seasons with the Dolphins, leading the league in receiving in 2023. His Dolphins' career was most dynamic in his first two seasons as he totaled 238 catches for 3,509 yards and 20 touchdowns.
His performance slowed with Miami's struggles the last two years: He had just 102 catches for 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns in that span before suffering a season-ending leg injury against the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 2025.
Hill was noncommittal about his NFL future in the weeks after his season-ending injury and surgeries. He told The Palm Beach Post in October that he was happy "being with my kids" for the short term.
"I'm happy with the career that I've had and I love playing football. I love it. But it, man, but it takes a lot, man, to be the best and to stay at the top," Hill said.
"And I'm at the point now where I need to have a conversation with Mom, family, everybody. Like I said, wherever my mind is at the time, the decision to be made, but I just know right now I feel like I haven't had time to just live in the moment, and just be in the moment with my family."
Tyreek Hill landing spots
There are a number of NFL teams facing questions at the wide receiver position during the 2026 offseason.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are contenders facing questions of depth and talent at the wide receiver position.
Hill, of course, has history with the Chiefs. He played six seasons with Kansas City and won Super Bowl LIV in 2020.
Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
Felix Nmecha: Man United plot raid on Dortmund to replace key star
Manchester United are preparing to open talks to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as the club ramps up their hunt to replace Casemiro, according to the latest report from Germany.
Midfield is the priority
The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of the midfield this summer, with two new recruits expected to arrive at Old Trafford. Despite Casemiro‘s resurgence in form, the club have chosen not to renew the Brazil international’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season.
Furthermore, the disappointing form of Manuel Ugarte means the 24-year-old Uruguayan is also facing an uncertain future amid continued links to Turkish champions Galatasaray.
United’s first-choice target is Elliot Anderson, but competition is expected to be fierce for the Nottingham Forest and England maestro. Similarly, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are also frontrunners as INEOS continue to prefer players with Premier League pedigree.
However, all three options are expected to cost up to £100 million, making the prospect of signing two a remote one. Consequently, INEOS will be forced to consider cheaper options on the continent, with Felix emerging as a frontrunner.
Dortmund’s Dynamo
United are long-term admirers of the Germany international, who offers a well-rounded skillset as a box-to-box midfielder.
Having just turned 25 this season, Nmecha is still approaching his prime and possesses an outstanding selection of physical attributes. He stands at an imposing 6’3″ frame but retains excellent mobility, while offering underrated ability in possession, ranking highly for ball-progression metrics.
Fussball Daten reports United are targeting a “powerful midfielder” to take Casemiro’s place at the Theatre of Dreams, with Nmecha high on the club’s radar.
The move would constitute a return to Manchester for the Dortmund dynamo, having come through City’s academy. This means he would count as a homegrown player – a further bonus for an English suitor.
Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to also have strong interest, with a “potential bidding war” set to erupt between the three Premier League heavyweights.
The German outlet reveals that while there have been no official offers yet, Nmecha’s representatives are “expected to begin talks in England shortly.” A dramatic salary jump – from “€5 million to nearly €9 million” – will be required to secure his signature, the report concludes.
Final Thoughts
Nmecha is a sensible option for the Red Devils, if he is a supplement towards a high-profile defensive midfielder. His profile lends itself perfectly to the Premier League, while his transfer fee should be far more affordable than the club’s other targets.
The German’s wage demands are on the pricier side, given he may likely be fulfilling more of a squad role at Old Trafford. However, United are almost certain to return to Europe next season – be it the Champions or Europa League – and more high-quality depth will be essential.
The fact that INEOS could strike a decisive blow to one of their rivals at the same time would just be the cherry on top.
A tribute meant to celebrate a legend… but now fueling online debate.
This Falcao statue sparks controversy in Colombia
The city of Santa Marta sought to pay a heartfelt tribute to its prodigal son, Radamel Falcao, by unveiling a statue in his likeness. It’s a symbolic recognition for the man who has left an indelible mark on Colombian football history.
Having played for River Plate, Porto FC, Atlético Madrid, AS Monaco, and Galatasaray, the striker has scored 36 goals in 104 appearances for Colombia. He currently continues his career at Millonarios FC. However, despite the noble intention, the result has sparked debate.
On social media, many users have criticized the statue’s lack of resemblance, with some going so far as to compare it to the widely mocked Cristiano Ronaldo statue in Portugal.
Finalissima 2026: Argentina vs Spain preview, date, venue & betting odds
Lusail Stadium in Qatar will host the second edition of the Finalissima since the fixture’s relaunch in 2022, as Argentina and Spain fight for the trophy in the desert.
The 2026 Finalissima takes place on Friday, March 27, 2026. Kick-off time is 21:00 local time, which is 19:00 CET.
What is the Finalissima?
The Finalissima is an intercontinental football match organised by CONMEBOL and UEFA. It pits the winners of the Copa America against the champions of the UEFA European Championship.
Argentina featured in the last showpiece four years ago, dismantling Italy 3-0 at Wembley Stadium and setting the stage for their iconic 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph later that year.
Lionel Messi, who captained his country to both victories, is likely to wear the armband when La Albiceleste take on defending Euro champions Spain on Friday, March 27.
However, Argentina go into the match as 13/5 outsiders, while Spain are slight 11/10 favourites to claim victory.
Where is the 2026 Finalissima?
The game will take place at Lusail Stadium, where Argentina hoisted the World Cup trophy in 2022.
Lionel Scaloni’s side played four matches at this stadium, including a shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their curtain-raising World Cup fixture.
However, the South American giants bounced back to win their next three matches in Lusail, overcoming Mexico and Croatia before defeating France in the grand final.
Spain will make their debut appearance at the largest stadium in Qatar and the Middle East by capacity.
How does the Finalissima work?
The Finalissima is a single 90-minute match with no extra time. If the scores are level at the end of regulation, the winner is decided by a penalty shootout.
The referee is jointly appointed by CONMEBOL and UEFA, and the showdown will feature VAR, goalline technology and semi-automated offside technology.
In addition to their dominant Euro 2024 run, Luis de la Fuente’s side produced a strong 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, dropping points just once in six Group E outings.
La Furia Roja will be looking to win their second World Cup title in the summer, and beating Argentina in this clash of titans would be a statement win for Lamine Yamal and his teammates.
Whether the apprentice can outshine the master himself remains one of the key subplots of the match, as the Barcelona prodigy prepares to face Messi for the first time.
Lionel Scaloni’s side booked their place at next summer’s World Cup, finishing top of the CONMEBOL qualifying group despite losing four games.
Clash of the titans
Spain closed out the last calendar year with a frustrating 2-2 draw against Turkey, ending a five-game winning streak in which they had scored 16 goals without reply.
Despite that setback, De la Fuente’s charges will take the field in high spirits, seeking another piece of silverware after snapping a decade-long drought two years ago.
La Furia Roja hammered Argentina 6-1 in a friendly in 2018, which evened the score after a 4-1 rout in their previous encounter.
Scaloni’s side will be out to get revenge and extend their three-game winning sequence, bookended by a 2-0 friendly win over Angola in November.
With each of the last four clashes between Spain and Argentina featuring at least three goals and both sides finding the net, fans can expect another high-octane, end-to-end showdown in Lusail.
Hopes were high for a young Northwestern softball squad after it took three games in Tempe, Ari. to start the year to start above .500.
Just as quickly as it started high, NU was dragged back down to earth.
Clearwater, Fla. did not treat the ‘Cats kindly by any means, yielding them only one win over their long four day weekend. After going down quietly to NiJaree Canady and No. 1 Texas Tech, Northwestern dropped its next matchup against UCF on Friday morning. It bounced back on Saturday with a shutout of Missouri, but ended the weekend with another five-run loss to No. 17 Georgia and an agonizing defeat to No. 8 Texas A&M.
NU’s top two hitters led the way in the Panhandle State. Kelsey Nader’s .412 average across the five games was a team-best, while Grace Nieto followed up, batting .333. Emma Raye reached safely in all five games and upped her slugging to a .640, another Wildcat high. As a team, Northwestern hit .257 in 132 total at-bats while pitching to a 3.85 ERA.
It was an up-and-down weekend for Marina Mason in the circle, with her complete-game shutout against Mizzou being sandwiched between rough outings against UCF and Texas A&M. Signe Dohse appeared the strongest of any Wildcat in the circle, not allowing an earned run in any of her four appearances, which totaled to 8.1 scoreless frames. Riley Grudzielanek saw tougher luck against Georgia, and so did Renae Cunningham against UCF.
Fri., Feb 13 vs. UCF
The Knights of Central Florida (9-3, 0-0 Big 12) didn’t waste any time landing the first punch on Northwestern’s jaw.
Freshman Hildie Dempsey made her first collegiate start for UCF and got through inning one unscathed, getting Nieto to ground out on a full-count pitch before giving up a single to Nader on the very next one. One fielder’s choice and some assistance from Beth Damon behind the plate, throwing out baserunner Kaylie Avvisato on an attempted steal, got her out the circle.
In came Mason, and unlike her freshman counterpart, she didn’t see nearly as much success as Dempsey in her first inning. Aubrey Evans roped a one-out double, and Izzy Mertes drove her in with one of her own to give the Knights an early 1-0 lead.
Tru Medina’s team-leading fourth error of the season opened the floodgates for Sienna Humphreys to connect on an 0-2 pitch and take it over the center field fence, quadrupling UCF’s lead in the first. For the UCF second baseman, it was her third consecutive game with a bomb.
A walk later in the inning forced Kate Drohan out the dugout to pull Mason, putting an abrupt end to the shortest outing of her young career. Cunningham’s number was called to finish the inning.
NU started to chip away in the top of the second, getting its first run on the board via the fielder’s choice. Kansas Robinson was credited with the RBI, driving in Raye, who doubled to lead off the inning.
Northwestern could’ve come away with much more, loading the bases with two outs, but a Nieto ground out stifled the potential rally in its early simmering stages.
Another double from the Knights courtesy of Evans and a walk drawn by Mertes led to their fifth and sixth runs of the contest. Ashleigh Griffin’s single to right drove in Evans, and Humphreys’ sac fly allowed Mertes to cross the plate.
The ‘Cats battled back in the bottom of the second to begin cutting into the five run deficit. With two outs, Raye notched her second hit of the game. Third base struggles continued to be a major problem, as Sammantha Rey’s blunder allowed Medina to reach and advanced both runners a base. Isabel Cunnea knocked them both in to make the score 6-3.
Cunningham went back out to get three outs in four batters, giving Northwestern a prime opportunity to chomp at the lead a bit more. It did so with another fielder’s choice, making it a two run game.
With one out and a runner just 60 feet away, the ‘Cats were sitting pretty with the dangerous bat of Avvisato representing the tying run.
Reliever Isabella Vega had other plans, striking out the sophomore and then punching out Raye to deflate Northwestern in the fourth.
That was all the scoring for the contest. Dohse was stellar in the circle, but so was Vega for UCF. Drohan did all she could to provide a spark for her squad, even pinch-hitting Abby Harvey for Robinson in the fifth.
There wasn’t much she could do. Fate fell on the side of the neighboring school, as the Knights took a 6-4 victory on their Friday trek from Orlando to Clearwater.
Sat., Feb 14 vs. Missouri
Northwestern football offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s most famous quote reads as such: “I don’t think anybody has a ceiling. Everybody can constantly improve.”
Marina Mason’s start to the season could only be characterized as consistent improvement, continuing to refine her arsenal in the circle. Saturday morning’s performance against a strong Mizzou (4-7, 0-0 SEC) squad, who received two votes in the preseason USA Softball Top 25 polls, was the culmination of said consistent improvement.
Just 24 hours after a demoralizing start against UCF, Mason tossed a two-hit shutout against the Tigers, carrying a no-hitter into the fifth inning.
It took NU three innings to get around to Cierra Harrison, but once it did, it had the senior in a world of trouble. Bridget Donahey, Na
der and Raye all singled while Avvisato sandwiched a single between Nader and Raye’s hits to rake in two runs and force Harrison out of the circle.
Courtney Donahue got Cunnea to foul out and end the inning, but eventually the ‘Cats got their pound of flesh against the Tigers’ reliever as well. A struggling Kansas Robinson found a bloop single to center to bring home pinch runner Grace Minarovic in the sixth.
Mason’s no-hit bid came to an end with two outs in the fifth, as Madison Uptegrove got to her with a single in the inning previous. That did little, if anything, to stop her on Saturday morning. The first-year chugged along, no problem, finishing her career-day for her first collegiate win.
The success Mason saw earlier in the day didn’t find the arm of Grudzielanek later in the day, as she started her day with back-to-back 1-2-3 innings against the ranked Georgia Bulldogs (9-2, 0-0 SEC).
Off and running with game two! ✌️
1-2-3 inning with a strikeout for Riley Grudzielanek.
She’d work her way out of trouble in the third as well to avoid damage and keep the Bulldogs scoreless.
It was in the fourth, however, where Northwestern’s house of cards came crashing down. After stranding two in the top half of the frame, the. ‘Cats defense wasn’t able to hold firm for any longer. Delani Sullivan led off with a single and advanced to third on a Grudzielanek fielding error against the next batter. Sarah Gordon slugged a three run homer for the ‘Dogs, breaking the game open.
The long ball would strike again with two outs in the inning. Marisa Miller and Emily Digby both found base knocks, Bailey Lindermuth loaded the bases on a fielder’s choice, and Kierstin Roose cleared them with a rocket out to center.
7-0 Georgia in an instant.
The Bulldogs tacked on another in the top of the sixth, thanks to a Gabi Novickas RBI double, to put a bow on a dominant Valentine’s Day victory.
NU did get on the board in the bottom of the sixth with a Medina sac fly and a Robinson two-run single, but that wasn’t nearly enough to topple the large deficit. Georgia shut down Northwestern to end it, 8-3.
Sun., Feb 15 vs. No. 8 Texas A&M
Texas A&M (7-3, 0-0 SEC) was on upset alert Sunday afternoon, when NU found itself up five on the Aggies at the end of the third.
It was smooth sailing for Kate Munnerlyn to start, retiring the first seven Wildcats she faced.
Then, a Donahey walk changed the mood of the entire game. It was the tip of the iceberg that started the biggest rally of the game.
Teagan McCue got the ball rolling for Northwestern in her second career start, beating out a grounder to third for an infield hit. Nieto recorded the first RBI for the ‘Cats with a single of her down to drive in Donahey, and Nader followed suit for NU’s second score.
Munnerlyn was replaced by Sidne Peters in Trisha Ford’s attempt to halt the momentum, but all Texas A&M’s head coach did was add fuel to the fire. Avvisato launched a homer on Peters’ third pitch in relief to cap off the five-run inning.
The Aggies didn’t take long to fight back. Ariel Kowalewski poked a single to right to score Frankie Vrazel, ending Emma Blea’s short but effective start. They got another off reliever Dohse and threatened to tie things up with the tying run at the plate. However, Nieto’s softball IQ came in handy for Northwestern, as her intuition helped her spot a runner trying to take home on an infield hit. She gunned her down.
Northwestern’s offense went quiet the rest of the way, which meant that the result of the contest hinged on its bullpen.
The Aggies once again got at Dohse in the bottom of the fourth on a Kennedy Powell base hit. Drohan turned to Cunningham to help the ‘Cats tighten their grip on their 5-3 lead, and she escaped the fourth unharmed.
The same cannot be said for her in the fifth, as Texas A&M pulled within one on the very first pitch of the fifth, as Micaela Wark sent it over the right field wall. KK Dement’s double forced Northwestern to use its fourth arm of the contest: Marina Mason. The first-year built on the success she saw in her previous appearance by K-ing up the potential tying run twice to wiggle out of treachery.
That didn’t mean that the Aggies were done — by any means. Back-to-back singles set the table for Mya Perez to surge Texas A&M ahead, driving in two on a base hit that’d eventually go down as the game-winner. Northwestern stranded Nader on first in the seventh, capping the brutal collapse that ended its weekend trip to Florida.
Coming up: Razorback Invitational
Northwestern’s next weekend trip brings it to Fayetville, Ark. to take on No. 11 Arkansas and Southeast Missouri State this coming weekend. The ‘Cats take on the ranked Razorbacks three times over the weekend and face the Redhawks twice, with their first game coming against the ladder on Friday, Feb. 20 at 11 a.m. CT.
With the World Cup now just four months away, the United States men's national team's striker position looks to be in flux.
While Folarin Balogun struggles through an extended slump and Ricardo Pepi aims to return from injury, three other contenders are experiencing contrasting fortunes.
Patrick Agyemang is soaring for Derby, putting himself in a strong position to earn a call-up for March friendlies despite little involvement in the fall.
But two other Championship strikers, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright, are trending in the opposite direction.
The USMNT's fluctuating striker picture leads this week's Five.
Patrick Agyemang red hot for Derby
Patrick Agyemang is picking the right time to have his most prolific period yet in England.
The Derby County striker scored again Saturday, netting an insurance goal with a towering header in his side's 2-0 win over Swansea.
Agyemang has reached 10 league goals on the season, four of which have come in his last six games.
The striker's individual success has lifted the Rams to four wins in their past six, with the club now sitting in sixth place – the final playoff position in the Championship.
Agyemang is pushing toward a spot on the USMNT's March roster, which would be massive for his World Cup chances after he didn't appear in any of the team's six fall friendlies.
Make it 10 Championship goals for Patrick Agyemang this season 🇺🇸
Josh Sargent's transfer stand-off at Norwich City is not going as he may have planned.
The USMNT striker has been demoted to Norwich's reserve side amid a saga that has gotten ugly. Sargent wants a move to Toronto FC and looks like he's completely done with the Canaries after a heated meeting with club management last month.
But while a move to MLS hasn't yet materialized, Norwich has completely turned its season around with its top scorer on the sidelines. The Canaries have won five of six league matches with Sargent out, moving away from the relegation zone.
Meanwhile, Coventry city striker Haji Wright has gone three consecutive matches without a goal after breaking a three-month scoring drought last month.
In the battle for a World Cup roster spot, it's advantage Agyemang right now.
Folarin Balogun hits the skids
Folarin Balogun has been a streaky scorer through much of his club career, and the Monaco man has hit a low ebb in recent weeks.
Balogun failed to score in Friday's 3-1 win over Nantes, making it 11 of 12 games without a goal. Balogun's only strike in 2026 came in the Coupe de France against third-tier Orléans.
The 24-year-old still has eight total goals this season, with six of those coming between October and early December.
His spot atop the USMNT depth chart doesn't appear to be in jeopardy for now – three goals in the team's fall friendlies have put him in good stead – but Balogun needs to rediscover his scoring touch to maintain his starting role at Monaco.
Tim Weah sees Marseille crumble around him
It's been a positive campaign for Tim Weah at Marseille, but the winger's progress will be challenged by his club's complete collapse around him.
Amid a fan protest over the state of affairs, Weah took his usual place in the lineup on Saturday as Marseille suffered a damaging 2-2 draw against Strasbourg.
The result left Marseille in fourth place, with Champions League qualification now the hope for a season that started out with more ambitious goals.
🚨🇫🇷 Marseille fans protested against their team before the match against Strasbourg. 😡
No team across Europe is in better form than Lyon, which won its 13th consecutive game across all competitions on Sunday by defeating Nice 2-0.
Tanner Tessmann has been one of Lyon's pillars during the streak, starting seven of the club's past nine after recovering from a minor injury.
Tessmann has taken a major leap in his second year with the Ligue 1 club, which is now five points clear of fourth-place Marseille and seven points off first-place Lens.
The midfielder's spot on the World Cup roster is looking more secure by the week, with a starting role not out of the question.
CLEVELAND, OH - OCTOBER 19: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (18) on the field during the fourth quarter of the National Football League game between the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns on October 19, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The day after the regular season ends in the NFL is known as “Black Monday” because that is the day teams start making coaching changes. Monday, February 16, has become a pseudo-Black Monday for veteran Miami Dolphins players. The team, in need of resetting their salary cap after several years of big spending, made several roster moves Monday morning, releasing veteran players for salary cap savings heading into 2026.
The first reported release was linebacker Bradley Chubb, who likely provides around $7 million in salary cap savings. For a team who was projected to be around $17 million over the cap, that is a huge move to get back to within the league’s standards.
That move was quickly followed by news the team was releasing wide receiver Tyreek Hill. The eight-time Pro Bowl receiver missed most of the 2025 season after a knee dislocation and ligament tear sustained during the Dolphins Week 4 Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets. Hill could provide the Dolphins around $22.9 million in cap space.
Miami could designate players as post-June 1 cuts, which would increase the cap savings for this season, but would not create space against the cap until June 2 and would push additional dead money into 2027. No indication of the team using that designation has been reported.
The Dolphins’ salary cap moves did not stop with those two. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Miami also released guard James Daniels. The veteran offensive lineman had signed a three-year contract with the Dolphins as a free agent in 2025 after spending four years with the Chicago Bears and three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. A second-round pick by Chicago in 2018, Daniels only played in one game for Miami during the season after sustaining a pectoral injury in Week 1.
Miami then released wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, according to Pelissero. The Dolphins signed Westbrook-Ikhine to a two-year contract last offseason, bringing him to Miami after five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. He caught just 11 passes for 89 yards with the Dolphins in 15 games played, including three starts.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 6: Stuart Fairchild #17 of the Atlanta Braves catches a fly ball to end the seventh inning of a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Truist Park on July 6, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Edward M. Pio Roda/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With a new snippet of information, it’s time to examine what we might be able to infer about the Guardians’ outfield plans for 2026.
This weekend, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland dot com shared a quote from Guardians’ manager Stephen Vogt in which Vogt clarifies that David Fry is working exclusively as a catcher right now and will begin working at first base later in the spring, but that it wouldn’t be fair to expect him to play third base or right field, yet. Perhaps Fry works on getting back into playing shape for those positions during the season, but Vogt gave no indication whether or not this was the plan.
I had been assuming that part of David Fry’s presence on the roster was a return of his ability to play right field, so this is causing me to re-evaluate some roster projections. I don’t think there is really any chance the team will use one of Fry’s remaining options to send him to Columbus – he’s making the roster one way or another, if healthy. So, what does this mean for the remaining open spots?
The Established Spots: Catcher: Bo Naylor and Austin Hedges. First Base: Kyle Manzardo Second Base: Gabriel Arias or Brayan Rocchio Shortstop: Brayan Rocchio or Gabriel Arias Third Base: Jose Ramirez Left Field: Steven Kwan Designated Hitter, First Base and Third Catcher: David Fry
First, please stop imagining the team will play Kwan in center. They will not. We don’t have to understand it. We just have to accept it. Second, join me in accepting that barring an act of God, we will see Rocchio and Arias up the middle to start the season. I’m optimistic that either Juan Brito or Travis Bazzana or both will see time at second base this season, but, barring injury, it won’t be until May at the earliest. Accept it, get mad, grieve it, move on.
There are five roster spots remaining, then. One spot WILL go to a utility infielder who can play shortstop. That player is Daniel Schneemann, as Angel Martinez and Juan Brito are NOT shortstops. A breakout camp for Carter Kieboom could make him an option here, but that’s unlikely for a variety of reasons. Expect it to be Schneemann, who does bring some value here in that he can also play competently in any outfield position.
So, that means there are four roster spots remaining, including two empty spots at center field and right field currently. Let’s look at our primary candidates:
Left-Handers: Nolan Jones, Chase DeLauter, George Valera, CJ Kayfus, Petey Halpin, and Khalil Watson. Right-Handers: Stuart Fairchild and Johnathan Rodriguez. Switch-Hitters: Angel Martinez and potentially Juan Brito.
I think all indications are that Chase DeLauter will break camp with the team, if healthy. The big question is whether it will be as a center fielder or a right fielder. If the team is truly fine with the idea of playing DeLauter in center field, than I (perhaps delusionally) expect them to DFA Nolan Jones and pass him through waivers to get an extra “option” on him and stash him in Columbus in case of injury. Far more likely, however, is that the team plans for Jones as the primary centerfielder and DeLauter as the primary right fielder. So, let’s pencil that in: Jones for center field, DeLauter for right.
The team will have a right-handed bat on the bench who can play center field. It will either be Fairchild or Martinez. Given that Martinez has remaining options, I expect that Fairchild gets first crack at sticking on the roster since he is the only outfielder the team has added (thus far) this offseason. Now, the team DID add Jones late in spring training last season; maybe they have a plan to do something similar to add a right-handed hitting outfielder this spring training. I am open to the idea, Antonetti. Make it happen, cap’n. But, for now, Fairchild secures that fourth outfielder spot.
We are now at the most interesting battle of the spring, in my opinion. Assuming that Halpin and Watson continue to get seasoning in Columbus given their ages and option situations, we will have Kayfus, Rodriguez, Martinez and Brito competing for that 13th roster spot. I am curious how much we will see Brito in right field in Spring Training, given Fry cannot play there. Brito has hit left-handed pitching extremely well in the minors and I found him to look passable in right field (he has a decent arm). Currently, I think that choice would be the best option for a roster above that lacks punch against left-handed pitching. Brito also looks competent at first base, and can clearly play second base in a pinch. If Brito isn’t ready for that fielding work yet, I wonder if Martinez will get first crack given his lefty mashing so far.
It is undeniably a struggle to leave either Kayfus or Valera off this roster, let alone both. To be clear, if the team is willing to play DeLauter in center, then both Kayfus AND Valera can make the roster. Kayfus looked passable in right field, and Valera and he could get time there and at DH (with Kayfus also perhaps being a late-inning-replacement-with-a-lead at first base). However, there’s no doubt that this thirteenth roster spot SHOULD be a right-handed bat if possible, given the construction of the rest of the roster.
It’s also a possibility that the team deludes themselves into thinking Johnathan Rodriguez can play right field. I refuse to accept that will happen for the sake of my mental health. Rodriguez, then, is just David Fry insurance. He can bat at DH if Fry is hurt or ineffective. Until then, he hangs out with the Clippers.
So, my current projection for Guardians hitters on Opening Day (given health): C: Naylor and Hedges 1B: Manzardo and Fry MIF: Rocchio, Arias, and Schneemann 3B: Jose LF: Kwan CF: Jones and Fairchild RF: DeLauter and Martinez (or HOPEFULLY Brito)
But, what I WANT the Guardians to do is this: C: Naylor and Hedges 1B: Manzardo and Fry 2B; Bazzana (rip the band-aid off and let him do his thing!) SS: Rocchio UIF: Schneemann 3B: Jose LF: Kwan CF: DeLauter and Fairchild RF: Valera and Brito
Let us know your predictions and ponderings in the comments below!
The offseason wide receiver market just got a bit more interesting thanks to the Miami Dolphins.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Dolphins are cutting wide receiver Tyreek Hill after four seasons with the team. There had been rumors this would be Miami's approach and that has now come to fruition.
The Steelers have failed miserably at filling out their wide receivers room in recent years, especially when it comes to adding a No. 2 target.
Buffalo appears to have struck out on Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer was a huge free-agent bust in 2025, leaving the Bills with an uninspiring situation at receiver.
One of New England's top priorities this offseason is adding more weapons for Drake Maye, and preferably a veteran who can add some experience opposite Stefon Diggs in what is a young wide receivers room overall.
The problem with Hill is that Hill is turning 32 and he's coming off a season in which he suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn ligaments, including his ACL.
That leaves his status for the start of the 2026 campaign up in the air and, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero notes, there's no guarantee he plays at all next season.
Another concern with Hill is the domestic violence allegations he has against him from his estranged wife, which the league is currently investigating.
Regardless, we would expect all three teams and many more to monitor Hill, who could provide a cost-effective upgrade at some point in 2026.
Dec 17, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Merrimack Warriors head coach Joe Gallo reacts to a call against his team during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
HAMDEN, Conn. — Joe Gallo lives for games like this. The MAAC lives for games like this. Twenty minutes into a matchup at the top of the conference standings, Merrimack and Quinnipiac were knotted at 21. It’s par for the course for a program that has made a living off of winning games by scores like 53-49, 58-46, 49-47, and yes, 48-37, but not for a group of players that has by far the best offense of any Merrimack team in Division I.
In the bowels of M&T Bank Arena, while walking from the bench to the locker room, Gallo and Warriors’ assistant Chris Mohr exchanged words.
“Hey, let’s go,” said Mohr, who was on staff with Bill Herrion before coming to Merrimack. “Our type of game.”
“In my head, I was like our type of game, but maybe not the players’ type of game,” Gallo said.
Merrimack was 350th in points per game last year, winning games by doing just enough offensively and going 14-6 in its first season in the MAAC. It took an old-school Merrimack win for a team averaging over 72 points per game in conference play to match that number. Now at 14-2 and in the driver’s seat for a MAAC Championship with four games until Atlantic City, the Warriors got there by taking down the Bobcats 56-49 on the road.
While Lawler Arena has turned into one of the more impressive home-court advantages in the MAAC, with Merrimack students serenading the 10th year coach with chants of his name, the Warriors are also road warriors. Merrimack has road wins over Marist, Siena, Mount St. Mary’s and now Quinnipiac.
Late in the second half, with possessions at a premium, the Bobcats didn’t value their trips the way they needed to. Tom Pecora drew up an alley-oop to Keith McKnight above the zone, but it wasn’t there. Tai Turnage threw the ball off the backboard with 22 on the shot clock and turned it over.
Turnage played a strong game, coming off the bench for Asim Jones, who dealt with early foul trouble, but as a freshman, he still needs seasoning in moments like this. Perhaps it’s something that is good to get out of his system before Atlantic City hits.
But it wasn’t just Turnage. Jaden Zimmerman threw a lob on the very next trip that wasn’t there with 19 on the shot clock, resulting in a turnover.
Two possessions later, Turnage, not a great 3-point shooter, took a 28-foot three with 23 on the shot clock. Three wasted possessions in three minutes in a game where you may only get three possessions in three minutes.
“You’ve gotta be disciplined enough not to throw it,” Pecora said of the lobs. “And I was surprised by Tai’s shot. Tai’s a good little player, but we need Asim Jones on the floor, and he was unplayable tonight.”
Gallo’s team was more picky, and intentionally kept the game slow.
“We stayed out of our three-quarter court pressure because we didn’t want them to attack us out of that,” Gallo said. “We’re comfortable in it. We preach, if you’re a high-possession team, you might be okay throwing one or two of those away. We’re used to defending for long stretches of time, I think teams with the firepower that some of these teams have, they’re not used to playing 30 seconds of offense.”
And they’re not used to playing 30 seconds of defense either.
Kevair Kennedy, Gallo’s star point guard, couldn’t get his first or second move to go by Quinnipiac’s defenders for most of the night, but he shined late in the shot clock. Quinnipiac threw all kinds of bodies at him, primarily Amarri Monroe, but also switching McKnight and Zimmerman to give him length. He was patient and found the creases eventually, scoring a game-high 24 points and attempting 14 free throws.
Even if he didn’t touch the paint until there was four or five seconds left on the shot clock, he’d still get there eventually, and it was a strong possession.
“Someone told me there’s never been a rookie win player of the year in the MAAC,” Pecora said. “(Kennedy’s) got my vote.”
With a two-game lead in the MAAC, Gallo knows that any slip up can cede ground, and more importantly, momentum heading into the MAAC Tournament, which is just over two weeks away.
Home wins over Siena and Iona next week can lock up at least a share of the MAAC regular-season title, and if that combines with a Saint Peter’s loss, then Merrimack clinches it outright.
Gallo compared it to jumping out to big leads and taking the foot off of the gas and letting the game get close late, which is something the Warriors have done. But they can’t do it in the standings.
“It’s the same thing with being in a championship hunt,” Gallo said. “Is it great that a couple teams lost that we needed to lose? Yes. But then that can’t make us complacent just because they dropped a game or two. You’ve gotta keep chasing the greatness and the chips will fall where they do.”
Other MAAC Notes
Siena 67, Marist 63
Despite trailing by 19 with under 10 minutes to play, Marist gave itself a chance to tie the game in the final minute, but couldn’t connect on the three. Alarm bells are now blaring in Poughkeepsie, as the Red Foxes haven’t won since Elijah Lewis’ injury, now three losses in a row. Yes, it was a difficult schedule, but Marist was 157th at KenPom on the morning of Feb. 7, and is now 194.
Regardless, I think Siena is a bad matchup for the Foxes on the surface, because the drop coverage allows and invites the Saints to score in the mid-range with Justice Shoats and Gavin Doty, and if the drop defender steps up, they can both make the quick pass, and so can Francis Folefac as the screener, to hit a cutting Antonio Chandler. Chandler had a season-high 19 points, while Shoats and Doty combined for 32 without making a single three.
It was a much-needed bounce-back for Siena, which had lose two in a row to good teams prior. A huge weekend awaits for the Saints, facing Merrimack and Saint Peter’s.
Saint Peter’s 83, Fairfield 74
The score here is closer than the game was. Saint Peter’s zone flustered Fairfield into tons of early turnovers as they struggled to get the ball to the high post bigs. Eventually, the Stags began to wear down that middle of the zone, and they scored 34 points in the final 10 minutes, but it was too little, too late. Saint Peter’s made nine threes and shot 28-of-33 from the foul line.
The win puts Saint Peter’s at 9–0 at home in MAAC play, but at just 3-4 on the road, with three of the final four games being away from Jersey City, there’s a lot to keep an eye on. Fairfield has mostly taken care of business against the bottom of its MAAC schedule to get to 8-8, but it’s just 1-6 against the teams higher than it in the standings at the moment. The one win coming against Marist at home after the Red Foxes lost Lewis during that contest.
Manhattan 69, Canisius 65
This was a doozy of a game to eliminate Canisius from the MAAC Tournament picture (even if it ties for 10th at 7-13 with Iona and Niagara, the Griffs were swept by both teams). Manhattan led by as many as 17 in this game, and then trailed by as much as six in the second half, but came through to grab the win. These days, that’s all that matters. A wild roller coaster ride of a season continues for Manhattan, which has now won three in a row heading into the final three games of the season.
Niagara 70, Iona 68
Justin Hawkins’ game-winning goaltended layup robbed us of having the 10 teams locked into Atlantic City two weeks in advance, but the Purple Eagles are still alive. Iona has now lost four of its last five games, including two at home. Brian Griffith was in-and-out of the Purple Eagle rotation for most of conference play, but he’s scored in double figures in each of the last two games, a huge boon off the bench for a team that has needed some scoring in any form. Niagara has just a 0.7% chance of making the MAAC Tournament, even after this win, per CBB Analytics. And they’ll have to win at least one, probably two, games on the road, which will be tough as the Purple Eagles haven’t won a game outside of Western New York since beating Binghamton on Nov. 8. And even the last two home games are tough, with Quinnipiac and Merrimack coming to town.
Sacred Heart 86, Rider 75
How about that weekend for Sacred Heart? No Mekhi Conner in either game, but the Pioneers still bounced back from a few of the worst offensive performances of league play with back-to-back home wins scoring 1.2 points per possession. The Pios have all but locked up a spot in Atlantic City with this one, as Rider has officially been eliminated from contention.
The Broncs failed to build any sort of momentum from the miraculous win over Saint Peter’s a few weeks back and have lost four in a row by double digits. This one probably could’ve been even more than just 11. Last year, Rider finished the season on a three-game winning streak to secure the eight seed in Atlantic City. Two years ago, the Broncs earned the four seed with a miraculous seven-game winning streak to end the season. This year, the hole that Kevin Baggett’s team dug was just way too deep, and they kept digging.
The Minnesota Vikings are in a tough spot as it relates to their roster. The team has several holes that need to be filled, with some positions lacking top-end talent and others having a surplus. One of those positions with extra talent is the wide receiver spot, and one player specifically is making it hard for the front office to decide what to do.
Wide receiver Jordan Addison was drafted in the first round by the Vikings in 2023. He immediately made an impact on the field, but off of it, he has been a distraction and then some. As a result, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine discussed trade pieces for the Vikings and listed Addison as one.
Ballentine writes, "Addison was less productive this season. The Vikings' pass game took a step back as a whole, though. There's also Addison's multiple arrests since being drafted. The Vikings already have Justin Jefferson under a huge contract. If they aren't willing to pay Addison what he could command after a strong season, then they may want to trade him."
Addison could be had for a second-round pick to a wide receiver-needy team. A team like the New England Patriots or Buffalo Bills could use his services as they look for a true WR1, which Addison has the potential to be. But getting the right trade compensation will be key to any move.
Time will tell, but fans should not be shocked if a move or discussion of one heats up after the NFL Scouting Combine next week.
Selection Sunday is less than a month away, which means that March Madness awaits just over the horizon for college basketball fans. The rising excitement in the air is truly palpable.
The defending national champion Florida Gators are heating up during the home stretch, but there are plenty of other teams in play for the title. Familiar faces like the Duke Blue Devils, UConn Huskies and Houston Cougars — among many others — are also battling their way to the postseason.
Here's an early look at everything you need to know, including key Big Dance dates and conference tournament schedules, for this year's edition of March Madness.
When is Selection Sunday 2026?
The 68-team bracket for the 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will be unveiled on Sunday, March 15, at 6 p.m. ET.
The 2026 NCAA tournament selection show will air on CBS, its traditional broadcast home. Streaming options include Paramount+, CBS's streaming site, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
March Madness 2026 schedule
The 2026 NCAA men’s basketball tournament will transpire over the next three weeks, which will end with the Final Four and the national championship game in Indianapolis.
Here’s a rundown of the schedule for the 2026 NCAA Tournament:
First Four: March 17-18
First round: March 19-20
Second round: March 21-22
Sweet 16: March 26-27
Elite Eight: March 28-29
Final Four: April 4 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
National championship game: April 6 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis
Men's college basketball conference tournament dates, schedule
ASUN: March 4-8 (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Big South: March 4-8 (Johnson City, Tenn.)
Summit: March 4-8 (Sioux Falls, SD)
MVC: March 5-8 (St. Louis)
OVC: March 4-7 (Evansville, Ind.)
Sun Belt: March 3-9 (Pensacola, Fla.)
SoCon: March 6-9 (Asheville, NC)
Horizon: March 2-10 (Indianapolis)
NEC: March 4-10 (on campus)
MAAC: March 5-10 (Atlantic City, NJ)
WCC: March 5-10 (Las Vegas)
CAA: March 6-10 (Washington DC)
Patriot: March 3-11 (on campus)
Big Sky: March 7-11 (Boise)
Southland: March 8-12 (Lake Charles, La.)
America East: March 7-14 (on campus)
Mountain West: March 7-14 (Las Vegas)
SWAC: March 9-14 (Atlanta)
ACC: March 10-14 (Charlotte)
Big 12: March 10-14 (Kansas City)
Conference USA: March 10-14 (Huntsville, Ala.)
Big East: March 11-14 (New York City)
Big West: March 11-14 (Henderson, NV)
MAC: March 11-14 (Cleveland)
MEAC: March 11-14 (Norfolk, Va.)
WAC: March 11-14 (Las Vegas)
Big Ten: March 10-15 (Chicago)
American: March 11-15 (Birmingham)
Atlantic 10: March 11-15 (Pittsburgh)
SEC: March 11-15 (Nashville)
Ivy: March 14-15 (Ithaca, NY)
Where is the 2026 Final Four?
This year's men's basketball Final Four and championship games will be at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4 & 6.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Maxim Naumov shared a message for his teammate Ilia Malinin with PEOPLE
Naumov's message comes after Malinin failed to make the podium in an event where he was expected to win it all
Naumov also opened up about what's next for him after the 2026 Winter Olympics
Figure skater Maxim Naumov knows what it means to be resilient in the face of challenging circumstances — and has some advice for his teammate Ilia Malinin.
Naumov, 24, shared a few words of wisdom he’d like to relay to Malinin, 21, with PEOPLE, words that come after the star skater failed to make the podium in a men’s figure skating final where he was expected to win it all.
“This message is for Ilia specifically. I just want him to know that it’s sports. It’s hard,” Naumov told PEOPLE at Team USA’s Winter House. “And the fact of what happened is a reality and it shows just how real and raw it all is.”
Naumov went on to say he and his Team USA teammates’ support for Malinin has not, and will not, waver, no matter what happens on the ice.
Ilia Malinin and Maxim Naumov at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January 2026.
Jamie Squire/Getty
“A lot of times we as athletes tie so much of our performance and the points [to] our own self-worth, and I just want Ilia to know that we love him and we support him and it doesn’t matter,” said Naumov. “None of the skating stuff is ever going to affect that.”
Naumov — who lost his parents in the American Airlines Flight 5342 crash over Washington, D.C. last year — added that in moments such as this, when things didn’t go the way you’d hoped, the most important thing is how you bounce back. And he has no doubt Malinin will do so with grace.
“Knowing him, he’s definitely going to respond big and I’m just praying for him. I want to support him as best I can,” said Naumov. “As a teammate, as a friend and just as a human. It’s tough. But that’s sports. Things like that are gonna happen, and like I said, it’s how you bounce back that’s the most important.”
While Malinin came in eighth place in the men’s final, Naumov ended up in 20th. As for what’s next, the athlete says he’s looking forward to going home and geting some good shut-eye. But after, he’s focused on the future, which he hopes includes more coaching via Tomorrow’s Champions, a training program founded by his late parents, Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, at The Skating Club of Boston.
A disappointed Ilia Malinin at the men's finals on Feb. 13 at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty
“I definitely need a little bit of a reset, a little bit of a moment to myself and a chance to look back and reminisce, but also have some space to think about what the future holds for me,” he said. “I’m definitely interested in putting more time and dedication into coaching and helping support the youth coming up… I’m young. I’m 24, so the future is very bright in whatever direction that I go and if it’s in the cards, it’s in the cards. I just need some space to figure that out.”
Naumov added that he’s really been enjoying bonding with other athletes in the Olympic Village, particularly the speedskaters, with whom he’s swapped stories and learned about the way they operate.
“There's mutual respect for everybody and every one of these athletes that’s at this Games, we know what we sacrifice and what we did to get to this point,” he said. “Going to the dining hall and seeing just like, what seems like hundreds of athletes all hanging out and mingling and talking and laughing and that experience is something I'll remember forever.”
In an Instagram post shared on Monday, Feb. 16, Malinin wrote he was working through “the darkness” in the days after his disappointing event, and had to deal with “vile online hatred” and “insurmountable pressure.”
Maxim Naumov competes at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Feb. 13, 2026.
Sarah Stier/Getty
"On the world’s biggest stage, those who appear the strongest may still be fighting invisible battles on the inside," Malinin began his post. "Even your happiest memories can end up tainted by the noise. Vile online hatred attacks the mind and fear lures it into the darkness, no matter how hard you try to stay sane through the endless insurmountable pressure."
He went on to tease a date of Feb. 21, which coincides with the date of the Olympics figure skating exhibition gala, a special performance at the end of each Olympic Games that typically features the sport’s medalists.
Though Malinin did not medal in the men's individual event, finishing eighth overall, he did win gold along with Team USA in the team competition and plans to perform in the gala, USA Today's Christine Brennan reported Sunday.
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.
The “Holy Grail” of Pokémon has officially dethroned the kings of the hardcourt.
In a historic auction closing Sunday night (2/15/26) at Goldin, Logan Paul’s PSA 10 Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16,492,000, shattering the world record for the most expensive trading card ever sold.
Source: Goldin
The sale surpasses the short-lived record held by the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant card, which sold for $12.932 million in August 2025.
The “Mona Lisa” of Pokémon
The Pikachu Illustrator is widely considered the most valuable and exclusive Pokémon card in existence. Originally distributed in 1998 as a prize for a CoroCoro Comic illustration contest in Japan, only 39 official copies were awarded. Of those, this specific card is the only known copy to achieve a perfect GEM MT 10 grade from PSA.
“To be one of the Holy Grails of the collectibles industry, a card needs to embody certain indelible qualities,” said Goldin in a statement regarding the auction. “This incomparable Pikachu Illustrator fits this description to a ‘t’.”
Ken Goldin and Logan Paul receiving a new Guinness World Record for most expensive card ever sold at auction.
From Dubai to WrestleMania: A Card with a Resume
The card’s journey to this record-breaking night is as colorful as the holographic foil on its surface.
Logan Paul originally acquired the card in a private transaction in Dubai in July 2021. To seal the deal, Paul traded a PSA 9 version of the same card (valued at $1.275 million) plus $4 million in cash, bringing the total acquisition cost to $5.275 million. That purchase earned him a Guinness World Record for the most expensive Pokémon trading card sold at a private sale.
But Paul didn’t just lock it in a vault. He turned the card into an icon, wearing it in a custom diamond-encrusted pendant during his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. The card made another ringside appearance in December 2025 at the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight in Miami.
Logan Paul personally handed the card to the new owner upon completion of the auction. The lot also included the “wearable” PSA slab casing, a custom pendant crafted from gold and set with approximately 35 carats of diamonds, appraised at $75,000.
Source: Goldin
The Buyer: A “Planetary Treasure Hunt”
The man behind the record-breaking $16.49 million bid is A.J. Scaramucci, a venture capitalist and the son of financier and former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci.
Scaramucci, the founder of Solari Capital, revealed that the Pikachu Illustrator is merely the opening move in a much larger strategy. He is launching a new company, Treasure Trove, dedicated to acquiring the world’s most significant cultural artifacts.
“My ambition for the card is just a small story. The real story is that I’m on a planetary treasure hunt,” Scaramucci said following the sale. “I’m planning to buy a T-Rex dinosaur fossil, the Declaration of Independence, and I’m not stopping there. This is only the beginning.”
Scaramucci’s entry into the market highlights a growing trend among ultra-high-net-worth individuals and investment groups who view rare collectibles not just as hobbies, but as alternative, non-correlated assets. By targeting “blue-chip” items, from fine art and luxury watches to Pokémon cards, these investors are hedging against inflation and market volatility, betting that the scarcity of “cultural property” will drive returns that traditional markets cannot match.
A New Era for Collectibles
For decades, the “mountaintop” of the hobby was reserved for names like Mantle, Jordan, and Wagner. Tonight’s sale could signal a changing of the guard.
The Pikachu Illustrator’s ascent to the top spot proves that the “kids’ game” of the late 90s has matured into a blue-chip asset class capable of outperforming the most legendary sports artifacts in history. Now, a yellow electric mouse stands alone at the top.
“No card in the hobby can boast the same prestige and elite place at the very pinnacle of the Pokémon hobby like this unimaginable Holy Grail piece,” Goldin noted in the auction description.
As the final timer ended tonight, one thing became clear: The future of high-end collecting isn’t just about batting averages or championships anymore, it’s about IP, global brands, and the nostalgia of a generation that is finally flexing its spending power.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 28: David Festa #58 of the Minnesota Twins delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Target Field on August 28, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Full Spring Training is officially underway with all pitchers, catchers, and position players in Fort Myers to get the Twins season started. This team, as always, is full of potential and hope for a strong 2026, but there remain a few distinct roles to be filled. Let’s break down the projected Opening Day roster at the start of Spring Training.
(Note: anyone in italics is a non-roster invitee that would need to be added to the 40-man roster before Opening Day)
Starting Pitchers
Locks (4): Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Simeon Woods Richardson
In contention (4): Taj Bradley, Zebby Matthews, David Festa, Mick Abel
Out (9): Andrew Morris, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Marco Raya, John Klein, Cory Lewis, Trent Baker, Christian MacLeod
The top 3 in the rotation are as locked as possible. SWR probably should be a “near lock” but I think it’s his spot to lose with so many questions behind him. The splitter he added in the second half last year was quietly his best pitch and could help him take things up a level.
The final rotation spot will come down largely to health. Festa and Zebby have flashed frontline ability over the past two seasons, but both have durability questions and Festa missed the end of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery. He’ll be built up as a starter, but I think is bullpen bound due to health concerns. Zebby and Abel have the best stuff, but have been hit very hard in their limited MLB time. As such, Bradley probably has a leg up here.
Zebby, Abel, and Morris are likely the next men up for the rotation. Top pitching prospect Prielipp will see MLB time too, but likely out of them ‘pen after already having two UCL reconstructions in his young career.
Relief Pitchers
Locks (6): Taylor Rogers, Justin Topa, Cole Sands, Anthony Banda, Kody Funderburk, Eric Orze
In contention (13): Travis Adams, Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, Marco Raya, David Festa, Liam Hendriks, Andrew Chafin, Julian Merryweather, Matt Bowman, Dan Altavilla, Cody Laweryson, Grant Hartwig, Andrew Bash, Raul Brito
Out (1): Matt Canterino (IL)
Almost no one is out of contention here because there are two WIDE open bullpen slots for whoever can take them. Left-handers Prielipp and Rojas’ chance of making the team straight out of camp took a hit with the additions of Rogers, Banda, and Chafin over the past few weeks. Combined with Funderburk, they need righty arms more than anything.
The only reason Hendriks isn’t a lock is because of his health. He only threw 14 innings last season with the Red Sox after barely pitching in 2023-2024 due to a cancer scare and Tommy John surgery, but flashed his strong breaking balls as usual. If he’s healthy, he will likely close games for the Twins.
Your other choices for the final bullpen spot come down to pitchers who have good stuff with bad results (Festa, Merryweather, Brito) or bad stuff with better results (Chafin, Bowman, Altavilla, Laweryson, Hartwig). Given the lack of raw stuff in the bullpen as it stands, I think they take a gamble on the first group.
Catchers
Locks (2): Ryan Jeffers, Victor Caratini
In contention: none
Out (6): Alex Jackson, David Bañuelos, Ricardo Olivar, Noah Cardenas, Patrick Winkel, Andrew Cossetti
Put it in pen. Even if there’s an injury, just sub in Jackson for whoever is out to start the season. This is the easiest group to project by far.
Infielders
Locks (5): Josh Bell, Luke Keaschall, Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis, Kody Clemens
In contention (4): Ryan Kreidler, Austin Martin, Tristan Gray, Orlando Arcia
Out (5): Eric Wagaman, Aaron Sabato, Gio Urshela, Tanner Schobel, Kalen Culpepper
Wagaman doesn’t have a role in the infield, maybe in the outfield. Same could be said for Martin, but I wonder if Shelton gives him one last try at second base with their needs here. Clemens can’t play shortstop, unfortunately, but he should get plenty of time at 2B and 3B throughout the season.
The only real question here is who can provide any semblance of life as a utility man behind Brooks Lee. Ryan Kreidler, Tristan Gray, and Orlando Arcia will battle for the honor throughout Spring Training, but don’t be surprised if the Twins make an outside addition still.
Outfielders
Locks (3): Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach (for now)
Near locks (3): Alan Roden, Austin Martin, James Outman
In contention (2): Eric Wagaman, Kyler Fedko
Out (5): Emmanuel Rodriguez, Gabriel Gonzalez, Hendry Mendez, Walker Jenkins, Kala’i Rosario
I expect to see plenty of Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Gonzalez with the Twins this year, but they all need some more seasoning in AAA first. Fedko had a breakout 2025 in St. Paul, but sits behind Wagaman as a right-handed platoon partner for OF/1B.
Larnach is a lock for now because I still think he’ll get dealt to an outfield-needy contender before Opening Day. If he’s with the Twins, he’s obviously a lock. Roden’s fate is tied to Larnach’s as another lefty corner outfielder. In any other scenario he would be the Opening Day left fielder, but that is now Larnach’s spot with the acquisitions of Josh Bell and Victor Caratini taking up most of the 1B/DH reps.
Martin finished 2025 as one of the Twins’ most consistent position players. There’s no place for him to start, but he will start in an outfield corner against every lefty and plenty of righties as players need days off. Outman likely is a lock as well as the only other player who can play a good CF behind Buxton. Both of them could be pushed out due to roster needs elsewhere, though Outman is out of minor league options.
Final Roster Projection 1.0
Bold = camp battles
SP (5): Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, Taj Bradley
RP (8): Rogers, Topa, Sands, Banda, Funderburk, Orze, Liam Hendriks, David Festa
C (2): Jeffers, Caratini
IF (6): Bell, Keaschall, Lee, Lewis, Clemens, Tristan Gray
OF (5): Buxton, Wallner, Larnach, Austin Martin, James Outman
Martin and Outman get Opening Day spots thanks to their versatility and ability to provide late game value off the bench with defense and baserunning. Bradley beats out Zebby for the final rotation spot. Hendriks is healthy and Festa shines in short spurts to give the Twins some electricity at the end of games.
Most controversially, I have Gray as the final position player. Kreidler is a marginal defender at shortstop while Gray shines there. He also has the potential to be a much better hitter than Kreidler and have a mid-career offensive breakout like the Twins helped Willi Castro discover. I think Arcia is completely washed. If you can’t hit in Denver in August, you can’t do it in Minneapolis in April. Thanks for reminding me of Twins legend/your brother Oswaldo Arcia, though.
Who do you see making the Twins out of Spring Training? Any surprises you think will come out of nowhere like Castro in 2023 or Jhoan Duran in 2022?
Tommy Setford and Christian Norgaard have reacted to the player’s first appearance at the Emirates Stadium, with the goalkeeper coming on as a substitute against Wigan Athletic.
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 first-half performance against Wigan Athletic in Sunday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie made for a comfortable second 45 minutes, with Mikel Arteta taking the opportunity to introduce a couple of the club’s young players.
16-year-old academy product Marli Salmon came on in the 61st minute, before Tommy Setford was introduced in goal in the 87th minute. Both were making their first-ever appearances for the senior side at the Emirates Stadium, having only previously appeared in away games.
Midfielder Christian Norgaard was pleased with what he saw from both players, but he made a point to praise Setford in particular for his first senior minutes of the 2025/26 campaign.
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
“I thought they did really well, both of them,” Norgaard told TNT Sports. “You know, we see them every day in training, how they compete at the same level as us.
“Marli [Salmon] has been having a little bit more games than Tommy [Setford], so I think I need to highlight Tommy today.
“I know it’s only five or six minutes, but it’s that one action from a free-kick where he’s just ready, and he catches the ball and makes everything easier for us. So well done to him, and hopefully many more games for him in the future for Arsenal.”
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Setford shared his own opinion of the appearance on Instagram, writing: “Worth every minute! Thank you, Arsenal ❤️”
Norgaard knows what it’s like to have to wait for chances, as we’re now in mid-February without the 31-year-old making a single Premier League start for Arsenal.
But the former Brentford man has been getting semi-regular opportunities in the other competitions, and he told ESPN: “There has been no frustrations on my side. It’s a privilege to be at Arsenal.”
Sunday was a night for Norgaard and Setford to enjoy the rewards for all their hard work behind the scenes, and they both took advantage.
The 19-year-old currently plays for RB Leipzig with the Bundesliga outfit demanding around £86 million to allow him to leave.
He's been in fine form this term but, even for a club of the Reds' stature, it's still a lot of money to spend on a 19-year-old.
Despite the hefty price tag, this hasn't stopped the Anfield outfit from exploring a deal with Christian Falk now confirming that Liverpool have a better chance of acquiring his services than Bayern Munich do.
“It is TRUE: Yan Diomande is going to cost a lot of money to sign this summer. The €100m [£87.1m] asking price was established by RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff," he said to the CF Bayern Insider website.
"We saw him playing against Bayern Munich in the DFB Pokal. He’s good, he’s really good.
"However, he’s still got some developmental work to do, and so €100m will be too much for Bayern this summer.
“That said, it’s a price that Premier League clubs can of course afford to pay.”
Yan Diomande would be a perfect acquisition for Liverpool
Until Liverpool get the transfer of an attacker over the line, the rumour mill will be constantly turning.
It's clear that the Reds need some reinforcement within their attacking ranks even though over £300 million was spent trying to improve it in the summer.
Salah is a fraction of his former self and, without anyone competing with Cody Gakpo to be Slot's starting left-winger, the Dutchman has been poor.
Federico Chiesa is another one of Liverpool's attackers who has some questions surrounding his future with several Serie A clubs interested in signing him.
Of course, spending around £86 million on a 19-year-old would be a massive risk but the fact that he's already been dubbed an "outstanding" player proves how good he actually is.
He's contributed to 15 goals in 24 games across all competitions and, even though he might not be as versatile as some of the other players linked with a Liverpool switch, he'd be the perfect replacement for Salah and he's even offer some competition for Gakpo.
These are all just ifs, buts and maybes at the moment but, if his impressive run of form continues, there's no reason why Liverpool shouldn't at least explore making a move for the Ivorian, especially now that they have an advantage over Bayern.
The Miami Dolphins are cutting Tyreek Hill after a successful stint following a blockbuster trade ahead of the 2022 NFL season.
He was a two-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, and put up 4,733 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns on 340 receptions in his four-year, 54-game Dolphins career.
Now a free agent, Hill can sign with a new team. But, when can he sign as a free agent this offseason? According to ESPN's Field Yates, NFL rules stipulate that Hill can sign whenever he wants, as he's now already a free agent.
When can Tyreek Hill sign with a new team? Dolphins WR can sign ASAP if he wants
"Because he was released from his contract, Tyreek Hill becomes a free agent and is immediately eligible to sign with another team," Yates reports. "While it's unclear when Hill intends to find a new home, he does not have to wait until March 13th like free agents to be on expiring deals."
While players with expiring contracts will have to wait until March 13th to sign with new teams in free agency, the former Dolphins wide receiver doesn't have to wait.
He can sign right away if he finds the right landing spot. Since he was cut, and it's hitting free agency on an expiring deal, Hill is able to sign with a new team right away.
The only question would be whether Hill wants to sign somewhere right now or if he wants to wait until later in the offseason to get a better idea of which team would be the best possible landing spot.
His injury recovery, a dislocated knee and torn ACL, won't be easy. He has a long road to recovery, and could be out for a while over the offseason and into 2026 as well.
Thanks to that injury, Hill's free agency is a bit more complicated, which could make him last in free agency past the free agency of players on expiring deals.
But if a team is willing to bring him in as soon as possible, and Hill is willing to go to said team, then Hill can sign as soon as he wants to this offseason.
As Yates put it, Hill is "immediately" eligible to sign a new contract with any team this offseason. There are a lot of wide receiver-needy teams around the NFL, and the former Dolphins wide receiver is sure to draw interest.
Over the last couple of years, it is no surprise that Scottie Scheffler has been drawing comparisons to Tiger Woods.
Whether people want to admit it or not, what he has been doing is the closest thing we have seen to peak Tiger, and the stats do not lie.
After his Open Championship win in July, plenty of players on the PGA Tour started mentioning his name in the same breath as Tiger’s.
The 29-year-old world number one has now racked up 20 PGA Tour wins, including four majors.
This significantly trails Woods’ impressive count of 82 PGA Tour wins, including 15 majors.
Still, when you look at how quickly he has won them – all coming since February 2022 – he is on track to be right up there by age 41 if this run continues. And with a few more majors than the Hall of Famer as well.
The Dallas native currently boasts 18 consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, a streak that surpasses Woods’ best-ever run. His longest streak of consecutive top-10 finishes was 11.
Now Scheffler has achieved a feat only Woods has matched in the modern era.
Scottie Scheffler equals Tiger Woods’ PGA Tour record after shooting 63 at Pebble Beach
Photo by Tracy Wilcox/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
Scheffler got off to a rough start at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, opening with a 72 and finding himself 10 shots behind the leaders.
But as he often does, he bounced back with rounds of 66, 67, and a final-round 63 to climb into a tie for fourth place.
The 29-year-old was in contention on Sunday but could not quite catch Collin Morikawa, who held on to win the title.
Even without adding another trophy to his collection, Scheffler still matched an impressive record during the event.
The world number one has now notched eight consecutive top-four finishes on the PGA Tour.
This feat has only been accomplished twice before in the modern era (since 1986), both times by Tiger Woods.
Scheffler will have the chance to surpass that mark as the tour moves on to Riviera for The Genesis Invitational this week.
His game looks sharp following that final round of 63 at Pebble Beach, and he will likely be one of the favourites heading into Riviera.
NBA All-Star Weekend has come and gone, and the Association will tip off for the final quarter of the season on Thursday. As we move into “silly season,” some teams will start looking to the future and developing their young players rather than worrying about wins.
Here are the top fantasy basketball waiver wire adds for the second half of Week 17.
Priority Adds
1. Day’Ron Sharpe
2. Nique Clifford
3. Ty Jerome
4. Nolan Traoré
5. Kyle Filipowski
6. Devin Carter
7. Tristan Vukčević
8. Gui Santos
9. Scoot Henderson
10. Brice Sensabaugh
Ty Jerome, Memphis Grizzlies (35 percent rostered)
Jerome continues to offer monster production in limited minutes, and due to his excellent play, this will surely be the last week I can mention him in this column before he’s no longer widely available. In just 20.2 minutes per game, Jerome has averaged 19.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 6.0 dimes, 1.2 swipes and 2.3 triples. He’s started all six of his appearances and should be locked into a starting gig for the rebuilding Grizzlies the rest of the way.
Kyle Filipowski, Utah Jazz (28 percent rostered)
With Jaren Jackson Jr. done for the season and Utah actively tanking, Filipowski should see a ton of playing time for the remainder of the season. Jusuf Nurkić and Kevin Love don’t figure into Utah’s long-term plans, but Filipowski is the future. He’s averaged 12.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.5 blocked and 1.1 triples across 19 starts this season.
Sacramento extended its losing streak to 14 before the All-Star break, and the Kings will be one of the teams anxiously waiting for ping pong balls to determine their fate in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery. Zach LaVine (hand) is out for the season, and the Kings recently traded guard depth to Cleveland for De’Andre Hunter. Expect Clifford to see big run down the stretch. In two games since his 30/4/4/2/2 eruption, he’s struggled tremendously from the field, shooting 5-of-31, including 1-of-11 from beyond the arc. Shooting woes aside, Clifford managed 6.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.5 steals in that pair of contests while seeing 37.5 minutes per game. The Kings have every reason to incentivize development after the break, which is a huge positive for Clifford’s fantasy value.
Brice Sensabaugh, Utah Jazz (18 percent rostered)
Sensabaugh isn’t going to offer much in the way of peripheral stats of defense, but if you need scoring and triples, he’s your man. Over his last 15 outings, Sensabaugh has averaged 18.7 points and 2.5 triples to go with 3.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.7 steals. His 48.7/83.3 shooting splits should be quite attractive to fantasy managers, too.
Like Ty Jerome, Scoot has only appeared in a handful of games this season, but he’s been great with his limited playing time. Unlike Jerome, Henderson has come off the bench in all four of his games, but his playing time could ramp up after the All-Star break. He’s averaging 14.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 triples while shooting career-best marks from the floor (51.7%) and the charity stripe (82.6%).
Gui Santos, Golden State Warriors (16 percent rostered)
Santos has been the most consistent option for the struggling Warriors, and he seems to have a meaningful role locked down for the foreseeable future. He’s started six of the Dubs’ last eight games, averaging 14.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.9 blocked shots and 1.6 triples across 27.6 minutes in that span. Santos is a poor free-throw shooter, but he’s knocked down 59% of his shots across his last eight.
Sharpe has lottery ticket value, but he’s been steady enough as of late that adding him isn’t a major gamble. Grabbing him off the waiver wire early could prove highly beneficial down the final stretch of the season. Over his last 12 games, Sharpe has averaged 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals across 20.4 minutes. Sharpe is behind Nic Claxton on the Nets’ depth chart, but he’s done well in his allotted time and made the most of expanded opportunities. In four starts, Sharpe has averaged 13.8 points, 8.5 boards, 4.3 dimes, 2.3 steals and 1.3 blocks across 30.8 minutes. Claxton (hip) sat out the Nets’ final game before the All-Star break, and Sharpe produced a monster 19/12/5/2/2 line across 31 minutes. Brooklyn isn’t playoff bound, and the team may finally decide to give Sharpe some additional run after the break. With career per-36 averages of 16.3 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 swats, Sharpe has tremendous upside. Add now, and hope that an expanded role materializes.
Traoré has started eight straight games, but he’s turned up the production as of late. Across his last four games, he’s averaged 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.8 triples in 31.5 minutes. In that span, Traoré has shot 59.1% from the floor and 71.4% from the charity stripe. The rookie could see north of 30 minutes for the remainder of the season as Brooklyn prioritizes development before heading to another draft lottery.
Carter could join Nique Clifford as a permanent starter in Sacramento’s backcourt sooner rather than later. The last-place Kings have no reason to play Russell Westbrook or Malik Monk meaningful minutes, and the second-year man out of Providence should get a long look to close out the 2025-26 campaign. He’s averaged 14.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists across 26.6 minutes over his last five games.
Tristan Vukčević, Washington Wizards (4 percent rostered)
Alex Sarr will be back no earlier than February 26 while dealing with a right hamstring strain, which gives Vukčević ample runway until he returns. Washington is looking ahead to next season when Trae Young and Anthony Davis are healthy, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the Wizards take a cautious approach with Sarr. Vukčević has logged 20+ minutes in nine games this season, averaging 14.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 1.1 blocks and 1.3 three-pointers in those contests.
Other options:Jaden Ivey (26%), Dylan Cardwell (20%), GG Jackson (19%), Dylan Harper (17%), Ryan Kalkbrenner (14%), Jeremiah Fears (14%), Paul Reed (10%), Ousmane Dieng (6%), Jose Alvarado (4%)
Niko Kovac called on Borussia Dortmund 'to carry the momentum we have in the Bundesliga at the moment' into the Champions League (Tobias SCHWARZ)
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac called on his side to recreate their domestic form on the Champions League stage when they take on Atalanta in the knock-out play-offs on Tuesday.
Dortmund's six-match winning run has brought them right back into contention for the Bundesliga title but, if they have been flying in Germany recently, their results in Europe have left something to be desired.
Winless in their last three league-phase outings, Dortmund finished 17th in the standings and were as a result unseeded in the draw for the play-offs.
"We want to carry the momentum we have in the Bundesliga at the moment," Kovac told his press conference on Monday. "We want to take this momentum with our fans."
To reach the last 16 of the Champions League, Dortmund must navigate their way past 2024 Europa League winners Atalanta.
Dortmund welcome the Serie A side this week, before facing a return trip to Italy on February 25.
"In the knockout stages, it's all about advancing to the next round," the former Croatian international added.
"But we can't do that by talking a lot now, we have to work hard on the pitch.
"That gives us hope and also the belief that we can be successful in these two games against Atalanta."
Atalanta currently occupy sixth place in the Serie A standings but have enjoyed an uptick in results on the domestic front since the turn of the year, even if their European form has also been disappointing.
"Atalanta have a really great team that has grown over the years, won the Europa League two years ago and are very high up in Italy," Kovac said.
"It's going to be very intense. I currently see the chances as 50-50 for both teams. Hopefully we can travel to Italy with a good result."
The national high school girls basketball 2025-26 regular season is in the postseason and now eyes are shifting towards the playoffs as elite programs look to make a deep run.
Ontario Christian (Calif.) remains the top team in the country with a 28-1 record as now new teams enter this week’s Top 25 high school girls basketball rankings. Who else joins the Knights in the latest set of high school girls basketball Top 25?
Here’s a look at the latest set of top 25 high school girls basketball teams in the country according to the Massey Ratings, which ranks teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory, as of Feb. 16.
1. Ontario Christian Knights (Calif.) (28-1)
The Ontario Christian Knights (28-1) are among one of the California’s top high school girls basketball programs and bounced back from their lone loss of the season with a seven-game winning streak heading into the playoffs. Ontario Christian is scoring points at a rapid pace as the Knights are averaging a staggering 92.1 points per game. Junior point guard Kaleena Smith, who is currently leading the team with an impressive 32.5 points, 6.9 assists, 4.6 steals and 3.5 rebounds per contest, has been one of the nation’s best. Arguably Ontario Christian’s most impressive win of the season when they defeated Archbishop Mitty, 96-87, the second best team out of the state of California. The Knights will have their hands full on Wednesday night when they take on JSerra Catholic, the state’s No. 20 ranked team.
2. Johnston Dragons (IA) (23-0)
The Johnston Dragons (23-0) look very much in line to win a third straight Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU) Class 5A state championship after finishing with a 26-0 record in 2024-25. The Dragons are currently on a 74-game winning streak dating back to 2023, which has seen the program notch back-to-back state titles. Senior point guard Jenica Lewis, who scored 12 points in last year’s state title game, is back in the fold after a strong junior campaign. Lewis has offers from Iowa, UNC, Notre Dame, Oregon and TCU. Dragons have extended their longstanding winning streak now to 74 straight contests as they head into the Iowa high school girls basketball postseason.
3. Hopkins Royals (Minn.) (19-2)
Last year’s Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) AAAA state champion Hopkins Royals (19-2), which finished 27-5 and defeated Maple Grove at the end for the title, has remained firmly in the No. 3 spot. Hopkins wasn’t a team full of star power last season en route to winning another state title, but brings back plenty of talent to begin the fall campaign on everyone’s radar. Junior point-forward Erma Walker was crucial for the Royals in beating Maple Grove a year ago, with 28 points and eight rebounds. The only losses for Hopkins this 2025-26 season is a 46-43 decision to Iowa’s Dowling Catholic, the No. 8 team in our rankings, and No. 4 Wayzata.
4. Wayzata Trojans (Minn.) (20-3)
Staying pat in the latest update of the national high school girls basketball Top 25 rankings are the Wayzata Trojans (20-3), which have been red hot as of late. Having knocked off Hopkins (see above) recently along with several blowout victories along the way, it’s easy to see why this Trojans squad is one of the best in the Midwest. Wayzata defeated No. 22 Eden Prairie, 78-52, and have major matchups this week against No. 3 Hopkins and Minnetonka, respectively.
5. Bishop McNamara Mustangs (Md.) (24-2)
Bishop McNamara (24-2), which has been among one of the country’s top high school girls basketball programs all season long this year, checks in for the second straight week at No. 5. The Mustangs only two losses on the season have come to St. Frances Academy (Md.) and Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.). Other than that, the Mustangs have been perfect, boasting a 21-2 record playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. The Mustangs notched two solid victories last week over St. Mary’s Ryken and Bishop Ireton.
Massey Ratings National High School Girls Basketball Rankings Nos. 11-25
A.J. Preller is sticking with the Padres for years to come. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi, File)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
After a couple rough years early in his tenure, A.J. Preller has built the San Diego Padres into a consistent contender. Preller was rewarded for those efforts Monday, agreeing to a long-term extension with the franchise, the team announced.
The finances and length of Preller's contract were not disclosed. Unlike player contracts, front-office deals aren't always made public.
Preller called San Diego a special place, and said he was excited to bring a championship to the city in a statement.
"San Diego is a special place, and I’m proud of the progress we’ve made over the last decade while knowing there’s still more work to be done. I’m excited for the Padres’ future and fully committed to bringing a championship to our fans and this city.”
Prior to the extension, Preller was set to enter 2026 with only one year left on his contract. When asked about Preller's status Sunday, multiple Padres players showed support for the team's general manager. Both Manny Machado and Michael King went to bat for Preller, with King saying he re-signed with the Padres due to Preller.
The Padres were always expected to work out a new deal with Preller, who was hired in 2014. In October, team CEO Erik Greupner said he was optimistic Preller would be the teams' general manager beyond the 2026 MLB season. It may have taken a few months for both sides to work out the particulars, but Greupner's comments turned out to be accurate.
Preller engaged in a pretty lengthy rebuild upon taking over as the team's general manager. The Padres failed to make the playoffs in Preller's first five seasons with the team. But the team made strides during that period, trading for Fernando Tatis Jr. and signing Machado to a massive 11-year, $350 million contract.
Both moves helped the Padres hop back into contention. Since 2020, the team has made the playoffs in four of the past six seasons. Making deep postseason runs in October, however, has proven difficult. The Padres advanced to the NLCS just once in those four chances, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games in 2022.
During his tenure with the Padres, Preller has emerged as a general manager who is willing to make bold moves. In addition to signing Machado, Preller also spent $280 million on shortstop Xander Bogaerts. He's also traded for Blake Snell and Juan Soto during the team's recent run. Preller later traded Soto to the New York Yankees once it became clear the Padres wouldn't be able to re-sign the outfielder.
Compared to those moves, it was a relatively uneventful offseason for Preller and the Padres. The team's biggest move was bringing King back, though recent additions like German Marquez and Nick Castellanos could also help.
The Padres could certainly use one more addition or two, as the team is projected to win 80.7 games this season, per Baseball Prospectus. That would put the Padres right on the cusp of the postseason, but not firmly in a playoff spot. Based on how Preller has approached previous seasons, the Padres can rest easy knowing he won't sit idly by if the playoffs are still within grasp as the season progresses. Over the years, Preller has shown he'll make the big move if it will give the Padres a shot at a title.
Aberdeen interim boss Peter Leven insisted his side will keep pushing for the top six until it is "mathematically impossible" after their 2-0 loss to Motherwell.
The Dons are now 11 points outside the top six in the Scottish Premiership table, albeit with two games in hand.
Leven's side had more possession than Motherwell in the battle at Fir Park - not something that usually happens to the Steelmen under Jens Berthel Askou.
"I'm disappointed, the chances we created, we have to take them," Leven reflected.
"The first goal was a handball for me, I don't know why the referee's not given it straight away.
"It's frustrating, but I did see signs that were positive. There's not many teams come to Motherwell and have more possession.
"We'll keep battling until it's mathematically impossible, we'll keep going and see where it takes us."
Their push for the top half might not be helped with the upcoming fixture congestion, a run of games caused by a flurry of call-offs in the North East.
Up first is a Scottish Cup fifth round tie against Motherwell, in a repeat of Sunday afternoon's game. This time, it's at Pittodrie.
"It has to be a win on Wednesday evening, we're the holders," Leven said. "We need a big performance at home to try and progress."
Tony Docherty was in the away dugout at Fir Park after the former Dundee boss returned to Pittodrie in a move that Leven believes brings extra experience to his backroom team.
Leven added: "He's added experience, knowledge of the league and another person to bounce ideas off — he's been brilliant since he came in."
After pulling off its first series win of the season, Maryland baseball is headed back to College Park for its first midweek match up, facing DMV rival Georgetown for its home opener.
The Terps will host the Hoyas on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will stream on Big Ten Plus.
Georgetown Hoyas (1-2, 0-0 Big East)
2025 season: 16-40, 3-18 Big East
Georgetown struggled last season, losing five weekend series in three straight games. The Hoyas did find some success last season against Maryland, though, winning two of their three midweek contests.
Georgetown played against Winthrop to open its season, dropping two of three games. After two losses by at least 10 runs, the Hoyas rounded out the weekend with a 8-3 victory.
For head coach Edwin Thompson, travelling to College Park is somewhat of a homecoming. Thompson played at Maryland for one season alongside Terps’ head coach Matt Swope in 2002, batting .250 and recording 12 RBIs in 34 appearances.
Hitters to watch
Jeremy Sheffield, senior first baseman, No. 36 — After missing two seasons of play, Sheffield has quickly climbed to the top of the Hoyas’ leaderboard. The senior infielder is 6 for 11 with a team-high four RBIs over the past three games, and was 3 for 4 in Georgetown’s recent win
Connor Peek, graduate shortstop, No. 15 — Peek made his debut as a Hoya this season after spending three seasons with Holy Cross, currently sitting at 5 for 10 with two RBIs for the season. The graduate shortstop posted one of Georgetown’s three runs in the first game of the doubleheader, and posted two runs in Georgetown’s evening win.
Dylan Larkins, sophomore center fielder, No. 16 — Larkins’ helped the Hoyas gain their only win of the season by scoring two runs on Saturday night. The sophomore was also one of three Hoyas to steal a base against Winthrop.
Pitchers to watch
Spencer Seid, left-handed graduate pitcher, No. 5 — Before transferring to Georgetown before the 2026 season, Seid averaged about 1.27 strikeouts per inning at UC San Diego in 2025. In Saturday’s second game, the graduate student threw six strikeouts in five scoreless innings.
Andrew Moy, right-handed graduate pitcher, No. 30 — Moy missed the 2025 season due to injury while playing for Swarthmore College. The right-hander took the mound for the first time in two years on Saturday, throwing an inning of scoreless relief.
Strength
Roster experience. Almost two thirds of Georgetown’s roster is at least a junior, and 13 players have transferred in. The Hoyas bring a lot of experience in collegiate baseball to the field.
Weakness
Defensive consistency. In only three games, 16 different Hoyas have taken the pitching mound. Georgetown allowed 29 runs across that season-opening series. Maryland has the chance to capitalize on those inconsistencies.
Three things to know
1. From navy blue to black and gold. Maryland assistant coach Brock Keener worked as a volunteer, then as an assistant coach at Georgetown for three years before becoming a Terp in 2024. Keener was part of the Big East Coaching Staff of the Year in 2021 while at Georgetown.
2. History in the DMV. Maryland’s matchup on Tuesday marks the 92nd game between the Terps and Hoyas. Maryland leads the series all time, 65-26.
3. Weekday winners. Maryland has won seven of their last 10 mid-week openers. Their most recent Tuesday win came against Mount St. Marys, where the Terps dominated the Mountaineers 14-3. However, Maryland fell to Delaware in its first Tuesday game of 2025, 13-10.
There are sure to be at least a few players shuffled around to new teams this offseason in the NFL, and the quarterback position is unlikely to be an exception. Expect to see at least a couple signal callers traded before the 2026 season gets underway – and here are some names to watch.
The Cardinals are reportedly interested in parting ways with Murray, who allegedly is interested in the Minnesota Vikings as a potential destination. Murray was the 2019 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and has started for the Cardinals for the past seven seasons.
He suffered a foot injury in Week 5 last season, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Over his career, he has recorded 20,460 passing yards, 121 touchdowns, and 60 interceptions through the air, as well as 3,192 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns with his legs.
The Dolphins are interested in trading Tagovailoa to another franchise, but this one might not be the one that gets pulled off. Mainly, it's because other teams just aren't interested in Tagovailoa. According to reports, even if the Dolphins take on a large chunk of Tagovailoa's salary, many teams in the market for a quarterback have no desire to make a trade for the former one-time NFL passing yards leader and one-time NFL completion percentage leader.
As a result, there is skepticism around the league that the Dolphins will move Tagovailoa. He has passed for 2,421 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions during his six-season NFL career.
Things just haven't worked out for Levis with the Titans, as he went 5-16 as a starter over his first two seasons before spending 2025 as a backup. He passed for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions during his stint with the franchise.
The organization is interested in trading Levis, and the Jaguars are considered a potential landing spot because head coach Liam Coen worked with him at Kentucky. The hope is that a reunion could help him develop as a backup to Trevor Lawrence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have arguably the strongest starting rotation heading into the 2026 season. But one of the rotation’s biggest issues last season was injuries.
Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki all spent multiple months of the regular season on the injured list. Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani did not make his pitching debut with the Dodgers until June 16 as he recovered from left shoulder surgery he underwent in November 2024.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, their starting rotation is deep. And the Dodgers will be getting back two young starting pitchers that could make a big impact in the rotation when the superstars are inevitably out with injuries in 2026.
Starting pitchers River Ryan and Gavin Stone missed all of the 2025 season with injuries. Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2024, then Stone underwent shoulder surgery in October 2024.
Now, both pitchers are back with the Dodgers at spring training this offseason and are looking to return to the mound in 2026.
Ryan and Stone Made Insane Physical Transformations While Rehabbing in 2025
While Ryan and Stone were rehabbing their injuries in 2025, the pair made major physical transformations to their bodies in the process.
Ryan showed up to spring training 30 pounds stronger than he was in his rookie season in 2024.
Feb 14, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher River Ryan throws bullpen during spring training camp. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Stone added about 15 pounds to his frame during his rehab process.
Stone faced hitters in a live batting practice session during spring training on Saturday. He only pitched one inning but struck out the reigning National League Most Valuable Player, Ohtani.
Aug 19, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone (35) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In addition to Stone and Ryan, the Dodgers are expecting another strong season from Emmett Sheehan in 2026. All three of these young pitchers will be solid replacements for the rotation when the other starters are unable to pitch.
If there’s one thing Ozzie Albies loves more than playing baseball, it’s caring for animals, especially fish.
The Atlanta Braves second baseman has become especially known for his extensive knowledge of aquatic life.
So when elementary students at Lockheed Elementary decided they wanted a fish for a class pet, they knew Albies was the right guy to ask.
“The kids wrote me letters asking for which fish to recommend. But I said, you know what, I’d feel better if I’d set up a fish tank myself,” Albies said.
And so he did. Albies surprised the class before he left for Braves spring training in Florida. He brought goldfish, a tank and other supplies for the students to take care of their new class pet.
The Oklahoma Sooners went 5-0 in the southwest, outscoring their opponents 91-9. Oklahoma won all five games by run-rule, giving them six run-rule wins on the season. Oklahoma's offense is off to a stellar start in 2026 and the lineup is proving to be incredibly deep so far.
There will be tougher challenges along the way, but OU is looking like one of the best teams in the nation once again. So, who stood out this weekend in Las Cruces and El Paso? Here are this week's three stars of the weekend.
1. Gabbie Garcia, SS
Gabbie Garcia continued her hot start to the season with three more home runs in the desert and drove in 11 RBIs. She went 8 for 14 in the five games and had a pair of games with six RBIs. Garcia also had a double and two walks. She's making an early case for national player of the year with seven home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .483 batting average through the first two weeks of the season.
Garcia is currently on pace to hit 43 home runs in the regular season alone, which would break the single-season home run record of 37 set in 1995.
2. Kasidi Pickering, OF
Oklahoma's table setter, Kasidi Pickering leads the Oklahoma Sooners with a batting average of .577 and an on-base percentage of .676. Over the weekend, she was fantastic again, going 10-for-12 and reaching base 16 times in the five-game stretch in the southwest. Pickering had three home runs and 11 RBIs to go along with six walks from her lead-off spot.
3. Kai Minor, OF
Oklahoma's true freshmen have shown up to the ballpark ready to contribute in 2026, and they've contributed in a big way. In week one, it was Kendall Wells earning a spot in our three stars, and this week, it's Kai Minor's turn. Minor started three games for Oklahoma over the weekend but saw time in all five of the Sooners' wins. And she made the most of it, going 9 for 14 with two home runs and 11 RBIs. She also recorded three doubles and a triple, showing off her elite speed and penchant for extra bases. Minor recorded a hit and an RBI in all five games and is proving to be ready every time she's called upon.
Honorable Mention
The Oklahoma Sooners have scored 125 runs through nine games in the 2026 season. In nine games in 2025, Oklahoma only scored 78 runs. Certainly, a 34-spot against UTEP bolsters those numbers, but the most they scored in a single game during their first nine games was 13 runs. Oklahoma's already surpassed 13 runs four times this season.
Every Oklahoma Sooners position player has hit a home run this season. They have seven players with at least three home runs and nine players with at least two home runs on the season.
The season is still young, and Oklahoma will face tougher challenges than the ones they saw in Las Cruces and El Paso. But this team can hit, and they're going to score a lot of runs this season.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Nate Diaz is gearing up for his long-awaited UFC return.
Diaz (21-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) amicably parted ways with the UFC after submitting Tony Ferguson in September 2022. He has since laced up the gloves against Jake Paul and fellow ex-UFC fighter Jorge Masvidal, but is now finally ready to step back into the octagon.
The Stockton superstar is not short of options for big fights, but three particular names pique his interest.
"I'm ready to get back in real action," Diaz told TMZ Sports. "I want to fight either (Conor) McGregor 3, I want to fight maybe Dustin Poirier if he stops being such a p*ssy, and then maybe Mike Perry. Let's see what happens in the future though."
"The Notorious" set his sights on the UFC's White House event in June, and so has Diaz.
"Yeah, that would be dope, too," Diaz said of the White House event. "America gang, baby. You already know we're popping."
The other two names Diaz wants may not be as easy to materialize with neither currently on the UFC roster. Dustin Poirier hung up his gloves at UFC 318, but did hint that he could be lured out of retirement for the right fight. Diaz could just be that as they were once scheduled to meet at UFC 230, but the fight fell through when Poirier injured his hip.
World Cup-winning cricketer Smriti Mandhana has been named BBC Indian Sportswoman of the Year for 2025.
Mandhana, 29, was India's vice-captain as they won the 2025 ICC Women's World Cup, scoring 434 runs across the tournament.
Also nominated for the award were India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess champion Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji.
Accepting the award, Mandhana reflected on a "special year" for women's cricket
"Thank you BBC for giving me the award for Best Sportswoman of the Year," she said.
"I'm happy I could contribute and help India win matches."
Mandhana was chosen by a distinguished grand jury comprising Grand Slam tennis champion Leander Paes, Paralympic medallist Deepa Malik and World Championship long-jump medallist Anju Bobby George.
The other nominees were cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur, chess champion Divya Deshmukh, shooter Suruchi Singh and hurdler Jyothi Yarraji.
Mandhana made her debut for India aged 16 and has scored 17 international centuries across the three formats of the game - a record she shares with Australia's Meg Lanning.
She has also won two Women's Premier League titles with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Deshmukh, Pal and Bhagwat pick up ISWOTY awards
Three other trailblazing female athletes were also honoured at the ISWOTY awards ceremony at the Taj Palace hotel in Delhi.
Chess champion Divya Deshmukh was named BBC Emerging Player of the Year after winning the Women's World Cup at the age of 20.
Divya is just the fourth Indian woman to become a chess grandmaster.
Preethi Pal was named BBC Para Sportswoman of the Year after winning two medals at the 2025 World Championships in New Delhi.
The 25-year-old from Uttar Pradesh had previously won two bronze medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Shooter Anjali Bhagwat was given the BBC ISWOTY Lifetime Achievement award.
At Sydney 2000, she became the first female Indian shooter to reach an Olympic final. She also won four Commonwealth Games gold medals, including two individual titles at the 2002 Games in Manchester.
Praising the athletes' achievements and reaffirming the BBC's commitment to spotlighting Indian women's sport, CEO of BBC News Jonathan Munro said: "Congratulations to this year's winners, who showcase the very best in sporting excellence.
"The BBC World Service is committed to bringing such stories of human endeavour and outstanding success to audiences across India and around the world."
The ceremony also celebrated 'Star Performers' and 'Changemakers' whose contributions continue to redefine the landscape of Indian sport.
BBC Star Performers of the Year 2025
India women's cricket team - for their historic World Cup victory.
Ekta Bhyan, Deepthi Jeevanji and Preethi Pal - for their trailblazing performances at the World Para Athletics Championship.
India women's cricket team for the blind - for their inspiring World Cup victory.
India women's kabaddi team - for their comprehensive victory in the World Cup
BBC Changemakers of the Year 2025
India women's ice hockey team - for breaking barriers in a non-traditional sport
Rajbir Kaur - India field hockey player and former captain of the women's national team
Savita Punia - India field hockey player and current member of the national team
Paani Devi - recognised for her impactful contribution to grassroots sport
BBC ISWOTY is managed and produced by Collective Newsroom.
Rupa Jha, editor-in-chief and co-founder of Collective Newsroom said: "Sport belongs to everyone, and its true power lies not only in victories but in the opportunities it creates.
"ISWOTY 2026 is a celebration of every woman who has stepped forward to break barriers and claim her rightful place on the field."
Anjali Bhagwat became the first Indian female shooter to win a World Cup title and be number one in the air rifle world rankings [BBC]
Mourinho talks Vinicius, Arbeloa, Florentino Perez, return rumours ahead of Benfica vs Real Madrid
Real Madrid have arrived in Lisbon as they get set to take on SL Benfica for the second time within a month, hoping for a different result this time around.
Having faced the Portuguese giants, managed by Jose Mourinho, in the final matchday of the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, Los Blancos ended up suffering a shock 4-2 defeat.
Not only it allowed Benfica to qualify for the Round of 16 playoffs, it also cost Real Madrid a place in the top-eight, meaning they now have to go through an additional round to make it through to the knockouts, with Mourinho & co. standing in their way again.
Ahead of the first leg of the playoff encounter on Tuesday night, Mourinho addressed the media, where he spoke fondly about his time at Real Madrid as well as the challenges that lie ahead for his team.
On Real Madrid manager and players
Kicking things off, Mourinho touched on the evolution of this Real Madrid team under Alvaro Arbeloa, comparing where they are now to where they were last month when Benfica beat them.
“Everything is new. Let’s forget about the match we played at a few weeks ago. It’s a completely different Real Madrid, both because of some of the players who have returned and, because of their approach to the game, the way they organise themselves.
“I give all the credit to the manager because he understood what happened here. They have undergone an evolution in the solidity of the team.”
Talking about the importance of the returns of key players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rudiger for Los Blancos, the opposition manager remarked:
“They are two important players, but more than their individual qualities, it’s the way they structure themselves.
“They defend with two very compact lines of four, leaving Vinicius and Mbappe up front for transitions and depth. It’s a very effective way they’ve found to be more solid and, with these players up front, more dangerous.”
On whether facing a wounded Real Madrid was going to be dangerous for his team, Mourinho acknowledged:
“They are dangerous because of their individual quality, but they have improved a lot collectively. And I dare to state the obvious: they are a wounded team. They conceded four goals…
“I imagine Benfica conceding four and, two or three weeks later, with the possibility of facing the team that crushed them again. We would have something more. That’s what I expect from Real Madrid.”
Talking about how Benfica can stop Vinicius Jr., who scored twice in Madrid’s last game against Real Sociedad, he explained:
“There’s no need to be pessimistic. We have two options. We have to work as a team to stop him.
“Players coming back from injury don’t have any minutes under their belts and it would have been better if they had played this weekend. Playing against Madrid is motivation enough.”
When asked what it would mean for his Benfica players to beat Real Madrid once again, Mourinho elaborated:
“If beating Real Madrid once is very difficult, beating them twice is even more so. Winning three times, or even in a knockout tie, is even more difficult. Even more important is their motivation to win the Champions League, not to eliminate Benfica.
“That is their goal. And that is their greatest strength for this match. For our part, we won and we know why. But, on the other hand, we know that the match will not be a carbon copy and they have evolved significantly as a team in a short space of time.”
Mourinho’s Benfica beat Real Madrid in January. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
Continuing, he added: “What I asked the players was to play with the joy of those who deserve to be here. Perhaps it is better to be here against the great Real Madrid than against a lesser team.
“We will enjoy tomorrow’s match; we hope for a result that leaves us feeling good. We are going to Madrid to compete for qualification and we are going with joy.”
On what kind of a game he is expecting next week at the Bernabeu when he returns, Mourinho said:
“The reception. I hope they forget about me and focus on helping Real Madrid qualify. That’s the goal of the team and the fans: to eliminate Benfica and win the Champions League. I’ll be there and they’ll forget it’s me.”
When asked if it would take a miracle for Benfica to eliminate Real Madrid, he replied: “I don’t think it will take a miracle for Benfica to knock Real Madrid out. I think Benfica needs to be at its best.
“I don’t even mean good, I mean the best, almost perfect, which doesn’t exist. But not a miracle. Obviously, Real Madrid is Real Madrid: the history, the knowledge, the ambition… But football has this power and we can win.”
On his time at Real Madrid
Mourinho spent three years at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013, and while the spell was not laden with trophies, the Portuguese manager is still remembered fondly in the Spanish capital for the team he helped build.
So, when asked if he felt that Los Blancos’La Decima success, a year after he left, was also his own, Mourinho replied:
“I must be one of the few Real Madrid coaches to leave without being sacked. When you leave on your own terms, you have nothing to envy. I left with a clear conscience.
“I’ll never forget what the president said to me when I left: ‘Now comes the easy part, the hard part is already done.’ My family is the most important thing to me and that was the best thing. It was also the best thing for Madrid.
“After difficult, intense and violent years. Everything Madrid has done since then has only brought me joy. I don’t feel like I’m part of anything; the credit goes to those who were there.
“Estadio Da Luz stadium is a happy place for Madrid. They lost, but they weren’t eliminated; they won a Champions League here.”
Mourinho remains a well-loved figure among Real Madrid fans. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
On what he took away from his three years at the Santiago Bernabeu, Mourinho elaborated: “I wouldn’t change anything because I can’t change anything now. I’ll take away the fact that I gave it my all.
“It doesn’t matter if you make mistakes, because you gave it your all. That’s what I tell my players. If you fail, it’s okay, you tried your best. I’m at peace with myself.”
Talking about how he feels when he hears fans in Madrid speak so highly of him and his time at the club, Mourinho stated:
“I gave everything I had to Madrid. I did some things well and some things badly, but I gave it my all. When a professional gives everything, there is a connection that lasts forever.
“My feeling after these 12 years with the Madrid fans is the same as theirs: they respect me and hold me in high esteem. It’s fantastic for me.”
However, he made it clear that he is happy at Benfica and does not want to fuel any rumours of a possible move to Real Madrid, saying:
“I don’t want to fuel stories that don’t exist. I have one more year on my contract with Benfica; it’s special because it’s an election period and we wanted to protect a new president. It has an easy-to-break clause. I have nothing against Madrid.”
Wishing luck to Arbeloa and Madrid, he added: “I would very much like to eliminate Madrid, but I would very much like Arbeloa to win La Liga and stay there for many years, because he has a lot of ability. He is a Madridista and has a lot of personality.”
Touching on his relationship with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, Mourinho said:
“The last time we spoke was when I signed with Benfica. He told me he was very happy because I had signed for a great club. He didn’t come to the last match; I hope he’ll be here tomorrow so I can talk to him. We’re great friends.”
Your Oregon Ducks traveled north on Sunday evening to take on their hated rival, the #25 Washington Huskies. And y’all, this one did NOT start out great for our girls. Washington came out fast, and jumped out to an early 15-1 lead halfway through the first quarter. The Ducks would start to fight back a bit, but the Huskies would wind up taking a 22-9 lead after one. The second quarter would start slow for both sides, with the Ducks cutting into the lead slightly, trailing 27-13 with 8:29 remaining in the half. But that, my friends, is where things started to take a turn. Oregon would close the half on a 15-0 run, and somehow take a 1 point lead into the break, 28-27.
The third quarter was… well, honestly there’s no other way to say it: it was UGLY for both sides, offensively. Just a physical, tough, defense-heavy quarter for both teams. A total of 16 points were scored in the quarter, 10 by UW and 6 by Oregon, giving the Huskies a 37-34 lead after three quarters. Unfortunately, though, the 4th quarter wasn’t much better for the Ducks. They just couldn’t seem to get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, shooting just 3-14 from the floor, and letting UW escape with a 51-43 win.
Oof. What a frustrating game to watch. Not because they struggled to score, Washington’s defense played (begrudgingly) very well. But because we’ve all seen what these ladies can do when they’re on. And unfortunately for the Ducks, nobody was really on their game Sunday, as they shot an abysmal 17-55 from the floor (30.9%) and didn’t make their first three pointer until there was 6:36 remaining in the 4th quarter (1-10 from deep on the night). Just a bad time for the offense to go completely frigid. But I’ll be surprised if they play that poorly on offense again the rest of the season.
Jurgen Klopp, German football coach and "Global Head of Soccer" at Red Bull, is pictured during an AFP interview at RB Leipzig's headquarters in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on January 17, 2026. Despite leaving Liverpool as one of the most highly regarded coaches in football in 2024, Jurgen Klopp said he never considered himself among the game's best. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Former Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, and Liverpool FC boss Jürgen Klopp will go down as one of Germany’s all-time great managers, but he never spent a day coach at Bayern Munich.
However, it seems like he almost did.
Per Transfermarkt (as captured by Tz), Klopp came very close to joining the Bavarians twice — once in 2009 and once in 2019:
Rumors surrounding Jürgen Klopp and FC Bayern Munich have been swirling for years. There has been constant speculation about whether the charismatic coach would one day stand on the sidelines of the German record champions. Now, Klopp’s long-time advisor, Mark Kosicke, has revealed new details to Transfermarkt.de about FC Bayern’s attempts to sign him. According to Kosicke, the club came “very close” on two separate occasions.
The first opportunity likely arose in 2008, when FC Bayern faced a crucial decision: Who should lead the team into a new era? Uli Hoeneß advocated for Jürgen Klopp, while Karl-Heinz Rummenigge favored Jürgen Klinsmann. Ultimately, Klinsmann was chosen, but his tenure was short-lived. Klopp, meanwhile, took over as head coach of Borussia Dortmund.
The second attempt at a move took place in 2019 after the departure of Niko Kovač. However, by that time Klopp was firmly under contract with Liverpool and had led the club to great successes such as winning the Champions League and their first Premier League title in thirty years.
Bayern Munich’s history would be significantly different had Hoeneß won that front office battle instead of Rummenigge, who was behind the ill-fated Klinsmann move. Similarly, Kovač‘s sacking opened the door for Hansi Flick to take over and eventually win a sextuple. Getting Klopp from Liverpool at that stage would have been near-impossible anyway given his status after winning the Champions League during the 2018/19 season.
As for Klopp and if it would have worked out in Bavaria, Kosicke thinks it would have been a good fit between his client the Bayern Munich.
“I don’t see why it shouldn’t have been. Jürgen likes pretzels and had a wheat beer partner in Erdinger. He’s always worked with strong personalities. I wouldn’t have seen any problem there,” Kosicke said.
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…
Dana White says his early experience in professional boxing has been so dominant that he likened the competition to “beating up babies.”
The UFC president made the comment during the post-fight press conference for Zuffa Boxing 03 while reflecting on his promotion’s entry into the sport.
White explained that he anticipated stronger resistance from established figures within boxing but claims that has not materialized.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
White claims boxing establishment offered little resistance
Following three Zuffa Boxing events, Dana White was asked whether the traditional boxing hierarchy had responded to his company’s arrival. He admitted he expected a more competitive reaction.
Instead, he described the opening phase as unexpectedly lopsided. White suggested that meaningful opposition has yet to emerge.
“There hasn’t been any pushback. This is like beating up babies. I feel like I came in and I’m beating up babies. I expected more. I expected some pushback. I expected them to be more game.”
He reinforced that view moments later, expressing surprise at how smoothly things have unfolded. White said he did not foresee such an easy transition into the space.
“They’re all way out of their league. Like absolutely, positively out of their league. I’m actually a little shocked.”
White questions rival promoters’ vision
White also took aim at prominent boxing promoters, casting doubt on their ability to compete with what he views as a stronger strategic plan. He argued that some established figures lack the vision necessary to evolve the sport.
Referencing the broader competitive landscape, White suggested that his rivals are struggling to keep up.
“They can’t compete cause they don’t know how to compete. There’s no vision there.”
White has repeatedly stated that Zuffa Boxing intends to reshape the sport’s promotional model rather than follow its traditional framework. He believes the early results support that ambition.
While the long-term impact of his venture remains uncertain, White’s confidence in its trajectory is clear. At this stage, he believes Zuffa Boxing holds the upper hand.
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 22: Jeremiyah Love #4 of the University of Notre Dame runs with the ball during a game between Syracuse University and University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium on November 22, 2025 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) | ISI Photos via Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints left the 2025 NFL draft satisfied. They solidified their tackles for the next 10 years and found good depth and starters down the board. Oh, they also found a pretty good quarterback.
With the Saints set up to start building a roster that can compete in the next few years, they’ll be looking to grab more big impact players.
1.8 RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
If you know anything about me, this pick will come as a shocker. I find it hard for bad teams to use early picks on running backs, but in recent years, I’ve changed my mind. The breakouts of running backs Bijan Robinson, Jahmy Gibbs, and De’Von Achane represent a new class of running backs entering the league and finding success.
The NFL is always evolving, and the run game has made a comeback. Gone are the days of the 5,000-yard passers. Defenses now run two high shells more often than they did just 10 years ago, forcing offenses to either run the ball or risk throwing interceptions.
So in this, I have the Saints grabbing a top-three player in the draft at eight. New Orleans has had a lackluster run game for years now, and Jeremiyah Love makes an immediate impact. Getting Kellen Moore a high-end draft pick at running back could open the offense up and make life easier for Tyler Shough. Love offers the best superstar ability for New Orleans at eight, and makes the perfect successor to Alvin Kamara.
2.42 OL Chase Bistontis (Texas A&M)
I never like to say a team is forced to draft a player at a certain range, but it feels like a must for the Saints to add to their interior offensive line in the first three rounds. Guard Cesar Ruiz has struggled over the last two seasons, and the Dillon Radunz signing felt like a Band-Aid over a bigger problem.
Luckily for the Saints, Texas A&M offensive lineman Chase Bisontis is available for them early in the second round. Bisontis has plenty of the athleticism you’re looking for at the interior, and his strong performances in SEC play make him better prepared for the NFL.
But, along with most rookie offensive linemen, Bisontis will have to improve his technique. His footwork could get sloppy, and his shorter arms cause him to get out of position if he doesn’t win off the press. Despite the learning curve, the three-year starter will fit well into the Saints’ young offensive line.
3.73 WR Elija Sarratt (Indiana)
The Saints have proved season after season that their lack of concern about adding a wide receiver is costly. While New Orleans did make trades for wideouts Devaughn Vele and Jalynn Polk in 2025, both have injury concerns and played little to no during the season. And after the trade of Rashid Shaheed, the Saints need to add wide receiver help more than ever.
Here, we have the Saints catching Indiana Elijah Sarratt, who fell in this mock. Originally projected as a second-rounder, Sarratt offers the Saints reliable hands and physicality at receiver. At 6-foot-2, he is a very physical pass catcher and can win on his contested catches consistently.
Sarratt is a good pairing next to Chris Olave and gives New Orleans, at worst, great depth at a position they’ve lacked for years.
Chelsea defender responds to incredible praise which compares him to the world’s best
Chelsea defender Mamadou Sarr has had some pretty incredible comparisons made in his young career so far, he responds to them here.
The Sun have today done a really good piece talking about Mamadou Sarr, who made his Chelsea full debut on Friday. It had some really flattering comparisons to the best players in the world.
“I came from Morocco, but Sarr was already being talked about when I arrived at Lyon,” former teammate Achraf Laziri said.
“They said he was very composed for his age and played the game at his own pace. You just knew he was one of the players who wouldn’t stay there for long.”
His teammates, including Laziri, started calling the elegant defender “Van Dijk” as a nickname.
How Chelsea new signing responded to impressive nickname
Mamadou Sarr in action in against Hull City. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
That comparison has even reached the defender, who responded thus:
“I want to be like Virgil van Dijk. I love Van Dijk. They called me that when I was younger. But some people also tell me I play like Ibrahima Konate. It’s very similar.
“He’s a leader. For a defender, it’s very important to be a leader. Off and on the pitch, I talk a lot. It’s an important job. I think I anticipate well. With the ball, I can pick a good pass. When I was a kid, I had a dream. It was to be the best centre-back in the world.”
Well, it’s always good to aim high. We’re really excited about what he can bring to Chelsea.
In other news…
Chelsea are looking better and better under Liam Rosenoir, and a big part of that is Cole Palmer’s return to form. Stevie G is very worried about what that means for Liverpool.
Yan Diomande is a player in a lot of demand, and Chelsea could have bought him years ago – but he says he’s happy he never joined them.
NASCAR champ Tyler Reddick poses with his Daytona 500 trophy alongside wife Alexa DeLeon Reddick and sons Beau and Rookie
Chris Graythen/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
NASCAR champ Tyler Reddick’s 8-month-old son Rookie started crawling months after life-saving surgery to remove a chest tumor, and days later on Sunday, Feb. 15, Reddick won the Daytona 500
Rookie’s tumor had caused heart failure, but his wife Alexa’s persistence led to a diagnosis and successful treatment
Reddick credits his wife and the NASCAR community for their support during his son’s health battle
Tyler Reddick was surrounded with cheers on Sunday, Feb. 15, as he won the 68th Daytona 500 in a surprising last-lap victory.
But there was another milestone that the athlete was celebrating in his personal life. Days earlier, his 8-month-old son Rookie George started crawling.
That's something that seemed unlikely back in October, when Rookie underwent surgery to remove one of his kidneys that were no longer functioning after doctors found a tumor in his chest. The mass, Reddick's wife Alexa DeLeon explained on social media at the time, was affecting his heart, "choking’ the renal vein and renal artery" and "telling the heart, ‘Hey I’m not getting enough blood … pump harder.' "
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Alexa — with whom Reddick also shares 5-year-old son, Beau — was first to notice that something was wrong with Rookie.
"As he started to grow and things were going on with him, he just started going the wrong way," Reddick, 30, recalled during an appearance on Good Morning America on Monday, Feb. 16. "My wife trusted her mom gut and just over time said, ‘The direction he’s going is not great.’ "
Pediatricians at first chalked symptoms up to colic or possible allergies, but Reddick pressed on. It wasn't until Alexa took Rookie to Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina, in late September that doctors were able to "quickly identify" what was "causing the heart failure and piece it all together."
"I’m really proud of my wife," said Reddick. "She had to go to a lot during the entire process but she really was the centerpiece that held everyone together throughout the whole thing. It was tough."
"Michael and everybody at 23XI basically told me, ‘Look, if you need to step away and not run another race, do whatever you need to do,' " Reddick remembered.
Tyler Reddick celebrates his Daytona 500 win on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026
Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Fellow racer Joey Logano, a competitor of Reddick's, even made sure Reddick's elder son Beau spent time with his kids while the Reddicks were in the hospital.
"The amount of support we had from the NASCAR community throughout all of that was just incredible," said Reddick.
Rookie, who was born May 25, is now "happy and healthy," Reddick told GMA, the stress on his heart alleviated with the removal of the tumor.
He was by his father's side at the finish line on Sunday, alongside mom Alexa and brother Beau.
“I just remember getting out of the car, and typically I’ve just been able to focus on Beau and my wife, and it’s like Rookie is getting to experience this for the first time, too,” Reddick said to the Associated Press. “Rookie is a trooper, whether it’s been the Thunderbirds blasting over the track, just super loud, stuff I love.”
And it seems like he already takes after his dad. "He's been like a speedster,” Reddick added. "We have to keep up with that. Keep away from the stairs and the bus!"
The college basketball world watched a respected basketball program make a big decision this weekend. With March Madness nearing, Kansas State University decided to make a surprising early decision.
On Sunday night, the school made the decision to let go of the men’s head basketball coach, Jerome Tang. Tang was in his fourth season as the lead man of the men’s basketball program.
In the 2022-2023 season, Tang led the Wildcats to a 26-10 record. They made the big tournament and surged all the way to the Elite Eight.
They lost to Florida Atlantic University by a thin margin of 79-76. The expectations were as high as ever. There were even chatters on whether they were ready to challenge in-state rival Kansas long-term.
Tang and the Wildcats never made it back to the tournament. They followed their incredible season with a 19-15 record, getting bounced out of the NIT, and then a losing season in the 2024-2025 season.
Feb 1, 2026; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Jerome Tang looks on during the second half against the Iowa State Cyclones at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images
They had an opportunity to get back on track this year under Tang. However, they currently sit at 10-15. What might be most damning is their 1-11 conference record.
What once started as a promising tenure comes to an early end.
Rrahmani renewal, Ambrosini v Parisi, Totti latest: today’s news 🔥
Another European week with Italian teams engaged in the Champions League playoffs, while others are left watching and waiting for the next Serie A matchday.
Below, as usual, are the most important news stories of the day.
Juventus, who will replace David?
Juventus will have to do without Jonathan David against Galatasaray, and Luciano Spalletti is considering solutions to make up for the Canadian's absence.
The most logical choice points to Openda, who is looking for minutes and redemption. However, keep an eye on creative solutions with Yildiz or McKennie as a false nine. At the moment, Openda is the favorite.
Milan, Allegri and Galliani dine together. Was the future discussed?
On the night of Inter-Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri and Adriano Galliani had dinner together, in an evening reconstructed by Tuttosport. The two worked together in the past at Milan and have remained friends.
Besides reminiscing about the past, did they also talk about the future? Last summer, Galliani's return to Milan was very close, but in the end, nothing materialized.
Inter, Gala's coach: "We're waiting for Calha with open arms"
Okan Buruk, coach of Galatasaray, spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Juventus and also commented on Hakan Calhanoglu, Inter's midfielder.
"I've known Hakan for fifteen years, he's a Gala fan and our supporters would like him to come here. Let's just say... we're waiting for him with open arms.”
Napoli, Rrahmani close to renewal. The figures
Napoli is working on the renewal of Amir Rrahmani. The Kosovan center-back is the pillar of the Neapolitan defense and, according to Tuttosport, the club is close to reaching an agreement for the extension.
The former Verona player will sign a contract until 2028 with an option for 2029 at €3.8 million per season.
Roma, news on Totti's return
Francesco Totti's return to Roma is becoming more and more of a reality, and the man himself confirmed it in a comment to Sky.
“Yes, we're talkingand I even had dinner with Gasperini.”
Lazio, Basic close to returning
Lazio can smile as good news comes from the infirmary ahead of the match against Cagliari next weekend.
As reported by Corriere dello Sport, Basic is on track for recovery since his problem wasn't actually serious, but the midfielder just needed a bit of rest.
Fiorentina, Ambrosini criticizes Parisi
Massimo Ambrosini, former footballer and now commentator for DAZN, spoke about Fabiano Parisi and the exaggeration after the contact with Addai.
“What Parisi did was try to cheat. You can't do that, it's unacceptable for someone to try to deceive everyone so blatantly, thinking then to get away with it. If the referee had fallen for it and sent off the poor Como player, he'd be laughing now. He must be punished, because punishment acts as a deterrent for anyone who wants to try the same thing in the future.”
Auburn baseball began the season on a high note by sweeping Youngstown State at Plainsman Park. However, the team did receive an unfortunate injury update regarding one of its young stars.
Auburn second baseman Chris Rembert injured his ankle during last weekend's series and could be out for a couple of weeks, according to Auburn baseball head coach Butch Thompson. Thompson says that the initial report was "really good." However, Rembert could miss this weekend's tournament in Arlington, Texas, where Auburn will face a pair of top 25 teams in Louisville and Florida State in the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers.
"Feels like we could be playing next week without him," Thompson said Saturday. "Which I hate that for college baseball, there's so many eyes on that tournament. We love that tournament, and you want your guy there."
Rembert went 2-for-6 in Auburn baseball's opening series with an RBI and a walk. He was also unsuccessful in his only stolen base attempt.
Rembert burst onto the scene as a freshman last season, becoming one of Auburn's most reliable tools at the plate and in the field. Rembert hit .344 in 2025 with 72 hits, 14 doubles, 10 home runs, 46 RBI, and six stolen bases. He was awarded many accolades for his stellar season, including second team All-SEC, SEC All-Freshman, and three Freshman All-American nods.
Redshirt freshman Brandon McCraine went 3-for-4 in Rembert's place in the lineup in game three of Auburn's season-opening series with Youngstown State. Will McCraine fill the role while Rembert nurses his ankle? It will be interesting to see how Auburn head coach Butch Thompson plays the lineup in Rembert's absence, starting Tuesday when the Tigers face Cincinnati at Plainsman Park in its first midweek game of the season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT and will be streamed on SEC Network+.
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Chubb, 29, has 22 sacks in three seasons with Miami.
The previous Dolphins regime acquired Chubb in November of 2022 in a deal that included a first-round pick sent to the Broncos.
Chubb missed the 2024 season due to a torn ACL.
Chubb is an excellent team leader and was Miami Dolphins Good Guy of the year, as voted on by the local media, in 2025.
Chubb was also named the team's 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year for his service in the community.
Miami Dolphins releasing Bradley Chubb in salary cap move
This is a salary cap-related decision. The Dolphins are widely expected to also release Tyreek Hill and release Tua Tagovailoa, assuming they can't trade him.
Chubb will represent a cap savings of $20.2 million if he's designated a post-June 1 release.
Chubb would also become a $23.8 million salary cap hit spread over two years.
The entire hit would bein 2026 if he's not designed a post-June 1 release.
The thin Dolphins edge rush group includes Chop Robinson and Derrick McLendon.
Miami traded Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles at the trade deadline last season.
Miami certainly will look to address outside linebacker/edge rusher in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.
Five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou has named his top 10 schools, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett.
Fakatou is a talented lineman that has drawn interest from various programs across the country. The rising star currently has Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma, Penn State, Miami, and Georgia listed as his top 10 programs. At 6-foot-7, 275 pounds, Fakatou is widely regarded as a top defensive lineman from the 2027 class, as the defensive playmaker would more than likely play a key role on the Bulldogs’ defensive line should he commit to Georgia.
Fakatou is ranked as the No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 35 overall player from the class of 2027, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. He is also ranked as the No. 3 overall player from California. A five-star recruit, Fakatou has thrived during his time at Orange Lutheran High School (Orange, California) and finds himself ranked as one of the top prospects in the country.
The talented lineman would quickly prove to be a major addition to the Georgia defense should he land in Athens. The big man will continue narrowing down his options in the near future as recruiting heats up for the class of 2027. Fakatou has received recent recruiting visits from coaches of several of his top schools including Ohio State, Michigan and Miami.
Georgia has drawn interest from a multitude of top players from the 2027 class, including 4-star OL Jordan Agbanoma and DL Brayden Parks.
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A view of the Union’s Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Photograph: Elsa/Getty Images
Philadelphia Union sporting director Ernst Tanner continues to be under investigation by Major League Soccer and remains on administrative leave with no resolution expected to come soon, multiple sources told the Guardian last week.
Tanner was the subject of wide-ranging allegations of misconduct raised by a Guardian investigation late last year, including a complaint made by the MLS Players Association to the league alleging multiple instances of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior. After the Guardian published its story, the Union placed Tanner on administrative leave and MLS reopened an investigation into his behavior that had been closed early in 2025 due to lack of corroboration. Tanner has denied the allegations throughout, saying he will cooperate fully with the league as he “[works] to clear my good name and reputation”.
MLS’s initial investigation was done using in-house counsel, but the league has retained labor law firm Littler Mendelson to handle the new investigation, said multiple sources with direct knowledge of it, who like all sources in this report spoke to the Guardian under the condition of anonymity. Littler Mendelson is a global law firm specializing in labor and employment law. Among other notable clients, the firm has represented Starbucks, Amazon and Delta Air Lines in their anti-unionization efforts.
However, the investigation has not reached any conclusion in the three months since it was reopened. The Guardian understands that part of the reason for the delay is that investigators had reached an impasse regarding non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that remain in effect between some potential sources and the Union.
It is somewhat common for MLS clubs to have departing employees sign NDAs, which generally prohibit them from speaking about their experiences at their previous employer. Multiple sources with knowledge of the ongoing investigation into Tanner have said that, because of these types of agreements, some potential interviewees have not received adequate assurances from investigators that they won’t be subject to legal action if they participate.
The Guardian understands that MLS had hoped a new investigation would work around any existing NDAs, with the league previously offering assurances to potential sources in its initial effort. Two sources familiar with the ongoing investigation told the Guardian last week that multiple potential sources in the investigation do not feel that they’ve received adequate assurance that they’d be released from the conditions of those agreements.
“Any individual under an NDA with the Philadelphia Union has been granted, or would be granted upon request, a release to fully participate in the investigation,” A Union spokesperson wrote in a statement to the Guardian. MLS deferred comment to Littler Mendelson.
“We have engaged – and continue to engage – with individuals subject to nondisclosure agreements, and are taking appropriate steps to facilitate their participation in this investigative process,” Littler shareholder Kris Derewicz wrote in a statement to the Guardian. “As this is an ongoing investigation, we are not at liberty to provide any additional details.”
Tanner was put on leave on 19 November and has since largely spent his time in his native Germany, sources familiar with the Union’s front office operations said last week. The Union’s front office has been active in recent weeks, adding players from Colombia and Denmark while unloading others within and outside MLS. A league source with direct knowledge of one of those transfers told the Guardian that Tanner was not involved in negotiations surrounding that player, with talks handled instead by Union owner Jay Sugarman alongside assistant sporting director Matt Ratajczak.
Since his arrival in MLS in 2018, Tanner has been widely considered among the league’s most successful sporting directors, having helped craft a series of perennially competitive Union sides on a barebones budget. Unlike other global leagues, MLS has a soft salary cap and complex system of roster rules and regulations designed to allow even the league’s smallest teams to be competitive. Tanner had proved a good match for Philadelphia, who have often been among the league’s thriftiest teams.
Prior to his arrival, the Union had qualified for the MLS playoffs only twice in their eight-year history. Under Tanner, Philadelphia have made the postseason every year except 2024 and reached the 2022 MLS Cup final, a performance that earned Tanner the league’s executive of the year award.
Sporting directors at MLS clubs have varying degrees of power; at the Union, Tanner oversees nearly every facet of the club’s sporting operations at a granular level, working closely with the club’s youth academy. That youth setup has produced multiple US national team members and has frequently provided the Union with a valuable income stream via outgoing transfers, with Philadelphia raking in about $43m in player sales under Tanner’s watch.
The Alabama Crimson Tide will kickoff the 2026 campaign against East Carolina on Sept. 5, 2026.
The Tide will have a multitude of new faces on both sides of the football next season. Alabama lost a majority of the offensive line to both the transfer portal and NFL draft, as well as numerous skill players on offense.
As a result, the likes of star wide receiver Ryan Williams could quickly begin to thrive when the 2026 season kicks off, as Alabama has a number of skill players who could emerge with names such as Germie Bernard no longer in Tuscaloosa.
Here are three early breakout candidates for the Alabama Crimson Tide next season, along with a potential stat line prediction for each.
Cederian Morgan, Wide Receiver, Freshman
Morgan is a talented wide receiver that could quickly begin to thrive during his first season in Tuscaloosa. A former four-star recruit, Morgan was ranked as the No. 5 wide receiver and the No. 43 overall player from the class of 2026, per the 247Sports Composite rankings. The route runner had a multitude of offers prior to his commitment, as I predict Morgan to record 800+ yards and 7+ touchdowns during an elite freshman campaign.
Keelon Russell, Quarterback, Redshirt Freshman
Russell was widely regarded as one of the top quarterback prospects from the 2025 class. The playmaker served as the Tide's third string option last season, but Russell could quickly begin to thrive in 2026, should he earn the starting job over redshirt sophomore Austin Mack. The rising star has elite speed and accuracy, as Russell could be in prime position to record 3,300+ passing yards and 25+ touchdowns through the air with the starting job.
Ezavier “EJ” Crowell, Running Back, Freshman
Crowell is an elite running back that could easily break out early on next season. The star playmaker was a highly sought after prospect prior to committing to Alabama, as Crowell had offers from a multitude of programs around the country. A five-star recruit from the class of 2026, per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Crowell won the coveted “Mr. Football” Award for his efforts at Jackson High School last season, as I believe the playmaker could record a surplus of 1,200 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns during his first season in the Tide's backfield.
Alabama has numerous playmakers who could easily break out early next season, as the Tide will look to secure national championship No. 19 during the 2026 campaign.
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Michigan State's 142-year-old baseball program is known more for producing individual talents like Steve Garvey, Kirk Gibson and Hall of Fame pitcher Robin Roberts than for winning a lot of games. So the Spartans had reason to celebrate the opening weekend of the season, even though it didn't end the way they would have liked.
They won two of three on the road against a Louisville team ranked as high as No. 8 in the preseason, making it the highest-ranked series win under 18th-year coach Jake Boss Jr.
The Spartans opened with a 4-3 win Friday on Randy Seymour's tie-breaking homer in the eighth inning. Parker Picot hit a grand slam and three-run homer in a 14-3 victory Saturday. Louisville won Sunday's finale 9-1.
The Spartans' big weekend came against one of the winningest programs over the past two decades. The Cardinals went 2-2 in the College World Series last year.
MSU was 28-27 last season and finished 12th in the Big Ten Conference. The Spartans haven't been above .500 in conference play since 2016, and the most recent of their five NCAA Tournament appearances was in 2012.
Their challenging start to the season continues Friday with the first of three games at a top-10 Texas.
In the polls
The top three teams in the D1Baseball.com and Baseball America polls remained the same Monday.
UCLA (2-1) and LSU (3-0) are the top two in both polls, with Texas (3-0) third by D1Baseball and Mississippi State (3-0) third by Baseball America.
Slam man
Things quieted down considerably for Baylor's Tyce Armstrong after he became the second player in NCAA history, and first in 50 years, to hit three grand slams in a game, doing so Friday.
The Bears completed a three-game sweep of New Mexico State with wins of 5-2 Saturday and 7-3 Sunday. Armstrong was a combined 0 for 6 with two RBIs in those games.
Armstrong was the story of opening day, launching all three of his slams to left field in a 15-2 victory. His 12 RBIs were a school record.
The only other player to hit three grand slams in a game was Louisville’s Jim LaFountain, who did it against Western Kentucky on March 24, 1976.
Tigers off and running
Defending national champion LSU opened with a three-game sweep of Milwaukee. Jake Brown highlighted Sunday's 21-7 win with a grand slam, solo homer and a career-best six RBIs. Brown was 6 of 12 with eight RBIs in the series.
“Jake is the leader of this team, there’s no question about that,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “I’m very thankful that he is a Tiger, and I think he’s got a chance to be one of the best players in the country this year.”
Cleanup spot
Aidan King, who pitched six shutout innings, and Hawaii transfer Cooper Walls, who allowed one run in 5 1/3 innings, turned in strong starts in Florida's 11-0, 6-1 sweep of UAB on Saturday. Gators pitchers allowed one run, walked one and struck out 13 across 16 innings. ... Florida Gulf Coast's Evan Dempsey, Preston Rogers and Ashton Pocol combined to strike out a program record-tying 19 in a 2-1, 10-inning victory over North Dakota State on Friday. ... Coastal Carolina, the 2025 national runner-up, swept three games from Fairfield. Chanticleers pitchers combined for 17 strikeouts in a 5-0 win in the finale, the most in a nonconference game in five years. ... Southern California's Grant Govel and Cameron Fausset combined to hold Pepperdine hitless in a seven-inning 11-0 run-rule win Saturday. Govel went a career-long six innings, walked one, hit a batter and struck out 10.
Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk on Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu: “We are waiting for him”
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has provided a significant update on the club’s long-standing interest in Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of their Champions League clash against Juventus.
The Turkish midfielder was heavily linked with a move to Istanbul last summer, but a deal ultimately failed to materialize. Despite that setback, the door remains firmly open for the Inter star to join his boyhood club in the future.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Buruk addressed the potential transfer with direct praise for his compatriot. He stated: “I know Hakan Çalhanoğlu well; he is a Galatasaray fan. The fans would love for him to come here. Let’s say, we are waiting for him with open arms.”
In addition to the transfer talk, Buruk discussed the upcoming match against Juventus and the recent controversy surrounding Pierre Kalulu’s red card in the Derby d’Italia. He remarked: “I have watched all of Juventus’ games. They play well even when they don’t win; I liked them against Atalanta as well. Of course, against Inter, they paid a heavy price for Kalulu’s expulsion. I really don’t know how a yellow card can be given in that situation…”
In case you were unaware, there is drama with a capital "D" happening at the Milano Cortina games. On Friday, Canada and Sweden got into an argument after Sweden’s Oskar Eriksson alleged that Canada's Marc Kennedy illegally double-touched his rock.
Double-touching is a huge no-no in curling, and Canada was very offended about such allegations. Of course, the scandal reached the internet, and the memes started rolling in. Please look at this masterpiece that some human being created. My eyes are sweating from laughing so much.
It did not stop here. There also might allegedly be a Canadian women's curling scandal, and this is, obviously, too much because the internet has absolutely zero chill when it comes to these kinds of things.
Now, animals (and ET!) are involved, and I'm down a rabbit hole. (See what I did there?)
Last night in Dallas, Taylor Fritz pushed Ben Shelton all the way but came up short, unable to take his chances in the final of the Dallas Open.
The 28-year-old fell to his fellow American in a tight three-set match, missing three championship points along the way.
It was a tough defeat for Fritz, but it also showed just how close he came to lifting the trophy despite dealing with several physical issues.
Always looking to improve, the world number eight felt there were areas of his game he could have managed better to avoid getting pulled into such a battle.
Taylor Fritz points to serve struggles after narrow Dallas Open loss
Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Speaking after the match, Fritz talked through where things went wrong, even as reporters acknowledged how well he had played given the circumstances.
He told them: “Return wise, no. But serving-wise, I could have done better.
“I think for a set and a half, I was playing great and serving great, and then I don’t know why, but the serve rhythm was just lost a little bit.
“I was not hitting my spots as good, my first serve percentage was nowhere near as good as it has been all week, and it’s tough to start having to grind out these points behind the serve when I have not had to do that all week long. It is a lot of added pressure.
“He did a great job playing defence and making me hit a ton of balls to win the points on my serve. He did a really good job of just making a lot of balls when he was returning, and I was not getting free points on my serve.
“The breaks could have been avoided if I served a little bit better.”
Ben Shelton edges closer to matching Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
In tennis, progress is often judged by results rather than intent.
Shelton has a growing list of them, and his latest title is a direct result of the work he has put in over recent months.
Shelton had mentioned before the tournament that he had been working on one shot in particular, one that has given Jannik Sinner trouble before.
The American star appears to be finding a good balance between fine-tuning his game and delivering results on court.
The Dallas title will not change where Shelton stands compared to Alcaraz or Sinner just yet, but it does give him more confidence moving forward.
Formula 1 has announced a six-year “rotational” contract for a grand prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in the next phase of the sport’s expansion strategy.
F1 announced last year that the famous Spa-Francorchamps will host a grand prix once every two years from 2027 to 2031, and now the Belgian Grand Prix’s rotational partner has been confirmed.
Barcelona’s future as a host venue had been in doubt, given F1 will host an annual street race in Madrid from this September. However, after major renovation to the site, the newly titled Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix will take place in 2028, 2030 and 2032 in rotation with Spa.
Spa-Francorchamps will host a race in 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031 (Getty)
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said: “Barcelona is an incredible city, and the Formula 1 fans there always welcome us with such passion, so I am delighted that we will continue to race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for years to come.
“The team have invested heavily in the circuit and hosted fantastic fan festivals in recent years, so we look forward to seeing how they continue to develop the experience, both for attendees at the race and for the city as a whole.”
The circuit has worked to improve the fan experience in recent years. A new hospitality space above the third sector has been built, solar panels are now positioned throughout the site and a fan festival has been hosted alongside the race weekend in the iconic Placa de Catalunya.
Another factor which aided Barcelona’s cause was its hosting of the five-day ‘shakedown’ test last month, in which most details were kept under wraps. It has regularly been the European venue for testing in previous years.
With Portugal being added to the 2027 calendar in a two-year deal, Formula 1 now has contracts for 24 races – a number Domenicali has insisted he won’t go over – for next year’s schedule. This year’s Dutch Grand Prix will be the last race at Zandvoort.
It also puts to bed speculation of a 2027 race in South Africa, with the likes of Rwanda, Morocco, South Korea, Turkey, Thailand and Argentina among the other interested parties.
The 2026 season starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March. The final pre-season takes place this week (18-20 February) in Bahrain.
Scotland scrum-half Ben White admitted he and his teammates are aware of the noise around head coach Gregor Townsend, but called him an "amazing coach to play for" after the victory over England.
Plenty were unhappy with Townsend's position following the opening Six Nations loss to Italy but Scotland roared back to secure a fifth Calcutta Cup victory in six years.
Like Townsend, White has a superb record in these fixtures and scored another try against the Auld Enemy - who he played for at Under-20 level.
"Obviously we're aware of everything that goes on outside of the environment," White said. "People are passionate and when you're playing for your country, people just want wins and success, and that's what we want as well.
"It's nothing personal, it's part of the privilege of playing for your country. With how tough the week had been, I think to put on that performance it made it extra sweet.
"I just love it, that's why I play rugby, to see the crowd, the atmosphere, people smiling and cheering and staying after the game and enjoying it with their kids.
"Gregor is proud of the performance that we put in, the way we played, the charisma we showed. He's awesome, he's an amazing coach to play for because he gives us so much confidence in what we do.
"Obviously he has a lot of detailed stuff in how we play, but he gives us courage and belief in the style of rugby that we play, so that's awesome to be a part of."
Incredibly after that dismal loss to Italy in the first week, Scotland now sit second behind France in the standings. They face Wales next Saturday in Cardiff, looking to make it two wins from three.
"The championship's tough, there's no rest, there's no bye [fallow] week this year like there has been in the past," said White. "We need to recover well, train hard and not take the foot off the gas.
"Getting five points at home was huge for us and also just the momentum that can give us going forward. We go to Wales and it's an opportunity for us but we know we're going to have to play really well.
"We go there with confidence but if we don't play to the best of our abilities and we're not clinical and accurate, they're a side that can punish us."
BBC Sport and Getty Images bring you a selection of the most striking images from each day of the Winter Olympics.
Day nine: Sunday, 15 February
Team GB's Tabitha Stoecker and Matt Weston acknowledge fans after winning gold in the skeleton mixed team event at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Al Bello [BBC]Georgia's Anastasiia Metelkina and partner Luka Berulava compete in the pair's skating short program at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Matthew Stockman [BBC]South Korea's Sohui Gim in action during the women's giant slalom at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo by Julian Finney [BBC]Latvia's Estere Volfa competes in the women's biathlon 10km pursuit at Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein [BBC]
Day eight: Saturday, 14 February
Men's giant slalom champion Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, from Brazil, jumps for joy on the podium alongside Swiss silver medallist Marco Odermatt and compatriot Loic Meillard, who won bronze, at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo by Dustin Satloff [BBC]Poland's Kacper Tomasiak jumps during the men's large hill individual trial round at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. Photo by Ryan Pierse [BBC]Switzerland's Noe Roth participates in freestyle skiing aerials training at Livigno Air Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud competes in the third run of the women's freeski big air qualification at Livigno Air Park. Photo by Hannah Peters [BBC]
Day seven: Friday, 13 February
Japan's Yuto Totsuka competes in the men's snowboard halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov reacts after winning men figure skating gold at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Jared C. Tilton [BBC]Matt Weston in skeleton action at Cortina Sliding Centre on his way to Team GB's first medal of the Games. Photo by Ezra Shaw [BBC]South Korea's Chaeun Lee competes in the men's snowboard halfpipe at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hannah Peters [BBC]Matt Weston celebrates winning gold for Team GB in the men's skeleton at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Julian Finney [BBC]
Day six: Thursday, 12 February
France's Jonas Chollet, United States' Nick Baumgartner, Italy's Lorenzo Sommariva and France's Loan Bozzolo compete during the men's snowboard cross small final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hannah Peters [BBC]US snowboarder Chloe Kim celebrates winning silver by holding the national flag during the medal ceremony for the women's halfpipe. Photo by Cameron Spencer [BBC]Germany's Dajana Eitberger and Magdalena Matschina [out of shot] are congratulated by Julia Taubitz after winning the women's doubles in the luge team relay in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Carmen Mandato [BBC]Sophia Kirkby shows the personal messages on her gloves after competing in the luge team mixed relay at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Franck Fife [BBC]Snoop Dogg - rapper and honorary coach of Team USA - watches the women's snowboard halfpipe final while wearing a jacket in support of US star Chloe Kim at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Michael Reaves [BBC]A flyover performed by the Frecce Tricolori is pictured prior to the men's downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein [BBC]A digital composite of the women's snowboard halfpipe final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]
Day five: Wednesday 11 February
Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych participates in a men's skeleton training session at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]A group of skiers on the course during the women's 15km individual biathlon at Anterselva Biathlon Arena. Photo by Ryan Pierse [BBC]Italy's Marion Oberhofer and Andrea Voetter compete in the women's doubles luge event at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Mattia Ozbot [BBC]Canada's Laurianne Desmarais-Gilbert warms up prior to the women's moguls final, with a drone (top left) following her progress. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]The three medal-winning teams (France, USA and Canada) in the figure skating ice dance event take a selfie during the medal ceremony at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Luo Yunfei [BBC]
Day four: Tuesday, 10 February
China's Qiwu Song competes in the mixed team trial round at Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium. Photo by Alex Slitz [BBC]Canada's Courtney Sarault skates past United States athlete Corinne Stoddard and South Korea's Kim Gil-li as they crash in the short track mixed team relay semi-final at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Photo by Julie De Rosa [BBC]Norway's Birk Ruud competes in the men's freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Air Park. An infrared camera in combination with on-camera filter was used to create this image. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]Norway's Sebastian Schjerve warms up prior to the men's freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Air Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]United States' ice hockey team huddle before their group-stage match against Canada at Milano Santa Giulia Ice Hockey Arena. Photo by Jared C. Tilton [BBC]
Day three: Monday, 9 February
Megan Oldham warms up before the women's slopestyle final. Photo by Patrick Smith [BBC]Switzerland's Briar Schwaller-Huerlimann in action during the mixed-doubles curling match against Canada. Photo by Carmen Mandato [BBC]Ukraine's Vladyslav Heraskevych in action during skeleton men's singles training at Cortina Sliding Centre. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud celebrates victory in the women's freeski slopestyle final at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Ian MacNicol [BBC]United States' River Radamus is followed by a drone during the men's team combined slalom at Stelvio Alpine Skiing Centre. Photo by Christian Petersen [BBC]
Day two: Sunday 8 February
The USA's Ilia Malinin performs a somersault during his routine in the figure skating team event. Photo by Tim Clayton [BBC]The drama of the women's parallel giant slalom is captured through a combination of images taken from a fixed camera at Livigno Snow Park. Photo by Hector Vivas [BBC]Austria's Riccardo Martin Schoepf and Juri Thomas Gatt practise on the luge track in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]American Lindsey Vonn is airlifted off the piste after crashing out of the women's downhill skiing. Photo by Luo Yunfei [BBC]Biathletes prepare to shoot during the 4x6km mixed relay in Antholz-Anterselva. Photo by Alexander Hassenstein [BBC]
Day one: Saturday 7 February
Australia's Jakara Anthony performs a flip during the freestyle skiing moguls at Livigno Air Park. Photo by David Ramos [BBC]Germany's Felix Loch competes in the men's luge. Photo by Richard Heathcote [BBC]Czech ski jumper Klara Ulrichova in action at Val di Fiemme. Photo by Maddie Meyer [BBC]Slovenian Nika Prevc jumps over the Olympic rings at Val di Fiemme. Photo by Tom Weller [BBC]
Opening ceremony: Friday 6 February
Fireworks burst out of the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony at the San Siro. Photo by Matthias Hangst [BBC]Two aerial actors are suspended in the San Siro during the opening ceremony. Photo by Matthias Hangst [BBC]Mariah Carey performs during the opening ceremony. Photo by Elsa [BBC]Models wearing creations designed by Giorgio Armani are pictured during the opening ceremony. Photo by Jared C Tilton [BBC]Performers form the Milky Way during the opening ceremony. Photo by Matthias Hangst [BBC]
All photographs licensed by Getty Images and subject to copyright.
A two-time Pro Bowl defensive end is now on the free agent market. Could this be of interest to the Jacksonville Jaguars?
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Miami Dolphins are releasing veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Ian Rapoport added that after Miami restructured Chubb's deal last year, which resulted in a $31 million cap hit for 2026, releasing him was "always the plan."
Chubb was the fifth overall pick by Denver in the 2018 NFL draft. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2022.
After his restructure last year, Bradley Chubb had a cap number of more than $31M for 2026. Release was always the plan. https://t.co/KqDWLhIuYc
He has spent the last three-plus seasons with the Dolphins after being traded to Miami in 2022.
Chubb missed the 2024 season due to an ACL injury, but this past year, he played nearly 800 defensive snaps, logging 48 pressures and eight sacks, according to PFF. Those 48 pressures were tied for 28th among his position group.
His most productive season came in 2023, when Chubb recorded 70 quarterback pressures.
Could the Jaguars pursue Bradley Chubb in free agency?
The defensive end position for the Jaguars does have to be added to this offseason. Bolstering the depth behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen to foster consistent pass rush production should be on GM James Gladstone's to-do list.
But will the Jaguars check that box by pursuing Chubb?
I tend to lean towards no. Not that Chubb couldn't provide that boost, but the Jaguars' salary cap situation is a bit tight at the moment, and between Hines-Allen and Walker, Jacksonville has invested quite a bit into this position.
Now, there is always the opportunity to create more cap space, but in doing so, there are other positions on this roster that could garner more attention.
Addressing the defensive end position with a low-cost veteran signing -- like Dawuane Smoot a year ago -- or spending a Day 2 pick on the position, where there is supposed to be a lot of talent, feels like the more likely path when it comes to tackling this need.
Much of this conversation is centered around what Chubb's next contract ends up looking like.
Richard Hammond’s Daughter Izzy Walks Away From Scary Formula E Crash — And the Moment Hit Harder Than Most Realized
When Izzy Hammond climbed into a Formula E GEN3 Evo car in Jeddah this weekend, it wasn’t just another influencer activation. It was a Hammond back in a race machine, and for a few tense seconds on Sunday, that history came rushing back.
The 25-year-old journalist and YouTuber was participating in Formula E’s Evo Sessions event, a program designed to put high-profile digital creators behind the wheel of the all-electric GEN3 Evo to generate broader interest in the series. The format gives participants structured training and supervised track time in one of the most advanced electric race cars in the world. It’s serious machinery, not a publicity prop.
At Turn 13 of the modified Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the experience turned abruptly real. Izzy lost control and hit the concrete barrier on the right-hand side of the circuit, causing significant damage to the car. The impact brought her session to an immediate end.
She later described the crash as “scary,” but medical evaluations confirmed she avoided serious injury. A health update reassured fans that she was okay, even if the car didn’t come out as lucky.
For longtime motorsport fans, the surname Hammond carries emotional weight. Richard Hammond’s 2006 jet-powered dragster crash remains one of the most dramatic and widely remembered incidents in automotive television history. Seeing his daughter in a single-seater at speed inevitably triggers that memory, even if the contexts are very different.
These Evo Sessions are conducted with full safety protocols. Participants undergo simulator preparation and on-site instruction before taking to the track, and the GEN3 Evo chassis is engineered with modern impact protection designed specifically for incidents like this. But racing, even in controlled environments, does not eliminate risk. High-performance cars demand precision, and when grip is lost at speed, barriers arrive quickly.
Izzy reportedly joked in the aftermath that her dad was probably watching and “going to cry,” a line that humanized the moment instantly. For Richard Hammond, who has lived through the harshest version of motorsport consequence, watching from the sidelines likely felt very different than being in the driver’s seat.
For Formula E, the crash underscores something important: these sessions are authentic. The cars are real race machines. The speeds are real. The consequences, even in safe conditions, are real.
For fans, it was something else entirely — a reminder that passion for speed and curiosity about racing often runs through families. The Hammond name has long been tied to automotive adventure. On Sunday, that legacy stepped into a new generation, hit a wall, and walked away.
And sometimes in racing, walking away is the only headline that truly matters.
Durban was where it all truly ignited. When India met Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, the contest felt like the beginning of a new chapter. India tied one thriller and then edged a nerve-shredding final in Johannesburg to lift the trophy. At that point, India already held a 4-0 advantage over Pakistan in 50-over World Cups, yet that dramatic T20 finale suggested a rivalry that might finally find balance.
Nearly two decades on, that promise has faded. Nineteen years later, the pattern remains painfully familiar for Pakistan. India continue to dominate them at World Cups, irrespective of format. Sunday’s result marked India’s eighth win over Pakistan at the T20 World Cup, further extending a streak that has stripped the contest of its once-feared unpredictability.
What was once celebrated as the ‘Mother of all Battles’ has become distressingly one-sided. Through the 1980s, 1990s and even the early 2000s, an India-Pakistan clash guaranteed drama and high tension. Today, anticipation is often replaced by resignation. Each tournament brings renewed hope from Pakistan’s media and former players, only for India to assert control yet again.
Pakistan’s lone T20 World Cup triumph over India came in 2021 in Dubai, a crushing 10-wicket win. But since then, they have not beaten India in any format or tournament. India’s victories in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2022, 2024 and 2026 underline the widening gap in quality.
The emotional toll was evident when former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis reacted on air. As Pommie Mbangwa remarked, “The domination of this fixture by India would undoubtedly be annoying for Pakistan. 11th consecutive win in Men’s ICC T20 World Cups,” Waqar interjected: “Alright! Enough. Leave it there. We’ve had enough of that. India have been too good in the last 15-20 years, I would say.”
Waqar has endured this narrative personally. He was head coach when Virat Kohli crafted a sublime half-century at Eden Gardens in 2016 to steer India home. As a player, he also featured in Pakistan’s 50-over World Cup defeats to India in 1996 in Bengaluru and in 2003 at Centurion. Few have witnessed the rivalry’s painful tilt as closely as he has.
Well, Vikings fans, it's time for another Mock Draft Monday. We are back on track to go over the NFL Draft with us fast approaching the NFL Scouting Combine that starts next week.
The best way to go over and process changes to the NFL Draft, of course, is to conduct another Mock Draft Monday. The Vikings now have the 18th pick in the draft, which is finalized, so we will now be able to properly gauge what players could be there for him.
So with that, let's go over the latest mock draft of the offseason for the Vikings.
This weekend, the USC baseball team played its first home games on campus in nearly three years. After two seasons of construction and playing off campus, the Trojans finally opened the new Dedeaux Field with a three-game series against Pepperdine.
It was certainly a successful weekend, with USC sweeping the series. Friday and Sunday featured relatively routine 3-1 and 8-5 victories, respectfully. Saturday night’s contest, however, was one of the more unique results in recent memory.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Andrew Lamb hit a two-run home run to put the Trojans up 11-0. Due to a mercy rule, that ended the game, giving USC an extremely rare seventh-inning walk-off.
But it gets even better! At the time of the home run, USC pitching had not yet allowed a hit. Hence the Trojans pulled off something even more rare: a seven-inning, mercy rule, walk-off no-hitter.
So does this officially count as a no-hitter? In MLB, a no-hitter has to be nine innings to be officially recognized. After a bit of research, however, I was not able to definitively determine whether that same rule applies at the NCAA level or not.
Regardless, this was a massively successful weekend for the Trojans. They opened up their new stadium and started the season 3-0. In addition, head coach Andy Stankiewicz got to coach against his son Dane, who is an assistant on Pepperdine’s staff.
USC has four more home games this upcoming week. the Trojans will host LMU on Tuesday night, before welcoming Rice to Los Angeles for a three-game series next weekend.
Nov 16, 2025; Madrid, Spain; Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) reacts after a play against the Washington Commanders in the fourth quarter during the 2025 NFL Madrid Game at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The start of NFL free agency is still about a month away; the new league year officially begins on March 11. But any players released before then are free to sign immediately after their contract is terminated.
On this topic, the Miami Dolphins are cutting veteran edge rusher Bradley Chubb, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz. The Dolphins are installing a new defense under new head coach Jeff Hafley and moving on from Chubb, who turns 30 in June, clears some cap space.
The natural question is: should the Philadelphia Eagles have interest in signing him?
Chubb obviously has familiarity with the Eagles’ defensive coordinator; Vic Fangio was his head coach on the Denver Broncos from 2019-2021 before the two reunited in Fangio’s sole season as the Dolphins’ DC in 2023. Eagles senior personnel director/advisor to the general manager Matt Russell was also the Broncos’ director of player personnel when Chubb was selected in the 2018 NFL Draft. Unless those relationships didn’t go well, Chubb and the Eagles should be on each other’s radars.
Can Chubb still play? The two-time Pro Bowler did have 8.5 sacks and eight TFLs last year. He missed all of 2024 due to an ACL injury but he had 11 sacks (second-highest mark of his career) while suiting up for Fangio in 2023.
The Eagles will be very thin at edge rusher if they don’t re-sign Jaelan Phillips, who could conceivably earn a big-time contract in free agency. Jalyx Hunt, Nolan Smith, and Jose Ramirez (who?) are currently the only Eagles players at their position under contract for 2025.
Chubb isn’t the type of player that the Eagles must immediately go out and sign. The Dolphins are cutting him for a reason and he’s had durability issues in the past. But if the price is right and he’s willing to be part of Philly’s pass rush rotation, maybe it’s a good fit for both sides.
Portsmouth's Terry Devlin has said interest from other clubs during the winter transfer window could act as a confidence boost.
The Northern Ireland international, 22, was linked with a move away from the club this season, prompting boss John Mousinho to announce the defender was not for sale.
And with Pompey finding themselves in the midst of a relegation battle, Devlin has insisted that his mind is solely on his current club.
"It shows that I'm doing something right so hopefully it should give me a bit of confidence," Devlin told BBC Radio Solent.
"My only focus is on Portsmouth right now and finishing the season strong."
Portsmouth are currently in 21st place in the Championship table, just one point above Leicester City but with two games in hand.
One of those is on Tuesday (19:45 GMT) when Pompey make the trip to Charlton Athletic, who have taken seven points across their past three games to put them six points ahead of their visitors.
Devlin added: "It's even bigger now [the Charlton game] after losing [to Sheffield United].
"We need to go there and get a good result and bring them closer to us."
It's not a surprising move given Chubb was due to count $31.2 and $31.5 million against the Dolphins' 2026 and 2027 salary caps, respectively. What isn't clear for now is if Miami will use a post-June 1 designation on the release.
Using such a designation would mean the team doesn't get any salary cap relief from the move until the summer, well after the 2026 league year begins. It would also spread the remaining dead money over multiple seasons. But an immediate release would net the Dolphins only $7.3 million in cap savings this year, while a post-June 1 release would clear $20.2 million from the team's salary cap.
Chubb, who turns 30 in June, was acquired by the Dolphins in a 2022 midseason trade with the Denver Broncos. In 2023, he recorded 11 sacks with a league-leading six forced fumbles. But that season ended with a knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2024 season. In his return to action, Chubb was a team captain in 2025 and recorded a team-leading 8.5 sacks. He was also the Dolphins' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
The Dolphins also parted with pass rusher Jaelan Phillips during a trade deadline deal that sent the former first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles. Miami's pass rushing group is now led by Chop Robinson, Quinton Bell, and Cameron Goode.
Nearly four years after acquiring him in a trade with the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins are now releasing veteran pass rusher Bradley Chubb, according to multiple reports.
Denver traded Chubb (6-4, 268 pounds) and a fifth-round draft pick to Miami in exchange for a first-round selection, a fourth-round selection and running back Chase Edmonds midway through the 2022 NFL season. The following offseason, the Broncostraded that first-round pick to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for coach Sean Payton.
Chubb spent three and a half years with the Dolphins, but he missed the 2024 campaign with a torn ACL. He totaled 22 sacks, 54 quarterback hits and nine forced fumbles in 41 games in Miami. He'll now become a free agent.
Denver selected Chubb with the fifth overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft out of NC State. Former general manager John Elway later admitted that passing on Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen at that pick was his worst mistake as a GM.
Chubb totaled 26 sacks, 58 quarterback hits and six forced fumbles in four and a half seasons (49 games) with the Broncos. The team has a crowded outside linebacker room, so a reunion with Chubb seems unlikely in 2026.
As Arsenal chase what would be a famous Premier League title, Mikel Arteta will be keenly aware of how crowded the fixture schedule has become.
The Premier League is arguably the most important of the trophies they are in the hunt for, but far from the only one.
The Gunners are also giving chase for all three other trophies available to them as February begins, advancing to the Champions League Round of 16 while also reaching the Carabao Cup final and through to the FA Cup fourth round.
One of those other competitions presents Arsenal with a complication to their league schedule, forcing some reshuffling in the calendar as February rolls along. The Sporting News explains where this movement has occurred, and how it shakes out in the wider picture.
The Premier League match between Arsenal and Wolves, originally scheduled for the weekend of March 21, has been rearranged to be played on Wednesday, February 18.
This is due to Arsenal's participation in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, March 22.
The rearranged fixture adds a layer of complication to Arsenal's road visit to arch rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the North London derby, which will take place just four days after the rescheduled trip to Wolves.
Arsenal upcoming fixtures
Following the 3-0 victory over Sunderland on February 7, Arsenal have three more Premier League games to navigate the rest of the month, plus one FA Cup game as well.
The Gunners will conclude February play with the North London derby against Tottenham, which could be a major determining factor in their title chase.
The schedule will get some relief in late February as the Gunners secured a bye through to the Round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League, which will give them some much-needed rest while other teams navigate the two-legged playoffs.
Bodo/Glimt Vs Inter Milan – Turkey & Italy Megastars Set To Start After Injury
Inter Milan stars Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu will reportedly regain starting spots in the upcoming clash against Bodo/Glimt.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the latter is likely to return to the starting lineup following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Hakan Calhanoglu came off the bench during Saturday’s Derby d’Italia clash against Juventus, replacing Barella early in the second half.
However, the Turkish playmaker received a disqualifying yellow card toward the end of the game.
Therefore, he will not be at Cristian Chivu’s disposal for Inter’s next Serie A match against Lecce.
Barella & Calhanoglu to Start in Bodo/Glimt vs Inter Milan Clash
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Just like Calhanoglu, Barella picked up a booking at the start of the second half and will now have to serve a one-game ban in Serie A.
Since they’ll both have to serve suspensions in the league, Chivu is considering fielding them both from the first minute on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Piotr Zielinski could finally get some rest after shouldering a heavy workload in recent weeks.
As such, Henrikh Mkhitaryan could make only his third UEFA Champions League appearance this season.
‘In the first training sessions, we saw it’ – Michael Kayode’s long throw is launching Brentford into European contention
Arsenal became the latest victims of Brentford youngster Michael Kayode’s remarkable long throw-in last Thursday, when Sepp van den Berg flicked the ball on for Keane-Lewis Potter to head in at the back post.
Unsurprisingly, no team has scored more goals from throw-ins in the top flight than Keith Andrews’ side this season. Since the start of last season, they have scored ten goals from throw-ins which is more than double any other team in the Premier League.
Opposition sides know exactly what to expect but have yet to come up with an effective solution to stopping Kayode’s missile-like throw – even the Premier League’s set-piece kings Arsenal.
The Bees have always been seen as long throw specialists ever since their promotion to the top flight in 2021. Their first Premier League game, a 2-0 win over Arsenal, included a goal from now Gunners midfielder Christian Norgaard which came from a long throw. But Kayode’s specialist skillset has taken their threat from throw-in situations to another level this season.
Kayode’s outstanding ability to throw the ball was evident even as a youngster. “In the first training sessions we saw how he could throw it long,” Antonio Soda, who managed Kayode at the small Italian club of Gozzano as a youngster, explains. “Even as a boy in Gozzano.
“We prepared some schemes for his throw-in and scored goals, thanks to that quality.”
Kayode, not just through his long throw-ins but his overall performances too, played a starring role in the 2020/21 campaign as a 16-year-old, helping Gozzano win promotion to Serie C, though the club were unable to make the jump up the leagues because of the impact of the Covid pandemic, instead choosing to remain amateur.
“Among the young players, he was certainly the one who gave us the greatest satisfaction,” Fabrizio Leonardi, Gozzano’s president, recalls.
“His competitive determination and his tactical aggression marked his early career. He was gifted, and undoubtedly honed his technical skills at Fiorentina.
“We are very proud of the presence of our Michael in the Premier League. He is a humble young man with a desire constantly learn and improve.
“I’m not surprised and I’m pleased that this characteristic (his long throw) is now appreciated in the Premier League.”
Kayode’s talents were already known by Fiorentina, having played for the club as a boy, and they had seen enough of the defender at the lower levels to persuade them to bring him back to the club, where he quickly became a first-team regular and helped the Serie A side to the Conference League final.
He initially joined Brentford on loan from the Italian club last season, before making his move permanent in the summer for around £14m – which is increasingly looking like a steal.
“Probably not, no,” Brentford boss Keith Andrews told Hayters earlier this season when asked if he has ever seen a throw-in better than Kayode’s.
“I certainly haven’t worked with one as good. It’s pretty special. He gets a lot of headlines, clearly, for that, but you take that away and he’s still a fantastic footballer.”
Kayode’s next task could well be to help his side avoid an upset in the FA Cup against non-league Macclesfield, who knocked out holders Crystal Palace in the last round.
One of the biggest challenges Premier League sides visiting lower league opposition often have to face in cup competitions is to deal with a long throw, but in this case it will almost certainly be Macclesfield who are the more concerned of the two, should Kayode feature.
His long throw has already helped launch Brentford into European contention – and he will also be hoping it can help the Bees to a cup run to Wembley too.
Every word behind Inter CEO Beppe Marotta’s strong criticism of Juventus
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta has launched a strong defense of Alessandro Bastoni following the fallout from Inter’s chaotic 3-2 victory over Juventus.
The Derby d’Italia was defined by a controversial moment involving Bastoni and Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. While replays confirmed that Bastoni went to ground without significant contact, the incident led to a second yellow card for Kalulu, forcing Juventus to play with ten men for much of the match.
Despite the numerical advantage, Inter struggled to contain a resilient Juventus side, only securing the win in the 90th minute through Piotr Zielinski. In the days following the match, the atmosphere turned toxic as Bastoni became the target of severe online abuse and death threats, eventually forcing the defender to deactivate comments on his Instagram profile.
Speaking at a Lega Calcio event, as reported by Il Bianconero, Marotta addressed the backlash: “Our position is very simple. There has been a truly disproportionate media stance. Bastoni has been the subject of a media pillory that goes beyond what happened.”
“Bastoni has never been the protagonist of sensational events, he is an asset of the National Team. They have even questioned his call-up, which is truly unfair. He certainly made a mistake, but who hasn’t? There have been players who became famous for simulations. It is a regrettable but ordinary fact, not extraordinary. The referee’s decision was wrong and I recognize that. Bastoni performed an inappropriate gesture, but he must be justified. Repression is not part of my toolkit.”
Marotta then commented on the reactions from Juventus, specifically targeting Giorgio Chiellini: “I often notice a certain ignorance in knowing the regulatory aspects that should instead be known to everyone, including the players.”
“There is disappointment as a man. Greeting Chiellini is the minimum; he is a young and inexperienced director, I do not allow myself to give him advice. We spoke. These are dynamics that happen in the locker rooms. Is the media clamor higher than in other cases? It’s normal, Inter is the team that has totaled the most trophies and points.”
Finally, Marotta compared the recent incident to a controversial match from 2021: “Chaos only when it concerns Inter? The answer is that Inter has been the most successful team in recent years. I only remember one small episode regarding simulations: Juventus-Inter 2021, clear simulation by Cuadrado, referee Calvarese.”
“It was clarified by all refereeing bodies that it was a clear simulation. With that victory, Juve obtained qualification for the Champions League and the beauty of 60-70 million. Period.”
The Highest-Scoring Games in Europes Top Leagues: Numbers and Facts
For many soccer lovers, nothing beats the thrill of a match that turns into a goal fest. Scores feel like fireworks, each shot exploding into cheers around the stadium. Record-breaking results stay in memory, painted in bold digits on league tables and pub walls.
While some supporters compare statistics, others drift toward different numbers; online casino fans, for example, might switch from match highlights to a quick round of blackjack before the second half kicks off. Still, for the next few minutes, the focus stays on the pitch. This article travels through the top leagues of Europe—England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France - to revisit the most goal-packed games ever played. With easy facts and a sprinkle of fun trivia, it shows how rare nights of double-digit totals came to life, who scored the piles of goals, and what lessons coaches and fans can learn from such wild scorelines.
England: The Premier League went Crazy
Many English football fans will mention the 7-4 Reading scoreline from 2007-2008 season as a scoreline they felt was unreal. This 11-goal game still holds the record of the most Premier League goals scored in one match. Benjani scored a hattrick, Niko Krnjcar controlled midfield and Dave Kitson held Reading at bay. It was a loose and entertaining match, with lots of long passes, rebounds and sliding tackles.
This match shows a simple truth: chaos can result when two teams in the middle of the table decide that entertainment is more important than three points. The match also shows just how quickly the momentum can change; three goals were scored in stoppage-time alone. Although other results like Tottenham 6-4 Reading and Manchester City 6-3 Leicester are close, the Portsmouth Reading carnival is the yardstick of Premier League goal gluts.
Spain: La Liga's Wild Night at Bilbao
Real Madrid fans are used to a lot of goals. But even they were shocked on 20 December 2015, when Rayo Vallecano was thrashed 10-2 by their club at the Bernabeu. Twelve goals were scored in the afternoon, which is the second-highest number ever recorded for a La Liga match. Rayo had a 2-1 lead after only thirteen minutes. However, two reckless red cards made the match a target practice for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Gareth Bale scored four goals. Karim Benzema had a hattrick and Ronaldo scored two. The score ballooned out of control once Rayo was reduced to nine players. Athletic Bilbao's 12-1 demolition of Barcelona in 1931 was a similar example, but the footage of Madrid's mauling showed a whole new generation what double-digits looked like. The lesson for coaches is that staying calm and organized regardless of the opponent is more important than chasing immediate glory.
Germany: Bundesliga Blowouts & the Unmatched Dozen
The Bundesliga is known for its organized defense, but it has also produced some shocking scores over the years. Borussia Monchengladbach's 12-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund at the old Bokelberg on 29 April 1978 set a benchmark. The league record is 12 goals scored by one team. Gladbach aimed to win the title on the last day, not just by winning the match but also by gaining a better goal difference. Jupp Heynckes was the leader with five goals, while Carsten Nielson and Karl Del'Haye racked up the goals on the wings.
Dortmund was safe from relegation but lacked spirit. They barely left their own half. Cologne won the Meisterschale despite a higher goal ratio. Even though modern matches are entertaining, such as Wolfsburg's 5-4 thriller against Werder Bremen in 2007 was thrilling, none of them have come close to Gladbach's 12. The lesson is clear: lack of motivation or excessive motivation can make the gap between teams widen within 90 minutes.
Italy and France: lessons from Serie A and Ligue 1 goal bonanzas
Serie A in Italy has a reputation for tight defense, but history shows that even their scoreboards are not always accurate. Inter Milan beat Udinese by 9-1 on 27 October 1957. Milan then thrashed Atalanta by 9-3 a year later. This proves that Lombardy Derbys are not all chess games.
Fans still remember the 7-5 match between Torino vs Pescara from 2013, which is the highest scoring match of the three-point age. Saint-Etienne's 12-0 win over Angers in 1971, a French record which still stands, was the highlight of Ligue 1 across the Alps. Paris Saint-Germain's 9-0 demolitions of Troyes and Guingamp, both in 2016, hinted at the possibility that this record might fall. When comparing the two leagues, there are some common themes: early goals can open floodgates; underdogs panic and title-chasers push to the end. When confidence is low, no defensive strategy can be safe. This is especially true in spring matches with high pressure.
What modern game scorelines can teach us about the game
When you look at these extreme results, you can see patterns that go beyond trivia. First, attitudes can be more important than rankings. In almost every case, losing teams fold mentally after a crucial moment - usually a redcard, a double strike or realizing that the goal difference was no longer important. The second thing that the winners did was to keep pressing. The history books are rarely dominated by coaches who tell their players to relax when they score three goals, but managers that chase every opportunity can be etched into them.
Third, fans remember the joy of winning more than they do perfection. Gladbach fans wear their 12-0 shirts as badges of honour. Technology spreads legends quicker. Viral clips and live betting feeds make it possible for a child living in Peru to see a wild night at the soccer match in Dortmund or Paris in just minutes. While tactics change, the formula for a record is still simple: daring assaults, chaos and an audience that's ready to cheer.
NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 28: Head coach John Fox of the Denver Broncos speaks to the media during Super Bowl XLVIII Media Day at the Prudential Center on January 28, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey. Super Bowl XLVIII will be played between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos on February 2. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Over the last two weeks, new Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady has been assembling his coaching staff, bringing in a mix of veteran minds and up-and-coming assistant coaches.
The Bills and Brady finalized the list of Brady’s coaching staff, and there was an intriguing name: John Fox, who coached both the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos to Super Bowl appearances.
Today’s edition of Buffalo Rumblinks leads off by assessing Brady’s complete coaching staff and exploring how Fox could serve as a valuable sounding board for Brady, Buffalo’s first-time head coach and the youngest head coach in the league heading into the 2026 NFL season.
John Fox among assistants named to Joe Brady’s staff
John Fox, who led the Carolina Panthers to Super Bowl XXXVIII and the Denver Broncos to Super Bowl XLVIII, is coming to Western New York as a senior assistant coach. Fox, 71, coached the Panthers (2002-10), Broncos (2011-14) and Chicago Bears (2015-17) and will bring a veteran presence to Brady’s coaching staff.
In his first year as Buffalo’s head coach, Brady retained 11 assistants from Sean McDermott’s staff: Rob Boras (tight ends coach/run game coordinator), Joe Danna (secondary coach), Austin Gund (offensive line coach), Mark Lubick (pass game specialist/game management), DJ Mangas (assistant wide receivers coach), Kelly Skipper (running backs coach), Jason Rebrovich (senior defensive assistant), Alvin Vaughn (defensive assistant), Kyle Shurmur (assistant quarterback coach), Turner West (special teams assistant), and Milli Wilson (offensive assistant/fellowship coach).
The newcomers to the staff include Fox, Pete Carmichael (offensive coordinator), Jim Leonhard (defensive coordinator), Jeff Rodgers (special teams), Bobby April III (outside linebackers), John Egorugwu (inside linebackers), Bo Hardegree (quarterbacks), Terrance Jamison (defensive line), Pat Meyer (offensive line coach), Craig Robertson (defensive quality control), and Drew Terrell (wide receivers).
Examining how defensive tackle DeWayne Carter fits into Buffalo’s defensive line plans. Plus, identifying which Bills players are under the most pressure heading into the 2026 season; running through some early predictions for the upcoming season; a former Bills running back received a pardon from President Trump; and more!
Report – Inter Milan Train At Interello To Prepare For Synthetic Pitch Ahead Of Bodo/Glimt Champions League Clash
Inter Milan started preparations earlier today for the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Bodo/Glimt.
According to Sky Sport Italia via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri didn’t train at Pinetina this morning.
Cristian Chivu couldn’t replicate his predecessor’s feat and guide Inter to a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Instead, Inter will continue their European journey in the knockout playoff round against Bodo/Glimt.
Indeed, the first leg takes place in Norway on Wednesday.
Inter Milan Train at Interello Ahead of Bodo/Glimt Showdown
MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 04: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu gesturesduring the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Cremonese at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 04, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Despite being heavily fancied to reach the next round, Inter cannot afford to take anything for granted.
Bodo/Glimt took several huge scalps in the league phase, beating Atletico Madrid and Manchester City, among others.
Furthermore, synthetic pitch at the Aspmyra Stadion poses a unique challenge, giving the Norwegian side an added advantage.
Therefore, Chivu is eager to have his squad adapt quickly to the unusual conditions.
With that in mind, this morning’s training session took place in Interello on a state-of-the-art synthetic pitch.
Former star is certain who’ll be Spurs manager in the summer
Sherwood Backs Pochettino Return as Spurs Face Summer Decision
Tottenham’s managerial carousel has taken another turn, and the noise around Spurs is growing louder. Following the dismissal of Thomas Frank and the short term appointment of Igor Tudor, attention has already shifted to what comes next.
Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood has entered the debate, and his view is emphatic. In his assessment, Mauricio Pochettino is destined to return to north London once the summer arrives.
Photo IMAGO
Sherwood Questions Club Resolve Amid Fan Pressure
Speaking on Soccer Saturday, as relayed by Sky Sports, Sherwood offered a blunt appraisal of the situation that led to Frank’s departure and the environment surrounding Spurs.
He said: “The toxic nature of the fans has got the man the sack. Thomas Frank has not helped himself because it has been really poor, and we know there have been mitigating circumstances with injuries.
“They still have a good enough squad to beat the teams in the bottom half of the league. It was inevitable.
“I do not think they wanted to sack him. If they kept him, they would stay in the Premier League anyway, but they have gone totally left-field with the appointment of Igor Tudor. It might work, it might not.
“We know who is coming in the summer – it will be Pochettino, 100 per cent.
Photo IMAGO
“I do not think the club will be brave enough to turn to anyone else. There are other options out there but the pressure on another man getting that job and losing two games and then the crowd saying ‘you had a chance to bring Poch back’ – it is impossible for them to look elsewhere.”
Sherwood’s remarks speak to a broader anxiety at Spurs, where managerial change often feels reactive rather than strategic. His suggestion that the club lack the resolve to look beyond Pochettino places the board under scrutiny.
Pochettino Shadow Looms Over Spurs Plans
The prospect of Pochettino returning carries emotional weight. His previous tenure delivered Champions League nights and a sense of identity that many supporters still cherish. That memory now hangs over every decision.
Tudor’s interim spell, by design, buys time. Stability is the immediate priority at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where inconsistent performances have eroded confidence. Yet the short term nature of his contract ensures speculation will not fade.
Photo: IMAGO
Spurs, in reality, will survey a competitive managerial market. Roberto De Zerbi has been linked, as have Oliver Glasner, Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola. Each represents a different stylistic and cultural direction.
Sherwood believes the gravitational pull of Pochettino will override those alternatives. Whether that proves accurate depends on how Spurs define ambition. The summer will demand clarity, conviction and courage. For now, Pochettino remains the name that refuses to leave the conversation.
"He has to be capable of performing at a top level" – Bayern set demands for potential Neuer extension
Turning 40 in March, Manuel Neuer is currently weighing up whether to extend his contract with Bayern Munich, which expires at the end of the season, or hang up his gloves.
However, as Bayern’s board member for sport Max Eberl told Sport1 in an interview published on Monday, the decision does not rest solely with Neuer.
The club also has to be convinced, with Eberl stressing that the veteran must continue performing at a high level to justify a new deal.
"He has to be capable of performing at top level – as he currently is. That would also need to be the case next season. It’s about how Manuel feels, whether he wants to continue, and whether he sees himself able to maintain his performance for another year," Eberl said.
"Even at nearly 40, he's still a top goalkeeper in Europe. But of course, it has to continue like this. You have to talk about his motivation and focus. That's what we expect as a club, and we want to work with him to figure it out together."
Asked whether it will be a difficult decision, Eberl replied:
"Manuel is not a normal ‘internal transfer’; he’s a legend – and he plays as a goalkeeper in a very crucial position.
"Our goalkeeper situation is comfortable with Manuel as number one, Jonas Urbig as his backup, Sven Ulreich as an experienced option, and Alexander Nübel, who is still on loan at VfB Stuttgart.
“We’re not chasing any development; we can calmly talk with all parties involved. And the first person you need to talk to is Manuel.”
Neuer is currently sidelined with a torn muscle fiber injury.
Feb. 16—Wisconsin-Superior men's hockey earned a road sweep of Wisconsin-Stevens Point last weekend to conclude the regular season and with it a chance to play at home one more time in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.
The Yellowjackets won 4-2 on Friday, Feb. 13 and 3-2 on Saturday, Feb. 14 to get into a tie for third-place in the six-team WIAC standings. Though UWS loses the tiebreaker with Wisconsin-River Falls, the two wins ensure the Yellowjackets will host the Pointers this weekend in the 4th-vs.-5th playoff game.
UWS gained the upper hand on Friday with a pair of goals late in the first period from Roope Tuomioksa and Ikki Kogawa, the latter coming on the power play.
The Pointers made it a one-goal game again just 16 seconds later, but never led, as Collin Pederson scored near the game's midpoint and Tyler Rider had a late empty-netter.
Jan Skorpik made 19 saves in the UWS net.
On Saturday, UWS scored the game's first three goals, then held on as the Pointers made it a one-goal game again.
Tuomioksa scored early, Chris Ishmael made it 2-0 in the second period and AJ Reed scored the 3-0 goal early in period three.
Skorpik finished with 29 saves.
UWS finishes the regular season 13-10-2 overall, 6-8-1 in the WIAC and will host the Pointers in a single-game playoff on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Wessman Arena in Superior.
Wisconsin-Superior women's basketball could not get the better of a Bethany Lutheran team that is still unbeaten in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, as the Vikings took a 55-48 victory on their home floor on Saturday, Feb. 14 in North Mankato.
The UWS offense struggled with 20 turnovers and made only 2-for-14 3-point attempts but managed to stay within 25-22 at halftime and were still tied until the Vikings finished the third quarter on a 7-0 run for a 41-34 edge, then pushed their lead into double digits.
Hope Carlson scored 12 to lead UWS (10-13, 7-3 UMAC), while Maddie Reott added 10.
UWS will play at Crown on Wednesday night in its last road game of the regular season.
Wisconsin-Superior never fully recovered from a 25-point first half at Bethany Lutheran and stayed behind, falling 82-65 in North Mankato on Saturday.
A 19-4 run by the home team over a six-minute stretch of the first half made it 23-8 Bethany with 8:58 left until halftime. UWS trailed by 10 at halftime and closed to within four, 48-44, with 12:18 to play, but Bethany followed with a 15-2 run over the next four minutes to put it away.
Nick Nordaune's 11 points in 17 minutes led UWS offensively.
The Yellowjackets (6-17, 2-8 UMAC) travel to Crown on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
Wisconsin-Superior softball opened its 2026 season with two games indoors in Dundas, Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 14: a 9-2 loss to Carleton and a 7-4 win over Macalester.
UWS scored its two runs against Carleton on one hit in the top of the third on an RBI fielder's choice by Karen Balabon and an error. Six Yellowjackets had one hit apiece.
Against Macalester, Balabon, Peyton Bennett and Larissa Snyder had three hits apiece, while Samantha Swartz and Sophia Otto had two.
Abby Mitchell (Carlton/Wrenshall) allowed four runs on 11 hits for the victory.
UWS (1-1) has another indoor weekend Feb. 28-March 1 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Wisconsin-Superior took advantage of some warm weather to get on the baseball field at Gustavus Adolphus on Sunday, Feb. 16, though the host Gusties took both games, 2-0 and 3-2.
In game one, the home team made two first-inning runs hold up and held UWS to four singles. Zach Romans took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits in four innings.
Brian O'Dwyer had an RBI single for UWS in the fifth inning of game two and was part of a double steal that gave the Yellowjackets a 2-1 lead in the seventh, but Gustavus' Isaiah Hasz hit a two-out, two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth to win the game.
UWS (0-2) is next scheduled to be on the field Feb. 28 vs. Carleton at Marion, Iowa.
Although the Jaguars do not have a first-round pick, they have four selections in the top 100, providing GM James Gladstone with the opportunity to add some immediate impact help to this roster or perhaps make a trade, which he's been very willing to do.
The Jaguars' first selection in this year's draft will come at pick No. 56 overall.
Pick 56: Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
Tiernan allowed just three sacks and 13 pressures over 430 pass-blocking snaps in 2025. However, will the Jaguars address the offensive line this early in the draft?
Bolstering the depth up front is always a good idea, but this isn't a pressing need either. Cole Van Lanen just signed an extension, Anton Harrison has a fifth-year option for the 2027 season and could be an extension candidate, while Walker Little and Chuma Edoga are still under contract for 2026.
Pick 81: Darrell Jackson Jr., IDL, Florida State
Listed at 6-5 - 337 pounds, Jackson was one of PFF's higher graded interior run defenders last season. As a pass rusher, he generated 14 pressures.
Addressing the defensive tackle position should be a top priority. While the Jaguars were the NFL's top run defense, this unit, specifically, struggled to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback down the stretch last season.
Pick 88: Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
Wheatley lined up all over the secondary. He was a sound tackler and stout run defender from the safety position. In coverage, he limited opponents to 5.1 yards per catch with one interception and one pass breakup.
Andrew Wingard is a free agent, but how big of a need is safety for the Jaguars? Antonio Johnson can slide into the starting spot next to Eric Murray, and while Anthony Campanile uses his share of three safety looks, the Jaguars used two draft picks last April on the safety position, selecting Caleb Ransaw and Rayuan Lane.
How early the Jaguars address safety in the draft could be tied to how confident they are in Ransaw and/or Lane to provide depth at the position.
Pick 100: Jack Endries, TE, Texas
Endries caught 33 passes for 346 yards with three touchdowns in 2025. He also graded out well as a run-blocker -- an important element to playing tight end in Liam Coen's offense.
Tight end could be viewed as an under-the-radar need. Quintin Morris, who was TE2 at the end of the season, is a free agent, while Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt are both entering the final year of their deals. All teams want immediate help, but the draft is about planning ahead as well.
Final thoughts
The board dictates who the Jaguars take, but this is a strong defensive end class at the top, so addressing that need in the top 100 feels like it should have been a priority for the Jaguars to help bolster the depth behind Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen.
In this mock, Jacksonville didn't address the cornerback position either, which as of now, is a good-sized need with Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome set to be free agents.
How free agency unfolds will, of course, impact how the Jaguars approach the NFL draft.
Nebraska is getting ready for a return visit from class of 2027 four-star offensive tackle Oluwasemilore Olubobola. He will return to the spring game on March 28, according to a report from Rivals.com’s Tim Verghese. (subscription needed)
Olubobola is the 69th-ranked player nationally, the 10th-ranked offensive tackle, and the second-ranked player in the 2027 class from New Jersey, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings.
The offensive tackle has had a busy visit calendar over the past couple of months. He visited Nebraska on November 1 for the game against the USC Trojans. He then visited Florida on January 10 and Virginia Tech on January 31.
Olubobola measures in at six-foot-eight, 270 pounds. He is being recruited by offensive line coach Geep Wade.
This is certainly a positive development for the program. It seems like the offensive line recruiting has seen an uptick since Wade took over. Olubobola would just be another solid notch in the belt for a program that has been trying to find an identity on the line for several years now.
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Niko Kovac discusses options to replace injured centre-backs
On Monday morning, Borussia Dortmund confirmed that Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle will miss Tuesday’s Champions League knockout phase play-off clash with Atalanta due to injury.
With Emre Can and Filippo Mané already sidelined, the Black and Yellows have four centre-backs unavailable heading into the game, leaving them short of options at the back.
However, BVB head coach Niko Kovac is confident he can find a solution.
“It’s the coach’s job to find solutions and be creative. Our past experience shows that we always have options ready,” Kovac said at Monday’s pre-match press conference when asked about his defensive options.
“Julian [Ryerson] has played in central defence against Juventus, and Salih [Özcan] could also be deployed there. If necessary, we can even adjust the system.”
Eighteen-year-old Luca Reggiani, who came on to replace Süle at half-time in Friday’s 4-0 win over Mainz, is another alternative. However, it's doubtful if Kovac will hand the inexperienced youngster a start in what he expects to be a demanding encounter.
“Atalanta have a great team and have developed over the years. They won the Europa League two years ago,” Kovac said.
"It will be man-to-man all over the pitch and very intense. There will be moments where we can exploit space to create opportunities, but they are a very strong opponent. I see the chances as 50:50."
Jun 1, 2025; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Mike Bianco looks on during the ninth inning against the Murray State Racers. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
A run-rule series finale capped off a dominant weekend for Ole Miss baseball as it opened its season sweeping Nevada in Oxford.
The Rebels (3-0) smashed the Wolfpack (0-3) thoroughly in this three game series with a combined score of 29-6 including a 13-2 win on Sunday. In every phase of the game, Ole Miss took care of Nevada with new faces and returning players all contributing to get the season off to the kind of start fans expect.
STARTING PITCHERS
Hunter Elliott – 5 IP, 1 ER, 7 K; Elliott is a quintessential Friday night starter, and he breezed through five innings of work. His total pitch count stayed under 100 as staff will ramp up as weather warms up and the season moves on.
Cade Townsend – 4.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 K; Townsend was not expected to go deep into the game, but he threw 48 of his 54 pitches for strikes to mow down the Wolfpack in the closest game of the series.
Wil Libbert – 5 IP, 2 ER, 7 K; Libbert impressed in his first start in red and blue after transferring in from Missouri. He brings SEC level experience to the mound and it showed on Sunday.
DAILY MVP
Friday: Tristan Bissetta – 2/3, 4 RBI
Saturday: Tristan Bissetta – 2/4, 1 HR, 3 RBI
Sunday: Collin Reuter – 3/4, 3 RBI
You don’t want to take too much from the first three games of the season, but you also can’t go undefeated unless you sweep the first three. The Rebels got the job done, and the batting order seems more balanced than last year’s in the extremely early first impression category.
Next up for Ole Miss is an always pesky and dangerous Arkansas St. on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Swayze Field.
Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saves a ball during the German DFB Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena. Sven Hoppe/dpa
Bayern Munich board member Max Eberl has said he would not be put under pressure over the future of veteran goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer at the Bundesliga champions.
Neuer, 39, has been at Bayern since 2011 in a trophy-laden career and his current contract expires in summer.
The 2014 World Cup winner is yet to reach a decision whether he wants to continue or not, and Eberl told broadcasters Sport1 that the kiey is how the player feels.
"At almost 40 years he is still one of Europe's top goalkeepers. But of course, things have to continue that way. We need to talk about his motivation and his stress levels. That's what we expect as a club, and we want to work with him to find out," Eberl said.
"He has to perform at the highest level – just as he is doing now. That should also be the case in the coming season.
"It's about how Manuel feels, whether he wants to and whether he sees himself in a position to continue performing at this level for another year."
Neuer is currently sidelined with a muscle injury, with young Jonas Urbig to deputise again. Bayern also have veteran Sven Ulreich and Alexander Nübel, who is on loan at VfB Stuttgart.
Eberl named this set-up "comfortable" because "We are not rushing to keep up with developments, but can calmly talk to everyone involved. And the first person to talk to is Manuel."
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Collin Morikawa has returned to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour, claiming the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am title after narrowly beating Min Woo Lee and Sepp Straka.
Coming into the final round of the event, it had been a long time since Morikawa had won on American soil. In fact, you would have to go all the way back to before Scottie Scheffler even had his first win on tour.
The 29-year-old did not start well on Sunday. But he played his last 13 holes at five under par to come home one shot clear.
It looked at times like he might be feeling the heat. But in the end, he hit some fantastic shots when it mattered most, especially with Scheffler right there chasing him down for much of the day.
Sepp Straka reflects on final round with Collin Morikawa at Pebble Beach
Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
Morikawa was grouped with overnight leader Akshay Bhatia and Sepp Straka for the final round.
Straka, who finished in a tie for second place, spoke about what it was like to watch Morikawa close out the win.
He said: “His iron play down the stretch, really all day was great, especially the iron shot on 16 was unbelievable. He kind of left himself pretty far back and he hit a six iron in there tight and made a birdie.
“The one on 18 was a hard enough shot, but he likes to cut it so it makes it even harder with that wind blowing 25, 30 off your left. Yeah, that is a pretty special shot to put it away there.
“He’s one of the best iron players of our generation probably. His generation. I’m a little older than him. We’ve been out here about the same time. Yeah, it’s very impressive to watch him hit iron shots.”
Collin Morikawa will know that there is a lot more work to do despite winning at Pebble Beach
Morikawa started the 2026 season with something to prove. His last PGA Tour victory was at the end of 2023, when he won the ZOZO Championship.
He came close to breaking that streak at The Sentry and the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year but finished second in both events.
Those near-misses seemed to hit him hard. After The Masters, his only other top-10 finish that year came at the Rocket Classic.
This week at Pebble Beach, Morikawa looked closer to his best form. On Saturday, he hit all 18 greens in regulation and managed the pressure well on Sunday in tough conditions.
Now, it is about building on this result and making sure it does not take nearly as long for his next win.
The mistake may be to see it through the lens of the continental superpowers. The Champions League’s knockout phase play-offs could perhaps do with a punchier name than Uefa’s unwieldy tag. For those who assume their destination is much deeper into the tournament, it can seem a punishment, an unwanted extra couple of fixtures jammed into February.
Yet for many of its participants, it is an opportunity. Under the previous format, some were unaccustomed to Champions League football after Christmas. Those seeded third or fourth faced an uphill task to qualify from their pool. The fact that there were only 16 slots available in the knockout round, and the reality that most went to clubs from the same four domestic leagues, restricted the chances for everyone else.
While five English clubs secured the top-eight finishes to skip the recent addition to the Champions League schedule, now it is not about them anyway. It is about Qarabag and Bodo/Glimt, who have overachieved to get this far, and Benfica who progressed in remarkable fashion. Uefa can note that the 16 teams in action come from 11 different countries, that they have expanded the map; their critics might argue that those at home next week, and likelier to progress, are all from Spain, Italy, France, England or Germany.
The competition may have more predictability than last year, when the first 36-team table produced some incongruous sights – Lille above Real Madrid, Atalanta above Bayern Munich, PSV above PSG, Brest above Manchester City – but not as much as feared. The knockout phase play-offs in their sophomore season features both of last season’s finalists, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan, plus the competition’s most successful club ever, in Real Madrid.
Of the 16 clubs playing now, a dozen should see it as a reward. A quartet could have regrets they are not skipping this round: Real, who only needed a draw against Benfica to get a top-eight finish; Atletico Madrid, who lost at home to Bodo/Glimt last month; PSG, who only took two points from their last three matches, against Athletic Bilbao, Sporting CP and Newcastle; and Inter, who won their first four games but lost the next three. For each, it could, and probably should, have been different.
Newcastle United joined PSG in the play-offs (AFP/Getty)
For most of those placed between ninth and 24th, the table either had a realism about their place in the pecking order or showed a capacity to surprise supposed superiors. Benfica did it most dramatically three weeks ago: the goalscoring goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute header took them through at Marseille’s expense and earns them an immediate reunion with Real. For Jose Mourinho, it is a rematch with Alvaro Arbeloa, once his right-back, now a rookie manager; the master outwitting the apprentice or the Portuguese’s farewell to the Champions League?
It is arguably the most eye-catching tie of the round; there may be nothing as obviously seismic as Real and City, the previous two winners, clashing at this stage last year, but that is in part because none of the biggest of guns finished between 17th and 24th.
Real Madrid have to contend with two extra games after dropping into the play-offs (AP)
But Inter are off to the Arctic Circle to face Bodo, fresh from their double of beating City and Atletico. A first leg in Istanbul comes laced with peril for Juventus as they meet Galatasaray. Eddie Howe admitted Newcastle did not want the lengthy trek to Azerbaijan after they drew Qarabag. On geographical grounds, he would have preferred Monaco. They instead are paired with PSG, who got a 10-0 aggregate thrashing of Ligue 1 rivals last year when they demolished Brest.
The tie that looks most even, and where there is the greatest reason to pronounce the side who finished lower in the standings and who are away in the second leg the favourites, is between the 2024 finalists Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta. They were 17th and 15th in the standings, separated by only two points. Dortmund scored nine more goals and had arguably the harder fixture list.
Atalanta can also testify to the drama of the new phase. A reason why Uefa are entitled to view the inaugural knockout play-off phase as a considerable success came in the games last year. Bayern required a 94th-minute goal by Alphonso Davies to deny Celtic extra time at the Allianz Arena and perhaps avert a major shock.
Jose Mourinho will meet his former club Real Madrid for a place in the last 16 (AP)
There were arguably still three upsets – even if one resulted in the team that came lower in the league stage losing – and all at the expense of Italian clubs. Juventus were knocked out 4-3 by PSV Eindhoven. AC Milan went out 2-1 to Feyenoord. Atalanta’s elimination was most emphatic, 5-2 on aggregate to Club Brugge, and, in terms of the table, the greatest surprise: ninth lost to 24th.
Brugge had only just made it into the play-offs; the celebrations of their supporters in a corner of the Etihad Stadium after their last league match against City showed what a feat that felt to the Belgian club. Perhaps this round was devised with their ilk in mind. Last year, the knockout play-offs still produced the eventual Champions League winners, in PSG. Like Real and Inter, they may imagine a repeat. These two weeks are a final of sorts for Brugge, Benfica, Bodo and Qarabag, yet maybe not the end of their journey around Europe.
LSU softball traveled to Clearwater, FL to play five games in five days. The No. 12 Tigers went 1-4 from Thursday to Sunday and returned to Baton Rouge with a 7-4 record.
Three of LSU's losses came against ranked opponents. It was outscored 24-4 in the four losses. Head coach Beth Torina used five different pitchers, including four in the weekend finale against No. 6 UCLA on Sunday.
In their opening game Thursday against No. 11 Nebraska, the Tigers were shut out 6-0. They got on base nine times and got runners to third base twice, but couldn't bring them home. Jayden Heavener got the start in the circle but gave up five runs on four hits. Only one of those runs was earned.
LSU got its lone win of the five-game stretch Thursday afternoon against Oklahoma State, a 9-4 decision. The Tigers scored four runs in the third and seventh innings, then weathered a final push from the Cowgirls at the end. Sierra Daniel and Tori Edwards each had three hits.
The Tigers went back and forth with Duke on Friday but ultimately fell 5-3. The Blue Devils went up by three in the second inning before LSU made it close in the fourth. For the final three frames, Heavener and Cassidy Curd were locked in a pitchers' duel.
LSU dropped the final two contests of the weekend. It fell 5-1 on Saturday to UCF, scoring its lone run in the first inning. Despite totaling eight hits, the Tigers struggled to get runners around to score. Sunday against the Bruins, LSU mustered three hits against reigning All-American pitcher Taylor Tinsley.
LSU returns to Baton Rouge to host South Alabama on Tuesday before a three-game set in Tiger Park over the weekend.
Aaron Wainwright will join Leicester Tigers from Dragons next season [Getty Images]
Wales forward Aaron Wainwright says next weekend's Six Nations game against Scotland is a chance for Steve Tandy's side to "deliver something better".
The Scots will arrive in Cardiff on the back of a sparkling 31-20 victory over England while Wales have lost 13 successive matches in the tournament since 2023.
After losing 48-7 to England on the opening weekend, the beleaguered Welsh side were swept away 54-12 by France on Sunday - though the Wales camp felt they delivered an improved performance.
"It's obviously tough, first two games of the championship, tough scorelines," said number eight Wainwright.
"We spoke after the game just about the bigger picture and the journey that we're going on as a team and just to try and concentrate on that, take the learnings from each game.
"Hopefully over the next couple of weeks, later down the line, we can look back on these results and performances and think how far we've come."
Wainwright won the first of his 64 Wales caps in 2018 and was part of the 2019 Grand Slam-winning squad.
However, the 29-year-old Dragons back-rower has also endured a miserable three years with Wales since his second World Cup campaign in 2023, with just two victories over Japan to show for the past 25 Tests.
Wales have conceded 50 points on more than five occasions in less than a year at the Principality Stadium - with Argentina, South Africa, England and now France all racking up record wins in Cardiff.
Their opening two games of the current campaign have also seen them ship 102 points, the worst defensive display of any Six Nations side in a quarter of a century.
"You don't get better by not playing the best teams in the world," added Wainwright.
"England were on a massive win streak, France one of the best teams in the world."
Despite conceding eight tries against the defending champions, Wainwright insisted there were improvements against the French.
"I think we were quite tight in defence at times, a couple of times they were going passes off 10 or off nine quite wide and they were getting around us, so I think we just weren't fanning out enough in [defence]," he said.
"I think they caught us there and once they get that, being able to go into their offloading there, it's quite hard to get it back under control... that's when they come into their own, so it was tough to deal with.
"So obviously looking forward to taking those learnings into next week."
However, they responded in style to sweep aside England with what head coach Gregor Townsend described as "some of the best rugby we've ever played".
Wales will also tackle the Scots with the disadvantage of a one-day shorter turnaround.
"Yeah, I suppose you could look at it like that," accepted Wainwright speaking after Sunday's defeat.
"We spoke in the changing room afterwards, just what a great chance it's going to be for us to come out here next week and deliver something better, like I just said, by going on a journey,
"If we can look to the future, look to next week and start to put those building blocks in place, the bigger picture will take care of itself."
Feb 12, 2026; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (32) exits the batting cage during spring training at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Pirates fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
With the 2026 MLB season upon us, we wanted to know how excited you are for Buccos baseball. The Pirates have made some improvements this season, adding some offensive fire power to one of the best starting pitching staffs in the Major Leagues. So we asked you to rate your excitement for the upcoming season, with five being the most excited and one being the least. Here are the results:
Number four ranked the highest with 39 percent, but five was a close second. So that means 71 percent of readers are ranking their excitment level at four or five. I think it’s fair to say this is the most excited any of us have been about the Bucs in a long time.
Thanks for voting. We’ll be back soon with more Reacts.
Youssef Chermiti's hat-trick against Hearts left Rangers two points behind the Scottish Premiership leaders [Getty Images]
Sunday was a dramatic day in the three-way battle for the Scottish Premiership title.
First up, Celtic came from two goals down to snatch a 3-2 victory at Kilmarnock - with Julian Araujo scoring the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time.
Then there was a six-pointer between Rangers and Hearts at Ibrox. Twice the away side took the lead, only for a Youssef Chermiti hat-trick to transform the game and give Danny Rohl's side a 4-2 win.
It left the three teams separated by just three points: Hearts on 57, Rangers on 55 and Celtic on 54.
Celtic have a game in hand, away at Aberdeen on 4 March, which could leave the trio within two points of each other.
There are several close two-team title races across Europe.
In France, there is just one point between Lens and Paris St-Germain.
And in Spain, Real Madrid are two points behind Barcelona with a game in hand.
But in both those leagues there is a sizeable gap to third place.
Can any other European league rival the drama of Scotland? BBC Sport has picked out the five closest title battles.
Austria - Four teams separated by two points
Austria Vienna won the derby against Rapid Vienna 2-0 to move up to third on Sunday [Getty Images]
The Austrian Bundesliga seems to be the league in which any one team can beat any other. Indeed, there is an argument that this is the best title race in Europe.
With 19 games played, just two points separate the top four. Of those, only Austria Vienna managed to win at the weekend with league leaders RB Salzburg drawing at second-bottom Grazer AK.
But it goes deeper than that.
In the 12-team league, a mere six points covers the top six, with nine points across the top 10. Only the bottom two clubs are truly disconnected from the rest.
A little bit like Scotland does in April, the Austrian top six and the bottom six split away from each other in three weeks.
The points will be halved and rounded down, which will create an even closer title race.
RB Salzburg - 33 points
LASK - 33
Austria Vienna - 32
Sturm Graz - 31
Hartberg - 28
Ried - 27
Rapid Vienna - 26
Rheindorf Altach - 25
Wolfsberger - 25
Tirol - 24
Greece - A title battle which mirrors Scotland
The picture in the Greek Super League is identical to Scotland after PAOK and AEK Athens played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
AEK are top on 49 points, with Olympiakos two points behind after they could also only manage a goalless draw at Levadiakos.
PAOK are on 46 points but have a game in hand, away to Kifisia on 4 March. Win that and there is two points between three teams.
Similar to Scotland, the top four break away after 22 March and will play each other twice to decide the title.
AEK Athens - 49 points (21 games)
Olympiakos - 47 (21)
PAOK - 46 (20)
Belgium - Three points between three teams
Sint-Truiden celebrate the dramatic late win which cut the gap at the top of the table to two points [Getty Images]
It is another unusual season in the Belgian Pro League, with the potential that Sint-Truiden could win the first title in their history.
If they pull it off, it would follow on from Union Saint-Gilloise being crowned champions for the first time in 90 years last season.
Union only drew at the weekend to leave them two points ahead of Sint-Truiden, who needed a late winner to complete a 3-2 comeback victory at home to Zulte Waregem.
But three points behind and waiting to pounce are 19-time champions Club Brugge.
The top six in Belgium will split off on their own after 22 March.
Union Saint-Gilloise - 53 points
Sint-Truiden - 51
Club Brugge - 50
Poland - Eight teams in contention?
The top of the table in the Poland's Ekstraklasa is very tight, though league leaders Jagiellonia Bialystok have a game in hand.
If Jagiellonia, who drew 0-0 at the weekend, win that fixture the picture is significantly different as they would go six points clear.
Wisla Plock failed to close the gap by losing at home to relegation-threatened Widzew Lodz on Saturday.
But for now six points separate the top eight, with third-placed Gornik Zabrze playing their game in hand on Monday evening.
Jagiellonia Bialystok - 36 points (20 games)
Wisla Plock - 33 (21)
Gornik Zabrze - 33 (20)
Zaglebie Lubin - 32 (21)
Cracovia - 32 (21)
Lech Poznan - 32 (21)
Rakow Czestochowa - 31 (21)
Korona Kielce - 30 (21)
Kosovo - One point between three teams
It looks very close in the Superleague of Kosovo, with one point between three teams.
The picture will change on Monday, however, with leaders Ballkani at home to fifth-placed Malisheva.
Ballkani could open up a gap at the top, or Malisheva could make the title race even closer.
NEW DELHI: India’s emphatic 61-run demolition of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup has triggered an extraordinary outpouring of anger and anguish from former Pakistan great Mohammad Yousuf, who described the current phase as “the darkest period in our cricketing history.”
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The defeat extended Pakistan’s dismal World Cup record against India, who have now won eight of nine T20 World Cup meetings and all eight ODI World Cup clashes between the rivals. On Sunday night, Suryakumar Yadav’s side piled up 175/7, powered by a blistering 77 from Ishan Kishan, before bowling Pakistan out for 114 in 18 overs to storm into the Super Eights alongside the West Indies.
Soon after the defeat, Yousuf vented his frustration on social media, writing, “Time’s up for Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab, Pakistan’s T20 squad needs new performers, not empty wins against weaker sides.”
— yousaf1788 (@yousaf1788)
A day later, his criticism deepened. “Unless we remove political influence and personal agendas from Pakistan cricket, we cannot return to the team we once were. This is the darkest period in our cricketing history, and my heart bleeds for it. Incompetent individuals must be removed from office and from the team,” he posted on X.
— yousaf1788 (@yousaf1788)
Pakistan’s collapse was swift and brutal. Chasing 176, they were 13/3 inside three overs after early strikes from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah. When Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam for five, the scoreboard read 34/4 and the contest was effectively over. Usman Khan’s 44 provided brief resistance, but a reckless charge at Axar ended his stay and triggered another collapse.
Earlier, Kishan had set the tone with fearless strokeplay, bringing up his fifty in just 27 balls. “I was just keeping it simple and watching the ball,” Kishan said, while Suryakumar added, “After we were 0-1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing.”
For Pakistan, however, the conversation has shifted beyond one defeat. Yousuf’s stinging words have framed it as something deeper.
Ratcliffe, the son of a joiner, was born in Greater Manchester and grew up on a council estate [Getty Images]
In the coming days, Sir Jim Ratcliffe should discover if the Football Association's legal team has decided the Manchester United co-owner brought the game into disrepute with his comments on immigration last week, which sparked condemnation from the government and beyond.
The governing body could decide his remarks reached the threshold required for him to be charged with a breach of its rules, it could write to the billionaire to remind him of his responsibilities, or it could choose to take no action at all.
But whatever the FA does, the impact of his claim that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants" - while citing incorrect population data - could be felt for some time to come.
Regardless of the fact Ratcliffe also received support in some quarters for raising the issue of immigration in his interview with Sky News, the fact United felt the need to issue a statement that read like a public rebuke towards their own co-owner was a sign of the dismay felt at Old Trafford - along with concern at the potential cost of the backlash his words provoked.
The pointed assertion of United's "inclusive and welcoming" values - while not directly naming Ratcliffe - was a deliberate attempt to distance the club from him, and according to Old Trafford sources was signed off at the highest level.
Hours earlier Ratcliffe had said he was "sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth".
Ratcliffe has always spoken highly of the Glazer family, describing them as "the nicest people on the planet" last year.
But according to a source familiar with them, the club's majority shareholders will have been "horrified" by his initial remarks, and will have seen them as showing "disregard for their ownership".
The Glazers - whose grandparents were Lithuanian Jewish immigrants to the US - are yet to comment on the episode.
But the source believes a key reason they have supported inclusive initiatives such as All Red All Equal at the club is because they see it as a brand to be nurtured and heavily commercialised, and they will have taken a dim view of remarks that could make sponsors reconsider partnering with United.
"Big multi-nationals want to associate with youth, positivity and forward-thinking. United is currently struggling for sponsors… and this exacerbates that," the source added, suggesting that some potential partners would "run a mile".
This all came just days after the Glazers were said to have voiced their concerns about United's commercial performance at a recent meeting.
It is easy to see why. United have been without a training kit partner since last season, and their shirt-sleeve sponsor is also set to expire in the summer.
Last year Marriott International - the world's largest hotel company - decided not to extend its sponsorship agreement with United after its contract expired.
The club's deal with Adidas is also worth £10m less this year because United have failed to qualify for the Champions League for two consecutive seasons.
While United still managed to post record commercial revenue of £333m last year, their main Premier League rivals have been catching them up in recent years.
So, even with the club's statement and Ratcliffe's qualified apology, it is easy to see why there may be some nervousness among club executives in the wake of the controversy.
Perhaps even more will now hinge on whether the team can secure Champions League qualification for next season.
Glazers retain selling rights
What this means for the long-term relationship between the six Glazer siblings - who retain 70% of the club - and their British business partner is unclear.
It is worth noting that under the terms of the agreement that saw Ratcliffe invest £1.25bn in the club in 2024, if the Glazers receive an offer from a third party that they want to accept, they can force him to sell his portion.
And then there is the club's hopes for a new 100,000-seat stadium as part of a 370-acre Trafford regeneration project that relies on the support of local and national politicians.
In January, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and Trafford council leader Tom Ross both hailed a new development corporation designed to enable the delivery of the multi-billion pound plan.
Three weeks later however, both men issued statements condemning Ratcliffe's comments. The same applied to both Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, both of whom had previously expressed support for the redevelopment project.
While local officials have vowed that taxpayer money will not be used for the new stadium itself, public funds are being sought for surrounding infrastructure, including the crucial relocation of a neighbouring freight rail terminal to St Helens.
It is unclear whether Ratcliffe's remarks may make the ongoing negotiations more challenging, but they came at an important moment.
United's hope will be that those involved focus on the 15,000 new homes, 48,000 new local jobs and billions of pounds in value to the economy that the project is said to be worth.
The lifelong Manchester United fan bought a 27.7% stake in the club in February 2024 in a £1.25bn deal [Getty Images]
'This is a global club... apology is a first step'
It appears Ratcliffe's relationship with many of United's fans has been harmed too.
Ghulam Haydar of the Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club (MUMSC) told BBC Sport that his apology was "a first step", but said he would like the 73-year-old to agree to a meeting in order to provide some assurances.
"This is a global club… what's he going to do to actually assure us that the club is a welcoming space for people of colour, people of migrant backgrounds?" he asked.
MUMSC has said it does not feel that Ratcliffe's apology "sufficiently addresses the seriousness" of what was said.
"Expressing regret for causing offence is not the same as acknowledging the wider impact of words used. Leadership requires accountability as well as openness to debate."
Kick It Out - which works to fight racism, sexism and homophobia in football and says overall reports about discrimination have risen again this campaign after last season's record high - told BBC Sport that it has already received a number of reports about Ratcliffe's comments.
Having cut jobs and raised ticket prices, Ratcliffe was the subject of a protest by a supporter group just two weeks ago over the way the Ineos hierarchy has run the club since taking over football operations.
It will be interesting to see what kind of reception Ratcliffe receives when he next visits Old Trafford.
Uncertainty also surrounds the impact this could have on manager Michael Carrick - who will face questions about this issue for the first time when he addresses the media this week - along with United's multi-national squad and its staff.
Despite United's recent upturn in form since the appointment of the former midfielder, these are challenging times for Ratcliffe and his business Ineos, the petrochemicals firm he founded and leads.
Last week, he warned that "current conditions for Europe's chemical industry are unsurvivable without immediate intervention".
Those concerns were the reason Ratcliffe was at an industry summit in Antwerp. And they were clearly what he intended to talk about in an interview that instead ended up with him becoming at the centre of a fierce political storm.
It is a controversy that is unlikely to blow over quickly, and the true repercussions are yet to become clear.
Ratcliffe has said he is "sorry that my choice of language offended some people in the UK and Europe" [Getty Images]
Bukayo Saka lined up in a new role for Arsenal against Wigan in the FA Cup [Getty Images]
A player dropping out of the warm-up before a game is something Mikel Arteta has had to get used to this season.
When Riccardo Calafiori pulled out before Arsenal's game with Wigan on Sunday, it was the third time in this campaign that this had happened to the Gunners before a match.
But on this occasion, Arteta gave a glimpse of what could be the next evolution of the Arsenal attack - Bukayo Saka playing as a number 10.
When Calafiori and Saka had to pull out of games against Brighton and Leeds earlier this season, Arteta made straight swaps for players in their positions but for this match he shuffled his players around.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, who was pencilled in to start in midfield, was moved to left-back and Saka, who is building up his fitness after a hip issue, was brought into the number 10 role.
In part, Arteta's decision to play Saka there is down to the midfield injury issues that the Gunners are currently facing.
Captain Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino, the other go-to midfield options in the squad, are all injured and Ethan Nwaneri is on loan at Marseille.
But this was not the first time that Saka has played in a central role under Arteta.
During the lockdown season of 2020, Saka played in midfield against Brighton in a 2-1 loss, hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box with a right-footed shot and providing an assist for Nicolas Pepe.
Saka is one of the best wingers in the world, even if his numbers are down from what you would likely expect from him so far this season.
The 24-year-old has seven goals and seven assists in 33 games in all competitions this season.
One thing that makes Saka so threatening is that he can control the ball in tight spaces even when closely marked and he showed that when challenged by the Wigan midfield during the game.
He dropped deep to pick the ball up while he also swapped positions with Noni Madueke, who was playing in Saka's usual right-wing position, and the Gunners' third goal came from Saka's cross after good work between the pair on the right.
Saka playing in that position could also mean the pathway for 16-year-old Max Dowman is clearer and means Arteta could play the talented youngster and Saka in the same side.
Madueke is also in excellent form and has three goals and an assist in his last five games and with Wolves on Wednesday and midfield injuries, there's a chance we could see Saka continue in his role, with Arteta hinting the England international could feature there more this season.
"That's something that's a possibility and I wanted to try it, and we might use it in the future," Arteta said.
"There are still so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play in this season, and that's a possibility that we have."
Saka slots into fluid Arsenal attack
Umir Irfan, Football Tactics Correspondent:
From a wing position, a player is essentially playing at 180 degress – with half of the pitch cut off by the touchline. Centrally, Saka can play at 360 degrees – with the ability to dribble or pass in any direction.
Arteta highlighted the benefit of him here succinctly, saying of Saka's ability to be more unpredictable in both his decision-making and his positioning, "it's more difficult for the opponent to get his reference constantly".
As the number 10, Saka showcased his positional versatility on the day, floating to the left side of attacking midfield, as well as rotating well with Madueke on the right wing.
Key to Arsenal's build-up has been players rotating frequently while maintaining their shape, with opponents pressing them finding it hard to know who to follow. Saka's inclusion as a number 10 brings this added fluidity to Arsenal's attack, which helped them pull apart Wigan for the duration of his cameo.
"He can interchange positions with a wide player, he's so good at picking those spaces," said Arteta of these movements.
Saka leaves the right wing. As he moves inside, Madueke moves out wide. This is how Arsenal rotated while remaining balanced [BBC Sport]
The added benefit of arriving into these positions, whether wide or central, rather than waiting on the touchline for the ball, helped him get on the ball with separation from his marker more often too. This was how he helped force Jack Hunt's own goal on the day too.
Saka's underlapping run from midfield wasn't tracked. Madueke found him in behind before he played a cross that was bundled into the goal by Wigan's defender [BBC Sport]
As one of the more senior players of the team, Saka possesses both the mental and physical qualities to absorb the pressure of playing centrally. Saka's ability to take contact from defenders that clatter into the back of him is something he has mastered in the safer environment of the right wing and is invaluable centrally.
Tactically, however, attacking through the middle poses a greater risk, given how many bodies are positioned here. Losing the ball centrally leads to opponents having better positions to counter-attack from too. Arteta's Arsenal have therefore generally opted to go around opponents rather than through.
Having a player with the quality to not turn the ball over in these dangerous areas but instead take the ball reliably on their backfoot before driving at defenders and linking with team-mates in the small spaces, provides the Gunners with an added dimension to their attack.
Saka's ability to control a fizzed pass while turning to face the goal allowed Arsenal to attack quickly and effectively through the middle [BBC Sport]
As good as Saka is for the team, his numbers slightly underwhelm, so getting him closer to goal would allow him to score or assist more himself.
His catalogue of curling shots from the right side of midfield is enough proof of his ability to change a game - but moving to the left side of attacking midfield, Saka showed a potent and more powerful type of strike across goal too.
Elias Lajunen was knocked out cold after a crash on Sunday during the men’s big air skiing qualifiers in Milan-Cortina. (Photo by IOC via Getty Images)
IOC via Getty Images
Finnish skier Elias Lajunen was knocked out cold after a crash on Sunday during the men’s big air skiing qualifiers in Milan-Cortina. Lajunen, 18, lay motionless after slamming his head, then was stretchered off.
After being attended to, Lajunen regained consciousness and gave the crowd a thumbs-up as medical staff tended to him. According to the Finnish Olympic Committee, all of Lajunen's limbs were functioning.
He attempted a multi-rotation aerial that went wrong on the final revolution. Big air rewards height, difficulty, and clean execution, with a small margin for error.
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Elias Lajunen of Team Finlan competes in the Men's Freeski Big Air qualification on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ian MacNicol via Getty Images
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Elias Lajunen of Team Finland falls as he competes in run one of the Men's Freeski Big Air Qualification on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 15: Elias Lajunen of Team Finland falls as he competes in run one of the Men's Freeski Big Air Qualification on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Air Park on February 15, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
Lajunen recently turned pro and was participating in his first Olympic Games. At the 2025 World Championships, he finished 31st in the men's freeski slopestyle competition and 32nd in big air. His father, Samppa Lajunen, is a celebrated Finnish combined skier and a three-time Olympic champion in Nordic combined.
Borussia Dortmund vs Atalanta: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Off the back of three straight wins for both sides, Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta will seek to carry over their domestic resurgence onto the European scene when they face off at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday.
Ahead of next week’s return leg in Italy, both teams will be looking to steal a march here and put one foot into the Champions League last 16.
Match preview
After narrow victories over Heidenheim and Wolfsburg, Dortmund put on their most dominant display of 2026 in Friday’s 4-0 demolition of Mainz.
A first-half double from Serhou Guirassy led the onslaught, but it was Julian Ryerson who was the star of the show, assisting all four goals for Niko Kovac’s men.
While BVB still have a mammoth task to overturn their current six-point gap from Bayern Munich in the title race, their recent form has sparked optimism for the second half of the campaign.
Dortmund could have really done without the added burden of the UCL knockout play-offs, although they have only themselves to blame, having won just one of their final five league-phase clashes, most recently a 2-0 defeat to Inter Milan.
That was in keeping with Dortmund’s poor European record against Italian teams, as they have now won just one of their last seven UCL matches against Serie A opponents.
In contrast, Atalanta have won both of their Champions League matches against Bundesliga outfits, beating Frankfurt and Stuttgart by a combined score of 5-0.
Currently on a three-game winning run, which includes victories over Juventus and Lazio, Raffaele Palladino’s men are in arguably their best form of the season.
Opening the scoring in eight of their last 10 outings, fast starts have often set the platform for most of La Dea’s recent wins.
Atalanta will hope to replicate that against a Dortmund side who have only failed to break the deadlock just twice over their last 10 affairs.
With a home clash against Napoli looming after the trip to Germany, Tuesday’s visitors will need to be at their best to deliver a strong finish to a demanding February schedule they have navigated well so far.
Team news
Twenty-year-old Filippo Mane has missed Dortmund’s last two matches with a thigh issue and is ruled out for Tuesday.
Serhou Guirassy has netted five times in his last three appearances and will look to continue his hot streak in front of goal.
Charles De Ketelaere has been directly involved in four of Atalanta’s 10 UCL goals this term, but will not feature against Dortmund due to a knee problem.
Giacomo Raspadori has been diagnosed with a first-degree left flexor strain after a second-half cameo against Lazio last time out.
Jack Marriott has scored 15 goals for Reading this season [Rex Features]
Reading striker Jack Marriott said he had been desperate to score more than one goal in a game this season following his hat-trick against Wycombe.
Marriott fired the Royals into a two-goal lead at the SCL Stadium before the visitors managed to level the game up with 20 minutes remaining.
The centre-forward then found the net again with a crucial winner just minutes after the Chairboys' equaliser.
"I've been saying for what feels like months now I've just been desperate to score more than one in a game and thankfully all three came today," Marriott told BBC Radio Berkshire.
"It was difficult being pegged back, but we were able to get that third pretty quickly after they scored the second and I think it knocked them a little bit so we were able to see the game out
"We've got another big game on Tuesday so we've got a rest recover, make sure everyone's good to go and put in a good performance hopefully get the win."
Marriott has scored 15 goals so far for Reading this season since his move from Wrexham in the summer, plus three assists.
The Royals next host third-placed Bolton on Tuesday in a bid to close in on the top six, with Leam Richardson's side currently seventh in the table.
But despite their positive progress in recent months, Marriott admitted he prefers to not focus on the standings and talk of the play-offs.
"I think the moment you start thinking about where you want to be, you won't get there," he added.
"I think you just have to take literally each game as comes, each game presents its own challenges and that's all we can control.
"We can't control the league table so that's something that I won't think about personally."
Trinidad Chambliss has been fighting to earn one more season of college football eligibility. The talented Ole Miss quarterback had his appeal to the NCAA denied recently, with the sport’s governing body ruling that Chambliss was not granted a medical redshirt for his second season at D-II Ferris State. Chambliss took the case to state court in Mississippi, hoping for one last Hail Mary. On Thursday, the court delivered.
Chambliss wouldn’t beat out Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza for the top quarterback in the draft rankings, but he would be firmly in the conversation for being QB No. 2 after the Heisman winner and presumptive No. 1 overall pick. For as desperately as Chambliss wanted to stay in school, his prodigious quarterbacking skills are in high demand in the NFL.
His collegiate resume and his upside as an athletic quarterback with impressive timing and touch to his throws show more tangible promise than some other candidates for the second QB. He’s got a much stronger arm and more dynamic flair than Alabama’s Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier from LSU, who generally project as the top choices for QB2 now that Chambliss appears out of the picture.
Trinidad Chambliss has high athletic upside
Oct 18, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter of the game at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The 6-foot, 205-pound Chambliss was a very good point guard in high school basketball, and he brings that mindset to football as well. He’s capable of making throws both from inside and outside the pocket. Chambliss plays with excellent rhythm as a passer, adept at taking what the defense gives him on his first couple of reads. His willingness to attack down the field and his deep-ball accuracy make him dangerous for defenses that overcommit to stopping Chambliss from running.
As a runner, Chambliss is quick-footed and elusive. He ran for over 500 yards in 14 games for the Rebels, and while at Ferris State he accrued over 1,000 rushing yards in his final season. He is adept at read-option concepts, and his quick trigger makes him more dangerous once he gets outside the pocket. His vision in both phases creates real problems for defenses.
Trinidad Chambliss’s 2027 NFL draft stock
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes against the Florida Gators during the third quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Instead of offering up that resume to the NFL, Chambliss now leaps to the top of the preseason Heisman favorites. It’s easy to see him being projected as one of the first players off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft, too. It’s a status the humble Chambliss wants more than immediately jumping into the NFL frying pan, an unusual stance given how so many potential top-40 picks declare for the NFL as soon as they can. That’s not Chambliss, and that might be why NFL teams will covet him even more in 2027.
England were given another major fright but held off tournament debutants Italy by 24 runs to secure a place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup.
After England posted 202-7, Italy threatened to pull off the greatest shock in World Cup history in pursuit – a result which would have left Harry Brook's side facing an embarrassing group-stage exit.
Ben Manenti crashed 60 from 28 balls to take Italy within 89 of victory and, after his wicket became the first of four in quick succession, 31-year-old Grant Stewart thrashed 45 from 25 balls to keep the contest very much alive.
Italy needed 30 from the last 12 balls but Sam Curran had Stewart caught at short third.
With 25 runs needed from the last over and two wickets in hand, Jamie Overton wrapped up the innings to leave Italy 178 all out.
But it was another unconvincing day for England, who progress after a final-ball win over Nepal, a defeat by West Indies and two nervy wins against Scotland and Italy.
Even in making their highest total of the tournament so far, they were not convincing with the bat.
They were 105-5 before Will Jacks hit 53 not out from number seven. It was his first fifty in T20 internationals and, coming in 21 balls, England's quickest at a T20 World Cup.
The result eliminates Italy, whose tournament ends in Mumbai on Thursday against West Indies.
England's Super 8 opponents are still to be confirmed but they will play that phase in Sri Lanka, starting on Sunday, and surely must improve to have any chance.
After his side edged past Scotland on Saturday, Brook said he hoped England's progression through the remainder of the tournament would be more straightforward.
This was anything but.
Italy have impressed at this World Cup – they beat Nepal last week – but are still the lowest ranked side in the tournament, sandwiched between Malaysia and Qatar.
Their chase was made even more remarkable by the fact Jofra Archer took two wickets in the first over.
Manenti came in after the fourth over when his brother, Harry, was caught off Overton and he and Mosca took 25 from the next two overs.
Even after he holed out to Jacks, having taken the off-spinner for two sixes and two fours, Italy kept charging on. Archer was hit for two sixes in the 17th, Adil Rashid three in the 18th.
It took Curran, who picked up two in two balls after Manenti's dismissal, to bring some calm in the 18th. He conceded two wides but otherwise singles and dots before dismissing Stewart.
Whether England have simply done what was needed during this group stage or shown little to suggest they can be contenders, probably depends on your level of pessimism.
England won – but they did it ugly yet again.
The innings that Jacks built
Jacks' two overs may have cost 34 runs, but he was still England's match-winner. His knock boosted another innings in which the top order failed to fire fully again - even when passing 200.
Jos Buttler was caught for three in the third over, but afterwards Phil Salt crashed 28, Jacob Bethell a composed 23, Tom Banton eased 30, Brook 14 and Curran 25.
All five were wasteful. Salt, Bethell and Banton picked out fielders in the deep. Brook and Curran were caught attacking wide balls.
What was encouraging is Jacks' innings came when starting against spin – a perceived weakness.
England were 128-5 in the 16th over before a misfield on the cover boundary gifted Jacks a four.
It kicked him into life as he hit the next two balls for six and reached his fifty in 21 deliveries in the final over by clearing the ropes for a fourth time.
Italy caught well but were scruffy with their groundfielding, allowing England a few too many. They have offered so much during this World Cup but that is one obvious area they can improve.
LSU baseball entered its Sunday afternoon game against Milwaukee looking for a sweep to start the 2026 campaign. LSU secured the victory with an offensive eruption on Sunday afternoon.
After an offensive flurry on Friday, the bats were not as loud on Saturday, but they came back with a vengeance on Sunday. The Tigers left no doubt in this one as they scored 21 runs on 16 hits in the first five innings to run away with the game three win.
William Schmidt got his first start of the season, and while he was not perfect, he was still able to get the job done. He was pulled from the game after four full innings of work. He gave up three runs on three hits, nine strikeouts, three walks, and one hit batter. But just like Casan Evans, he had plenty of insurance to back him up, so the game was never in doubt.
Here are three takeaways from the early-season sweep.
Jake Brown's power was on display today, smashing two home runs. With the latter of those homers being a grand slam to put the Tigers up 21-6 after five innings. He had a great day today, and he had a great series overall, ending the series with a .500 batting average.
LSU has had a plethora of incredible pitchers and pitching staffs over the years, but this year's staff has already broken a program record for the most strikeouts in a single series. After Deven Sheerin got a strikeout to retire Milwaukee in the fifth inning, LSU totaled 46 strikeouts in this single series. That's the most in program history. Marcos Paz tacked on two more K's to run that number up to 48 strikeouts in this series.
Business as usual in Baton Rouge
While there were a few upsets in the college baseball world this weekend, LSU was not a victim. The Tigers were able to take care of business and finish the first series of the year with a sweep. That is a testament to the coaching staff and the talented players of this team. It should be another fun season on the Bayou.
When the NHL resumes play following the Olympic pause, there will be roughly 20 games remaining in the regular season. This season’s statistical leaders feature many usual suspects, but there are many players being overlooked. They are positively impacting their respective teams and building momentum for future seasons. Only time will tell if they become household names. Here are the top five underrated NHL players in 2026.
5. RW Collin Graf – San Jose Sharks
Jan 27, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tom Willander (5) battles with San Jose Sharks forward Collin Graf (51) in the first period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
San Jose isn’t in playoff contention, and team points leader Macklin Celebrini is the main attraction. Right winger Collin Graf continues to produce for the 4th–youngest team in the NHL. Before this season, the 2024 undrafted signing had brief stints with the Sharks in 2023 and 2024. This season, Graf has played in 54 of the team’s 55 games, producing 15 goals, 16 assists, and a +4. The 23-year-old’s production has led to ranking 6th in points and 1st in shot percentage.
Drafted in the 2nd round (2021) by the Arizona Coyotes, Josh Doan was traded by the rebranded Utah Mammoth in June of 2025 to the Buffalo Sabres. In Doan, Buffalo added more youth to the league’s 2nd–youngest roster. In his first season with the Sabres, Doan plays an integral role for the team, currently holding the Eastern Conference’s first Wild Card spot. The right winger has 18 goals, 21 assists, and is 3rd on the team in power-play points. As Buffalo continues its hunt for the playoffs, Doan will be relied upon in key situations.
3. C Morgan Geekie – Boston Bruins
Feb 1, 2026; Tampa Bay, Florida, USA; Boston Bruins center Morgan Geekie (39) reacts after scoring a goal during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2026 Stadium Series ice hockey game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Geekie failed to consistently produce during his first four NHL seasons and signed with Boston in 2023. He showed potential during the 2023 season and earned more playing time a season ago. During the 2024-2025 season, Geekie produced 33 goals and 24 assists. Geekie hasn’t slowed down this season, reaching 32 goals, 22 assists, and a career-high 20 power play points. The center is 2nd on the Bruins in points and has helped the team to the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
2. G Jet Greaves – Columbus Blue Jackets
Greaves signed a professional contract with the team’s AHL affiliate in 2021. After making one appearance during the 22-23 season, the goaltender played sparingly in the next two seasons. This year, Greaves is leading the Blue Jackets in goaltending. Elvis Merzlikins opened the season as the team’s starting goaltender, but poor production allowed Greaves to see more starting nods before taking over as the team’s top option between the pipes. Jet Greaves leads Columbus goaltenders in games played (37), wins (18), goals against average (2.62), save percentage (.910), and shutouts (2). The Blue Jackets are within reach of the Eastern Conference’s final Wild Card spot due to improved production from the offense and Greaves.
1. D J.J. Moser – Tampa Bay Lightning
Jan 26, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman J.J. Moser (90) skates with the puck against the Utah Mammoth during the first period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
After defenseman Victor Hedman underwent elbow surgery in December, J.J. Moser was chosen to fill the glaring hole on defense. The increased role has led to the most production in two seasons with Tampa Bay, and Moser is 2nd in points, 2nd in TOI, and 1st in on-ice expected goals differential among Lightning defensemen. Moser’s five goals and 14 assists do not rank him among the NHL’s top defensemen, but he’s played a crucial role in Tampa Bay’s hot streak that carried them to first place in the Atlantic Division. Among all NHL defensemen, J.J. Moser ranks 5th in on-ice expected goal differential.
What's good for the goose apparently isn't good for the gander.
The NFL's aggressive effort to end publication of annual NFL Players Association report cards resulted in a 26-page arbitration ruling that gave the league a hollow victory at best, since it failed to achieve the league's broader goal of killing the entire project. The written decision also includes a footnote acknowledging that owners have engaged in the same behavior about which they were complaining.
"[T]he NFLPA is correct that there have been occasions in the past where owners or others engaged in public criticisms of Players and no known efforts were made by the NFL [Management Council], reasonable or otherwise, to curtail those comments," arbitrator Scott E. Buchheit wrote at footnote 9 to the decision. "To the contrary, some were placed on NFL.com. While those situations are of course not before me to decide whether they violated Article 51, the fact remains that both parties could reasonably anticipate some flexibility on how Article 51 is applied."
The opinion contains no specific instances of owner criticism of players. Two recent examples exist.
In October 2025, Jets owner Woody Johnson publicly complained about quarterback Justin Fields.
“It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he’s got,” Johnson said about Fields. “If we can just complete a pass, it would look good."
More recently, Bills owner Terry Pegula implicitly acknowledged that receiver Keon Coleman was a wasted second-round pick when attempting to blame the failed selection on the coaching staff.
The message to the NFLPA is obvious: The next time an owner publicly complains about a player, a grievance under Article 51 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement should immediately be filed.
And there quite possibly will be a next time, since the Friday memo from the league office to the teams (which overstated the outcome) contained no recommendation to curtail any future public criticisms of players.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 5: Avery Hayes #85 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates with teammates after scoring his first career goal during the first period of an NHL against the Buffalo Sabres game at KeyBank Center on February 5, 2026 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There’s a famous story in sports about how in 1925 the first baseman for the New York Yankees, Wally Pipp, showed up to the ballpark with a headache.
Miller Huggins, the Yankees’ manager, noticed this, and said “Wally, take the day off. We’ll try that kid Gehrig at first today and get you back in there tomorrow.” Gehrig played well and became the Yankees’ new starting first baseman. This story first appeared in a 1939 New York World-Telegram on Gehrig’s career, in which Pipp was interviewed. Pipp was later quoted to have said, “I took the two most expensive aspirin in history.”
For the non-baseball fans (or young) out there, Lou Gehrig would go onto play in a then-record 2,130 straight games. And thus, getting “Wally Pipp’d” became a point for the last hundred plus years in sports about a replacement stepping in and never looking back.
Avery Hayes might not go down in history to the same degree as the legendary ‘The Iron Horse”, though after Hayes’s two-goal NHL debut it’s worth thinking about the situation for where he might go from here for the rest of the season. That debut was partially brought on, ironically enough, in a fourth line right wing spot because the typical holder in the lineup of that position, Noel Acciari, was sick for a game. It won’t cost Acciari his spot forever, though it has opened up a door that will be worth further exploring this season.
Hayes was sent back to the AHL for the Olympic break, he still looks on a high, recording a hat trick in his first game back. Last night Hayes picked up an assist and dropped former Penguin Zach Aston-Reese in a fight with a mean short left.
You can bet Penguin management has to be intrigued. The question now becomes just how much they’ll be looking to do to get Hayes a chance to get back into the NHL lineup. It’s a legitimate question since the current forward group figures to leave the break with full health with the normal fourth line featuring Acciari, Connor Dewar and Blake Lizotte playing with an abundance of chemistry and success together.
Josh Yohe wrote a good line in The Athletic today, saying: “the second you think pieces of your fourth line are unmovable, you’ve got yourself a problem”. That would apply to moving in or out of the lineup, or even status on the team itself.
One area working in the Pens’ favor is the 23-player roster maximum disappears after the NHL trade deadline. Teams just have to be mindful to stay under the salary cap (no problem at all there for Pittsburgh) and the limitation of four post-deadline call-ups (which is also no problem since emergency recalls if a team needs them due to injury as also allowed), all of which should definitely open up the possibility to get Hayes and his good pal Rutger McGroarty back with the NHL squad after the March 6th deadline. From there it won’t be too difficult to rotate out a player like Acciari or Dewar at times to get some younger blood in the lineup.
That could also be an audition for next season. Both of Acciari and Dewar are impending free agents this summer. Hayes and McGroarty are waiting in the wings as natural, younger replacements for next season, if the management team decides to go in that direction.
Another alternative could be to consider moving one of Dewar or Acciari in a trade. The wisdom of doing that when the team is clicking and remove a piece of their success is questionable at best. Trade value on both players won’t be high either, likely making the reward not worth the potential risk of damage it could do to this team’s morale and unity. Had this season unfolded like the previous few in Pittsburgh, it would be easy to trade veterans as their contracts near expiry (including Lizotte, who has already re-signed) and move onto younger players. This Pens team is fourth in the Eastern Conference with a .625% points percentage, they’ve earned keeping their group together a while longer.
The good news for the Penguins is that it’s a good problem to have right now where they have about 14 forwards that, all things considered, they’d probably like to have dressing for an NHL game on any given night. The problem pops up in that only 12 can actually dress. That offers them a lot of options on what to do next in the course of managing the excess of players they have available now at their disposal, building in some comfort to hedge against future injuries.
One of those angles will certainly be how much they decide to work Hayes back in for NHL opportunities down the stretch. The Pens are starring down a very difficult upcoming March that sees 17 games in 31 days against many of the best teams in the league. They have a real grind coming up, the post-March 6th ability to have fresh bodies like Hayes and McGroarty on hand could be a real blessing to keep players fresh and inject the lineup with new options as they go along.
Based on that timeline a transition wouldn’t be as immediate or impactful as a Hall of Famer like Gehrig entering the picture and never leaving it, but as Wally Pipp knew all too well opening the door to a new option can lead to changes that end up lasting longer than just a single game. Hayes is making a strong case to be in the NHL picture down the stretch in some form, the answer to just how much opportunity he’ll get will be one of the more intriguing little storylines for the Penguins in the final sprint of their 2025-26 season.
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Credit: ESPN/GQ
By now, it’s no secret that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen aren’t exactly on the best of terms. The legendary Chicago Bulls players have been embroiled in a (mostly one-sided) feud over the past several years. Pippen and Jordan remain estranged, and a number of their former teammates have weighed in on their fractured relationship. Among those to speak out as of late is Randy Brown, who’s hoping his former comrades will mend fences. Now, Brown is addressing the narrative that Jordan and Pippen were never close.
Randy Brown, a former point guard, was a member of the Bulls when they won three consecutive championships between 1996 and 1998. While Brown was a key support guy off the bench, he still became relatively well acquainted with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. That appears to be a major reason why Brown, as he explained during his appearance on fellow ex-Bull Stacey King’s Gimme the Hot Sauce Podcast, is not convinced Jordan and Pippen had no relationship beyond the court:
Our days are numbered, and it’s sad to see that this is playing out in the media, that people think that Michael and Scotty weren’t close. And I’m never going to give into that. I’m never going to give into any of that. I spent hours with these guys when there was no basketball.
Believe it or not, a major reason why the notion that Jordan and Pippen were never close was actually sparked by the latter. During an interview he gave a little over a year ago, Pippen said he and Jordan “never were great friends” and didn’t hang out much off the court. Brown, however, seems to be suggesting that’s not exactly the case, and Stacey King – who played for the Bulls between 1989 and 1994 – agreed with Brown’s assessment. On that note, Brown add some more thoughts:
You went in the trenches. You don’t win championships with guys you don’t like. You just don’t.
The catalyst for the Jordan/Pippen feud was The Last Dance, the Emmy-winning docuseries that tracked the Bulls’ final championship run during the 1997-1998 NBA season. While Pippen initially claimed he wasn’t fazed by the doc, he later blasted Jordan in his 2021 memoir, Unguarded, as he claimed MJ used the show to uplift himself and not give others players their just due. (During his interview, Brown revealed that he agreed that some players didn’t receive credit.) Pippen has since criticized Jordan on multiple occasions, even going so far as to call him a “horrible” player.
In the meantime, the narrative that Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan were never close continues to permeate the public consciousness. Should Randy Brown stand by his words, though, he’ll continue to argue against that idea.
TAMPA, Fla. — Patience is the last piece of advice MLB prospects want to hear on their way up the ladder, so forgive Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones for that thousand-yard stare when the conversational road leads to playing time in 2026.
Both outfielders are facing near-impossible odds of cracking the Opening Day starting lineup. Dominguez is backing up Cody Bellinger in left field. Jones is a rung below Dominguez on the depth chart and headed for Triple-A.
Don’t expect a word of protest, though. Like state-run television, the Yankees keep their story lines G-rated in camp. Neither Dominguez nor Jones is crazy enough to say anything they’d regret.
But it doesn’t take a genius to realize how impatient they must be. Dominguez, after all, got a taste of MLB in 2025, totaling 123 games and 429 plate appearances. But that was before Trent Grisham’s breakout power numbers — a career high 34 home runs — turned Dominguez into a reserve player.
Meanwhile, Jones raised his profile in the minors, playing all three outfield positions at Double-A and Triple-A. The 24-year-old slugger combined for 35 HRs, 80 RBIs and 29 stolen bases.
But there are only two ways Dominguez and Jones can catch a break.
The first is an injury. History tells us Giancarlo Stanton’s first breakdown is just around the corner. That would open up the DH spot for either Aaron Judge or Bellinger, creating room in left field.
The second possibility is Grisham’s regression to career norms, which would turn him into a late-inning defensive replacement.
The Yankees believe they’ve unlocked Grisham’s potential at the plate, and that his out-of-nowhere power was no fluke. The club made Grisham a $22 million qualifying offer over the winter precisely because of their faith that he’ll continue to take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short porch.
But that doesn’t mean Grisham was an especially tough out. A career .218 hitter, Grisham batted .235 during the regular season and was all but invisible in the playoffs, when he hit just .138 (4-for-29) with no home runs.
Just like Dominguez and Jones, the Yankees will be watching Grisham closely over the next five weeks. But make no mistake: the job is his to lose.
That means the kids will have to live with the dreaded credo: patience. General manager Brian Cashman delivered the kiss of death to Dominguez this week when he said the young slugger needs more than 100-150 at-bats a season to develop.
That was as good as handing Dominguez a ticket to Triple-A when the Yankees break camp next month.
“There are things I can control and there are things I can’t control,” Dominguez said in response Sunday morning. “I have to be ready if the opportunity is there. So my focus is staying healthy.”
Jones was slightly more direct in telling the Yankees he’s ready.
“I’m as confident as anyone in this room,” he said. “It’s just about going out there and proving it.”
At worst, both players will be in the mix in 2027. Grisham’s deal is for one season. No one expects him to return next year.
At best, Dominguez makes the best of an injury to Stanton (or anyone else in the outfield), and Jones destroys Triple-A pitchers in a way that makes it impossible for the Yankees to leave him in the minors.
After all, Jones is the Yankees’ most sought-after prospect. Cashman heard countless trade pitches for Jones this offseason.
The 6-7 outfielder has youth, athleticism, size and power, though strikeouts remain an issue. He struck out at a 35.4% clip in the minors last season. (Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon led all qualified MLB hitters last season with a 32.3% rate.)
But Jones does have the personality for the big market. Like Judge, he’s mature and confident, not afraid of being in front of the camera.
The Yankees admire the kid because, in Cashman’s words, “he’s earned a shot,” but makes the case without being a loudmouth.
As for Dominguez, he’s done everything the Yankees have asked, including playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic to work on his defense in left field.
The transition from center field, Dominguez’s natural position, has been brutal at times. But manager Aaron Boone says Dominguez’s athleticism will eventually pay dividends.
“I think (left field) is a place where he’s got a chance to be really good,” Boone said. “He just needs the experience and needs to keep the needle moving.”
Dominguez is too polite to point out the obvious Catch-22 in Boone’s assessment. How does anyone get experience without steady playing time?
That is, unless Boone was intimating that Dominguez is heading to Triple-A, where he and Jones will be teammates.
If so, Dominguez will be ready. It sounds like he’s already preparing for the inevitable.
“I know the decision isn’t mine, so I try not to worry about it,” he said. “People ask me about where I’m going to play, but what’s important is being mentally prepared.”
Jones has the same iron will to block out the noise.
“I hear about what’s being said about me from time to time, mostly from my family,” Jones said. “I just try to be myself. I tell everyone, ‘I’m okay.’
“And if I’m okay, things will take care of themselves.”
In a recent three-round NFL mock draft, PFSN's Alec Elijah has the Denver Broncos going defense early before adding more weapons for quarterback Bo Nix on offense.
In the first round, Elijah projects Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks (6-6, 335 pounds) to Denver. "While he has battled injuries, including a missed 2025 season due to foot issues and a procedure against LSU, his upside is undeniable," Elijah wrote for PFSN. Before his injury-shortened 2025 campaign, Banks totaled 27 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup with the Gators in 2024.
After that, the Broncos select Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper (6-0, 204 pounds) in the second round. "His combination of contested-catch skill, RAC explosiveness, and vertical range makes him a versatile three-level weapon," Elijah wrote. Cooper hauled in 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns in his final three seasons (38 games) with the Hoosiers.
To wrap up the three-round pick, Denver adds Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (6-4, 235 pounds). In two seasons (25 games) with the Commodores, Stowers totaled 111 receptions for 1,407 yards and nine touchdowns.
Broncos 3-round mock draft
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Omar Cooper, WR, Indiana
Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
The 2026 NFL draft will be held in Pittsburgh from April 23-25. After receiving two compensatory picks this spring, the Broncos will hold nine selections in this year's draft.
LIVIGNO, Italy – Normally, China’s Eileen Gu said, the International Ski Federation (FIS) – the governing body that oversees Olympic free skiing and snowboarding (among other disciplines) – is an accommodating organization.
Except in this case.
As Gu looks to repeat as the Olympic gold-medalist in the women’s big air event (finals are Monday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET) and go 5-for-5 in medals at her second Olympics, she is a tad perturbed by the schedule that only she has to confront.
Making big air finals prevented Gu from practicing during the allotted three-hour training session allowed for free skiers in the halfpipe on the other side of Livigno Snow Park.
"Which is really unfair, and difficult for me to deal with," Gu said after qualifying Saturday.
Gu petitioned to train with snowboarders during their training last week, or to at least have an extra hour at another time. No dice, though.
FIS’ response and reasoning didn’t make sense to her. Generally, Gu said, FIS is accommodating and takes care of the athletes. Gu is the lone athlete – man or woman – to compete in all three disciplines; typically, halfpipe athletes specialize in that event, while those who compete in big air also do slopestyle.
"This situation, I think, is really unfair," Gu said. "Because, for me, the Olympics should represent aspiration, and should be all about making dreams come true, doing the impossible. That’s the entire narrative of this contest. So I feel, because I’m the only person – the fact that I made big air finals for being the only person, only woman trying to compete in three events."
Gu won gold in the halfpipe as the Beijing Games and said it is her favorite event. She took silver in slopestyle in back-to-back Olympics and has the chance to defend her big air title Monday night.
The American-born Gu, a Stanford student, said she was proud to make big air finals despite taking a break from the event since the last Olympics. She wanted to at least try and prove something to herself.
"Sometimes I think that young women, particularly, are scared of failure before they can actually fail," the 22-year-old said. "So for me, I wanted to overcome a fear of failure just by trying. I just wanted to step up there and say, ‘Hey I haven’t competed in four years, I just want to try’ – as the defending Olympic gold-medalist."
Gu qualified for big air finals by landing her first and third tricks despite not competing in the event in nearly four years, since she won it in China during the 2022 Beijing Games when she became a sensation in China and launched a personal brand that netted her more than $20 million last year, making her one of the biggest-earning female athletes in the world.
Totti confirms: “I had dinner with Gasperini, we’re talking.”
Francesco Totti is increasingly close to returning to Roma.
He confirmed it himself during a Betsson.Sport event.
“A return to Roma? We’re talking. We’re evaluating a few options. Let’s see what we can do together. I had dinner with Gasperini,” he said.
The longtime Giallorossi captain—who will initially serve as an external consultant before joining the club as a director—will provide further details in an interview with Sky Sport, which will be broadcast today, Monday, February 16, at 2:30 PM on Sky Sport.
“I need to play” – Chelsea transfer target admits he already rejected The Blues
Chelsea transfer target Yan Diomande has admitted that he once already rejected a chance to join the club.
We covered a story back in November 2025 suggesting that the young attacker was a top Chelsea target and has really impressed scouts of late.
EXCLUSIVE! Two more NEW names added to Chelsea summer list of targets – One from Wolves and one from Atletico Madrid!! 👀
And then again in the January transfer window of 2026, the youngster was being linked with Chelsea once again.
But whilst all these links had been coming in, none of us had any idea that actually, Diomande had a chance to join Chelsea when he was younger, but he turned that chance down.
Diomande’s Chelsea rejection
Yan Diomande playing for RB Leipzig. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
By joining Leganes and then Leipzig, Yan Diomande says he has been able to play and develop, suggesting that would not have happened at Chelsea.
In an interview with Bild, Diomande said: “A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. I knew the president of Leganes; he had helped with my move to the USA.
“Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision. I think patience is very important in football. It’s not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I’m young; I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn’t get that on the bench.”
Trials at Chelsea
Diomande even admits that he had a trial with Chelsea during this time.
Logan Paul at WWE SummerSlam 2025 - Elsa/Getty Images
It might surprise some people to learn that Logan Paul has been a professional wrestler for only four years considering how naturally he's adapted to the world of WWE. Already a former WWE United States Champion, Paul has been one of the only celebrities to fully transition into the world of wrestling and not just stick around for more than one show, but actually be good enough to main event Premium Live Events and win championships.
Despite his fame outside of wrestling, even Paul knows he needs to learn somehow, and during a recent interview on Sports Illustrated's "The Takedown," Paul revealed that there is one WWE Hall of Famer he takes a lot of inspiration from. "Got to learn from the greats. I've been studying actually, Superstar Billy Graham..." Paul said. "There are so many greats that have graced the WWE and there's a lot to learn, and there's called 'Steal Like An Artist,' and I think it's an interesting book because it's essentially saying like allow yourself to be influenced by those who are great and then make it your own. I try to do that with a lot of my predecessors."
"Superstar" Billy Graham is one of the most famous wrestlers of all time and is one of the reasons why WWE is in the position its in today. Vince McMahon Sr. even chose him to be the man to end Bruno Sammartino's second reign as the then WWWF Champion in 1997, with Sammartino holding the title for nearly four years. Graham's character was also seen as the template to what Hulk Hogan's character would become in WWE during the 1980s, which ultimately led to the boom in popularity that resulted in the first WrestleMania in 1985, something that wouldn't have happened without Graham's influence on the business.
Please credit "The Takedown" when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
The Rays new owners penned a Valentine’s Day card in their own unique way this year, hosting this season’s FanFest in tents outside Tropicana Field.
Those in attendance — for which 50,000 tickets were claimed — got to shop the latest swag, hear interviews from folks like the excellent Rays Radio crew talking to players and staff, and engage with the team’s top brand ambassadors: Former OF Brett Phillips (recently hired by the Rays) and new CEO Ken Babby.
Did you attend? And whether you made it out or not, what is your favorite bit of news or otherwise coming out of Fan Fest?
Hey, Rays fans, look who ran up to me and introduced himself as soon as Rays Fan Fest got underway outside of Tropicana Field. It’s the man himself @Brett_Phillips8!#RaysUppic.twitter.com/wu7KY5qWzL
Watch: Former Rays outfielder and fan favorite and NOW the new Rays Brand Engagement Executive @Brett_Phillips8 was all over Fan Fest this afternoon!
He gave us a laundry list of things that #Rays fans can look forward to this year and was extremely complimentary of the new… pic.twitter.com/nYBZYaQKRy
PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 13: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets looks on during spring training workouts at Clover Park on February 13, 2026 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James said he supports the NBA experimenting with a USA vs. World All-Star format, even if he questions whether the concept fully adds up.
The 41-year-old spoke about the adjustment ahead of his 22nd NBA All-Star appearance in Los Angeles.
Although open to new ideas, James acknowledged that he still leans toward the league’s traditional setup.
Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
LeBron questions logic behind USA vs World setup
The NBA replaced the long-standing East vs. West format with a USA vs. World matchup as part of its effort to refresh the All-Star experience. The change reflects the league’s push to inject new energy into the exhibition.
When asked for his opinion, LeBron James recognised the attempt to innovate. He then explained why the structure leaves him somewhat puzzled.
“I like the East and West format. They’re trying something; we’ll see what happens, but it’s US vs World. The world is gigantic over the US, so I’m trying to figure out how that makes sense.”
Even with those reservations, James avoided strongly criticizing the league’s decision. He indicated that he is willing to see how the format develops.
Preference for tradition remains
Over more than two decades in the NBA, James has competed under several different All-Star structures. That longevity gives him perspective on how the event has evolved.
He reiterated that the East vs. West matchup remains his preferred version. At the same time, he acknowledged the league’s ongoing search for greater competitiveness and fan interest.
“East-West is the tradition. It’s been really good. I like the East and West format.”
The USA vs. World format underscores the NBA’s global growth, with international players now forming a significant share of its star talent. Whether the concept proves effective long-term is something James appears content to evaluate as it unfolds.
The Orioles addressed a lot of needs this offseason. They brought on Pete Alonso, one of the splashiest signings of the offseason, period. They signed a bona fide lockdown closer in Ryan Helsley. They added a corner bat in Taylor Ward. But with spring training games just days away, one question keeps nagging: Is the rotation good enough to win the division?
It’s a question worth asking, because the AL East rotations look nastier than ever. The Blue Jays, fresh off a World Series run, added Dylan Cease on a seven-year, $210 million deal to pair with Kevin Gausman and postseason revelation Trey Yesavage. The Red Sox went on a pitching spending spree, landing Ranger Suárez ($130 million over five years) and trading for Sonny Gray to slot behind Garrett Crochet. Even the Yankees, despite taking something of a “run it back” approach, will get Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón back from injury sometime this spring to join Max Fried and young flamethrower Cam Schlittler.
Meanwhile, the Orioles—well, if you read this blog regularly, you know pretty much exactly where the Orioles rotation stands. Baltimore missed out on Framber Valdez (now in Detroit) and watched Suárez and Cease land with division rivals. Instead, as has become customary, they cobbled together a rotation through trades and one-year deals: Shane Baz from Tampa Bay, veteran Chris Bassitt on a one-year, $18.5 million deal, and Zach Eflin back on a $10 million deal after August back surgery.
These weren’t, like, the splashiest moves ever, but to judge by team quotes to the press, you shouldn’t be worried. Manager Craig Albernaz says he “like[s] his guys.” Trevor Rogers says the rotation is “scary.” New signing Bassitt says he’s ready to win a World Series.
Is there cause for such optimism? It’s true that a 1-2 punch of Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers looks none too shabby: Bradish finished fourth in the 2023 Cy Young race and has a 2.44 ERA over 44 combined starts in the last three seasons. If he’s healthy, he’s deadly. Trevor Rogers was arguably the best pitcher in baseball after returning from injury last May, posting a 1.81 ERA and 0.90 WHIP over 18 starts.
Behind them, the depth behind them is intriguing (which is more than could be said of O’s back-end starters in recent years). Shane Baz has “Cy Young” upside, according to Albernaz himself. Chris Bassitt is a proven innings-eater who just pitched in the World Series. Zach Eflin was a rock after the 2024 trade deadline before his back gave out. And that’s not even counting a sixth man in Dean Kremer, who is a solid backend arm.
So let’s hear it, Camden Chatters: Can this rotation compete with the staffs in Tampa Bay, Toronto, Boston, and New York? Are you buying the upside, or do you wish the front office had landed a true ace? Sound off in the comments.
It was a night of two sides for Wesley, who was an unwilling protagonist in the match against Napoli.
The Brazilian full-back earned the penalty that narrowly tipped the game in Roma’s favor, but in the tackle he sustained a severe blow that raised fears of the worst.
Tests revealed a contusion and sprain to his left ankle, the result of the nasty blow he suffered during the penalty.
It was a moment of apprehension for the coaching staff and the Giallorossi fans, especially considering this crucial moment of the season, with the race for a Champions League spot now entering its most heated and decisive phase.
Wesley himself, however, reassured everyone on an Instagram story: “Thank God, nothing serious, thanks everyone for the messages.”
These words dispel the spectre of a prolonged layoff and restore serenity to the Roma team, aware of how crucial the Brazilian’s energy and drive can be in this final stretch of the season.
Real Madrid megastar ‘delighted’ with Alvaro Arbeloa after issues with Xabi Alonso
One of the major talking points from Xabi Alonso’s short-lived stint as Real Madrid manager was his rocky relationship with Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian international was far from happy with the manager and expressed his dismay at being substituted constantly and even being left out of the starting XI in some games.
In fact, Vinicius even lashed out at Alonso when he was taken off during the game against Barcelona, and later when he issued an apology, he left out the manager’s name.
Vinicius very happy with Alvaro Arbeloa
Now, with Alvaro Arbeloa taking over as Real Madrid manager from Alonso, Vinicius is delighted with the new head coach, reports Mario Cortegana of The Athletic.
Since being handed the first-team reins, the former defender turned manager has made it a point to highlight Vinicius’ importance to the team and has completely backed him.
This past weekend, with Kylian Mbappe being rested, Vinicius stepped up as the team’s leader in attack, won and scored two penalties in the win over Real Sociedad.
Loving life under Arbeloa. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Speaking after the match, Arbeloa was full of praise for the 25-year-old winger, saying: “I’ve been seeing a great Vinicius for a month now, not just in this one game. He’s been playing at a very high level, being a real game-changer.
“For me, he’s a player who goes beyond the numbers, capable of turning matches around. He’s a guy with a huge heart and a great teammate. We’re lucky to have him.”
Vinicius has now scored four goals and registered three assists from seven matches under Arbeloa, with his form and morale seemingly picking up after the issues with Alonso.
And, as mentioned earlier, sources close to the player have relayed to The Athletic that the Brazilian international is ‘delighted’ with Arbeloa as the new manager.
Whether this helps Real Madrid reach an agreement over a new contract with their talismanic forward remains to be seen.
National team doctor issues double Manchester City fitness and injury update
A double update concerning the latest surrounding the recovery processes being undertaken by two Manchester City stars has been offered through their national team.
The injury situations of City pair Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić have been major talking points during the 2025/26 campaign, with both players enduring lengthy spells away from competitive action.
Their absences have tested squad depth at crucial points of the season, particularly during a congested winter schedule, while the defender’s extended absence forced action in the January transfer window through the signing of Marc Guehi and recall of Max Alleyne from loan.
For Pep Guardiola, the ongoing unavailability of such key figures has required adaptation, and while the City manager has welcomed encouraging signs from other injured players, both Croatian internationals remain in the medical department.
However, speaking with Vecernji – as translated and relayed by Sport Witness – the Croatian football association (HNS) has provided a fresh update surrounding Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic through their head of medical services, Tomislav Vlahović.
On the subject of Manchester City’s Croatian central defender, Vlahović said, “We hope that Joško will recover in time for the World Cup. We believe this is realistic.
“You never know how things will develop during rehabilitation, but our hope is strong.”
And concerning the veteran midfielder at the Etihad Stadium, the latest from Vlahović highlighted, “I would say we think he will be ready for the World Cup, and probably even earlier.
“It is a complex injury and treatment, and things are being monitored on a daily basis. The recovery is going well.”
Gvardiol’s long-term recovery continues after the defender suffered a fractured right tibia in early January during the Premier League clash with Chelsea, with the club mindful of the seriousness of the setback and the importance of avoiding any rushed return to action.
There is however growing optimism around Kovačić’s trajectory, with the midfielder having now resumed individual on-pitch training, and Guardiola speaking positively about his progress.
The Catalan coach has also recently highlighted how much he has missed the Croatian’s ability to connect play, and suggesting that a return before the end of the campaign could provide a timely boost in the decisive months ahead.
Tyler Reddick snapped a 38-race winless streak in NASCAR's Cup Series with a triumph in Sunday's 2026 Daytona 500. File Photo by Mike Gentry/UPI
Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Tyler Reddick said he leaned on instinct amid chaos on the final lap of the 2026 Dayton 500, avoiding crashes for his first win in eight tries.
The driver of the black Chumba Casino Toyota led for only the final lap of "The Great American Race" on Sunday at Daytona International International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
"Just a very unorthodox ending to the race and just kind of trust your gut," Reddrick told reporters. "I feel like some of these races I've been able to win, whether it's in Cup or other things in my life, when things get really chaotic.
"I'm able to just lean on instinct, and things feel like they happen slow, and more times than not I'm able to get the job done."
Reddick -- who went winless in 2025 -- was in fourth place after a wreck wiped out several cars at the start of the final lap of the 500-mile race. He drove by Ricky Stenhouse Jr., took a tap from teammate Riley Herbst and pulled into third going into the third turn. Reddick then flashed by the rear right fender of Zane Smith and darted toward the outside portion of the track on turn three.
He then came up on leader Chase Elliott's bumper and turned his wheel right before squeezing left and getting to the front of the pack. Elliott was among several cars to wreck just before Reddick crossed the finish line for the victory.
"It may have seemed chaotic watching it, but from my seat the whole last lap played out really slow and really smooth, and everything just kind of fell into place the way I wanted it to," Reddick said.
Stenhouse, the 2023 champion, placed second. Joey Logano, the 2015 winner, placed third. Elliott, Brad Keselowski, Zane Smith, Chris Buescher, Herbst, Josh Berry and Bubba Wallace, another Reddick teammate, rounded out the Top 10. William Byron, who won in 2024 and 2025, placed 12th.
Wallace led for a race-high 40 laps. Chase Briscoe led for 23 laps. Pole-winner Kyle Busch led for 19 laps.
With his victory Reddick delivered the first Daytona 500 triumph for 23XI Racing team owners Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.
"I can't even believe it," Jordan said. "It was so gratifying. We had four guys that were really fighting, helping each other out. You never know how these races are going to end. You just try to survive.
"I thought Riley did an unbelievable job pushing at the end. That shows you what teamwork can really, really do. He doesn't get enough credit. He won't get enough credit. But we feel the love. We understand exactly what he did. We hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look, I'm ecstatic. I don't even know what to say. It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won't even know."
Hamlin placed 31st in his No. 11 Toyota Camry, which he drives for Joe Gibbs Racing. Reddick's victory Sunday snapped a winless streak of 38 races and was his triumph in the Cup Series since the Oct. 27, 2024 Straight Talk Wireless 400 in Homestead, Fla.
NASCAR's 2026 Cup Series campaign will continue with the Autotrader 400 at 3 p.m. EST Sunday at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Ga.
NEW DELHI: Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan etched his name into cricket history on Monday, becoming the first bowler to take 700 wickets in men’s T20 cricket.
The landmark came during Afghanistan’s 2026 T20 World Cup match against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where his lone wicket in the match helped him reach the milestone on Monday.
Asking UAE to bowl first in Delhi, Afghanistan restricted them to 160/9 in 20 overs.
Rashid is already the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, which confirms his status as one of the most dangerous spinners in the game.
However, the record comes at a time when Afghanistan are dealing with emotional setbacks in the tournament.
Their dramatic double Super Over loss to South Africa still weighs heavily on the team.
Ahead of the UAE match, Rashid admitted the defeat had been hard to digest, saying, “It is quite heartbreaking. Last one and a half years, we worked very hard... keeping our hopes of going deep in the T20 World Cup in mind, but sometimes it doesn’t go your way. The most important thing is the mindset we played with and the effort we put during our first two games.”
Despite the disappointment, Rashid believes there are lessons to be learned. “It’s going to help us. It’s not only the upcoming games, but the upcoming cricket we have. So, there are lots of positives we can take from those two games,” he said.
Rashid also spoke about how painful defeats tend to linger, recalling Afghanistan’s loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
“It’s very hard to lose a game that we have in our hands, like a couple of times, and then it just slips out of your hand. It doesn’t go away from your mind,” he said, adding that revenge in the 2024 T20 World Cup helped erase that memory.
He also highlighted a bigger issue for Afghanistan—lack of regular matches against top teams.
“As a team, if you don’t get a chance to play against a big team regularly, that’s what happens,” Rashid said, stressing that limited exposure makes World Cup matches extremely high-pressure.
But now, there's a new set of allegations that we're here to discuss. Someone on X accused Durant of using an account called @gethigher77 (which is currently locked) to talk NBA. In screenshots shared online, there's this user ripping on Houston Rockets players, and others shared similar shots(WARNING: There's A LOT of NSFW language in there).
So: Are they real? Is that really Durant?
The answer is: There's no confirmation of this at all at the moment. Durant hasn't addressed it yet, no one has truly connected the two officially, so we all need to calm down until there's actual proof. Maybe reporters will ask him about it later this week, or perhaps the very-much-online-all-the-time star will tweet about all this.
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
5
8
4
17
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.
Ryan Cochran-Siegle: Men’s Super-G
For the second consecutive Winter Olympics, Ryan Cochran-Siegle has a silver medal in the Super-G.
Cochran-Siegle was the third skier down the course Wednesday and he set the early time to beat with a 1:25.45. Only Franjo von Allmen topped his effort, as the Swiss skier gave his nation their first gold medal in men’s Super-G.
But Cochran-Siegle’s time was good enough to take silver, and add not just to his own legacy, but his family’s. His mother, Barbara Ann Cochran, took gold in the women’s slalom at the 1972 Winter Olympics.
Team USA topped the podium in women’s moguls at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Jaelin Kauf secured her second consecutive silver medal after taking second in the 2022 Beijing Games, while Liz Lemely took gold in her Olympic debut.
Jordan Stolz: Men’s speedskating 1,000-meter
Jordan Stolz entered the 2026 Winter Olympics on an incredible streak.
That continued in his first event.
Stolz arrived in Milan having won the last 14 1,000-meter races on the World Cup-level. As luck would have it, the 1,000-meter race was the first on his schedule, and he took gold in his Milano Cortina debut.
Madison Chock/Evan Bates: Ice dance
Team USA’s pair of Madison Chock and Evan Bates have been aiming for an individual Olympic medal.
Now they have it, but not the one they were aiming for.
After helping Team USA win gold in the Team event, Chock and Bates hoped to deliver the performance they needed in the free dance to take a gold of their own. However, while they delivered a strong performance skating to “Paint It, Black” by Ramin Djawadi, the duo entered the free dance trailing the French pairing of Laurence Fournier Beaudry and Guillaume Cizeron by just 0.46 points.
Their free dance put them into the lead, but the performance from Fournier Beaudry and Cizeron was enough for them to take gold, leaving Chock and Bates to settle for silver.
Jessie Diggins added to her status as a living legend at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
She made history eight years ago along with teammate Kikkan Randall, when the pair won Team USA’s first-ever cross-country skiing gold medals with a team sprint victory at the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang. But she secured her fourth Olympic medal in Milan, skiing through a bruised rib to claim bronze in the 10-kilometer freestyle.
Chloe Kim: Women’s halfpipe
Chloe Kim’s bid for Olympic history fell just short, as the Team USA snowboarder settled for silver in the women’s halfpipe. Had she won gold, Kim would have become the first snowboarder in Olympic history to win three consecutive Olympic titles.
Liz Lemley/Jaelin Kauf: Women’s dual moguls
The American pair of Liz Lemley and Jaelin Kauf could not repeat the one-two from women’s moguls earlier in the games, but did bring home two more medals for Team USA as Kauf took silver, and Lemley captured bronze.
Jordan Stolz: Men’s speedskating 500-meter
Jordan Stolz entered the 2026 Winter Olympics on an incredible streak.
That continues as he has a pair of golds already to show for his work in Italy. After winning the 1000-meter, he took gold in the 1,000-meter on Valentine’s Day.
FSU managed just 10 points in each of the first two quarters while the Cardinals used their depth and defensive pressure to build a 34-20 halftime lead.
Despite the deficit, the Seminoles received standout performances from graduate forward Allie Kubek and sophomore guard Sole Williams. Kubek posted her first double-double of the season with a season‑high 18 points and 10 rebounds, adding two blocks while shooting 7 of 10 from the field and knocking down two of FSU’s 10 3-pointers. It marked the 13th double‑double of her career.
Williams led FSU in scoring for the second straight game, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists. She shot 6 of 11 and was a perfect 4 of 4 from the free‑throw line.
Williams opened the game with five quick points on a 3-pointer and fast‑break layup just 24 seconds apart. Kubek’s late bucket pushed FSU into double figures, but Louisville held a 19-10 lead after one quarter. The Seminoles finished 10 of 27 from 3-point range — the second time this season they have hit double digits from beyond the arc.
Louisville (five players in double figures) controlled the second half and led by 22 entering the fourth quarter. Laura Ziegler paced the Cardinals with 14 points, while Imari Berry, Skylar Jones and Reyna Scott each added 11. Freshman Grace Mbugua chipped in 10.
FSU outrebounded the Cardinals but couldn’t close the scoring gap as Louisville’s bench accounted for four of its five double‑figure scorers.
FSU will return to Donald L. Tucker Civic Center to host Cal (16-11, 7-7) and Stanford (16-11, 5-9) this week before finishing the remaining two games on the road. The Cal game is set for Thursday at 6 p.m. The Stanford game will be on Sunday at 2 p.m.
2025-26 FSU Women's Basketball Regular Season Schedule
Nov. 3 Florida A&M, W, 112-39
Nov. 6 Georgia Southern W 80-72
Nov. 9 at UConn L, 99-67
Nov. 12 Nicholls State W, 89-64
Nov. 16 Indiana L, 76-72
Nov. 20 at Florida, L 89-67
Nov. 23 Illinois L 86-63
Nov. 28 vs. Missouri State W 85-75
Nov. 30 vs. No. 8 Oklahoma L 109-91
Dec. 3 Georgia, L 80-60
Dec. 7 Notre Dame L, 93-58
Dec. 14 College of Charleston L 75-70
Dec. 18 Virginia Tech L 79-54
Dec. 20 South Carolina State W 89-41
Jan 1 at Syracuse L, 82-72
Jan. 4 Virginia L, 91-87 double OT
Jan. 11 at Miami L 89-73
Jan. 15 at Pittsburgh W 69-65
Jan. 18 North Carolina L 82-55
Jan. 22 at SMU W 73-51
Jan. 25 Georgia Tech L 80-69
Feb. 1 at Clemson L 77-58
Feb. 5 at NC State L 88-55
Feb. 8 Miami W 87-70
Feb. 12 Boston College W 85-76
Feb. 15 at Louisville L 88-65
Feb. 19 California Tallahassee, Fla.
Feb. 22 Stanford Tallahassee, Fla. – 2 PM | ACCN
Feb. 26 at Duke Durham, N.C. – 9 PM | ACCN
March 1 at Wake Forest Winston-Salem, N.C. – 4 PM | ACCN
It seems like a broken record: the Vikings need to improve their run game, a statement said every year since Kevin O’Connell became the team’s head coach. To still be saying it four years in is disappointing, and that’s why O’Connell gets accused of neglecting that side of his offense.
How the Vikings Should Address the Running Back Position this Offseason
Minnesota has already addressed one part of the rushing attack game plan with the appointment of a new offensive line coach and an assistant OL coach, but I will get to that in my article on how the Vikings should address the offensive line this offseason. While hoping the OL will provide better running lanes for their back, the Vikings have a big decision to make at the position.
At 32, Aaron Jones is considered very old for the position, with most backs struggling to stay in the league past 30 these days. At $14.55 million against the salary cap in 2026, he has a huge cap hit for the position this season.
Needing to make significant savings to become cap compliant, the Vikings can save $7.7 million by releasing Jones. Not only has Jones provided the Vikings with a spark to their offense, but also provided great leadership in the locker room. He will be a big character to replace, but the time has come to say thank you and goodbye.
Can Jordan Mason be the RB1?
The Vikings traded for Jordan Mason last March, after Mason had proved he could be effective when spelling for the injured Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco. He continued to be effective in Minnesota and beat Jones in rushing yards (768), rushing touchdowns (6), and yards per carry (4.8).
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) reacts after scoring with guard Will Fries (76) against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
The Vikings should be reasonably confident that Mason can provide them with at least a solid rushing attack if they proceed with him as the RB1. He had started 11 games over the last two seasons and proved he can carry a heavy workload: 16 carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the 48–10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was the highlight of his first season in Minnesota.
Rounding Out the Rest of the RB Room
If the Vikings do proceed with Mason as RB1, as I think they should, what should the rest of the RB room look like? At the moment, O’Connell has a blank canvas to work with — behind Mason, with Ty Chander and Zavier Scott as free agents, and long-time fullback CJ Ham retired.
He could look at another veteran in free agency to team with Mason, like a Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall, or Javonte Williams — but I’d rather not be spending whatever money is available for free agency at RB.
The draft is the place to look, and while acquiring the one star RB of this draft cycle – Jeremiyah Love – is unlikely, and in my opinion, inadvisable. There are plenty of options on Day 2 and Day 3 to look at. With three draft picks available to the Vikings on Day 2, they should be in a good position to pick up somebody like Jadarian Price, Jonah Coleman, or Emmett Johnson. They could also look for more depth on Day 3 and/or when it comes time to sign undrafted free agents.
Sep 6, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) returns to the locker room following a victory against the UC Davis Aggies at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
It will be interesting to see whether O’Connell considers bringing in a fullback, or if that position in his offense dies with Ham’s retirement. A few names to look out for in this draft cycle that could take on that role are Max Bredeson and Eli Heidenreich.
Ultimately, it’s Mason surrounded by a cast of rookies, and maybe a cheap veteran to add a bit of experience.
Legendary Ex Inter Milan President Lashes Out At Juventus After Ill-Tempered Derby d’Italia: “They Play The Victim But History Says Otherwise”
Former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti criticized Juventus for their hypocrisy in the aftermath of the Derby d’Italia.
Speaking to Radio anch’io Sport via FCInter1908, Moratti delivered his verdict on Saturday’s incident at San Siro.
Alessandro Bastoni came under heavy scrutiny after drawing an unfair red card from Pierre Kalulu.
Indeed, the 26-year-old tricked referee Federico La Penna into showing the Frenchman a second yellow card in the first half.
Furthermore, cameras caught the Nerazzurri star celebrating the red card with apparent excitement, intensifying the backlash from fans.
Reduced to ten men, Juventus fought tooth and nail to avoid defeat, but Piotr Zielinski scored a last-gasp winner for Inter.
Meanwhile, the Bianconeri supporters have aimed death threats at Bastoni, forcing the player to turn off comments on social media.
It’s also worth noting that several high-ranking Juventus members had a tunnel confrontation with La Penna.
One of them was the legendary captain and current director Giorgio Chiellini.
Massimo Moratti Slams Juventus Hypocrisy After Derby d’Italia Loss vs Inter Milan
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Alessandro Bastoni of Inter celebrates after the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“Simulations are annoying, even when a player pretends to take a blow to the face but actually gets hit in the chest,” Massimo Moratti said.
“They’re frustrating. Bastoni’s was an enthusiastic simulation; he jumped dramatically from a stretch of the opponent’s arm.
“The opponent later regretted it, but he had extended his arm and put Bastoni in a position to take advantage.
“So, let’s say the youngster got carried away by the opportunity, and it ended up being unfair.
“Kalulu didn’t commit a foul, and Bastoni deserved something for his simulation.
“Regarding Bastoni, I think Gattuso doesn’t need to punish him,” Moratti added.
“For Bastoni, the attacks he’s facing from everyone else are already a punishment. It seems to me there’s no need for more.
“I don’t know what poor Bastoni went through in that moment, but now he’s in the middle of a storm. Poor guy.
“I hope it passes quickly, that what he did doesn’t become an example, and instead it serves to behave correctly.
“There’s no point in dragging it out for a year; we understand it was a mistake and he was wrong.”
Moratti then slammed Juventus for ‘playing the victim.’
“Times have changed; now Juventus complains, acts like the victim, and they are certainly reacting to something new.
“It seems to me that they exaggerated in their protests, acting as if they were some terrible victim of Italian football, which history doesn’t support.
“I find it all fairly normal, but it reminds me of the old stories.”
Massimo Moratti Praises Inter Milan Manager Cristian Chivu
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 20: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano attends a press conference ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 20, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Cristian Chivu is on course to win the Scudetto in his first managerial season at San Siro.
With Inter boasting an eight-point lead over second-placed AC Milan, they are in pole position to dethrone Napoli.
“It seems to me that Inter is doing everything necessary,” Marotta claimed.
“The coaching change caused doubts at first. But they disappeared because Chivu is young, talented, and understands the players instantly.
“It’s a strong group, the players have talent, and Inter should be on the right track; let’s not say more.
“It’s hard to compare him to others. Chivu is very serious, more like Mourinho than people might think.
“He pays close attention to details and stays constantly close to the players.
“Having Mourinho as a coach obviously helped him. He has the qualities that make him both recognizable and capable.
Asked whether Inter should take action against Bastoni, Moratti replied: “That depends on the relationship between the coach and the player; we can’t know.
“Clearly, the coach publicly defends the player, but he might also tell him privately, ‘be careful.’
“What would I have done? It depends on the player, when he does it, and how he does it.
The New York Yankees' young outfielder, who doesn't have an obvious path to playing time to begin the 2026 MLB season, spoke with reporters at spring training this weekend. He's not hiding from the reality of his situation.
Dominguez acknowledged that he knows what has been said, but also certainly isn't writing himself off.
“Obviously, I hear all of that, but I try not to focus on that,” Domínguez told reporters on Sunday, via MLB.com. “I try not to focus on that, because there is a Spring Training coming and this is baseball. A lot of things can happen.”
The Yankees brought back Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham this offseason, and they join Aaron Judge as the starting outfield.
Giancarlo Stanton will be the regular DH, with Ben Rice at first base and Austin Wells behind the plate, and also Paul Goldschmidt on the bench potentially to get at bats as a designated hitter or first baseman.
Dominguez could genuinely start the season in Triple-A, and GM Brian Cashman acknowledged recently that's a real possibility.
The 23-year old Dominguez played regularly in the first half of last season but saw his action dwindle as the campaign went along.
“They’ve got to do what’s best for the team,” Domínguez said Sunday. “Whatever decision they make, I’ll be ready for.”
Dominguez was long a highly heralded prospect and could still have some solid upside, but the Yankees are certainly in win-now mode and have lots of experienced talent in front of him.
He'll have to make a strong impression this spring to at least give himself a chance at sticking around and playing early on.
In today’s NBA, greatness isn’t just measured in championships and MVP trophies — it’s also reflected in career earnings that tell the story of longevity, dominance, and timing. The list of the highest NBA career earners of all time is more than a financial ranking; it’s a snapshot of an era where superstar impact and league revenue have grown side by side. As television deals expanded, the salary cap exploded, and max contracts reached historic heights, the league’s elite were positioned to benefit like never before.
At the very top sits LeBron James, whose career earnings surpass half a billion dollars — a staggering figure that mirrors his two decades of excellence. Close behind are generational talents like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, players who not only defined their era but helped reshape the modern game. From revolutionary shooting to unstoppable scoring versatility, their contracts reflect both production and influence.
What makes this list compelling is how it blends sustained superstardom with strategic career moves. Long-term extensions, supermax deals, and loyalty to franchises all play a role. These numbers represent more than paydays — they symbolize trust from organizations, global marketability, and consistent elite performance. In many ways, this ranking captures the business evolution of basketball just as much as it honors the players themselves.
1. LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $581.3M
LeBron’s longevity and sustained dominance are simply unmatched. From his early days in Cleveland to championships in Miami, Cleveland again, and Los Angeles, he has maximized every contract with superstar-level performance. Even in his 20th-plus season range, he’s still producing at an elite level, proving that his earning power has mirrored his greatness on the court.
2. Kevin Durant
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant reacts after a play against the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $501.1M
Durant’s smooth scoring ability made him one of the most sought-after superstars of his era. His championships with Golden State, combined with MVP-level play throughout his career, positioned him for massive max contracts. Even after major injuries, his value never dipped, a testament to his pure offensive brilliance.
3. Stephen Curry
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry against the Detroit Pistons in at the Chase Center. Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $470.1M
Curry revolutionized basketball with his shooting range and off-ball movement. As the face of a dynasty in Golden State, he earned historic extensions that reflected both his impact and loyalty. His contracts symbolize how the modern NBA now prioritizes skill, spacing, and transformative talent.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard James Harden (1) during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $411.4M
Harden’s offensive peak in Houston was one of the most statistically explosive stretches in league history. His ability to control tempo, draw fouls, and score in isolation made him a perennial MVP candidate. Those dominant years translated into massive contracts that cemented his financial legacy in the league.
5. Chris Paul
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) brings the ball up court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $408.1M
Paul has long been considered one of the greatest floor generals in NBA history. His leadership, mid-range mastery, and basketball IQ consistently elevated every team he joined. Even into his late 30s, teams valued his presence enough to keep him among the league’s highest earners.
6. Paul George
Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George (8) looks on after a score against the Milwaukee Bucks during the fourth quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $406.2M
George’s two-way versatility made him one of the most complete wings of his generation. Whether in Indiana, Oklahoma City, or Los Angeles, he has been a consistent All-Star presence. His max-level deals reflect the premium the NBA places on elite perimeter defenders who can also score at all three levels.
7. Kawhi Leonard
Team USA Stripes forward Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers reacts in game three against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $378.7M
Leonard built his career on quiet dominance and postseason excellence. From Finals MVP honors in San Antonio to delivering Toronto its first championship, his résumé speaks volumes. Even with load management and injuries, his championship pedigree secured him massive long-term deals.
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) waits for play to resume against the Portland Trail Blazers in the second quarter at Chase Center. Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $366.1M
Butler’s rise from late first-round pick to franchise leader is one of the league’s best development stories. His relentless competitiveness and playoff heroics elevated Miami into multiple deep postseason runs. Those performances solidified his reputation as a max-contract cornerstone.
9. Damian Lillard
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) competes in the three-point contest during All Star Saturday Night ahead of the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center. Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $365.3M
Lillard’s loyalty to Portland defined much of his career and led to record-setting extensions. Known for clutch shooting and fearless range, he became one of the league’s most respected leaders. His earning total reflects both individual brilliance and the financial power of long-term franchise commitment.
10. Anthony Davis
Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts after being fouled against the Sacramento Kings in the first quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Career Earnings: $364.4M
Davis has consistently been one of the NBA’s most dominant two-way big men. His defensive versatility and inside scoring helped deliver a championship in Los Angeles. When healthy, he’s a franchise-altering force, and his contracts have reflected that elite impact.
Conclusion
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) following the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Ultimately, the highest career earners in NBA history represent the intersection of talent, timing, and transformation within the league. Their earnings are a testament to sustained excellence and the NBA’s unprecedented financial growth. As the salary cap continues to rise, this list will evolve — but it will always be anchored by the legends who set the financial standard.
⚠️Drama at Madrid, Bellingham could be facing a more serious injury
According to sources close to Real Madrid, the Englishman could be out for around six to eight weeks, instead of four.
There doesn’t seem to be good news for Real Madrid regarding Jude Bellingham. Initially, his injury was expected to require a four-week recovery, but it appears that won’t be the case.
As reported by The Athletic, the player is said to have told a source close to the club that his time out could be between six and eight weeks.
If confirmed, this situation would mean the Englishman would be out of action for nearly two months and would miss the crucial stretch of the season.
This is also a situation that will be closely monitored in England ahead of the World Cup, as Tuchel will be keeping a close eye on Bellingham’s recovery, and it may be some time before we see him back on the pitch.
KALYANI: Sudip Gharami, who fell short of a triple ton by the slenderest of margins in the Ranji Trophy quarters, brought forth his best game again on Sunday. Against Jammu and Kashmir, in the opening day of the semifinal clash, he stood tall to take the hosts to a position of strength after Bengal were invited to bat. The visitors roared back late by picking up the wicket of Shahbaz Ahmed on the penultimate ball of the day at the Bengal Cricket Academy (BCA) ground.
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J&K got an early breakthrough when left-arm pacer Sunil Kumar got opener Sudip Chatterjee caught in the slips in the second over. But Gharami continued from where he left against Andhra in the quarter-final at this same venue last week when he got his career-best 299. The 26-year-old faced 227 deliveries to stay undefeated on 136 as Bengal went to stumps at 249 for five.
The first hour proved to be challenging for the Bengal batters as both opener Abhimanyu Easwaran and Gharami looked tentative against some precision bowling by the J&K pacers. Gharami survived two DRS calls, Easwaran a caught behind appeal. But the two gradually grew in confidence. Bengal went to lunch at 80 for one.
J&K hit back when star pacer Auqib Nabi bowled Easwaran in the second over after the break and had Suraj Sindhu Jaiswal caught behind to reduce Bengal to 89/3. Naib looked dangerous in his second spell after change of ends to pick two wickets. Shahbaz kept Gharami company, who reached his third ton this Ranji season in 144 balls with 15 fours and one six. J&K allowed Bengal to consolidate when wicketkeeper Kanhaiya Wadhawan dropped a regulation catch off Shahbaz.
Brief scores: Bengal 249/5 (S Gharami batting 136, A Easwaran 49, Shahbaz 42; Nabi 2-48, Sunil Kumar 2-31) vs J&K.
Maghnes Akliouche, Ansu Fati, and Lamine Camara doubts as Monaco prepare to face PSG in Champions League
AS Monaco have three fresh injury concerns as they prepare to host Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night.
Maghnes Akliouche was forced off with a hip injury during the 3-1 win over FC Nantes on Friday night. Speaking post-match, Sébastien Pocognoli said that there was concern regarding the France international. Lamine Camara also came off during that win with an ankle injury.
Speaking at Monday’s press conference attended by Get French Football News, Pocognoli confirmed that both players were doubtful to face PSG on Tuesday. There is another concern in the form of Ansu Fati, who has a quadriceps injury, the Monaco manager confirmed. There will be further tests on all three players ahead of the game.
There are no returnees for the Principality club either. Christian Mawissa is nearing a return and has been training with his teammates, but the club are cautious and will not rush him back. His absence against PSG has been confirmed.
Still in his teens, the La Masia graduate has already established himself as a regular in the first team, showing maturity well beyond his age.
In a recent interview with French outlet L’Equipe, as relayed by MARCA, the defender opened up about his debut under former manager Xavi Hernandez, his life away from the pitch, and his bond with teammate Lamine Yamal.
Cubarsi made his official debut for the senior side in January 2024, just four days before turning 17.
It was a special moment for the youngster, who had grown through the ranks at La Masia and suddenly found himself playing with some of the biggest names in world football.
Reflecting on that early breakthrough, he spoke about a memorable moment in the dressing room involving Xavi and Robert Lewandowski.
“The day after my debut as a starter in LaLiga against Betis, Xavi congratulated me and wished me a happy birthday in front of everyone.
“Robert Lewandowski came up to me and said, ‘Are you really 17?’. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Maybe I still looked like a kid,” he recalled.
Life away from football
Away from the pressure of elite football, Cubarsi remains closely connected to his roots. The defender explained that he still enjoys returning to his family home, where life is far removed from the spotlight of Camp Nou.
Speaking about the peaceful environment he grew up in, he described the simple joys that help him disconnect from football.
“At my parents’ house, there are sheep, two dogs, chickens, ducks.
“The sheep graze on the lawn, and we eat the delicious fresh eggs laid by our chickens. When I go back, I completely disconnect,” he said.
Growing up with Yamal
Pau Cubarsi has grown from strength to strength. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Another important part of his journey has been growing alongside Lamine Yamal, with whom he shares a long history in Barcelona’s youth teams.
Both players rose through La Masia at a similar time and now represent the club’s future.
Cubarsi admitted that playing with Yamal has always felt natural, even from a young age.
“Lamine and I have practically the same professional career. He progressed even faster.
“It’s very easy to play with him. You give him the ball and he decides the game. Since he was a child, he has had that gift for deciding the game.
“Once, in training, during a one-on-one, he dribbled past me.I slipped and ended up on the ground. He teased me about it all week afterwards.
“But what he doesn’t mention is that he shot… at me! (smiles). As long as it doesn’t end up in a goal, for a defender, it’s fine,” he remembered.
Being teased
The youngster also shared a lighter moment from his first year in the senior side.
During a match against Red Star in 2024, he suffered a facial cut and had to wear protective gear in the following game.
The unusual look became a source of jokes inside the dressing room.
“In order to play against Real Sociedad a few days later, I had to wear a protective helmet that made me look like a McDonald’s employee.
“My teammates called me the McDonald’s waiter,” he noted.
Ramadan starts this week and play will be paused briefly during certain games [Getty Images]
The Premier League and English Football League will resume their procedures for Ramadan, with matches pausing briefly to allow Muslim players to break their fast.
Ramadan starts this week and will last for a month. During the this time, Muslims abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset.
With sunset in the UK ranging from about 17:00 to 19:00 GMT during this period, the only games that could see a break in play will be Saturday's 17:30 kick-off and Sunday's 16:30 kick-off.
As has been the case in previous years, club captains alongside match officials will find a natural pause in the game to allow Muslim players or match officials to break their fast.
Teams and match officials will discuss beforehand whether a pause is required and an approximate time for the stoppage will be agreed.
Play will not stop while matches are in mid-flow but at the earliest convenient moment during a goal-kick, free-kick or throw-in.
Everton players break their fast during a Premier League match against Newcastle in 2024 [Getty Images]
In 2021, an agreement was put in place to allow Muslim players to break their fast during a Premier League match.
This first break took place in a game between Leicester City and Crystal Palace in April 2021. The match was paused at a goal-kick around the half-hour mark to allow Leicester's Wesley Fofana and Palace's Cheikhou Kouyate to replenish themselves with liquids and energy gels.
One of the five pillars of Islam is that during Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours to show their devotion to their religion.
Muslim names in the Premier League include Mohamed Salah, William Saliba, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Amad Diallo among others.
"I fast every day, I don't miss any day. It has become normal and very easy for me. Training is still the same during Ramadan but when we go [for away matches], we might need to eat later than the others so the chef prepares food for us, making sure everything is in place as at home. We get halal food so there are no problems," Doucoure added.
And in 2022, former Liverpool player Sadio Mane revealed the club altered their training schedules to support their Muslim players during the month of Ramadan.
If the Indianapolis Colts are going to address the cornerback position in free agency, who are the best available options?
The Colts' cornerback position dealt with numerous injuries last season, but this is a unit that GM Chris Ballard has invested very heavily in and one that could be a strength of this team in 2026.
Since last offseason, we've seen Ballard sign Charvarius Ward in free agency, use a third-round pick on Justin Walley, and then trade for Sauce Gardner. Kenny Moore is also under contract as well.
With that said, there does seem to be some uncertainty around Ward's NFL future after he suffered three concussions last season. But Walley, Jaylon Jones, Mekhi Blackmon, Cameron Mitchell, and Johnathan Edwards remain on the roster.
Given the resources already invested in the cornerback position, if an addition is made here, I don't know how big a swing Ballard takes. But if he's going to remain aggressive, here are the best available free agent options with help from PFF's big board.
The 2026 Winter Olympics medal count standings are taking shape as we enter the final week of the Milan-Cortina Games, with Norway beginning to pull away with the top spot.
Team Norway has a whopping 26 total medals, including an Olympic-high 12 gold, seven silver, and seven bronze.
Host nation Italy sits in the second spot with 22 medals (8 gold, 4 silver, 10 bronze), while the United States and Japan are tied with 17 medals apiece. However, Team USA has the edge in gold medals, five to three.
Unfortunately, the United States failed to medal on Sunday, but there is an opportunity to add to the medal count on Monday, with pairs figure skating duo Ellie Kam and Danny O’Shea going for gold in the free skate.
Feb 15, 2026; Milan, Italy; Danny O’Shea and Ellie Kam of the United States compete in the pairs skating short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
We will also see whether the Team USA women’s hockey team can punch its ticket to the gold medal game when it faces Sweden in the semifinal.
A full look at the latest Winter Olympics medal count can be seen below.
2026 Winter Olympics Medal Count entering Monday, February 16
Feb 11, 2026; Livigno, Italy; A detail view of the gold medal of Elizabeth Lemley of the United States during the medal ceremony for freestyle skiing women’s moguls final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Livigno Aerials & Moguls Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Hearts have "big problems" at the moment, according to former midfielder Michael Stewart, as they struggle with injuries and new signings failing to hit the ground running.
Cammy Devlin, the tenacious midfielder who was enjoying a fine season, is out until the end of February while Lawrence Shankland, captain and top scorer, faces a similar spell on the sidelines.
Without them, Hearts have won just two of their last five in the league and their lead at the top of the table has been cut to just two points.
"Hearts are missing a few players, it's causing them big problems," Stewart said.
"Their signings... I'm not sure about some of the guys that Hearts have brought in. They needed them to come and hit the ground running, and it's definitely not happened.
"[Islam] Chesnokov is one that we've spoken about a lot. He's played a couple of games now, and I've not seen him take a full-back on once yet. Ageu's been in since the summer, he's had injury problems.
"Hearts are a team that have intensity in their play, in regards to physicality, and they've got a real threat at the top of the park. I'm not sure that I'm seeing it with those guys."
Up top, Shankland has been replaced by Pierre Landry Kabore - a summer arrival - and while he scored two against Dundee United, he has struggled to fill the captain's shoes.
"Kabore doesn't look like a real threat up top when Shankland's missing. [Jordi] Altena's come in with a lot of hype, a highly-regarded fullback. Not sure that the manager's convinced about him.
"I can understand why he's wanting to have the sort of more physical presence in there. But then he came on [against Rangers] to play a bit higher up and, again, he never took anyone on."
In the past five games, Hearts have fielded Harry Milne, Oisin McEntee and Chesnokov on the right flank. Milne has mainly featured at left-back this season, with McEntee floating between right-back and central midfield.
"Right-midfield has been a problem position for Hearts all season long, and I'm not sure that they've solved it yet. And without Shankland, centre forward is an issue."
The Senegalese coach is set for a fresh start in Algeria.
Lamine Ndiaye takes the helm at USM Alger
Lamine Ndiaye is set to take charge of USM Alger. The Senegalese tactician and the Algerian giants have reached an agreement.
Just two weeks after leaving TP Mazembe, Lamine Ndiaye is already making headlines with a swift return to management. According to information from Compétition, Ndiaye is expected in Algiers this Thursday to sign a contract and succeed Abdelhak Benchikha at USM.
Both parties have agreed on all terms of the deal. Some sources mention a six-month contract with an option for extension.
At 69 years old, the Senegalese coach is a true connoisseur of African football. A former Senegal national team manager, he has led TP Mazembe twice (2010-2013 and 2023-2026).
A massive challenge awaits Lamine Ndiaye in Algeria. The club, currently sitting 8th in the Algerian Ligue 1, is primarily focused on preparing for the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals.
Inter President Marotta hits back at Juventus and ‘inexperienced’ Chiellini
Inter President Beppe Marotta feels Alessandro Bastoni has been subject to ‘excessive media exposure’ and hits back at Juventus, saying that a ‘clear simulation’ of Juan Cuadrado in 2021 allowed the Bianconeri to beat the Nerazzurri and qualify for the Champions League.
The controversy surrounding Inter-Juventus and a red card shown to Pierre Kalulu on Saturday is far from over.
Inter President Marotta spoke to reporters on Monday ahead of a Lega Serie A meeting in Milan, saying (via Calciomercato.com): “I’m here because we have fought against excessive media exposure, a public shaming of Bastoni that goes beyond what actually happened. A young man who represents an asset for our national team, it is unfair to put his participation in doubt.
“Who doesn’t make mistakes? Since the 1950s, there have been players, no names mentioned, famous for actions like this. We are facing, in my view, an ordinary event, not an extraordinary one. Reprehensible, but also due to other circumstances, such as the wide arm,” Marotta continued.
Marotta recalls referee mistake that qualified Juventus for Champions League
epa09202476 Juventus’ Juan Cuadrado (R) scores the 2-1 lead during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus FC and Inter Milan in Turin, Italy, 15 May 2021. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
“Last season, we lost the Scudetto by one point, and there was a confirmed error in Inter-Roma, but we didn’t protest. This season, Inter have only intervened once, after Napoli-Inter, where a penalty kick, later deemed unfair, had been given.”
“If we talk about simulations, I want to remember Juventus-Inter in 2021 and a penalty given despite a clear simulation from Cuadrado with Calvarese as a referee,” he said.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta Chairman of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“Afterwards, both the referee and the technical bodies confirmed it had been an obvious simulation, and with that win, Juventus qualified for the Champions League, which is worth €60-70m.”
Marotta admitted that Bastoni’s simulation against Juventus was against the principles of fair play, and also called for stronger sanctions.
“We need to take responsibility: AIA, clubs and FIGC, all institutions,” he added.
Marotta on Chiellini and Bastoni
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Former Juventus player Giorgio Chiellini looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We need to engage in a broad and calm discussion, toughening disciplinary penalties, especially financial ones. Too often, things go beyond the line, and that is unacceptable. Bastoni’s gesture does not align with the principles of fair play. Repression is not part of my approach. Prevention, however, is possiblethrough dialogue. There is often a lack of knowledge of the rules, which players in particular should be familiar with.”
Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini was particularly critical of the officiating as he and Damien Comolli showed up in front of the media after the match on Saturday night, while coach Luciano Spalletti remained silent.
Marotta had greeted Chiellini at San Siro, but didn’t seem impressed by the ex-defender’s claims.
“It was the least I could do as he was one of my players,” he concluded, via Gazzetta.
“Today, he’s a young and inexperienced director, but I do not dare give him suggestions.”
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo argues a call during the first half of their game against Wisconsin Friday, February 13, 2026 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisconsin. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Michigan State is coming off an embarrassing showing in Madison as the Badgers absolutely dominated every aspect of the game.
This week, MSU is back home to take on the Bruins, Feb 17 at 8:30pm on Peacock.
UCLA Overview
Valentine’s Day had no love for the Bruins as they were manhandled by 30 points in Ann Arbor. The Bruins shot only 38% from the field, 50% from free throw and 29% from behind the arc. That is some pretty abysmal shooting, especially against a Wolverine team shooting 62%.
UCLA actually started the season ranked number 12 and had a decent start to the season with a loss to Arizona by only four points. UCLA has yet to win a game this season against a ranked opponent. The Achilles heel for the Bruins has been field goal percentage. They have been in most games and play relatively well defensively but when they are cold, they are very cold. The Bruins also give up more second half points. If you can stay close in the first half, you have a shot at overtaking them in the second. The Bruins have a lot of experience in the starting five and matches up size wise pretty evenly against the Spartans. UCLA does not have a prolific passer
UCLA Rotation
The Bruins’ likely starters are:
#2 6-2 SR G – Donovan Dent. 13.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 7 apg, 41.3% FG, 18.6% 3FG, New Mexico transfer
#00 6-4 SO G – Trent Perry. 12.7 ppg, 46.2% FG, 44.7% 3FG
#3 6-8 JR F/G – Eric Dailey Jr. 11 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 46.5% FG, 26.2% 3FG, Oklahoma State transfer
#34 6-9 SR F – Tyler Bilodeau. 17.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 51.4% FG, 45.2% 3FG, Oregon State transfer
#1 6-11 JR F/C – Xavier Booker. 7.2 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 55.3% FG, 41.5% 3FG, Michigan State Transfer.
Bilodeau is the main scoring threat and takes control of the offense.
Two players generally provide help off the bench:
#4 6-5 SR 5th Yr G – Jamar Brown. 5.0 ppg, 46.3% FG, 36.7% 3FG
#55 6-3 SR G – Skyy Clark. 13.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 47.5% FG, 49.3% 3FG
Perry was the hottest hand in Ann Arbor as he had 14 on 5/9 shooting. Clark has also been known to start some but is slowly coming back from a hamstring injury. Perry has played well recently we will likely see him starting.
UCLA Coaching
Mick Cronin is in his 7th season as the Bruins’ head coach. He spent 13 years at the helm in Cincinnati prior to heading to Westwood. He took the Bruins to the Final Four in his second year and is a two time Pac 12 Coach of the Year winner.
Cronin has been vocal this year about B1G scheduling and has been unhappy with the travel. He also laid into his team after the pounding in Ann Arbor and cited changes. What those changes are and their significance has to do with lineup changes. Cronin has been unhappy with the selfishness and poor effort. He’s searching for a lineup that plays for the program, not individual stats. This shift could turn the season around or really send it into the depths and it all starts in East Lansing. Cronin did sign a 5 year extension last May so he’s going to be there through 2030 so the players are going to need to get on board.
Scouting UCLA
What will be the most interesting thing to watch is how this Bruin team responds after Cronin’s comments. There could be an entirely different starting lineup which does make it hard to plan for. This Bruin team thus far does not pass the ball around much. Lots of individual isolation moments which explains the selfishness Cronin has mentioned. Dent leads the team in assist per game at 7 and the next closest is 2.5 from Perry and the rest of the team is under that. UCLA has played well against ranked opponents this year, not counting the last one, and with MSU’s recent issues this game feels like it could be ugly if both teams are throwing up bricks.
This also marks the return of Xavier Booker. The frustrating former Spartan who has always seemed to have all the potential but never seemed to put it all together. I know there were those of us who just figured classic Spartan luck would see him balling out as a Bruin. This has not been the case. He’s averaging 20 minutes and really should be rebounding more. This UCLA team could use more rebounding and paint play but Booker has been the same player we know all too well. It will be interesting to see the reaction of the Izzone and Izzo himself.
Keys to the Game for MSU
MSU needs to right a lot of wrong from the past two weeks. One of those is just simply shooting better. MSU was burned behind the arc and the Badgers hot start from there and the 8-0 run when Cooper went down just finished the Spartans off. They will need to defend the perimeter better and the paint. Those two areas were very lopsided against Wisconsin. The Spartans faced a hot shooting team but defensively they have to get in the face more and limit production.
Offensively, the Spartans are in similar shape as years past. They struggle in FG percentage and specifically, from behind the arc. If the Spartans are cold, it’s relatively difficult for them to win. If they at least have someone hitting, and they rebound and play perimeter defense, they can pull out victories. It is a big game for both teams trying to either reinvent or solidify an identity. MSU needs this one and they need to do it convincingly.
What are your thoughts TOC nation? Do you like our chances or are we in for another rough one? Let us know in the comments and be on the lookout for Tuesday’s Game Thread.
Collin Morikawa finally won another PGA Tour event at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am last weekend.
The 29-year-old produced a 10-under-par 62 on Saturday, probably the best round of his entire career, to enter the fray.
He then sealed the deal with a five-under-par 67 on Sunday to beat Min Woo Lee and Sepp Straka by one stroke.
In his press conference after the tournament, Morikawa was particularly pleased with one shot in the final round, which demonstrated great “artistry.”
Collin Morikawa’s best shot at Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Collin Morikawa has previously explained how he fell out of love with golf over the last few years.
He was desperate to return to his child-like approach of enjoying hitting creative shots rather than plotting his way around the course.
“With more and more technology, it’s great to advance and then figure out what you need to do better and how to perfect certain things, how to hit great shots,” Morikawa said after the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
“But there’s an art, and we’re artists at heart. As I said, I’ve gone away from that a little bit. It’s funny, I watched my shot yesterday after we played on 17, and the announcer or whoever’s talking said, ‘Oh, man, I’m hitting a draw.’
“It’s like, I still know how to hit these shots. I play golf, and we hit some shots. I just like to play the fade more often than not because I know most of the time what it’s going to do. So for me, being able to picture those shots and seeing the curvature, how the wind’s going to affect it.”
He hit his 9-iron approach shot from 111 yards out to less than six feet, which he converted into an outstanding birdie.
“Today, the best shot I think I hit was probably on 7,” Morikawa claimed. “I’ve stood on that tee when it’s been really windy, and you start thinking about numbers, you start thinking about is 9-iron enough, is it 8-iron, is it a wedge? I just took out a 9-iron. I looked at Mark, and we kind of nodded our heads.
“It’s all feel, and that’s that artistry, I think that a lot of people lose maybe over time. You definitely have that as a kid, and it’s how do you get that back? This week was really, really big for pulling that out.”
Collin Morikawa moves up to No. 5 in OWGR
Former world number one Collin Morikawa had fallen to 19th in the Official World Golf Ranking before the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
With his victory in the first Signature Event of the season, he has now climbed up to fifth in the OWGR.
Morikawa is close behind Justin Rose (4th) and Tommy Fleetwood (3rd), with a significant gap to Rory McIlroy (2nd).
Skier Eileen Gu slammed the International Ski and Snowboard Federation after her request for additional practice time was denied
Gu, who is the only athlete competing in slopestyle, halfpipe and big air, said she "asked for fair options" to give her practice time "to no avail"
Gu called the overlap "a totally avoidable issue" and said she's "saddened by the hardline stance FIS has chosen to take"
Skier Eileen Gu called out the Olympics for a "totally avoidable issue" regarding scheduling.
The 22-year-old representing Team China — who is the only athlete competing in slopestyle, halfpipe and big air — penned a lengthy post on Sunday, Feb. 15 after she qualified for the upcoming big air final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, telling fans she will be forced to miss "an entire day of pipe training" after the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) denied her request for additional practice time.
"Unfortunately, @fisparkandpipe has scheduled big air finals and pipe training with 100% overlap, which means I’ll now be missing an entire day of pipe training," Gu wrote. "I have asked for fair options like joining one training with the snowboarders, or getting even one hour alone to train, but to no avail."
Eileen Gu on Feb. 9, 2026 in Livigno, Italy
Hannah Peters/Getty
Gu continued, "No other woman in the halfpipe field is competing in another event, and for good reason - Halfpipe is different from slope and big air, and demands its own training time accordingly."
The women's freeski big air final begins at 7:30 p.m. local time in Livigno, Italy on Monday. The women's freeski halfpipe qualification round begins on Friday.
The two-time gold medalist called the Olympics "the stage upon which miracles materialize and the impossible ceases to be so right before our very eyes," in the post, adding that the Games "inspire both athletes and sports lovers to dream big and break limits."
Then, she said the FIS' decision not to grant her additional practice time is "disappointing to me because it seems to contradict the spirit of the games."
"Daring to be the only woman to compete in three events should not be penalized - making finals in one event should not disadvantage me in another," Gu wrote, posing the question, "What kind of message does this send to future athletes who love skiing for its essence and want to compete in every event?"
Eileen Gu on Feb. 5, 2026 in Livigno, Italy
Cameron Spencer/2026 Getty
Gu called the overlap "a totally avoidable issue" and said she's "saddened by the hardline stance FIS has chosen to take."
Gu concluded her post telling fans she's "proud of" herself "for being willing to give big air my best shot," and said she's "looking forward to competing tomorrow night under the lights with this incredible field of women."
FIS representative Bruno Sassi told PEOPLE on Feb. 16, "Constructing the Olympic competition program is a complex process requiring extensive cooperation between the IOC and the International Federations representing the thousands of athletes at these Games."
Sassi added, "Every effort has been made to facilitate the best possible training and competition schedule for athletes across the myriad FIS-governed events, but as we have already seen at these Games, for athletes who choose to compete in multiple disciplines and/or multiple events, conflicts can sometimes be inevitable."
After qualifying for the final, Gu told reporters she thinks the scheduling conflict is "really unfair" and "punishing excellence," according to NBC, and added, “I think the Olympics should epitomize aspiration, and I think being able to do something that’s beyond the ordinary should be celebrated instead of punished.”
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.
Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck celebrates with Serhou Guirassy (R) after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund at Volkswagen Arena. David Inderlied/dpa
Borussia Dortmund have defensive woes going into their Champions League first leg play-off against Atalanta as German internationals Nico Schlotterbeck and Niklas Süle are sidelined with injury.
Dortmund said that Schlotterbeck is nursing muscular problems and Süle a thigh muscle injury which rules them out of Tuesday's match.
Emre Can is also not available against the 2024 Europa League winners from Bergamo due to groin problems which could lead to a starting 11 debut for teenager Luca Reggiani.
The good news for Dortmund is that star striker Serhou Guirassy is finbding the net again. He managed only six goals in the first 19 Bundesliga games but has added five in the last three, including a brace in Friday's 4-0 over Mainz.
"We need his goals, they are always important," said coach Niko Kovac, who backed Guirassy throughout his drought. "We he scores it raises the chance to win games."
Dortmund have won their last six Bundesliga matches to rank second. But they have only won one of their last seven continental games against Italian clubs, and lost 2-0 at home against Inter Milan last month.
US' Mikaela Shiffrin in action during the slalom run of the women's team combined event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Mikaela Shiffrin will hope to have found the feeling for the snow when she makes a final attempt at the Milan/Cortina Games to end an Olympic curse of sorts on Wednesday in her pet event, the slalom.
An 11th-place finish in the giant slalom may sound poor by her standard but appeared to have given her plenty of positive feelings because she was close to the podium despite rarely competing in the discipline lately.
The American great has won a record 108 World Cup races, with 71 alone coming in slalom, a discipline where she has already clinched a record ninth World Cup title in another outstanding season.
Jinxed Olympics
Shiffrin won Olympic slalom gold at her Games debut in 2014 and added giant slalom gold and alpine combined silver in 2018.
But she had to settle for fourth in the slalom eight years ago and has now not made the podium in eight straight Olympic races which included skiing out in slalom and giant slalom in 2022 and coming fourth with Breezy Johnson in Cortina in the new team combined.
Johnson led after the downhill portion but Shiffrin then only managed the 15th slalom time, a full second behind the fastest skier - that after winning seven World Cup slaloms and coming second in the other this season.
That won't make things any easier for Wednesday where the pressure on her to deliver will be huge.
That missing feeling
“It's a feeling under the feet ... it's hard to explain," she said after the team combined.
"It comes from a lot of different variables. (Skiing) is a sport of fine margins and this kind of thing happens more often than not in training, where it's like, 'I don't quite feel comfortable'.
"I'm going to have to learn what to do, what to adjust. There's a certain amount of luck when it goes right, but there's also a feeling that I'm going to work, to achieve for the slalom race coming up.”
Giant slalom boost
Sunday's giant slalom may now have served as a turning point in this respect.
Shiffrin has rarely contested the discipline since a heavy crash in late 2024 in discipline which sidelined her for weeks.
She delighted that she still managed to ski within three-tenth off the podium which together with the atmosphere in Cortina gave her a lot of positive feelings.
"To be here now, not far from the fastest women, is huge for me so I'm proud of that," she said.
"It was a beautiful day of racing, really good conditions, and sunny. One of those days you can really enjoy. I was pushing, trying to turn any nervous energy into a sort of intensity."
Shiffrin will now hope to carry this feel-good factor into her main race at the Games.
The NFL offseason doesn't officially start until March 11 but the Ravens' biggest roster question is already staring them in the face. Baltimore is projected to be tight against the salary cap, and unless Lamar Jackson and the team work out an extension that creates breathing room, the front office may be forced into difficult decisions — including the possibility of trading a cornerstone defender like Marlon Humphrey.
Humphrey is entering the final year of his contract and carries a cap hit of roughly $26 million in 2026. A first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Humphrey has been one of the faces of Baltimore's defense for nearly a decade. But his 2025 season was a step back, as opposing quarterbacks targeted him more often and missed tackles occasionally turned into drive-extending plays.
With new head coach Jesse Minter taking over the defense and installing his scheme, Humphrey could be positioned for a bounce-back season in 2026. Still, the Ravens' financial flexibility may ultimately come down to what happens with Jackson's contract — whether Baltimore chooses to restructure it or make a more dramatic move involving one of its most recognizable veterans. Either way, Humphrey's future is suddenly one of the biggest storylines of Baltimore's offseason — and the cap math may decide it.
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Yan Diomande had a chance to join Chelsea before moving to RB Leipzig, but the 19-year-old chose to go in a different direction.
He is one of the brightest young players in Germany at the moment. With Leipzig missing out on Champions League football this season, their attention has shifted solely to the Bundesliga, where the Ivorian winger has been thriving.
So far this season, Diomande has eight goals and three assists from his role out wide. That’s a strong showing for someone still so early in his career.
The former Leganes prospect, who has found success at the Red Bull Arena, shared details of his path to the club, a path that notably included declining an offer from Chelsea.
Yan Diomande’s path from Leganes to RB Leipzig
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Despite Chelsea being one of the world’s biggest clubs, Diomande has no regrets about rejecting them.
His decision to play for Leganes and then move on to Leipzig has given him the chance to grow on the pitch, something he felt might not have happened if he had joined the Blues.
Speaking to Bild, Diomande explained: “A lot of people told me I absolutely had to play for Chelsea. Then I stopped everything and made a decision for myself. I knew the president of Leganes; he had helped with my move to the USA.
“Suddenly, I was faced with a choice: Leganes or Chelsea? It was risky, but luckily, it was the right decision. I think patience is very important in football. It’s not always just about money. If you play well, it will come naturally. I’m young; I need to play to increase my sporting value, to improve. And I wouldn’t get that on the bench.”
Chelsea have their own promising young wingers in Estevao Willian and Geovany Quenda.
The 18-year-old Brazilian recently scored his seventh goal of the season during a 4-0 win over Hull City in the FA Cup.
Chelsea’s interest in Diomande remains despite the club already having young prospects like Estevao, Quenda, Pedro Neto, Jamie Gittens, and Alejandro Garnacho.
Yan Diomande might be a Chelsea player one day
Despite claims last month that Chelsea remains interested in Diomande, securing a deal is not expected to be straightforward.
Other big clubs around Europe are also watching him closely, and the asking price is going to be steep.
Christian Falk reported on CF Bayern Insider that Leipzig have set an £87m price tag for Diomande. That figure has already put off Bayern Munich, and it remains to be seen if Chelsea would consider meeting it.
Every offseason brings speculation, projection models, and plenty of debate — but nothing captures long-range anticipation quite like the way-too-early MVP odds. Before a single snap of the season is played, sportsbooks and analysts are already trying to forecast which superstar will dominate the narrative across the NFL landscape in 2026. These early numbers don’t just reflect talent — they reflect team trajectory, offensive stability, durability, and the ever-important storylines that shape voter perception.
At the front of the conversation are familiar faces who’ve already proven they can carry franchises and command national attention. Josh Allen remains a perennial contender because of his rare blend of physicality and high-volume production. Lamar Jackson continues to redefine quarterback play with explosive dual-threat impact that can reshape games week to week. Meanwhile, Patrick Mahomes is almost permanently positioned in MVP discussions simply because excellence has become routine.
Just behind them sit elite passers still chasing that defining MVP season. Justin Herbert possesses statistical upside that could translate into award recognition if team success follows. And Joe Burrow continues to build a résumé centered on precision, composure, and winning in high-leverage moments.
Of course, “way too early” is the operative phrase. Injuries, breakout stars, coaching changes, and unexpected team surges will inevitably reshape the race. But right now, these odds offer a snapshot of who the football world expects to define the 2026 season — and whose performance could ultimately shape the league’s competitive hierarchy.
Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) warms up before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Odds: +550 Allen’s MVP case always starts with his physical dominance — few quarterbacks can stress defenses as both a power runner and vertical passer the way he does. If his efficiency stabilizes late in the season and turnover swings tighten up, he becomes incredibly hard to beat in voting. A top seed paired with highlight-reel production would make him the clear betting favorite.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Odds: +650 Jackson’s ceiling is still unmatched when his rushing explosiveness and passing rhythm peak at the same time. Voters tend to reward his dual-threat dominance when his offense is built around his improvisational strengths. Another season where he controls tempo and stays healthy deep into January would put him squarely in the MVP spotlight again.
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Odds: +1000 Mahomes is almost permanently in the MVP conversation because of how consistently he elevates his offense regardless of surrounding personnel. If his statistical output rebounds into league-leading territory while maintaining elite situational play, the narrative momentum quickly returns. He’s the classic “never count him out” candidate when big moments pile up.
Justin Herbert
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) participates in pregame warmups against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Odds: +1000 Herbert’s MVP path hinges on translating elite arm talent into sustained team success over a full season. When his deep passing and high-volume production align with efficient red-zone execution, his numbers look historic. A breakout year in the win column could finally convert his statistical brilliance into major award recognition.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) leaves the field after a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Odds: +1000 Burrow’s candidacy thrives on precision, timing, and leadership in high-leverage moments. When his offense operates at peak efficiency and he controls games late, voters tend to gravitate toward his poised style. If he combines elite passing totals with another deep playoff push narrative, his MVP momentum can surge quickly.
Conclusion
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Early MVP odds are less prediction and more temperature check — a reflection of reputation, momentum, and projected opportunity. They highlight who the league believes will matter most before the season even begins. And while the eventual winner often emerges from unexpected circumstances, these early favorites set the stage for the narratives, rivalries, and performances that will define the 2026 MVP race.
NEW DELHI: India crushed Pakistan by 61 runs to secure a place in the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday. Ishan Kishan starred with a brilliant 77, helping India reach 175/7, before the bowlers dismissed Pakistan for just 114 in 18 overs.
After qualifying, India captain Suryakumar Yadav praised his team and said, "I think this is for India," adding, "Batting first was (the) better option on this wicket."
He also praised Kishan’s knock, saying, "Ishan thought outside the box. After we were 0-1, someone had to take responsibility and the way he took it was amazing."
With the win, India have qualified for the Super 8s.
Their schedule in the next round includes matches against South Africa, one of Zimbabwe or Australia, and West Indies, as they continue their title defence.
India's matches in Super 8s of T20 World Cup 2026
IND vs SA (Feb 22, Ahmedabad)
IND vs ZIM/AUS (Feb 26, Chennai)
IND vs WI (Mar 1, Kolkata)
However, before beginning their journey in the Super 8s, Team India will play against Netherlands in their final group-stage game on Wednesday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
On Sunday, Pakistan’s chase fell apart quickly. They lost three wickets in the first two overs, including captain Salman Agha and opener Sahibzada Farhan.
When Babar Azam was bowled for five, Pakistan were in deep trouble. Usman Khan tried to fight back with 44, but once he was stumped, the rest of the batting collapsed.
Earlier in the match, the two captains again avoided shaking hands at the toss, continuing a pattern seen in the Asia Cup last year.
Kishan played fearlessly, scoring his fifty in just 27 balls and attacking the bowlers all around the ground. His innings gave India a strong base, and the bowlers made sure Pakistan never came close in the chase.
If the Jacksonville Jaguars choose to address the cornerback position in free agency, who are the best available free agent options for them?
This is a position that may be one of the more pressing needs that the Jaguars have this offseason.
Still under contract are Jourdan Lewis, Jarrian Jones, and Travis Hunter, who will reportedly be a full-time cornerback in 2026, but with Montaric Brown and Greg Newsome set to be free agents, that starting outside cornerback role opposite of Hunter is open at the moment.
Perhaps there isn't much mystery to who will end up filling that role. According to the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe, it's "expected" that at least one of Brown and/or Newsome won't return. If the Jaguars are deciding between Brown and Newsome, the choice seems to be clear.
However, even if Brown or Newsome are back, the depth at cornerback could still be added to -- although, admittedly, in this instance, the Jaguars likely won't be breaking the salary cap bank to do so. The draft, where Jacksonville has 11 picks, could be the better alternative as well.
But if the Jaguars choose to go in a different direction at cornerback or Gladstone again surprises us, as he's often done as the Jaguars' GM, here are the best available free agent options with help from PFF's big board.
Dortmund add young trio to Champions League squad after injury shock
Borussia Dortmund are in problems at the back heading into the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Atalanta on Tuesday, with Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, Emre Can and Filippo Mane all sidelined through injury.
According to Ruhr Nachrichten, the Black and Yellows have responded to the injury crisis by adding three young players to their squad via the B list.
Luca Reggiani, who came on for Süle at half-time in Friday's 4-0 Bundesliga win over Mainz, has reportedly been included in the squad alongside fellow defender Elias Benkara and midfielder Danylo Krevsun.
Tuesday's clash between BVB and Atalanta at Signal Iduna Park kicks off at 21:00 CET.
Semenyo, Endrick, and the January signings that have hit the ground running
The January transfer window provides clubs with a chance to strengthen mid-season, and several winter window signings already look fine business.
Here are five January signings that have hit the ground running.
Antoine Semenyo - Manchester City
Antoine Semenyo's superb start at Bournemouth indicated the winger was ready for the next step, but few could have envisioned the ease at which he has slotted into the Manchester City side.
Semenyo scored and assisted on debut in theFA Cup thrashing of Exeter City last month and has continued to shine as part of the club's new-look frontline.
He's scored five times and added two assists in just nine appearances for the Citizens and certainly looks the part in Sky Blue.
Endrick - Lyon
Endrick badly needed a loan in January. The 19-year-old was afforded just 12 minutes ofLa Liga football over the first half of the campaign, before heading to France in search of minutes. Lyon loaned in the forward, who is thriving in Ligue 1.
Endrick marked his debut with a goal against Lille, before netting a hat-trick in a 5-2 thrashing of Metz.
He's joined a Lyon side who are on a formidable run of 13 wins in a row in all competitions and was named Ligue 1's Player of the Month for January.
He's back in the frame for the Brazil squad for this summer's World Cup.
Ademola Lookman - Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid made a move for Ademola Lookman in January, agreeing a deal to sign the winger from Atalanta for just north of £30m. The Nigerian has quickly made that fee look like a bargain with an electric start for the Rojiblancos.
He's scored twice and provided two assists in just three appearances, and was a standout asAtletico thrashed Barcelona 4-0 in the Copa del Rey earlier this month.
Atletico have a rich history when it comes to forwards and Lookman is aiming to write his own chapter.
Donyell Malen - AS Roma
Donyell Malen's time atAston Villa was a curious case. Parachuted in last January, he was afforded just seven league starts in his 12 months at the club.
Despite that, Malen scored sevenPremier League goals across those limited minutes in a hint of what was to come in Rome.
The Dutchman has made an immediate impact with five goals in fiveSerie A games. Trusted as the club's focal point under Gian Piero Gasperini, his form has helped Roma's bid for Champions League qualification.
It looks likely that the capital club will activate the €25m purchase option in his loan.
Taty Castellanos - West Ham
West Ham's striker curse has been well documented, with the Hammers having trouble finding the right man to lead the line. Taty Castellanos came in from Lazio in January, with some dubious given a modest goal record in Italy.
The Argentine has scored just twice in eight appearances for West Ham, but his profile has provided Nuno Espirito Santo with a badly needed target.
West Ham have won three times in six games with Castellanos in the side, as many wins as in their previous 20 games.
“Not favourable” – Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann delivers Marc-Andre ter Stegen verdict ahead of World Cup
It has been a miserable season for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who has made only three appearances for Barcelona and Girona. The 33-year-old missed almost the entire first half of the season as he was recovery from back surgery, and after moving to Montilivi, he featured twice before tearing his hamstring.
There is little chance of ter Stegen returning to action before April, which means he would have a matter of weeks to get himself up to speed ahead of this summer’s World Cup. He has hopes of being Germany’s starter at a major tournament for the very first time, although his injury woes have left these in tatters.
Recent comments by Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann have appeared to back this up. As per Sempre Barca, he has admitted that ter Stegen’s current situation makes it difficult for him to be called up for the World Cup.
“There are three things to consider regarding the goalkeeper position. It’s a tragic injury (for ter Stegen), which I deeply regret. I will never rule him out completely because it is his turn. We have to make the right decision for him and for us. And at the moment, the situation is not favourable.”
Image via Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
2026 World Cup could be ter Stegen’s last
Given that he is 33 years of age, ter Stegen will not have too many years left in football – especially consider his recent injury woes. This summer’s World Cup would have been the perfect time for him to be a starter for Germany at a major tournament, and at this stage, it appears that it will pass him by.
Germany have a number of talented younger goalkeepers rising through the ranks, such as Bayern Munich’s Jonas Urbig and Freiburg’s Noah Atubolu. Both will fancy their chances of ousting ter Stegen in the coming years, and especially before the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
Ben White was substituted during Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Wigan after appearing to sustain an injury, prompting concern among supporters. The defender completed 79 minutes before being withdrawn, raising immediate questions about his fitness at a crucial stage of the season.
White has been an influential figure for the Gunners in recent weeks, enjoying substantial playing time and delivering consistent performances. Despite the depth within Arsenal’s squad, his importance to the team remains significant. His versatility and reliability have made him a valuable asset across competitions, and the coaching staff would undoubtedly prefer to have him available as they navigate a demanding schedule.
Concerns During FA Cup Victory
When White limped off the pitch, both fans and members of the coaching team would have feared that he had added his name to an already growing injury list. Arsenal have faced several fitness setbacks in recent months, and any additional absence could have disrupted their rhythm across domestic and cup competitions.
At this stage of the campaign, maintaining squad stability is essential. White’s presence has contributed to the team’s defensive organisation and overall balance, and his potential unavailability would have represented a significant concern.
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Positive Update on His Condition
However, there appears to be encouraging news regarding his situation. According to Football Insider, the defender has confirmed that he is fine. This update suggests that he has not sustained an injury serious enough to keep him sidelined.
As a result, there is optimism that White will be available for selection in Arsenal’s next fixture. Such reassurance will come as a relief to supporters and teammates alike, particularly given the intensity of the upcoming schedule. Avoiding another injury setback could prove crucial as Arsenal continue their pursuit of success across multiple competitions.
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LUCKNOW: Barely an hour into the Ranji Trophy semifinal here on Sunday, Uttarakhand captain Kunal Chandela’s decision to bowl first seemed questionable. There was some seam movement and occasional uneven bounce early on, but little else to justify inserting a batting powerhouse like Karnataka on a largely placid surface — particularly with a spin-heavy attack.
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Two of Karnataka’s most elegant strokemakers — KL Rahul (141; 211b; 11x4; 5x6) and skipper Devdutt Padikkal (148 batting; 236b; 16x4, 2x6) — produced commanding centuries to power their side to 355/2 in 90 overs.
Karnataka began cautiously. Uttarakhand struck in the ninth over when Mayank Agarwal (5), attempting to drive a back of length delivery from Aditya Rawat (2/73), edged to Prashant Chopra at second slip. It proved to be the only breakthrough for the visitors across two sessions.
From that point, Rahul and Padikkal stitched together a commanding 278-run partnership for the second wicket — a stand defined by control and classical stroke play. In the near-empty expanse of the Ekana Cricket Stadium, the sound of bat meeting ball — crisp cuts, flowing drives and authoritative pulls — echoed through the day.
Padikkal signalled his intent early, opening his account with a backfoot cut off Aditya to the boundary. A typically assured Rahul was a delight to watch. He drove fluently against the pacers and used his feet confidently against the spinners, rarely allowing the bowlers to settle. His fifty came off 86 deliveries, brought up with a square cut off Aditya.
There were fleeting opportunities for Uttarakhand. Rahul, on 47, offered a chance when he advanced down the track, only for wicketkeeper Saurabh Rawat to miss a stumping. Later, when Rahul was on 136, a half-chance catch went begging.
Rahul reached his 25th first class century off 153 balls, continuing his rich vein of form following a match-winning 130 against Mumbai in the quarterfinal. Left-arm spinner Mayank Mishra, Uttarakhand’s leading wicket-taker this season, was introduced in the 18th over but found little assistance from the surface and struggled to contain the flow of runs.
At the other end, Padikkal matched his senior partner stroke for stroke. His half-century came briskly off 65 deliveries. The landmark moment of his innings arrived when he launched former Karnataka teammate J Suchith for a one-handed six over long-on to bring up his hundred.
Aditya eventually broke the stand when Rahul closed the face of the bat a touch early and offered a leading edge back to the bowler. It was, however, only a momentary respite for Uttarakhand.
With Karnataka’s depth, the run feast continued. Karun Nair (37 batting) joined Padikkal and seamlessly carried the momentum forward. Karun marked the team’s 300 with a deft glance to fine leg for four.
By the close of play, Uttarakhand’s bold decision had backfired as Karnataka, powered by two masterful centuries, had turned the contest into a test of endurance for the semifinals debutants, with the promise of more to come.
In the NBA, star power isn’t just a luxury — it’s a signal of stability, identity and sustained excellence. One of the clearest ways to measure that consistency is by tracking consecutive seasons with at least one player selected to the NBA All-Star Game. While a single All-Star appearance can reflect a breakout season or an extraordinary individual performance, long active streaks tell a much deeper story about organization direction, roster construction and competitive relevance over time.
Teams that maintain extended All-Star streaks rarely do so by accident. These runs often emerge from a combination of smart drafting, effective player development and the ability to either retain or attract elite talent. In many cases, they also reflect continuity — stable coaching systems, clearly defined roles and front offices that prioritize long-term contention over short-term fluctuation. Sustained All-Star representation can also shape perception across the league, reinforcing a franchise’s reputation as a destination for high-level players and meaningful competition.
At the same time, these streaks reveal the shifting landscape of the league itself. Some franchises extend long-standing traditions of excellence, while others represent newer waves of ascendance powered by emerging superstars. Rebuilding teams may appear briefly before dropping off, while contenders often sustain visibility year after year. Ranking teams by active All-Star streaks offers a snapshot not just of individual recognition, but of which organizations have successfully positioned themselves to matter — consistently — in one of the most competitive talent environments in professional sports.
1. Boston Celtics
Team USA Stripes forward Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics shoots against Team USA Stars guard Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
11 years Boston’s streak reflects a franchise that rarely dips out of elite relevance. Over the past decade-plus, they’ve consistently developed or acquired star-level talent capable of representing the Eastern Conference every season. The continuity speaks to strong roster building and a culture that prioritizes high-end two-way players. For this organization, All-Stars aren’t occasional highlights — they’re an expectation.
2. Milwaukee Bucks
Team World forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
10 years Milwaukee’s run is inseparable from its rise into a modern powerhouse. The franchise built around a generational centerpiece and surrounded him with complementary talent that sustains yearly recognition. Their All-Star streak mirrors their sustained contention in the East. It’s a testament to smart front-office vision and long-term roster stability.
Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
8 years Star power is embedded in this franchise’s DNA, and the current streak is another chapter in that tradition. Even through roster transitions, they’ve consistently featured marquee talent that draws league-wide attention. The All-Star Game has long been a familiar stage for their biggest names. Their ability to remain relevant in the spotlight is part of their identity.
4. Denver Nuggets
Team World guard Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets controls the ball against Team USA Stripes forward Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics in game three during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
8 years Denver’s streak reflects the steady rise of a once-understated contender into a championship-caliber force. Built around elite skill, cohesion, and system continuity, their All-Star representation feels like a natural byproduct of winning basketball. The team’s patient development model has paid off year after year. Their consistency has reshaped how the league views the franchise.
5. Phoenix Suns
Team USA Stars guard Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns reacts in game four against Team Stripes during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
7 years Phoenix’s streak highlights a franchise that has leaned heavily into high-level offensive talent and dynamic guard play. Their resurgence into contention brought sustained national attention and regular All-Star selections. The organization has shown a willingness to make bold roster moves to maintain star presence. That aggressive approach keeps them firmly in the league’s spotlight.
6. Golden State Warriors
Team USA Stripes guard Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors reacts in game three against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
6 years This run reflects the lingering impact of one of basketball’s defining dynasties. Even as the roster evolves, elite skill and championship pedigree keep producing All-Star-level performances. Their system and culture continue to elevate top-tier talent. For this team, star recognition often follows winning basketball and stylistic influence.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers
Team USA Stripes guard Donovan Mitchell (45) of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
5 years Cleveland’s streak signals a successful transition into a new competitive era. After rebuilding phases, the franchise has developed and acquired players capable of returning to the league’s elite tier. Their All-Star representation mirrors steady growth and renewed ambition. It’s a sign that their long-term plan is taking shape.
8. Miami Heat
Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) celebrates with the trophy after winning the slam dunk competition during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
5 years Miami’s presence reflects a culture built on conditioning, discipline, and star development. Even when rosters change, the organization finds ways to elevate players into All-Star conversations. Their identity blends structure with individual excellence. Sustained recognition feels like part of their competitive standard.
9. Minnesota Timberwolves
Team USA Stars guard Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves poses with the MVP trophy after the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
5 years Minnesota’s streak marks a significant shift from years of inconsistency to sustained relevance. Elite individual talent has driven the franchise into the spotlight more consistently than in past eras. Their All-Star representation reflects both development success and competitive growth. It signals a franchise building real momentum.
Team USA Stripes forward Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers reacts after scoring a three pointer against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
4 years The Clippers’ run reflects a roster constructed around high-end talent and championship aspirations. Their All-Star appearances align with a period defined by aggressive roster building. Even amid injuries or changes, star presence remains central to their identity. The team continues to chase validation through elite individual performance and team success.
11. Indiana Pacers
Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball in game three against Team Stripes during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
4 years Indiana’s streak showcases a franchise that develops playmakers capable of commanding league-wide attention. Their recent offensive surge has elevated individual numbers and visibility. All-Star selections reflect both stylistic evolution and rising competitiveness. The team’s upward trajectory is clearly being noticed.
12. New York Knicks
Team World forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) of the New York Knicks controls the ball against Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers in game three during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
4 years New York’s streak carries extra weight given the market’s intensity and expectations. When the team fields an All-Star, it often signals broader organizational stability. Their recent run reflects a return to relevance built on toughness and structure. The spotlight has found them again — and stayed.
13. Oklahoma City Thunder
Team USA Stars center Chet Holmgren (7) of the Oklahoma City Thunder speaks with media after the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
4 years Oklahoma City’s streak highlights one of the league’s most successful rebuilds. Draft-driven development and patient planning have produced elite young talent. Their All-Star selections reflect both future potential and present production. The franchise looks positioned for long-term prominence.
14. Atlanta Hawks
Team USA Stars forward Jalen Johnson (1) of the Atlanta Hawks controls the ball against Team USA Stripes forward Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics in the championship game during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
3 years Atlanta’s streak reflects an offense built around dynamic scoring and playmaking. Their system empowers individual creativity, which translates well into All-Star recognition. The franchise has remained competitive while showcasing high-impact performers. Their star-driven identity continues to shape their trajectory.
15. Houston Rockets
Team USA Stripes forward Kevin Durant () 7of the Houston Rockets looks on during game three against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
2 years Houston’s streak signals progress after a deep rebuilding phase. Emerging talent is beginning to translate potential into league-wide recognition. Their All-Star appearances reflect a shift from development to competitiveness. The foundation of their next era is clearly forming.
16. San Antonio Spurs
Team World forward Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers and Victor Wembanyama (1) of the San Antonio Spurs react in game three during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
2 years San Antonio’s presence evokes memories of a long tradition of excellence now entering a new chapter. Their recent All-Star recognition reflects the emergence of transformative young talent. The franchise remains rooted in development and patience. History suggests they know how to build around greatness.
17. Detroit Pistons
Team USA Stars guard Cade Cunningham (2) of the Detroit Pistons and head coach J. B. Bickerstaff lift the trophy during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
2 years Detroit’s streak, though shorter, represents meaningful progress for a rebuilding organization. Individual breakthroughs have begun to emerge from a young core. Their All-Star appearances signal hope for a return to competitiveness. It’s an early indicator of upward movement.
Team USA Stripes forward Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics defends against Team USA Stars guard Tyrese Maxey (0) of the Philadelphia 76ers in the championship game during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
1 year Philadelphia’s single-year streak reflects a moment of transition despite having elite talent in recent seasons. Roster changes and shifting dynamics have reset their current run. Even so, the franchise remains closely tied to star-level expectations. Their All-Star presence often returns quickly when the roster stabilizes.
19. Toronto Raptors
Team USA Stars forward Scottie Barnes (4) of the Toronto Raptors shoots in the championship game during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
1 year Toronto’s recent representation reflects a franchise that continues to develop standout performers even during competitive resets. Their ability to produce All-Star-caliber players has been a defining trait of the modern era. The organization blends development with adaptability. A new core is beginning to shape its identity.
20. Portland Trail Blazers
Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) holds the trophy after winning the three point contest during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
1 year Portland’s current streak reflects a new chapter following major roster changes. Emerging talent is stepping into leadership roles and gaining recognition. Their All-Star presence now represents the beginning of a rebuilding timeline rather than the continuation of an established era. It’s the start of something rather than the tail end of something familiar.
Conclusion
Team USA Stripes forward Jaylen Brown (7) of the Boston Celtics shoots against Team USA Stars guard Cade Cunningham (2) of the Detroit Pistons in the championship game during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Active All-Star streaks ultimately capture more than individual achievement — they reflect organizational health, vision, and competitive staying power. Whether fueled by generational talent, balanced roster construction, or long-term developmental success, each streak tells a story about how a franchise sustains relevance in an ever-changing league. Taken together, these rankings offer a revealing look at which teams have built something durable — and which are still working to get there.
Portsmouth are currently one place above the Championship relegation zone [Rex Features]
Being the better side in a game you go onto lose is a bad trait to have and sadly that's exactly what happened to Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.
A point against Sheffield United would've felt like an unjust outcome, let alone suffering defeat in the 90th minute against opposition who created very little all game - it took me a while to come to terms with the fashion in which we lost.
But their inability to convert at the other end and make their opportunities count means Pompey only have themselves to blame for Saturday's sickener.
We will know in May, and hindsight is a wonderful thing, but the decision not to recruit any out and out number 9 competition in January looks more peculiar as the games go on.
I, like the majority inside Fratton Park, was infuriated at some of referee's decisions, particularly the denial of a goal for a foul only he seemed to spot, but this didn't affect the full-time result whatsoever.
The result fitted an alarming pattern of failure to put games to bed and paying the price for not doing so.
Pompey have a massive week of away days ahead of us in which at least one of the games has to be one we win.
Both on Saturday afternoon and against Preston the week before, we've been comfortable, looked dominant, but lacked quality.
As a result of that, one lapse in concentration lost us both games.
That's 30 games played, 16 to go and three of the nine away fall within the next week to 10 days.
It's about to get busy and Pompey need points fast.
MILAN — Say “speed skating” out loud. There, you just covered the difference between success and failure in the Olympics. Four years of training, four years of work, four years of hopes and dreams … and you might fall short by a third of a second.
Kristen Santos-Griswold has spent the last four years training for Monday morning. One of the world’s best short-track speed skaters, Santos-Griswold was leading the 1000m race in Beijing when she was taken out on the final lap. She would go on to finish fourth, the most agonizing of all places in the Olympics.
“The hardest part about this sport,” Santos-Griswold said recently, “is that kind of concept of, you can be the best, you can be the fastest, and things just don't work out for you.”
She spent months after that 2022 heartbreak trying to figure out whether she wanted to commit another four years to training, knowing every minute of every day that it could all end in the literal blink of an eye.
“I had to really sit there and think, if in four years the same thing happens again, would that be worth it?” she said recently. “Obviously, I’m here. So I did decide that it would be.”
Monday morning, Santos-Griswold put that mindset to the test as she stood on the starting line for the 1000m, this time in the quarterfinals. She needed to finish first or second, or notch one of the fastest third-place times in the quarterfinals, to advance to the semis.
The race began cleanly, a sharp contrast from her four-start 500m race a few days ago. And very quickly, Santos-Griswold climbed into first place … which was exactly where she didn’t want to be. Within a few laps, her pursuers caught her, and she couldn’t make up the ground.
“I just expected it to start a bit faster, and that I was going to sit in second or something,” she said a few minutes after the finish. “Then when it didn't, it's like, Alright, I've got to make a move and kind of pick it up a bit.”
She couldn’t, finishing in third place by 0.34 seconds. Worse, her time of 1:29.102 wasn’t fast enough to qualify her as a third-place finisher. And thus, her hopes for 1000m redemption ended right there in the quarterfinals.
Kristen Santos-Griswold reacts after competing in quarterfinals of the short track speed skating women's 1000m. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Jamie Squire via Getty Images
This is the cruelty of short-track speed skating. Other Olympic sports have margins of victory measured in the tenths, hundredths, even thousandths of a second. But none of the athletes in those sports — skiing, biathlon, luge, and so on — have their competition literally entangled with them the way short-track speed skating does.
Sure, there are rules. You can’t impede a skater while they’re attempting a pass, you can’t “brake-check” a fellow skater, you can’t throw your blades around. But beyond that, collisions can and do happen. And when you’re whipping around a sheet of ice at 30 miles an hour on millimeter-thick blades, well … there’s a reason why short tracks have massive pads encircling the rink. It’s a safe bet someone’s going to fly into them at high speed.
With all that tension and pressure, it’s a wonder short-track skaters aren’t puddles of anxiety. Even so, Santos-Griswold has been open about her nerves before races, and she spoke of that on Monday following the end of her 1000m event.
“I get very nervous and anxious before races, but I just try to take it one step at a time,” she said. “I try to go into it knowing that I'm as prepared as possible, but without the thought of, ‘I've sacrificed so much,’ and more like, ‘I'm here because I want to be here.’”
Santos-Griswold has one individual race, the 1500m, remaining in her Milan Olympics … and, probably, her Olympic career as a whole. One more chance to cap off her comeback with a medal, even if she’s already validated it to herself.
“I think I'll have to talk to my coaches and figure out maybe a different plan, and how I'm going to capitalize on the race at the end more,” she said. “You can never really predict what anyone's going to do, so it's just what it is.”
Maybe she’ll be more at ease with the randomness of this sport and the near-misses of her Olympics in the coming days and years. But in the moment, she sure sounded like she was trying to convince herself.
The Irish Rugby Football Union had to turn off comments on a social media post which congratulated debutant Edwin Edogbo, following replies which contained racial abuse.
Munster forward Edogbo came off the bench and played the final 10 minutes of Saturday's 20-13 victory over Italy in the Six Nations.
The IRFU confirmed in a statement that the comments made on the social media post on Saturday are now subject to investigation.
"We're aware of some targeted abuse online in recent days and continue to work with Signify and the relevant authorities to report it," the full IRFU statement read.
"We will also continue to fully support all affected by the cowardly actions of a minority and investigations are under way alongside our partners Signify.
"It is clear that racist abuse has no place in Irish society and the IRFU has a zero tolerance policy towards racism of any form."
The 23-year-old lock has made 24 appearances for Munster and has registered 30 points.
After that nervy victory on Saturday, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell praised the debutant's contribution in his post-match news conference.
"Well, we need to celebrate Edwin's first cap, that is for sure as it is one amazing story," Farrell said.
"I am so pleased we were able to get a win and show some fight to get a win for him because his story is a phenomenal one so we will celebrate that with him."
Inter Milan President Marotta: “Bastoni Media Pile On Wrong, We Lost Scudetto Due To Refereeing Mistakes”
Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta has offered his verdict on Saturday’s Derby d’Italia incident involving Alessandro Bastoni.
Speaking ahead of today’s Lega Serie A assembly via FCInterNews, the Nerazzurri chief urged the media to ease the pressure on the 26-year-old.
Alessandro Bastoni has become one of the most unpopular figures in the country following his antics during the weekend’s clash at San Siro.
Indeed, he misled referee Federico La Penna to show Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu a second yellow card in the first half.
Despite being on a yellow card himself, Bastoni took the risk, and it paid off, as his simulation led to the Frenchman’s expulsion.
Meanwhile, Inter took three points, courtesy of Piotr Zielinski’s late heroics, as Cristian Chivu finally broke his ‘big game’ curse in Serie A.
However, Bastoni had to pay a hefty price for his actions, facing widespread criticism and even receiving death threats on social media,
Now, Beppe Marotta stepped into the Italian center-back’s defense.
Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta Defends Alessandro Bastoni Amid Widespread Criticism
VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 02: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale celebrates during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 02, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“Our position is very simple,” Marotta stated. “I am here because we noticed an excessive media reaction compared to what actually happened.
“Alessandro Bastoni has been subjected to a media witch-hunt that goes far beyond the incident itself.
“We are talking about a 26-year-old player who has played over 300 Serie A matches and has never been involved in any sensational incidents.
“He is an asset for our national team. Some even question his presence in future call-ups, but that is not fair; it is absolutely unjust.
“We are facing a mistake by a young player, but who hasn’t made mistakes?
“When we talk about simulation, we are referring to an act that has existed since the 1950s, when there were already famous players known for this gesture.
“This is, I would say, an ordinary occurrence, not extraordinary; certainly deplorable because the reaction has been exaggerated.
“However, it is due to contributing factors, given Kalulu’s arm and the referee’s immediate whistle.
“All of this led to a reaction and a wrong decision, which I acknowledge.
“But this is the referee class we had last year; the same designator ran it.
“Last year, we lost the Scudetto by one point. In hindsight, in Inter-Roma, they recognized a clear penalty in our favor that could have determined the outcome of the championship.
“We adhered to the decisions.
“This year, as a club, we intervened only in the case of Napoli-Inter over a penalty that changed the course of the match.
“The competent authorities later reviewed that penalty and declared incorrect.”
Inter Milan President Beppe Marotta Urges Everyone to Take Responsibility
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Parma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 05, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“We are facing a general malaise, and that’s fine,” he added. “But everyone must take responsibility – the CAN and AIA, the clubs through their executives, players and coaches, the institutional bodies, and the FIGC.
“I am not referring to you journalists, because you draw conclusions from what you see and from the statements of those involved.
“You are doing your job correctly, and I am not here to teach you what to do.
“But what happens in Italy also happens abroad.
“It is time to have a broad discussion without creating controversy.
“Perhaps this is the moment to toughen disciplinary and financial penalties for executives, players, and coaches.
“Often, misconduct goes beyond acceptable limits, even at the refereeing level, as has happened in recent months.
“Bastoni did not behave in line with the principles of fair play, fine. But everyone must understand this.
“Repression is not part of my approach; certainly, prevention is possible, but prevention comes through dialogue, which is currently missing.
“The AIC [players’ association] must also get involved.
“Sometimes I notice a certain ignorance regarding regulatory aspects that all players should know.”
Inter Milan President Marotta Slams Italian Journalist Roberto Saviano
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 08: Giuseppe Marotta, CEO of Sport for FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Dacia Arena on April 08, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“There is disappointment,” Marotta said. “I don’t know who Roberto Saviano is, I don’t know what role he has.
“I don’t want to give him any importance. He made statements that our lawyers will consider.”
Then, he commented on Giorgio Chiellini’s overreaction during the derby.
“I think that’s the minimum. He was my player; he is a young and inexperienced executive.
“I don’t allow myself to give him advice. What happened involves locker room dynamics that are not for me to evaluate, judge, or analyze.”
Finally, Marotta reminded everyone that these things already happened in the past and were in Inter’s favor.
“I have already answered this question,” he said. “In recent years, Inter has been the most successful team, winning the most trophies and accumulating the most points in the league.
“Regarding simulations, I would like to mention a small incident from Juventus-Inter 2021.
“At 2-2, in the 88th minute, Juventus got a penalty for a clear simulation by Juan Cuadrado, a player for whom I have great affection.
“Calvarese was the referee; subsequently, the referee and the technical bodies confirmed it was a clear simulation.
“That simulation led to Juventus’ victory and their qualification for the Champions League, which brought them 60–70 million euros.”
Bukayo Saka could play in midfield again in future
Bukayo Saka was a late inclusion in Arsenal’s starting lineup to face Wigan Athletic on Sunday, operating in a surprising midfield role that Mikel Arteta has suggested he could play again.
Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images
Bukayo Saka was initially named on the bench for Arsenal’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic on Sunday, but when the teams emerged from the tunnel he was part of the starting lineup.
But it was still somewhat surprising to see Saka coming in. Arsenal had defensive and midfield options on the bench, so someone else could have come in at left-back, or if Myles Lewis-Skelly moved to the left then a natural midfielder could have replaced him centrally.
Instead, Saka played in the middle, and he put in an impressive display that had some fans asking if he might play there again in the future.
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
“That’s something that’s a possibility,” Arteta said afterwards. “I wanted to try it, and we might use it in the future. There are still so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play in this season, and that’s a possibility that we have.
“He’s more central, he’s closer to the goal. It’s a bit more difficult for the opponent to get his reference constantly.
“He can interchange positions with a wide player as well, and he’s so good at picking those spaces. When he’s there, he can really hurt you with the ball.”
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
It’s an exciting possibility, particularly with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz struggling so badly with injuries this season. Arsenal generally lack creativity in central areas when those two are out, but Saka can provide a good option in those circumstances.
With Saka coming off at half-time at 4-0, there’s every possibility he’ll be back in the starting lineup against Wolves on Wednesday. Which position he takes up will be very interesting to see.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 23: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs with the ball before being tackled by DJ Turner II #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals and Dax Hill #23 during the fourth quarter of a game at Acrisure Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Cincinnati Bengals have some obvious needs. That’s a given. We all know that they need to add pass rushers and a safety.
Let’s talk about two sneaky needs that we aren’t talking about enough.
Cornerback
D.J. Turner has arrived. 2025 was his breakout season and established him as this team’s CB1 at long last. Dax Hill has been pushed every which way. From safety to the outside to the inside and finally back to the outside. He has found his place and is a high-quality starter opposite Turner.
That all sounds great, right? Well, it is for now, but both Turner and Hill are entering the final year of their contracts.
I would love to keep them both, but without clarity on how that is going to go, cornerback is a sneaky need.
While we are talking about outside cornerback, it might make sense to add someone with the versatility to play inside and out. This way, he could contribute this season and into the future if Turner and Hill are both back in 2027.
Versatility equals flexibility.
The OTHER Safety
There is nothing sneaky about the need to replace Geno Stone. It smacks you in the face every time you turn on the film.
So let’s talk about the other safety. Battle looked pretty solid last year, at least comparatively, but he was in the same draft class as Turner, and you know what that means. He is entering the last year of his contract.
The Bengals had no depth at safety a year ago. If they did, they would have at least tried someone else in Stone’s place. Now Tycen Anderson hits free agency (potentially). They need to replace Stone, but they also need to add a depth piece with the potential to replace Battle in a year.
In a surprising turn, just days after the New York Giants finalized their 2026 coaching staff, assistant defensive line coach Matt Robinson is departing for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Robinson was hired by new Giants head coach John Harbaugh earlier this offseason, following Harbaugh from the Baltimore Ravens, where Robinson spent five seasons (2021-2025).
Another change: Giants assistant defensive line coach Matt Robinson, who left his job as Baltimore’s outside linebackers coach this off-season to go to New York, is now going to the Raiders as their secondary coach, per source. The Giants gave their permission, and supported…
He most recently served as the Ravens' outside linebackers coach in 2025, after progressing through roles including defensive coaching fellow, defensive backs coach, defensive quality control (front-focused), and defensive line assistant.
The Giants announced their full staff on Friday, listing Robinson in the assistant defensive line position under coordinator Dennard Wilson and alongside defensive line coach Dennis Johnson. The hire added Ravens continuity to Harbaugh's new regime.
Robinson will join the Raiders as secondary coach under head coach Klint Kubiak and defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, a former Baltimore colleague.
The Giants granted permission and supported the move.
Two of those happened over the weekend as news of the Irish having impending hires on each side of the ball. Mike Singer reported that former Auburn and Indiana running back Shaun Shivers is expected to be joining the staff as an assistant wide receivers coach. It’s been a fast rise in the coaching field for the former player, as just a few years ago he was coaching track along with running back at his alma mater. Shivers accepted an assistant running backs position with Florida State in January, so Notre Dame stole one away from a rival.
The second hire that should happen is on the defensive side of the ball, as Chase Jones will be joining the Irish according to FootballScoop. He’ll be an analyst with the linebackers after being a graduate assistant with the same group at his alma mater of Wake Forest.
They also mention that strength and conditioning coach Loren Landow is expected to stay with the program after multiple NFL teams expressed interest. It’s pretty safe to say that this weekend has some great news for Notre Dame’s coaching staff.
𝗡𝗘𝗪: Former Auburn and Indiana RB Shaun Shivers is expected to join the Notre Dame coaching staff as an assistant WRs coach, sources tell Blue & Gold. ☘️
Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.
Los Angeles Clippers team owner Steve Ballmer handed the NBA All-Star keys to Phoenix Suns team owner Mat Ishbia during the Feb. 15 championship game at Intuit Dome.
The 2027 NBA All-Star weekend is now officially set for Feb. 19-21 in Phoenix.
“I’m so excited for the fans,” Ishbia said Feb. 13. “It’s a community event. I’m so excited to bring it to Phoenix. Do great things with our fans. I can’t wait to have it in Phoenix next year.”
Ishbia and Ballmer stood center court during a timeout for the torch passing Sunday afternoon.
“THIS IS THE GREATEST EXPERIENCE, GREATEST SPORT IN THE WORLD,” Ballmer screamed in his usual passionate manner.
After Ballmer’s remarks, the arena played a video featuring a mix of the Valley’s various landscapes, Suns basketball and NBA highlights.
"We're so excited to have it in Phoenix next year." Phoenix Suns team owner Mat Ishbia.
The Los Angeles Clippers officially passing the torch to the Phoenix Suns for the 2027 NBA All-Star weekend.
Then a much calmer Ishbia addressed the crowd about the All-Star Game coming to Phoenix in 2027.
“I had a great time, Steve has done a great job, the atmosphere has been great,” he said. “We’re so excited to have it in Phoenix next year.”
Then Suns five-time All-Star Devin Booker met the Suns' mascot, Gorilla, at a star on the court for a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown. Gorilla proceeded to push a button on the star to set off fireworks as a graphic showed Phoenix is 371 days, 51 minutes and 22 seconds from hosting the 2027 NBA All-Star weekend.
"They had great facilities to put this on," Booker said about the $2-billon Intuit Dome. "Great city like Los Angeles. Global reach. We're going to try to piggyback off this. Take what was good, take what wasn't and host this thing the right way."
Phoenix last hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 2009 when Shaquille O’Neal and the late, great Kobe Bryant shared the MVP award. Once teammates, O’Neal was with the Suns while Bryant was continuing his 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
"We're going to be excited to be hosting,” Booker said Feb. 14. “Hopefully I'm in the (NBA All-Star Game), and hopefully I'll be defending winning the (NBA All-Star 3-point contest). The city is looking forward to it.”
Booker didn’t win the 3-point contest on Valentine’s Day, finishing second to Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard in dramatic fashion, 29-27.
"They had great facilities to put this on. Great city like Los Angeles. Global reach. We're going to try to piggyback off this. Take what was good, take what wasn't and host this thing the right way."
He missed his last three shots on final 2-point money-ball rack. He looks to compete in the 2027 NBA All-Star 3-point contest in Phoenix for perhaps the final time.
"This one hurt a little bit," Booker said Sunday. "I wanted this one bad. Wish I was defending it in Phoenix but it'll probably be the last time I do it next year if I get the invite. I'm looking forward to it."
Booker then played for USA Stars in the new U.S. versus World All-Star Game on Feb. 15.
In the round-robin tournament of four 12-minute quarters, USA Stars defeated World Team, 37-35, in overtime, but lost to USA Stripes, 42-40.
USA Stripes eliminated World, 48-45.
The NBA All-Star Game tournament ended with USA Stars blasting USA Stripes, 47-21, in the championship game.
“NBA did a good job of us doing all our media and pictures (Saturday),” Booker said after the championship game. “So (Sunday) we could just come in and properly get our bodies activated. I think that was a big part of it. I think every team honestly wanted to win.”
The Suns were full participants this All-Star weekend, starting with Ishbia in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game on Feb. 13 at Kia Forum.
Wearing Book 2 Fragment sneakers, the 46-year-old Ishbia competed, hustled, knocked down a jumper of 7-6 Tacko Fall and made an impression on Booker.
“Hey man, he’s a hooper,” Booker said Feb. 14 about Ishbia. “I knew he played (walk-on at Michigan State), but he still has the intangibles. He’s in good shape. He was moving well, shot over Tacko. That’s legendary. He’s going to play that back forever.”
Suns team owner Mat Ishbia splits the double from Grizzlies mascot, scores over 7-6 Tacko Fall.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned Ishbia’s night during his Feb. 14 press conference at Intuit Dome when asked about the 2027 All-Star Game being in Phoenix.
“The team owner, Mat Ishbia, is so enthusiastic, he played in the Celebrity Game yesterday, and I saw him (Friday night),” Silver said. “He's a little banged up but he's not injured, so was pleased to see that.”
The Suns and NBA conducted meetings this weekend as Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was in attendance for the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles, where they met with Silver.
“She and I had a chance to say hello and I think she's taking notes,” Silver said.
The Suns franchise has an opportunity to make the All-Star weekend unique to Phoenix and unlike any other All-Star weekend.
Silver said: “What's so great about these All-Star experiences is one, each progressive All-Star we learn and we try new things, but also the goal is for an All-Star Game in LA should feel different than an All-Star Game in Phoenix, different community, different interest, different climate.
"And I think when people come to the market, yes, we want them to experience all these great events on the floor but also to take advantage of the restaurants, the night life, the beaches here, and Phoenix is a fantastic city. ...
"So our goal would be to come there and working with Mat and his folks, and again, your great mayor to have very much a Phoenix, Arizona experience."
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin..
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Texas A&M's 2025 season ended in disappointment after falling to national runner-up Miami in the first round of the College Football Playoff, but for coach Mike Elko, his second season at the helm was a massive success, finishing the season 11-2 and 7-1 in SEC play. After 13 players were invited to the 2026 NFL Combine, Elko's preseason prediction came true.
Led by then redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed, transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, and unanimoous All-American senior edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M's veteran roster was built to contend for a national championship, but poor run defense late in the year, combined with a running game that failed to find momentum after Le'Veon Moss's injury ultimately ended the Aggies chances at making history.
While some feel the 2025 roster's talent was wasted, Marcel Reed has plenty to improve on. With 17 transfer additions, led by Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Horton and Northwestern edge Anto Saka, the 2026 roster is well equipped to return to the CFP. However, how much Marcel Reed improves, combined with the four new starters on the offensive line, will likely dictate the Aggies' success.
As soon as the offseason began, nearly every preseason ranking placed Texas A&M at No. 8, mainly due to the program's success last season, and Pro Football Focus is equally high on the Aggies chances of making it back to the postseason, coming in at No. 12 (branding) in its "Way-too-early" top 25 ahead of the 2026 season.
"Texas A&M made its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance this past season before losing in the first round to Miami (FL). Mario Craver enters his junior year as one of the best wide receivers in college football. He’ll be catching passes from Marcel Reed, who’s back for another year at quarterback after a rollercoaster redshirt sophomore campaign. If he can be more consistent, the Aggies can make the playoff once again."
PFF writer Max Chadwick is, like most of us, very high on Marcel Reed and Mario Craver's connection, that is already established after connecting for over 900 yards and four touchdowns last season, and while asking Marcel Reed to be "more consistent" is somewhat vague, the redshirt junior must play better against the top defenses in the SEC, and work on throwing in tight windows and make better decisions, especially when the run game isn't working.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are close friends, but in the offseason they came to an understanding that if one re-signed with the Diamondbacks, most likely the other would not be brought back.
Kelly signed a two-year contract last December. For Gallen, the qualifying offer was not an option.
"It was just the way that we were kind of told how the payroll was going to be structured," Gallen said.
The Gallens were with the Kellys when the news of Kelly's return came out, and congratulated their friends.
But the Diamondbacks decided to increase the budget, and in recent days were able to come to a quick agreement with Gallen to return. That was announced on Sunday, Feb. 15, and after Gallen missed just a few days of spring training, he was in camp on Sunday to take part in the first day of full-squad workouts.
"Holding out for an extra few dollars might be cutting off my nose to spite my face," Gallen said. "It might be smarter to say 'Let's do something, let's get creative, let's just get into camp and have as close to a true spring training as (possible).'
"In the grand scheme of it, sometimes you've got to do what's smart."
So Gallen stayed home, signing a one-year contract to stay with the franchise where he's been a mainstay in the starting rotation since the second half of 2019.
He was acquired in a deadline trade with the Miami Marlins on July 31 of that year.
Gallen is betting on himself after choosing not to sign a multiyear deal despite having offers from other teams. Relationships throughout the team were important for him to maintain, and despite a better second half of last season, Gallen posted a career-worst 4.83 earned run average in 2025.
He is eager to put together a better 2026.
"I felt like I've always kind of bet on myself," he said. "I felt like I owed it to myself, owed it to my family, I even owed it to the fans here and the organization to come back, have a good year and kind of prove my worth again."
The Diamondbacks' top decision-makers raved about having Gallen back.
"He's a DBack. And he's been one of the most successful pitchers we've had in our history," Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall said. "It means a lot to us to still have him in the Diamondbacks uniform, and I think it's great for the team.
"It's good for him as a leader to be back in that clubhouse. He's very comfortable here in this setting. It's not new to him, so I think it made a lot of sense for him, and it made great sense for us."
Principal owner Ken Kendrick called Gallen a "heart-and-soul Diamondback," adding, "He is one of those guys. We're thrilled that he's back, and I believe he shares that."
Kelly 'excited, honored, humbled' to be Opening Day starter
Merrill Kelly was the first to admit that he might not have been named the Diamondbacks' Opening Day starting pitcher if teammate Corbin Burnes had been healthy.
But Burnes has a few months more of recovery from surgery last season, and it will be Kelly with the ball in his hand at Dodger Stadium March 26.
"Coming back this year, forever grateful to the organization," Kelly said Sunday, Feb. 15. "For not only giving me the first chance to be a big-leaguer, but obviously continuing to believe in me throughout the course of my career. I think this just shows again that they believe in me to give me the ball and kind of be that guy."
Kelly, a Phoenix area native, and Gallen have grown in adulthood as Diamondbacks. Now the two will be part of Arizona's starting rotation once again when this season starts.
Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly never figured he’d be an Opening Day starter, but now he is. pic.twitter.com/icElRYQktP
Kelly, 36, had a solid offer from the San Diego Padres, he said. He and his agent didn't have interest in offering the Diamondbacks a hometown discount. But he knew deep down that, with a family to provide for, it made the most sense to re-sign.
"I love it," Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. "Those are guys (Gallen and Kelly) that we have kind of matured together, and in some way I helped raise inside of this Arizona Diamondback culture. I love my relationship with those guys. I appreciate how hard they work. ... they go out and execute at a high level because they prepare well. They have a championship mentality, and we're all aligned."
Roster moves, injury updates
Lovullo said 1B Tyler Locklear is looking at a mid-May or mid-June return from shoulder and elbow injuries suffered last season. He's doing minimal baseball activity.
Catcher Adrian Del Castillo( left calf injury) is still not fully functional inside of drills, though he is trying them.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Gallen, the team placed Burnes on the 60-day injured list (recovery from right ulnar collateral ligament surgery). Burnes is expected back sometime in July.
Also on Sunday afternoon, the Diamondbacks claimed RHP Grant Holmanoff waivers from the Athletics. To make room on the 40-man roster, LHP A.J. Puk was placed on the 60-day injured list (recovery from left ulnar collateral ligament surgery).
Holman, 25, appeared in 19 games, including two starts last season for the Athletics, and went 4-2 with a 5.09 ERA.
José M. Romero can be reached at jose.romero@gannett.com. Follow him on X at @RomeroJoseM or Instagram at @romerojosem.
National signing day has passed, and with it the speculation that fuels recruiting season. What remains is clarity — and for Florida, clarity brings perspective.
The 247Sports 2026 Composite Team Rankings place the Gators behind SEC heavyweights such as Georgia and Alabama, programs that continue to hoard top-five classes. That reality underscores the scale of the challenge in college football's most talent-rich conference. It also sharpens how Florida's progress should be measured.
The Gators are positioned in the top half of the conference and trending upward, a path that can eventually set Florida back on the course to recruiting dominance.
Gators emphasize positional strength and target impact talent
At No. 17, Florida's 2026 haul reflects targeted intention, with a class that features 13 four-star prospects among 20 total commits who cover multiple phases of the game. Reinforcements along the line of scrimmage headline the effort, while impact skill additions provide versatility and playmaking upside.
Four-star wide receivers Davian Groce and Justin Williams anchor the class at the top, offering production on the offensive side of the ball. Key in-state additions such as cornerback C.J. Hester and safety Kaiden Hall reinforce Florida's ability to compete for premium talent around the Sunshine State on defense.
With the ink dry on letters of intent, the conversation shifts from acquisition to development. Florida’s 2026 class suggests the gap isn’t widening, it’s narrowing with purpose.
Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
As of Monday, the contracts of offensive lineman Austin Corbett and outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum have voided—adding approximately $4.41 million and $825,000, respectively, in dead cap hits for Carolina this upcoming season. Corbett and Wonnum—who will be getting paid by the Panthers in 2026, regardless of who they're playing for—are set to become unrestricted free agents.
Last offseason, the Panthers were able to reach a new one-year pact with Corbett after pushing his void deadline back into March. He ended up appearing in 14 total games in 2025—with starts at left guard (one), center (five) and right guard (five).
Wonnum wrapped up his second campaign in Carolina with 3.0 sacks over 16 contests.
In addition to Corbett and Wonnum, the Panthers are also on the hook for dead money in 2026 to wide receiver Adam Thielen ($3.33 million), defensive lineman Shy Tuttle ($3.22 million), inside linebacker Josey Jewell ($2.33 million) and outside linebacker DJ Johnson ($250,543).
One of the first big dates of the NFL offseason arrives Tuesday when clubs are allowed to place a one-year franchise or transition tag on a player. Teams have from Feb. 17 until March 3 to use a tag.
Once tagged, players have until July 15 to reach a long-term extension. If no extension is reached before that date, the player will spend the 2026 season on a one-year tag deal.
This offseason, the Denver Broncos have no obvious candidates for a franchise tag. The team's most notable pending free agent on offense is running back J.K. Dobbins, and he won't be tagged. Their most notable pending free agent on defense is defensive end John Franklin-Myers, and he's unlikely to be tagged.
A running back franchise tag is worth $14,536,000 in 2025 (Dobbins earned just over $2 million last season). The defensive end tag is worth $27,322,000, and the defensive tackle tag is worth $26,311,000. It wouldn't make sense for the Broncos to commit that much to either player in 2026, so the team is unlikely to use a tag this offseason.
Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman are adding former Auburn and Indiana running back Shaun Shivers to their coaching staff. Shivers will work for the Fighting Irish as an assistant wide receivers coach, per Mike Singer of Blue and Gold with On3.
Shivers would then transfer to Indiana to play his final season of college football. For the Hoosiers in 2022, he rushed for 592 yards and six touchdowns. Malzahn has been known to give former players opportunities as assistant coaches, but when he retired, it could have caused Shivers to consider other coaching jobs.
At Notre Dame, Shivers will coach under wide receivers coach Mike Brown. There, he will be working with returning receiver Jordan Faison and newcomer Quincy Porter. Those receivers will be catching passes from second-year quarterback C.J. Carr, who passed for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Before accepting the position with Florida State, Shivers was on staff with Eastern Michigan as an offensive assistant for the 2025 season. Before that, he was a high school football assistant at his alma mater, Chaminade-Madonna. Auburn fans will have reason to pay attention to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 2026 season.
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 Phillip on Twitter@PJordanSports
PHILADELPHIA -- It has been a long road to stardom for Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. After being selected with the No. 21 pick in the strange 2020 NBA draft, the Kentucky product has had to overcome different roles in his adjustment to the NBA game.
In his sixth season in the league, Maxey is averaging 28.9 points and 6.8 assists while shooting 46.9% from the floor and 37.9% from deep in 52 games while averaging a league-leading 38.6 minutes per night. He has carried a heavy load thus far and the Sixers have been able to stay afloat because of him.
Due to his work, he was selected as an All-Star starter for the first time in his career and he earned respect from his peers in the middle of games.
"Way more than what I thought," Maxey said. "It’s crazy, honestly. Just, like, everybody’s told me that. It’s like I appreciate it, man. Having respect from your peers. Most people say ‘Dude, you deserve this, man. You’ve worked your tail off and you earned it. This wasn’t given to you. You earned this one.’ I’m just thankful, man. When you get respect from your peers, that’s the ultimate respect."
The ultimate sign of respect in the NBA is if other players are telling you in the middle of the game that you did a great job. It's good for Maxey to be able to earn that respect and continue to grow his brand in the league at this stage of his career.
"If they respect you, then you’re doing something right," he finished. "I just wanna keep, like I said, putting on for this organization, putting on for my family, and I’m gonna go out there and I’m gonna compete. We can talk about it and be friends in the locker room, but when we get out there and playing, I wanna win. I want my team to be able to win, and I wanna help do whatever it takes to do that."
The Sixers will get back at it on Thursday when they host the Atlanta Hawks after the break.
Notre Dame Men’s Lacrosse got their season off on the right foot with a 16-11 win against the Marquette Golden Eagles on Saturday. They are now 1-0 and head back to South Bend for a quick turnaround game as Bellarmine comes to Arlotta on Tuesday to take on the Irish in our home opener.
It’s busy times here so let’s just get into things and cover off on the first victory of the season.
1st Quarter
Notre Dame’s Starters:
Defense: Shawn Lyght, Nate Schwitzenberg, Will Gallagher and Thomas Ricciardelli
Midfield: Matt Jeffery, Will Maheras and Will Angrick
Attack: Brock Behrman, Luke Miller and Josh Yago
Notre Dame scored the first three goals of the game to take a 3-0 advantage with a little over 10 minutes to go in the first. It was a very quick start for the Irish with Matt Jeffery, Aidan Diaz-Matos and Jalen Seymour all getting unassisted goals. Credit to Marquette as they were able to weather that initial barrage and came back to score two goals before the end of the quarter to make it a 3-2 score after one.
Loved the fast start from our Irish, especially on the road.
GOAL IRISH!
Matt Jeffery scores on the 1st possession of the season and we lead early at Marquette. Watch on ESPN+.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/pzWMiBzFmv
Marquette would make it three straight goals knotting the score at 3-3 with a little over 11 minutes to go in the second quarter. Brock Behrman and Teddy Lally would tally the next two to make it 5-3 Irish before Marquette’s Carsen Brandt scored to make it 5-4 Irish. We would then go on a three goal run with two Luke Miller goals and one goal from Will Maheras to make it 8-4 Irish. It looked like we might have the opportunity to really open things up as we headed into halftime, but just like they did in the first, credit to Marquette as they got two back to make it 8-6 as we entered the break.
Lots to like and lots to work on for the Irish after the first 30 minutes.
GOAL IRISH
After Marquette ties it up, Behrman scores his 1st off the feed from Jeffery and we retake the lead at 4-3.#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/vOnssfMRy5
Coming off the last two goals of the second quarter, Marquette made it four straight goals in a row as they netted the first two goals of the second half. That made the score 8-8 with a little over 10 minutes to go in the third. Needing a goal to stop the momentum, Josh Yago hit home for his first goal in an Irish uniform to make it 9-8 Irish. Will Maheras then made it 10-8 with a laser to the top of the goal after beating his man up top. Nolan Rappis from Marquette would get one back to make it 10-9 Irish with just over 4 minutes to go in the period. Josh Yago and Teddy Lally would hit home for the Irish to make it 12-9 with Teddy’s goal coming with 5 seconds left to go in the quarter.
Once again, nice job by the Irish to stop Marquette’s run and some big saves by Thomas to keep the score at 10-9.
Josh Yago netted his hat trick goal just over three minutes into the fourth to make it 13-9 Irish. Marquette then got one back to cut the lead to 13-10. Needing to not let them get any closer, the Irish then got the next three goals with Matt Jeffery, Jalen Seymour and Josh Yago all finding the back of the net to make it 16-10 with just under three minutes to go in the game. Marquette tallied the final goal of the day and that was where we would finish with a final score of 16-11. The Irish moved to 1-0 on the season, 14-0 overall against Marquette and now 33-5 under Coach Kevin Corrigan in season openers.
Including the last minute of the third quarter, Notre Dame outscored Marquette 6-2 to finish off the game. Job well done.
Let’s get into a little bit of what we saw on Saturday in Milwaukee.
What I liked
Let’s start with Will Donovan. I mean, come on. Good luck to any midfielder trying to beat Will in the open field one on one. He was so good on Saturday, for sure the best defender and probably the best overall player on the field over the 60 minutes. If you haven’t seen this tweet from ND Lacrosse, take a look to get a feel for how good he was out there. Just in these videos alone he took out two sticks. Even landing one of those checks in a game is amazing, but when it comes to Will we have just come to expect this with his game.
Josh Yago’s career as a Notre Dame attackman got off to a slow start as the ball was not finding his stick a ton early on in the game. You could tell the Irish offense made a point of getting him more involved in the second half and when they did, Josh delivered. Four goals on the day and tied for the team lead with Luke Miller with four points. If they didn’t know it before, teams are going to have to game plan around Josh and make sure he is a focus, otherwise he will beat you from a variety of angles. It’s going to be really fun watching Josh Yago in an Irish uniform this season.
🎩🎩🎩
Yago with a hat trick in his 1st career game with ND, all coming in the 2nd half! This one coming on the EMO. Watch on ESPN+#GoIrishpic.twitter.com/Z0wcs9XvYi
Speaking of Luke Miller, he played really well as one of the new starters on attack. He was used in a variety of positions and he is dangerous when he comes around from X with the ball in his hands. Two goals and two assists made for a nice starting debut for Luke. For a player who really came on at the end of last year, it was an excellent carryover into this season.
Notre Dame’s freshman trio of Teddy Lally, Aidan Diaz-Matos and Christopher Iuliano came to play. We had seen these three in the pre-season matchups and had been hearing buzz on them for weeks, but it was great to see them out there making plays. Aidan started off hot at the faceoff dot winning the first two and on the second he took it down and scored his first career goal. Lally was out there a lot on attack and came up big with the first two goals of his career (and his first assist). Iuliano was out there at LSM coming in behind Will Donovan and he was a big presence out there. He has some size and physicality to his game and clearly the coaching staff trusts him in that spot.
There is a reason Notre Dame brought in Tyler Spano as a transfer, and when Marquette was getting into a rhythm at the dot, Notre Dame changed things up and Spano came in and made a big difference. He went 10-17 on the day, winning a lot of the faceoffs to himself. Great work by him as he saw his first action for the Irish. As we all know, the ability to have at least two strong faceoff men will continue to pay dividends as the season moves along.
Notre Dame’s first line midfield combined for four goals and one assist. Our second line midfield had two goals and one assist. Lots of talent and experience coming back on these lines, but definitely you could tell they were still getting used to playing together. I liked Will Maheras’ dodging from up top (two goals) as defenders have a hard time keeping up with his quickness. Same with Matt Jeffery (two goals), and with the two of them on the same line, defenses will have to put a SSDM on at least one of them in most situations. Great as well to see Jalen Seymour get off to a good start with two strong goals.
Other Quick Notes
That might have been one of the faster first halves of college lacrosse that I have seen. The refs were letting them play as there were not a ton of stoppages of play.
I know there is not much they can do with the camera angles, but watching that game on TV was not that much fun. You cannot really get the best sense for the little things you see when the camera angles are higher.
I liked Notre Dame’s ride. First time in forever that a Kavanagh was not leading the pack there; I thought they did a good job causing some turnovers and failures to clear.
Notre Dame’s close defense played well, but sure there were a few plays they would like to have back. Definitely it was not Shawn Lyght’s best game, but don’t consider me worried one bit.
Notre Dame ran lots of combinations at attack across Brock Behrman, Luke Miller, Josh Yago, Brady Pokorny and Teddy Lally.
Looks like our four key SSDMs will be Christian Alacqua, Chris Reinhardt, Kyle Bergen and Miguel Iglesias.
Here is how Notre Dame lined up during man-up: Yago, Pokorny, Miller, Angrick, Seymour and Behrman.
For Marquette, it was a game of runs when it came to scoring as they had a three goal and four goal run. We saw this a bunch last year with Notre Dame’s opponents, sure this continues to be a focus for the coaching staff.
First time in a long time that Notre Dame was really challenged in an opener. Lots of credit to Marquette as they came to play and this game was close late in the third quarter.
What’s Next
Tuesday afternoon the Bellarmine Knights travel to South Bend to take on the Irish at 3 PM EST. Normally this early in the year we could expect this game to be indoors, but it sounds like this one will be outside at Arlotta. The Irish will look to move to 2-0 and the opportunity should be there to get a lot more players on the field for this early week matchup. Additionally, look for the coaching staff to continue to experiment at the attack spot as they look to find their core three that will be taking the field against Georgetown in game three next weekend.
If you live near South Bend, come on out, this is a great opportunity to see the Irish play in person and outside.
The preliminary round of the 2026 Winter Olympics is in the books. Of the seven Vancouver Canucks selected to represent their countries, six saw game action during the first week of the men's tournament. Here is a recap of how each Canucks player performed during the preliminary round.
Elias Pettersson- Sweden
Elias Pettersson was noticeable in two of Sweden's three games. He scored twice against Slovakia and had an impressive performance against Italy. After three games, Pettersson finished with two goals, four shots, 44.4% in the faceoff dot while averaging 11:34 per game.
Filip Hronek- Czechia
Filip Hroenk stepped up in a big way for Czechia during the preliminary round. In three games, he recorded three assists and four shots on goal. Hronek also averaged 22:27 per game, which was one of the highest time on ice averages in the preliminary round.
David Kämpf- Czechia
Just like he has at times for Vancouver, David Kämpf served as Czechia's second-line center during the preliminary round. In three games, he recorded two assists and two shots on net. Kämpf also won 55.1% of his faceoffs while averaging 15:21 per game.
Kevin Lankinen- Finland
Kevin Lankinen did not see any action in the preliminary round, which was surprising. Instead, Finland turned to Juuse Saros, who played in all three games. Finland finished the preliminary round with a 2-0-1-0 record and finished second in Group B.
Teddy Blueger- Latvia
Teddy Blueger had a quiet preliminary round for Latvia. He did not record a point and only had one shot on goal. As for faceoffs, Blueger won 40.7% of them while averaging 10:41 per game.
Anri Ravinskis- Latvia
Anri Ravinskis was barely used by Latvia in the preliminary round. Even though he only averaged 2:31 per game, he still registered two shots on goal over the three games. Ravinskis was a last-minute addition for Latvia, as Eriks Mateiko was ruled out before the tournament started.
Lukas Reichel- Germany
Lukas Reichel found the back of the net once for Germany. He scored against Latvia while finishing the preliminary round with four shots. Reichel averaged 10:30 of ice time and spent the first three games of the tournament in Germany's bottom six.
Feb 15, 2026; Milan, Italy; Lukas Reichel of Germany in action with Zach Werenski of United States and Jake Sanderson of United States in men's ice hockey group C play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Canucks Playoff Round Schedule:
February 17, 2026:
Germany vs France- 3:10 am PT
Czechia vs Denmark- 7:40 am PT
Sweden vs Latvia- 12:10 pm PT
Canucks Quarterfinals Schedule:
February 18, 2026:
Finland- 9:10 am PT
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It doesn’t seem as though Boston Celtics fans would have to wait long for Jayson Tatum to return, if Bill Simmons’ conspiracy theory is any indication. On the latest episode of his eponymous podcast, the lifelong Celtics fan read the tea leaves and came to the conclusion that Tatum is on track to return on the first week of March — with his money on it being on the first of the month.
“I don’t know if you saw this over the weekend. Celtics and Sixers on Sunday night March 1st. Moved from six to eight PM. That got a hmm,” Simmons said.
“I had been hearing first week of March for a while. That it was going to be somewhere around that March 4th, March 6th game. Conspiracy Bill has also noted that if you go on any ticket resale site for the Dallas March 6th game, the prices are way out of whack. And it can’t just be that Cooper Flagg is coming to town.”
“So it’s really starting to look like March 1st or March 6th, but my money would be on March 1st now for him.”
Celtics are ready to assume place atop the East
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
The Celtics have emerged as one of the biggest surprises of the 2025-26 NBA season; despite being without Tatum, they’ve managed to hold down the fort thanks in large parts to Jaylen Brown’s steadiness and head coach Joe Mazzulla’s brilliance.
But the Celtics know that their dreams of competing for the Larry O’Brien trophy come June will depend on Tatum and his health, and whether he’d be ready to make an impact for the team not even a year after rupturing his Achilles in the playoffs.
It will be a tall ask for Tatum to try and get the Celtics over the hump when he’s surely not yet going to be 100 percent this early in his return from a torn Achilles. But the fact that there are signs pointing to an earlier return than expected is incredible for Boston and is incredible for the league as a whole.
During the recent episode of the New Heights podcast, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce shared his reaction to the franchise’s future relocation to Kansas and building a new stadium.
“The owners get so much more opportunity getting to the outskirts of the city, and it’s hard to argue with those opportunities,” said Kelce, “We’re dealing with it right now in Kansas City.”
The Chiefs are set to relocate to the Sunflower State in 2031 after agreeing to a deal with the State of Kansas to build a new stadium in Wyandotte County.
“I think it’s going to be unbelievable once it’s finally set in stone,” said Kelce, “but it is going to be kind of heartbreaking knowing that the Chiefs are going to move away from Arrowhead and that Missouri side of Kansas City. It’s just a part of the old professional sports.”
Kelce has spent his entire NFL career with the Chiefs, so his opinion carries weight, and he appreciates the Chiefs Kingdom faithful.
On March 9, three weeks from today, NFL players on expiring contracts can begin negotiating with outside clubs – any are currently free to broach extensions with their current ones – and can officially start to join new organizations at 4 p.m. ET on March 11, the start of the 2026 league year.
However, a great deal is still likely to happen between now and then – and doubtless will.
Starting Feb. 17, the two-week window for clubs to apply a franchise or transition tag to one of their pending free agents, thus severely restricting that player’s ability to leave, opens. Countless others will have their contracts terminated before March 11 as overbudget teams come into compliance with the 2026 salary cap prior to the start of free agency.
Elsewhere, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, for example, renegotiated his contract in January, lowering his 2026 base salary to $2.1 million but obtaining a clause that would guarantee his new $67.9 million income in 2027 on March 13 – meaning he’ll almost certainly be going free and gauging his value anew, though that wouldn’t necessarily preclude a return to Atlanta. And whither Tua Tagovailoa? And/or Kyler Murray? The quarterback market could be intriguing, if not yet fully informed and certainly unlikely to present a marquee veteran option.
As for unforeseen trades and releases? Recent history tells us those will occur, too, and further shake up the league’s landscape.
But, for now, I’ve compiled a list of the top 26 NFL free agents – one that’s bound to change and will be adjusted accordingly as events warrant – heading into the 2026 offseason:
1. WR George Pickens
He's coming off a career year (93 catches for 1,429 yards and 9 TDs, all personal bests) and turns 25 next month − all good reasons for the Dallas Cowboys to use the franchise tag on Pickens, whether they plan to keep him (he and CeeDee Lamb would form an awesome but expensive wideout duo) or trade him. A good fit in Dallas last season, Pickens isn't for everyone − and might still have to prove he's a clear-cut No. 1 wideout. But his 2025 effort strongly suggested his production and potential are quickly coming into alignment.
2. DE Trey Hendrickson
After registering 35 sacks between the 2023 and '24 seasons, including a league-leading 17½ in the latter campaign, the 31-year-old was limited to seven games by injuries last year − that in the wake of a contentious offseason with the Cincinnati Bengals. It's worth wondering now if Cincy simply lets Hendrickson walk or tries a tag-and-trade gambit, but a fresh start seems like the best outcome. Regardless, his services should be in high demand.
3. C Tyler Linderbaum
You'd think the Baltimore Ravens will find a way to retain a 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler. They may have to address QB Lamar Jackson's contract first − he currently carries a cap charge of $74.5 million in 2026 and '27 − which means a franchise tag could be a strong possibility if the Ravens are to keep Linderbaum off the market before granting him an extension. But if he goes free, an immediate bidding war will doubtless commence.
4. OLB Jaelan Phillips
It's hard to come by untethered edge defenders theoretically entering their prime. But Phillips, 26, could be one of the belles of the FA ball after being acquired by the Philadelphia Eagles at last year's trade deadline. He finished the season with five sacks and 63 quarterback pressures, per Next Gen Stats. More important, he appeared in 17 regular-season games for the first time since 2022 after injuries ruined his following two seasons. Strong against the pass and run, the 6-5, 266-pounder should find a very robust market ... presuming he gets there.
5. QB Daniel Jones
A torn Achilles last December cut short what had been his best season statistically (238.5 passing yards per game, 100.2 QB rating) to that point. The QB trend du jour that may be forming in the NFL could be finding a reclamation project who won't necessarily eat up a massive chunk of the salary cap − and Jones, 28, can thank Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield for their ongoing heroics. Hard to believe the Indianapolis Colts will allow Jones to gauge his worth with the rest of the league, though ... especially when his previous team, the Minnesota Vikings, could suddenly become very interested in swooping in if he's not secured soon.
He has 17½ sacks and 98 pressures as a part-time starter over the past two seasons, which were split between the Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers. Heady numbers for a 27-year-old who should be ready for a bigger role ... and certainly a larger paycheck.
7. QB Malik Willis
He could be this year's version of Justin Fields − a quarterback with intriguing skills but limited experience who can nevertheless capitalize financially given the high demand but low supply at his incomparably critical position. Willis, 26, has far fewer NFL reps than Fields but really impressed while filling in as a spot starter for the Green Bay Packers the past two seasons, completing nearly 80% of his passes while throwing six TDs and zero INTs. In addition to a 134.6 passer rating, Willis can also move like a tank. Keep an eye on the Miami Dolphins, who just plucked their new GM (Jon-Eric Sullivan) and coach (Jeff Hafley) from the Pack, as an interested buyer.
8. WR/KR Rashid Shaheed
The big-play ability he flashed for years with the New Orleans Saints translated beautifully − and critically − when the Seattle Seahawks obtained him last November. Shaheed, 27, seemed like the final piece for to the 'Hawks' championship puzzle and delivered huge catches and returns in pivotal games down the stretch and in the postseason. However it should be captivating to see what Shaheed can fetch given he's never been a No. 1 receiver nor has averaged 600 receiving yards during his four-year career. Still, his return ability − at a time when the kickoff is becoming an increasingly important component of the game − could really drive up his price tag.
9. TE Kyle Pitts
The No. 4 overall pick in 2021 − the highest-drafted tight end ever − Pitts, 25, never seemed to fully reach his potential with the Atlanta Falcons, which isn't completely an indictment of him. But he was a second-team All-Pro in 2025 and did just put together his best season since he was a rookie, catching a career-high 88 passes and five TDs. Pitts could really take off in an offense that truly leverages his estimable abilities ... and maybe even has the foresight to feature him in the red zone.
10. RB Breece Hall
Though the New York Jets seemingly purged much of their talent at last year's trade deadline, they hung on to their 24-year-old back. And why not? Hall has averaged 1,260 yards from scrimmage and nearly seven TDs during his four seasons − and for the lowly NYJ. Explosive and an excellent receiver, Hall is the best runner on the market ... if he actually reaches it.
11. WR Alec Pierce
Similar to Shaheed, he could be an elite No. 2 receiver in the right system. Unlike Shaheed, he doesn't bring any special teams value. However Pierce, 25, has led the league in yards per reception each of the past two seasons (21.8 ypc over the duration) and is coming off a breakout year with 47 grabs for 1,003 yards. He should get paid nicely in what's a fairly thin crop of free agents.
12. S Coby Bryant
After struggling as a corner earlier in his Seattle career, he's flourished as a safety the past two seasons − and the 26-year-old should get a nice bump given the league's other teams always look to raid the most recent Super Bowl champions.
13. CB Jaylen Watson
He's big (6-2, 197), young (27), still experienced (29 starts) and playoff tested. Watson is coming off his best season but is probably a luxury for the capped-out Kansas City Chiefs.
14. LB Devin Lloyd
A first-rounder of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022, he blossomed into a Pro Bowler last season as the team blossomed around him. If the Jags don't pony up to keep their 27-year-old defensive quarterback, someone will.
15. S Bryan Cook
He's emerged as a key component of Steve Spagnuolo's K.C. D in recent years. A steady, reliable player, Cook, 26, should be a stabilizing presence if not one who's going to make a ton of splash plays.
16. LT Rasheed Walker
He's been a solid, if unspectacular, starter for the Packers since 2023. But serviceable, 26-year-old left tackles don't grow on trees.
17. RB Kenneth Walker III
The 25-year-old Super Bowl MVP will get a hefty raise in Seattle or elsewhere. But Walker is not the second coming of Saquon Barkley, isn't as good an every-down player as Hall and has spent most of his career in a platoon. The guess here is that Walker won't come close to resetting the compensation scale at a position that generally doesn't command top dollar.
18. WR Jauan Jennings
A 6-3, 212-pounder, the 28-year-old caught 132 balls (15 for TDs) over the past two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. Jennings' roots as a quarterback also make him quite a threat on trick plays. He's also the proverbial dog that some locker rooms covet ... and others won't.
19. WR Mike Evans
He'll be 33 by Week 1 and is coming off the worst of his 12 NFL seasons. But 6-5 and 231 pounds don't fade like speed does, and a healthy Evans should be a dangerous offensive weapon and top-tier leader again in 2026 − whether it's for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or someone else.
20. OLB Khalil Mack
He'll be 35 by next week and is coming off (perhaps) the worst of his 12 NFL seasons. But 6-3 and 269 pounds worth of power don't fade like an agile pass rusher might, and a healthy Mack should be a dangerous defensive weapon and top-tier leader again in 2026 − whether it's for the Chargers or someone else.
21. CB Nahshon Wright
Though he's already 27, he's hardly a finished product. He's also a 6-4, 199-pound corner who led the NFL with eight takeaways (5 INTs, 3 fumble recoveries) after becoming a surprise starter (and surprise first-time Pro Bowler) for the Chicago Bears. The upside and production spike are going to make Wright rich.
22. WR Romeo Doubs
He's 25 with good size (6-2, 204) and has averaged roughly 50 receptions and 600 yards during four years with the Pack, who have widely dispersed their target share in the post-Davante Adams era. Doubs could be far more impactful as a 1A or second option elsewhere.
23. QB Aaron Rodgers
Last season was his best since 2021, his most recent MVP effort. Hard to imagine the 42-year-old legend playing anywhere besides the Pittsburgh Steelers, who just hired Mike McCarthy, formerly Rodgers' coach in Green Bay. But, again, monitor the Vikings as a possible dark horse.
24. S Kamren Curl
The kind of versatile DB any defense wants, able to play deep, in the box or in the slot. Still only 26, Curl already has 86 NFL starts split between Washington and the Los Angeles Rams.
25. DE Joey Bosa
He will be 31 this season and has a checkered injury history. But Bosa's 2025 campaign with the Buffalo Bills was his best since 2021. He had five sacks and 43 pressures in 15 games and led the league with five forced fumbles. He'd be wise to find a home where his snaps can be maximized but limited.
26. WR Wan'dale Robinson
He may only be 5-8 and 185 pounds, but the 25-year-old was targeted 140 times each of the past two years with the New York Giants − and posted his first 1,000-yard season in 2025. Robinson isn't a No. 1 receiver, either − doesn't mean he won't heavily impact his next offense.
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Inter are ready to make their mark in Europe once again. The Nerazzurri travel to Norway to face Bodø/Glimt in the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League playoffs, an interesting and tricky test at Aspmyra Stadion, home of the yellow-and-black side.
A European night rich in history, storylines and standout figures.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
This is not the first time Inter and Bodø/Glimt are meeting. The two clubs previously faced each other in the Round of 16 of the 1978/79 Cup Winners’ Cup, when the Norwegian side made their debut at San Siro.
It proved to be a one-sided affair. Eugenio Bersellini’s Inter swept aside the visitors with a commanding 5-0 win in the first leg in Milano, courtesy of a goal from Beccalossi, a hat-trick by Altobelli and a late goal from Muraro.
The return leg followed a similar script. After Bodø/Glimt briefly went ahead, Altobelli levelled from the penalty spot before Scanziani wrapped up a 2-1 victory.
This will be only Inter’s third European fixture in Norway. The most recent was a 2-2 draw away to Rosenborg in September 2022, while the other occasion was a 2-1 win against Bodø/Glimt in October 1978.
THE NERAZZURRI’S JOURNEY SO FAR
AJAX 0-2 INTER
Inter’s Champions League campaign kicked off with a victory: in Amsterdam, the Nerazzurri beat Ajax 2-0. The star of the night was Marcus Thuram, who scored both goals with headers from Calhanoglu’s corners. A dominant performance from the Frenchman, who was named MVP.
INTER 3-0 SLAVIA PRAGUE
Inter overwhelmed Slavia Prague at San Siro, securing their second consecutive win in this Champions League season. A 3-0 triumph with a high-quality display, controlling the match from start to finish. Lautaro’s brace and a goal from Dumfries sealed the win.
UNION SAINT-GILLOISE 0-4 INTER
A convincing victory for a strong Inter in Brussels against Union Saint-Gilloise. After withstanding the Belgian side’s early pressure, Dumfries opened the scoring, followed by a superb goal from Lautaro before halftime. In the second half, Calhanoglu converted a penalty and Esposito scored his first Champions League goal, completing the 4-0 result. Three wins from three for Inter, who also recorded their third clean sheet under Chivu.
INTER 2-1 KAIRAT ALMATY
Inter beat Kairat Almaty to make it four wins from four in the Champions League. A tricky match at San Siro saw Lautaro open the scoring late in the first half. The visitors equalised in the second half, but Carlos Augusto’s first Champions League goal secures the three points for Chivu’s side.
ATLETICO MADRID 2-1 INTER
At the Metropolitano, Inter lost 2–1 to Atlético Madrid in Matchday 5 of the Champions League league phase. Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 9th minute after a VAR review. In the second half, the Nerazzurri dominated early and equalised through Zielinski, only for Gimenez to score a 93rd-minute header from a corner to snatch the win.
INTER 0-1 LIVERPOOL
Inter were narrowly defeated by Liverpool at San Siro in Matchday 6 of the league phase. The Nerazzurri played well, created chances, and held their own in a tough physical battle. But an 88th-minute penalty awarded to Szozboszlai, amid protests, handed Liverpool the three points.
INTER 1-3 ARSENAL
Inter lost 3-1 to Arsenal at San Siro, remaining on 12 points. After Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring, Sucic respondes with a brilliant strike, but the English side regained the lead from a corner. Despite late pressure and chances, Arsenal sealed the win on a counterattack through Gyokeres.
DORTMUND 0-2 INTER
An emotional night at the Westfalenstadion saw Chivu’s Inter claim a prestigious 2-0 victory over Dortmund. Dimarco opened the scoring with a masterpiece free-kick, curling over the wall into Kobel’s net. Diouf added a second with a determined individual effort and a deflected shot to seal the win. Inter finished the League Phase in tenth place, advancing to the knockout playoff draw as a seeded team.
DIMARCO, AN EXTRA ATTACKING THREAT
Statistics show that 41.1% of Inter’s attacking moves come down the left flank, the highest of any team in the League Phase. Much of the Nerazzurri’s play is built from that side, with Federico Dimarco leading the way as the team’s top creator of chances in the competition (11).
LAUTARO 25
Lautaro Martínez is writing a special chapter in Inter’s history. With 25 Champions League goals for the Nerazzurri, he sits just behind three players for most goals scored with an Italian club in the competition: Alessandro Del Piero (42 with Juventus) and both Filippo Inzaghi and Andriy Shevchenko (29 each with AC Milan).
PLAYOFF: TIMES AND DATES
FIRST LEG PLAYOFFS
Tuesday, 17 February 2026:
Galatasaray vs. Juventus, 18:45 CET
Monaco vs. PSG, 21:00 CET
Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta, 21:00 CET
Benfica vs. Real Madrid, 21:00 CET
Wednesday, 18 February 2026:Qarabağ vs. Newcastle, 18:45 CET
Bruges vs. Atletico Madrid, 21:00 CET
Bodø/Glimt vs. Inter, 21:00 CET
Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen, 21:00 CET
SECOND LEG PLAYOFFSTuesday, 24 February 2026:Atletico Madrid vs. Bruges, 18:45 CET
Bayer Leverkusen vs. Olympiacos, 21:00 CET
Inter vs. Bodø/Glimt, 21:00 CET
Newcastle vs. Qarabağ, 21:00 CET
Wednesday, 25 February 2026:Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund, 18:45 CET
Juventus vs. Galatasaray, 21:00 CET
PSG vs. Monaco, 21:00 CET
Real Madrid vs. Benfica, 21:00 CET
The eight teams that advance from the playoff round will reach the Round of 16, which will be drawn on Friday, 27 February 2026.
THE OPPONENT: BODØ/GLIMT
Qualification for the 2025/26 Champions League was a historic milestone for Bodø/Glimt - a feat that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years ago, when the club was on the brink of collapse.
From community fundraisers to donations from local fishermen and sports clubs, Bodø/Glimt survived thanks to the support of its people. In 2020, the Norwegians won their first Eliteserien title, repeating the achievement three more times by 2024. In the most recently concluded season, they finished second, just one point behind champions Viking.
Bodø/Glimt have also impressed on the European stage in recent years. The club reached the semifinals of the Europa League last season, a historic achievement, before their run was ended by Tottenham.
Today, Bodø/Glimt is the most financially stable club in the Eliteserien, though still far from the budgets of Europe’s elite. Their success has been built on youth, identity, and hard work.
The face of this resurgence is Kjetil Knutsen, head coach since 2018. Widely regarded as the architect of the project, Knutsen has transformed the club’s mentality, focusing on player development even before results. It’s a deep, holistic approach, including mental preparation, supported by a specialised staff. The result is a squad made up largely of Norwegian players, many of whom were developed locally in Bodø.
Bodø/Glimt’s European journey began in the playoffs, where they immediately showed their best side. In the first leg, they crushed Sturm Graz 5-0 at home, putting one foot firmly in the next round. The return in Austria ended in a 2-1 defeat, but the aggregate score saw Bodø/Glimt advance comfortably thanks to the home advantage.
In the League Phase, Knutsen’s team showed consistency and personality. Their campaign began with a 2-2 away draw against Slavia Prague, followed by another 2-2 draw at home against one of the group favorites, Tottenham. A few setbacks followed: a 3-1 loss in Istanbul against Galatasaray, a 1-0 defeat to Monaco at home, and a 3-2 home loss to Juventus in a tightly contested match.
Despite these challenges, Bodø/Glimt remained resilient and finished the phase strongly. They drew 2-2 away at Borussia Dortmund, then recorded two major wins: 3-1 at home against Manchester City and a 2-1 away victory over Atlético Madrid. These results highlight the team’s growth and confirm the Norwegians’ ability to compete with Europe’s top clubs, making their journey one of the most surprising and impressive of the tournament.
Eyes are on Jens Petter Hauge, the only player in the competition to create at least 20 chances (20) and complete at least 20 dribbles (26) in the group stage. The Norwegian also leads the rankings for chances created after carrying the ball forward (14).
WHERE TO WATCH
Bodø/Glimt vs. Inter, the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League playoffs, will take place on Wednesday, 18 February at 21:00 CET. The match will be broadcast exclusively on Prime Video and will be available through the Amazon Prime Videoapp on smart TVs and all mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets, PCs, and consoles.
UPDATES ON INTER TV
As always, Inter TV will provide updates and live coverage in the pre-match build-up, with the latest news ahead of kickoff. Our pre-match Livematch for Bodø/Glimt vs. Inter will go live at 19:30 CET and will also be available on YouTube via the Club’s official channel until 20:15 CET. After the match, in-depth analysis and interviews will follow.
Australia arrive in Pallekele with no margin for error. The shock defeat to Zimbabwe turned their game against Sri Lanka into a must-win encounter. Another loss would leave their Super Eight hopes dependent on unlikely permutations and combinations. The equation is stark: win or pack your bags.
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Selection is the other area of concern. Star batter Steve Smith has arrived in Sri Lanka as cover for the injured Mitchell Marsh.
But he cannot play until he is formally drafted into the 15-man squad. Australia can do that without dropping anyone because they still have a spare slot after not naming a replacement for the injured pacer Josh Hazlewood. Smith becomes a live option if Marsh misses again. The captain remains under an injury cloud after internal testicular bleeding, and his availability shapes Australia’s balance at the top of the order.
Tim David is back from a hamstring issue, and Marcus Stoinis was cleared after a blow to his left hand, after he returned to bat in the Zimbabwe game.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, started clean, with two wins propelling them to the top of Group B. They are still smarting under the loss of their crafty spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who was ruled out of this T20 World Cup with a hamstring tear. Dushan Hematha came in and already had a run, but the onus lies on Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage. Captain Dasun Shanaka is in charge, with their pace stocks getting reshuffled.
QUALIFICATION SCENARIOS
Australia have two games left, but even two wins may not be enough to qualify for the knockouts.
If Sri Lanka beat Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe beat Ireland, Australia, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe would all finish on six points, and then the net run rate would decide who goes through.
To qualify, Australia need some outside support. They have to hope for Sri Lanka to lose to Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe to lose to Ireland.
If Australia lose to Sri Lanka on Monday, they can still survive in the tournament, but only if they beat Oman and Zimbabwe lose to both Ireland and Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, need just a victory against Australia to sail into the Super Eights.
Dana White isn’t holding back during the early days of his new boxing venture, with the UFC president launching a scathing tirade at Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn.
On Sunday night, White’s promotion Zuffa Boxing held its third event, as Efe Ajagba stopped Charles Martin in a heavyweight main event. The fight card played out in the Meta Apex facility that is often used by the UFC, as did Zuffa Boxing 01 and 02.
While Zuffa Boxing is yet to set the boxing world alight, White has come out swinging in typically brash fashion. In the process, he has once again taken aim at Hearn, with whom he previously had a cordial relationship.
“There hasn’t been any pushback, this is like beating up babies,” White said at Sunday’s post-fight press conference. “I feel like I came in and I’m beating up babies.
“I expected more, I expected some pushback, I expected some... I don’t know, [for] them to be more game. They’re all way out of their league – like absolutely, positively out of their league.
“I don’t think anybody looks at Eddie Hearn and says: ‘Oh, this guy’s a visionary.’ The guy’s been in boxing forever, I look at him like most politicians. You’ve done nothing in this sport except stay in the lane and play by all the rules and ride right along with what’s been... You ended up becoming part of the problem, is what’s happened.
UFC president and CEO Dana White (Getty)
“And I don’t wanna sit here and smash Eddie Hearn or anything, but Eddie Hearn works for his dad, you know what I mean? He works for dad. I don’t think he’s come in and had any type of vision, whereas we do, and we’re gonna change the entire sport.”
White, 56, was referring to Barry Hearn’s position as Matchroom president, while his son Eddie, 46, works as chairman. However, Eddie Hearn has overseen Matchroom’s boxing branch for years.
“I understand the people who are the status quo in boxing don’t like it, but it doesn’t mean they can’t still do their thing,” White continued. “If your thing is as good as you think it is, and you are as good as you think you are, then do your thing. Good luck to you. I’m gonna do my thing, and they’re gonna do theirs.
Eddie Hearn (left) and his father Barry (Netflix)
“Eddie Hearn and his dad have a lot of money, it’s not like they can’t compete. They can’t compete because they don’t know how to compete; there’s no vision there, I don’t know how else to explain it other than that.
“Listen, I’m sitting here, my third fight in. I’m either right or I’m wrong.”
The gloves are off between Dana White, Eddie Hearn and all boxing promoters.
White: "This is like beating up babies. ... I expected more."
Matchroom counts Anthony Joshua, Katie Taylor, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, Conor Benn, Shakur Stevenson and Dmitry Bivol among its fighters, while Hearn has also promoted Canelo Alvarez before.
Meanwhile, Jai Opetaia is Zuffa’s standout signing so far. The cruiserweight champion, who signed with Zuffa after leaving Matchroom, is due to face Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa world title in March.
Oscar Piastri reckons a bad race start in the 2026 Formula 1 campaign will be so costly that a driver may lose up to “seven spots” - likening it to an F2 contest.
Race start procedures have been a contentious topic since pre-season testing began last week, because they are now much more complex than before due to the removal of the MGU-H.
This means drivers must rev their engines for at least 10 seconds to reach the required turbo level, but timing it wrong could either cause a slow getaway or putting the car into anti-stall.
That happened to Franco Colapinto in Bahrain on Friday as he almost spun into the pitstraight barrier, showing they’re far from as seamless as before this regulation change.
Piastri said: “Everyone's going to need different things for the start, and to be completely honest with you, I'm not sure any of us know exactly what we need yet.
“I think we've probably got rough ideas, I'm sure we'll find a way to do a proper start. It's just that the difference between a good and bad start last year was you got a bit of wheelspin or you had a bad reaction time.
“This year it could be effectively like an F2 race where you almost go into anti-stall or something. You're not just losing five metres or so, you could be losing six or seven spots if it goes wrong.”
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
It could be even worse for drivers towards the back of the grid, given they might not even get the required 10 seconds to spool up the turbo under the current procedure.
“The starts need to be addressed,” added the McLaren driver. “As we've all seen, it's a pretty complicated process now to have a safe start, let alone a competitive one.
“It's something that we'll talk about between now and Melbourne, I'm sure, and there's plenty of topics to address. Starts, overtaking – overtaking is certainly going to be different as well.
“DRS was obviously just a pure advantage you used to gain, whereas now with the energy boost you've obviously got to harvest that extra energy somehow and then deploy it, which with some of the rules in place is not always that straightforward.
“So there's also some optimisation from all the manufacturers, I'm sure, on how to redistribute things and make overtaking as easy as it can be. I think following is very similar to last year, in all honesty, which is not a big surprise to me, but there's definitely a lot of things to talk about and address before Melbourne.”
A lot of those topics are expected to be discussed in Wednesday’s F1 commission meeting during this week’s second Bahrain test, ahead of the Australian season opener on 6-8 March.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has called for three rule changes to be made ahead of the F1 season-opener in Australia on 8 March.
The second of three F1 pre-season tests took place in Bahrain last week, with the final session set for this week (18-20 February) at the Sakhir circuit, a fortnight before the first race of the 2026 season.
Radical new engine and chassis regulations threaten to shake up the pecking order, but early tests have triggered several concerns, which Stella highlighted to the media last week.
Two concern safety measures regarding race starts and the potential for collisions on the grid, as well as the controversial ‘lift and coast’ procedure at the end of straights, which could also result in high-speed collisions.
Stella’s third rule-change proposal concerns the new ‘overtake mode’, replacing DRS this season, with the notion being that it is not powerful enough to create overtaking opportunities during races. Speaking about said issues, Stella said: "I think it's imperative [changes are made] because it's possible and it's simple.
“So, we should not complicate what is simple and we should not postpone what is possible immediately. Therefore, I think it's something that we should definitely achieve before Australia.”
A practice race-start at the end of last week’s test saw multiple cars struggle to move off the line. The new engines need to be revved to build up turbo boost pressure and minimise turbo-lag, resulting in some drivers revving hard for more than ten seconds.
The current start procedure, which sees five red lights blink at one-second intervals before all five vanish, will potentially not provide enough time for drivers at the back of the grid to prepare their turbo in time.
Stella detailed: "We need to make sure that the race start procedure allows all cars to have the power unit ready to go because the grid is not the place in which you want to have cars slow in taking off the grid.
"This is of bigger interest than any competitive interest. I think all teams and the FIA should play the game of responsibility when it comes to what is needed in terms of race start procedure. I'm thinking about the timings, for instance, the timing of the lights, the timing before the lights.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella wants three rule changes to be made (Getty Images)
"They need to be in the right place to make sure that, first of all, it's a safe phase of the way we go racing."
Speaking about the ‘lift and coast’ issue, with drivers looking to take their foot off the accelerator to recharge the battery, Stella also believed it was a safety concern.
"There could be cars that follow another car and the car ahead may want to lift to harvest [energy],” he said. "This may not be an ideal situation when you follow closely and this can give a race situation like we've seen before a few [high speed crashes] times in Valencia, [Riccardo] Patrese in Portugal and there are a few more that definitely we don't want to see anymore in Formula 1."
As for the ‘overtake mode’, Stella is concerned there will not be enough energy to use it effectively, which removes a key overtaking device.
The Italian engineer detailed: "I think, unlike in the past, where we had the DRS and the DRS created such an advantage from an aerodynamic drag point of view for the following car, this year, when you follow somebody, you have the same drag and the same power, so it becomes quite difficult to overtake.
"Our drivers have been racing with other drivers during these three days of testing in Bahrain and they found it extremely difficult to overtake. The fact that you have an additional amount of energy when you follow and you are within one second is difficult to exploit because this extra energy may mean that there is just a little bit more deployment at the end of the straight, if anything.
Lando Norris tests McLaren’s 2026 F1 car in Bahrain (Getty Images)
"So I think, again, as an F1 community, we should look at what can be done to make sure that we have a sensible feasibility when it comes to overtaking. Otherwise, we lose one of the fundamental elements of the nature of racing, which is giving drivers the possibility to overtake."
Stella was keen to emphasise that his proposals are not about McLaren’s competitiveness, but the overall health of the sport as a new era dawns in Melbourne.
"We are not talking about how fast you are in qualifying," he added. "We are not talking about what is your race pace. We are talking about safety on the grid.
"Like I said before, there are some topics which are simply bigger than the competitive interest. And for me, having safety on the grid, which can be achieved with simple adjustment, is just a no-brainer. It's just a bigger interest."
The topics will be a point of discussion between the FIA and teams at F1’s Commission meeting this Wednesday, taking place in conjunction with the final pre-season test in Bahrain.
Tre Johnson, a former NFL offensive lineman, died on Sunday, Feb. 15
Johnson's wife, Irene, said he recently had "health issues," but his death still came as a "shock" to family and friends
Johnson died during a family trip at the age of 54
Tre Johnson, a former NFL offensive lineman with the Washington Commanders, has died. He was 54.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Feb. 15, Johnson’s wife, Irene, announced that he died “suddenly and unexpectedly” during a family trip that day.
“His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock,” Irene wrote. “If you know Tre’, you know what a devoted and loving father, he was to his children.
“Tre' lived for his kids’ sports activities and supported them through every practice and game until he took his last breath,” she added.
TRE JOHNSON
Joel Richardson/The The Washington Post via Getty
Irene said Johnson was known for his sporting career, but also loved French bulldogs and biking. She described his time in the NFL as “tremendous,” while noting that he played for the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns.
“He was known for his durability and strength during his time in Washington,” Irene wrote. “He loved the game and prided himself on his tremendous knowledge of it.
“After retirement, he also found his second career passion, education. He worked as a History Teacher at the Landon School in Bethesda Maryland, where he was beloved by the young male students he mentored and the faculty,” she said. “His recent battles with health issues forced him to take a leave of absence.
“We will miss him so much.💔💔💔,” Irene concluded.
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Former Washington Redskin offensive lineman Tre Johnson is lecturing in a diversity class.
John McDonnell/The Washington Post via Getty
Irene shared a photo of Johnson playing for the Washington Redskins against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002 alongside several snaps of him with his loved ones.
Washington drafted Johnson with the 31st pick in 1994 after his time at Temple University, ESPN reported. He stayed with the team until 2001, when he joined Cleveland for a year.
In 2002, he returned to Washington for his last year in the league.
He appeared in 93 regular-season games with 72 starts, according to NBC Sports.
The team, which changed its name to the Washington Commanders in 2020, shared a tribute to Johnson on X.
“We're heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre' Johnson. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones,” the team said.
No. 25 Texas A&M couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2026 season. Across three games at Olsen Field, the Aggies unloaded 45 runs on 45 hits, overwhelming Tennessee Tech and cruising to a decisive opening‑weekend sweep.
It wasn’t just loud contact—it was discipline. A&M paired its power with patience, drawing 22 walks and consistently refusing to chase pitches out of the zone. Against an overmatched opponent, the Aggies looked every bit like a ranked team, and the early returns reflect the renewed offensive identity under head coach Michael Earley, who has resumed hitting‑coach duties this season. Even in a small sample, his fingerprints are obvious.
The production came from everywhere. In ideal hitting conditions, the long ball set the tone early in the series, with five different Aggies leaving the yard in the first two games alone. Junior star Caden Sorrell and transfer Wesley Jordan each delivered multi‑homer performances, while freshman phenom Nico Partida launched the first home run of his collegiate career. Newcomer Jake Duer added his first as an Aggie, continuing the theme of contributions up and down the lineup.
It’s fair for fans to remain measured—there are still plenty of questions to answer as the competition stiffens—but there’s no denying how clean, confident, and complete this offense looked out of the gate. For an opening weekend, you take this every time.
Below are all the home runs from the series against Tennessee Tech:
Caden Sorrell gets the first home run of the season
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.
The Celts secured all three points against Kilmarnock yesterday (Feb 15) thanks to a dramatic late goal from Julian Araujo. Now they’re looking ahead to the next crucial test.
This week is the all-important UEFA Europa League knockout play-off match against VfB Stuttgart, where they will look to take the advantage before heading over to Germany the following Thursday.
The Hoops take on the Bundesliga side at home on Thursday, February 19 (KO: 8pm) and your support is key to help cheer them on to victory.
Tickets for this fixture are now on general sale - secure your seat today to avoid disappointment!
If nothing else, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport writes that Ossai is one of the most overlooked veterans of the entire projected free-agent market:
“Ossai hasn't posted gaudy stats over his four seasons in the Queen City. But his playing time has increased in recent years, and he has shown the ability to both set the edge and get after opposing quarterbacks—he has 45 pressures and 27 quarterback hits over the past two years.”
The Bengals are in a tough spot with Ossai. They invested a third-round pick in him back in 2021 and he’s still just 25 years old. But they have first-round investments in Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy. Plus, the open market could ramp up his asking price.
If the Bengals let Ossai get away, they will need to go out and find another veteran edge who can boost the rotation.
And if that happens, as Davenport notes, teams like the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers would be more than happy to step in and offer Ossai a notable deal in free agency.
The final week of the Milan Cortina games is here, and some athletes who had to wait for their chance to compete are getting their shot at medals.
Every day of the Winter Games, The Sporting News will let you know what's coming on that night's primetime broadcasts — without spoilers — so you can plan your evening viewing if you can't watch all the action live.
Bobsled is the last of the sliding sports to take the track, and two of the strongest and most experienced U.S. Olympians will try to reach the podium Monday. Women's monobob will see Elana Meyers Taylor and Kaillie Humphries in medal contention, with Team USA's Kaysha Love also in the mix for a medal.
Elsewhere, Eileen Gu is back on the slopes in the freeski big air finals, where she will face off against Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud and Canada's Megan Oldham for gold. Medals also are on the line in pairs figure skating and short track speed skating.
Beyond NBC, fans can watch curling highlights on CNBC along with men's bobsled, ski jumping and more on USA Network.
See below for the full broadcast schedule tonight and enjoy all the memorable moments from Milan Cortina.
NBC Olympics schedule tonight: Spoiler-free primetime TV lineup for Monday
Schedule is subject to change. Watch it all on NBC or stream it via DIRECTV.
Time (ET)
Event
8 p.m.
Freestyle skiing women's big air final
8:30 p.m.
Figure skating pairs' free skate
9:15 p.m.
Women's monobob final runs
9:45 p.m.
Figure skating pairs' free skate
10:25 p.m.
Short track speed skating women's 1000m final
Olympics schedule tonight: USA, CNBC lineups for Monday
Here are the events scheduled to be rebroadcast on delay this evening:
Primetime in Milan will air live on NBC every night, with host Mike Tirico presenting a package of competition from earlier in the day, highlights and interviews.
Primetime in Milan and the rest of the delayed broadcasts on USA Network and CNBC can be streamed live via DIRECTV, which offers a free trial so new subscribers can try before they buy.
Catch Every Game – Try DIRECTV FREE Today! Stream live Soccer, MLB, and more with must-have sports channels like TNT, TBS, truTV, ESPN, FS1, and NFL Network—all included with DIRECTV.
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“Everyone knows what’s going on” says James Trafford on Manchester City future
Manchester City’s James Trafford has issued further comment on his current situation at the Etihad Stadium, looking ahead to a big summer for the 23-year-old.
The current campaign has proven to be a defining one for Trafford since his return to City, with the goalkeeper navigating a challenging balance between opportunity and patience within Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Having arrived with the expectation of competing for regular minutes and perhaps holding down the number one spot in the side, the landscape around the position evolved quickly, reshaping his role within the goalkeeping department.
After completing a £31 million move back from Burnley last summer, Trafford initially featured prominently during the opening weeks of the season. However, as City strengthened further late in the window through Gianluigi Donnarumma, his match involvement shifted.
Despite reduced exposure, Trafford has remained a visible presence in domestic cup fixtures, where his performances have underlined both his reliability and development, allowing him to stay sharp and contribute meaningfully to City’s progress across multiple tournaments.
Speaking to reporters after City’s 2-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup, James Trafford was quizzed by reporters on what the future holds for him in the game, as he continues to act as back-up to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“Obviously everyone knows what’s going on with me so I’ve just got to play as well as I can whenever I play,” Trafford admitted when the subject of a potential review on his situation at the end of the season was brought up.
“Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens,” he continued.
MailSport’s Jack Gaughan has reported that at least one Premier League club registered interest in James Trafford during the most recent January transfer window, and a number of suitors are expected to surface over the coming months.
“I’ve obviously got a contract. I don’t know what happens next season,” Trafford insisted. He continued, “I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.
“He [Gianluigi Donnarumma] is a great fella, he is a lovely man. We both train as hard as we can and try to improve ourselves. Obviously he’s had a great career so far and he’s got great standards.”
From Manchester City’s perspective, James Trafford’s contribution has certainly not gone unnoticed, and Pep Guardiola has regularly highlighted the goalkeeper’s professionalism behind the scenes, as well as his shot-stopping quality.
Faith from his manager has been particularly evident of late and Manchester City’s Carabao Cup run, where Trafford played a key role en route to the final against Arsenal, including crucial outings against Newcastle United across two semi-final legs.
With the summer transfer window approaching, James Trafford’s future remains a topic of growing interest across the Premier League, and whether his next step involves continued competition at the Etihad Stadium or a new challenge elsewhere, the coming months are expected to be pivotal in shaping the next phase of his career.
Barcelona forward sparks mystery with cryptic Instagram message
Lamine Yamal has become one of the most talked-about figures in world football, and not just because of what he does on the pitch.
The Barcelona teenager’s rise has been followed closely across the globe, and even his smallest actions away from football quickly attract attention.
That was once again the case after his latest activity on social media.
The young forward shared an Instagram story that immediately sparked curiosity among supporters.
An intriguing Instagram story
The image showed a very dark room, with only a faint outline of Barcelona visible in the background. The only clear element in the photo was a computer screen, also dimly lit, displaying what looked like the beginning of a written text.
At the top of the document, a title could be seen: “Chapter 1: My inner abyss.” Beneath it, a single line of text was visible.
“I would like to be what everyone wants me to be.”
Lamine Yamal posted a very interesting story. (Source: Instagram)
That short and emotional sentence was enough to trigger a wave of reactions online. Fans and followers quickly began to speculate about the meaning behind the post.
Some believed it was the start of a personal autobiography, while others thought it might be part of a creative project or simply a private reflection shared publicly.
The post fits into the reality surrounding Yamal. At such a young age, he is already living under intense pressure.
Every performance, every interview, and even every social media post is analysed by millions. It is a level of attention that very few players experience, especially before turning 20.
As reported before, Girona are set to be without only natural left-back, Alex Moreno, meaning a makeshift defender will be on guard to face the Barcelona forward.
Barcelona unlikely to sign defender that Hansi Flick likes
Barcelona have plans to address multiple positions in Hansi Flick’s squad during the upcoming summer transfer window. A new central defender and striker are wanted, while the situation with loanees Joao Cancelo and Marcus Rashford will also need to be addressed.
Rashford has many chances to stay, but given that Cancelo has barely been used by Flick in spite of Barcelona’s full-back struggles, it would suggest that he will not remain in Catalonia on a permanent basis. When he returns to Al-Hilal, a replacement could be sought, and one target has been linked is Julian Ryerson.
Flick is a big fan of the Norway international, but according to Bild (via Sport), there is little chance that Borussia Dortmund consider selling him in the summer.
Image via Pau Barrena/Getty Images
Dortmund value Ryerson for his commitment to the club, as well as his versatility. Like with Cancelo, he is comfortable at both full-back positions, and this is a reason why Flick would like to add him to his Barcelona squad for the 2026-27 season and beyond.
Barcelona will need to address full-back positions
Even if Barcelona make their long-awaited return to La Liga’s 1:1 rule, it is very unlikely that they spend big on a full-back. A new striker is the priority for the club’s sporting department, closely followed by a central defender and Rashford. In this regard, there is virtually no chance of Ryerson joining, with it being much more likely for Cancelo to stick around – as long as another financially-viable deal can be agreed with Al-Hilal.
It remains to be seen how Barcelona approach their full-back situation going into the summer. They need sufficient cover for Jules Kounde on the right and Alejandro Balde on the left, and with both players having struggled for consistency this season, the idea would be for whoever signs to push both for their spot in the starting line-up.
Cleveland Browns linebackers coach Jason Tarver looks to the scoreboard during the first half of an NFL preseason football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Celtic took all three points away against Kilmarnock in the most dramatic fashion yesterday (Sunday, February 15) as the Hoops staged a sensational combeack from 2-0 down to win the game in stoppage time.
The home side led 2-0 at half time, prompting Martin O'Neill to make three subs at the break. Sebastian Tounekti dragged the Hoops back in to the match with a stunning strike early in the second period before Benjamin Nygren levelled the match soon after.
After leaving it late in their previous two matches, Celtic struck in stoppage time again, with Julián Araujo slamming the ball in to the net from close range in the 97th minute to give Celtic the win and spark wild celebrations amongst the travelling Hoops support.
Below is a selection of some of the best images from yesterday's win.
Fixtures
Kilmarnock Vs. Celtic - Sun, Feb 15th 2026, 14:00 Final score: 2 - 3Match Report
Ligue 1: Arsène Kouassi settles scores with Hervé Koffi
A gesture of sportsmanship between national teammates.
Ligue 1: Arsène Kouassi settles scores with Hervé Koffi
After Lorient's 2-0 victory over Angers on Sunday in matchday 22 of the Ligue 1, Arsène Kouassi sent a message to his national teammate Hervé Koffi, the Angers goalkeeper and fellow Burkina Faso international.
Arsène Kouassi wrote on social media: "Sorry my friend, I had to take revenge today. Have a great season, see you soon." After delivering a brilliant assist for Lorient’s opening goal, Kouassi helped secure the win for his team and "avenged" the 0-2 defeat in the first leg.Hervé Koffi replied: "That's football, little brother. Congratulations on the win, and congrats to you too. We’re in this together." These messages are a testament to the outstanding sportsmanship and genuine friendship between the national teammates.
Both players are pillars of the Stallions national team, and Arsène Kouassi and Hervé Koffi rank among the top stars in Ligue 1 thanks to their impressive individual performances.
Adam Silver has indicated that the NBA is willing to consider abolishing the draft altogether if tanking continues to damage competitive integrity.
The commissioner addressed the issue during his annual All-Star Weekend press conference, identifying tanking as one of the league’s most significant challenges.
Silver signalled that meaningful structural reform, including sweeping changes, remains under active consideration.
Photo by Ryan Sirius Sun/Getty Images
Adam Silver says tanking is worse than recent years
Adam Silver acknowledged that the league is witnessing behaviour he believes surpasses what has occurred in recent seasons. He stressed that maintaining competitive balance is essential to protecting the NBA’s credibility.
The commissioner also confirmed that league officials convened in Los Angeles to examine multiple potential solutions. He suggested the NBA is approaching the issue through a comprehensive review.
“Are we seeing behavior that is worse this year than we’ve seen in recent memory? Yes, is my view.”
Silver added that organisations have effectively been placed on notice. He emphasised that the league will assess the totality of each team’s conduct moving forward.
“We’re going to be looking more closely at the totality of all the circumstances this season in terms of teams’ behavior, and very intentionally wanted teams to be on notice.”
Draft abolition among long-term options
The Athletic reported that league officials discussed approximately ten possible remedies to combat tanking.
Although eliminating the rookie draft was not formally proposed, it could receive serious consideration if other measures prove ineffective.
The NBA has operated with a draft system since the era of Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. Removing it would mark one of the most significant structural changes in league history.
Silver noted that the draft is designed to help struggling teams rebuild and compete. He questioned whether that purpose is compromised if franchises manipulate outcomes to improve their lottery position.
“Part of the problem is if you step back, the fundamental theory behind a draft is to help your worst-performing teams restock and be able to compete… we want parity, but parity of opportunity.”
Eliminating the draft could, in theory, remove incentives to lose intentionally, as incoming players would evaluate teams based on stability and competitiveness. However, such a move would also raise concerns about financial and geographic disparities.
Inter’s support for Bastoni after social media threats, but Juventus overreacted – report
Inter have shown support for their star Alessandro Bastoni after the Italian defender was subjected to social media abuse, and according to Gazzetta, the Nerazzurri feel the Juventus’ reaction was blown out of proportion.
Inter directors and coach Cristian Chivu sent support to their defender Bastoni on Sunday.
Inter send support to Bastoni
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 09: Alessandro Bastoni of Internazionale acknowledges the fans following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 09, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Italy international had received hate messages and threats on social media after celebrating Pierre Kalulu’s red card during Inter-Juventus. Bastoni went down far too easily in a challenge with the French defender, causing a second yellow card.
PISA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Pisa SC and FC Internazionale at Arena Garibaldi on November 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
According to Gazzetta, Bastoni was taken aback by the scale of online abuse, which even extended to his younger daughter. Italian sources claim that Bastoni spoke for a long time on the phone with Chivu and Inter directors on Sunday, receiving full support from his club.
‘No one at Inter considers him a diver in the slightest, with everyone viewing the incident as nothing more than a simple yellow-card incident,’ wrote Gazzetta.
Inter unhappy with Juventus’ reaction
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: FC Internazionale Milano players celebrate their team’s first goal which was an own goal scored by Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus (not pictured) during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Juventus FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
At the same time, the Nerazzurri feel that the Juventus’ reaction was blown out of proportion as the Bianconeri directors confronted the referee inside the tunnel at half-time and sent Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli in front of the media after the match, rather than coach Luciano Spalletti.
Gazzetta notes that Chiellini’s pointed comments after the match particularly rubbed Inter the wrong way. Having won the 2021 Euros alongside Bastoni, the former Juventus defender is regarded by the Inter star as one of the best centre-backs of the past decade, having seen firsthand the full spectrum of the ex-national captain’s skills, including his shrewdness in certain defensive situations.
Ahmed Hamoudan urges CAF to sanction Al Ahly over fan incidents in Cairo
AS FAR player questions handling of Al Ahly fan behaviour
Ahmed Hamoudan urges CAF to sanction Al Ahly over fan incidents in Cairo
AS FAR player Ahmed Hamoudan called on CAF to apply the law to Al Ahly after fan incidents during their Champions League match in Cairo.
Hamoudan reacts after goalless draw
Ahmed Hamoudan winger of AS FAR has asked the CAF to take action against Al Ahly supporters following events during their recent meeting.
The two team faced each other in matchday 6 of CAF Champions League group stage at Cairo International Stadium, with the game ending in 0-0 draw.
The result confirmed qualification for both sides to the quarter-finals.
“Apply the Law Fairly”
Speaking to Moroccan outlet Albotola, Hamoudan said he wants CAF to treat all fan-related incidents in the same way. He referred to what he described as unfortunate scenes involving Al Ahly supporters during the match.
Hamoudan stated that AS FAR had previously accepted CAF sanctions against their own fans even though he felt the punishment was harsh.
He added that he now expects the same rules to be applied stressing that fairness is key when dealing with such cases.
Call for equal treatment
The Moroccan winger made it clear that his request is not about emotions but about consistency.
He said it is not easy to accept unequal treatment and urged CAF to act with justice when reviewing what happened in Cairo.
Hamoudan also underlined that his team respected CAF decisions in the past and believes the confederation should show the same level of firmness in all similar situations.
Despite the controversy, both clubs secured their places in CAF Champions League quarter-finals. Al Ahly finished top of the group with 10 point while AS FAR claimed second place with 9 point.
The draw in Cairo ensured progression for the two side setting up tense knockout phase in Africa’s top club competition.
From the heat of Jamaica to the ice of New York, and now, the Olympic track in Italy, the Jamaican Bobsleigh team's journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics is powered by resilience, heart and an unshakable belief in what’s possible.
At just 26 years old, Shane Pitter is the pilot of the team, carrying forward a legacy that has always defied expectations. He lives and trains in Jamaica, where winter doesn’t exist in the traditional sense. “It’s hot,” he said with a laugh.
Training for an icy, high-speed sport in a tropical climate requires creativity and discipline. When it’s time to head north, Pitter prepares his body before he ever steps outside. “We always make sure we are fully dressed for the cold,” he explained. “I make sure my room is actually cold. So when I go outside, I can manage the outside temperature.”
It’s a small detail, but one that reflects a bigger truth: This team doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. It adapts.
That mindset was tested in heartbreaking ways when Hurricane Melissa tore through parts of Jamaica in October of last year. The team was in Canada at the time, racing in the North American Cup, watching devastation unfold back home from a distance.
While Pitter's own family was spared, the emotional weight was heavy. “A lot of missing people still out there and people's homes got washed away. Some of the people don’t even have a home and like everything is gone for them.”
And yet, in the middle of that grief, something extraordinary happened.
That same day, Pitter and his team raced to a historic gold medal. After the win, messages poured in from home. “The comments back home, they were like, ‘we really needed this win after that storm,’” he recalled.
Then came another emotional moment. “When I came down the track, I was hearing Jimmy Cliff (a Jamaican musician) playing on the radio, and one of the track officials said that he passed away.”
With one heat left to decide the race, Pitter found his focus. “We are not going to just win this for Jamaica and ourselves, but we are going to also win this for Jimmy Cliff because he’s very special to us.”
The result? Gold.
Even that victory took time to sink in. “When I won, I was like, did I really win?” Pitter said. “Then after, it really hits me when they called me for the gold medal,” He paused. “Knowing that I made history and we never finished on the podium before.”
With Olympic qualification secured, the team hunkered down to train in Lake Placid, New York. “Lake Placid is like crazy cold,” Pitter said. Compared to that, he thinks, Italy should be manageable.
“We have a goal to accomplish so it doesn’t matter the rain or the storm,” Pitter said. “We’re going out there to make sure we do our training.”
Extra layers, face masks and preparation ensure the cold never becomes an excuse. “We don’t miss out on anything because of the cold.”
There are other challenges too, like equipment. The Jamaican team is competing on borrowed sleds, some nearly a decade old, while other nations arrive with the latest technology.
Still, Pitter remains confident. “Even though my sled is not going to be brand new going into the games, I’m going to definitely use it to do some damage,” he said. “I’m gonna let those older sleds sing, fly.”
The team is set to compete in several events in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, beginning February 15 and 16.
From hurricanes to snowstorms, the Jamaican Bobsleigh team’s road to the 2026 Winter Olympics is about more than medals. It’s about showing up for each other, for their country and for people back home who need hope in the aftermath of disaster.
“I just want to say thanks to everybody who is watching and thanks for the support,” Pitter said. “Much love from me and from Jamaica Bobsleigh team.”
If you'd like to donate to the Jamaican Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, they have organized a GoFundMe campaign which is linked in their Instagram bio.
Derby Madness – Inter Milan & Juventus Players & Staff Clash In Tunnel Horror Show: Disciplinary Measures Expected
Serie A arch-rivals Inter Milan and Juventus squared off in a controversial Derby d’Italia clash at Stadio San Siro on Saturday,
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, tensions spilled over beyond the football pitch as Inter clinched a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Indeed, the Frenchman had been on a yellow card when the Inter center-back went down under what turned out to be a fair challenge.
However, La Penna booked Kalulu for the second time on the brink of halftime, leaving Juventus with ten men.
Inter Milan & Juventus Players & Staff Collide in Tunnel Horror Show
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, reacts during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Unwilling to accept the referee’s decision, Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti lashed out at La Penna at halftime.
Furthermore, several Bianconeri officials, including Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini, confronted La Penna in the tunnel.
Meanwhile, Riccardo Ferri, a member of Cristian Chivu’s staff, tried to interfere, which only escalated tensions further.
As a result, several high-ranking officials from both clubs are now facing a potential ban.
One of the United States’ best shots at gold entering the 2026 Winter Olympics was the star-studded women’s hockey team. Team USA entered the Milan-Cortina Games as a favorite to win gold, followed by rival Canada.
As we kick off the second and final week of the 2026 Olympics, Team USA is just one win away from playing in the gold medal game. On Monday, February 16, Team USA takes on a strong Sweden team in the semifinal at the Unipol Dome, also known as Arena Milano in Milan.
The winner will advance to the gold medal game on Thursday, February 19, where they will face the winner of the second semifinal between Canada and Switzerland.
The captain for Team USA at the 2026 Games is the legendary Hilary Knight, a four-time Olympic medalist, with a 2018 gold and silver medals in 2010, 2014, and 2022. Before being introduced to the world stage, Knight was a two-time national champion at the University of Wisconsin.
Feb 7, 2026; Milan, Italy; Alex Carpenter (25) of the United States celebrates after scoring a goal against Finland in women’s ice hockey group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: David W Cerny/Reuters via Imagn Images
Serving as the alternate captains for Team USA are defender Megan Keller and forward Alex Carpenter.
Who else is representing the United States at the Milan-Cortina Games?
A full look at the Team USA women’s hockey Olympic roster can be seen below.
Feb 5, 2026; Milan, Italy; Hilary Knight (21) of Team United States celebrates scoring a goal against Team Czechia in women’s ice hockey Group A play during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Bruce Mouat's rink were edged out 6-5 by the Swiss on Sunday [Reuters]
Great Britain's men's curling Winter Olympics medal hopes have been cast into doubt after a shock 8-6 defeat by Norway left them scrambling to make the semi-finals in Cortina.
Bruce Mouat's world champions had lost two of their opening six matches, but were expected to beat the Norwegians for their fifth victory of the competition.
Leading 4-2 after six ends, they appeared to be in good shape. But a few untimely errors, combined with a disciplined display by their unheralded opponents, left them 6-4 down with two ends left.
Mouat's attempted triple takeout in the penultimate end was a fraction out, but still yielded two to level the scores going into the last.
However, Norway held their nerve with the hammer to close out an unexpected victory.
Given results elsewhere, five wins might still prove to be enough to reach Thursday's semis. But the British rink will need to beat both Canada on Tuesday (18:05 GMT) and the United States the next day (13:05) to be sure of making the last four.
"We need to win our next two to make sure we're definitely in the semis," lead Hammy McMillan told BBC Sport. "We're doing a lot of the right things, we just need to find that extra inch."
The women's rink are in even more significant peril, after a win and a loss on Monday left them needing favours to reach the medal matches.
Denmark were seen off 7-2 in the morning, but world silver medallists Switzerland ultimately proved just too strong for the inexperienced British team, winning 10-6.
The Scottish quartet score their first double of the game to lead after six ends, but the Swiss responded immediately with three points of their own.
The inexperienced GB team pulled level with two ends to go but a magnificent final stone earned Switzerland four in the ninth end to immediately finish the contest.
Having now lost four of their opening six games, Rebecca Morrison's rink need to beat the United States (08:05 GMT) and Japan (18:05) on Wednesday, then hosts Italy on Thursday (13:05), to have any chance of reaching the last four.
"We need to come back in a couple of days and try and get some wins," Morrison told BBC Sport. "We thrive under pressure and we've got to keep fighting. You never know what can happen."
The top four after nine matches advance to the semi-finals [BBC]
Ana Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby have been British pairs champions for the last five years [Getty Images]
Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby concluded their Olympic debut with a season-best score in pairs figure skating.
Both Brits put their hands down to the ice in the axel sequence of their free skate - but they didn't fall, thus avoiding a one-point deduction.
There was a slight mistime in the lasso lift too, but overall it was a graceful routine for the first British duo to compete in the pairs since 2014.
It had been a tricky build-up to the competition, with Digby suffering a wrist injury which hampered their training while Vaipan-Law fell during their routine in the team event.
It earned them an overall score of 179.06 and they finished in 15th place.
On their Olympic experience, Digby said: "It will never change us as people but it will give us memories for a lifetime. It has been our goal since we've been young kids - the journey has been tough with plenty of ups and downs.
"But to finally achieve our dream and we know that for the rest of our lives we can be really proud of what we did at this Olympics, and that is what means the world."
Japan's Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara won gold after a flawless free skate saw them charge up the leaderboard, having been fifth after the short program. They add the Olympic crown to their World Championship title.
European champions Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava took silver - Georgia's first ever Winter Olympic medal - while overnight leaders Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany earned bronze.
GB's Treacy crashes out
Niall Treacy was well behind the field in his 500m heat when he skidded out of the race [Getty Images]
Team GB's Niall Treacy suffered his third crash in as many short track speed skating events as his Winter Olympics ended when he failed to progress from the 500m heats.
The only British representative in short track, Treacy surprisingly reached the 1500m final on Saturday but crashed out and then also fell in the 1,000m heats.
The 25-year-old says the shortest distance is his least favourite, declaring himself to be "not a natural sprinter".
Treacy had a wobbly start as he was clipped on the opening corner by South Korea's Rim Jong-un - an 18-year-old high school student who won bronze in the 1,000m - to require a restart.
But there was no reprieve for Treacy, as he skidded out midway through the full race under no pressure.
It ends British interest in short track, and the sport has struggled since losing £4.8m in UK Sport funding after failing to win a medal at PyeongChang 2018.
GB sent a team of five to short track events eight years ago - but that is down to one in Milan.
Dutchman Jens van'T Wout, who has already won both the 1,000m and 1500m, remains in the hunt for a golden treble after avoiding a mass pile-up to win his heat.
The remainder of the 500m competition - with two further knock-out rounds before the final - takes place on Tuesday.
'Back to the drawing board' for Hall & Lawrence
Hall guided Team GB to 11th place in Beijing in the two-man and sixth in the four-man [Getty Images]
British two-man bobsleigh team Brad Hall and Taylor Lawrence suffered a disappointing start to their Olympic campaign - now sitting eighth at the halfway point of the competition.
Their combined time of 1:51:54 after two heats leaves them 1.64 seconds off the pace of German team Johannes Lochner and Georg Fleischhauer in top spot with two more German teams occupying the other podium places before Tuesday's medal-deciding runs.
Hall and Lawrence, who is a serving Royal Marine, were unable to improve on their run-one position after a heavy bump near the top of the track on their second heat led to more errors and a struggle to make up time.
"It was definitely a very difficult day. The track is extremely difficult to be consistent down, especially in a bobsleigh," said Hall, who is GB's most decorated bobsleigh World Cup pilot.
"We didn't quite do well enough on our second run, we lost quite a bit of time to some and gained on others. We need to go back to the drawing board and see what we can do better tomorrow."
Pilot Hall will also lead the charge for a medal in the four-man event later this week. While Germany's Francesco Friedrich, who is currently third, is aiming to do the treble double - win two and four-man gold for the third Games in a row.
Meanwhile, Adele Nicoll said she was "speechless" after a disappointing final run meant she finished 18th in the women's monobob.
The Welsh slider, who is also a three-time British shot put champion, produced three solid runs before clocking 1:01:03, which she described as "the worst run of my life", in the fourth heat.
"I know everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong and it is just one of those nightmare performances that I'll hopefully move on from. I need to pull it together for the two-woman," she said.
American Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, took gold to become the oldest Olympic champion at a Winter Games while Germany's Laura Nolte was second and another American, Kaillie Armbruster Humphries was third.
It comes to no one's surprise that Team Canada steamrolled their opponents on the way to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics quarterfinal. Coach Jon Cooper probably has the most talented roster to have ever graced the world of men's hockey. Sidney Crosby, the longtime veteran in the NHL and Pittsburgh Penguins star, has not seen a bond among great athletes like these in a long time.
Canada star veteran lauds insane camaraderie
With a 10-2 win over France, Team Canada now secures the top seed in the Winter Olympics bracket en route to the gold medal. While many may think that it is the sheer collection of talent in Coach Cooper's roster that got him here, there was something more to that. Crosby noted that this squad is different in terms of having great chemistry and it shows on the ice, via Bill Price of NHL.com.
"That’s one of the special parts when you get opportunities like this. You see just how close the team gets, how guys come together and how much they understand as soon as you put this jersey on, regardless of where you played before or what’s happened in the past, you’re in it together," the Penguins and Canada veteran said.
There was no doubt that these players on Canada liked playing alongside each other. Against France, 15 players got to be on the score sheet. They decimated the opponents whether it was on goaltending, defense, or just good old hardnosed offense on the net. Coach Cooper noticed how much these guys were treating each other like brothers despite having vastly different teams in the NHL.
"That’s a big part of what we’re all about. These guys would go through a wall for each other, and it’s fun to watch," the Team Canada head coach declared.
With their fate sealed in the bracket, it will now become win-or-go-home for the Canadians. A lot of great teams in the Olympics have the depth and talent but it all boils down to chemistry when the margin of error is shrunk to just one game.
After two weeks of action in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, only three teams have booked their place in the next round of the tournament, while the rest are fighting for the remaining five spots.
In a rare scenario, 2021 champions Australia are in danger of crashing out of the tournament at the first hurdle, while the USA have an outside chance of progressing.
Al Jazeera breaks down the qualification chances and pathways for the Super Eights:
Which teams have qualified for the Super Eights?
Defending champions India became the latest side to progress with their win over Pakistan on Sunday, joining the West Indies and South Africa.
Which teams are out of the Super Eights race?
After losing all three of their group stage matches thus far, Namibia, Nepal and Oman have been knocked out of the tournament. They will play their one remaining group game each, but it will be inconsequential to their chances of progression.
Can Pakistan still qualify for the Super Eights?
A win over Namibia in their last group game will see Pakistan through to the next stage, but a loss could pit them against the USA in a battle of net run rates.
Currently, the 2009 champions have a higher net run rate of 0.932 than the USA’s 0.788, but a loss to Namibia and the margin of it could change those numbers and place Pakistan in a predicament.
Can Australia really get knocked out of the T20 World Cup?
While it has happened before – in 2009 – the prospect of Australia exiting a World Cup at the group stage would come as a shock to cricket fans, who are accustomed to seeing the men in yellow and gold dominating global tournaments.
Australia must win their remaining two games, against Sri Lanka on Monday and against Oman on Friday, to be in a strong position for Super Eight qualification.
However, winning both matches may not be enough for Australia as they can still be knocked out of the World Cup on the basis of net run rate. The much-needed victories would take them to six points, but the current joint table-toppers – Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe – could also finish their group stage with six points each.
For the 2021 champions to qualify, they would hope Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka or the African side lose to Ireland.
Should Australia lose to Sri Lanka, they would need to beat Oman to have four points. Before that game, which is the last in the group stage, Australia would want Zimbabwe to lose both their matches and finish on two points.
Which other teams can still qualify for the Super Eights?
Group A: Pakistan are favourites to grab the second qualification spot, with the USA still in play.
Group B: All three of Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Australia can make it through, making this group the most exciting of the four in the last round of matches.
Group C: A win over Italy in their last group game will see England qualify for the Super Eights.
Group D: New Zealand will be confident of joining current group leaders South Africa in the next round with a win over lower-ranked Canada. While Afghanistan are still in contention, their only chance of qualification will come if they beat Canada and New Zealand lose to Canada.
When are the Super Eights matches of the T20 World Cup?
The second stage of the tournament runs from February 21 to March 1.
The Baltimore Ravens entered their 30th-anniversary season already asking questions about the free agency frenzy that would follow in 2026. The top three tight ends on their depth chart were all scheduled to have their number come up. Some of us thought Isaiah Likely might be the one to receive the first and possibly the only extension.
So now there's a chance our lasting image of Likely in a Ravens jersey might be him climbing the ladder for a 50-50 ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This came after being robbed of a touchdown pass against them weeks earlier, but that's only part of the young tight end's story.
He's an immense talent. There's some uncertainty about how good he can be and if he can be the go-to guy. Now, the most important chapter comes: whether he'll enjoy an extended stay or if his tenure ends after four seasons. Here are some potential replacements if the latter happens.
To some, this would be considered an upgrade. That would mean acquiring Kyle Pitts might be a more expensive move than keeping Likely on the roster. Oh well. Every angle must be explored, right? Just know, at only 25 years old, there might be a bidding war for the young tight end's services after he enjoyed the best season of his career so far.
Speaking of tight ends who are possibly going to be more expensive than Likely, welcome to the Dallas Goedert portion of this discussion. He also enjoyed a career year. He set the Eagles franchise record for TD receptions by a tight end. One thing to consider here. He turned 31 on January 3.
Now, we're focusing on players who are potentially less expensive than Isaiah Likely. Injuries limited David Njoku to 11 starts in 12 games this season, and the Browns discovered they had another really good tight end, Harold Fannin Jr.
Njoku could be on the move. He's a former Pro Bowler (2023) who could be an early contributor. This most recent season was his least productive since 2019, but he's someone the Ravens should keep on their radar.
This young man is easy to like. It's easy to have missed what he was doing because he played for the Titans, but he was certainly productive. He averages 48 receptions, 504 yards, 10.4 yards perreception, and two TDs over his four seasons. That may be all the Ravens need him to do.
He turns 27 on September 8, so he's still yung. He stands at six-foot-three and tips the scales at 238 [ounds. He was a member of the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team, so it's fair to say that guy might still be in there somewhere.
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 18: Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots takes the field for an NFL divisional playoff game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New England Patriots’ 2025 season is in the books, and even though it ended in disappointment was a major step forward for a team that had gone 4-13 in both of its previous two seasons. At arguably no position was the step more pronounced than quarterback, where Drake Maye went from up-and-down rookie to MVP-caliber center piece of a Super Bowl team.
Needless to say, he will continue to be the engine that will drive the Patriots offense in 2026 and beyond. With that said, let’s take a look at the entire position group entering the offseason.
Patriots quarterback depth chart
Drake Maye: Even though he had a tough time against some of the best defenses in football in the playoffs, Maye’s development under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant was nothing short of impressive. He looked more comfortable going through his progressions in 2025, was decisive with his reads, made adjustments at the line, and remained a passer for as long as possible while reducing his turnover-worthy plays. While there is still significant room for growth especially in that last area and when it comes to sack avoidance, his immense ceiling was on full display throughout his second NFL campaign. Combining the regular season and playoffs, Maye completed 424 of 612 pass attempts (69.3%) for 5,222 yards with 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 21 games. | Signed (2028 FA) | $9.99M cap hit
Joshua Dobbs: The Patriots signed Dobbs due to the familiarity with Mike Vrabel, and the experience he was able to provide behind Drake Maye. Given the results, he seems to have done a good job. He also performed well in the lone instance he was asked to play meaningful snaps: he completed his lone pass attempt for 12 yards while Maye underwent a concussion check in Week 7 against Tennessee. Other than that, Dobbs’ on-field contributions were marginal. Just what the Patriots wanted to see when they signed him. | Signed (2027 FA) | $4.75M cap hit
Tommy DeVito: DeVito, whose role with the 2023 Giants indirectly helped the Patriots land Drake Maye in the first place, arrived in New England as a waiver claim after late August’s cutdown day. He spent the entire season running the scout team offense in practice and serving as the third emergency quarterback on game day. He finished the season with zero snaps. | RFA
Patriots offseason preview
Yes, his playoff output was meager compared to his performance in the regular season, but Drake Maye is nonetheless one of the top young quarterbacks in football and a main reason why the Patriots found themselves in the postseason tournament to begin with. In Year 1 under a new regime and with a new offensive system in place, that is in itself a significant achievement by the team and its sophomore QB.
Heading into his third season, the arrow is therefore still pointing up for Maye. But while that means the Patriots’ front office will not have to invest too much thought into the quarterback position this offseason, it still will have to make decisions regarding the depth behind the Pro Bowl starter.
Backup Joshua Dobbs is signed for 2026, but his $4.75 million salary cap number is the ninth-highest among NFL backup quarterbacks at the moment. It is difficult to assess his impact behind the scenes, and, as noted above, he did his job in the limited snaps he was given, but one has to wonder whether the Patriots want to bring that number down. Considering that only his $1.05 million signing bonus proration is fully guaranteed, they have several options to do so — including an extension.
Third-stringer Tommy DeVito, meanwhile, is a restricted free agent. Given the cost associated with even the lowest level, the Patriots are unlikely to tender him unless they plan to move on from Dobbs. The question then becomes whether they simply want to re-sign him at a market deal — which would supposedly be cheaper than the projected $3.5 million RFA tender — or simply let him go.
Realistically, the Patriots would want at least two backups behind Maye: an experienced one like Dobbs, and a developmental option to possibly move into the QB2 spot in a year or two. Both could be found during the offseason, be it via free agency or the draft.
Our prediction: Dobbs will be extended for another year, while DeVito will be re-signed at a minimum deal before another quarterback is added in the draft or the subsequent rookie free agency.
Birmingham City boss Chris Davies believes his side deserved to beat Premier League side Leeds United after their penalty shootout defeat in the FA Cup fourth round.
Patrick Roberts brought Blues level at 1-1 late on before Ibrahim Osman hit the post in stoppage-time.
It was the second time the hosts had struck the woodwork after Jay Stansfield's early drive was also tipped on to a post.
"I said to the players that I'm proud of them," Davies told BBC Radio WM.
"It's not a term I use a lot, but I think it's something I do feel because I think we've been the better team.
"If you think of the Newcastle game last year we had a go but we died out towards the end and they blew us away a little bit, but this was completely different.
"Over the course of the game we should have won that match. We had all the big chances and unfortunately we just couldn't get the goals, but we fought to the very end and that's what pleases me most."
Davies hopes the performance will provide the platform for a Championship play-off push, with 11th-placed Birmingham just two points outside of the top six.
"We've given ourselves an example of what we're capable of today, although we didn't get the win we've definitely shown some good qualities and we have 14 league games left now," he added.
"It's all to play for still, but what I like is we've been there, we look like a team that's ready to fight and we've got quality, so we just have to keep believing and keep pushing."
MUMBAI: West Indies thrashed Nepal by nine wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday to qualify for the Super Eights of the 2026 T20 World Cup, becoming the second team after South Africa to do so.
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West Indies came into the tournament short of form, losing a T20I series against South Africa 2-1 in Jan and a three-match T20I series by the same scoreline to Nepal last Sept in Sharjah. However, a T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, where they emerged as champions when both countries previously hosted the event, seemed to bring out the best in the Caribbeans.
West Indies’ former captain and present head coach Daren Sammy termed the Wankhede Stadium as “lucky” for them as they played flawless cricket to beat a listless Nepal, who flattered to deceive after an impressive opener against England.
The stars of West Indies’ win were their former and current captains, Jason Holder and Shai Hope. Holder, who bounced back after conceding 0-34 in two overs in West Indies’ 30-run win over England at the same venue earlier this week, took 4-27 as West Indies restricted Nepal to 133-8 after Nepal elected to bowl first on a pitch that seemed two-paced initially.
In a surprising move, West Indies dropped medium-pacer Romario Shepherd, who took a five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, in the first match. His replacement, pacer Matthew Forde, bowled superbly with the new ball and finished with 1-10 in four overs which included a maiden-wicket over in the powerplay, a rarity in T20 cricket.
Chasing 134, Hope shrugged off poor scores of 0, 19 and 5 in the first three matches and led the way with 61 not out off 44 balls, with five fours and three sixes. He shared an unbeaten 91-run stand for the second wicket with Shimron Hetmyer, who stayed unbeaten on 46 off 32 balls, with four fours and two sixes.
Hope and fellow opener Brandon King provided a 43-run start in 33 balls. Hope executed a straight drive off Karan KC in the third over, while King made 22 off 17 balls before he was caught at mid-on off Nandan Yadav. Hope also hit three fours off Kami in the fifth over.
Nepal’s biggest disappointment with the ball was leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who conceded 0-38 in three overs as Hope and Hetmyer attacked him.
Asked if the win against Nepal was sweet given West Indies’ shock T20I series loss to them last year, Hope said at the post-match press conference, “Well, that’s in the past. It’s history. Nepal played good cricket then. We’ve got to stay in the present and we’ve got to ensure we play our best crick-et because we see Nepal as a very good team regardless of who they’re playing against and where. So, we needed to bring our ‘A’ game once again today. But today, we needed to get over the line to ensure our Super 8s qualification.”
West Indies’ last league game against Italy at Kolkata on Thursday is now of academic interest and they will play their first Super Eight game at the Wankhede on Feb 23. Nepal will play their final game against Scotland on Tuesday at Wankhede.
Sunday’s result knocked Nepal out of the competition and left their large number of fans dejected. The heaving stands fell silent as the West Indian batters dominated, with Nepal’s fans finding their voice only during a late surge led by Dipendra Singh Airee and Sompal Kami. Airee made 58 off 46 balls, with three fours and three sixes, while Kami scored 26 not out off 15 balls, with four fours, as they added 54 runs in 26 balls for the seventh wicket after Nepal slipped to 73 for six in 15 overs.
Brief Scores: Nepal 133 for 8 in 20 overs (Dipendra Singh Airee 58, Sompal Kami 26; Jason Holder 4-27) lost to West Indies 134 for 1 in 15.2 overs (Shai Hope 61, Shimron Hetmyer 46; Nandan Yadav 1-24).
🚨 Mourinho warns: Real Madrid are a wounded king and very dangerous
The intrigue is served in Lisbon. José Mourinho, current coach of Benfica, appeared before the media ahead of the first leg of the Champions League playoff. The Portuguese coach, true to his direct style, analyzed the clash against his former team with a mix of respect and warning.
Mourinho was blunt when assessing the form of the white team after their recent European results, especially following their 4-2 victory a few weeks ago at the Estadio da Luz.
"We know what we did to the king of the Champions League, he is wounded", declared the Portuguese coach. However, far from showing overconfidence, he warned that "a wounded king is even more dangerous" when facing a match of this magnitude.
Madrid, the favorite in this competition
During the press conference, the coach shared an anecdote about the respect the Madrid badge commands in the Benfica dressing room. He recounted that, after the last match, he showed his players the 15 European Cups embroidered on the sleeve of a swapped shirt to remind them of the magnitude of the rival they are up against.
For the Benfica coach, the weight of history is not the only factor to consider tomorrow at the Estadio da Luz. "They are the kings. It's not just history; we are going to play against the favorites in this competition", he concluded, placing all the pressure of the tie on the Chamartín team.
We asked you Aberdeen fans for your views on the 2-0 loss to Motherwell on Sunday afternoon at Fir Park. Here's a taste of what you had to say...
Andy: Certainly a sharper and busier performance from Aberdeen, and Kevin Nisbet had some good touches. However, they are still a long way from a winning side and top six is now history.
Joe: A team of untested unknowns were selected to take on arguably the best footballing side in the league. If we couldn't get the quality players we've let go to perform, what chance do these new players stand? The split is all but determined now. Our season will be over all to soon and there's no signs that next season will be any different. It really is a dire situation.
Malky: Some Aberdeen fans should be drug tested at the earliest opportunity - to suggest we were unlucky or the scoreline flattered Motherwell is cause enough!
Motherwell spurned countless opportunities and could have scored four or five. As usual from this Aberdeen team, we were passive, second to everything and so, so easy to score against. Dave Cormack is clearly a passionate fan, and has Aberdeen's interest at heart, but nobody can deny it has been disaster after disaster regarding managerial appointments. The club is on a downward spiral.
Niall: Whilst there were glimmers of improvement, the lack of clinical finishing continues to haunt the Dons. Again, we were often dangerously exposed at the back. These two factors have plagued us all season. It's now looking like a top six finish is beyond us and little other than a scrap for survival in the league. Just not good enough.
Chris: More of the same. Expectations were raised by new additions but nothing has changed. I can see why the new manager won't start till next campaign. This season is gone, the best we can hope for is to stay up. Bottom six is our level. The faithful deserve much better.
Defensive duo ruled out of Borussia Dortmund's clash with Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund have been rocked by a major injury setback ahead of their Champions League knockout phase play-off against Atalanta on Tuesday.
The Bundesliga side confirmed on Monday that Nico Schlotterbeck (muscular problems) and Niklas Süle (thigh injury) missed the final training session ahead of the game and will not be available.
The injury problems add to Dortmund’s defensive headache, with captain Emre Can and centre-back Filippo Mané also sidelined.
Schlotterbeck sat out Dortmund's 4-0 win over Mainz last Friday due to suspension, while Süle was forced off at half-time and replaced by youngster Luca Reggiani.
Thomas Frank already attracting Premier League interest
With his wealth of experience, he could once again become a top choice for an English club seeking stability.
Thomas Frank already attracting Premier League interest
Thomas Frank is now a free agent and could make his Premier League return as early as this summer. Following his abrupt departure from Tottenham Hotspur, several teams are closely monitoring the Danish coach.
Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth, and Fulham have emerged as serious contenders. At Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner will step down at the end of the season, while the contracts of Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva at Bournemouth and Fulham are also set to expire, opening the door for Frank to step in.
Report – Arsenal Scouts Attended Derby d’Italia Clash To Observe Inter Milan & Italy Prodigy
Arsenal scouts reportedly attended Saturday’s Derby d’Italia clash between Inter Milan and Juventus to observe Francesco Pio Esposito.
According to FCInterNews, the Gunners’ interest in the 20-year-old is genuine, though the Nerazzurri have no intention of selling their rising star.
Francesco Pio Esposito returned to the scoresheet last weekend with a superb goal in his maiden Derby d’Italia appearance.
Indeed, his header helped Cristian Chivu break his ‘big game’ drought in Serie A as Inter grabbed a controversial 3-2 win at San Siro.
Arsenal Scouts Observed Pio Esposito During Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus Win
PISA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Pio Esposito of FC Internazionale greets the fans after during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and FC Internazionale at Arena Garibaldi on November 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Esposito came off the bench in the second half, replacing Luis Henrique.
Moreover, it took him only ten minutes to beat Michele Di Gregorio with a thumping header.
Meanwhile, Arsenal scouts were reportedly in the stands, watching the Italian starlet in action first-hand.
Despite signing Viktor Gyokeres in a mega-money deal last summer, Mikel Arteta seems to have already decided to find a new striker.
Therefore, the Gunners have set their sights on Esposito, but Inter consider their academy graduate non-transferable.
FC Barcelona: this new enigmatic story from Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has just made another mysterious post
FC Barcelona: this new enigmatic story from Lamine Yamal
Just days after FC Barcelona’s heavy defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey (4-0), Lamine Yamal has sparked controversy.
In recent hours, Lamine Yamal has sown doubt on social media following Barça’s 4-0 loss to Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey semifinals. On Instagram, the Spanish youngster shared a photo with the caption “Chapter 1: My inner abyss” and the phrase “I wish I could be what everyone expects of me…”
This post comes as FC Barcelona is set to play a crucial La Liga match against Girona on Monday night. The goal: to reclaim the top spot in the standings from Real Madrid, who currently lead by a single point. In this high-pressure context, the young forward must continue to handle the expectations and showcase the full range of his talent, as every individual performance could prove decisive in the title race.
Keith Andrews won't be making the same mistake as Crystal Palace and has been getting his players prepared for Macclesfield's 4G pitch.
Plenty was made of the Eagles' approach to the Moss Rose surface before their FA Cup third-round defeat, with Marc Guehi reportedly saying "it's not a bit of me that" to Silkmen assistant Francis Jeffers before kick-off.
"Zero excuses from us," Andrews said when asked about the Moss Rose pitch. "We are quite an adventurous group. We like different experiences and this will be a different experience, for sure.
"Players are very used to training on 4G pitches. We've trained the dimensions of their pitch. We'll have a walk around their pitch on matchday in the morning to get used to the environment.
"What plays a part is the education of what it will be like. It's impossible for some of our players to realise what it will be like. It's up to us to inform them what the environment and the pitch will be like.
"It's a huge game for them in their history and we certainly won't underestimate them. It's not in our DNA to do that."
Sean Strickland has hit out as Khamzat Chimaev over a perceived lack of activity, suggesting that UFC fighters are better off not thinking about the middleweight champion.
And Strickland, who held the middleweight title from September 2023 until he was dethroned by Du Plessis in January 2024, is worried that Chimaev will be no more active as champion than he was as a contender.
“It’s kind of weird what the UFC did with Chimaev,” the American told ESPN. “You brought a guy in that fights once a year [...] He’s just gonna sit on that f***ing belt and wait and wait, until they force him to fight.
“The middleweight division, man... From a pure money perspective, you would make more money not fighting for the belt than you would fighting for the belt [...] The belt isn’t even on my brain anymore, I don’t think about it. I’ll make significantly more money just fighting.
“You say, ‘Hey, do you wanna wait a year-and-a-half [for the champion] and not fight, or just keep f***ing fighting – and fighting good guys – and maybe take an L?’ I’ll just go fight good guys, maybe take an L, and I’ll triple my f***ing pay.”
Sean Strickland (right) during his second loss to Dricus Du Plessis (Getty Images)
“Let’s just say Fluffy beats me, and they’re like: ‘Fluffy, we want you for a title fight,’” Strickland started. “[Chimaev] is gonna fight Nassourdine [Imavov] in probably, what, six months? Say they have a hard fight, or even if they have an easy fight, he sprains his f***ing pinky toe, he’s out for another eight months.
“So Fluffy, you’re not fighting for a year-and-a-half, if you wanna wait for [Chimaev]. And I’m sure he would, but me personally, I don’t give a f***. Give me my pay check, I wanna go fight.
“Every f***ing fight, the dude is like: ‘I broke my hand.’ It’s like, every time this f***ing guy fights, he has a mysterious injury. Why wait [for him]?”
Khamzat Chimaev dominated Du Plessis to take the middleweight title (Getty Images)
Chimaev has actually rarely been injured during his UFC run, but the 31-year-old has battled illness throughout his time in the promotion. He reportedly suffered the effects of long Covid after the 2020 pandemic, and as a result, he has seen fights cancelled on six occasions.
Those included three attempted pairings with Leon Edwards, one with Nate Diaz, one with Paulo Costa, and one with Robert Whittaker – whom Chimaev later submitted.
Strickland, who actually previously trained with Chimaev, last fought in February 2025, losing a rematch with Du Plessis. Strickland was outpointed by the South African, just as he was when he dropped the belt to “DDP” 13 months earlier.
Pippa Tallant was at her limit. For too long she had listened to her wife, Lucy, go on and on with her friends about there not being quite the right bar to watch sport. Finally, it was time to do something about it.
After nearly a decade of knocking about the idea, Pippa and Lucy took the plunge. They quit their jobs and opened Crossbar, a space dedicated to watching women’s sport as well as being an inclusive place where women can watch all sports.
“We were, like, ‘Well, where do all those people go when all of those Lionesses go back to their WSL teams or their other league teams? Where do they go to watch that? And that was a real light-switch moment for me,” Pippa tells The Athletic, while perched up on the pool table in Crossbar’s bustling main bar.
Crossbar officially opened in Brighton on Friday, February 6, with watch parties and events centred around the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Table bookings for the debut night sold out in under five minutes.
“Friday night was crazy; it’s the only word I have for it,” says Pippa. “Everyone was amazing. Everyone was so lovely. Everyone was so happy to be here. I think for us, being as it was our first time running a pub — Lucy and I have never worked behind the bar before — so, we were maybe a little bit overwhelmed.”
“Happy overwhelmed,” adds Lucy.
The Tallants are now living out their dream as owners and operators of what they believe is the first official women’s sports bar in the UK. Crossbar is neatly tucked on a small hilly side street off the main strip in the centre of Brighton and is easy to access by public transport.
Last week’s opening was the result of many months of the duo renovating the premises, a derelict pub, themselves.
“It’s just been a lot of DIY, so a lot of our friends have done a lot of late nights. We can’t thank them enough. We have the best friends in the world. We obviously got professionals in for like electrician and plumbing, because we didn’t want to mess with that,” says Pippa.
Crossbar’s pool table sits in the centre of the main bar area, which is painted in a forest blue-green. Five screens survey the perimeter. In one corner, sofas create a warm living-room feel around the fireplace, while high-top tables and barstools line a big bay window. More standard tables and chairs fill the remaining space.
The furnishing and bar feel traditional, like any English pub. Dark wood finishes, open brick — it is a classic 19th-century townhouse with nooks for quiet conversation and private viewing.
“I prefer watching sport in a pub. I like the vibe, the atmosphere. I’m not necessarily into which specific game it is,” says Pippa, who didn’t grow up a football fan but has followed her wife Lucy’s enthusiasm for the game for many years.
Of course, there are intentional differences that give Crossbar a non-traditional twist.
Black and white photographs of legendary British moments in women’s sport adorn the walls: Chloe Kelly scoring the winning goal at Women’s Euro 2022 and Dame Kelly Holmes winning gold on the athletics track at the Athens Summer Olympics 2004.
Alongside the art and photography, the bathrooms are gender-neutral. ‘Home’ and ‘away’ replacing any traditional notion of ‘gents’ or ‘ladies’.
“I always forget about going to the pub; it doesn’t always feel that great, even if nobody is necessarily trying to exclude you in any of those spaces. I don’t think anybody is trying in any particular way, but it isn’t always the most welcoming,” said Pippa about Crossbar’s focus on inclusivity.
“We want it to be the best place for women to watch sport, and the best place to watch women’s sport,” Lucy said, expanding on the environment Crossbar wants to create.
“It’s sort of an unconscious scenario where, typically, most men have never had to walk into a bar and feel maybe slightly, just, for whatever reason, be a bit nervous. I think it can be quite overwhelming if you’re a solo female and you want to go in and watch a Premier League game, and it’s a room full of lads.”
Lucy’s not wrong.
In the main room at Crossbar on the first Sunday showing the English Women’s Super League (WSL) since opening, around 50 people bustled through just after midday. It is standing-room only.
One of those standing — and animatedly leaping up as Arsenal defeat Manchester City 1-0 — is Lauren from Brighton.
“Before, I used to just go to different places and hope for the best,” Lauren said about trying to find places to watch Arsenal. “Now you have got a safe space here. There won’t be anywhere else that I go to when I want to watch football.”
Lauren was flanked by two friends, also Arsenal fans, who she persuaded to drive 313 miles down from Middlesbrough just so they could be in Brighton for the opening weekend of Crossbar.
“You come in here, you’re safe. You go into a pub full of men, and you don’t feel safe as a woman, especially being LGBTQ. So to be here, you feel safe. You can be yourself. You don’t have to worry. You can meet new people. So I think that’s massive,” said Lauren.
Part of Crossbar’s instant LGBTQ lore also comes in the form of the ‘Lesbian Ledge’, a bar fixed to the front outside one of the windows that patrons can rest drinks on. When Lucy was drilling in the shelf, she overheard two girls walking by saying they were opening a “lesbian club.” Then one of the girls proceeded to point at Lucy and say, “There’s one outside now.”
‘Lesbian Ledge’ has already become a huge hit on social media, with many guests making sure to post a photo when they visit. Crossbar has surpassed 17,000 followers on Instagram by the end of its opening weekend.
The vociferous opening weekend and the outpouring of support on social media have certainly meant a lot to Pippa and Lucy. But it is also a reminder of how much of a gap there was for Crossbar to fill.
“It highlights that this space is needed and wanted by so many people — and that’s evident today,” said Pippa. “I’m so happy that we’re the first (women’s sports bar in the UK), but it’s sad that that’s taken that long.”
Upstairs are two more bookable function rooms, the ‘Boot Room’, with one additional television, and the ‘Clubhouse’, featuring two more screens. The downstairs main room shows whichever match is most in demand, while the upstairs room provides alternative choices for patrons.
A group of Brighton & Hove Albion supporters are huddled together in the ‘Boot Room’. They booked out the space to show Brighton’s WSL away match against West Ham, knowing that Arsenal vs. Manchester City would dominate the downstairs screens.
If Crossbar wasn’t here, Megan, from Shoreham, said she probably wouldn’t have watched the match.
“We’ve got season tickets for the home matches, but for the away matches, they’re quite often on Sky Sports, and we don’t have that,” she said. “We usually tend to either not watch it or follow it on the app. There’s not really, usually any places that are showing the Brighton games unless they’re playing a bigger team.”
Megan and fellow season-ticket holder Maisy have brought along two local friends to the ‘Boot Room’, hoping to continue their conversion into Brighton fans.
Cerys, from Hove, who is knitting at the table in the ‘Boot Room’, noted how much of a police presence there was at Brighton railway station for the Brighton vs. Crystal Palace men’s Premier League match that was taking place at the Amex Stadium on the same day.
“It feels like a safe space to come and watch sport,” said Cerys. “You saw coming up to Brighton station, the police and the horses. Coming here and just feeling like, this is how I want my experience of watching sport and experiencing sport to be. It’s really good.”
Pippa and Lucy also stress the idea was for Crossbar to be a place where people could also discover sports for the first time, rather than just for aficionados.
“We’re being very open about the fact that we don’t know everything about every sport. And if anything, we’re like, ‘Hey, come on down. You want to watch that sport? Teach us!’” said Lucy.
Nestled in the Clubhouse are Kathy and Beth, some Bristol Bears women’s rugby fans, who were similarly excited about building community when they often struggle to find a space to watch sport.
“There’s not really anywhere to go and watch (women’s rugby),” said Kathy, who had driven to Brighton from Bristol for the weekend to watch Premiership Women’s Rugby matches at Crossbar. Kathy and Beth learned about Crossbar through their LGBTQ+ swim team in Bristol that has a sister squad in Brighton.
“They all said that it sounds like just such a good space for people to get together, and especially something that’s so focused around sort of women and queer spaces, because there are places you can go to watch some of the sports, but they’re not necessarily the most welcoming,” said Kathy.
For Beth, Bristol would be another perfect place for a space like Crossbar to open. Not only does she feel like women’s sports are booming, but she also believes that in terms of culture, Bristol and Brighton have a lot in common.
Multiple cities joining the women’s sports bar boom have been common in the United States. Portland’s Sports Bra has announced plans to open four other locations across the country, while the Rough & Tumble Pub and Blazers Sports Bar have opened in Seattle and Brooklyn, respectively.
Pippa and Lucy didn’t consult with any of the American trailblazers in the women’s sports-bar scene when they decided to open Crossbar, but they have swapped merch and received plenty of warm messages of encouragement from across the Atlantic.
There is no plan for Crossbar to expand right now. Instead, Pippa and Lucy are hoping Crossbar inspires others to do the same and more women’s sports bars start to open across the UK soon.
It may be a while before reality sets in, and this couple come back down to earth. But for now, the joy of Crossbar’s existence is enough to sustain the Tallants and fill them with pride.
“The fact that anyone in Brighton knows about our little bar outside of our little friend group, let alone people across the country and in different countries,” said Lucy. “It’s really blown our minds the whole growth of it all.”
A host nation can give you a loud building and a nice anthem. It cannot give you a shortcut through a roster like the United States has. After a 6-0 quarterfinal win over Italy, Team USA advanced to the Olympic semifinals Monday, when it will face off against Sweden.
U.S. coach John Wroblewski was frustrated with the officiating against Italy, but not the result. The Americans have been a juggernaut so far in the 2026 Winter Games. Now they’re just one win away from playing for their third goal medal in women’s hockey Olympic history.
How to watch USA vs. Sweden in the women’s hockey semifinals
Venue: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena — Milan
In Milan, the U.S. has made opponents play its own style hockey: low oxygen, few clean looks and no room for improvisation. In the prelims, Team USA went 4-0 in Group A, capped by a 5-0 shutout of Canada that was less a hockey game than a weather event — the kind of performance that doesn’t invite a comeback so much as foreclose the possibility of one.
The U.S. scored five goals in each of its first four games and allowed one total, with goaltender Aerin Frankel logging two of those shutouts behind a blue line that treats the middle of the ice like private property.
Frankel also runs an Instagram account devoted to reviewing Caesar salads, a highly specific hobby that has somehow become Olympic Village canon. The handle is @painbyromaine, and yes, it is exactly what it sounds like: greens, grading and dead-serious analysis of croutons.
Sweden moved into the semifinal round Friday with a 2-0 win over Czechia. Win, and the U.S. will get a rematch in the next round against either Canada or Switzerland for the gold medal. Lose, and the U. S. will still get a rematch — but for the bronze instead.
Women’s hockey schedule
All times below are ET.
Semifinals
Monday, Feb. 16
USA vs. Sweden 10:40 a.m. (NBC, Peacock)
Canada vs. Switzerland: 3:10 p.m. (Peacock); 4:15 p.m. (USA, joined in progress)
They say necessity is the mother of invention and even in defeat against Fulham, Mark Robins and Stoke City may have found a way forward.
Stoke are without something approaching a full team through injury and that has played a major part in the collapse of their promotion challenge.
But despite only having a couple of training sessions in which to implement it, Robins' decision to turn away from the 4-2-3-1 he's predominantly used this season almost helped his team to an FA Cup upset.
With the run of results they've been on, the 3-4-2-1 they deployed felt like something fresh and the Potters certainly have the personnel to play it.
They've always had an abundance of good centre-backs and Eric Bocat looks more comfortable in a wing-back role than he does as an orthodox full-back where his defensive deficiencies can be exposed.
He was excellent going forward throughout the game against top-flight opposition.
The change necessitated the selection of top scorer Sorba Thomas in a deeper role but ahead of him Bae Jun-ho and Lamine Cisse were lively.
Aaron Cresswell came in to offer quality distribution out of the back three and an extra defender behind him could liberate Tomas Rigo in midfield.
Stoke haven't got the depth to rotate their wing-backs, particularly with Junior Tchamadeu out injured, but with only 14 league games to go, the new formation looks like a legitimate short to medium term option.
😌 He can hardly wait, top talent drops hints about BVB move
Officially, he is not yet with Borussia Dortmund. Unofficially, however, the young Brazilian top talent Kauã Prates has already provided at least two telling hints that it will happen.
According to various reports, the left-back will move from Cruzeiro to the Bundesliga in the summer and sign a contract until 2031. Managing Director Carsten Cramer recently confirmed to the Ruhr Nachrichten that the signing could happen soon and that Prates is a player "we are dealing with."
On Instagram, the 17-year-old himself provided two small clues suggesting that the signing is just a formality. For one, he posted a story from an airplane—adorned with a bee emoji, which is hardly coincidentally reminiscent of Dortmund's mascot Emma.
Additionally, Kauã Prates seems eager to finally play for BVB. Under a post about the Bundesliga match against Mainz, published by his presumed future teammate Waldemar Anton, the left-back commented with a flame and a muscle emoji.
It certainly sounds like he is already looking forward to playing in the Signal Iduna Park in front of the Yellow Wall.
At BVB, the top talent is expected to develop calmly and is considered a possible long-term solution for the left defensive side of the Black and Yellows.
Daniel Tschofenig has finished on the World Cup podium on 21 occasions [Getty Images]
Austrian ski jumper Daniel Tschofenig said he felt "extremely stupid" after being disqualified from the men's large hill individual event for wearing oversized boots.
Tschofenig, 23, had comfortably qualified for Saturday's final but his Winter Olympics medal hopes were dashed due to an error with his kit.
The 2025 World Cup champion was found to be wearing boots that were four millimetres larger than the rules permitted.
"I used new shoes in training which, by the way, I wasn't very happy with, but I kept them," Tschofenig said.
"Unfortunately, I was naive and didn't measure it. Extremely stupid of me, there was just so much stress going on. But rules are rules."
Tschofenig had scored 137.7 in the first round but his rule breach led to an immediate disqualification and handed Slovakia's Hektor Kapustik a route through to the final.
Slovenia's Domen Prevc went on to win gold with Ren Nikaido of Japan taking silver and Poland's Kacper Tomasiak picking up bronze.
On Sunday, Team USA ski jumper Annika Belshaw was disqualified from the women's large hill individual event because her skis were more than one centimetre too long.
Like Tschofenig, Belshaw, 23, had qualified for the final but was unable to participate.
The NFL off-season is underway, and the Ravens are officially ready for business after announcing a new staff that included 25 coaches, including three holdovers from John Harbaugh's staff. The Ravens will initially have 22 unrestricted free agents according to Over The Cap, with big names like Tyler Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kyle Van Noy, Dre'Mont Jones, Alohi Gilman, Chidobe Awuzie, and Ar'Darius Washington among those Eric DeCosta will have decisions to make on. Odafe Oweh was one of the biggest names on the list, but he was traded, while Kyle Hamilon and Mark Andrews signed huge contract extensions.
The new league year is fast approaching, and there are 25 days until the legal tampering period begins. The NFL released key dates for the calendar year. The most important date after the Super Bowl is the early negotiation window. That'll open on March 9, giving teams two days to negotiate before free agency and the new league year kicks off on March 11.
With the off-season in full swing, we're taking an early look at the Ravens' free agents and the reasons for or against them returning.
DT Dre'Mont Jones: UFA
Age: 29
For his return: Entering Week 16, Jones was leading the Ravens in pressures (20) and quick pressures (8) since they acquired him in Week 10. Among Ravens defenders with 150 pass rush snaps, Jones led all Baltimore defenders in Pass rush win rate. Overall, Jones had 2.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits for the Ravens, which, coupled with his production in Tennessee, gives him seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits total in 2025, both career highs.
Ravens edge rusher Dre'Mont Jones, who is set to be a free agent this offseason, said he'd be open to a return to Baltimore.
The Ravens acquired Jones via a trade with the Titans on Nov. 3.
For his return: Gilman won an AFC Defensive Player of the Week award, and he was a key part of the Ravens' defensive turnaround since Baltimore acquired him in a midseason trade with the Los Angeles Chargers. Overall, Gilman logged 68 tackles, a forced fumble, and a touchdown return with the Ravens, but struggled in coverage, earning a 71.9 grade and allowing 26 catches.
WR DeAndre Hopkins: Void
Age: 34
Against his return: "I definitely want to play. I know I want to play one more year for sure," Hopkins said on "The Lounge" podcast last week. A 13-year vet and free agent, Hopkins was the Ravens' third option behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. Hopkins' 37 targets were similar to Rashod Bateman (38) and Isaiah Likely (35) as he logged 22 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns, career lows in nearly every significant receiving category. Devontez Walker is on the cusp of a huge leap and needs the snaps as the big play option in Declan Doyle's offense.
Edge Kyle Van Noy: UFA
Age: 35
Against his return: Van Noy, 34, just finished his third season in Baltimore and dropped from 12 1/2 sacks in 2024 to two in 2025.
C Tyler Linderbaum: UFA
Age: 26
For his return: Linderbaum, the team's top pending free agent, said he "absolutely” wants to return. The Ravens did not pick up his fifth-year option last offseason, but he still could return on a deal that puts him in the top five highest-paid centers.
DB Ar'Darius Washington: UFA
Age: 27
For his return: While the Ravens' depth chart lists Washington as the backup strong safety behind Kyle Hamilton, he's a key contributor at other positions in the defensive backfield.
FB Patrick Ricard: UFA
Age: 32
For his return: Ricard, an undrafted rookie in 2017 and a six-time Pro Bowler, said he'd love to come back and eventually retire as a Raven. The Pro Bowl fullback has played a pivotal role in Derrick Henry's two-year dominance.
WR Tylan Wallace: Void
Age: 27
Against his return: Wallace saw action in 13 games this season, collecting four receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. The Ravens focused on a wide receiver corps of Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, DeAndre Hopkins, Devontez Walker, and LaJohntay Wester for the bulk of the season. Wester is also the primary punt return player.
OL Joe Noteboom: UFA
Age: 31
Against his return: Noteboom played 151 snaps for the Ravens as a swing tackle, posting a 34.1 pass block grade.
OLB David Ojabo: UFA
Age: 26
Against his return: A second-round pick in 2022, Ojabo finished the 2025 season with 0.5 sacks and seven tackles.
DB Chidobe Awuzie: UFA
Age: 31
For his return: The 30-year-old cornerback had his moments in 2025, and his 74.7 grade from PFF was 14th best in the NFL.
QB Tyler Huntley: UFA
Age: 28
For his return: Huntley played well in relief of Lamar Jackson and is a candidate to return.
OL Daniel Faalele: UFA
Age: 27
Against his return: Daniel Faalele was the 52nd-rated guard in the league according to PFF.
P Jordan Stout: UFA
Age: 28
For his return: Stout earned a Pro Bowl nod after his 50.1 yards per punt average was 5th in the NFL.
TE Isaiah Likely: UFA
Age: 26
For his return: Likely had his training camp derailed by a broken foot and was inconsistent thereafter. His training camp was cut short after he broke his foot in late July during a one-on-one drill. He missed the start of the season and finished with 27 catches on 36 targets for 307 yards, all career lows. Still, he's a dynamic playmaker and one of Jackson's most explosive targets.
Atle Lie McGrath of Team Norway competes during run 1 in the Men's Slalom in alpine skiing at the Stelvio Ski Center during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. Michael Kappeler/dpa
Norway's Atle Lie McGrath was leading the way from Swiss world champion Loic Meillard in the Olympic slalom which saw several contenders led by Brazil's Lucas Pinheiro Braathen ski out in difficult conditions.
Twice season winner and slalom World Cup leader McGrath posted 56.14 seconds as the first starter in at times heavy snowfall. Meillard, who beat McGrath for the world title last year, was right after him and came within .59 of a second.
"It is difficult with bib one. I had a good plan. There is a lot of pressure at the Olympics. I have to go full throttle and ski well," McGrath told German broadcasters ZDF.
Austrian Fabio Gstrein was already .92 back in third. Norway's Timon Haugan was the only other skier within a second of the top after all main contenders from an overall field of 96 had competed.
The 2022 gold medallist Clement Noel of France trailed by a massive 1.96 seconds, tied with Marco Schwarz of Austria.
Braathen, whose giant slalom gold on Saturday was a first ever medal for a South American country, lost control in a left turn to crash out.
"That's the reality of this great sport - the fine line between winning and going out. All this is the recipe for my future success," Braathen said.
He was in good company as French twice season winner Paco Rassat, last month's Kitzbühel winner Manuel Feller of Austria, Italy's Alex Vinatzer and Finnish talent Eduard Hallberg did also not reach the finish line.
Veteran Dave Ryding will however return for the second run at 1230 GMT in his last Olympic race at his fifth Games. The retirement-bound only British winner of a World Cup race, 2022 in Kitzbühel, is 3.74 seconds off the pace.
Unlike World Cup races, where only the top 30 contest the second run, all first run finishers can ski again, with the top 30 going first in reverse order.
The home stretch of the college basketball season has arrived, with Selection Sunday less than a month away.
Michigan basketball (24-1, 14-1 Big Ten) couldn't be in a better position as the final power conference team with just one loss in the nation after Arizona lost twice last week.
On the heels of another 2-0 week in the Big Ten, which makes 10 straight wins overall, the Wolverines will be the No. 1 team in the nation when rankings from coaches and media come out Monday afternoon. If that holds, it would likely equate to the No. 1 overall seed in March Madness, too.
The resume Michigan has put together is now unquestionably the best in the country with one month before the NCAA tournament.
Here's where coach Dusty May's team stands with six regular-season games left before conference tournament play.
The Athletic: 1-seed in Midwest vs. Merrimack/Morgan State winner (updated Feb. 10).
Michigan basketball scores last week
Feb 11:87-75 win at Northwestern − Michigan played its worst half of the season, then got outscored by seven points in the first five minutes of the second half to fall down 16. The Wolverines didn't panic, but surged with a 45-17 advantage over the final 14:22 of a furious finish in Evanston, Illinois. L.J. Cason scored a career-high 18 points, Yaxel Lendeborg had 15 points and Morez Johnson Jr., Aday Mara and Trey McKenney each scored 12.
Feb 14:86-56 win vs. UCLA − For the second time in the week, a tight first half turned into a second-half runaway. Michigan led UCLA, 40-38, at the break, then blitzed the Bruins in the second half, making 18 of 23 shots (78.3%) as part of a 46-18 second-half domination for the program's 10th victory of 30 points or more this season. Lendeborg led the way with 17 points and Johnson made all six of his shots and three free throws for 15 points.
Indeed, he simulated a foul to get Juventus ace Pierre Kalulu sent off before cameras caught him celebrating the red card with visible enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Bastoni’s actions sparked intense responses on social media.
Inter Milan to Help Alessandro Bastoni Get Through Difficult Times After Juventus Derby
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 16: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Gewiss Stadium on March 16, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bastoni has started receiving death threats on social media, forcing him to shut down the comments section on his Instagram profile.
Frustrated after losing the derby, some Juventus supporters directed a wave of abuse at the Inter defender.
Furthermore, the controversy has escalated far beyond the events on the pitch, prompting the club to step in and offer their full backing.
As for the 26-year-old, he has yet to comment publicly since the final whistle.
“Ask him about his first-half performance,” Martin O’Neill on Julian Araujo
Martin O’Neill gatecrashed Julian Araujo’s post-match chat with Celtic TV to deliver a cutting joke following the defender’s dramatic stoppage-time winner against Kilmarnock…
Julian Araujo celebrates at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The full-back struck in the 97th minute to complete a remarkable 3-2 turnaround for the visitors in the second half.
Neil McCann’s side had looked in control at the interval, leading by two goals courtesy of strikes from Tyreece John-Jules and Joe Hugill. However, Celtic fought their way back into the game and ultimately snatched all three points in the dying moments.
Sebastian Tounekti pulled one back soon after the restart, curling a superb long-range shot into the top corner. Benjamin Nygren then brought the sides level, converting from close range after a long throw into the penalty area caused confusion in the Killie defence.
Then, deep into added time, Tomas Cvancara drove a low delivery across the box which reached Araujo. The Mexican calmly finished past helpless Killie keeper Kelle Roos, sparking wild scenes among the travelling support.
Watch what happened in the Unique Angle below.
Araujo raced towards the Hoops away end before leaping into the crowd, with Celtic fans spilling onto the pitch in celebration of the late winner.
Yet O’Neill wasted little time in poking fun at the match-winner, reminding him of his shaky display in the first 45…
Interrupting the interview with Celtic TV, O’Neill quipped: “Ask him about his first-half performance.” Araujo responded with a smile, brushing aside the comment before going on to say: “We’ll talk about that later!”
Julian Araujo celebrates at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock 2 Celtic 3. Scottish Premiership. Sunday 15 February 2026. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The Celtic boss went onto say of Araujo’s performance post-match: “There were periods in the first half where I would have retracted what I said, you know, but he did great.”
“For him to arrive there in the box at that time, I’m still having to, I haven’t seen it back first time, but some of the lads are telling me he still had to put it into the net, so well done him, he made up for some of his first half recklessness.”
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
It remains to be seen whether Barça would be willing to open the door despite the confidence shown by their coach.
AC Milan considering this Barça player
AC Milan is preparing for the summer transfer window. If they qualify for the UEFA Champions League, the Italian club could make a move to sign Eric García.
The 25-year-old defender is currently at FC Barcelona, where he remains a valued player. Versatile, he can play as a center-back, right-back, or defensive midfielder. This season, he has featured in 37 matches, recording one goal and one assist. His coach, Hansi Flick, is counting on him, and the player recently extended his contract until 2031. Negotiating a departure would therefore not be easy. However, Milan, currently second in Serie A behind Inter Milan, are looking to strengthen their squad to make a leap in Europe. Eric García is among the profiles under consideration.
Real Madrid take note of Real Sociedad defender after strong display – report
Real Madrid’s comfortable 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad may have been routine on the scoreboard, but the match also offered the club a closer look at a player who has quietly been on their radar.
The focus within the scouting department was not only on the result, but also on the performance of 19-year-old centre-back Jon Martin.
According to recent reports from Fichajes, the young defender left a strong impression at the Santiago Bernabeu despite his team conceding four goals.
While the result was disappointing for Real Sociedad, Martin’s individual display stood out in a difficult environment against one of the most demanding attacks in Europe.
A strong impression
At just 19, the centre-back showed a level of maturity that is not always seen at that age.
He did not hold back in duels and approached every challenge with determination. Whether it was a tackle, an aerial contest, or a recovery run, he played with intensity and confidence throughout the match.
Those qualities reportedly did not go unnoticed by the decision-makers at Real Madrid.
Real Madrid are said to have been following his progress for some time.
Jon Martin delivered a strong performance at Santiago Bernabeu. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
In fact, it is said that the club’s scouting department already holds detailed reports on the defender, and his performance at the Bernabeu only strengthened the positive impressions they had gathered earlier.
From a tactical point of view, Martin fits the profile of the type of centre-back the club is looking for.
A great option to have?
Martin combines physical strength with good reading of the game, which allows him to anticipate passes and position himself effectively.
His success rate in duels is also seen as one of his strongest assets, making him reliable in direct confrontations with attackers.
He has already shown in La Liga that he can compete against experienced forwards, and Sociedad see him as an important part of their future.
However, those close to the situation also recognise the difficulty of keeping such a player if a powerful club makes a serious approach.
For Real Madrid, Martin represents an appealing option – a young Spanish defender, already tested at the top level, and capable of developing further within the club’s structure.
For now, though, it is only monitoring and internal evaluation. But after his performance at the Bernabeu, Jon Martin’s name is likely to stay on Real Madrid’s shortlist.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Steve Smith has been added to Australia's squad at the Twenty20 World Cup officially as an injury replacement for fast bowler Josh Hazlewood.
Smith, who played his last Twenty20 international two years ago, was cleared by the International Cricket Council to participate if required.
He has played 67 T20 internationals and averages almost 25 at a strike rate of 125.45, with five half-centuries and a highest score of 90.
Australia, coming off an upset loss to Zimbabwe, was playing tournament co-host Sri Lanka later Monday at Pallekele in Group B.
Cricket Australia said Smith trained with the squad on Sunday and selectors decided to formalize his inclusion in the squad.
“With Steve here, along with some uncertainty around Mitch and Marcus Stoinis, it made sense he (Smith) is activated and available for selection in time for (Monday's) match, if required,” Australia selector Tony Dodemaide said.
Richard Hammond’s daughter escaped unharmed after a violent 24G crash inside a Formula E car on Sunday.
Izzy Hammond, 25, was taking part in a Formula E influencer event in Saudi Arabia, known as Evo sessions, when she lost control of her car at turn 13 of the modified Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Hammond smashed into the concrete barrier, front-on, in a crash she later revealed totalled 24G. She was cleared by medical staff shortly afterwards.
"My first thought when I was in that wall was 'oh my god, everyone's watching, my dad's watching.’” she said of her father, the former Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter.
“He's going to cry or something. Can someone just tell him I'm OK?! It wasn't a small crash. If you're going to crash, you've got to really crash.
"I saw the wall coming and knew I was going to enter it at speed."
The crash comes nearly 20 years since father Richard crashed a 288mph jet-powered dragster at Elvington airfield, leaving him in a medically induced coma for two weeks.
He was attempting a land speed record while being filmed for BBC’s Top Gear back in September 2006.
Meanwhile Izzy, who has 284,000 followers on social media and hosts several car-related podcasts, explained further how the crash occurred, adding that she had neck pain afterwards.
Richard Hammond with his daughter, Izzy, at the 2024 British Grand Prix (Getty Images)
“Massive apologies to my team, Lola,” she said. “They’ve been so amazing and I returned the favour by putting their car into the wall sideways and destroying it. So that’s not great.
"How did I do it? I don’t think I had enough heat in my tyres so I was trying to break, and I was trying to turn, with no heated tyres and it all just went, a little bit, t*** up and I hit the wall at 24Gs.
"My neck hurts a little bit, but I am absolutely fine so thank you for everyone that’s concerned. I’m fine, this stuff happens. Now I can say I am a proper racing driver. I have had a monumental crash. I’m going to bed now and sleep off my concussion, but bye.”
Josh Larkin, known as TheBurntChip on YouTube, won the second iteration of the influencer-only Evo Sessions event.
Flick ready to hand Barcelona defender surprise start against Girona after Atletico collapse
Barcelona are expected to make adjustments to the starting lineup when they face Girona, and one of the biggest changes could come in central defence.
After the heavy defeat to Atletico Madrid, Hansi Flick is likely to look for a stronger and more reliable structure at the back, and Ronald Araujo may be the key to that plan.
According to recent reports from SPORT, the Uruguayan defender is in line to start alongside Pau Cubarsi at Montilivi.
The possibility arises because of his recent performances and the need for a more physical presence in the heart of the defence.
Araujo’s appearance against Atletico came when the match was already decided, with Barcelona trailing heavily.
Even so, he managed to put in a solid spell, showing energy and commitment during a difficult moment for the team.
That performance came shortly after another encouraging display in the Copa del Rey tie against Albacete.
Notably, that match was particularly important for the Barcelona captain. It marked his first start in more than two months after a period away from competition due to a mental health process.
Since returning, he has been working to rebuild his rhythm and confidence.
Impressing Hansi Flick
Ronald Araujo could start against Girona. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
In training, it is said that the defender is said to be performing at a high level and is gradually approaching his best physical condition.
Flick is fully aware of what Araujo brings to the team and the manager has repeatedly highlighted that the Uruguayan offers qualities that others in the squad do not.
His strength, speed, and presence in duels make him especially valuable in high-intensity matches.
For the upcoming clash against Girona, one of the options being considered is pairing Araujo with Cubarsi in central defence.
Such a move could also allow Eric Garcia to shift into the right-back role, giving the back line a different balance in the absence of Jules Kounde.
The plan appears to be easing Araujo back into the starting lineup on a regular basis.
The coaching staff wants him to regain match sharpness and be ready for the decisive months of the season.
This is because with several big fixtures on the horizon, defensive stability has become a top priority.
In his first season as Patriots head coach, Mike Vrabel took over a team that had gone 4-13 two years in a row and took them to the Super Bowl. He's undoubtably off to a good start.
But after a disappointing performance in Super Bowl LX, Vrabel said his team still has work to do.
Vrabel noted that every team makes changes, and sometimes those changes mean moving on from players who contributed to them making the Super Bowl.
"There'll be some difficult decisions that we'll have to make, and we'll try to do them with the team's best interest in mind. As always, that'll never change," Vrabel said.
Those changes will likely revolve around older, more expensive players.
"As I was taught, we talk about the business of the NFL, we're looking for the better, younger, cheaper player every day, and the players that we have are trying to not let that happen," Vrabel said. "And that's the dynamic. That's the business of the National Football League."
The Patriots are in good salary cap shape, but that doesn't mean they'll pay a player more than they think he'll be worth in 2026 just because they appreciate the contributions he made in 2025. If they think they can improve the roster by moving on from some of the players who helped them get to the Super Bowl, they'll do so.
Santos FC: Neymar narrowly avoids serious injury on return (video)
Ten minutes after coming on, he was harshly tackled, narrowly avoiding another setback.
Santos FC: Neymar narrowly avoids serious injury on return (video)
Neymar made his comeback to the pitch with Santos FC after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The 34-year-old Brazilian had been recovering from a knee injury that nearly required surgery, but he had chosen to finish the previous season to help his club stay up and secure a spot in the Copa Sudamericana.
For his return match, against Velo Clube, Neymar was immediately targeted by opponents. Just ten minutes after coming on, he suffered a heavy tackle and was consistently under aggressive pressure throughout the match.
Despite the physical pressure, the former FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star kept his cool. He even provided an assist to Gabigol, contributing to Santos' emphatic 6-0 victory. Neymar is proving he’s ready to hit the ground running this season, unfazed by opponents’ rough approach and the risks stemming from his recent injury.
Criscitiello: ‘Amateurish’ Juventus management should apologise to Spalletti
Italian journalist Michele Criscitiello launched a scathing attack on AIA chief Gianluca Rocchi following the Derby d’Italia refereeing debacle, but the Juventus hierarchy wasn’t spared either.
The Bianconeri suffered a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat to their arch-rivals Inter on Saturday evening, but the big showdown was blemished by a glaring refereeing error towards the end of the first half.
Match official Federico La Penna showed Pierre Kalulu a second yellow for supposedly blocking Alessandro Bastoni’s run. However, it turned out that the Frenchman had hardly touched his opponent, who took a dive, and should have been the one to receive a second booking for simulation.
Criscitiello urges Gianluca Rocchi to resign immediately after Derby d’Italia debacle
After the contest, there have been widespread calls for Rocchi to step down from his role as Serie A designator, and Crisctiello believes the change must occur immediately.
“The blame lies with Gianluca Rocchi. A madman who assigns Inter–Juventus to La Penna and puts Daniele Doveri on bench-policing duty,” wrote the Sportitaliaeditor-in-chief in his weekly column
“Rocchi shouldn’t be suspended or renewed (thankfully that’s not possible); Rocchi must be dismissed immediately. What more does this man have to do to be removed from football for good?
“He’s distorting a championship, burning a system, and stripping the league of credibility. Rocchi must be sent off—no ifs, no buts.”
Gianluca Rocchi (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Curiously, Rocchi had blamed Bastoni and other players for hampering the referees’ job with their diving, but Criscitiello tells the AIA chief that it is his job to implement a system capable of detecting and punishing these acts.
“The FIGC cannot be dictated to by the AIA in its own house. The VAR protocol is a joke. They put cameras in referees’ ears, and fifteen people still can’t prevent a glaring mistake. They disallow goals for a toenail offside, yet can’t use VAR to see clearly that Alessandro Bastoni was putting on a show.
“Lecturing a player is a waste of time. If the referee is poor and can’t see properly from a meter away, that’s on him—he should change jobs.
“Bastoni makes only one mistake: the celebration. When you get a deceptive red card or score an own goal, common sense says you don’t celebrate in your opponents’ faces.
“And if Rocchi complains about diving, the fault is his alone and lies in his reckless refereeing standard,” added Criscitiello.
“Players are right to go down because they know there are suckers who whistle for everything—half penalties and half contacts. So, before talking about Bastoni, Rocchi should ask himself why everyone does it.
“Again, it’s entirely his fault. La Penna should never have refereed Inter–Juventus. In his career, he should only ever have handled Spezia–Frosinone—, and that would already have been generous given his level.”
Criscitiello slams Juventus directors
Following the Bastoni-Kalulu incident, Luciano Spalletti confronted La Penna in the tunnel at half-time. Footage also showed Juventus CEO Damien Comolli and club director Giorgio Chiellini taking swipes at the referee.
Criscitiello insists this wasn’t the right place to protest, as he describes the Bianconeri management as ‘amateurish’.
“The conduct of Juventus executives was amateurish. You don’t kick up a fuss with referees and institutions on the pitch or in the tunnel; you do it in the proper venues. But this club lacks the basics.
“Giorgio Chiellini is still learning the ropes, Damien Comolli doesn’t understand how things work in Italy, and John Elkann lives in his gilded world.”
Finally, he believes the Juventus directors owe Spalletti an apology for failing to recruit the centre-forward he requested, as a proper striker would have won them the game.
“Someone should apologise to Luciano Spalletti and to Juventus supporters. It was an undeserved defeat—and had Spalletti had a decent No. 9, he would have won it even with ten men.”
Liverpool's attack will be set for a decade with sensational double signing
Arne Slot has been crying out for more speed in attack. It's clear Liverpool need some one vs one specialists. Players who excel and thrive through dribbles and through driving at opponents.
Those are the kind of players who can break down rigid defences, create more space for their teammates and in general just make the team more exciting and free-flowing.
Sadio Mane and Mo Salah in their prime were exactly the type of players that Liverpool are lacking at the moment.
Now, it's up to Hughes to find his own version of Mane and Salah, and there is an obvious double deal that he could pull off which could set-up the Reds' attack for the next decade - in a similar way to how the Senegalese and the Egyptian ruled at Anfield for many and many years.
But just who might these signings be?
Michael Edwards took two transfer windows to find the duo. But Hughes can do it in the summer.
He only needs to sign Yan Diomande and Mateus Mane. That double signing will be enough to set up the Reds for the next decade.
Diomande is only 19-years-old, Mane is only 18-years-old. They have both had outstanding seasons while being stylistically different profiles.
Diomande is a lot more direct of a winger. He loves to drive at his opponents and he creates a lot of chances for his teammates. Mane thrives better in the half-spaces, coming into the middle and he loves to score goals primarily.
What makes them such an ideal profile for Liverpool is that both of them can play on either wing, whereas Mane can even play as an attacking midfielder.
On top of that, Liverpool already have Joshua Abe and Rio Ngumoha as well. Add Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, and Slot has all the attackers he needs.
So, that's the double signing Hughes needs to go for to set the Reds' attack up for the next decade.
VfB Stuttgart star eager to sample electric atmosphere at Celtic Park
VfB Stuttgart forward Ermedin Demirovic has revealed his eagerness to sample the electric atmosphere of a European night at Celtic Park later this week…
Chema Andres of VfB Stuttgart celebrates the team’s third goal with teammate Ermedin Demirovic during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between VfB Stuttgart and BSC Young Boys at Stuttgart Arena on January 29, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
The Bosnia international – who is enjoying a rich vein of form in the Bundesliga – also believes his side have the firepower to overcome Celtic.
The German outfit head to Glasgow for the first leg of their Europa League play-off after securing a 3-1 victory over Cologne at the weekend.
Demirovic struck twice in that match to take his tally into double figures for the campaign, meaning he has now netted four times in his last five appearances.
He has openly expressed his excitement ahead of the upcoming clash against the Scottish champions.
Ermedin Demirovic of VfB Stuttgart reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between VfB Stuttgart and BSC Young Boys at Stuttgart Arena on January 29, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Speaking via The National, Demirovic said: “The game at Celtic this week will be something special. I am really looking forward to it and it’s a highlight of the season for me.
“It will be a Europa League game with a Champions League atmosphere. There are few things better than being able to play a big European game at Celtic Park.
“It won’t be an easy game, that’s for sure and we will give Celtic all the respect they deserve. But I believe we can go there with confidence and bring a good result back from Glasgow.”
Ermedin Demirovic of VfB Stuttgart celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Bundesliga match between VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Köln at MHPArena on February 14, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeness also singled him out for praise, with the victory lifting Celtic’s opposition on Thursday into fourth spot in the Bundesliga table.
Head coach Sebastian Hoeness of VfB Stuttgart looks on during the Bundesliga match between FC St. Pauli and VfB Stuttgart at Millerntor Stadium on February 07, 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images)
Hoeness said: “Ermedin has been playing well and is in good form and he showed that again. The team needs his energy and physicality. We knew it would be a challenging game and we could have made it easier for ourselves. But I think it’s a deserved victory.”
“The team believed in themselves until the very end, that was very important. Victories like this give you strength.”
Hopefully the Green Brigade will be back by Thursday night and the ban on Celtic Fan Media lifted by the club. Yesterday Celtic somehow managed to collect all three points at Rugby Park before leaders Hearts dropped three points at Ibrox, with theRangers having dropped two points in midweek at Fir Park. Two Celtic wins over Livingston and Kilmarnock – both involving stoppage time winners – gives Celtic real momentum in what is a dramatic and exciting title race. LIFT THE BANS for heaven’s sake.
Conor Spence
Celtic in the Thirties by Matt Corr. Click on image to order
Anthony Edwards is the second Minnesota Timberwolves player to be named MVP of the All-Star Game, following Kevin Garnett in 2003 [Getty Images]
Anthony Edwards was named Most Valuable Player of the NBA All-Star Game as the USA Stars beat the USA Stripes 47-21.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard scored 32 points and added nine rebounds and three assists to claim the Kobe Bryant Trophy.
In the 75th edition of the NBA All-Star Game there was a change from the traditional Eastern Conference against Western Conference format.
A new round-robin tournament consisted of four 12-minute games between two sides from the United States - one filled with young players and the other with veteran stars - and one group of international players.
Edwards, 24, along with Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren, each scored eight points as the Stars dominated the championship game while team-mate Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers scored nine.
"It means a lot," Edwards said of his MVP award. "I love Minnesota, and I know Minnesota loves me. I said I wasn't going to put on a show for them but I gave them a show."
The Stripes missed their first 10 shots in the final as the younger Stars team raced into a 12-1 lead. The Stars later added a 15-0 run for a 33-9 advantage as the veterans were well beaten.
NBA all-time scoring leader LeBron James, 41, who was making his 22nd appearance in the All-Star Game, added five for the Stripes.
In the round-robin opener at Los Angeles Clippers' Intuit Dome, Edwards scored 13 points as the USA Stars beat the World team 37-35.
Yet he was afterwards keen to highlight the performance of San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama, with the Frenchman producing 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in his side's defeat.
"I ain't going to lie, Wemby set the tone," said Edwards. "He came out hard and we had to follow that. We had to pick it up and we did that."
The World team were without injured stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander while Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic combined for only two points, two rebounds and two assists.
They lost the third game 48-45 to the Stripes, meaning they were eliminated and the final would be a repeat of the second game, which the Stripes had won 42-40.
The new format was seen as a success after criticism of recent editions being lacklustre.
Former US President Barack Obama, who was courtside, said: "I know a lot of people have been concerned about the All-Star Game, not seeing as much effort. But we saw it."
Stuart: A great performance from the two Hungarians. The best game Kerkez has had in a Red shirt. Both him and Szoboszlai were very energetic. Jones performed with versatility. The combined passing and finish for the second goal was incredible. A little bit of the old Salah returned and he deserved the penalty that he rifled home. Finally some of the youngsters could get on the pitch. The only disappointment was Rio's wonderfully struck, disallowed goal!?
Rae: Everything right, and wrong, with Liverpool this season can be seen in this match. Some great goals, individual brilliance, Salah, Szoboszlai. And also some suspect defending, inconsistency. Nonetheless a great win and hopefully more to come.
John: So much has improved recently. Defending has Improved immensely, the midfield and forward play has been more dynamic. Salah has settled down after the African Cup of Nations, so onwards and upwards.
Struan: Important win against Brighton. Kerkez is at last becoming the player we thought we bought. Salah is beginning to return to form. Curtis showed he deserves more game time with his goal and all around performance. Szoboszlai was outstanding again with some superb long passes and a wonderful goal. And another clean sheet, which until recently seemed impossible for Liverpool. Lots of positives. Important we take the FA Cup seriously and give it our best shot.
Brighton fans
Keven: It felt like Hurzeler failed to understand the importance and passion of the FA Cup in this country and to the fans. You are playing one of the top sides, yet you start with no forward pace, no wingers to spread the game, leaving Mitoma, Minteh and Welbeck freezing on the bench, hoping to do a hit-and-run at the death. Kadioglu was once again the best player on the pitch for us, but how long will he continue to give 110% when others around him lack passion and fire in their bellies? I think the club now has to make some hard decisions however painful that may be.
Mark: Please Tony Bloom, end the agony of Hurzeler-ball, I just can't stand any more!
Barry: Brighton once again began brightly, moved the ball well and created opportunities - but the familiar problem remains - we don't take chances and Liverpool did. For a side that looked destined for the top eight not so long ago, the slide is worrying. Confidence appears fragile and the pattern is becoming predictable. Questions will inevitably be asked of Fabian Hurzeler. Chairman Tony Bloom now faces a significant decision about the direction of the club.
Brian: Confidence is installed through the manager. Unfortunately, this isn't happening and most players have lost belief in themselves. Against Liverpool, why start with such an inexperienced front line? Again selection is also a major concern.
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Aston Villa and Newcastle.
Here are some of your comments:
Aston Villa fans
Matthew: Given the injury crisis Villa are facing and the number of changes Emery made, there are a lot of positives in the way we played for much of the match. But the number of gilt-edged opportunities we're gifting the opposition is a real concern - especially when our game plan relies on defensive solidity and exceeding our very low xG values.
Paul: We shot ourselves in the foot twice. Firstly, with the sending off and secondly, with the lazy play for the third Newcastle goal. We're really starting to feel the absence of McGinn, Tielemans and Kamara. With them on the pitch, it becomes comfortable. Worried our season will start to fizzle out now if we're not careful.
Keith: Memo to Mr Emery: Please tell your defenders to stop trying to play keep-ball in their third of the pitch. It inevitably leads to disaster, as shown by the third goal from Newcastle. Too many goals have been conceded this way. Are we to miss out on a Champions League place on goal difference again?
Gavin: A moment of madness changed the game. But only slightly disappointed, as we've got bigger fish to fry - top five and the Europa please, Unai.
Newcastle fans
Geoff: Excellent discipline from Newcastle. Away from home and playing a top team they ran Villa ragged. They looked sharp. They were full of running. This display and midweek against Spurs has put the away hoodoo to bed. Trippier didn't look so sharp but the others were really active and gave us a fine win.
George: Much better in last two away games. Woltemade needs to keep up front and not come deep into midfield. Gets in the box and hey presto... goal. Osula up front needs balls played over defence to run on to, not to feet. Defence much better with Big Dan Burn in it. Tonali must be kept out of the clutches of other clubs. With no Bruno, he is crucial to our defence and attack.
Liam: To come away with the win - despite still playing against 13 men in the second half - is a massive result. It's probably worth us focusing on the cup now, with our league form so patchy. Watch us get City, Arsenal or Liverpool, away, in the next round...
Ken: To keep calm after linesman and referee clangers they must be applauded for a master class of very good football and a much deserved win.
Doug Martin, a former first-round NFL Draft pick and two-time Pro Bowl running back, died on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. He was 36 years old.
News of Martin's death was first reported on Sunday, Oct. 19, but Martin's family confirmed that he passed one day prior. The sports world mourned the loss of Martin, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Boise State Broncos were among many to publicly share their condolences in memoriam.
In the aftermath of the news, more details surrounding Martin's death were revealed. Here is a comprehensive explanation of what is known about his death.
Martin's cause of death has yet to be determined. There is an ongoing investigation into the details surrounding his death as of Monday, Oct. 20.
It is confirmed that Martin died while in Oakland police custody, and police explained he was having a "medical emergency" when they first came into contact with him. The latest details on what transpired before Martin's death are below.
What happened to Doug Martin?
Martin died at a hospital on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, after being contacted by Oakland police, per Bay Area News Group.
Reports say Oakland police were responding to reports of a home break-in just after 4:15 a.m. in East Oakland. The police were called about a person who had broken into a home near the Oakland Zoo, and "simultaneously" were informed that the suspect was experiencing "a medical emergency."
Martin's agent, Brian Murphy, shed more light on the details in a statement released Monday evening, which read, in part:
Doug's parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and he contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor's residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway.
The Oakland Police Department offered a statement, which, in part, reads:
Upon arrival, officers located the individual inside the residence. While attempting to detain the individual, a brief struggle ensued. After being taken into custody, the individual became unresponsive.
Paramedic personnel arrived, provided medical aid, and transported the individual to an area hospital for further treatment. Unfortunately, the individual later died at the hospital.
Oakland police confirmed Monday that Martin was indeed the individual involve, releasing the following statement.
"Prior to his death, Martin was involved in a break-in at a residence in Oakland. While responding officers were attempting to detain him, a brief struggle occurred. After being taken into custody, Martin became unresponsive. Paramedics responded to the scene, provided medical aid, and transported Martin to a local hospital, where he later died."
Per OPD policy, the officers involved in the incident have been placed on paid administrative leave. The death is being investigated by the Oakland Police Department’s Homicide Section, OPD Internal Affairs Bureau, the Oakland City Police Commission, the Community Police Review Agency (CPRA) and the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
Doug Martin death updates
(All times Eastern.)
Friday, Oct. 24
8:45 a.m.: We knew from the family's statement that Martin had been dealing with mental illness for a few months prior to his passing. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Martin had checked into the Tranquility Rehab Center in Castro Valley, California, and when he did, he tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamines.
The report indicates that Martin left the premises several times without permission during his stay, and at one point was found "dancing" outside and covered in blood. The report says that a supervisor believes the former running back jumped from the second floor of the building and then punched the side of the rehab facility.
The police were called, and while they were searching Martin, he became agitated. They found three bags of cocaine and a 12-inch knife on him at the time. Martin was then put in a 72-hour psychiatric hold.
Monday, Oct. 20
9:00 p.m.: Martin's agent, Brian Murphy, released a statement offering new details on what his client was doing with prior to his death. "Doug's parents were actively seeking medical assistance for him and he contacted local authorities for support. Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, Doug fled his home during the night and entered a neighbor's residence two doors down, where he was taken into custody by police. An investigation into what transpired as he was detained is underway," the statement reads, in part.
5:00 p.m.: Oakland police confirm Martin was the individual who died in police custody after a suspected break-in, releasing a statement explaining that the former NFL running back was involved in a struggle with police and later became unresponsive.
1:20 a.m.: Reporter Henry K. Lee detailed the lead-up to Martin's death, explaining that there will be an autopsy to determine the cause.
Lee reports that "[Martin] was having some problems in the back of a police car. … Then they took him — I believe via ambulance — to a hospital, and that's where he was officially pronounced dead."
Sunday, Oct. 19
10:35 p.m.: Henry K. Lee, a reporter from the Bay Area's Fox affiliate, confirms Doug Martin is the man who died in Oakland Police custody on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 18.
4:40 p.m.: Doug Martin's family confirms his passing in a statement offered to the media.
4:30 p.m.: TMZ Sports announces Doug Martin has died at 36 years old.
The report says that Martin passed away one day prior.
Saturday, Oct. 18
6:45 p.m.: Oakland Police Department announces that it has begun an investigation into an in-custody death that occurred Saturday morning.
Doug Martin family statement
Martin's family offered the following statement to news outlets:
It is with great sadness to inform you all that Doug Martin passed away Saturday morning. Cause of death is currently unconfirmed. Please respect our privacy at this time.
Despite a .500 record, the Chiefs remain the league’s biggest draw.
It hasn’t been the best of campaigns for Andy Reid’s side, which has been beset by inconsistency and mistakes in one-score games. In the first time in what feels like a generation, Kansas City finds itself on the outside looking in of postseason contention — at least as of Week 12.
And yet, to pop culture enthusiasts, the Chiefs are still the hottest ticket in town. That’s for a predictable reason: Taylor Swift.
The famed pop artist continues to bring her army of acolytes into America’s most popular sport. And although she hasn’t been quite as visible at Travis Kelce’s games, it’s hard to imagine much changing in the weeks, months and years to come.
With that, here’s the scoop on whether Swift returned to Arrowhead for her fiancé’s latest game, a duel with the Colts.
It's unclear whether Swift will attend the Chiefs' matchup with the Colts in Week 12. She has tended to avoid the spotlight during the 2025 season, spurning the camera's glare on the few times she has gone to Kansas City games.
Nevertheless, she remains an avid Chiefs supporter. She went to three straight Chiefs games from Week 6 to 8, making her presence felt at Arrowhead Stadium — the site of each of the three jousts. While it's unknown if Swift will be in attendance on Sunday afternoon, the fact that the game will be played at Kansas City's home ground does make it slightly more likely that she watches on from the stands.
This section will be updated if Swift is in attendance.
Taylor Swift outfit today
This section will be updated if Swift is at Chiefs vs. Colts.
The Dallas Cowboys and the rest of the NFL will turn their attention toward the trade deadline this week as teams look to buy and/or sell players.
The trade deadline will fall on Tuesday, Nov. 4, so there should be some action over the next few days as teams look to bolster their rosters or acquire more draft capital.
The Cowboys deadline needs are very clear. While Dallas sports one of the best offenses in the NFL, it also has one of the worst defenses.
Dallas could use help all over, with positions such as defensive line, edge rusher, linebacker and cornerback all in play.
"If there is a trade that would help the defense, we're in position to make that trade," Jerry Jones said last month, via the team’s official website. "[It] doesn't mean we're going to make one, but we certainly had in mind when we started this season that we were going to have ammo to be more flexible in terms of what we do with the roster as we move along this year, and of course as we get into the next couple of years."
As the Cowboys navigate the remaining days before the trade deadline, follow our tracker below for all of the latest updates on the team's pursuits. The most recent rumors are at the top.
The Cowboys have reached a deal with the Bengals for linebacker Logan Wilson, according to several reports. There is no update on what the compensation is yet, though, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Bengals were seeking a sixth-rounder for Wilson's services.
Cowboys interested in 2 Bengals, 1 Dolphin
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys have checked in with the Bengals about star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and linebacker Logan Wilson, and with the Miami Dolphins about edge rusher Bradley Chubb.
"My understanding is the Cowboys have spoken to the Bengals on DE Trey Hendrickson and LB Logan Wilson, and to the Dolphins on OLB Bradley Chubb. They’ve had talks with other teams as well," Schultz reported.
“At least one deal is getting done somewhere,” a source told Schultz.
Jerry Jones says Cowboys have completed one trade
While he didn't say who the Cowboys traded for, Jerry Jones said one trade is already done and will be announced tomorrow. He also hinted two more could come after that.
"We've made one. We possibly could make two more, and I'm going to wait and let you read about that when we send the papers in tomorrow," Jones said, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News.
Cowboys among teams being aggressive
According to FOX Sports' Jay Glazer, the Cowboys are among the teams considered to be "aggressive" ahead of the trade deadline.
"The (Chicago) Bears, the (San Francisco) 49ers, the (Dallas) Cowboys … and the (Philadelphia) Eagles — they're being aggressive, as well. I don't think you're gonna see any big names. … The (New England) Patriots are looking for a little pass rush help," Glazer reported on Sunday.
Mazi Smith available
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys "appear to be open to trading" former first-round pick and defensive lineman Mazi Smith.
"Dallas also appears to be open to trading 2023 first-round DT Mazi Smith, who has only played in five games this season," Rapoport said.
Qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is into its final stages.
By the end of the November international break, the identity of 42 of the 48 finalists for the expanded international football showpiece were known.
The remaining six spots will be filled by the UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs in March.
Argentina will defend their title after Lionel Messi completed his long and occasionally tortuous path to glory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. La Albiceleste have since retained their Copa America title and finished top of the notoriously gruelling CONMEBOL qualifying section.
Here's everything you need to know about World Cup qualification, who has made it to the finals and how many teams from each continent will take part.
Each confederation has more slots available under the expanded format. The AFC has double the qualification spots it had at Qatar 2022, up from four guaranteed places to eight, while there will be nine African nations instead of five.
CONCACAF will have at least double its 2022 representatives, up from three to six, although half of those slots are accounted for by the United States, Mexico and Canada qualifying automatically as hosts. As was the case at the previous World Cup, two slots will be decided via an inter-continental playoff.
Of note, Uzbekistan and Jordan both qualified for their first-ever World Cup appearances in the summer of 2025. By finishing top two in their group in the third round of AFC qualification, they secured an automatic bid to the competition.
Following them shortly after was Cape Verde, as the tiny island nation of just 600,000 people earned their first-ever World Cup spot by winning their group ahead of Cameroon. Beating that in November was Curacao, who became the smallest-ever nation to qualify for a World Cup with their population of 150,000.
Teams qualified for the 2026 World Cup
Nation
Confederation
Last World Cup appearance
United States (host)
CONCACAF
2022
Mexico (host)
CONCACAF
2022
Canada (host)
CONCACAF
2022
Panama
CONCACAF
2018
Haiti
CONCACAF
1974
Curacao
CONCACAF
None (First appearance)
Japan
AFC
2022
Iran
AFC
2022
Uzbekistan
AFC
None (First appearance)
Australia
AFC
2022
South Korea
AFC
2022
Jordan
AFC
None (First appearance)
Saudi Arabia
AFC
2022
Qatar
AFC
2022
Morocco
CAF
2022
Tunisia
CAF
2022
Egypt
CAF
2018
Algeria
CAF
2014
Ghana
CAF
2022
Cape Verde
CAF
None (First appearance)
South Africa
CAF
2010
Senegal
CAF
2022
Ivory Coast
CAF
2014
Argentina
CONMEBOL
2022
Ecuador
CONMEBOL
2022
Brazil
CONMEBOL
2022
Colombia
CONMEBOL
2018
Uruguay
CONMEBOL
2022
Paraguay
CONMEBOL
2010
New Zealand
OFC
2010
England
UEFA
2022
France
UEFA
2022
Croatia
UEFA
2022
Portugal
UEFA
2022
Norway
UEFA
1998
Germany
UEFA
2022
Netherlands
UEFA
2022
Spain
UEFA
2022
Belgium
UEFA
2022
Switzerland
UEFA
2022
Austria
UEFA
1998
Scotland
UEFA
1998
_
UEFA (playoffs)
_
UEFA (playoffs)
_
UEFA (playoffs)
_
UEFA (playoffs)
Inter-continental playoff winner 1
_
Inter-continental playoff winner 1
_
How does qualification work for 2026 World Cup?
AFC
The AFCbegan its crucial third round of qualification in September 2024. Eighteen teams were split across three six-team groups to contest 10 games in a round-robin format. The top two in each of Groups A, B and C qualified automatically for the World Cup.
The teams placed third and fourth in each group advanced to a fourth round split between two groups of three. Those groups were played out during the October international break, with Qatar and Saudi Arabia - the previous and next World Cup hosts - going through to the finals.
Runners-up the United Arab Emirates and Iraq played a two-legged tie in November to decide the AFC representative at the inter-confederation playoff. Iraq prevailed 3-2 on aggregate.
CAF
Nine groups of six teams played each other home and away in Africa. The winner of each section at the end of the 10 games progressed directly to the World Cup.
The four best runners-up from the initial round-robin phase entered into a playoff. DR Congo prevailed to with the playoff on penalties against Nigeria, moving them into March's inter-confederation round.
CONCACAF began the second round of its qualification phase in June 2024, with 30 teams drawn into six groups of five. Each team played every opponent in their group once, with two away games and two home games once the phase concluded in June 2025.
The top two in each group advanced to the 12-team third round, where there were three groups of four. Beginning in September 2025, the nations in each group played one another home and away. The three group winners advance to the World Cup, with the two best-ranked runners-up going into the inter-confederation playoff.
CONMEBOL
South America retained its celebrated marathon World Cup qualification round, with all 10 of the confederation's countries playing one another home and away in a gruelling league format.
The expanded World Cup means qualification is a little easier, with the top six advancing automatically. Seventh-placed Bolivia will attempt to return to the World Cup for the first time since USA '94 in the inter-confederation playoff.
Argentina clinched their place at the finals thanks to a memorable 4-1 demolition of arch rivals Brazil. The Selecao ended the campaign in fifth spot, one of four teams to finish the campaign on 28 points.
OFC
The 2026 World Cup is the first time the OFC has been guaranteed a representative at the finals. The second round, running across October and November 2024, saw two groups of four playing for the four spots in round three.
The top two in each round-two group advanced to a three-match playoff in March 2025. New Caledonia defeated Tahiti in the first semifinal, with New Zealand thrashing Fiji 7-0 in the other.
New Zealand then claimed the automatic qualifying place by winning the OFC final 3-0. New Caledonia will enter the inter-confederation playoffs, so they have another chance to get there, albeit a slim one.
UEFA
Twelve of UEFA's 16 spots were taken by the group winners from the initial format of four or five-team groups. The 12 runners-up, along with the four best UEFA Nations League group winners that finished outside of the top two in their World Cup qualifying groups, enter the playoffs.
Those 16 teams were drawn into four paths with two single-game rounds. The seeded teams will be at home in the semifinals, with a home nation for the four finals drawn in advance. The winners from each path advance to the World Cup. UEFA is the only confederation without a representative in the inter-continental playoff.
The two teams in the six-nation playoff with the highest FIFA ranking are seeded. The four unseeded teams play an effective semifinal, with the two winners progressing to face a seed apiece to decide the final two places at the World Cup.
The four-game playoff will be used as a World Cup test event and played in two venues in Mexico.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11, with co-hosts Mexico in action at the Azteca, which hosted the 1970 and 1986 World Cup finals.
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host the final on July 19. The overall span of 40 days will make this the longest World Cup in history, with the 48 finalists contesting a total of 104 matches.
The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to do some wheeling and dealing over the next few days as the Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline rapidly approaches.
The Eagles will have until Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to further bolster their roster, but that process has already begun.
After pulling off a pair of cornerback trades with the New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens for Michael Carter and Jaire Alexander, respectively, the Eagles have now added an impact edge rusher.
On Monday morning, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles have struck a trade with the Miami Dolphins for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. Philly is sending one of their two 2026 third-round picks to Miami, and it's their original one, not the one acquired from the New York Jets in the Haason Reddick trade.
We can't say for sure, but we have a sneaking suspicion that Howie Roseman isn't done making moves. Follow our tracker below for all of the latest updates on the Eagles' deadline pursuits.
The college football calendar stops for no one, and early signing day on Wednesday arrives just days after a tidal wave of coaching carousel chaos.
Six SEC programs are among the teams scrambling to figure out which players are coming in, which are not, and which additional prospects they can land in the immediate aftermath of a coaching search, with LSU, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, Arkansas and Kentucky all hiring new head coaches.
The biggest story leading up to signing day was elsewhere in the SEC, as Vanderbilt attempted to poach top-rated quarterback Jared Curtis from Georgia. While Curtis committed to the Bulldogs in May, he has entertained the Commodores' efforts to lure him to Nashville as the potential face of Vanderbilt football in the post–Diego Pavia era and could soon flip his commitment.
The Sporting News is tracking updates and announcements from college football's early signing day on Wednesday. Follow along below for live updates and a list of the top 100 recruits.
This section will be updated throughout signing period from Wednesday-Friday.
LSU signs top-ranked EDGE Lamar Brown: Lane Kiffin's biggest addition as LSU's head coach is Brown, who is a top-five-ranked player in the country this year. Brown also had offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Miami and Alabama, but the Baton Rouge native stays home despite the program's head coaching change.
WR Chris Henry Jr. is staying committed to Ohio State: Despite reports that Henry Jr. might be leaving with Brian Hartline's departure for USF, the star WR is sticking to his word and will be heading to Ryan Day's Buckeyes program.
5-star WR Chris Henry Jr. to flip? Ever since Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline accepted the head coaching job at USF, there have been rumblings about Henry Jr.
The son of former NFL receiver Chris Henry has been committed to Ohio State since July of 2023. But Henry has delayed his signing during the ESP, and Rivals is predicting that Oregon might be the new favorite to land him:
NEW: Rivals insiders have logged expert predictions for Oregon to flip Ohio State Five-Star Plus+ WR commit Chris Henry Jr.🦆
The outlet adds that Texas is in the mix, as well. He is the No. 1 receiver for 2026, out of Santa Ana, Calif.
Stanford flips 4-star WR Zion Robinson from Michigan: New Stanford head coach Tavita Prichard gets a big win on the recruiting trail, flipping 4-star Zion Robinson on Thursday.
Robinson is from Mansfield, Texas. We'll see if he signs with the Cardinal—for now, he is just a verbal commit.
James Franklin putting together impressive class: Virginia Tech's new head coach wasted no time getting rolling on the recruiting trail. His 2026 class features 10 guys who flipped from Penn State, including 4-star LB Terry Wiggins and 4-star RB Messiah Wiggins.
His class currently ranks 30th overall in the country.
Michigan signs No. 1 RB Savion Hitler: Michigan fans can breathe a sigh of release. The Wolverine commit since August previously put off signing with Michigan before dong on on Thursday morning:
Hitler is also the No. 1 overall prospect out of his home state of Virginia.
Penn State gets a much-needed commit: Well, the Nittany Lions receive a bit of good news after an abysmal start to early signing period. 4-star quarterback Peyton Falzone signed with PSU on Wednesday. Out of Nazareth, Penn., he's the No. 10 rated prospect out of his home state. Falzone was previously committed to Auburn.
USC currently has the No. 1 overall class: You have to tip your cap to Lincoln Riley and his 2026 Trojans' class. It currently ranks No. 1 in the country, featuring 21 four-stars with one five-star, in OT Keenyi Pepe. Other big names USC signed include 4-stars in WR Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, DL Jaimeon Winfield, WR Ethan Feaster and EDGE rusher Luke Wafle. Winfield and Feaster ar tp-ranked prospects from the state of Texas, too.
Penn State's 2026 class down to just three commits: As Penn State's coach search continues into December, the Nittany Lions' 2026 class is hurting badly. The class has just three total verbal commits, as 4-star safety Matt Sieg flips from PSU to West Virginia on Wednesday.
LSU's top recruit to hold off on signing: No. 2 overall recruit, ATH Lamar Brown, plans to wait until Lane Kiffin has assembled his coaching staff before signing with LSU, according to ESPN. Brown was pictured with Kiffin shortly after the news of the polarizing coach's hire became official over the weekend, but Brown's signing will at least have to wait until after the week.
Jared Curtis confirms flip to Vanderbilt: Curtis confirmed Tuesday night that he plans to sign with Vanderbilt, releasing a lengthy statement explaining the news leaked before he had a chance to speak with either coaching staff and affirming his decision to stay in Nashville after praising what Clark Lea has built.
Jared Curtis denies reports of flip: Curtis denies reports he has flipped to Vanderbilt, despite the original report from Rivals claiming Curtis said himself that he had made his decision. "Don't know where all this is coming from," Curtis said.
Don’t know where all this is coming from. Haven’t had a chance to talk to either school yet. I’ll keep y’all posted.
Vanderbilt flips Jared Curtis: After committing to Georgia in May, No. 1 QB Jared Curtis flipped his commitment to Vanderbilt on Tuesday. The Commodores had been pushing hard for the Nashville-born Curtis in recent weeks, and his commitment to the program is the latest signal that Vanderbilt football is in a golden age after years of toiling near the bottom of the SEC.
BREAKING: Five-Star Plus+ QB Jared Curtis has Flipped his Commitment from Georgia to Vanderbilt, he tells me for @rivals
The No. 1 QB in the ‘26 Class had been Committed to the Bulldogs since May
The 2025 college football regular season has flown by, officially ending in late November. Every team across the country has either completed its season or will continue with at least one postseason matchup.
The second year of the 12-team College Football Playoff will again be the focal point of the postseason in December and January. In addition, 36 other bowl games are scheduled. All the high-intensity action will build toward the College Football Playoff championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Jan. 19.
The Sporting News is tracking all 2025–26 bowl announcements through Sunday to get you ready for the postseason. Here’s a look at the postseason matchup assigned to each team.
Just a few weeks remain until the 2025 College Football Playoff first-round games kick off. Yet at least one spot in the bracket still appears fully up for grabs.
In 2024, the Group of 5 automatic bid was a fairly easy call. Boise State cruised to the playoff behind star running back Ashton Jeanty. But in 2025, the spot reserved for the highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion has been far murkier. In each of the committee's first three rankings, they projected three different squads — Tulane, South Florida and Memphis — to be the No. 12 seed representing the Group of 5. Tulane held onto that spot in the most recent rankings.
After Week 14, we are down to three contenders -- James Madison from the Sun Belt and Tulane and North Texas from the American. James Madison will face Troy (8-4, 6-2) in the Sun Belt championship, while Tulane and North Texas will play in the American championship.
What is each top Group of 5 squad’s path to the CFP? Here’s a breakdown of the Week 14 matchup for each team, their playoff chances and the standings in the American and Sun Belt conferences.
Here's a look at chances, Week 14 matchup and other details for each top Group of 5 CFP contender.
James Madison (11-1, 8-0 in Sun Belt Conference)
In Week 14, James Madison beat Coastal Carolina 59-10 to finish the regular season undefeated in league play. James Madison is ranked No. 20 in the AP poll, the highest Group of 5 team, but they are unranked in the CFP poll.
The Dukes' lone loss came to a Power 4 team, Louisville, in a 28-14 Week 2 defeat. They haven't faced any other power conference squads, but have won every other game this season. JMU having one loss is what matters the most for its playoff chances; should the Dukes win out, including a Sun Belt championship, the committee will have to at least consider them as the 12th seed. From there, it's about their judgements on which American Conference champion JMU is bidding against for the playoff spot.
North Texas is seeking its first conference title since 2004, currently with a stronger chance to make the CFP. While head coach Eric Morris is set to leave North Texas for Oklahoma State when the 2025 season ends, the Mean Green may still have some bigger noise to make.
In Week 14, the Mean Green beat Temple 52-25 on Friday.
Should the Mean Green win the American Conference with one loss, it will be in the committee's hands to decide between them and James Madison, assuming the Dukes also win the Sun Belt. Both North Texas, the American Conference favorite, and James Madison, the Sun Belt favorite, have just one loss this season.
The simplest playoff path for North Texas is to beat Temple, beat Tulane in the AAC championship, and for James Madison to lose a game.
The other two teams listed face slightly tougher paths to the playoff, simply because they've already lost two games this season. In other words, they will likely need help from James Madison and/or North Texas losing a game, one way or another.
Tulane is still in the running for the playoff though, especially given the fact that the committee has shown the squad recent favor. In the most recent CFP rankings, Tulane was ranked 24th as the projected No. 12 seed. The Green Wave will face Charlotte in Week 14, a game they virtually have to win for playoff purposes. If Tulane wins, and either Navy or North Texas lose in Week 14, the Green Wave will play in the American Conference championship and keep their playoff hopes alive.
If Tulane proceeded to win the conference title, it would have a potentially convincing argument over projected Sun Belt champ James Madison; not only do the Green Wave have Power 4 wins over Northwestern and Duke, but they would then hypothetically have beaten another top G5 contender in North Texas/Navy in the conference championship.
Put simply, if Tulane makes and wins the conference title game, it has a pretty good shot at the CFP thanks to its slightly stronger wins over JMU, despite two losses. The committee has already shown its favor for the Green Wave.
Which Group of 5 team would currently make the CFP?
In the most recent rankings on Tuesday, Nov. 25, the committee ranked Tulane as the No. 24 squad and the the projected No. 12 seed for the second-straight week, maintaining its status as the top G5 squad according to the committee.
The Green Wave, despite having two losses, were again given the nod over one-loss James Madison and North Texas.
The NBA's illegal gambling saga took a turn just as the 2025-26 season began, as the FBI arrested multiple people involved in its investigation into sports betting.
This investigation has been hanging over the league's head since early 2025, when it was reported that the FBI was looking into players for their roles in potential illegal betting activities. The FBI finally acted in October, arresting several current and former players who are part of the probe.
Every sport appears to have its own gambling controversy, but the FBI's investigation seems to be focused on the NBA. The FBI announced that was undergoing two separate investigations that are still ongoing, one into sports betting and one into illegal poker games.
Here's the latest on who is involved in the probes.
The FBI arrested Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier as part of a larger sports betting and gambling probe. Rozier was being investigated earlier in 2025 for illegal sports betting, and while ESPN's Shams Charania reported he was cleared in June, that appears to not be the case.
Rozier was initially investigated for suspicious betting patterns while he was with the Charlotte Hornets in 2023, which was the same investigation that led to a lifetime ban for former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter. The NBA claims that it looked into the situation and cleared Rozier of any illegal activity.
The FBI confirmed that Rozier was involved in the sports-betting scheme by providing inside information to manipulate prop bets between 2022 and 2024. Rozier's attorney released a statement denying Rozier's wrongdoing, claiming the FBI just wanted to arrest a big-name NBA player.
Terry Rozier's lawyer gives a statement to @pablofindsout:
"We have represented Terry Rozier for over a year. A long time ago we reached out to these prosecutors to tell them we should have an open line of communication. They characterized Terry as a subject, not a target, but…
Additionally, the NBPA released a statement supporting Rozier.
"The integrity of the game is paramount to NBA players, but so is the presumption of innocence, and both are hindered when player popularity is misused to gain attention," the statement said, via Chris Mannix. "We will ensure our members are protected and afforded their due process rights through this process."
According to Shams Charania, Rozier will not be paid while on his leave of absence. His paycheck will be withheld and placed in escrow, pending the outcome of the FBI investigation.
A judge denied a request from prosecutors for a $10 million bond, instead requiring Rozier to put up his $6 million home for collateral and called for him to surrender his passport by Friday, Oct. 24.
Rozier's lawyers released a statement to Front Office Sports and other publications reaffirming Rozier's innocence.
"Terry was cleared by the NBA and these prosecutors revived that non-case," Rozier's lawyer said on Oct. 24. "Terry is not a gambler, but he is not afraid of a fight."
However, an NBA spokesperson later clarified Rozier had not been cleared by the league and that an investigation remains ongoing.
On the NBA's investigation into Rozier from 2023, commissioner Adam Silver said the league found insufficient evidence, while the FBI investigation went deeper.
Adam Silver to @CassidyHubbarth on why NBA did not find what FBI found on Terry Rozier: "We ultimately concluded there was insufficient evidence," but then cooperated with the feds who "have subpoena power…extraordinary powers the league doesn't have" pic.twitter.com/iYBEP3ClID
On Tuesday, Oct. 28, ESPN reported that Rozier was facing an $8 million tax lien from the IRS during the time of his suspicious activity. The guard was put on leave without pay by the NBA, but this action itself is being challenged by the NBPA.
On Dec. 8, Rozier officially pled not guilty in a Brooklyn court appearance; he remains a member of the Heat organization.
Portland Trail Blazers head coach and former NBA point guard Chauncey Billups was also arrested by the FBI in the organization's illegal betting probe. According to ABC News, Billups did not bet on games in which he played or coached, as he was instead arrested for his connection to an illegal poker game tied to the Mafia.
According to the FBI, Billups was involved in poker games that sought to defraud participants by rigging the entire game, using former athletes like Billups to recruit players.
Billups coached the Trail Blazers against the Minnesota Timberwolves in both teams’ season-opening game. The NBA placed him on administrative leave the following day, and he will reportedly not be paid while on leave.
Billups' attorney released a statement through ESPN's Shams Charania:
Statement from Chauncey Billups' attorney to ESPN, making clear that Billups, like Terry Rozier, will fight the FBI's charges: pic.twitter.com/YCugGaXiiZ
The FBI arrested former NBA player Damon Jones as part of the illegal sports betting and gambling investigation. Jones spent 11 years in the NBA and later was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers from 2015 to 2018.
BREAKING | NBC News: Former NBA player Damon Jones has also been arrested by the FBI in connection with the charges being announced today — no indication he is tied to bets on games he played — according to two people familiar with the matter.
The FBI announced that Jones is involved in both the illegal sports betting scheme and the rigged poker games investigation.
Damon Jones is being tied to both the illegal sports gambling ring and the illegal poker games, the only person with NBA connections connected to both.
The Athletic reports that Jones used his relationship with LeBron James to find out information about injury in 2023, which he then used to tell co-conspirators to bet on the Milwaukee Bucks for a game before the Los Angeles Lakers released an injury report. Jones also reportedly did this with a different Lakers player in 2023-24.
According to The Athletic, in the NBA's investigations into the gambling scandal, it has asked multiple teams, including the Lakers, to "hand over documents and other property as part of its investigation." Investigators are reportedly expected to seek documents, including cell phones and phone records, from "at least 10 Lakers employees," per The Athletic.
“The NBA engaged an independent law firm to investigate the allegations in the indictment once it was made public,” an NBA spokesman told The Athletic in a statement. “As is standard in these kinds of investigations, a number of different individuals and organizations were asked to preserve documents and records. Everyone has been fully cooperative.”
ESPN reported on Nov. 24, 2025, that LeBron James did not know Jones was leaking information about his status for the 2023 Bucks game, as the two had not been on "speaking terms for an extended period" by the time Jones was indicted. Per ESPN, the indictment suggested that Jones had leaked information to bettors one time regarding James' status, and another time regarding Anthony Davis' status.
Malik Beasley
Beasley, who was part of the FBI's investigation earlier in the year, has not yet been arrested. Currently a free agent, Beasley spent last year with the Detroit Pistons while he was being investigated, but his attorneys said that he was cleared of any wrongdoing in August.
The FBI didn’t name Beasley in either of its investigations, but investigative reporter Pablo Torre reports that Beasley handed his phone over to league investigators and that the investigation into him is still ongoing.
UPDATE: High-level NBA source says league investigation of Malik Beasley “didn’t find anything” but also didn’t technically close, as NBA deferred to separate, sprawling federal investigation.
Another source says Beasley voluntarily handed over his phone to league investigators.
Torre also reported that numerous former professional athletes participated in private poker games organized by those indicted by the Department of Justice. One player rumored to be involved is former Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Garnett. Torre reported that Garnett attended a game in 2019.
🚨 UPDATE: A number of former pro athletes played at private poker games organized by those indicted by the DOJ in “Operation Royal Flush.”
One of them — according to multiple sources with direct knowledge of a game that took place in 2019 — was Kevin Garnett. @pablofindsouthttps://t.co/9UEijIez8R
Poker News was the first to report that Garnett was a part of games in 2019. The Basketball Hall of Famer is not named in the indictment and has not been accused of any wrongdoing by federal investigators.
Antonio Gates
Pro Football Hall of Famer Antonio Gates has been implicated as he hosted and played in an allegedly rigged poker game in Miami, according to Torre.
Torre's report adds that the game was organized by Curtis Meeks, who was indicted by the federal government on Thursday, Oct. 23.
🚨➕ Pro Football Hall-of-Famer and former Chargers tight end Antonio Gates hosted — and played in — an allegedly rigged Miami poker game, sources with direct knowledge tell @pablofindsout, that was organized by Curtis Meeks. Meeks was indicted by the federal government Thursday.
Lue, head coach of the LA Clippers, was reportedly in attendance at one of Billups' poker games, according to Torre.
"According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of that April 2019 game in Vegas that we’ve been discussing—the same one where Billups was allegedly profiting off of an extremely suspicious hand and a rigged shuffling machine—another 'face card' in attendance was current Los Angeles Clippers head coach Ty Lue," Torre said.
At the time, Lue was an assistant coach on the Clippers staff. He hired Billups as an assistant coach in 2020.
NBA players arrested
On Thursday, October 23, the FBI arrested current Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, current Portland Trail Blazers head coach and former NBA point guard Chauncey Billups, and former NBA guard Damon Jones for their roles in illegal sports betting and gambling scandals.
Is Chauncey Billups arrest related to Terry Rozier, Damon Jones?
Chauncey Billups was arrested in a separate investigation to Terry Rozier, but Damon Jones is involved in both investigations. Billups was arrested for his role in a rigged poker game scandal, while Rozier's arrest had to do with illegal sports betting.
Relating to the gambling scandal, mentions an unnamed co-conspirator who lived in Oregon, began coaching around 2021, and played in the NBA from 1997 to 2011. That alleged co-conspirator is believed to be Billups, and the case alleges he disclosed confidential injury information about the Trail Blazers during a late-season game.
Chauncey Billups poker scandal
What did Chauncey Billups do?
The FBI arrested 31 people involved in rigging illegal poker games, including Chauncey Billups and Damon Jones. The scheme targeted victims by giving them the chance to play in poker games alongside former professional athletes, such as Billups and Jones, both of whom carry name recognition.
Chauncey Billups mafia connection
The FBI said the Mafia is who ran the rigged illegal poker games, which took place in the Hamptons, Miami, Las Vegas, and Manhattan.
What we know about illegal mafia poker ring
According to the FBI, those running these poker games recruited victims using big-name athletes as the hook. Once the victims were in the game, the defendants rigged the poker games with a rigged shuffling machine, poker chip trays with hidden cameras, contact lenses and glasses that read marked cards, and X-ray poker tables that could also read cards.
The defendants had an off-site operator, dubbed "The Quarterback," who read the cards using these rigging devices and relayed the information to those playing at the table. Overall, the FBI says it has been working on this investigation for four years, which resulted in victims losing at least $7 million.
What is La Casa Nostra?
La Casa Nostra is the name for the Italian-American Mafia that initially hailed from Sicily. It directly translates to "this thing of ours" or "our thing,"and consists of the Bonanno, Colombo, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese families.
Will Chauncey Billups get fired?
It's unclear if the Trail Blazers will fire Billups for his role in this investigation, but the NBA did place him on administrative leave, which reportedly included him not being paid. Portland signed Billups to an extension in April and was set to enter his fifth season with the team this year.
Terry Rozier-Damon Jones gambling scandal
What did Terry Rozier and Damon Jones do?
The illegal sports betting scandal involving both Terry Rozier and Damon Jones includes six total defendants and involved using insider information to exploit NBA prop bets.
The FBI claims that Rozier told defendants that he would leave a game early on March 23, 2023, allowing the defendants to bet over $200,000 on his player-prop unders. Rozier did, in fact, leave that game after nine minutes, allowing the defendants to win their bets.
As for Jones, The Athletic reports that he used insider information about a LeBron James' injury in 2023 to inform other defendants that they should bet on the Milwaukee Bucks for a game before the injury report was released. Jones also reportedly did this with another, unnamed Lakers player in 2023-24.
This is the same investigation. that resulted in the NBA banning former Raptors forward Jontay Porter for life, as the FBI says Porter was threatened to participate in the scheme.
Did Terry Rozier, Damon Jones bet on NBA games?
Rozier and Jones didn’t get on the games themselves, instead receiving inside information to relay to other people who would place bets on the games for them.
Terry Rozier career earnings
According to Spotrac, Rozier has made $160 million in his career so far, which includes a four-year, $96 million deal he signed with the Hornets in 2022.
Damon Jones career earnings
According to Hoops Hype, Jones earned over $21 million in his NBA career as a journeyman guard. His final contract, however, was a four-year, $16 million deal with the Bucks for his final contract in 2008.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for what could be a busy two days ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline.
The Steelers have some needs to address for the second half of the season, and they'll have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to do so.
Pittsburgh's most glaring need comes at wide receiver, where the team needs more support for Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf. Of course, the Steelers had the same need in 2024, but failed to adequately address it after a bust of a trade for Mike Williams.
The Steelers' defense has been woefully disappointing this season, and injuries have been an issue, also. We wouldn't be surprised to see general manager Omar Khan make another move to bolster the unit after trading for safety Kyle Dugger.
"I think everybody is a potential buyer, everybody is a potential seller. Front offices around the league understand that this time of year, and particularly at the 11th hour there's a Black Friday type frenzy," head coach Mike Tomlin said of the deadline.
There are sure to be rumors swirling surrounding the Steelers ahead of the deadline. We'll be keeping track of everything in our tracker below, which will be updated regularly. The newest updates are toward the top.
Pittsburgh Steelers trade rumors
Don't expect a WR splash
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cautions against expecting the Steelers to make a splash at wide receiver ahead of the deadline.
“With the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday, a lot of fans [think], ‘Oh they need a No. 2 receiver’ Well they’re not gonna go out and pay for a No. 2 receiver with any kind of big deadline-day trade,” he said in a postgame recap on Sunday. “If something would happen to DK Metcalf, yes, then they might make that trade…They rely so much on their tight ends. If they got a second receiver or another receiver, really where are they gonna play him in this offense?”
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport names three players to watch for the Steelers at the deadline in terms of wide receivers, a list that includes Jakobi Meyers, Rashid Shaheed and Jaylen Waddle.
Rapoport did add, however, say that Waddle is expected to be very expensive, but that seems to be the trend for all players considered available at the deadline.
The college football coaching carousel has been buzzing in recent weeks, and at the center of most headlines is Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
Kiffin has won 54 games in Oxford with the Rebels and has Ole Miss on the brink of a historic College Football Playoff run. Unsurprisingly, he is widely considered a top target for the open Florida and LSU jobs.
Kiffin has been active on social media for several years and has developed a reputation for stoking flames with his posts. True to form, he’s added fuel to the coaching-rumors fire with various posts on X and Instagram. Let’s run through the latest Kiffin coaching rumors and how his social media activity is fueling them.
Kiffin has been active on social media, specifically X, for over a decade. He’s used it to troll Tennessee fans for years and has fired shots at everyone from Nick Saban to Paul Finebaum. But in recent days, his posts on X have seemed directly aimed at the rumors surrounding his future. As you can see, the man has been busy:
Nov. 16, 8:27 p.m.— Kiffin quote-tweets Ole Miss AD Keith Carter after 34-24 win over Florida:
Ole Miss is on a bye this week, so Kiffin is likely recruiting in the Dallas area. As for why he tagged, SMU, who knows?
Nov. 21, 6:14 a.m. — Kiffin's daily quote feels too on the nose. He mentioned during an appearance with Pat McAfee that he has a book of daily mantras, and the one he posted for Friday, amidst coaching uncertainty, feels coincidental.
Nov. 21, 10:48 a.m. — Presumably hours before Kiffin is expected to meet with Ole Miss AD Keith Carter, coach is out here recruiting. He reposted a post grading Ole Miss' safeties with the hashtag #ComeToTheSip:
Kiffin has also retweeted several things over the last few days, like a giant bobblehead of him at a local Oxford convenience store, Louis Riddick posting about Lacy, a motivational quote about the hardest times in life leading to life's greatest moments, and one of his own tweets celebrating the 2023 Egg Bowl victory among others.
Kiffin is 116-53 all-time as a head coach, but has compiled his best record of his career at Ole Miss. Over the last six seasons, he's had four double-digit win seasons. If the Rebels defeat rival Mississippi State next weekend, a first-ever CFP bid will be waiting for Ole Miss.
Major League Baseball is the latest sport to have a gambling scandal.
On Nov. 9, Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted by prosecutors for their roles in an illegal pitch-rigging scheme. Both Clase and Ortiz had been on paid leave from the Guardians since the summer as they were investigated. As of No. 13, both former pitchers are in federal custody.
The situation is ongoing, but Clase and Ortiz will now be up against the legal process. Here is the latest on MLB's gambling scandal.
On Nov. 9, Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase was indicted by federal prosecutors for his role in an illegal pitch-rigging scheme. At the time of Jeff Passan's initial report, Clase was not in custody. Clase has been on MLB's non-disciplinary paid leave list since July 28, and hasn't pitched in an MLB game since.
According to Passan, the indictment claims that Clase has been a part of this scheme since May of 2023, which involved him throwing intentional balls to win wagers. Additionally, Clase is also accused of facilitating part of the scheme.
Clase's attorney, Michael Ferrara, released a statement saying, "Emmanuel Clase has devoted his life to baseball and doing everything in his power to help his team win. Emmanuel is innocent of all charges and looks forward to clearing his name in court.”
On the morning of Nov. 13, Clase arrived at JFK Airport from the Dominican Republic and was arrested by FBI agents, David Payne Purdum reported. Clase was then scheduled to be arraigned that afternoon.
Luis Ortiz
Federal prosecutors arrested Luis Ortiz in Boston on Sunday morning for his role in the illegal pitch-rigging scheme. Ortiz was first put on MLB's non-disciplinary paid leave list in early July, as he was investigated before Clase.
BREAKING: Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn on a host of charges related to a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown in MLB games. Ortiz was arrested in Boston earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody.
Both Ortiz and Clase are facing up to 65 years in prison.
Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges, according to the Eastern District of New York, which outlined the case against Clase and Ortiz after indicting them on fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges. pic.twitter.com/9UjlZ2Iw7m
Ortiz's attorney, Chris Georgalis, said in a statement to ESPN that Ortiz is "innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw," adding that "he has always given his best effort in every inning of every game."
"He has never, and would never, improperly influence a game—not for anyone and not for anything," Georgalis wrote. "There is no credible evidence Luis did anything other than try to win games, with every pitch and in every inning. Luis looks forward to fighting these charges in court."
After Luis Ortiz was charged in a gambling scheme by prosectuors, his attorney, Chris Georgalis, said in a statement to ESPN that Ortiz is "innocent of the charges related to two pitches he threw" and that "he has always given his best effort in every inning of every game." pic.twitter.com/4RAakmvtcB
A federal indictment argues that Clase and Ortiz were part of a scheme that rigged pitches in MLB games to win wagers. The pitchers would throw balls intentionally, allowing those to correctly bet on whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike.
According to Jeff Passan, Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing a ball in a June 15 game, while Clase was paid $5,000 for facilitating the scheme. Those two were then paid $7,000 for a similar situation on June 27.
Prosecutors allege that Luis Ortiz was paid $5,000 for throwing an intentional ball June 15 and Emmanuel Clase given $5,000 for facilitating it. They did it again, according to the indictment, June 27. The payment for each on that pitch was $7,000 apiece.
Pablo Torre reports that multiple bettors, including the two defendants, placed over a hundred fraudulent bets and parlays on Clase's pitches. Overall, the indictment claims that bettors won over $400,000 from betting platforms on Clase's pitches.
According to the federal indictment:
“With CLASE's knowledge and approval, Bettor-I, Bettor-2, and other Bettors used this information to place over a hundred fraudulent Pitch Speed and Ball/HBP straight bets and parlays on CLASE's pitches on the Betting Platforms.” pic.twitter.com/bkU2jVhA4Y
A report from The Athletic further detailed the allegations against Clase and Ortiz, revealing that Clase made a call during a game, shortly before "a group of bettors won about $11,000 by wagering that a particular pitch by Clase would register at slower than 97.95 mph."
Clase allegedly threw intentional sliders in the dirt over a period of two years so a group of bettors could benefit from wagering on both the speed and the result of the pitch.
In one instance, Clase allegedly intended to throw a ball but got Dodgers OF Andy Pages to swing for a strike. Less than an hour later, texts reveal Clase and another individual commiserated despite the Guardians winning the game.
The indictment alleges Clase even sent money for others to bet on his own pitches in some cases and recruited Ortiz to join the scheme in June of 2025.
As a result of this case, major U.S. sportsbooks are limiting these kinds of single-pitch bets to a $200 maximum, and they are not allowed to be used in parlays.
Prominent U.S. sportsbooks are establishing a nationwide $200 betting limit on baseball wagers centered on individual pitches and prohibiting such bets from being included in parlays in an attempt to decrease the incentive for manipulation, @MLB announced Monday.
According to the initial indictment, Clase and Ortiz didn't bet on games themselves, but they were paid to rig micro-bets within games. The pitchers would throw intentional balls that allowed others to successfully bet on whether a pitch would be a ball or a strike.
Has MLB banished Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz?
MLB put both Clase and Ortiz on non-disciplinary paid leave as they were being investigated for their roles in the schemes.
"MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process," MLB said in a statement. "We are aware of the indictment and today's arrest, and our investigation is ongoing."
Per The Athletic, the league prefers to discipline Clase and Ortiz before the start of spring training, though the timeline of their legal cases could affect those plans. If and when the two are suspended, the Guardians would no longer have to pay their 2026 salaries.
Emmanuel Clase net worth
Clase is currently playing on a five-year, $20 million with the Guardians that includes two club options through 2028. According to Spotrac, he has made over $15 million in his career.
Luis Ortiz net worth
Ortiz has made just over $2 million in his career, according to Spotrac. He has only played in MLB since 2024 and has just over two years of MLB service time.
The New York Giants are in the midst of a disastrous 2-7 season, which would typically mean they would be sellers at the trade deadline.
However, New York is also in a weird spot that throws a wrench into traditional norms.
Both general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are on the hottest of hot seats and might be hesitant to trade away players because of their need to finish this season strong to save their jobs.
Owner John Mara might be hesitant to allow Schoen to make any moves, whether that be buying or selling, seeing as how he might not be around beyond this season.
Adding to all that, the Giants should be exploring their options at wide receiver for rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart after the season-ending injury to Malik Nabers that has left the cupboard bare in East Rutherford.
Follow along with our tracker below for all of the latest rumors pertaining to what the Giants might do in what is an interesting situation in New York.
Giants trade rumors
Teams calling about Hyatt, Neal
According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, the Giants have spoken to teams about offensive lineman Evan Neal and wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.
"The Giants have talked to teams in recent weeks about OL Evan Neal and WR Jalin Hyatt being available, per sources. Neal was active for his first game this year on Sunday and Hyatt returned kickoffs," Raanan wrote.
Giants looking for WR, RB
According to ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Giants "are inquiring about wide receivers and running backs to make sure they have enough offensive playmakers to keep rookie QB Jaxson Dart on a strong developmental track."
"The Titans are not shopping Calvin Ridley as some reports are saying. Confirmed with multiple team sources that is not the case. They have, however, received calls about Ridley and other players," Davenport reports
High asking prices for Saints wide receivers
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, trades for Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed "would require a high price -- perhaps too high for what acquiring teams would want to pay."
Jaylen Waddle might be available, but...
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Dolphins "would at least consider" trading Waddle, but it would take a deal that "blows them away."
Kayvon Thibodeaux unlikely to be moved
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Giants have told inquiring teams they want a first-round pick for Thibodeaux, but they ultimately do not intend on trading him.
"The Giants do not plan to move pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. They previously told inquiring teams that the price would be a first-round pick," Russini reported.
Raiders asking for high price for Jakobi Meyers
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that the Raiderswant too much in return for Meyers. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler adds that Las Vegas wants "a strong pick" for Meyers and a Day 3 pick swap won't be enough to get it done.
Mexico is set to enter the 2026 World Cup with something to prove.
Once considered a rising power in global football, Mexico has failed to make a deep run in recent tournaments. In 2022, El Tri fell in the group stage for the first time since 1978 — but with the opportunity to host in 2026, there is hope for a turnaround.
When El Tri serves as one of three World Cup 2026 hosts, it will become the first nation to host the tournament three times, having previously done so in 1970 and 1986.
The Sporting News breaks down Mexico's path at the 2026 World Cup, the team’s roster, and how it has performed throughout World Cup history.
Mexico's group was determined by Friday's World Cup draw. Mexico was one of 12 teams included in Pot 1 of the draw.
Team
PTS
GP
W
L
D
GF
GA
GD
Mexico
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
South Africa
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
South Korea
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Denmark/North Macedonia/Czechia/Republic of Ireland
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Group match schedule
Date
Time (ET)
Match
Location
Thu, Jun. 11
3 p.m.
Mexico vs. South Africa
Mexico City Stadium (Mexico City, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 11
10 p.m.
South Korea vs. UEFA Playoff D winner
Estadio Guadalajara (Guadalajara, MEX)
Thu, Jun. 18
12 p.m.
UEFA Playoff D winner vs. South Africa
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Thu, Jun. 18
9 p.m.
Mexico vs. South Korea
Estadio Guadalajara (Guadalajara, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 24
9 p.m.
UEFA Playoff D winner vs. Mexico
Mexico City Stadium (Mexico City, MEX)
Wed, Jun. 24
9 p.m.
South Africa vs. South Korea
Estadio Monterrey (Monterrey, MEX)
Mexico all-time World Cup groups
Mexico has appeared in the World Cup every year since 1994, and from 1994-2018, they advanced past the group stage in every tournament.
Year
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd place
4th place
2022
Argentina
Saudi Arabia
Mexico
Poland
2018
Germany
Mexico
Sweden
South Korea
2014
Brazil
Croatia
Mexico
Cameroon
2010
Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa
France
2006
Portugal
Mexico
Angola
Iran
2002
Mexico
Italy
Croatia
Ecuador
1998
Netherland
Mexico
Belgium
South Korea
1994
Mexico
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Norway
1986
Mexico
Paraguay
Belgium
Iraq
1978
Poland
West Germany
Tunisia
Mexico
1970
Soviet Union
Mexico
Belgium
El Salvador
1966
England
Uruguay
Mexico
France
1962
Brazil
Czechoslovakia
Mexico
Spain
1958
Sweden
Wales
Hungary
Mexico
1954
Brazil
Yugoslavia
France
Mexico
1950
Brazil
Yugoslavia
Switzerland
Mexico
1930
Argentina
Chile
France
Mexico
Mexico World Cup snapshot
While Mexico enters the World Cup ranked 15th in the world — a position that would typically place them in Pot 2 — they’ll benefit from being one of the three host nations and will be placed in Pot 1 automatically. The three hosts were guaranteed Pot 1 status and are joined by the nine highest-ranked qualified teams.
Mexico has never won the World Cup but has been a consistent presence in the tournament. The furthest El Tri has advanced is the quarterfinals, reaching that stage in 1970 and 1986. However, in recent years, Mexico’s success has faded, with the team exiting in the group stage in 2022 for the first time since 1978.
Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 15 (December 2025)
Mexico will be looking to take a long-awaited step forward at the World Cup after their 2022 misstep. With a coaching change since, then, as Javier Aguirre took over, they'll be hoping that hosting is the boost they need — both of Mexico's previous quarter-finals runs came on home soil.
With Edson Alvarez captaining, and Raul Jimenez having experience in three World Cups, Mexico will be seeking to keep its momentum going after winning the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Star Players: Edson Alvarez, Hirving Lozano, Raul Jimenez
Players to Watch: Gilberto Mora, Jesus Gallardo, Jorge Sanchez
Who is Mexico head coach?
Mexico underwent a coaching change after its lack of success at Qatar in 2022. In July 2024, Javier Aguirre took on the job. The 67-year-old also coached Mexico from 2001-02 and 2009-10.
Aguirre, a former midfielder, played for Mexico in the 1986 World Cup. In the past, he's also managed Egypt and Japan's national teams.
Under Aguirre's leadership since 2024, Mexico won its first Nations League title in 2025, as well as his second Gold Cup.
Manager (Nationality): Javier Aguirre (Mexico)
Date hired: July 22, 2024
Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 11-6-4 (third stint only)
Major titles since hire: Nations League (2025)
Notable victories:
2-1 over Panama in Nations League Final 2025
2-1 over U.S. in Gold Cup Final 2025
Mexico roster at the World Cup 2026
Raul Jimenez is one of Mexico's most experienced players, set to bring plenty of World Cup experience to the 2026 squad. He'll be one of their key players at the event next year.
Edson Alvarez is another player, in the defensive midfield, who has continued to grow for the national team, and he'll play a significant role at the World Cup. Hirving Lozano, who scored the only goal in an upset of defending champion Germany in 2018, will be among Mexico's top attackers.
In terms of young talent, look no further than 17-year-old Gilberto Mora, who started in the Gold Cup final — the young star could make a big name for himself on the global stage.
Mexico predicted starting XI (formation: 4-3-3)
Malagon (GK)
Gallardo, Vasquez, Araujo, Sanchez
Alvarez, Mora, Ruiz
Lozano, Jimenez, Gimenez
Strengths:
Experience: Considering Mexico has played in the last eight World Cups, it has experience on its side. Jesus Gallardo and Raul Jimenez both have over 100 caps, while Edson Alvarez isn't far behind at 95.
Home Soil: Historically, Mexico has played its best when hosting the World Cup, making its deepest runs in 1986 and 1970. Could the home fans be enough to give them a boost in 2026?
Weaknesses:
Star Power: Compared to some other top teams, especially within Pot 1, Mexico lacks a superstar face. Gilberto Mora is viewed as and up-and-coming star, but he is still going to be 17 years old at the World Cup; unless he can help put Mexico on his back, there aren't many best-of-the-best players for the team.
Mexico roster for 2026 World Cup
Below is a projected 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. This will be updated when the squad is officially announced by Mexico closer to the start of the tournament.
*Caps as of Nov. 18, 2025.
Pos
Name
Club
Caps
GK
Luis Malagón
Club America
19
GK
Guillermo Ochoa
AEL Limassol
151
GK
Raúl Rangel
Guadalajara
6
DEF
Johan Vásquez
Genoa
42
DEF
Jesus Gallardo
Toluca
113
DEF
Jorge Sanchez
Cruz Azul
54
DEF
Cesar Montes
Lokomotiv Moscow
63
DEF
Julian Araujo
Bournemouth
16
DEF
Jesus Orozco
Cruz Azul
9
DEF
Israel Reyes
Club America
27
DEF
Rodrigo Huescas
Copenhagen
3
MID
Edson Alvarez
Fenerbahçe
95
MID
Gilberto Mora
Tijuana
5
MID
Marcel Ruiz
Toluca
14
MID
Carlos Rodriguez
Cruz Azul
64
MID
Erik Lira
Cruz Azul
17
MID
Luis Chavez
Dynamo Moscow
42
MID
Orbelin Pineda
AEK Athens
89
FWD
Raul Jimenez
Fulham
121
FWD
Hirving Lozano
San Diego
75
FWD
Santiago Gimenez
Milan
46
FWD
Julian Quinones
Al-Qadsiah
18
FWD
Alexis Vega
Toluca
48
FWD
Cesar Huerta
Anderlecht
25
FWD
Diego Lainez
UANL
32
FWD
Germán Berterame
Monterrey
6
Mexico World Cup history
Mexico has never won the World Cup, but has made plenty of appearances, with their furthest run being a pair of quarter-finals appearances.
Germany has historically been one of international soccer's top teams.
The nation has lifted the trophy four times, but has not done so since 2014, exiting in the group stage at each of the past two tournaments.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with young Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala leading the way, Germany will be looking to bring the trophy back to Berlin.
The Sporting News breaks down Germany’s path at the 2026 World Cup, the national team roster and how the side has performed throughout World Cup history.
Germany has appeared in every World Cup since 1954, but has failed to advance past the group stage the past two tournaments after seven consecutive top finishes within its group.
Year:
1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
2022
Japan
Spain
Germany
Costa Rica
2018
Sweden
Mexico
South Korea
Germany
2014
Germany
USA
Portugal
Ghana
2010
Germany
Ghana
Australia
Serbia
2006
Germany
Ecuador
Poland
Costa Rica
2002
Germany
Rep. of Ireland
Cameroon
Saudi Arabia
1998
Germany
Yugoslavia
Iran
USA
1994
Germany
Spain
South Korea
Bolivia
1990
West Germany
Yugoslavia
Columbia
United Arab Emirates
1986
Denmark
Germany
Uruguay
Scotland
1982
West Germany
Austria
Algeria
Chile
1978
Poland
West Germany
Tunisia
Mexico
1974
East Germany
West Germany
Chile
Australia
1970
West Germany
Peru
Bulgaria
Morocco
1966
West Germany
Argentina
Spain
Switzerland
1962
West Germany
Chile
Italy
Switzerland
1958
West Germany
Northern Ireland
Czechoslovakia
Argentina
1954
Hungary
West Germany
Turkey
South Korea
1934
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
1930
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Germany World Cup snapshot
Germany enters the World Cup draw ranked ninth in the world, barely meeting the mark to be considered a Pot 1 team for the draw. The three host countries (U.S., Canada, Mexico) were automatic Pot 1 qualifiers, then joined by the nine highest-ranked qualified teams.
Germany has won the World Cup four times, coming out on top of the global tournament in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. They've also been runners-up four, finishing second in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002.
Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 9 (December 2025)
World Cup titles: 4
World Cup appearances (last): 20 (Qatar 2022)
How Germany qualified, W-L-D: UEFA Group A winners, 5-1-0
For years, Germany was considered an annual powerhouse in the World Cup, consistently contending in the tournament. The 2026 event will be about Germany re-proving itself after consecutive exits in group play in 2018 and 2022.
Germany has struggled in national competitions more than its used to in recent years. In the 2025 Nations League finals, which were in Munich, Germany fell to Portugal in the semi-finals. Additionally, in World Cup qualifiers, they lost a game in what appeared to be a favorable group.
Still, with star playmakers Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, Germany will remain a dangerous opponent in the 2026 World Cup despite its recent shortcomings.
Star Players: Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz
Players to Watch: Joshua Kimmich, Antonio Rudiger, Kai Havertz
Who is Germany head coach?
Julian Nagelsmann has been at the helm for Germany since 2023. He previously managed TSG Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick, and when he was signed, he became Germany's second-youngest coach at 36 years old.
Under Nagelsmann, Germany reached the quarter-finals as hosts of Euro 2024.
Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, three midfielders, are set to headline the Germany roster at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Musiala will be the name to watch, however — while known as one of the best young dribblers and passers in the world, he's still recovering from fractured fibula and dislocated ankle injuries he suffered in July 2025.
Musiala's health will be worth monitoring as the World Cup approaches. Still, the 22-year-old Wirtz and the 30-year-old Kimmich are also among the team's most talented players.
In World Cup qualifying, Nick Woltemade led the way for Germany with his four goals. Goalkeeper is another intriguing position for Germany, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen is expected to be the top choice, but his injury has opened the door for others.
Germany predicted starting XI (formation: 4-2-3-1)
Ter Stegen (GK)
Gosens, Rudiger, Tah, Kehrer
Kimmich, Goretzka
Sane, Musiala, Wirtz
Havertz
Strengths:
Diverse skillsets: Germany boasts a nice blend of veterans and youth, and one of the best young players in the world in Musiala. The squad is also at its best when moving the ball quickly, and to its top playmakers.
Weaknesses:
Health: Musiala's recovery from a fractured fibula, along with a dislocated and broken ankle, will be key for Germany, as well as how he looks after his recovery. Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz are two more players who have dealt with injuries recently.
Germany roster for 2026 World Cup
Below is a projected 26-man roster for the 2026 World Cup. This will be updated when the squad is officially announced by Germany closer to the start of the tournament.
*Caps as of Nov. 16, 2025.
Pos
Name
Club
Caps
GK
Oliver Baumann
TSG Hoffenheim
10
GK
Marc-André ter Stegen
Barcelona
44
GK
Alexander Nübel
VfB Stuttgart
2
GK
Noah Atubolu
SC Freiburg
0
DEF
Nico Schlotterbeck
Borussia Dortmund
23
DEF
Waldemar Anton
Borussia Dortmund
12
DEF
David Raum
RB Leipzig
34
DEF
Jonathan Tah
Bayern Munich
43
DEF
Ridle Baku
RB Leipzig
8
DEF
Antonio Rüdiger
Real Madrid
81
DEF
Nathaniel Brown
Eintracht Frankfurt
2
DEF
Malick Thiaw
Newcastle United
5
DEF
Robin Koch
Eintracht Frankfurt
15
MID
Joshua Kimmich
Bayern Munich
106
MID
Aleksandar Pavlović
Bayern Munich
9
MID
Leon Goretzka
Bayern Munich
67
MID
Jamie Leweling
VfB Stuttgart
4
MID
Assan Ouédraogo
RB Leipzig
1
MID
Felix Nmecha
Borussia Dortmund
6
MID
Karim Adeyemi
Borussia Dortmund
11
MID
Kevin Schade
Brentford
5
MID
Leroy Sané
Galatasaray
72
MID
Serge Gnabry
Bayern Munich
57
MID
Florian Wirtz
Liverpool
37
FWD
Jonathan Burkardt
Eintracht Frankfurt
5
FWD
Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United
8
FWD
Kai Havertz
Arsenal
55
Germany World Cup qualifying results
Germany finished in first place in UEFA Group A, securing their automatic place in the draw in December with a game to spare following a 4-0 win over Ukraine.
Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn’s status for the Winter Olympics is uncertain. While competing in her final downhill event before the upcoming world competition, Vonn crashed on the course and had to be airlifted to a nearby facility for treatment.
The skier lost control while attempting to land a jump during a World Cup downhill event, becoming tangled in the safety nets lining the course. When Vonn was able to get up, she was limping and favoring her left knee, using her poles to steady herself.
Here are the latest injury updates for Vonn following her crash while preparing for the Winter Olympics.
Vonn held a press conference on Tuesday and said that she tore her ACL in her crash from last Friday. She said her plan is still to race in the Olympic downhill on Sunday and that she skied on Tuesday and will wear a knee brace.
Lindsey Vonn says in press conference from Italy that she tore her ACL in a crash Friday — but aims to race in the Olympic downhill Sunday anyway. Says she skied today, and will wear a knee brace. pic.twitter.com/eN86mJW9xK
Vonn released a statement on her Instagram. She said, "I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. 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. My Olympic dream is not over. I will give more information when I have it. It's not over until it's over."
Vonn, as expected, did not race in Saturday's Super-G race. Her skiing coach, Chris Knight texted the Associated Presssaying that Vonn "is preparing for Cortina as usual." Vonn herself posted on Instagram, announcing her withdrawal from the Super-G race and said that she is "doing my best right now..."
The U.S. Ski team also released a statement on Friday, backing up Vonn. "Lindsey Vonn crashed in today's Cras Montana World Cup downhill and injured her left knee, however her Olympic dream isn't over yet."
Vonn had been running the fastest time at the first checkpoint before her injury. She landed a jump off-balance, then lifted her left arm and pole to try to regain her balance, and tried to brake. This caused her to be spun around, and she ended up in the nets.
Reports suggest that Vonn had an "anxious expression" and had a long embrace with teammate Jacquelin Wiles before going into the medical tent for treatment.
Vonn was competing in her final downhill competition before the Winter Olympics. She had gone over a jump, but didn't land correctly. Vonn was trying to regain her balance, but ended up spinning out and sliding down the course. Unable to control herself, she slid hard into the protective netting in what looked like a bad crash.
Wishing Lindsey Vonn a speedy recovery following her crash in Crans-Montana ❤️ pic.twitter.com/hZ6PcPVvW3
— Team USA Olympics Updates and Coverage (@TeamUSAOLYCov) January 30, 2026
Vonn was also not the only one to crash. Three different competitors crashed, including Vonn. Austria's Nine Ortlieb and Norway's Marte Monsen also crashed. Ortlieb crashed in the same area as Vonn, and Monsen nearly made it to the end before crashing into the nets and had to be taken away in a sled.
French skier Romaine Miradoli completed her run, but said that the snow falling caused bad visibility issues. She said, "You can't see, and it's bumpy everywhere." When pressed further and asked if the course was dangerous, Miradoli responded, "We just couldn't see well."
The event was cancelled after Vonn's crash, per the AP.
Vonn was checked by the onsite medical team, but further evaluation was needed, especially given her knee favoring. Due to winter conditions and snow, she was airlifted to a nearby hospital.
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation CEO Urs Lehmann told reporters, "I know she hurt her knee, I talked to her. I don’t know if it’s really heavy and (if) she won’t miss the Olympics. Let’s wait for what the doctors are saying.”
Vonn's first scheduled event is the women's downhill on February 8.
Around 10 months ago, Penn State was on the verge of the national title game. Three months ago, the Nittany Lions entered 2025 as one of the most hyped teams in the country. Now, they're likely about to undergo a significant transition in leadership.
After an 0-3 start against Power Four teams, including losses to unranked UCLA and Northwestern, Penn State fired Franklin, who had led the team since 2014. It's been quite a while since the Nittany Lions needed a new coach — but now, one of the Big Ten's most famous brands will be entering a new era, with plenty of talent likely to depart as well.
There's been some ambiguity in Penn State's coaching search, from some reported high-profile targets landing extensions from their current schools to limited indications of which names the Nittany Lions have interest in.
Who is Penn State targeting to replace Franklin? Here are the latest news and rumors from the team's coaching search.
Penn State has zeroed in on Matt Campbell, and there are reports midday on December 5 that the school is "in the final stages of negotiations" with the Iowa State head coach. At long last, it appears the Nittany Lions have their James Franklin replacement.
Campbell's name started picking up steam earlier on December 4, and now it sounds like Penn State is zeroing in on Campbell. On3 reported that the Nittany Lions are shifting its focus to Campbell in its coaching search.
Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell has "momentum" for Penn State job
Buzz has picked up surrounding Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell, as there is "increased confidence" that "momentum is building" between Penn State and Campbell, according to 247Sports' Tyler Donohue.
Campbell, a three-time Big 12 Coach of the Year, has been with the Cyclones since 2016. They won 11 games in 2024 and have gone 8-4 in 2025.
Terry Smith drawing interest for UConn, Memphis head coaching jobs
Terry Smith isn't just drawing internal interest for Penn State's job; per Schultz, he's also been a potential target for UConn and Memphis in their head coaching searches.
Kalen DeBoer denies interest in any other head coaching jobs
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has been yet another speculated candidate for the Nittany Lions' job, especially if the Crimson Tide fell out of playoff contention, but he said Thursday that he does not have interest in leaving Tuscaloosa.
"We're extremely happy at Alabama," DeBoer said, per ESPN. "We're extremely happy here, love the challenge, love the grind, love this place. There's never been any link, there's never been any conversation, there's never been any interest either way. So I'm glad we can put that to bed right now."
Top-level Penn State donors pushing for Terry Smith promotion
"Top-level" donors at Penn State have been pushing for interim head coach Terry Smith to be promoted to the full-time coach, per Nakos. Players have also voiced their support for Smith as the regular season concluded.
Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm no longer appears to be a candidate for the Penn State job, as Thamel reports that Brohm "has communicated to his bosses that he’s not exploring any other jobs and is committed to Louisville." He has also reportedly been working on an extension.
Another potential Penn State target is off the market. Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline is set to become the next head coach at the University of South Florida, removing an up-and-coming offensive mind from the potential list for the Nittany Lions.
Hartline joins Kalani Sitake, Eli Drinkwitz, Pat Fitzgerald, Will Stein, Curt Cignetti, Mike Elko and Matt Rhule among rumored Penn State targets to either sign an extension with their current team, or head elsewhere.
BYU coach Kalani Sitake is remaining with the school after considering a pitch from Penn State, ESPN's Pete Thamel reports. Sitake had been the focus of the Nittany Lions' search, but BYU "is in the process of putting together a lucrative contract to keep him," according to Thamel. Not only is he staying put, but BYU confirmed that Sitake will do so with a contract extension.
Reports suggest that Penn State has honed in on BYU head coach Kalani Sitake. The Cougars have an 11-1 record and sit atop the Big 12. Sitake has been at BYU since 2016 and has a career 83-44 record in the regular season.
The sides have met and there is mutual interest, but there is no deal on the table. "The sides have discussed staffing and other details of what Sitake's tenure in State College would look like," per ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Terry Smith declines to specify whether he's received clarification on Penn State future
When asked about if he's received clarification on his future at Penn State, interim head coach Terry Smith said he "came in with a lot of energy" the prior week when talking about his desires to stay the Nittany Lions' coach. Otherwise, he declined to specify if he's had conversations with the school.
Penn State has had a fairly quiet coaching search thus far, with many candidates being pulled off the market. For that reason, Smith's name has increasingly been speculated as the full-time head coach.
Eli Drinkwitz removed from Penn State candidate pool with new Missouri contract
Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz no longer appears to be a candidate for Penn State's coaching job, as he has agreed to a new contract with Missouri, per Thamel. The Tigers coach had been connected to the Nittany Lions, but he will not be making the trip to State College.
Penn State players express interest in Terry Smith being retained as HC, will have formal interview
After Penn State beat Nebraska in Week 13, 37-10, players showed their desires for interim head coach Terry Smith to keep his job into 2026, holding signs that said "Hire Terry Smith."
According to Marcello, the Nittany Lions will conduct a formal interview with Smith this week.
Penn State has shown genuine interest in former Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman said on the "Bear Bets" podcast. Fitzgerald, who had been connected to the Nittany Lions already in this search, spent 17 seasons at Northwestern, becoming one of the most well-respected coaches in the Big Ten before a hazing scandal ended his tenure in the summer of 2023.
Penn State negotiates new buyout amount for James Franklin
A potential financial factor in Penn State's new coaching search was reportedly settled, as James Franklin landed at Virginia Tech for an unknown contract amount. However, because language in Franklin's former Nittany Lions contract specified that his buyout amount would factor in how much he's paid by his new job, he will reportedly not be receiving the full $49 million buyout.
Per Pete Nakos, Penn State and Franklin negotiated a settlement on his buyout that gives him "roughly" $9 million, instead of the original $49 million.
One of the first reports on Penn State's vacancy came on Nov. 14, as The Athletic's Bruce Feldman and Ralph Russo reported that the Nittany Lions were still "exploring a lot of options." Those options included Georgia Tech’s Brent Key and James Madison’s Bob Chesney. Key has led Georgia Tech to a 9-1 start in the ACC in 2025 — and has expressed his commitment to stay with the team — while Chesney has James Madison atop the Sun Belt Conference.
Additionally, per The Athletic, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea is merely viewed as just a speculative fit for Penn State's job, with no real connections yet. The Nittany Lions have "vetted" on assistants like Oregon’s Will Stein and Ohio State’s Brian Hartline, though.
Three more names to watch in the search, per Feldman and Russo, are Pat Fitzgerald, Brian Daboll and Al Golden. Fitzgerald had three 10-win seasons at Northwestern prior to being fired, Daboll was recently let go by the New York Giants, and is a former OC at Alabama. He also has connections to Penn State, as his kids attended the school). Golden is now the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive coordinator.
Manny Diaz, currently the head coach at Duke, could reportedly be a name to watch in Penn State’s coaching search. He makes sense as a candidate primarily because he has prior experience with the Nittany Lions.
From 2022–23, Diaz served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator under James Franklin, a stint during which the Nittany Lions boasted one of the country’s top defenses. In 2023, the Nittany Lions ranked No. 2 in total defense nationally, per CFB Stats, and in 2022, they ranked No. 17. While Penn State already has a big name at defensive coordinator in Jim Knowles, Diaz would help them lead further into a defensive identity.
Diaz was also the head coach at Miami from 2019-21, going 21-15 with the Hurricanes. He's found more success with the Blue Devils, leading the team to a 5-3 start in 2025.
Cignetti, Rhule, Brohm, Elko among rumored coaches to land extensions
Because Penn State had one of the first coaching vacancies in college football, there’s been time for coaches to be linked to the program. However, many of the rumored or speculated candidates have already signed extensions with their current teams.
Curt Cignetti was one of the early hot names connected to Penn State. A Pennsylvania native, already in the Big Ten, and now one of the most respected coaches in the country, he seemed like a natural fit. But not long after Franklin was fired, Indiana re-signed Cignetti to a new eight-year contract reportedly worth around $11.6 million annually the school announced.
Around two weeks later, another rumored Nittany Lions target took his name out of the running. Matt Rhule had been insisting in press conference that he was committed to Nebraska, and he proved that by agreeing to a two-year contract extension that will take him through the 2032 season, the school announced.
Louisville's Jeff Brohm was another rumored name for Penn State, as he's led the Cardinals to three strong seasons in his tenure. But according to On3's report on Nov. 12, Louisville is "working" on a contract extension to keep Brohm with the team, seemingly taking his name out of the race as well.
One more potential target came off the board in November when Mike Elko signed a new six-year contract that extends through the 2031 season, Texas A&M announced. While Elko was never quite viewed as the kind of favorite for Penn State that Cignetti or Rhule may have been, there were questions over whether he'd depart from the Aggies for a more high-profile job with his 2025 success.
The NFL trade deadline is just one day away, and the Buffalo Bills have yet to make any sort of big move on either side of the ball. That said, they are rumored to be in on multiple players.
Randy Gurzi of Sports Illustrated names Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day as a potential name to watch.
"Buffalo could decide to go with a true defensive tackle, which would not only help replace Hoecht, but also Ed Oliver as well."
Cardinals Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker to Buffalo?
Ben Solak of ESPN names Budda Baker as a perfect trade acquisition for the Bills.
"The play of Rapp and Cole Bishop has left the Bills’ defense highly vulnerable against third-level runs and intermediate passes,” Solak writes. “Coach Sean McDermott is always reticent to introduce new players to his defense, but a swing for the fences is necessary."
Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby hints at trade
The Raiders star took to X and shared his love for Raiders fans in a post that could be seen as a potential goodbye.
"Raider Nation I Love Yall With Everything In My Heart & Soul," Crosby posted. "Yall Deserve Better. Stay As One, It Will Change."
Raider Nation I Love Yall With Everything In My Heart & Soul. Yall Deserve Better. Stay As One, It Will Change. 🦅🖤
Predicted XIs Girona-Barcelona: Hansi Flick to shake things up in defence
Barcelona are hoping to reclaim top spot in La Liga when they take on Girona in the Catalan derby on Monday evening. Real Madrid’s win over Real Sociedad 48 hours prior means that Hansi Flick’s side must respond if they are to take their place back at the summit, although it will be easier said than done against a team that has been improving in recent months.
The big news for Barcelona going into this match is the return of Raphinha, who has missed their last couple of matches due to injury. The Brazilian winger has been named in the squad to face Girona, although he will start on the bench, as per Sport.
It’s believed that Flick will make three changes to the Barcelona side that were comprehensively beaten by Atletico Madrid on Thursday. Ronald Araujo is set for his first La Liga start in November, while Marc Bernal and Robert Lewandowski are also poised to be brought into the team. Jules Kounde, Marc Casado and Ferran Torres would be the players to drop out.
Image via Diario Sport
As for Girona, head coach Michel Sanchez is poised to name an unchanged line-up from the side that drew at Sevilla last weekend. Star midfielder Azzedine Ounahi has a chance of being named in the matchday squad, but as is the case with Raphinha at Barcelona, he would not be fit enough to start. Meanwhile, new signing Ruben Blanco is to be on the bench, with Paulo Gazzaniga keeping his place in goals.
Barcelona hoping to bounce back at Montilivi
Barcelona secured a comprehensive victory at Girona last season, and they will hope for a similar result on Monday. A win is needed for Flick’s side to leapfrog Real Madrid, and anything less will keep the pressure on the Catalans after their dismal display at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in midweek.
‘We didn’t deserve points today’ – Guarino reacts to West Ham United’s defeat at Everton
West Ham United head coach Rita Guarino admitted that her side did not deserve to take anything from the game as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Everton on Sunday afternoon.
Honoka Hayashi netted the only goal after eight minutes as Everton continued their recent run and moved six points clear of West Ham United in the Barclays Women’s Super League table.
When speaking to the media after the match, West Ham United boss Guarino said that she believed that her side didn’t deserve to take anything from the game.
“We knew that it would be a very tough game,” Guarino said. “Today, for sure, we didn’t play our best football and we didn’t deserve points because we didn’t create the chances to win the game. We will move forward to work on the things that didn’t go in the right way today.”
Guarino went on to comment further on her side’s struggles to create chances. She said that her side lacked patience and the connections in the final third.
She said “They’re a very organised team, they defend all of the space and they were able to cover the space. We were not patient on the ball, there was too much [of a] low [block] and we didn’t find the right combinations in the final third to break the line. It was about these things. I think that the big mistake that we made was not using the small spaces to play in combination.”
The Hammers will be without some key players in the coming weeks as they head-off to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup and Guarino shared her thoughts on losing these players.
She said “We will lose some players, but it will give the opportunity for other players to come in and replace them. We will miss them, but we can do nothing about it.”
West Ham United’s next fixture is on Sunday when they play host to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Bundesliga matchday 22 review: Dortmund keep winning, Bayern beat Bremen, HSV homerun, miletsones, and more.
A Valentine’s matchday to remember in the Bundesliga! Despite only three games including goals from both sides, we still witnessed a total of 31 goals. There are plenty of talking to discuss, as well as individual milestones that are worth shouting about. Here is everything you need to know from matchday 22 in the Bundesliga.
Kane’t Stop Scoring!
Harry Kane scored his 25th and 26th Bundesliga goals of the season as Bayern Munich breezed past Werder Bremen 0-3 on Saturday afternoon. The brace (one from the spot and one brilliant effort from distance) means that Kane is now matching Robert Lewandowski’s score rate in the season that he beat the Bundesliga scoring record in one season (26 goals from 22 matchdays).
Leon Goretzka scored the only goal of the second half as the midfielder capped off an almost perfect away day. I say almost, as Bayern’s veteran goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, was forced off due to injury just before half-time.
Borussia Dortmund ensured that will would be only six points behind Bayern Munich this matchday, having dispatched of Mainz 05, 0-4 on Friday evening.
Ahead of the game, many would have anticipated a much closer contest considering Mainz’s recent surge up the table under the stewardship of Urs Fischer.
However, Dortmund, and in particular, Julian Ryerson and Serhou Guirassy, had other plans.
Guirassy scored a brace in the first half as BVB stormed into a 3-0 lead before the break. Ramy Bensebaini scored late on to cap off a dominant display, but beyond the brace of goals from Dortmund’s forward, the day truly belonged to full-back Julian Ryerson. The Norwegian international registered four assists as he set up every single goal of the evening, a truly outstanding performance. The defenders’ set pieces were to thank as Dortmund look like they’re at least going to make Bayern work for their title.
“It’s important to prove a striker with adequate support,” head coach Niko Kovac remarked at the post-match press conference after the convincing Bundesliga victory over Mainz. “Fabio Silva was doing really well. His [Guirassy’s] reaction has been sensational. The team helps him, and he helps the team. We need his goals. When he scores, we increase our chances of winning games.“
Volksparkstadion Fortress
Hamburger SV are turning their home stadium into a fortress as the newly promoted side seeks to stay in the Bundesliga.
HSV are unbeaten at home in 2026, having drawn against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and beaten the likes of FC Heidenheim and now Union Berlin.
“Obviously one can’t forget that there’s a big difference between the first and second divisions,” head coach Merlin Polzin began when asked about Königsdörffer. “And I’ve repeatedly emphasized that Ransi, with his runs, interpretation of space, and coverage drawing, has always been important for us. The coaching team considers him valuable regardless of whether he scores goals or not.
HSV survived a late score to hang on to all three points, but it was very much deserved as they saw off former head coach Steffen Baumgart and his Union side. In fact, it’s the first time HSV has beaten Union Berlin in a league competition in their history! Granted, they haven’t played a lot in both their histories, but it’s still a torrid record that has finally been broken.
So strong has HSV’s home record been, they are now up to 9th in the table. It’s quite the remarkable run of form, which could see them secure safety perhaps earlier than many expected.
This is all the more impressive when you recognise that HSV have won just once on the road this season. 19 of their 25 points this campaign have all come at the Volksparkstadion. Who needs away days!
Around The Grounds
Elsewhere, VfB Stuttgart scored two late goals to beat FC Köln 3-1 on Saturday evening. Ermendin Demirovic scored a brace of goals (almost a theme this weekend) whilst Deniz Undav scored the third and his 48th Bundesliga goals on his 100th Bundesliga appearance.
Albert Riera got his first win as Eintracht Frankfurt head coach on his home debut against Borussia Mönchengladbach (3-0). The Eagles move up to 7th position, just outside of the European places.
Elsewhere, TSG Hoffenheim breezed past SC Freiburg (3-0), whilst there was also a win for FC Augsburg (1-0 vs FC Heidenheim) and a draw between RB Leipzig and VfL Wolfsburg (2-2).
Anthony Edwards revealed he told Barack Obama he would “put on a show” at the NBA All-Star Game after spending time with the former president.
Anthony Edwards said Barack Obama’s presence at the event provided extra motivation as he prepared to take the court.
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard described the interaction as one of the personal highlights of the weekend.
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Anthony Edwards calls Barack Obama his ‘favorite person’
Anthony Edwards was asked whether seeing Obama in attendance inspired him to elevate his performance. He responded by making it clear that it did.
The All-Star MVP explained that he had spent time with the former president the day before the game and that the meeting influenced his mindset heading into the contest.
“Yeah, for sure. You always got to put on the show for (him)… He’s my favorite person in the world. We was kicking it yesterday. Me and him, I had a great time yesterday. So, I told him I was going to put on the show for him.”
Edwards followed through with one of the most notable performances of the night. His display secured MVP honours and further elevated his standing within the league.
A growing history of confidence around Obama
This was not the first time Edwards has shared a memorable exchange involving Obama. During Netflix’s Court of Gold docuseries, cameras captured a previous interaction between the two while Team USA was competing at the Paris Olympics.
That moment circulated widely online and became part of the broader conversation around Edwards’ confidence and personality, while also highlighting Obama’s relaxed engagement with players.
At the All-Star Game, however, Edwards’ remarks carried a more appreciative tone. He positioned his performance as something he wanted to deliver for someone he openly admires.
The sequence reinforces how Edwards continues to embrace major stages with visible confidence. With Obama in attendance, he ensured his performance reflected the promise he made.
Bob: Well done to Nuno on this one, banana skin avoided and not risking major players who are needed for league survival. Always going to be difficult on a League One pitch but once again it's Summerville to the rescue and we're into the hat for the fifth-round draw.
Mr Grump: We are through, job done. We rested players that needed a rest and played players that needed a run out. We played a team that don't play together normally. The staff will get more out of the game than if it was a stroll in the park.
Sue: I think the team struggled because there were too many changes and they were not used to playing together. They got there in the end but it was a struggle.
Chris: Not a great performance but a lot of changes always meant it might not be. Potts was daft with his challenge, bringing unneeded pressure, but more so because we will be without him for three games. We can't afford to lose players with ground we have to make up in the league.
Ross: If we end up going on a cup run, nobody will remember us struggling to a 1-0 win at Burton. A win is a win and we managed to rest some key players.
James: That was poor but credit must go to Burton. If Nuno had any doubts about his fringe players they were certainly proved today.
Matthew: We always make hard work of these kinds of fixtures, so not really surprised by our lacklustre performance. Second half was improved, but relying on a moment of brilliance from Summerville to break down a League One side is hardly promising. But at least we're through!
The factory Porsche squad encountered a topsy-turvy Formula E weekend in Jeddah, as a dominant win on Friday was followed by a lacklustre performance in the second race.
Porsche was the team to beat in the first leg of the Jeddah E-Prix, with Pascal Wehrlein converting pole position into a commanding 2.6s victory and team-mate Nico Muller also bagging a solid haul of points in fourth. Wehrlein’s speed during his sole six-minute attack mode was particularly impressive, as the German established an advantage of over seven seconds with the extra 50kW boost.
The result meant Porsche entered the final day of the race weekend with an extended lead in both the teams’ and the manufacturers’ championship, while Wehrlein moved to the top of the drivers’ table.
Saturday, however, couldn’t have been any different for the Weissach squad. Both Wehrlein and Muller were knocked out in the group stages of qualifying, leaving them 11th and 16th on the grid. In the race, Wehrlein could make little progress, climbing to eighth at the finish, while Muller ended outside the points in 16th.
Interestingly, Porsche’s customer Cupra Kiro enjoyed a strong day with a previous-gen powertrain, as Dan Ticktum led his rookie team-mate Pepe Marti in fifth and sixth - both ahead of Wehrlein’s factory car. Andretti’s Jake Dennis was also on course for a strong finish in a customer Porsche after qualifying on the front row, but a mid-race puncture brought his day to a premature end.
Speaking after the race, championship leader Wehrlein explained that a slight loss of grip led to his early exit from qualifying, with a combination of strategic errors in the race compounding his woes.
Asked what changed for Porsche from Friday, the 2023-24 champion told Motorsport.com: “Nothing, really.
“I think the car felt a tiny bit less grip in qualifying. Others were a bit quicker, and I think in the race, we kind of went too late to the ‘go’ moment.
“Then, it was just difficult to overtake from there onwards. We progressed well in the first couple of laps from P11 to P6. We ended up in the wrong attack mode cycle, and in the end, I just couldn't use my energy anymore.
“Pretty straightforward. We didn't optimise today, which is what it is. Nevertheless, it was a very positive weekend. The win on Friday, good points on Saturday. Taking the lead in the [drivers'] championship and also extending the other two championships [teams' and manufacturers']. Many things to be happy about.”
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche Formula E Team
Pascal Wehrlein, Porsche Formula E Team
Wehrlein clarified that Porsche made no changes to the car overnight when asked if the efficiency of the powertrain changed compared to Friday: “Very good, very efficient as always. We didn't change the powertrain or anything.”
Risky Muller strategy fails to pay off
Porsche opted for a “riskier strategy” with Muller, who conserved energy in the hope of a late safety car. But with no caution periods, the plan backfired, leaving him outside the top 10.
“We didn’t really make all the right choices in qualifying, didn’t quite have the performance, and the car was not feeling as good as the previous day,” the Swiss summed up.
“In the race, we tried to bank a bit of energy to use later on, but that didn’t work out. The race became quicker, and we couldn’t benefit from that advantage, plus I had a bit of damage on the car, which slowed us down.
“No points today, which is frustrating, but it makes us hungrier to be back stronger in Madrid.”
🥐Champions League returns, an anniversary... the 5️⃣ top stories this Monday
The week kicks off with many points of interest to focus our attention on and hardly any time to absorb it all.
The Champions League Returns
This Tuesday, several first-leg matches of the round of 16 will take place, but all eyes will be on Lisbon, where Real Madrid meets Mourinho once again.
Barça Wants to Be the Leader
It's not usual, but today Barça plays its league match against Girona and has the mission to reclaim the top spot. Flick gets Raphinha back, but not Rashford.
An Atlético of Lights and Shadows
A few days ago, they completed a masterpiece against Barça in the Copa del Rey, but yesterday against Rayo Vallecano was a Greek tragedy. A very tough defeat for Simeone's team, which is now focusing almost all its efforts on the Champions League and Copa.
Neymar is Back
For the first time this year, Neymar Jr set foot on a football field again. He did so with Santos, coming off the bench, enough to provide an assist in the Paulista championship rout.
Negreira Case, Happy Anniversary
It has been three years since a plot was uncovered that remains unresolved and without a verdict to this day. The Negreira Case has written many pages over the years and will continue to do so.
Today’s Papers – Juventus demand respect, Alisson Santos stops Roma
La Gazzetta dello Sport
Inter-Juve, the tunnel like a ring: FIGC investigation, possible sanctions
Bastoni threatened, will play for the Azzurri. Rocchi: ‘Too many simulations.’ La Penna stop.
Malen scores twice, Alisson’s equaliser makes Napoli happy.
Corriere dello Sport
La Penna reports, Elkann calls Gravina
Death threats to the referee who calls the Postal Police. The Exor CEO: ‘Solutions now, Italian football must defend its credibility.’ Rocchi: ‘Bastoni simulated, everyone tries to trick us.’
Alisson Santos ruins Roma’s party
Malen freezes the Maradona. Spinazzola equalises. The Dutchman scores the 2-1, but Conte’s move proves decisive. The ex-Sporting is introduced and locks the third spot.
Tuttosport
Elkann to Gravina: ‘Respect us!’
John calls the FIGC President: ‘Repeated errors, solutions are needed to defend football.’ Not just Kalulu, Comolli, Chiellini and Spalletti risk bans too. Bastoni covered by insults, cancels himself from social media with his wife. Rocchi attacks divers.
Toro: Cairo and Baroni, endless pain
The Granata revive Bologna. The stadium was still half-empty. The President was insulted for the entire game, but the coach: ‘I feel trust.’
South Korea international Kim Min-jae feels comfortable at Munich, but a transfer cannot be ruled out.
Kim Min-jae on the radar of English clubs
Two years after joining Bayern Munich, Kim Min-jae is facing a more uncertain period. Signed in 2023 from SSC Napoli, the 29-year-old center-back is no longer an undisputed starter in Bavaria.
Under Vincent Kompany’s leadership, the preferred central defensive pairing remains Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah. Kim has played 23 matches this season, starting 13 of them—a decent amount of game time, but still below expectations.
According to reports, both Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur are closely monitoring the situation. Tottenham are eager to bolster their backline to increase competition for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, while Chelsea are still looking to strengthen their defense after missing out on another top target.
Under contract until 2028 and capped 75 times for South Korea (with 4 goals), Kim Min-jae insists he is happy in Munich. But if his role doesn’t change, a move to the Premier League this summer could become a real possibility.
Kirk Cousins has many memories of his time here in Washington with the Redskins.
Cousins was a guest of the Kevin Sheehan Show podcast on Friday. During which Sheehan went back to Cousins' 2012 rookie season for about half of the interview. Washington came into that season without a winning record since Joe Gibbs (2.0) in 2007, when the Redskins went 10-6 and made the playoffs. Following Jim Zorn's two seasons in 2008 (8-8) and 2009 (4-12), the new coach brought to Washington was Mike Shanahan.
The 2010 season was the unsuccessful Donovan McNabb experiment, as was 2011 with Rex Grossman, bringing 6-10 and 5-11 seasons, respectively. Washington owned the No. 6 overall pick in the draft. Former owner Daniel Snyder really wanted Baylor's Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III. Snyder wanted Griffin enough that Washington traded three first-round picks and a second-round pick to move up from No. 6 overall to No. 2.
Snyder then allowed Shanahan to preside over the rest of the Redskins 2012 draft. When Shanahan selected Cousins in the 4th round (102 overall) shockwaves rolled throughout the NFL. Some may recall ESPN analysts the next week heavily criticizing Shanahan for drafting Cousins.
A couple of hours after being drafted, Cousins said his father said to him, "Kirk, Mike Shanahan picked you. And he not only picked you, but he kinda went off the reservation to pick you. So, that means he really believes in you and was willing to stick his neck out to believe in you. And he coached John Elway and Steve Young; he worked with people like Mike Holmgren. Everywhere he has been, there has been offensive success. So, if he is doubling down on you, I think that is a really good sign, even if it is a dead end." Cousins added that time proved his dad right. "It changed the trajectory of my entire career when I went to Washington, though at the time I thought it was a dead end."
Cousins expressed to Shanahan, that with the offense the Shanahans (Mike & son Kyle) were installing to fit Griffin for what he was ready to do in the NFL in 2012, that Cousins knew he wasn't ready for all of that zone-read running game, as Griffin was.
"I don't know that I was necessarily ready to play right away. I think it was in my best interest to be a backup. The opposite was true for Robert, he was ready to play right away. It was really impressive what he did, with a lot of pressure, a lot of expectations on a really big stage. It was not too big for him."
Griffin and Cousins being two rookie quarterbacks was also helpful for Cousins and Griffin each week during teaching meetings. Cousins shared that the Shanahans did a great job of not talking over their young quarterbacks' heads. Teaching slowly and methodically, making sure they grasped concepts before moving on to something else.
"It did me a lot of good to have it taught to us at a pace we could learn it the right way, and then when Robert got hurt, that afforded me the opportunity in the off season to get so many reps with the starting offense to get a lot of experience through training camp."
Cousins did get called on in 2012 against the Ravens when Griffin was injured and they won the game in overtime. He then got his first start the next week in Cleveland. He said it was unsure all week, until the decision was made Saturday that Griffin would sit. "I remember Mike on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, there was no concern from him. I didn't feel any tension from Mike. It was really calming for me. He just spoke very matter of factly. 'Kirk, we are going to put you in a good position. We are not going to ask you to do too much. We are going to ask you to run some bootlegs. We have a good plan for them, you just stay within yourself. It was like he knew the future before it was going to happen. It was calming for me, but it was also like, 'How can you be this calm, Mike?'
Sure enough, in the game, Kyle called 11 bootlegs; it put me in a position to be successful. He didn't ask me to be a 12-year veteran. He asked me to be a guy who was making his first start. He called a game to put the wind at my back, and it helped that it was 50 degrees that day in Cleveland in December."
Sheehan attempted to get Cousins to comment on what occurred following the game. The Griffins were upset with the Shanahans and with Cousins for playing such a good game. But Cousins didn't want to discuss it, feeling there was no need for him to go down the road of how Griffin responded, so he didn't.
He also chose to praise Griffin in how he battled to get back on the field for wins at Philly, and the season finale at home, defeating Dallas to win the NFC East. He also preaised Griffin for how he was playing in the playoff game against the Seahawks until he re-injured his knee, ending his 2012 season.
Cousins also took a moment to recall a memory he enjoys following his days as a Redskin. "Rather than go 495, we (he and wife Julie) would go straight through and it would take us by RFK, in view of the Capitol. It had to be one of the prettiest drives you could have, coming home from a football game. I am so thrilled the Commanders new stadium is going to be at the old RFK site. It just seems like the perfect place to put it, to be in the shadow of the Capitol and the US Mall."
Andy Farrell (right) says Ireland's fly-half debate has been tough on Jack Crowley (left) and Sam Prendergast (centre) [Getty Images]
Head coach Andy Farrell issued an impassioned plea for "keyboard warriors to cop on and try to help" Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley amid a "damaging" narrative about Ireland's fly-half situation.
Crowley played every minute of Ireland's triumphant 2024 Six Nations campaign and Prendergast has started all but one of the seven championship games since.
Prendergast struggled in Ireland's win over Italy in Dublin on Saturday before being replaced by Crowley, whose high-tempo display leaves Farrell with another selection headache before facing England.
Farrell said: "Do you know what, I might be talking out of school here, but in my opinion for what's gone on over the last year or something, especially with the keyboard warriors, I think people need to ask themselves, really, sometimes, 'Are we Irish? Do we want people to do well or not?'
"Because it can be tough for these kids like, you know? It can be tough for these kids. I've seen it, to-ing and fro-ing with both of them, and both of them are strong characters.
"It takes a lot to break kids like that. But I've seen it affect people, you know. So the keyboard warriors on Twitter or whatever you call it now need to cop on and try and help these kids."
Farrell praised Crowley's performance off the bench after the 26-year-old helped steer Ireland to victory against an impressive Italy side who led at half-time only to be denied their first Six Nations win in Dublin.
However, Crowley's day ended in frustration when he kicked the ball dead as Ireland chased a last-gasp bonus-point try.
"He's gutted about the kick into the corner obviously but he did a lot more than that for us," added Farrell.
"He did a lot more good for us than harm and he can be proud of his performance today."
On Prendergast, who missed two conversion attempts, Farrell said: "He'd be frustrated with bits.
"Down the line, these two lads, and others, they will be the players that they want to be. Everyone goes through these types of scenarios."
Prendergast made his Ireland debut aged 21 in November 2024 but he and Crowley were overlooked by Farrell for last year's British and Irish Lions tour to Australia.
However, when asked if he feels he thrust the Leinster player into the unforgiving rigours of Test rugby too early in his career, Farrell said: "No, I've no problem at all. He was playing outstanding rugby and he will continue to do that."
'People are going to write us off'
Rob Baloucoune's try-scoring debut - in his first Ireland game since 2022 - was one of the positives for Farrell to take into England matchweek [Getty Images]
While he would have hoped for a more assertive display from Prendergast, there were positives for Farrell to take into Saturday's match against England.
Robert Baloucoune marked his Six Nations debut with a decisive try and Stuart McCloskey notched two try assists in another all-action display in midfield, while Farrell described James Lowe's performance as "outstanding" after being dropped for the France defeat.
But Ireland will be wary of a strong response from England, whose early-tournament momentum was punctured by a resurgent Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
"You could say we have nothing to lose, but we do. We want to win. We want to play better," said Farrell, speaking before full-time in the Scotland v England game.
This win was as comfortable as Mikel Arteta would have hoped for before kick-off as his much-rotated side cruised through.
Bukayo Saka was able to get some minutes in midfield as he continues to build up his match fitness after recovering from a hip issue.
The 24-year-old has played in central areas for Arsenal before and appeared comfortable enough in midfield on Sunday, linking the play as the hosts dominated.
Cup competitions have been a happy place for Saka's fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli this season - and so it proved again.
The Brazil attacker has scored just once in the Premier League this term, but has now netted 10 times in 13 games in European and cup competitions.
Martinelli is also now the first player to score 10-plus goals in cup and European competitions in a single campaign for Arsenal since Ian Wright in 1994-95 (12).
The Gunners were also able to give home debuts to 16-year-old Marli Salmon in the second half as the young defender replaced William Saliba and 19-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford came on for Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Arteta used the occasion to try to give some squad members a confidence boost and much-needed minutes, including Eberechi Eze - who was substituted at half-time during Arsenal's draw with Brentford in midweek but added two quality assists against Wigan.
The win means Arsenal are still in four competitions as they look to end their six-year wait for a trophy.
It feels like we are barely past the Super Bowl, but the new league year is about to begin. While that has plenty of meaning behind the scenes for front offices, fans are most excited for free agency to officially get underway. When the league year begins on Wednesday, March 12, trades that were agreed upon already will be official and players whose contract ended with a team with the 2024-2025 season, can officially sign new deals agreed to during the "legal tampering period" that starts on Monday, March 10.
The league's salary cap last season was $255.4 million per team. This year, it is being increased to $279.2 million per club. Some teams remain over the salary cap, but leaguewide this should allow teams more flexibility to make moves needed to improve their teams officially heading into the offseason.
It looked like we were going to be in for a slower offseason, but the action has already picked up. Sporting News will be tracking all of the notable NFL free agent signings and trades during the 2025 NFL free agent frenzy. Follow along with all the latest rumors and news below.
NFL free agency live news, updates on signings and trades
(All times Eastern)
March 25
Stefon Diggs signs three-year deal with Patriots
When he comes back from his ton ACL injury he sustained last season, wide receiver Stefon Diggs will be with a new team. The Patriots are signing Diggs to a three-year deal worth $69 million, per Adam Schefter. The deal includes $26 million guaranteed.
Giants sign QB Russell Wilson to one-year deal
Wilson is a free agent no more. The veteran quarterback is signing with the Giants on a one-year deal, per Dianna Russini. The deal is worth up to $21 million and includes $10.5 million guaranteed.
March 18
Garrett Bradbury lands with Patriots
4:03 p.m. -- Former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury wasn't a free agent for long. Bradbury is signing a two-year deal worth up to $12 million with the Patriots, per Adam Schefter. The deal includes $3.8 million guaranteed.
Jeff Okudah signs with Vikings
11 a.m. -- Cornerback Jeff Okudah is signing a one-year deal with Minnesota, per Adam Schefter. He returns to the NFC North and will now face his former Detroit team twice this season.
12:02 p.m. — New York is adding former Chiefs DT Derrick Nnadi, per Adam Schefter. There is no word on the details of the contract. Nnadi spent the past seven seasons in Kansas City.
Ravens sign QB Cooper Rush
11:55 a.m. — Former Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush have agreed to a 2-year contract worth up to $12.2 million, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. After a long stint in Dallas, Rush heads to Baltimore to serve as Lamar Jackson's new backup quarterback.
March 15
49ers trade Jordan Mason to Vikings
9:00 p.m. — The Vikings are trading for 49ers RB Jordan Mason, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Minnesota is sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to San Francisco, and the two sides also added a late-round pick swap. Mason, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry in place of Christian McCaffrey in 2024, is also signing a two-year, $7 million contract with the Vikings worth up to $12 million.
Chiefs re-signing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
4:10 p.m. — The Chiefs are re-signing Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal, per Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz. One of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite targets will be staying in Kansas City.
Cowboys signing WR Paris Campbell
3:55 p.m. — The Cowboys are signing former Eagles Campbell to a one-year deal, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Falcons keeping QB Kirk Cousins rostered
1:45 p.m. — The Falcons are keeping Cousins on their roster past 4 p.m. today, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. This is significant because the quarterback will now be due a $10 million roster bonus in 2026, and any team that trades for him will have to pay some, if not all, of that money.
Commanders re-sign DL Clelin Ferrell
10:50 a.m. — The Commanders are bring back are bringing back Ferrell in 2025, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The former first round pick made 10 starts last season with 3.5 sacks and 26 tackles.
Chargers sign OL Mekhi Becton
9:25 a.m. — The Chargers are signing former Eagles offensive lineman Mekhi Becton to a two-year, $20 million deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Becton, a former first-round pick of the Jets, made 15 starts in the regular season and four in the postseason for the Super Bowl champion Eagles.
49ers re-sign FB Kyle Jusczyk
8:00 a.m. — The 49ers are re-signing nine-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Jusczyk to a two-year, $8 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
He grew up in Washington, and will now play in Seattle. His alma mater, Eastern Washington is four hours east of Seattle. His hometown of Yakima is just two hours southeast of Seattle.
Bengals making 'significant progress' on Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins extensions
4:00 p.m. — Per Ian Rapoport, Cincinatti could finalize extensions with its two star receivers in the coming days. While there's "work to be done," the Bengals are progressing in contract talks with Chase and Higgins, who was franchise tagged earlier this offseason.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini adds that "significant progress" has been made on the two, and that they're expected to make $70 million combined on their new deals
3:53 p.m. — Philadelphia is bringing in Granson, a former Colt, on a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter.
Eagles sign LB Patrick Johnson
3:37 p.m. — Per Dianna Russini, Philadelphia is signing Johnson, a former Giant, to a one-year deal. Johnson spent the 2021-23 seasons with the Eagles.
Cowboys signing DE Dante Fowler Jr.
3:33 p.m. — Per Ian Rapoport, Dallas is bringing in the former Commanders defender on a one-year, $8 million deal.
Patriots signing S Marcus Epps
3:09 p.m. —Per Tom Pelissero, New England is signing Epps to a one-year deal worth up to $4.4 million. Epps is coming off a torn ACL but expected to be healthy for training camp.
Vikings 'having discussions' about Aaron Rodgers, who awaits their decision
1:57 p.m. — Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that Minnesota is trying to figure out its plan at quarterback and whether it wants to pursue Rodgers, adding that the 41-year-old quarterback "is giving them time" to make their decision.
Chiefs re-sign RB Kareem Hunt
1:45 p.m. — The defending AFC champions are bringing Hunt back on a one-year, $1.5 million deal, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hunt signed with the Chiefs midway through the 2024 season following Isaiah Pacheco's injury.
Chargers signing LB Del'Shawn Phillips
1:39 p.m.— Per Tom Pelissero, Los Angeles is bringing in the veteran Phillips on a one-year deal.
Eagles open to trade talks on TE Dallas Goedert, DE Bryce Huff
1:27 p.m. — Philadelphia, which has already traded C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Kenny Pickett this offseason, is open to deals involving Goedert or Huff, per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports. Huff was one of the team's top free-agent signings in 2024 but didn't play much, while Goedert is entering the final year of his contract.
Bills bringing CB Dane Jackson back
1:12 p.m. — Per Mike Garafolo, Buffalo is signing Jackson to a one-year deal. The cornerback spent four years with the Bills before playing for the Panthers in 2024.
Patriots signing OL Wes Schweitzer
12:08 p.m.— Per Tom Pelissero, New England is signing Schweitzer to a one-year deal. He has 62 career starts.
Vikings agree to deal with LB Eric Wilson
11:51 a.m. — Minnesota is signing Wilson in free agency after he spent the 2024 season in Green Bay, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Lions re-sign WR Tim Patrick
11:34 a.m. — Detroit announced it has re-signed Patrick, who spent the 2024 season with the Lions.
Chiefs re-signing QB Bailey Zappe
11:05 a.m. — Zappe is returning to Kansas City on a one-year deal, per Tom Pelissero. The Chiefs are set to have Zappe and Gardner Minshew behind Patrick Mahomes.
10:23 a.m. — According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Kupp's asking price of $13-14 million has caused a hold up for interested teams.
RB Miles Sanders signing with Cowboys
8:14 a.m. — Dallas is signing Sanders to a one-year deal, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Sanders was released by the Panthers earlier in the offseason.
Cowboys, Seahawks interested in WR Cooper Kupp
8:11 a.m. — According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Seattle and Dallas are "very" interested in signing Kupp, who was recently released by the Rams. Kupp is expected to make his decision on Friday. ESPN's Adam Schefter added that the Cowboys are "making a push" for Kupp.
March 13
Lions sign QB Kyle Allen
9:06 p.m. — Detroit has agreed to terms with veteran QB Kyle Allen, according to Mike Garafolo. Allen spent last season with the Steelers but now he will join the Lions' quarterback room behind Jared Goff.
Chargers re-sign Taylor Heinicke
8:40 p.m. — Los Angeles has signed quarterback Taylor Heinicke to a one-year extension worth up to $6.2 million, per Tom Pelissero.
Commanders sign DE Jacob Martin
8:05 p.m. — Washington is signing defensive end Jacob Martin to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, according to Adam Schefter.
Bears re-sign TE Stephen Carlson
7:24 p.m. — Chicago is re-signing TE Stephen Carlson, according to the NFL transactions report. He spent the past two seasons in Chicago but only played one game last season because of a broken collarbone.
Cowboys re-sign S Israel Mukuamu
7:16 p.m. — Safety Israel Mukuamu will return to Dallas on a one-year deal, according to Jane Slater. The terms of the deal are undisclosed.
Bills sign Laviska Shenault Jr.
6:44 p.m. — Veteran wide receiver and return specialist Laviska Shenault Jr. is signing with Buffalo, according to Tom Pelissero. Shenault, who has six career receiving touchdowns, is the newest target for Josh Allen.
Dolphins re-sign OL Liam Eichenberg
6:30 p.m. — Miami is bringing back guard Liam Eichenberg on a one-year deal, according to Adam Schefter.
Bears signing Olamide Zaccheaus
6:12 p.m. — Per Tom Pelissero, veteran wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus is signing with Chicago after a career-high 45 catches and three TDs last season with Washington. Zaccheaus joins wide receivers Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore as targets for Caleb Williams.
Patriots signing K'Lavon Chaisson
6:05 p.m. — New England continues to bolster its defense. According to Ian Rapoport, the Patriots are adding Raiders edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, a former first-round pick, to a one-year, $5 million deal.
Commanders re-signing CB Noah Igbinoghene
6:00 p.m. — Washington is bringing back cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, who started 10 games last season. Ian Rapoport reports it is a one-year deal for Igbinoghene.
Chiefs signing Gardner Minshew
5:54 p.m. — Patrick Mahomes has a new backup quarterback, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Kansas City is adding former Raiders' starter Gardner Minshew on a one-year deal. Minshew is still owed guaranteed money from his deal with Las Vegas.
Eagles signing Adoree Jackson
5:44 p.m. — Philadelphia is adding former Giants' cornerback Adoree' Jackson, per Jordan Schultz. He has started 82 career games and adds experience and depth to the Eagles' secondary, which lost many veterans to cap cuts and free agency. Contract details have not been released yet.
Commanders re-signing OL Trent Scott
5:40 p.m. — Washington and offensive lineman Trent Scott have agreed to a new one-year deal. He signed a two-year deal with the Commanders in 2023 and has played in 27 regular-season games over the last two seasons.
Minnesota plans to release Garrett Bradbury
4:27 p.m. — The Vikings are planning to release their 2019 first-round pick, Garrett Bradbury, unless a trade can be worked out, according to Adam Schefter. Minnesota signed former Colts Pro-Bowl center Ryan Kelly which altered Bradbury's standing.
Vikings trade Ed Ingram to Texans
3:40 p.m. —According to Ian Rapoport, Minnesota is sending guard Ed Ingram to the Texans for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The Vikings spent big on their offensive line in free agency and will now send the former second-rounder to Houston, which has been reworking their offensive line.
3:17 p.m. — The veteran defensive lineman agreed to a one-year, $3.35 million deal with Los Angeles. Hand spent the last two seasons with the Dolphins, per Adam Schefter.
Russell Wilson completes meeting with Browns
2:51 p.m. — Wilson was spotted in Cleveland leaving his meeting with the Browns on Thursday. Next, he's reportedly scheduled to meet with the Giants.
Eagles signing TE Harrison Bryant
2:33 p.m. — The defending Super Bowl champs have agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $2 million, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Titans agree to terms with QB Brandon Allen
2:26 p.m. — NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that Tennessee has agreed to a one-year deal with Allen, who spent the 2024 season with the 49ers.
Commanders re-signing WR Noah Brown
2:23 p.m.— Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Washington is bringing Brown back on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million.
1:44 p.m. — Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the free agent receiver doesn't plan to take long to decide where he'll play next. He adds that he has interest from five different teams.
FB Kyle Juszczyk visiting with the Steelers
12:26 p.m. — Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the former 49ers fullback is visiting with Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Commanders signing WR KJ Osborn, Steelers re-signing WR Scotty Miller
12:14 p.m. — Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, both guys are signing one-year deals with their respective teams.
Saints sign CB Isaac Yiadom
11:39 a.m. — Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, New Orleans is signing the cornerback to a three-year, $9 million deal.
Steelers still in mix for Rodgers
11:22 a.m. —According to NFL Network's Mike Garofolo, Pittsburgh is still in the mix for Rodgers, but they locked down Rudolph as their backup quarterback. Dianna Russini adds that the Steelers are still waiting to her back from Rodgers.
Steelers signing QB Mason Rudolph
11:18 a.m. — In non-Aaron Rodgers quarterback news, Pittsburgh has re-signed quarterback Mason Rudolph. Per NFL Network's Mike Garofolo, it's a two-year deal. The Steelers have a backup quarterback
Eagles signing LB Joshua Uche
10:31 a.m. — Philadelphia is signing former Chiefs linebacker Joshua Uche, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
LB K.J. Britt signing with the Dolphins, LB Anthony Hill signing with Bucs
10:05 a.m. — Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the two are essentially trading places. Both have signed one-year deals.
Bengals price for DE Trey Hendrickson reportedly "ridiculous"
9:27 a.m. — According to The Athletic's Diann Russini, teams are willing to pay Hendrickson the contract he wants, but that Cincinatti's asking price is "riduculous." She adds that as of right now, teams aren't willing to meet their terms.
Patriots releasing franchise C David Andrews
9:20 a.m. — According to ESPN's Mike Reiss, New England is releasing longtime center David Andrews. Per Reiss, if Andrews, who is is recovering from shoulder surgery, retires, the team will host a ceremony for him in hos honor.
Buccaneers reach agreement with CB Kindle Vildor
7:53 a.m. -- Tampa Bay has addressed a need in the secondary by reaching an agreement on a one-year deal with Vildor, per Adam Schefter.
March 12
Colts sign DT Neville Gallimore
11:18 p.m. -- Gallimore spent the 2024 season with the Rams, and is now headed to Indianapolis on a one-year deal, per Adam Schefter.
Adam Thielen returning to Panthers
10:07 p.m. -- The veteran wide receiver is revising his contract to return to Carolina in 2025, per Jeremy Fowler.
Greg Van Roten staying with Giants
9:57 p.m. -- The veteran offensive lineman is signing a deal to return to New York, per Jeremy Fowler.
Cardinals add Dalvin Tomlinson
9:54 p.m. -- The veteran defensive tackle joins Arizona after getting released by the Browns, per his agency. The deal is for two-years and $29 million, according to Ian Rapoport.
49ers sign QB Mac Jones
9:50 p.m. -- Jones joins the 49ers to backup Brock Purdy after stints with the Patriots and Jaguars. San Francisco is giving him a two-year deal that can be worth up to $11.5 million, per Ian Rapoport.
WR Tylan Wallace re-signs with Ravens
9:30 p.m. -- The 24-year has played the past four seasons in Baltimore and will return for a fifth, per Jeremy Fowler.
Mike Williams signing with Chargers
9:28 p.m. -- The veteran wide receiver returns to Los Angeles for one-year, $6 million after playing for the Jets and Steelers in 2024, per Jordan Schultz.
Buccaneers bring back QB Kyle Trask
9:26 p.m. -- Trask has served as Baker Mayfield's backup for the past two seasons, and he returns to Tampa Bay on a one-year, $2.787 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
8:55 p.m. -- Sample tore his Achilles last year, but now returns to Cincinnati on a one-year deal, per Tom Pelissero.
Harrison Smith returns to Vikings
8:49 p.m. -- The veteran safety will play his 14th season in Minnesota after signing a one-year deal, per Tom Pellisero.
Commanders sign Deatrich Wise
8:46 p.m. -- Wise is a veteran defensive lineman who's spent his entire career with the Patriots up until this point, but is now joining Washington on a one-year deal worth $5 million, per Adam Schefter.
Patriots keep Jaylinn Hawkins
8:37 p.m. -- The safety is returning to New England on a one-year deal worth $2.25 million, per Mike Reiss.
Dre'Mont Jones signing with the Titans
8:35 p.m. -- The former Seahawks defensive lineman is joining Tennessee on a one-year, $10 million deal, per Adam Schefter.
Rams LB heads to Ravens
7:38 p.m. -- Former Rams linebacker and special teamer Jake Hummel is signing with the Ravens, per Dianna Russini.
Former cowboys RB Rico Dowdle lands in Carolina
7:00 p.m. -- The Panthers are signing running back Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal, per Mike Kaye. The deal maxes out at $6.5 million, but has a $3 million base.
Jets release CJ Mosley
6:35 p.m. -- The Jets announced that they have released linebacker CJ Mosley.
Cardinals signing L.J. Collier
6:32 p.m. -- The Cardinals are signing defensive line L.J. Collier, per Mike Garafolo. It's a one-year deal, worth $4 million.
Former Packers C Josh Myers signing with Jets
6:17 p.m. -- Center Josh Myers is joining the Jets on a one-year, $3.5 million deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
Former Packers RB AJ Dillon signing with Eagles
5:47 p.m. -- Former Packers running back AJ Dillon is signing a one-year deal with the Eagles, per Jordan Schultz. Dillon was known for backing up Aaron Jones in Green Bay, and will now backup Saquon Barkley.
Jonathan Jones heading to Commanders
5:34 p.m. -- Former Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones is heading to Washington on a one-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler. It is worth a max of $6.5 million.
Former Commanders CB Ben St. Juste heading to Chargers
5:33 p.m. -- Agent Mike McCartney said that his client cornerback Ben St. Juste is heading to the Chargers on a one-year deal.
Jets add cornerback depth
5:22 p.m. -- The Jets are signing cornerback Isaiah Oliver, per Tom Pelissero.
G Kevin Zeitler is signing with the Titans
5:08 p.m.-- Former Lions guard Kevin Zeitler is signing a one-year, $9 million deal with the Titans, per Adam Schefter.
RB Khalil Herbert signs with Colts
5:04 p.m. -- Free agent running back Khalil Herbert is signing with the Colts, per Ian Rapoport.
Cowboys trading for LB Kenneth Murray
5:01 p.m. -- Dallas is acquiring linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. from Tennessee, per Ian Rapoport. The teams are also swapping late-round draft picks. The Titans are getting a 6th round pick in the deal, while Dallas gets Murray and a 7th.
Chargers re-signing LB Denzel Perryman
4:54 p.m. -- Los Angeles is re-signing linebacker Denzel Perryman to a one-year, $3.65 million, per Jeremy Fowler.
Demarcus Lawrence is heading to Seattle
4:47 p.m. -- Demarcus Lawrence is signing with the Seahawks, per his agent David Canter. It's a three-year deal worth up to $42 million, per Tom Pelissero. $18 million is guaranteed.
Panthers signing LB Christian Rozeboom
4:38 p.m. -- Carolina is signing linebacker Christian Rozeboom, per Ian Rapoport. It's a one-year deal.
CB Darius Slay signing with Steelers
4:37 p.m. -- There were conflicting reports about whether cornerback Darius Slay had signed with Pittsburgh during the two days of legal tampering. Slay is officially headed to Pittsburgh on a one-year, fully guaranteed $10 million deal, per Adam Schefter.
WR Dan Chisena heading to Carolina
4:32 p.m. -- Wide receiver Dan Chisena is signing with Carolina on one-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
Wide receiver and Special Teamer Ihmir Smith-Marsette back with Giants
4:30 p.m. -- The Giants announced that wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette is re-signing.
Falcons re-signing Ta'Quon Graham
4:25 p.m. -- Atlanta is keeping defensive lineman Ta'Quon Graham on a one-year deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Lions keeping DT on one-year deal
4:21 p.m. -- The Lions are keeping Levi Onwuzurike on a one-year, $5.5 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
KhaDarel Hodge returning to Falcons
4:19 p.m. -- Atlanta special teamer KhaDarel Hodge is returning to the Falcons on a two-year deal worth $6 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Browns bringing in Maliek Collins
4:12 p.m.-- The Browns are signing defensive tackle Maliek Collins on a two-year, $20 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. It includes $13 million guaranteed.
Free agent TE Evan Engram signs with Broncos
4:11 p.m. -- The Broncos are signing tight end Evan Engram to a two-year deal, per his agent Mike McCartney. It's a two-year, $23 million deal with $16.5 million guaranteed, per Mike Garafolo.
Mykal Walker heading to the Cardinals
4:09 p.m. -- The Cardinals are signing former Commanders LB Mykal Walker.
Vikings signing Javon Hargrave to two-year deal
4:10 p.m. -- The Vikings are signing former 49ers DT Javon Hargrave to a two-year, $30 million deal, per Adam Schefter. It includes $19 million guaranteed.
Eagles re-signing LB Ben VanSumeren
4:04 p.m. -- The Eagles are re-signing linebacker Ben Van Sumeren on a one-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
LB Jack Sanborn to sign with Cowboys
4:02 p.m. -- Linebacker Jack Sanborn is signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys, per Jeremy Fowler.
Free agent QB Russell Wilson will visit Browns, Giants
4:00 p.m. -- Former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson will visit both the Browns and Giants this week, per Ian Rapoport.
Steelers signing former Jets CB
3:58 p.m. -- The Steelers are signing former Jets cornerback Brandin Echols, per Jordan Schultz.
Commanders signing Eddie Goldman
3:48 p.m. -- Washington is signing defensive lineman Eddie Goldman to a one-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
Jets officially releasing QB Aaron Rodgers
3:19 p.m. -- The Jets are officially releasing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, per Adam Schefter. He is marked as a post-June cut, splitting his dead cap penalty over two seasons.
Cowboys acquire CB Kaiir Elam from Bills
3:13 p.m. -- The Bills are trading cornerback Kaiir Elam and a sixth-round pick to the Cowboys for a fifth and future seventh round pick, per Tom Pelissero.
Giants add OL depth
2:46 p.m. -- The Giants are signing offensive lineman Stone Forsythe to a deal his agency AMDG Sports announced.
Aaron Rodgers' timeline for a decision is unknown
2:14 p.m. -- ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that nobody knows Rodgers' timeline for his free agency decision. He added that the Steelers and Giants are both waiting in a holding pattern.
Commanders bring back backup QB Marcus Mariota
2:03 p.m. -- Washington is bringing back quarterback Marcus Mariota on a one-year deal, per Adam Schefter. He will continue backing up Jayden Daniels.
Chargers work out contract extension with Jalen Raegor
1:50 p.m. -- Los Angeles announced it has signed WR Jalen Raegor to a contract extension.
Jets signing EDGE Rashad Weaver
1:20 p.m. -- The Jets are signing EDGE Rashad Weaver to a one-year deal, per Tom Pelissero. Weaver spent last season between the Texans and the Rams practice squad.
Chargers bringing back LB Troy Dye
1:08 p.m. -- Los Angeles is signing linebacker Troy Dye to a two-year, $5.5 million deal that can max out at $8 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Seahawks bring in WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling
12:56 p.m. -- Veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Seahawks, per Tom Pelissero.
Bills sign safety Darrick Forrest
12:44 p.m. -- The Bills are signing former Commanders safety Darrick Forrest to a one-year deal, per Cameron Wolfe.
11:47 a.m. — Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Atlanta Falcons have signed former Cleveland Browns cornerback Mike Ford on a two-year, $4 million deal.
Jets weighing cap hit for trading Rodgers
11:39 a.m.— Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, the Jets will take an additional $25.5M cap hit in 2025 to trade Aaron Rodgers, but won't get any draft picks if it waits until June 1 and saves $9.5 million. She adds that the Jets aren't in a hurry to make a decision.
Is it worth it to the #Jets to take on an additional $25.5M cap hit in 2025 to trade Aaron Rodgers with his current cap number at $23.5M?
Alternately, releasing Rodgers with a post-June 1st designation saves the Jets $9.5M against the cap in 2025, but nets the club nothing in… pic.twitter.com/aypc2LIFQ2
10:17 a.m. — Buffalo is re-signing Damar Hamlin to a one-year deal, first reported by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Titans signing WR Van Jefferson
10:00 a.m. — According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Tennessee is signing former Steelers wideout Van Jefferson to a one-year deal. Per Schultz, it's a one-year deal worth up to $2.5 million:
G Saahdiq Charles coming out of retirement
9:31 a.m. — Per NFL Network's Mike Garofolo former Titans offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles is coming out of retirement. He retired last August, but was added to Tennessee's reserve roster. He will be a free agent expected to sign with another team.
Dolphins re-signing LB Tyrel Dodson
9:28 a.m. — Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, Miami has re-signed Tyrel Dodson to a two-year deal worth $8.25 million.
Aaron Rodgers deciding between Steelers and Giants
9:15 a.m. — Per Ralph Vachianno of Fox Sports, Aaron Rodgers is deciding between New York and Pittsburgh. Vachianno adds that Rodgers is hopeful Minnesota will get involved, and that the fallback for both teams is Russell Wilson.
Bills sign DT Larry Ogunjobi
9:07 a.m. — Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal is good for one year and $8.3 million, with the ability to go up to $10 million with incentives.
Colts re-sign OG Danny Pinter
8:30 a.m. -- The Colts are re-signing the offensive guard on a one-year deal, per Joel A. Erikson.
March 11
Lions sign DT Roy Lopez
10:26 p.m. -- The former Cardinals defensive lineman has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $4.65 million in Detroit, per Tom Pelissero.
Joey Bosa signing with the Bills
9:23 p.m. -- The former Chargers star pass rusher is headed to Buffalo on a one-year deal worth $12.6 million, per Adam Schefter.
Steelers to sign RB Kenneth Gainwell
9:05 p.m. --Pittsburgh replaces Najee Harris with Gainwell, who comes over from the Eagles on a one-year deal, per Jordan Schultz.
49ers sign WR Demarcus Robinson
8:38 p.m. -- The former Rams wide receiver is going to division-rival San Francisco on a two-year deal worth $9.5 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Broncos add WR Trent Sherfield
8:17 p.m. -- Denver is giving Sherfield a two-year, $8 million, according to Jordan Schultz. The 29-year-old will be playing for his sixth team in 2025.
Cowboys keep P Bryan Anger
8:02 p.m. -- Dallas and their veteran punter have agreed to a two-year deal, per Todd Archer. The 36-year-old has been with the Cowboys since 2021.
Former Giants DB Jason Pinnock heads to Niners
7:58 p.m. -- The 49ers are signing former Giants defensive back Jason Pinnock to a one-year deal, per Jordan Schultz.
Free agent TE Evan Engram visiting the Chargers, Broncos
7:52 p.m. -- Tight end Evan Engram was a cap casualty for the Jaguars. He is visiting the Chargers and Broncos, per Tom Pelissero.
Bills keep retaining backfield, bring back FB Gilliam
7:43 p.m. -- Buffalo is bringing back fullback Reggie Gilliam on a one-year, $2 million deal, per Mike Garafolo.
Raiders signing cornerback Eric Stokes
7:18 p.m. -- Las Vegas is signing former Green Bay corner Eric Stokes to a one-year, $4 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
LB Devin Bush returning to Browns
7:15 p.m. -- Cleveland is bringing back LB Devin Bush on a one-year, $3.25 million deal, per Adam Schefter.
Titans sign safety Xavier Woods
7:09 p.m. -- The Titans are signing safety Xavier Woods to a two-year, $10 million, per Adam Schefter.
Ravens sign D-Hop
7:05 p.m. -- The Ravens are signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to a one-year, $6 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Safety Ashtyn Davis signing with Dolphins
6:28 p.m. -- The Dolphins are signing former Jets safety Ashtyn Davis, per Jordan Schultz. The deal has a $2.5 million base and can improve to $3 million with incentives.
Running back Ty Johnson returning to Bills
6:26 p.m. -- Backup running back Ty Johnson is returning to the Bills on a two-year deal, per Jeremy Fowler. The contract is worth $5 million.
Former Bears center Coleman Shelton joining Rams
6:24 p.m. -- Former Bears center Coleman Shelton is signing a two-year deal with the Rams, per Adam Schefter. Shelton was with Los Angeles from 2019-2023 before spending last season in Chicago.
Dolphins sign WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
6:22 p.m. -- The Dolphins are bringing in Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on a two-year, $6.5 million deal, per Mike Garafolo. The deal includes $3.2 million guaranteed. Westbrook-Ikhine had nine receiving touchdowns last season.
Texans signing LB Nick Niemann
6:15 p.m. -- The Texans are signing former Chargers linebacker Nick Niemann, per Tom Pelissero. It's a two-year deal, worth up to $6.5 million.
Panthers re-signing Brady Christensen
5:37 p.m. -- The Panthers announced they are re-signing offensive lineman Brady Christensen. It's a one-year, $2.787 fully guaranteed deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
Cardinals signing QB Jacoby Brissett
5:35 p.m. -- Arizona is signing quarterback Jacoby Brissett, per Jeremy Fowler. It's a two-year, $13 million deal.
Former Panthers punter Johnny Hekker signs with Titans
5:33 p.m. -- The Titans are signing punter Johnny Hekker to a one-year, fully guaranteed deal, per Adam Schefter.
Tight end Robert Tonyan signs with Chiefs
5:29 p.m. -- Former Packers and Bears tight end Robert Tonyan is signing with the Chiefs, per Tom Pelissero.
Panthers sign punter Sam Martin
5:20 p.m. -- Former Bills punter Sam Martin is signing with the Panthers, per Ian Rapoport. It's a one-year deal worth up to $3 million.
Saints adding Justin Reid
5:18 p.m. -- The Saints are adding safety Justin Reid on a three-year, $31.5 million deal, per Adam Schefter. It includes $22.25 million guaranteed.
Former Titans special teamer Luke Gifford signs with 49ers
4:51 p.m. -- Linebacker Luke Gifford is signing a one-year contract with the 49ers, per Tom Pelissero.
Cowboys signing Payton Turner
4:47 p.m. -- The Cowboys are signing former Saints DE Payton Turner, per Jordan Schultz. It's a one-year, $3 million deal with $2 million guaranteed, per Ian Rapoport.
Falcons signing former 49ers Leonard Floyd
4:46 p.m. -- The Falcons are signing Leonard Floyd, per Ian Rapoport. It's a one-year deal, worth $10 million.
Texans re-signing S MJ Stewart
4:42 p.m. -- Houston has agreed to a new contract with safety MJ Stewart, per DJ Bien-Aime.
Saints give Dante Pettis an extension
4:36 p.m. -- New Orleans is giving wide receiver Dante Pettis an extension, per Adam Schefter.
Titans release P Ryan Stonehouse
4:18 p.m. -- Tennessee is moving on from punter Ryan Stonehouse, per his agent John Perla.
Falcons bringing back Mike Hughes
4:13 p.m.-- Hughes is returning to Atlanta on a three-year, $18 million deal, per Jeremy Fowler. The cornerback played in 15 games for Atlanta in 2024.
3:35 p.m. -- Washington is re-signing running back Jeremy McNichols on a one-year deal, per Tom Pelissero.
Saints re-signing TE Juwan Johnson
3:20 p.m. -- New Orleans is bringing back tight end Juwan Johnson, per Jordan Schultz. It's a three-year deal worth over $30 million.
Buccaneers bringing back LB Anthony Nelson
2:57 p.m. -- The Bucs are re-signing linebacker Anthony Nelson, per Jeremy Fowler. It's a two-year, $10 million deal that can max at $12 million with incentives.
Ravens bringing back fullback
2:53 p.m. -- The Ravens are re-signing FB Patrick Ricard to a one-year, fully guaranteed deal, per Dianna Russini.
Bills sign Darrynton Evans
2:40 p.m. -- The Bills are signing running back Darrynton Evans, per his agency Priority Sports. This is likely not the running back news Buffalo fans want as they await for a contract extension for James Cook, but Evans will be backing up Cook this season.
Saints re-work deal to keep Honey Badger
2:33 p.m. -- The Saints and safety Tyrann Mathieu have agreed to a re-worked deal that will keep the safety in New Orleans, per Nick Underhill.
Cowboys keeping KaVontae Turpin
1:56 p.m. -- Cowboys are keeping wide receiver and special teams extraordinaire KaVontae Turpin, per Jeremy Fowler. It's a three-year, $18 million deal, making Turpin the highest-paid special teamer in the league.
Browns signing OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
1:38 p.m. -- Cleveland is signing former Buccaneers outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, per Jordan Schultz. The former first round pack is getting a one-year, $4.75 million deal.
Cardinals bring back WR Zay Jones
1:33 p.m. -- Arizona is re-signing wide receiver Zay Jones to a one-year, $4.4 million deal, per Jordan Schultz.
49ers releasing Leonard Floyd
1:29 p.m. -- San Francisco is releasing defensive end Leonard Floyd, per Adam Schefter.
Texans re-signing Mario Edwards Jr.
12:50 p.m. -- Houston is bringing back defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr. on a two-year, $9.5 million deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
Commanders sign S Will Harris
12:45 p.m. -- The Commanders are signing safety Will Harris, per Mike Garafolo. It's a two-year deal worth $8 million, but it includes $2 million in incentives. Harris was drafted by the Lions, but spent last season with the Saints.
Panthers release Miles Sanders
12:28 p.m. -- With the step forward that Chuba Hubbard took, the Panthers are releasing Miles Sanders, per Adam Schefter. The move frees up $5.25 million in cap space after the sides couldn't agree on a contract restructure.
Laken Tomlinson heads to Houston
12:27 p.m. -- The Texans are bringing in guard Laken Tomlinson, per Mike Garafolo. Houston desperately needed some offensive line help and Tomlinson helps address that need. The deal is a one-year contract worth $4.25 million that can max out at $5 million with incentives.
Chiefs bringing in CB Kristian Fulton
12:12 p.m. -- The Chiefs are signing former Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton, per Adam Schefter. It is a two-year, $20 million deal with $15 million guaranteed.
Bears re-signing Scott Daly
12:03 p.m. -- Chicago is bringing back long snapper Scott Daly on a one-year deal, per Tom Pelissero.
Bucs signing P Riley Dixon
11:23 a.m. — Tampa Bay is signing Broncos punter Riley Dixon to a two-year deal. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal is worth $6 million.
Colts signing QB Daniel Jones
10:55 a.m. — And another quarterback domino falls. Former Giants and Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones is signing a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the deal is a one-year, $14 million contract worth up to $17.7 million. As Adam Schefter points out, 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien are the only remaining quarterbacks on Minnesota's roster.
Dolphins re-signing LB Quinton Bell
10:54 a.m. —Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Miami is re-signing linebacker Quinton Bell to a one-year deal worth $1.5 million
Eagles sending S C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Texans
10:32 a.m.— We have a trade! Philadelphia is sending star safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson to the Houston Texans in exchange for guard Kenyon Green. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Eagles will get a 2026 fifth-round pick, and the Texans will get a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Cowboys signing DT Solomon Thomas
10:30 a.m. —Although Dallas has had a relatively quiet free agency so far, the Cowboys have signed former Jets defensive tackle Solomon Thomas to a two-year deal. As first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, the deal has a max value of $8 million.
Bengals re-signing CB Marco Wilson
9:49 a.m. — Cincinnati is re-signing cornerback Marco Wilson. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, it's a one-year, $1.52 million deal.
Vikings closing in on DT Javon Hargrave
9:29 a.m. — Minnesota is making some moves, and reportedly are close to a deal with 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. Per the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Minnesota is expected to sign him after he's released from the 49ers on Tuesday.
Vikings signing OL Will Fries
9:26 a.m. — In offensive line news, the Vikings make a big pick-up in signing offensive guard Will Fries. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, it's a five-year deal worth $88 million. Fries has spent the last four seasons with the Colts.
Dolphins re-signing DB Elijah Campbell
9:21 a.m. — The Dolphins continue to make moves, as Miami as re-signed defensive back Elijah Campbell. As first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, it's a one-year, $1.9 million deal.
Falcons signing LB Divine Deablo
8:23 a.m. -- After a relatively quiet first day, Atlanta has made news by signing former Raiders LB Divine Deablo to a two-year deal worth $14 million, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Dolphins to add S Ifeatu Melifonwu
8:10 a.m. -- Miami has made a move to replenish its secondary, reaching an agreement on a one-year, $4 million deal with Melifonwu, a 25-year-old safety entering his fifth season in the league. ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the deal.
Giants reach agreement with S Jevon Holland
8:01 a.m. -- New York has landed one of the top free agents on the board, signing safety Jevon Holland. The deal is worth $45.3 million over three years, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Vikings sign DT Jonathan Allen
7:57 a.m. -- Minnesota has made a big move, adding the two-time Pro Bowler on a three-year, $60 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
49ers tender RB Jordan Mason
2:58 a.m. -- San Francisco has tendered the 25-year-old RB with a second-round tender, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mason appeared in 12 games in 2024, rushing for 789 yards and three touchdowns.
March 10
Mike Florio predicts Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers
11:22 p.m. -- Florio added that his "semi-educational" guess is Rodgers will sign a two-year deal in Pittsburgh worth $90 million total with $40 million guaranteed. So far, Rodgers has been mainly linked to the Steelers and Giants in free agency.
Giants to sign DE Chauncey Golston
11:16 p.m. -- New York snags Golston away from the Cowboys on a three-year deal worth $19.5 million, per Mike Garafolo.
Raiders signing LB Elandon Roberts
11:08 p.m. -- Las Vegas is bringing over Roberts from Pittsburgh on a one-year, $3 million deal, per Adam Schefter.
Seahawks add OL Josh Jones
10:58 p.m. -- The former Raven has agreed to a one-year, $4.75 million deal with Seattle, per Ian Rapoport.
Cowboys to sign OL Rob Jones
10:40 p.m. -- Dallas adds the former Dolphins lineman on a one-year, $4.75 million deal, per Adam Schefter.
Raiders sign S Lonnie Johnson
10:00 p.m. -- Las Vegas brings in the safety from Carolina, per Jordan Schultz.
Jets signing S Andre Cisco
9:40 p.m. -- New York and Cisco have agreed to terms on a one-year deal $10 million, per Adam Schefter.
Vikings give Byron Murphy lucrative deal
9:38 p.m. -- Minnesota is keeping the cornerback on a three-year deal worth $66 million, per Tom Pelissero.
Lions re-sign Dan Skipper
9:36 p.m. -- Detroit brings back the veteran offensive lineman, who has played for seven teams in his career, per Jeremy Fowler.
Chargers add RB Najee Harris
9:18 p.m. -- Harris goes from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles on a one-year deal worth up to $9.25 million, replacing J.K. Dobbins, per Adam Schefter. Harris' base contract will be $5.25 million with $4 million in incentives, per Tom Pelissero.
Saints re-sign DE Chase Young
9:12 p.m. -- New Orleans is bringing Young back on a three-year, $51 million after a succesful first season, per Ian Rapoport.
Dolphins signing James Daniels, Larry Boron
9:06 p.m. -- The veteran offensive linemen joins Miami as Daniels signs a three-year, $24 million deal, per Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
49ers releasing FB Kyle Juszcyk
9:03 p.m. -- San Francisco is cutting their full back after nine seasons with the team, per Adam Schefter. The 33-year-old Juszcyk still wants to play moving forward.
Chiefs re-sign James Winchester
8:55 p.m. -- Kansas City is bringing back its long snapper on a one-year deal worth $1.65 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Bengals expected to sign Joseph Ossai
8:30 p.m. -- Cincinnati will keep the defensive end on a one-year, $7 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Texans re-sign LB Jake Hansen
8:28 p.m. -- The special teamer returns to Houston on a one-year, $1.7 million deal, per Mike Garafolo.
49ers re-sign Kevin Gittens
8:21 p.m. -- The DT returns to San Francisco on a one-year deal, per Matt Barrows.
Giants also signing James Hudson III
8:18 p.m. -- New York stays busy by adding the former Browns offensive lineman on a two-year deal, per Mike Garafolo.
Giants signing Chris Board
8:16 p.m. -- Board, a special teams LB, goes from New England to New York on a two-year, $6 million deal, per Tom Pelissero.
Colts re-signing WR Ashton Dulin
7:44 p.m. -- The veteran is returning to Indianapolis on a two-year deal worth up to $8.5 million, per Ian Rapoport.
Broncos to sign LB Dre Greenlaw
7:33 p.m. -- Greenlaw joins Denver after a successful sting with the 49ers. He is getting a three-year, $35 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Cowboys, Javonte Williams agree to deal
7:16 p.m. -- The former Broncos RB is joining the Cowboys on a one-year deal worth $3 million, per Tom Pelissero.
Cardinals to sign LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
7:15 p.m. -- Arizona is signing Davis-Gaither to a two-year, $11 million contract, per Ian Rapoport.
Bills adding LB Michael Hoecht
7:08 p.m. -- Hoecht goes from the Rams to the Bills on a three-year, $24 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Patriots signing WR Mack Hollins
7:06 p.m. -- The former Bills WR is joining New England on a two-year deal worth $8.4 million that could reach $10.4 million, per Mike Garafolo.
Giants re-sign WR Darius Slayton
6:54 p.m. -- New York is bringing Slayton bakc on a three-year, $36 million deal, per Adam Schefter.
Bengals agree to deal with Oren Burks
6:44 p.m. -- Cincinatti is adding the former Eagles LB on a two-year, $5 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Steelers add LB Malik Harrison
6:38 p.m. -- The former Raven now joins the rival Steelers on a two-year, $10 million deal, per Tom Pelissero.
Vikings to sign Ryan Kelly
6:37 p.m. -- The former Colts center has agreed to a two-year deal worth $18 million with Minnesota, per Adam Schefter.
Panthers signing DT Tershawn Wharton
6:33 p.m. -- Wharton led the Chiefs in sacks last year, and is now joining Carolina on a three-year, $54 million deal, per Jordan Schultz.
Chargers re-sign Teair Tart
6:32 p.m. -- Los Angeles is bringing the defensive tackle back on a one-year deal worth up to $5.5 million, per Adam Schefter.
Dolphins signing Zach Wilson
6:29 p.m. -- The Dolphins are adding Wilson on a one-year, $6 million deal that could reach $10 million, as the quarterback will likely serve as Tua Tagovailoa's backup, per Adam Schefter.
Rams are releasing Cooper Kupp
6:24 p.m. -- Los Angeles apparently couldn't find a trade partner, so they will instead release the veteran wide receiver, per Adam Schefter
Texans adding former Chiefs WR Justin Watson
5:52 p.m. -- Houston is signing former Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson, per Ian Rapoport.
Chargers retain Bradley Bozeman
5:49 p.m.-- The Chargers are signing center Bradley Bozeman to a multi-year contract extension, per Adam Schefter.
Texans signing Darrell Taylor
5:43 p.m. -- The Texans are signing former Bears defensive end Darrell Taylor, per Ian Rapoport. It is a one-year, $5.25 million deal.
Former 49ers CB Charvarius Ward signing with Colts
5:40 p.m. -- Indianapolis is signing former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward to a three-year deal worth $60 million, per Adam Schefter. The deal includes $35 million guaranteed.
Patriots sign QB Josh Dobbs
5:37 p.m. -- Quarterback Josh Dobbs is signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Patriots, per his agent Mike McCartney. He spent last season with the 49ers.
Eagles and Browns swap backup quarterbacks
5:30 p.m. -- The Eagles are sending QB Kenny Pickett to the Browns for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round pick, per Adam Schefter.
Titans signing former Broncos LB Cody Barton
5:21 p.m. -- The Broncos are signing former Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, per Mike Garafolo. It's a three year, $21 million deal.
Panthers add more defensive line depth
5:05 p.m. -- Carolina is signing former Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown II, per Ian Rapoport. It's a three-year, $21 million deal, and can max at $27 million.
Patriots continue adding to defense with Tonga
4:47 p.m. -- New England is adding former Cardinals defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga on a one-year, $2.7 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Raiders bringing back Malcolm Koonce
4:46 p.m. -- Las Vegas is re-uniting with defensive end Malcom Koonce on a one-year, $12 million deal, per Jeremy Fowler.
Packers adding CB Nate Hobbs
4:43 p.m. -- Green Bay is adding former Las Vegas cornerback Nate Hobbs. The Packers are giving their new corner a four-year, $48 million deal with $16 million guaranteed, per Tom Pelissero.
Jaguars sign former Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey
4:41 p.m. -- Jacksonville keeps adding. The Jags are bringing in former Buccaneers center Robert Hainsey on a three-year, $21 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. $13 million is guaranteed.
Jets signing former Ravens CB Brandon Stephens
4:31 p.m. -- The Jets are signing former Ravens cornerback Brandon Stephens to a three-year, $36 million deal, per Mike Garafolo. Stephens played in all 17 games for Baltimore last season and finished with 70 total tackles including 1.5 sacks. He spent four seasons with the Ravens and has two career interceptions, both in 2023.
The deal includes $23 million in guaranteed money.
Chargers sign CB Donte Jackson
4:22 p.m. -- Los Angeles is signing cornerback Donte Jackson, per Adam Schefter. It's a two-year, $13 million deal for the former Steelers and Panthers corner.
Panthers sign former Vikings DE Patrick Jones Jr.
4:13 p.m. -- Carolina is signing former Vikings DE Patrick Jones Jr. to a two-year deal worth up to $20 million, per Mike Garafolo. Jones played in 15 games last season and had 39 total tackles including a career-high seven sacks.
Titans bring back LS Morgan Cox
4:08 p.m. -- Tennessee is re-signing long snapper Morgan Cox on a one-year deal, per Pro Football Talk.
49ers give Patrick Taylor Jr. one-year extension
4:07 p.m. -- The 49ers are giving running back Patrick Taylor Jr. a on-year extension, per Adam Schefter.
Raiders signing safety Jeremy Chinn
4:02 p.m. -- The Raiders are signing former Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn to a two-year, $16 million deal, per Mike Garafolo. Chinn played in every game last season. He finished with 117 tackles with two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
Texans trading OT Laremy Tunsil to Commanders
3:59 p.m. -- The Texans are trading OT Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, per Adam Schefter. Washington will be sending a reported "package of picks" back to Houston.
The Texans are getting a 2025 3rd rounder, 2025 7th rounder, 2026 2nd rounder and a 2026 4th rounder. Washington gets Tunsil and a 2026 4th.
Jaguars adding OT Chuma Edoga
3:44 p.m. -- The Jaguars are adding former Cowboys OT Chuma Edoga, per Jordan Schultz.
Bengals signing DT TJ Slaton
3:40 p.m. -- The Bengals are signing former Packers defensive tackle TJ Slaton to a two-year, $15.1 million deal, per Tom Pelissero. Slaton played in every game for Green Bay last season and finished with 30 total tackles including one sack.
Giants sign DT Roy Robertson-Harris
3:36 p.m.-- The Giants are bringing in defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris, per Mike Garafolo. It's a two-year, $10 million deal for the former Seahawk. Robertson-Harris played 17 games last season between the Jaguars and Seahawks. He combined for 20 tackles with two sacks.
Aaron Banks signing with Packers
3:34 p.m. -- The Packers are signing former 49ers guard Aaron Banks to a four-year, $77 million deal, per Ian Rapoport.
Titans re-signing Sebastian Joseph-Day
3:32 p.m. -- Tennessee is bringing back defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day, per Ian Rapoport. It's a one-year deal, worth $7.5 million with $5 million guaranteed. Joseph-Day played in all 17 games for the Titans last year, and had 44 tackles with 2.5 sacks.
3:29 p.m. -- Chicago works fast. Atlanta released DT Grady Jarrett the morning free agency began. Only hours later, the Bears are signing him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal, per Adam Schefter. It includes $28.5 million guaranteed.
Jarrett played in all 17 games last season for the Falcons. He finished with 53 total tackles and had 2.5 sacks.
Jaguars stay active, adding Patrick Mekari
3:24 p.m. -- Jacksonville is adding former Ravens offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, per Adam Schefter. It's a three-year, $37.5 million deal. It can max at $39 million, and includes $20 million guaranteed.
Jaguars add another TE
3:20 p.m. -- Despite already signing Johnny Mundt, the Jaguars add former Rams tight end Hunter Long, per Mike Garafolo. It's a two-year, $5 million deal that can increase to a max of $6 million with incentives. Long was mainly used for depth and blocking in Los Angeles. He had seven receptions for 60 yards last season.
49ers add TE Luke Farrell
3:12 p.m. -- The 49ers are adding former Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell, per Jeremy Fowler. It's a three-year deal worth up to $20.25 million, with $11 million guaranteed. Farrell was overshadowed in the Jacksonville offense and finished with 67 yards on 12 receptions in 17 games.
Josh Sweat heads to Cardinals
3:11 p.m. -- Arizona was in the running for Milton Williams, but had to pivot when he signed with the Patriots. The Cardinals are signing former Eagles defensive lineman Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $41 million guaranteed.
Sweat played in 16 regular season games and had 41 tackles including eight sacks. In four playoff games with Philadelphia, he had 10 total tackles with 2.5 sacks.
Bills add WR Josh Palmer
3:10 p.m. -- The Bills have given quarterback Josh Allen another weapon. Buffalo is signing Josh Palmer to a three-year, $36 million deal, per Adam Schefter. Palmer played in 15 games last season, bringing in 39 of his 65targets for 584 yards and a touchdown.
Broncos finalize deal with safety Talanoa Hufanga
3:08 p.m. -- Denver has signed former 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga to a three-year, $45 million deal, per Tom Pelissero. He played in seven games last season and had 38 total tackles. After tearing his ACL in 2023, a sprained wrist caused him to miss seven games in 2024.
Bengals reuniting with RB Samaje Perine
3:06 p.m. -- The Bengals are signing running back Samaje Perine to a two-year, $3.8 million deal, per Mike Garafolo. Reports initially said that Perine was joining Tampa Bay, but he now heads back to Cincinnati where he played from 2019-2022.
Perine spent the 2024 season with the Chiefs. He played in all 17 games and had 20 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown. Perine brought in 28 of his 35 targets for an additional 322 yards and another score.
Jaguars signing WR Dyami Brown
3:02 p.m. -- The Jaguars are bringing in former Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, per Mike Garafolo. It's a one-year, $10 million deal worth up to $12 million with incentives. Brown played in all 17 games last season, finishing with 30 receptions for 308 yards and a touchdown.
Steelers deal for CB Slay not done yet, per report
2:58 p.m. -- Despite a report saying that Slay was headed to Pittsburgh, another says that may not be the case. Tom Pelissero says that there is interest there, but that the Eagles haven't officially even released Slay yet. A trade could be in the works, but for now, no deal is done.
Bears add DE Dayo Odeyingbo
2:47 p.m. -- The Bears are adding to their defensive line. Chicago is signing former Colts pass-rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million deal, per Brad Biggs. The deal includes $32 million guaranteed.
2:46 p.m. -- It was initially reported that running back Samaje Perine had signed a deal with the Buccaneers. Fox Sports' Greg Auman says that report is false.
Cam Bynum heads to Indy
2:43p.m. -- The Colts have agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with safety Cam Bynum, per Tom Pelissero.
Jets add QB Justin Fields
2:40 p.m. -- The Jets are signing quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal, per Adam Schefter. It includes $30 million guaranteed.
Jaguars signing safety Eric Murray
2:35 p.m. -- The Jaguars are signing former Texans safety Eric Murray, per Ian Rapoport.
Cornerback Darius Slay heads to Steelers
2:33 p.m. -- Former Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is signing with the Steelers, per Jordan Schultz.
Former Vikings TE Johnny Mundt heads to Jacksonville
2:26 p.m. -- The Jaguars are signing former Vikings TE Johnny Mundt to a two-year, $5.5 million deal, per Tom Pelissero.
Steelers release DE Larry Ogunjobi
2:24 p.m. -- In a cap saving move, the Steelers are releasing defensive end Larry Ogunjobi, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. The move saves Pittsburgh $7 million in cap space.
Sam Darnold heads to Seahawks
2:23 p.m. -- The Seahawks have replaced former QB Geno Smith in the offense. Seattle is signing Sam Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal. $55 million is guaranteed.
Jaguars signed Nick Mullens
2:21 p.m. -- Former Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens is signing a two-year, $6.5 million deal with the Jaguars, per Mike Garafolo.
Poona Ford signs with Rams
2:17 p.m. -- Poona Ford is signing a three-year, $30 million deal with the Rams, per Jeremy Fowler. The deal includes $17 million guaranteed. Ford played in all 17 games last season for the Chargers. He finished with 39 tackles, three sacks and an intercepion.
Long-snapped Trent Sieg heading to Dallas
2:13 p.m. -- The Cowboys are signing Trent Sieg to a three-year, $4.45 million deal, per Adam Schefter. $3.1 million is guaranteed.
Milton Williams signing with Patriots
2:10 p.m. -- In what initially looked like a done deal to the Panthers, defensive tackle Milton Williams is heading to New England, per Ian Rapoport. It's a four-year deal worth $104 million.
Panthers sign safety Tre'von Moehrig
2:07 p.m. -- The Panthers are signing former Raiders safety Tre'Von Moehrig, per Jordan Schultz. It's a three-year, $51 million deal.
Milton Williams deal with Panthers not done; Two other teams interested
1:43 p.m. -- What initially was reported as a done deal between the Panthers and Williams is not quite there. There is interest from Carolina, but the defensive tackle is also in talks with the Cardinals and Vikings, per Cayden Steele.
Vikings signing former Eagles CB Isaiah Rodgers
1:38 p.m. -- Cornerback Isaiah Rodgers is coming off a Super Bowl win with the Eagles and is heading to Minnesota. He is signing a two-year deal with the Vikings worth $15 million, per Adam Schefter. The deal includes $8 million guaranteed.
Rodgers played in 15 regular season games for Philly last year. He had 26 tackles and a forced fumble.
Lions signing CB D.J. Reed
1:37 p.m. -- D.J. Reed is signing a three-year deal with Detroit, per Jordan Schultz. It is worth a total of $48 million with $32 million guaranteed.
Reed played 14 games with the Jets last season. He had 64 total tackles including one sack, but didn't have an interception.
Patriots adding OT Morgan Moses
1:30 p.m. -- The Patriots are signing offensive tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year, $24 million deal, per Mike Garafolo. Not only does New England boost its offensive line, but takes a key player away from the Jets.
Texans signing DB Tremon Smith
1:28 p.m. -- The Texans are signing defensive back Tremon Smith to a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million, per Tom Pelissero. Smith is known for being a solid special teams player.
Broncos re-sign OT Matt Peart
1:23 p.m. -- The Broncos are bringing back OT Matt Peart, per Zac Stevens. It's a two-year deal worth $7 million. It can go to $10 million with incentives.
Patriots sign Carlton Davis III
1:08 p.m. -- New England is bringing in cornerback Carlton Davis III to a three-year, $60 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. $34.5 million is guaranteed.
He played 13 games for the Lions last year and finished with 56 tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions.
Texans bring back DE Derek Barnett
1:01 p.m.-- Houston is re-signing defensive end Derek Barnett to a one-year, $5 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. Barnett played in 16 games and had 26 tackles with five sacks and two forced fumbles in 2024.
Titans sign OT Dan Moore Jr. to massive deal
1:00 p.m. -- The Titans are loading up on the offensive line. Tennessee is signing offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. to a massive four-year, $82 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. $50 million of the deal is guaranteed.
Panthers working to sign Eagles DT Milton Williams
12:59 p.m. -- The Panthers are close to signing former Eagles DT Milton Williams, per Adam Schefter.
Giants signing CB Paulson Adebo
12:56 p.m. -- The Giants are bringing in cornerback Paulson Adebo, per Dianna Russini. It's a three-year, $54 million deal, per Nick Underhill.
Broncos working to sign former 49ers S Talanoa Hufanga
12:54 p.m. -- The Broncos are working to sign safety Talanoa Hufanga, per Jeremy Fowler.
Rams are re-signing QB Jimmy Garoppolo
12:47 p.m. -- The Rams are bringing back backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, per Ian Rapoport. It's a one-year deal worth $11 million. It has $4.505 million guaranteed, and maxes out at $13.505 million from incentives, per Tom Pelissero.
Jaguars are signing CB Jourdan Lewis
12:44 p.m. -- The Jags are signing cornerback Jourdan Lewis, per Ian Rapoport. Lewis had spent the first eight years of his career with the Cowboys. The former third-round draft pick played in 16 games last season. He finished with 71 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception.
It's a three-year, $30 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.
Patriots signing former Raiders LB Robert Spillane
12:41 p.m. -- New England head coach Mike Vrabel continues to add to his defense. The Patriots are signing Robert Spillane, per Ian Rapoport. It's a 3-year, $37 million deal.
Spillane spent the last two seasons with Las Vegas and played in every game. Last season, he finished with a career-high 158 tackles. Spillane had two sacks and two interceptions.
Steelers closing in on deal with Aaron Rodgers
12:40 p.m. -- Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers are closing in on a deal with Aaron Rodgers. The interest began when it became clear to Pittsburgh that Justin Fields wanted to test free agency.
Javon Kinlaw signs with Commanders
12:32 p.m. -- Former Jets and 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw is signing with the Commanders, per Jonathan Jones. It's a three year, $45 million deal.
Kinlaw played in all 17 games for New York last season. He finished with 40 tackles including 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Bengals bring back B.J. Hill
12:28 p.m. -- The Bengals are re-signing B.J. Hill to a three-year, $33 million deal, per Adam Schefter. $16 million is guaranteed.
Chiefs sign RB Elijah Mitchell
12:25 p.m. -- The Chiefs are signing running back Elijah Mitchell, per Jordan Schultz. It is a one-year deal worth up to $3.5 million. Mitchell is expected to back up Isiah Pacheco.
Texans sign WR Braxton Berrios
12:21 p.m. -- The Texans are signing wide receiver Braxton Berrios to a one-year deal worth $2 million. Berrios spent last season with the Dolphins. He played in six games, but didn't bring in any of his four targets.
Bears signing C Drew Dalman
12:19 p.m. -- The Bears are signing former Falcons center Drew Dalman to three-year, $42 million deal that includes $28 million guaranteed, per Dianna Russini. Dalman was considered the top center on the market.
Chargers re-signing P J.K. Scott
12:13 p.m. -- The Chargers are bringing back punter J.K. Scott, per Mike Garafolo. It's a two-year deal worth $6 million.
Buccaneers re-sign Chris Godwin
12:09 p.m. -- Tampa Bay is bringing back wide receiver Chris Godwin on a three-year, $66 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $44 million guaranteed at signing and can reach a max of $72 million.
Godwin was a third round draft pick by the Bucs in 2017. He has been franchise-tagged multiple times by the franchise, and finally gets a worthy extension. Godwin dealt with injuries last season, but played in seven games and had 576 yards and five touchdowns on 50 receptions.
Chiefs add blindside protection for Patrick Mahomes
12:05 p.m. -- Kansas City is signing former 49ers offensive lineman Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million deal, per Dianna Russini.
Haason Reddick signing a one-year deal with the Buccaneers
12:02 p.m. -- Linebacker Haason Reddick is heading to the Buccaneers on a one-year, $14 million deal, per Jonathan Jones. There is $12 million guaranteed money included in the deal. Reddick had a tumultuous season with the Jets last year, holding out at the start of the season. He played in 10 games and had 10 tackles with one sack and a forced fumble.
Free agent DT Jonathan Allen to visit Vikings
11:41 a.m. -- Washington released Jonathan Allen as a cap casualty earlier in the offseason. The veteran defensive tackle is set to visit the Vikings, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
Cardinals re-sign G Evan Brown
11:32 a.m. -- The Cardinals are bringing back offensive guard Evan Brown on a two-year deal, worth $11.5 million, per Ian Rapoport. The SMU product went undrafted in 2018. He has bounced around the NFL, but if he plays out this new contract with Arizona, it will be his longest stop of his career so far.
Eagles open to trading TE Dallas Goedert
11:00 a.m. -- Philadelphia is actively shopping tight end Dallas Goedert, per Jimmy Kempski. He was a second-round pick by the Eagles in 2018. Goedert played in 10 games last season and brought in 42 of his 52 targets or 496 yards and two touchdowns.
Buccaneers re-signing OG Ben Bredeson
10:56 a.m. -- Tampa Bay is keeping a piece of its offensive line, re-signing guard Ben Bredeson to a three-year deal, per NFL Network's Sara Walsh.
Chargers bring back Khalil Mack to a one-year deal
10:49 a.m. -- Mack was contemplating retirement, but Los Angeles hit the price point to bring back the pass-rusher. He signs a one-year, $18 million deal and it is fully guaranteed. The Chargers' defensive line will look different without Joey Bosa, but the franchise retains Mack.
The linebacker played in 16 games last season. He finished with 39 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Steelers place a 2nd-round restricted tender on RB Jaylen Warren
10:45 a.m. -- Pittsburgh had an unrestricted free agent RB in Najee Harris, but Warren is a restricted free agent. The Steelers placed a second-round tender on Warren, per Tom Pelissero. This means that if a team were to sign Warren away from Pittsburgh, the signing team would owe the Steelers a second-round pick.
Panthers make Jaycee Horn highest-paid DB in history
10:32 a.m. -- The Panthers have signed Horn to a massive four-year, $100 million extension, per Adam Schefter. The deal includes $70 million in guaranteed money. Horn is now under contract through the 2029 season. He played in 15 games last year and finished with 68 tackles, two sacks and one interception.
Falcons releasing DT Grady Jarrett
10:27 a.m. -- The Falcons are releasing Grady Jarrett, per Ian Rapoport. The defensive tackle had been in Atlanta for 10 years. The franchise will save $16.25 million in cap space with the move. Jarrett played in all 17 games lasty season and finished with 53 tackles included 2.5 sacks. He will turn 32 years old before next season.
Free agent TE Evan Engram visiting with Broncos
10:18 am. -- Former Jaguars TE Evan Engram is visiting with the Broncos, per CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones. Engram was released by Jacksonville earlier this offseason. The veteran tight end played in only nine games last season, and finished with 365 yards and a touchdown on 47 receptions.
Lions re-sign Ezekiel Turner
8:32 a.m. — Detroit announced it will bring back Turner for a second season. The 29-year-old appeared in nine games last season and had a career-high-tying three QB hits for the NFC's top-seeded team.
Broncos reach agreement to re-sign DJ Jones
8:24 a.m. — Jones, one of the top DTs in this free agent class, is re-signing with Dever on a three-year, $39 million deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jones, 30, started in all 17 games for Danver during the 2024 regular season.
Falcons telling teams they aren't releasing Kirk Cousins
7:48 a.m. -- The Falcons are still telling both Kirk Cousins and interested teams that they will not be releasing him, per ESPN's Dan Graziano. Cousins is expected to be the backup to Michael Penix Jr. next season.
7:30 a.m. — The Steelers have joined the Giants and Seahawks as reported suitors for the Jets' veteran quarterback, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Pittsburgh is assessing its options at QB after acquiring DK Metcalf on Sunday, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields set to become free agents.
Saints acquire Davon Godchaux from Patriots
7:25 a.m. — New Orleans has made a move to bring in Godchaux, a Louisiana native who played his college ball at LSU, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 30-year-old started in all 17 games for New England last season. New England is getting back a seventh-round draft pick.
Sheldon Rankins set for Texans reunion
6:51 a.m. — The Texans are signing DT Sheldon Rankins to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Rankins spent the 2024 season in Cincinnati but now returns to Houston, where he thrived during the 2023 campaign.
March 9
Vikings retain punter Ryan Wright
10:52 p.m. -- Punters are people too! Minnesota is keeping Wright on a one-year, $1.75 million deal, per Tom Pelissero. He kicked 56 punts last year, averaging 40.6 yards per punt. Statistically, it was his worst punting year of his three-year career, but the Vikings gave him a one-year deal to try and bounce back.
Commanders bring back TE John Bates
10:31 p.m. -- The Commanders agreed to a three-year deal with Bates, per Ben Standig. Washington already re-signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to a one-year deal, so it looks like it will have the same tight end room as 2024. Bates played in 17 games last season and brought in eight of his 13 targets for 84 yards.
Raiders re-sign DT Adam Butler
10:18 p.m. -- Butler gets a 3-year, $16.5 million deal, per Ian Rapoport. The deal includes $11 million in guaranteed money. Butler played in 17 games last season. He finished with 65 total tackles including five sacks. He has had five sacks in back-to-back seasons and had a career-high in total and solo tackles in 2024.
Falcons extend top lineman Jake Matthews
8:35 p.m. -- The Falcons are giving LT Jake Matthews a two-year, $45 million extension, per Mike Garafolo. The deal will take him through his 13th career season.
Steelers interested in reuniting with Justin Fields
8:21 p.m. -- NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that the Steelers have a lot of interest in Justin Fields, and they want to bring him back. If the quarterback hits free agency, the Jets could also be interested.
Seahawks trade DK Metcalf to Steelers
7:49 p.m. -- The Seahawks are trading WR D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers for a 2025 second-round pick, per Tom Pelissero. Metcalf also is being signed to a 5-year, $150 million contract with Pittsburgh. This move instantly boosts the Steelers' wide receiver room. Now the attention turns to who will be under center in Pittsburgh, and if this move means the franchise will retain or move on from George Pickens.
Bills, Josh Allen agree to new 6-year contract
7:32 p.m. -- Josh Allen and the Bills agreed on a new record-setting six-year, $330 million deal, per Adam Schefter. It includes $250 million guaranteed. He had four years left on his deal with Buffalo, but it is replaced by this new six-year deal that gives him a new record for most guaranteed money in NFL history.
Jets want to re-sign Morgan Moses, but OL may test free agency
7:26 p.m. -- The Jets are trying to bring back offensive lineman Morgan Moses, but he is expected to test free agency. The Commanders, Chiefs, Bengals and Patriots are reportedly interested in Moses, per Dianna Russini.
Broncos re-signing backup QB Jarrett Stidham
7:11 p.m. -- The Broncos are set at quarterback with Bo Nix, and are re-signing a familiar face to back him up. Denver is re-signing Jarrett Stidham, per Ian Rapoport. It's a two-year, $12 million deal per Dianna Russini.
Patriots re-sign TE Austin Hooper
7:07 p.m. -- New England's moves aren't stopping with Landry. The Patriots are bringing back tight end Austin Hooper, per Adam Schefter.
Cowboys sign S Markquese Bell
7:02 p.m. -- The Cowboys have signed safety Markquese Bell to a three year, $12 million deal, per Jeremy Fowler. Bell played in nine games last season for Dallas and had six total tackles.
Patriots sign Harold Landry III
7:00 p.m. — The Patriots have added recently released Titans linebacker Harold Landry III, signing him to a three-year $43.5 million deal, per Tom Pelissero. Landry is reunited with New England head coach Mike Vrabel who coached the linebacker for six years in Tennessee.
Rams, Davante Adams agree to two-year deal
6:57 p.m. — And one of the biggest names in this year's free agency, Davante Adams, is headed to the Los Angeles Rams on a two-year, $46 million deal per Ian Rapoport.
Adams was expected to follow former teammate Aaron Rodgers, but he doesn't wait around to see where the quarterback lands. Los Angeles retained quarterback Matthew Stafford with a new contract, so it looks like Adams and Rodgers will not be teammates in 2025.
LB Jamien Sherwood returning to Jets with three-year deal
6:55 p.m. — Per Adam Schefter, linebacker Jamien Sherwood is returning to the Jets on a three-year, $45 million deal. He played in all 17 games last year and had 158 total tackles including two sacks. It was a career year for the former fifth-round pick and New York is making sure he sticks around.
Texans, Chargers interested in Seahawks' WR DK Metcalf
6:41 p.m. —ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Los Angeles Chargers are high on wide receiver D.K. Metcalf's list of preferred destinations, adding that the Texans are interested.
Seahawks, LB Ernest Jones IV agree to new deal
6:38 p.m. — The NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV has agreed to a new three-year deal with Seattle. Jones was a midseason acquisition for the Seahawks last season, trading for him from the Titans. Over16 games, he tallied 138 tackles including 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble. He had an interception and 2.5 QB stuffs.
Dolphins have interest in Joey Bosa
6:12 p.m. — Dianna Russini reports that recently-released Charger Joey Bosa has garnered interest from the Miami Dolphins. Bosa could be the defensive piece that Miami needs to try and close the game between it and Buffalo.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini with updates on Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, Sam Darnold and Aaron Rodgers
6:15 p.m. — Daniel Jones is expected to be signed by the Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings and Colts are expected to be the leading contenders to sign Daniel Jones, per source.
The 27 year old will most likely have to make a decision: play for HC Kevin O’Connell or HC Shane Steichen pic.twitter.com/ce6au8seDk
5:52 p.m. — Russini reports that in addition to wanting to re-signing Justin Fields, the Steelers are looking to make an offer to former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold:
The Steelers are expected to make an offer to pending free agent Sam Darnold, per source.
Many around the league believe Darnold will wind up in Seattle, but Pittsburgh is doing its due diligence on any potential options ahead of the new league year.
5:40 p.m. — Per Russini, the Pittsburgh Steelers are interested in re-signing quarterback Justin Fields. She adds as an interesting note that if they don't sign him, the New York Jets are interested:
The #Bengals are bringing back OL Cody Ford on a two-year deal, source says. After playing in 16 games with nine starts last season, Ford returns to Cincy to help protect QB Joe Burrow. pic.twitter.com/taaZcRit5B
5:34 p.m. — The Bengals are bringing back offensive lineman Cody Ford on a two-year deal, per the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Ford has been a staple of the OL in charge of protecting Joe Burrow and Cincinnati ensures he is back.
Vikings bring back starting RB Aaron Jones
4:51 p.m. — The Minnesota Vikings are bringing back running back Aaron Jones, signing him to a new two-year deal, per Adam Schefter. The deal is worth $20 million and includes $13 million guaranteed.
Jones played last season on a one-year prove-it deal with Minnesota after after a seven-year stint with Green Bay. He played in all 17 games and had 255 carries for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns. Jones set a career-high in rush yards, and had his most touchdowns since 2020. He also brought in 51 of his 62 targets for an additional 408 yards and two touchdowns.
49ers release DT Maliek Collins
2:49 p.m. — The 49ers have also released defensive tackle Maliek Collins, per Adam Schefter. The 29-year-old played in 17 games last season, but had 33 total tackles and five sacks.
Lions expected to release Za'Darius Smith
2:33 p.m. — The Detroit Lions are reportedly planning to release Za'Darius Smith, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. He spent nine games with the Browns and eight with the Lions. Over 17 games, Smith had 35 tackles with nine sacks in total.
Chiefs re-sign LB Nick Bolton
2:24 p.m.— The Chiefs are bringing back linebacker Nick Bolton, as first reported by Ian Rapoport.
Seahawks ink DT Jarran Reed to new deal
2:09 p.m. — The Seattle Seahawks are re-signing defensive tackle Jarran Reed to a new three-year deal, per Adam Schefter. It is worth a reported $25 million.
Cardinals bringing back LB Barown Browning
11:44 a.m. — The Arizona Cardinals are bringing back linebacker Baron Browning, per Ian Rapoport. It's a two-year deal with a $15 million base, and can max out at $19 million with incentives.
Bills release Von Miller
11:15 a.m. —The Buffalo Bills have released star pass-rusher Von Miller, per Tom Pelissero. Both sides are interested in a reunion.
Commanders have interest in Hendrickson
11:05 a.m. —The Washington Commanders are also reportedly interested in former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, per Dianna Russini.
March 8
10:19 p.m. —The Commanders re-sign TE Zach Ertz to a one-year deal.
Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is re-signing with the #Commanders on a one-year, $6.25 million deal worth up to $9 million with incentives, per sources.
7:40 p.m. —The Panthers re-sign TE Tommy Tremble to a two-year deal.
Compensation update: The #Panthers are re-signing TE Tommy Tremble to a two-year deal worth up to $16 million, including $8M guaranteed, per source. pic.twitter.com/amejqE6nzc
7 p.m. —The Saints are converting most of QB Derek Carr's 2025 salary into a signing bonus, setting him up to remain in New Orleans.
#Saints starting QB Derek Carr, after numerous talks with the team about his 2025 compensation, is getting most of his salary converted for salary cap reasons, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
6:01 p.m. —The Ravens re-sign LT Ronnie Staley to a three-year deal.
The #Ravens and LT Ronnie Stanley agree to terms on a 3-year, $60M deal, setting the tackle market and keeping him in Baltimore. pic.twitter.com/2rC54kpWSX
4:02 p.m. —The Lions re-sign edge rusher Marcus Davenport to a one-year deal.
Source: The #Lions are bringing back edge rusher Marcus Davenport on a 1-year deal worth up to $4.75M. After injuries robbed him of most of last year, Detroit takes another shot to run it back. pic.twitter.com/z27MAxNb6Y
1:29 p.m. —The Chiefs re-sign WR Hollywood Brown to a one-year deal.
The #Chiefs are re-signing WR Hollywood Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $11 million, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Still only 27, Brown missed most of last season with a freak injury, but played well after returning for the stretch run. Speed staying in Kansas City. pic.twitter.com/iugRJBj8fC
12:10 p.m. —The Bengals re-sign TE Mike Gesicki to a three-year deal.
$25.5 million over three years for Gesicki to stay with the #Bengals, with $12 million coming his way in the first year of the deal, source says. https://t.co/S0Fcy2vju1
9:34 a.m. —The Lions re-sign LB Derrick Barnes to a three-year deal.
The #Lions have agreed to a 3-year $25.5M extension for Derrick Barnes, a key part of their defense. $16M of the deal is fully guaranteed on signing, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
9:06 a.m. —The Bills agreed to a new four-year deal with LB Terrel Bernard.
The #Bills and LB Terrel Bernard have agreed to terms on a four-year, $50 million deal with $25.2 million guaranteed, sources tell Bernard draft-pick announcer @KyleBrandt, me and @RapSheet.
Commanders re-sign LB Bobby Wagner to one-year deal.
The #Commanders are re-signing standout LB Bobby Wagner, as the leader and playmaker is back with Washington, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
A key piece, Wagner and the team agreed on a strong 1-year deal worth up to $9.5M with $8M guaranteed. Wagner represented himself on the deal. pic.twitter.com/Z3fT4ZeCZf
The Jaguars were set to cut WR Christian Kirk, but instead traded him to the Texans for a 2026 7th-rounder.
A deal before a release: Jaguars are trading WR Christian Kirk to the Texans for a 2026 seventh-round pick that originally belonged to the Rams, as @DMRussini reported.
Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson given permission to seek a trade.
The Bengals have taken the rare step of granting All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade. “It’s been an honor and privilege to represent Cincinnati over the last four years,” said Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader. “I love this city and organization. I appreciate… pic.twitter.com/7P7Hbe2Y9e
49ers have informed Javon Hargrave he will be released.
49ers have informed defensive tackle Javon Hargrave that he will be released on the first day of the league year next week, per source. Hargrave will be a free agent. pic.twitter.com/7d3LFBTrhq
The #Bears are signing former #Dolphins TE Durham Smythe to a 1-year deal, source says, as he’s back with Ben Johnson — his former WRs coach in Miami. Smythe was one of the longest tenured Dolphins. pic.twitter.com/KCc7YclSVu
Raiders sign DE Maxx Crosby to a 3-year, $106.5 million extension that includes $91.5 million guaranteed.
Las Vegas Raiders are signing Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension that includes $91.5 guaranteed, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, per sources.
For the third time in four years, the Raiders are addressing the contract of… pic.twitter.com/TKdIQdqqia
The Rams are trading OL Jonah Jackson to the Bears for a 2025 6th-round pick.
Trade: Rams are in the process of sending veteran offensive lineman Jonah Jackson to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick, per ESPN’s @CourtneyRCronin. The trade cannot be processed until March 12. pic.twitter.com/lj3M8VW5V8
The Rams announced that veteran QB Matthew Stafford has agreed to an extension that will have him returning to the team. The exact details weren't released.
The Titans have granted LB Harold Landry III permission to seek a trade.
Titans have granted permission to former Pro-Bowl LB Harold Landry to seek a trade, per sources. Landry started all 17 games last season, finishing with 71 tackles, nine sacks, 18 pressures and four pass deflections. The 28-year-old Landry has 31.5 sacks in the last three seasons… pic.twitter.com/xXLOVrZioD
The Rams informed veteran WR Cooper Kupp that they will try to trade him this offseason.
I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.
However, St. Brown isn't off to the kind of start you'd expect for an elite wide receiver in the Week 6 contest versus Kansas City.
Here's a closer look at what's going on with Brown against the Chiefs.
Is Amon-Ra St. Brown playing tonight?
UPDATE: St. Brown recorded his first catch of more than one yard on the Lions' final offensive series of the first half, but it only went for three yards.
Through one half of play, St. Brown has three catches for four yards and one carry for two yards.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATE: The rough night for St. Brown continues, as he had a crucial drop on fourth down on the Lions' third offensive series of the game.
We refuse to believe this won't be St. Brown's night, but it isn't looking good so far.
END OF UPDATE
UPDATE: St. Brown recorded his second catch on the Lions' second offensive series, but it only went for a minimal gain.
St. Brown is now up to two catches for one yard and one carry for two yards.
END OF UPDATE
Yes, St. Brown is active and in the lineup on Sunday night.
On the first drive, St. Brown received one carry, which he took for two yards, and he did catch a pass, but he wasn't credited with any yards because he lateraled the ball back to Jahmyr Gibbs.
Hopefully St. Brown gets going on the Lions' second drive of the game.
Middlesbrough is not necessarily the first place that comes to mind when you think of stylistic innovation, but in the Championship, Boro are blazing a trial. A six-game winning streak has propelled them to the top of the table before Monday night’s crucial visit to promotion rivals Coventry, and they have got there playing football unlike anyone else in the league.
The manager, Kim Hellberg, arrived at the Riverside Stadium in November with Middlesbrough third in the league but shaken by the sudden departure of Rob Edwards to Wolves. On the face of it, Boro fans didn’t have much to get excited about: Swedish coach, 37, never worked outside his homeland; no trophies outside Swedish non-league, no playing career of note. Hellberg’s Wikipedia page was more of a post-it note. “I’m the most Googled name in Teesside,” he joked at his unveiling.
His appointment was led by Middlesbrough’s head of football, Kieran Scott, who had had Hellberg’s name written down in his notebook for a couple of years. Hellberg had first caught the eye helping minnows IFK Varnamo punch above their weight in the Swedish top flight, Allsvenskan, before successive second-placed finishes with Hammarby playing attacking, possession-dominant football.
He underwent a series of interviews, first with Scott and then with chief executive Neil Bausor and chairman Steve Gibson, who were impressed with his detailed plans for how to get the best out of Middlesbrough’s squad. Scott was in agreement with Hellberg’s assessment of a team with defensive solidity but in need of cohesion in attack.
Hellberg has built a quick relationship with players including Boro's Hayden Hackney (Action Images)
In what wasn’t necessarily a ringing endorsement for Edwards’ work, Scott explained: “It’s a group that just needs a bit of coaching.”
The Middlesbrough players quickly bought into Hellberg’s approach. “Everyone loves him and wants to work with him,” said forward Morgan Whittaker after Hellberg’s first game, a 2-1 comeback win over Derby County in which Whittaker scored the winner.
Boro began to show new traits including unpredictable movement and a smothering high press that helped dominate the ball. Possession numbers jumped from mid-table to the best in the Championship, averaging nearly 60 per cent during Hellberg’s reign.
“We try to dominate as many minutes of each game as possible and to be proactive in having the ball, progressing attacks, and then taking it back directly after losing it,” Hellberg explained, adding: “Possession alone doesn’t win games, but it is connected to how we believe we can be most successful.”
Middlesbrough have won 11 of their 16 games since Hellberg took charge, and what has been so eye-catching is the fast and fluid combination play that has transformed them into such an attractive team to watch. Hellberg references Pep Guardiola among his coaching influences but the Swede does not adopt Guardiola’s famous Juego de Posición principles. His players do not have fixed stations in a carefully calibrated system stretched across the pitch; instead they are encouraged to move freely and be close to one another to make fast connections in tight spaces.
"A FABULOUS goal" 👏
Middlesbrough open the scoring in fine style as Tommy Conway slots home after a slick passing move ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/Px9CofEh3y
Hellberg says his job is to give players a platform to perform, not for them to adhere to his masterplan. It is why, without naturally gifted touchline wingers, Boro play largely through the middle of the pitch in their notional 4-3-3 shape, using one-twos and flicks around the corner to breach set defences.
They show clear traits of what tactics writer and Uefa A-licensed coach Jamie Hamilton calls a “relationist” approach, even if Hellberg hasn’t put it that way publicly. If the criticism of Guardiola’s world-popular positional play is that it can put a straitjacket on a team’s flair and individualism, then relationist football is meant to be an antidote to that, a place for liberty and expression, full of diagonal passes, clever dummies and quick, almost telepathic interchanges.
Relationist play was most famously deployed in recent years by Brazilian side Fluminense under Fernando Diniz, and has popped up all over the world, from Malmo to the Hungarian national team. Hamilton noticed some of those elements with Hellberg’s Varnamo side several years ago, and tells The Independent: “I remember watching them playing against Malmo thinking, ‘They’re pretty good!’”
Hellberg has overseen 11 wins from 16 games in the Middlesbrough dugout (Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Hamilton points to the influence of Hellberg’s long-time assistant, David Selini, as key to helping instill their way of playing.
“Selini uses the term ‘common language’. You want to try and give the players a way of understanding each other, so, who am I playing with? If I’m [Hayden] Hackney, what does [Aidan] Morris like to do? Is he a guy that likes to carry the ball? Is he a guy that likes to lay it off first time? So it’s about inter-player communication and understanding each other’s tendencies and habits.
“That is facilitated in training by using certain common ideas, and that might be pass and move, it might be diagonals, and then within that framework the players can develop understanding of each other. And this is something that’s integral to a more relational approach, rather than using a set positional structure to help those relationships.”
The fast movement and high-octane attacking approach bears similarities with Marcelo Bielsa’s title-winning Leeds side (Bielsa is another of Hellberg’s inspirations), but Boro are unique in the current Championship, carving their own distinct path towards the Premier League. Perhaps Hellberg’s greatest demand of his players is that they never veer from playing their own way.
Hellberg celebrates Boro's win over Norwich City at the Riverside (Action Images)
“I was so proud,” he said after last weekend’s win at Sheffield United. “We scored after 19 minutes and we had 63 per cent of the ball during the game. Away from home, I think that is unbelievable, when you score early against that good of a team, when you keep playing the way you want to play, away from home with a sold-out crowd, I think that’s unbelievably impressive.
“It’s easy away from home, when you score that early goal, to drop and do something else or the opponent forces you to do it, but that was a good picture of the team we want to be. We want to take control of our destiny, we want to play forward as quickly as we can, we want to create chances, and I think we did that unbelievably good.”
Middlesbrough’s winning streak has lifted them above Coventry, who had been leading the Championship all season, and Frank Lampard’s team will provide the ultimate test of Boro’s progress when they meet on Monday night. Win and Boro will have breathing room at the top, as they chase a return to the top flight for the first time in a decade.
Hellberg has a tattoo on his chest of the Allsvenskan trophy with a blank date beneath it, which he vowed to one day fill in. But things change quickly in football, especially in the modern data era, when players and coaches are uncovered who might have gone unnoticed in previous generations. Everybody on Teesside knows the name Kim Hellberg now. And soon the Premier League might know him too.
It was a strange scrummaging weekend, with the top of the props tending to come from the losing side. Much like Ireland, we can’t split Fischetti and Spagnolo for what they provided as a one-two punch on the loosehead for Italy - it’s tough to recall Tadhg Furlong ever being folded in the manner he was, while Fischetti was his usual busy self in the loose.
Hooker: Julien Marchand, France
A maul score capped a complete performance from Marchand, so comfortable slotting in as a ball-handler in France’s free-wheeling attack. The hooker was taken off early with his, and France’s, job very much done.
Tighthead prop: Simone Ferrari, Italy
Perhaps no player has been better across the first two rounds of the tournament than Ferrari. The Italy tighthead again led a statement scrummaging performance as Ireland were bent and buckled this way and that, while also landing two colossal hits on Garry Ringrose and Dan Sheehan in the first half.
Lock: Gregor Brown, Scotland
Lock Gregor Brown, right, impressed for Scotland (Getty Images)
A coming force in the back five of the Scottish pack, the selection of Brown ahead of Grant Gilchrist for the Calcutta Cup perhaps suggested a changing of the guard in the engine room. Brown was tireless and titanic at Murrayfield, all while dealing with a stinger.
Lock: Charles Ollivon, France
17 tackles, eight carries and plenty more fun touches from Ollivon, who adds such dynamism to the back five of the French pack and went the full 80 minutes. To have Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament as a bench locking duo, as France do, is a tiny bit frightening.
Blindside flanker: Oscar Jegou, France
Oscar Jegou impressed again for France (Getty Images)
Forgive a little bit of positional quirkiness here, but we are taking after the French and using a more flexible approach on the flanker to squeeze in the continuously impressive Jegou. Just 22, he now looks a fixture
Openside flanker: Rory Darge, Scotland
Scotland’s top tackler, Darge also bedevilled England on the floor with the hosts much better at the breakdown throughout. Manuel Zuliani runs him close after another very good outing for Italy.
No 8: Ben Earl, England
Ben Earl was a bright spark for England in Edinburgh (Getty Images)
Positives were relatively few and far between for England after their Murrayfield horror show, though the scrum and Earl emerged in credit. The No 8 had to shoulder a mighty carrying burden for his side, as always, yet made metres almost every time.
Scrum half: Antoine Dupont, France
There were excellent showings from Ben White and Jamison Gibson-Park for Scotland and Ireland respectively, yet Dupont remains a level above. It was his moment of daring, devilry and dexterity down the blindside that got France going in Cardiff, and there were plenty more delightful touches, too.
Fly half: Finn Russell, Scotland
(Getty Images)
How wonderful it was to see Russell back to his illustrative, instinctive best. It felt like the fly half had been short of a bit of form and flow for Bath in recent months, but England were torn to shreds by his broad range of skills as carrier, kicker and passer.
Left wing: James Lowe, Ireland
Louis Bielle-Biarrey was once again superb but let’s give the nod on the left wing to James Lowe after something of a statement showing. Left out in Paris, Lowe showed his enduring class with a strong all-round performance, even if his top-end speed is starting to go.
Inside centre: Stuart McCloskey, Ireland
(REUTERS)
It felt like McCloskey was keeping Ireland in their game with Italy almost single-handedly at times. The centre matched a few trademark tonks on the carry with subtler skills, a delicate backdoor offload setting up a first-half score before an unorthodox quarterback toss to Robert Balocoune teed up a telling try.
Outside centre: Huw Jones, Scotland
It is now eight tries in the Calcutta Cup for Jones, England’s scourge for so long and sterling again. He pips Tommaso Menoncello to the post – even in the absence of regular running mate Juan Ignacio Brex, the Italian centre showed just what a force he has become.Eddie James showed promise, too.
Right wing: Kyle Steyn, Scotland
Scotland’s supreme air traffic controller was close to faultless under the high ball, providing the platforms from which his side could play. It helped, of course, that England were short of a winger for 30 of the first 50 minutes, yet one could argue that was down to Steyn’s superiority over Henry Arundell, too.
Full-back: Thomas Ramos, France
(Getty Images)
Jamie Osborne can consider himself unfortunate but the manner in which France’s playmaking spine orchestrated their all-singing, all-dancing performance was lovely to watch. The growing understanding between Ramos, Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert will worry their rivals - there were 14 offloads between the trio, too, in a sign of the threats they pose.
Romano: Summer transfer ‘battle’ now anticipated for attacking sensation who Man Utd want and ‘can afford’
Yan Diomande looks set to be one of the most sought-after stars of the summer transfer window amid a sensational breakout campaign with RB Leipzig.
The forward joined Leipzig in July 2025 in a £17.4 million deal from Leganes after his release clause was triggered.
To say he has taken the Bundesliga by storm is an understatement. Diomande, who’s just 19 years old, has returned a hugely impressive eight goals and five assists in 21 league appearances thus far, with his latest contribution coming in yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg.
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Diomande is garnering a lengthy list of suitors
(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Already a nine-capped international for the Ivory Coast, where he plays alongside Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, Diomande also notched a goal and added five caps to his name when called up for the African Cup of Nations.
Recent reports have verified that the Red Devils are well amongst the mix of suitors sizing up a move for the starlet and monitoring his form this campaign.
The Reds’ potential pursuit would come in a window in which they’d be sanctioning the sales of two forwards in the form of Marcus Rashford to Barcelona (£26m) and Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli (£38m) when their respective loans come to an end.
Jadon Sancho will also be departing Old Trafford following a lacklustre five years when his contract expires in June, meaning attacking reinforcements will be necessary – especially if the club have Champions League football to account for next term.
On Sunday, Fabrizio Romano provided an update on Diomande’s situation, saying that Bayern Munich and Premier League sides will form a ‘battle’ for the teenager’s signature in the summer.
Mourinho sends chilling warning to Real Madrid before UCL clash: ‘They are wounded’
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has already started the psychological battle ahead of his side’s crucial UEFA Champions League play-off clash against Real Madrid.
The Portuguese coach knows exactly what is coming, especially after his team defeated Los Blancos in their last group stage meeting, a result that still lingers in the memory of both sides.
Real Madrid rarely forget such setbacks, particularly in Europe, and Mourinho is fully aware of the reaction his team could face.
The Spanish giants are set to visit the Estadio da Luz for the first leg, and the tie is already being built up as a high-stakes encounter between two experienced European sides.
Benfica, for their part, have begun the build-up with several messages on their official social media channels.
The posts are aimed at energising their supporters and creating a strong atmosphere in Lisbon, while also sending a subtle warning to the visitors.
The intention is to make the Estadio da Luz an intimidating place for Real Madrid on match night.
Mourinho fires up the match
Mourinho himself addressed the upcoming tie after Benfica’s recent league win over Santa Clara.
He stressed that the match against Real Madrid will be one of the toughest tests his team can face, while also making it clear that the tie is far from decided after just one game.
“[I know it will be] Very demanding, without a doubt. We’ve only played the first leg of the tie.
“Trubin [the Benfica keeper who scored against Real Madrid last time out] won’t be in the attack at the Luz stadium. I’m very used to these kinds of ties.
“I’ve been doing it all my life. People often think you need a certain result in the first leg for this or that reason. I say there is no definitive result.
“We will play the first leg with our heads, ambition, and confidence. We know what we did to the kings of the Champions League.
“They are wounded. And a wounded king is dangerous,” he said.
“We all buy into it” – Chelsea player says results show effect Liam Rosenior is having
Chelsea striker Liam Delap points at the results to prove what a positive effect Liam Rosenior is having at Chelsea so far.
He also admits that the players are all buying in to what the former Strasbourg manager is trying to do at the club.
EXCLUSIVE! Two more NEW names added to Chelsea summer list of targets – One from Wolves and one from Atletico Madrid!! 👀
Looking at the early signs, Rosenior most certainly does seem to have the players on his side, at least from what we can see from the outside looking in.
Of course, I’m always cautious when I hear players speak this way, they aren’t exactly going to say anything else in public, are they? And we heard this stuff before with previous managers. But there is certainly a sense here that this is fully legit and the players are really liking Rosenior and enjoying playing and training for him and under him.
Delap on Rosenior
Liam Delap in action against Hull City. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
“There are always different reasons a team is selected – it’s rarely the same side. So we’re used to it, and it’s part of football, you’ve got to adapt to that, and the best teams show that no matter who is playing, you get the job done.”
In other news today
Chelsea have been linked with Juventus defender Gleison Bremer. His stats are great, but at his age and price it’s just not a deal we can see happening.
Pedro Neto’s move to the middle proved a success against Hull, and we’re interested to see what else Liam Rosenior has up his sleeve.
Three talking points ahead of Girona vs Barcelona | La Liga MD24
The first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal for Barcelona was a horrific experience – one that is better off erased from the minds of players and fans.
Taking a 0-4 hammering in the game at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Barcelona not only virtually gave away their Copa del Rey hopes but also took the momentum off their side.
They now continue their run on the road to face Girona later tonight – an opponent who is winless in three games.
That said, however, Barcelona too enter on a mental low and will be vulnerable in the opening phase of the game.
Barça Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Girona vs Barcelona.
Lessons to be learnt
If there is one game that Barcelona must reflect on deeply and learn from their mistakes, it is indeed their recent defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona need to get back to winning ways. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Fingers can be pointed at external factors, but the fact remains that the Catalans did not deserve any lead or win on the night.
Barcelona were outplayed by Atletico Madrid on the night, who pressed with intent, passion and a deep drive to win. Flick’s side, however, was slow and lethargic and always came out second-best in the half-chances.
Neither was the team’s press on the night coordinated and relentless, nor was the defence cohesive in any manner. Individual errors across the field only worsened the scenario for them and saw them concede four goals in 45 minutes.
Lessons, at this point, have to be learnt and it will be interesting to see how the team respond after facing such a humiliation in the cup.
If the team is motivated enough and takes the defeat the right way, they should come out with more desire to undo their errors and play their hearts out tomorrow with dominance.
The captain returns
Raphinha will return against Girona. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
The Barcelona manager made it very clear in the pre-game conference that he saw Raphinha as the best player in the world for last season, and thus made it clear that the team is very different with and without the Brazilian.
After all, the team’s intensity undeniably falls without his leadership, and it is no surprise that all but one of the team’s defeats this season came when he was not in the squad.
Raphinha has been out since the game against Albacete, and the manager decided not to risk and rush him back for the game against Atletico Madrid midweek. He is, however, cleared now and will be available again.
Needless to say, this comes as massive news for the manager’s plans and for Barcelona and Lamine Yamal.
His presence, after all, adds dynamism, pace, good finishing and leadership – all of which Barcelona are in dire need of.
It is unlikely that Raphinha starts, but he will come off the bench quite early, given that Marcus Rashford is not available, and it will be interesting to see how long the manager deems him fit to play for.
A possible change at full-back
If there is one department that particularly let the team down midweek, it was the full-back position.
While it is indeed true that the entire team played exceedingly poorly, it was Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde who were exposed and left red-faced time and time again.
Will Joao Cancelo start? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The duo had simply no answers to Atletico Madrid’s pacey wingers, counterattacks and dynamic dribbling.
At this point in the season, one is forced to wonder if Flick must start considering alternate setups.
Balde has been quite good for the team in recent weeks, and one of the reasons he was exposed the way he was midweek was that the team did not have a natural winger to add depth on the left flank.
With no attacking threat up wide, Balde was forced to overstep in attack and was left compromised at the back.
Kounde’s case, however, is completely different as he has looked like a shadow of his former self all season.
Flick does trust him, but one is forced to wonder if it is time to consider a change in the department, at least for the time being.
Joao Cancelo is an option to start in place of Kounde tomorrow and it will be interesting to see if Flick sees the Portuguese international as a viable option on that front at least.
The Frenchman, after all, could use some rest and space for a mental reset.
Balde, meanwhile, necessitates repositioning more than being replaced and could thus start at left-wing if Raphinha does not start.
In that way, he can carry out his attack play while having the likes of Gerard Martin taking care of defence – thus distributing duties for better results.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Honoka Hayashi of Everton scores her team's first goal during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on February 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jess Hornby - WSL/WSL Football via Getty Images) | WSL Football via Getty Images
Honoka Hayashi’s early first-half strike was enough for Everton Women to secure victory over West Ham United at Goodison Park as the Blues secured a third straight win, something that has not been achieved by the Toffees since March 2022.
Interim boss Scott Phelan named an unchanged XI for the third straight week, a decision that was duly rewarded with another battling performance and second consecutive clean sheet.
Everton began brightly and the Goodison crowd didn’t have wait long as Hayashi – who this week signed a new contract with the Blues – gave the hosts the lead with just seven minutes on the clock.
Fellow compatriot Yuka Momiki found Hannah Blundell down the right flank, and the full-back produced a low cross that found the oncoming midfielder, who made no mistake in front of the Gwladys Street to score her fourth goal of the season.
Inma Gabarro was in a mood to build on her winning goal against London City Lionesses last week and continues to forge what is promising to be a very potent partnership with her fellow Spaniard, Ornella Vignola.
And the former was unlucky to not make it two on 24 minutes, forcing a reactionary stop from the foot of Kinga Szemik, who did well to get anything on the forward’s powerful strike.
Rita Guarino’s side looked to reply just after the restart but found Courtney Brosnan difficult to get to, as Everton’s defence was alive to the threat of the visitors’ forward play, with Oona Siren looking the most lively for her side.
And it would Szemik who would be the one to make the next save when the Hammers’ stopper was on hand to thwart Gabarro again just after the hour mark.
Vignola was the provider, lifting a delicious ball over the defence, which was elegantly taken down by the 23-year-old, who opened up her body to let fly but saw her shot was thwarted by the Poland international.
With the game evenly poised, Phelan called upon Aurora Galli, who replaced Rosa van Gool on 68 minutes, while Zara Kramzar entered proceedings in place of Vignola as the Slovenian made her Goodison debut.
And the extra legs in midfield proved a shrewd move as the Toffees held out for the victory, leapfrogging Aston Villa into eighth place in the WSL as Phelan’s formula is proving a welcome tonic for his players.
Can Everton Women’s fabulous February continue? Merseyside rivals Liverpool will be the next obstacle as the Blues travel to to St Helens for their fifth-round FA Cup on Sunday, 22 February.
Andrea Ranocchia celebrates turning 38 today. Born in Assisi on 16 February 1988, the former Nerazzurri defender spent an important part of his career with Inter, wearing the Nerazzurri shirt from January 2011 onward.
During his time in Milan, Ranocchia made 226 official appearances and scored 14 goals, playing his part in the Club’s successes winning one Scudetto, two Coppa Italias and one Supercoppa Italiana. Leadership, professionalism and a strong sense of belonging defined his journey in Nerazzurri colours, both on and off the pitch.
Best wishes to Andrea Ranocchia from the Club and all Inter fans!
Photo Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
Travis Kelce found himself in an awkward moment after accidentally hitting a fan with a golf ball. The accident occurred at a high-profile golfing event in California, where the Chiefs star was competing.
Travis Kelce hits a woman with golf ball
Travis Kelce recently played at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California, where he accidentally hit a spectator with a golf ball during his last hole. After shouting “Fore,” the Kansas City Chiefs star took the final shot, which hit the woman in the crowd. The local news outlet KSBW later identified the spectator as Edenne Flinn.
Immediately after making that accidental shot, Kelce rushed to Flinn to make sure she was doing all right. A video captured by another fan at the event shows the star tight end heading over to Flinn’s golf cart, asking, “You alright?” The caption over the TikTok clip reads, “POV: Travis Kelce yells ‘FORE, ‘ but you still get hit lol.”
A concerned Kelce checked up on Flinn and made sure she wasn’t injured. According to local reports, the NFL star also signed an autograph for Flinn after ensuring that everything was alright. Following the accident, Kelce chose not to finish the hole, ending his run with a two-day total of 10-under par, which was 10 strokes short of the top score.
The incident marks the second time Kelce has accidentally hit a fan during a golfing event. The star played at the 2024 American Century Championship, where he accidentally hit a spectator at the back of the head.
The fan, Katie Hauss, later recalled the painful experience to PEOPLE. She shared that Kelce came to check up on her as soon as he found out what happened. “Travis must have walked down as I was still on the ground,” Hauss said. “I just remember seeing him come up and then I don’t remember exactly what he said, but he asked if I was ok. I could tell that he felt really badly.”
She further shared, “Travis said that he couldn’t bring himself to smile given the circumstances. I honestly felt bad for him, because I know that it was a total accident.” She added, “That can’t feel good to do that with a huge crowd looking on.”
Luke Matheson was 15 years and 336 days old when he made his Rochdale debut, becoming their youngest ever player [Getty Images]
Remember the 16-year-old who scored for Rochdale against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup?
In September 2019, defender Luke Matheson netted a famous equaliser at Old Trafford to force a 1-1 draw in a third-round tie that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side eventually won 5-3 on penalties.
The next day he was back to school studying for his A-Levels.
Fast forward to 2026 and Matheson is part of a Macclesfield squad riding the crest of a wave in the FA Cup and preparing to face Brentford in the fourth round on Monday.
The Silkmen have been catapulted into the public eye since beating Crystal Palace in the third round for one of the biggest shocks in the competition's history - but the 23-year-old is no stranger to the spotlight.
"I was on the bus on the way to school the next morning with my mates," Matheson recalled after his Old Trafford heroics. "Refreshing Instagram, there was a thousand [likes] here, another thousand there. It was one of the most surreal things I have ever been through.
"I remember the actual moment of the goal, I can picture it and tell you exactly what happened. It was more the aftermath I don't really remember.
"Even being on that pitch and travelling to that game was enough for me. Then to score took it to another level. It's definitely one of the best days of my life."
Brentford will be the fourth Premier League opponent for Matheson, who also featured for Rochdale in a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle in the FA Cup in 2020, before his side lost the third-round replay 4-1 at St James' Park.
He said being remembered as the teenager who scored against Manchester United is something he is proud of, not ashamed by.
"I love people coming up to me saying, 'are you the kid that scored against United?' They always recognise me because of my hair," said the Manchester-born full-back.
"If that is the pinnacle of my career, it is the pinnacle of my career. Some players will dream about moments like that and I'm lucky that I got one at such a young age.
"I was a kid then and have a little bit more experience now. I've been around different clubs, different experiences, different managers, different changing rooms."
Wolves move 'felt like I'd taken a step backwards'
Matheson signed for Wolves in January 2020 but remained on loan at Rochdale until the end of the season [Getty Images]
Four months after his goal at Old Trafford, the England Under-18 international made the step from League One to the Premier League as he joined Wolves in a deal worth £1m.
"It was a dream come true," added Matheson, who made his Rochdale first-team debut at 15. "I had been in and around it going away with England - it would be your Manchester City boys, Manchester United, Chelsea, and then me from Rochdale.
"I was getting around £400 a month from Rochdale on my scholarship and £250 of that was going on public transport to get me to training. Then I sign for Wolves and they've got three drivers who can take me to and from Manchester every day. The difference was astronomical."
By his own admission, Matheson's football journey has been done in reverse to the traditional route.
After making more than 30 senior appearances for Rochdale, he ended up in the under-23 set-up at Wolves.
"In that sense, for me in my personal career, it almost felt like I'd taken a step backwards," he said.
"A lot of the under-23s were trying to get out on loan into a first team. I'd gone from doing that to not doing that."
Matheson's time at Wolves was hampered by serious injuries and after loan spells with Ipswich, Hamilton Academical and Scunthorpe he was released at the end of the 2022-23 campaign without making a senior appearance for the club.
"My three-and-a-half years at Wolves was riddled," he admitted. "It was a torrid time, I never really kicked on in the way that I'd hoped."
Matheson graduated from the PFA's business school in September 2025 [Professional Footballers' Association (PFA)]
After a severe, high-grade hamstring tear, Matheson was told by surgeons he might never play again, which prompted him to consider a life away from the football pitch.
The son of two primary school teachers, he had always been passionate about education and recently graduated alongside ex-Newcastle keeper Tim Krul and former Watford defender Adrian Mariappa with a diploma in sporting directorship from the Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) business school .
While he assesses options for life after football, Matheson makes the most of being a part-time player at Macclesfield and coaches their under-eight's team in his spare time.
'You don't realise how much a person saved you until they aren't there anymore'
Luke Matheson and Ethan McLeod both signed for Macclesfield in the summer of 2025 [Luke Matheson]
It was during Matheson's rehab at Wolves that he also got to know Ethan McLeod, who he would later reunite with at Macclesfield.
On 16 December 2025, the 21-year-old forward McLeod died in a car accident while travelling back from a National League North match at Bedford Town.
Matheson was among the majority of the squad held up in gridlocked traffic after the crash on the M1. Not long after he arrived home the next morning, manager John Rooney called every player individually to confirm the sad news.
"You don't realise how much a person almost saved you until they're not there anymore," said Matheson. "I was lucky that I had the pleasure of getting to know him for three-and-a-half years at Wolves, and then again as we both matured and got older here.
"Unfortunately we did spend a lot of time together in rehab, but I'm grateful and very lucky that we did because it definitely impacted my career in a positive way.
"Through some of the darkest days of my career, with his infectious smile he would walk in and brighten up every single day."
Rooney signed Matheson 12 days after bringing McLeod to Macclesfield, but both players had a frustrating start to the campaign with injuries.
Matheson said the pair often talked about their hopes of sharing the pitch together again. Three days before McLeod's death, they featured in their first and only game together when starting in an FA Trophy win at South Shields.
"That game on the Saturday, before unfortunately he passed, was special," added Matheson. "We had countless conversations joking, saying 'this is our last injury' because we've had so many together.
"To finally both be starting a game, something knowing just between us that we both strived towards after spending hours and hours in the gym getting each other better, pushing each other, fighting to get back from some horrible injuries, it meant the world to me. That we actually got to achieve that goal we spoke about one last time."
Ethan McLeod's parents joined Macclesfield players in the dressing room after beating Crystal Palace [Luke Matheson]
In a touching tribute to McLeod after his death, Matheson vowed to carry his legacy forward.
He is finally injury-free and getting regular minutes for Macclesfield and Monday's game is another chance for him to add to his unique footballing story.
"It would mean the world," Matheson said of repeating his Old Trafford heroics.
"You can feel the buzz around the town. Everyone has got the Macclesfield badge on. You see it when we're driving to the stadium, people walking their dog with the half-and-half scarves and their hats.
"To give back to the fans of this town is the proudest thing you can do as a footballer. For us to be able to give them moments like the Palace game and then another against Brentford brings us such joy as players.
"As cliché as it sounds, it's like a family. You see the stadium packed out and as a player it's what you dream of. We can't wait to get back out there."
Travis Kelcerecently revealed that Taylor Swift has had a surprising impact on his personal growth. The Kansas City Chiefs star shared how his fiancée helped him improve at one specific and relatable skill.
How Taylor Swift made Travis Kelce ‘better’ at one thing
The Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift relationship has drawn attention for everything from game-day appearances to viral stage moments. But in a February 6 appearance on sister-in-law Kylie Kelce’s Not Gonna Lie podcast, Kelce opened up about a quieter, more personal change.
While chatting with Kylie, the two reflected on when they first met. She asked whether her husband, Jason Kelce, had ever shared much about her with Travis early on. “Nothing. No. Me and Jason, we never talk about any of that stuff,” Travis admitted.
Kylie said she wasn’t shocked, explaining that Jason rarely offers extra information. She joked about how she often learns things from others before realizing her husband already knew. When she asks him questions, his approach tends to be, “I don’t know, and I don’t care to know.”
“I call them girl questions,” Kylie teased. “‘Cause they’re only questions girls would ask.” That’s when Travis Kelce credited Taylor Swift for influencing him. “Taylor’s made me so much better at that. You get the details,” Travis quipped.
The player explained that he now pays closer attention and makes a conscious effort to remember specifics, especially when Swift can’t attend events with him. On February 5, he attended the 2026 NFL Honors, where he was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Although Swift “couldn’t go,” he kept her in mind throughout the evening.
“The whole time I’m saying hi to all these familiar faces and some friends of Taylor… and I’m just like, ‘All right, got to remember saw that person,’” he said. “I’m like throwing them in like my memory bank [thinking] ‘Don’t forget, cause she’s going to want some details ’cause she didn’t get a chance to go.’” Still, he admitted that remembering everything can be tricky, especially because of the beers.
The Bobby Collins story – Celtic, Everton and Leeds Utd, born 95 years ago today
95 years ago today began the life of one very notable post-war Celt.
Bobby Collins – a tough and skillful attacking player, better known as the ‘Wee Barra’ – was part of numerous Celtic triumphs of 1950s, and had a very successful post-Celtic career too…
Bobby Collins scoring against Rangers in a 4-4 draw at Parkhead in a Scottish cup tie in 1957. Celtic win the replay 2-0 at Ibrox. Photo The Celtic Wiki
This is his story…
Collins was born on 16 February 1931. His family lived in the Polmadie area of Glasgow. After being educated locally, he worked as a miner and a cobbler, but these jobs would not define his life.
Collins also played football for different teams in the area, including Polmadie Hawthorns and Pollok Juniors. The latter was the most important of these sides. Turning out for a prominent Junior team brought Collins to the attention of scouts for professional sides. When the time came for Bobby to move to the next level, it involved complaints and controversy.
Everton were very interested in signing him and even took the young Glaswegian to Merseyside. Collins agreed to this move, but then changed his mind and wanted to come to Celtic. This led to an off-the-field battle between the English side and the Celts.
Eventually, this administrative argument came to an end and Collins was able to properly sign for Celtic. He did so in 1948 and earned £8 per week at first.
Bobby Collins in action during Celtic’s first ever League Cup Final victory against Partick Thistle in October 1956. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Season 1949-50 saw Collins become an important part of the Celtic squad. In August 1949, he made his debut for the Bhoys in a 3-2 League Cup victory over Rangers. He played in the majority of the Celts’ games that season, including getting his first goal in green-and-white; this was the winning moment in a 3-2 victory over Hearts in September 1949.
Bobby’s first season in the Hoops was mainly unsuccessful as his team failed to win any of the national competitions that they entered. However, he did celebrate his first trophy as the Bhoys beat Rangers in the 1950 Glasgow Charity Cup Final. This is sometimes better known as the ‘Danny Kaye Final’, owing to the presence of the famous Hollywood actor at the match.
By the start of the following season – which would prove to be more prosperous – it was clear that Bobby was now a first pick for the Celts. One news report said that he was “game as a pebble, built like a Brencarrier, and in his element at inside-right.”
Season 1950-51 saw the Celts toil in the League, eventually finishing in seventh place. They also struggled in the League Cup, Glasgow Cup and Charity Cup. However, their Scottish Cup experience was much more positive.
By 1951, the Celts had not won a national trophy since League success in 1938. In April 1951, the Hoops had the chance to change this when they met Motherwell in the Scottish Cup Final in front of a huge crowd of 132,000.
Following a tight match, Celtic emerged at 1-0 winners, gaining their first national prize in 13 years. Bobby played his part by scoring in earlier rounds and now had his first major honour as a Celt.
Weeks later, Bobby and the Celts would again celebrate. The Festival of Britain took place all across the UK, and a special football tournament was held in Scotland, called the St Mungo Cup. Eventually, Celtic beat Aberdeen to claim this prize in August 1951 before a trophy ceremony was held in Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall after the game.
Back: Charley Tully, John McGrory, John McPhail, Joe Bailey, Jimmy Mallan, Jock Weir Bobby Evans, Roy Milne, Alec Rollo, Bertie Peacock. Front: Bobby Collins, Sean Fallon, John Milsopp, Willie Fernie. Photo The Celtic Wiki
However, neither the Scottish Cup nor St Mungo Cup proved to be a springboard to greater things for the Celts. With players such as Collins, Charlie Tully, Bobby Evans and Willie Fernie in the squad, the Bhoys should have achieved much greater success but they often struggled to gel together.
The next season was a washout as the club ended up ninth in the title race, and failed to win any of the four other cup contests that they entered. Season 1952-53 was little better. Again, the Celts emerged without any national trophies, and lost the Glasgow Cup Final on the basis of a coin toss. However, they won the Charity Cup at the start of May, before an even better moment occurred.
In May 1953, a UK-wide tournament was held to mark the crowning of Queen Elizabeth. Given their general struggles, the Hoops were not expected to emerge victorious. Nevertheless, they confounded expectations by beating Arsenal and Manchester United then met Hibs in the final. “Lo and behold”, a green-and-white Hampden saw Celtic and Bobby claim the Coronation Cup.
Not only did this victory lead to songs and celebrations still evident at the modern day Celtic Park, they proved to be the catalyst for Celtic’s best season in the 1950s, and the club’s high point until Jock Stein was back as manager in the 1960s.
Season 1953-54 saw the Celts win their first League title for 16 years, and also their last one until 1966. Bobby was at the heart of this success, scoring 10 goals in 25 matches. However, he faced personal disappointment in the Scottish Cup.
The Bhoys reached the final where they faced Aberdeen, and claimed a 2-1 win thanks to an own-goal and another from Sean Fallon. However, partly due to injury, Bobby was not selected for any Scottish Cup matches, even though he was a near ever-present in all other tournaments.
In Bobby’s remaining time at Celtic Park, there would be no further League or Scottish Cup successes, and he was left out as Celtic lost the 1955 Scottish Cup Final. However, the Glasgow Cup Final of 1955 would be a special memory for Collins. He scored twice as Celtic claimed a Boxing Day prize with an exciting 5-3 win over Rangers.
Billy McPhail and Bobby Collins celebrate with the League Cup on 19 October 1957 after Celtic’s 7-1 win in the final over Rangers. Photo The Celtic Wiki
Bobby would eventually leave Celtic in 1958. Before that time, he would be part of two more prominent Celtic events, one in particular which remains a standout moment in Celtic’s long and unbroken history.
The Scottish League Cup began after World War Two but in its opening decade, Celtic very much struggled in this competition. That all changed in season 1956-57. For the first time, the Celts managed to reach the final where they would face Partick Thistle.
Bobby was an ever-present for Celtic in 1956 matches in the League Cup, as well as scoring in the group stages and quarter-finals too. He lined up in the final but this ended goalless, leading to a replay four days later.
This time, it was a very different outcome. Celtic easily overcame the Jags by three goals to nil, and Bobby scored one of these goals. For the first time, the Celts were League Cup winners.
12 MARCH 1955: A GROUP PORTRAIT OF CELTIC FOOTBALL TEAM BEFORE THEIR AWAY MATCH AGAINST FALKIRK AT BROCKVILLE PARK. (BACK ROW LEFT TO RIGHT) J. WALSH, BOBBY EVANS, JOHN BONNAR, MIKE HAUGHNEY, FRANK MEECHAN. (FRONT ROW LEFT TO RIGHT) BOBBY COLLINS, SEANFALLOW, JOCK STEIN (CAPTAIN), BERT PEACOCK, WILLIE FERNIE, NEIL MOCHAN. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive
In season 1957-58, it was Celtic’s turn to defend their position as League Cup holders. Again they made it to the final, with Bobby in particularly successful scoring form. Not only did he get group stage goals, he also found the net in two quarter-final ties and the semi-final too.
Standing in front of the Celts retaining their trophy were Rangers, who were favourites to win. In October 1957, tens of thousands of fans went to a sunny Hampden. By the end, they had watched a British record scoreline of Celtic 7 Rangers 1. Although Bobby did not score any of these, he still played an important role.
To this day, Celtic fans sing songs of this famous victory, thus etching Bobby and all of his teammates into club history. However, this proved to be the last time that Bobby would celebrate when wearing green-and-white.
Joe Walters looks on as Bobby Collins heads wide during the Celtic v Clyde game. Photo Newsquest Media Group
Bobby started season 1958-59 in Glasgow’s east end, and he was in top form. Not only did he score against Rangers in a League match, he also got six goals in seven League Cup games. However, his time in Glasgow was at an end.
When he first signed for Celtic, it came amidst a signing battle with Everton. The Merseyside men did not bear a grudge and still hoped to see him wear their blue shirts; in September 1958, this came true. Celtic accepted a bid of just over £23,000 and Collins was on the move south.
Bobby Collins at Leeds United
There was a certain mystery to Bobby’s transfer. Some accounts suggest he was unhappy with the move and sold against his will. It was even suggested that Celtic did this to raise the money to install floodlights at Celtic Park. However, manager Jimmy McGrory claimed that it followed a transfer request by Collins himself.
Either way, the ‘Wee Barra’s’ time in Glasgow’s east end had concluded. It was a spell which featured many big successes but disappointments at other times too. In future, Collins’ time in England would prove to be just as notable.
He spent almost four years at Goodison Park where he became a popular figure, given the nickname “The Little General.” In particular, his goalscoring helped ingratiate him with the fans. He scored an average of once every three games and was the club’s top scorer in his second season.
This was a period of little success for the Merseyside men, although with Collins in the team their League form gradually showed improvement. When he arrived, they often struggled with relegation but were fighting at the top end of the table by the time he left in March 1962.
19.08.1961 Photo imago/ColorsportBobby Collins (Everton) n English First Division 1961/1962, One, 1. Everton v Liverpool Goodison Park Herren Mannschaft England Einzelbild Aktion Personen
His next destination was where he truly made his mark in English football. To the surprise of many Evertonians, Collins made the move to Leeds United, who at that point were at the wrong end of the Second Division, and facing potential relegation to England’s third tier.
Manager Don Revie saw the Scot as having the on-field force and personality to help transform the Yorkshiremen, and that was exactly what happened, along with other new signings such as Jack Charlton. Indeed in later years, Revie described Collins as the “best buy of my life.”
Leeds avoided relegation and the following season came close to winning promotion, eventually finishing in fifth place. The next year, they did even better and finished at the top of the table, giving Bobby an English Second Division medal.
Now that Leeds were in the top flight, they might have been expected to struggle to adapt. Instead, they continued their meteoric rise, inspired by Bobby as their captain. In season 1964-65, the ‘Whites’ finished level on points with Manchester United at the top of the First Division. Only a better goal average saw Leeds finish second, and cost Bobby another championship medal.
Leeds also faced disappointment in the FA Cup. They reached the final against Liverpool and at one point had hoped to claim a League and cup double. Instead, another side in red disappointed them and they lost the game.
Don Revie (left) and Bill Shankly, managers of Leeds United and Liverpool lead their teams out onto the famous Wembley turf before the start of the 1965 FA Cup Final. Leeds players following behind include captain Bobby Collins and goalkeeper Gareth Sprake. Liverpool players behind Shankly are captain Ron Yeats, goalkeeper Tommy Lawrence, Gerry Byrne, Ian Callaghan, Willie Stevenson and Peter Thompson. 3rd May 1965. Photo IMAGO United Archives
This match ended up having a Celtic and Glasgow connection. Liverpool entered the following season’s Cup-Winners’ Cup, where they controversially beat Celtic in the semi-final. That season’s final was held at Hampden Park, a short walk from Bobby’s place of birth.
For Bobby at least, 1965 did give him the some personal comfort of being voted England’s Footballer of the Year, the first time a Scotsman received this award. He was also recalled to the Scotland squad.
1965-66 proved to be another frustrating year for Collins and Leeds. They again finished as runners-up in the First Division title race and had further reason to hate Liverpool; the Merseyside reds beat them in the 1965 FA Cup Final and then claimed the 1966 championship.
Bobby Collins, Celtic and Scotland. Photo The Celtic Wiki
However, this failure was not Bobby’s main problem. Instead, he suffered a horrific injury which ruled him out for much of the season. Playing in the European Fairs Cup, Leeds drew Italian side Torino. The English side won the home leg 2-1 and then travelled to Turin.
A 0-0 draw in Italy meant Leeds were through to the next round. But they would play this without Bobby. A brutal challenge on the Scot by a Torino player broke his leg, and he would not play again until the very end of the season.
By 1966-67 – a great year in Celtic history – Bobby was again back playing and captaining Leeds. However, shortly after this, another injury ruled him out. It was clear that age and bad luck meant he could not continue to be the same player, and he was given a free transfer by Leeds in early-1967.
This was not the end of Collins’ playing story. He signed for struggling Second Division side Bury, but could not stop their relegation to the Third Division. He and some other players were even suspended by the club for failing to attend a meeting. However, by the following season, Bobby helped Bury back into the Second Division after they finished as runners-up.
Bobby was entering the nomadic stage of his career; he was soon back wearing hoops in Scotland. This time it was not Celtic’s green-and-white but instead Morton’s blue-and-white. His two years in Greenock saw him score against and help Morton beat Collins’ old rivals, Rangers.
For Bobby, it was next stop Australia. By 1971, he was persuaded to move to Ringwood City, but it proved to be a short-lived experience. Two months later, he seemed to be off to Hong Kong, but instead he took up another Australian opportunity. He coached Hakoah Eastern Suburbs but this too lasted for only a few months.
Despite being aged 40, Bobby still wanted to play. He returned to Britain and – after getting married – trained with his old team, Leeds United. He was soon picked up by Shamrock Rovers and played a few times for them before doing the same for Oldham Athletic.
This move brought about the next phase of Bobby’s footballing life. By the end of season 1972-73, he had finally hung up his boots, becoming assistant manager for Oldham. His team were fourth in his first season, and they won the Third Division the following year.
Bobby’s growing and positive reputation meant it would not be long until he became a manager in his own right. In 1974, he was appointed as boss at Huddersfield Town. However, his side were relegated from the Second Division and he was dismissed by December 1975.
Collins returned to Leeds as a youth coach, before Hull City made him their boss in 1977, but again this proved to be unsuccessful. He coached for a period at Blackpool before doing the same at Barnsley, which even led to him briefly becoming the manager at Oakwell. His final managerial job came at Guiseley Celtic in the late-1980s.
Many footballers hope to be well remembered at just one club; in Bobby Collins’ case, numerous sides have hailed his influence. He remains a Celtic hero, and some Everton officials have called him one of the Merseyside team’s most important ever figures. Legendary Leeds United player Eddie Gray once claimed that Bobby was “probably the most influential player in the history of Leeds United.” This is all high praise indeed.
18.01.2014. Celtic players during the minutes silence for the Celtic player Bobby Collins who died during the week before the Scottish Premier League game between Celtic and Motherwell from Celtic Park. Photo Vagelis Georgariou IMAGO Action Plus
It was not simply club football where Bobby Collins made his name. He was a regular for Scotland and also chosen for the Scottish League Select on various occasions. In terms of the dark blue of Scotland’s national team, he played 31 times in total, scoring 10 times. This spanned a 15 year spell, from 1950 until 1965, and included playing and scoring in the 1958 World Cup Finals.
Following his long career in football, Collins worked in non-sport jobs although he remained a welcome figure whenever he returned to any of his former clubs, or attended supporters’ functions. In 2002, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and died in February 2014.
For Celtic fans, Bobby Collins will always be the ‘Wee Barra’ and a man at the heart of some of the Bhoys’ most celebrated moments, not least the Coronation Cup win and 7-1 triumph of the 1950s. He is indeed a true Celtic legend.
Matthew Marr
If you want to learn more about Celtic history, follow Hail Hail History on Twitter/X. You can also take part in a FREE Celtic history walking tour. Visit celticwalkingtours.wordpress.com for more information.
Click on cover to order a hardback copy for only £10 plus P&P
Matthew’s debut Celtic book titled ‘The Bould Bhoys – Glory to their name’ was published by Celtic Star Books last year and is available to order HERE. This brilliant book is also available on Amazon Kindle for just £3.49 and includes all photo sections that appear in the hardback edition.
Matthew Marr with his debut Celtic book, Glory to their name, which tells the story of Celtic’s first ever title win. Photo The Celtic Star
Celtic in the Thirties by Celtic Historian Matt Corr is published in two volumes by Celtic Star Books. Click to order BOTH volumes for just £20 plus P&P
Roma hoping to recover Kone and Hermoso vs Cremonese
During the 2-2 draw against Napoli, Wesley suffered a left ankle injury following a rough tackle by Amir Rrahmani.
The former Flamengo player was forced to limp off the pitch, while the Giallorossi medical staff promptly applied an ice pack to the affected area.
In the next few hours, Il Tempo reports, the player will undergo tests to assess the extent of the injury.
This new sideline represents another significant loss for Roma, which is already dealing with several absences at a crucial point in the season.
The team is indeed awaiting the crucial match against Juventus, scheduled for two weeks at the Olimpico, a crucial match for the Giallorossi’s seasonal objectives.
If Wesley’s injury proves serious, it would be another blow for Gian Piero Gasperini’s team.
Meanwhile, the Roman side are hoping to have Hermoso and Koné back for next Sunday’s match against Cremonese.
The Spaniard and the Frenchman should return to training with the group this week and earn a call-up to the match against Nicola’s men.
Team USA Stripes forward Kawhi Leonard (2) of the LA Clippers reacts in game three against Team World during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The lights of the Intuit Dome found him, as they always do.
Not the strobes. Not the pyrotechnics. Not the manufactured glare of Red Panda, mascots and sponsored distractions.
The real lights. The ones that matter. The ones that follow greatness like paparazzi follow scandal.
Kawhi Leonard stood at midcourt, and the Intuit Dome held its breath.
It had been a weekend of experiments, of round-robin rubrics and compressed clocks, of three teams where two once stood.
The NBA, in its infinite tinkering, had fractured its showcase into fragments—12-minute bursts, a tournament where mathematics mattered as much as magic.
NBA fans asked for competition. What they initially received was contention.
Then came Victor Wembanyama. Then came De'Aaron Fox. And then, in the third game, when the afternoon had begun to sag under the weight of its own novelty, came Kawhi Leonard.
He made it must-watch. Leonard made the All-Star game matter, even as it has become a serious point of contention among those who watch.
The tone arrived early. It arrived tall.
Wembanyama set the tone in the first game of the round-robin tournament, and he set it with the casual ferocity of a man who has never learned to pretend.
The San Antonio Spurs' dexterous 7-foot-4ish center—elastic, impossible, a Gumby-esque monument to modern basketball evolution—walked onto the court, and immediately made it clear he hadn't come for the photo ops.
Wemby looked to be taking the All-Star Game seriously.
He's played defense in an All-Star Game.
In the first round of a made-for-TV tournament that most players treat as a glorified shootaround. He starts off blocking shots and dunking on people. He came to play.
"I'm matched up on you," Wembanyama told Anthony Edwards in the tunnel before they took the court, according to Edwards.
The Frenchman finished with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks in that opening tilt, numbers that tell nothing of the story.
Wembanyama contested everything. He erased shots that shooters believed were open. He moved like a guard in a center's body, like a thought in physical form, and his teammates—international stars accustomed to the All-Star's polite indifference—followed his lead.
"It's a game we love, it's a game I personally cherish," Wembanyama said. "Being competitive is the least I can do."
The World team pushed Team Stars to overtime. Edwards scored 13 points, including a game-tying 3 to force the extra session.
Scottie Barnes eventually buried a game-winning triple—the first team to five points, because everything about this format required explanation—and Wembanyama stormed to the bench in disgust.
The same fury he wears in San Antonio when rotations break down, when possessions are wasted, when excellence is betrayed by inattention. He had lost. But he had established the standard.
"[Wembanyama] set the tone, and it was definitely competitive with all three teams," Edwards said. "He set the tone, man. And it woke me up, for sure. I'm not gonna lie. He came out playing hard, so it's hard not to match that. So, [expletive], that's what happened. Sorry for my language; that's what happened, though."
Wembanyama's wake-up call reverberated into Game 2, where Team Stripes faced Team Stars with a different energy—veteran American talent against young American talent, experience versus exuberance, the past reaching for the future's throat.
Jaylen Brown poured in 11 points for Stripes. Edwards matched him. Cade Cunningham added 11 for Stars. The score tightened, twisted, refused to break.
And then Fox happened.
The San Antonio guard—Wembanyama's teammate, though they played on opposite sides in this strange format—took possession with seconds remaining and found himself staring at Cade Cunningham.
What happened next defied easy description, but let's try:
Fox put Cunningham in the popcorn machine.
Crossed him, cooked him, left him standing in a different zip code. The buzzer sounded. The ball floated through the air. The net snapped.
Stripes 42, Stars 40. Game over. Fox's dagger was still quivering in the hardwood.
That's what the fans wanted to see.
Competition had crashed the party uninvited. And the party was better for it.
By the time Team Stripes faced Team World in the third game of the round robin, the building had found its rhythm.
The experimental format—three teams, 12-minute games, a round-robin tournament and a final championship—had actually worked.
Players competed. Crowds reacted. The millionaires and billionaires in attendance forgot to check their phones.
Then the Leonard showcase happened.
The Clippers' forward, added to the All-Star Game as an injury replacement—inserted by commissioner Adam Silver like a late substitution in a play no one expected to succeed—caught fire in ways that defy statistical comprehension.
In the third game, Leonard nearly outscored Team World in 12 minutes. Kawhi-31, World 45.
The arithmetic reads like poetry. The performance played like prophecy.
Leonard shot 84 percent from the field to lead Team Stripes to a 48-45 thriller, and he did so with the aesthetic minimalism that has defined his career—no wasted motion, no excess, nothing that did not serve the singular purpose of putting the ball through the hoop and preventing the opponent from doing the same.
Eleven for thirteen from the field. Six for seven from three. Three rebounds. Two steals. 84 percent shooting against a Wembanyama—the human eraser, the league's leading shot-blocker, a 7-foot-4 nightmare who tried his best and watched Leonard shoot over him anyway.
He looked like Kawhi Jordan, and for 12 minutes, the comparison felt not hyperbolic but historical.
"We were watching it ... like, 'Damn, this guy is killing,'" Barnes recalled. "We were just like in awe. In shock, too. When a guy has it going like that, it's special. That's what the people want to see."
Edwards, waiting for the final game, approached Leonard with a message delivered through laughter and competitive terror: "I told him when we walked out for the last game, I said, 'Hey, you need to chill out.'"
He did not chill out. He could not. This is not what Kawhi Leonard does.
The Clippers fans—his fans, his city, his house—chanted MVP as the final seconds bled away.
Leonard received four MVP votes despite losing the tournament, a statistical paradox that captures the essence of his art: individual transcendence in collective defeat, beauty in the losing effort, greatness recognized even when greatness is not enough.
The postgame podium found Leonard as it always does—measured, monotone, mysteriously compelling.
The voice, barely rising above a whisper, somehow commands complete attention. The man who eschews social media's circus has mastered the older art of saying everything by saying almost nothing.
"It's been fun," Leonard said. "They always do a great job, even during our games, of just keeping us locked in and giving us energy throughout the whole 48 minutes. Los Angeles has been great."
Forty-eight minutes. Leonard spoke of regular-season endurance in a weekend of abbreviated bursts, revealing the mental framework that separates the professional from the performer.
For him, the All-Star Game was not an exception to be managed but an extension of identity—compete, always; defend, always; remain, always, the version of himself that arrived in Los Angeles as a champion and persists as a standard.
"Happy that Adam let me in," Leonard said, the two-time Finals MVP, requiring permission to participate in a showcase of stars. "That's what the home crowd wanted to see and I'm glad I was able to do something in that game."
Something. Thirty-one points in twelve minutes is not something.
It is everything compressed into urgency, the career-long narrative of efficiency taken to its logical extreme.
A reporter asked about reaching "Flow State" in front of home fans. Leonard demurred with characteristic indirection: "It's great, you know. Happy that Adam let me in."
The deflection is the message. The silence is the statement.
When another journalist noted that scoring 31 in a regular game is crazy—"obviously, Klay had the 37 in one quarter, but for you to do it against World All-Stars, does that mean anything different?"—Leonard responded with the perspective of a man who has seen everything and been impressed by little.
"No, just having fun out there. Making shots. Obviously, these guys aren't competing at a regular-season schedule game, but it's always fun to go out and compete against those guys. Cherish the court with them. They're all legends, and they're playing great basketball."
On the format—this experimental triptych of teams and timers—Leonard offered the wisdom of a man who has seen basketball's evolution from defense-first grind to offense-only spectacle and back again: "I think it was good. Didn't really figure it out till we got here. Even as the game is going on, trying to figure out the records, how you play that out, point spread, or what. But I thought it was good. I still think going back to East-West will be great—I think guys will compete still."
The competitors, he suggested, make the competition.
Not the structure. Not the stakes. The will.
When I asked the inevitable—"When you're healthy, are you the best player in the league?"—Leonard responded with the philosophy that has carried him through injury and triumph, through San Antonio's betrayal and Toronto's redemption, through the Clippers' endless promise and perpetual postponement:
"It's for you guys. For me, I think it's rotation—every day, every week, because you get guys coming out scoring 50, having great defensive games, and then the next night somebody's not playing well, somebody else is going to shine. So, for me, I think the ranking is just based on you just keeping the hype around the game."
He paused. The room leaned forward.
"But yeah, I feel like I'm one of the best at when I am playing basketball."
One of the best. The understatement is the point. Humility is the armor.
Another voice emerged from the presser: "Kawhi, in that game, obviously you're representing your home court and you're a local guy. Did you have an extra sense of motivation?"
"Yeah, I grew up coming up here watching, going to the convention center, seeing stars walk around and dreaming of being here," Leonard said. "I wanted to take the opportunity to play great, and I take advantage of it and go out there and ball. I was happy I was able to do that this year in LA."
The final question turned to the locker room mindset, the pregame conversation about competitiveness after years of criticism.
"Nothing," Leonard said. "We didn't really mention not playing hard or let's make this competitive. I didn't hear anything. We just went out there and competed. We wanted to win the game. We got competitors out there, and we got some championship pedigree. It's hard to turn off that switch when you're out there playing."
The championship game—Team Stars versus Team Stripes arrived as anticlimax.
The young Americans won 47-21, a blowout that rendered the tournament's mathematics moot.
Edwards scored eight points on 3-for-5 shooting and collected his trophy, receiving 10 of 14 MVP votes. Leonard managed one point on 0-for-4 shooting, his body perhaps reminding him that even machines require maintenance, that 31 points in 12 minutes extracts its tax.
It didn't matter. The damage was done. The statement was made.
Kevin Durant, who has seen every iteration of All-Star weekend over two decades, delivered the verdict.
"I think it was definitely a step up in the competitive department compared to last season. Kawhi was great. Ant was great. I think we did what we're supposed to do for the fans," Durant said.
What they were supposed to do. The phrase carries weight.
For too many All-Star weekends, the obligation has been entertainment without effort, spectacle without stakes.
Sunday in Inglewood offered something rarer: the genuine article, the unscripted collision of wills, the reminder that even in exhibition, excellence insists upon itself.
Wembanyama began it. Fox complicated it. Leonard, in the third game, when the afternoon had begun to drift toward irrelevance, made it must-watch—made it matter, made it memorable.
Edwards, asked postgame about the format, credited the Frenchman who started everything.
"I think it makes us compete because it's only 12-minute games, and the three different teams separate the guys. I think it was really good," Edwards said.
Leonard, asked whether the new format should stay, offered a diplomat's answer.
"Whatever you guys want. Whatever grabs the attention of the consumer, I'm for it," Leonard said.
But pressed again on returning to tradition, he allowed a small concession.
"I still think going back to East-West will be great. I think guys will compete still," Leonard said.
Maybe they will.
Maybe Wembanyama's example—his refusal to treat All-Star minutes as downtime, his insistence on playing defense in a game designed for offense—will linger.
Perhaps Fox's dagger, Leonard's clinic, and Edwards's Kobe Bryanttrophy will combine into something lasting, something more than a one-year experiment that worked despite everyone's expectations.
Or maybe it was just one afternoon. One 12-minute window where a quiet superstar reminded everyone what he looks like when the switch flips.
The lights found him, as they always do.
Not the strobes. Not the pyrotechnics. Not the manufactured glare of halftime shows and sponsored distractions.
The real lights. The ones that matter. The ones that follow greatness like memory follows meaning.
Kawhi Leonard stood at midcourt, and the Intuit Dome held its breath.
For 12 minutes, he kept it from falling.
Made it forget the compressed clocks, the sordid recent history of All-Star Weekned and the round-robin confusion. Made it remember why we watch, why we care, why a game played by millionaires in February can still feel like the only thing in the world worth seeing.
For the first time in years, the game itself felt like enough.
MW22 Talking Points: Rocking Ronaldo, Al Najmah's history, all-timer Al Somah
Another captivating round of Roshn Saudi League has just concluded, with Cristiano Ronaldo back to fire Al Nassr’s title bid, the race for the championship remaining must-see viewing, and Al Najmah making history.
On that, a trio of new managerial appointments had debuts to build upon, while title-holders Al Ittihad have a new striking hero. So, check out some of our major narratives to come from Matchweek 22.
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Ronaldo returns with a bang
Having missed the past two RSL matches, Ronaldo came back into the Al Nassr fold and immediately showed what the title challengers had been missing. OK, they did win both games in his absence, but no one grabs the headlines quite like the Portuguese superstar.
More importantly, it set Al Nassr on their way to a 2-0 victory, their seventh successive win in the RSL, and back into second, one point off leaders Al Hilal. With Ronaldo back, Al Nassr’s hopes of a first top-flight crown in seven seasons gets a considerable boost.
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Al Najmah make history - finally
Mark the date. Saturday, February 14, 2026, will forever be known at Al Najmah for the first time in history the club registered a win in the RSL, this coming via the 2-1 triumph at home to Al Kholood.
That it took Al Najmah all 21 rounds will only add to the jubilation in Unaizah; the promoted club held the unwanted distinction of being the only team ever in the RSL to fail to win their opening 20 games.
However, the victory maybe offers hope of a late-season run for the table’s bottom club, who are suddenly only seven points from safety.
Clearly, the fabled instant reaction to a fresh voice in the dugout seems to ring true. For Nestor El Maestro wasn’t the only new manager to excel on his club bow in Matchweek 22.
Only days after replacing Armando Evangelista, Fabio Carille guided Damac to a first victory in 10 rounds with a 2-1 success at home to top-five side Al Taawoun.
That the side, sitting outside the drop zone only on goal difference, rebounded from a goal down in Khamis Mushait - Yakou Meite struck twice, the winner coming eight minutes from time - speaks perhaps of a belief Carille has instilled almost immediately.
Meanwhile, although not a victory to match their relegation rivals, Al Riyadh kicked off the Mauricio Dulac era with a potentially promising 1-1 draw at home to Al Khaleej.
Indeed, if it wasn’t for Konstantinos Fortounis’ late equaliser, Al Riyadh would’ve had a first victory in 16 rounds. Still, it’s something for the promoted Under-21 coach, who replaced RSL veteran Jose Daniel Carreno, to build on.
The Morocco international, one of the heroes of that historic run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, had already found the net for his new club in midweek, in the AFC Champions League Elite.
He then followed that by opening his RSL account, too. En Nesyri headed home Al Ittihad’s first in the 2-1 victory against Al Fayha, much to the delight of the majority in attendance at Alinma Stadium. The shiny new recruit is up and running.
It’s where Al Somah fired the club to their most recent RSL title, in 2015-16, part of a period in which he clinched an unprecedented three successive golden boots.
Marc Skinner: United Women manager pinpoints trait he loves in his side
Manchester United have made an impressive start to 2026.
They have won seven matches in a row across four different competitions. The latest was an edgy 2-1 win over the London City Lionesses.
Buzzing
Manager Marc Skinner spoke to The BBC after the match and outlined his joy at his side winning ugly.
Commenting on the result, he said, “to use a Manchester term, I’m absolutely buzzing. I’m so happy for the team and everyone behind the scenes, but particularly the players.”
The head coach also opened up on the difficulty of maintaining this winning run with so many matches in such a short period.
He elaborated, “it’s not easy to come off the pitch that we played on mid-week [against Atletico Madrid], get back at 4am and produce a winning performance today.”
Skinner explained, “London City made it very difficult for us, but I just believe this team will always find a way.”
Challenges
United played particularly poorly by their high standards and managed only two shots on target in the entire match.
They also faced another injury concern with Jayde Riviere, having already lost Anna Sandberg in Madrid.
Commenting on the problems his side faced, he added, “the amount of challenges we had in the game… I put [midfielder] Lisa Naalsund in about seven different positions.”
He also argued that his side were missing their usual energy and cohesion. Not for the first time this year, he praised his squad depth, claiming the players he brought on “were incredible”.
Skinner concluded, “we just needed to get through today – we really did. The most successful teams in the country have done it for many years. Chelsea have definitely done that. We can mix our style and what you saw today was just a special spirit in the group. They never give up.”
Boston Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy addressed the media at spring training on Sunday, speaking at length on a number of topics ahead of the 2026 season.
“It was a successful offseason,” Kennedy said. “It was long, arduous, lots of scenario planning, but excited that we improved the club in many ways.”
Boston made several high-profile moves this winter, upgrading at multiple positions. The Red Sox significantly improved their starting rotation after signing Ranger Suarez and trading for Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, giving them one of the best rotations in baseball.
Sam Kennedy labels the Red Sox offseason as successful and says there’s a lot of optimism right now. Made it clear the team has “improved” as well. pic.twitter.com/eZbvvKimIR
Boston also improved at first base by trading for Willson Contreras after struggling to get reliable production there with Triston Casas’ injuries over the past two seasons. The club shored up its infield defense as well, signing multiple former Gold Glove winners in Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Brendan Rodgers.
Kennedy is hopeful those moves will help the Red Sox get back to the playoffs and go deeper into the postseason this year after they were eliminated in the AL Wild Card Round last fall.
“We said at the end of the year that we wanted to try to take that next step forward with this group in the postseason,” Kennedy said. “We obviously have a number of upgrades and additions. Time will tell, but there’s a lot of optimism in that room, I can tell you for sure.”
Boston’s starting pitching looks elite, but the lineup has some question marks given Alex Bregman’s departure, the lack of high-end power and the surplus of outfielders. The Red Sox appear to have enough arms to contend for a title, but do they have enough bats?
Liverpool want to replace Luis Diaz with risky signing worth nearly £100m
Liverpool are finally looking to replace Luis Diaz. However, this one is a £100m risk.
Liverpool controversially sold Luis Diaz without a replacement in the summer. The Reds did take in a lot of money for the Colombian - but didn’t spend it on a new winger.
And that created a huge problem. Liverpool were near-reliant on Diaz to be the forward who consistently attacked defenders one-v-one and broke the lines that way.
Without him, Liverpool just don’t have that kind of player. Rio Ngumoha isn’t quite ready and no one else in the squad offers that kind of direct running.
It’s a problem Arne Slot has voiced this season. “You always miss good players,” Slot said of Díaz this week, per the Telegraph. “He was so important for us last season."
Well, it appears Liverpool are taking action to find that replacement. It’s a risky one, though.
Anthony Gordon in for Luis Diaz
Caught Offside reports that Liverpool are looking at Anthony Gordon in a deal that could reach around £95m. Now, whether Newcastle United are willing to deal with the Reds is another matter - but there's strong interest from Anfield.
In fact, the report claims Liverpool lead the race here. They appear certain he’s the one for them, going back in for Gordon two years after they initially looked to sign him.
It would make Gordon the replacement on the left for Diaz. A direct winger who likes to consistently run forward with the ball, attack defenders and get the ball in the box.
INGLEWOOD, CA — The sound of a television could be heard from a hallway inside Intuit Dome on Sunday night.
It came from a small visitors' locker room, where the USA Stars team was watching a broadcast of the NBA All-Star Game's round-robin tournament. The USA Stripes and World teams were facing off, and the outcome would decide if the Stars advanced to the championship round.
Tyrese Maxey drank some "Cool Blue" Gatorade on one side of the room. Jalen Johnson ate some chicken tenders from concessions on the other. And in the center was Chet Holmgren, who only wanted to feast his eyes on the TV and see if his first career All-Star appearance would continue.
"I think that's the one thing that's tough about having a three-team, team-off-and-team-on thing," Holmgren said of the event's new tournament format. "We went back in the locker room for like 20 or 30 minutes while the other two teams were playing. We were kind of just chilling, sitting there and watching it."
Fortunately, Holmgren's night wasn't over. The World team lost, sending the Stars to the championship round thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker. They then secured the title by earning a dominant 47-21 win over the Stripes.
The Thunder big man came off the bench during all three of his team's 12-minute games. It's a feeling that's unfamiliar to the 23-year-old pro, who has always been one of the brightest stars on every court he's touched.
But Holmgren stayed true to his usual brand of basketball, impacting the game on both ends while playing within the team. He racked up eight points, two rebounds and a game-high two blocks on 3-for-4 shooting from the field during the title game. And he did so in only six minutes.
"I think it was great," Holmgren said. "Before, I didn't really know how it was supposed to go because I'd never gone through it. I was just kind of trying to feel out the game and play accordingly, and I think it went well. It was fun. ... I played a good brand of basketball."
Sunday's tournament isn't the biggest stage Holmgren has stepped onto. He helped OKC win its first NBA championship in franchise history last season, after all.
Still, Holmgren couldn't help but to appreciate his surroundings as he got some 3s up during shootaround.
Stars such as Minnesota's Anthony Edwards and Detroit's Cade Cunningham are usually on the other end of the court. The side that's enemy territory. But they were right next to him this time, letting it fly and doing some pregame stretches.
"I just tried to take a moment to reflect on how cool of an opportunity this is," Holmgren said. "I felt like I was pretty in the moment for the most part, just taking everything in."
Holmgren took in plenty of other cool moments throughout the weekend.
He attended a Foot Locker event on Friday, where he held a sit-down interview and a meet-and-greet with fans. He participated in the Shooting Stars competition on Saturday, where he teamed up with Toronto's Scottie Barnes and former NBA player Richard Hamilton. And he even received a ring before Sunday's tournament to commemorate his All-Star selection.
Holmgren says he didn't even know that last part was going to happen. But he'll happily add it to his growing collection of hardware.
"It's pretty sick, but I think I like our ring from last summer a little bit more," Holmgren said with a smirk.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
INGLEWOOD, CA — The sound of a television could be heard from a hallway inside Intuit Dome on Sunday night.
It came from a small visitors' locker room, where the USA Stars team was watching a broadcast of the NBA All-Star Game's round-robin tournament. The USA Stripes and World teams were facing off, and the outcome would decide if the Stars advanced to the championship round.
Tyrese Maxey drank some "Cool Blue" Gatorade on one side of the room. Jalen Johnson ate some chicken tenders from concessions on the other. And in the center was Chet Holmgren, who only wanted to feast his eyes on the TV and see if his first career All-Star appearance would continue.
"I think that's the one thing that's tough about having a three-team, team-off-and-team-on thing," Holmgren said of the event's new tournament format. "We went back in the locker room for like 20 or 30 minutes while the other two teams were playing. We were kind of just chilling, sitting there and watching it."
Fortunately, Holmgren's night wasn't over. The World team lost, sending the Stars to the championship round thanks to a head-to-head tiebreaker. They then secured the title by earning a dominant 47-21 win over the Stripes.
The Thunder big man came off the bench during all three of his team's 12-minute games. It's a feeling that's unfamiliar to the 23-year-old pro, who has always been one of the brightest stars on every court he's touched.
But Holmgren stayed true to his usual brand of basketball, impacting the game on both ends while playing within the team. He racked up eight points, two rebounds and a game-high two blocks on 3-for-4 shooting from the field during the title game. And he did so in only six minutes.
"I think it was great," Holmgren said. "Before, I didn't really know how it was supposed to go because I'd never gone through it. I was just kind of trying to feel out the game and play accordingly, and I think it went well. It was fun. ... I played a good brand of basketball."
Sunday's tournament isn't the biggest stage Holmgren has stepped onto. He helped OKC win its first NBA championship in franchise history last season, after all.
Still, Holmgren couldn't help but to appreciate his surroundings as he got some 3s up during shootaround.
Stars such as Minnesota's Anthony Edwards and Detroit's Cade Cunningham are usually on the other end of the court. The side that's enemy territory. But they were right next to him this time, letting it fly and doing some pregame stretches.
"I just tried to take a moment to reflect on how cool of an opportunity this is," Holmgren said. "I felt like I was pretty in the moment for the most part, just taking everything in."
Holmgren took in plenty of other cool moments throughout the weekend.
He attended a Foot Locker event on Friday, where he held a sit-down interview and a meet-and-greet with fans. He participated in the Shooting Stars competition on Saturday, where he teamed up with Toronto's Scottie Barnes and former NBA player Richard Hamilton. And he even received a ring before Sunday's tournament to commemorate his All-Star selection.
Holmgren says he didn't even know that last part was going to happen. But he'll happily add it to his growing collection of hardware.
"It's pretty sick, but I think I like our ring from last summer a little bit more," Holmgren said with a smirk.
Justin Martinez covers the Thunder and NBA for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Justin? He can be reached at jmartinez@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @Justintohoops. Sign up for the Thunder Sports Minute newsletter to access more NBA coverage. Support Justin's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
Macclesfield vs Brentford – Match preview and team news
The Leasing.com Stadium hosts a historic FA Cup encounter on Monday night as National League North side Macclesfield look to claim another high-profile scalp against Premier League high-flyers Brentford.
The Silkmen arrive in scintillating form, having secured six wins from their last seven league games while netting a remarkable 22 goals in that span. John Rooney’s side has already etched its name into competition folklore this season by eliminating holders Crystal Palace in the third round—the biggest upset in FA Cup history by league position.
Standing in their way is a Brentford team that has defied preseason expectations to sit seventh in the top flight. Fresh from a hard-fought 1–1 draw with leaders Arsenal on Thursday, the Bees aim to navigate a “trap” fixture and reach the fifth round for only the second time in 19 seasons.
Macclesfield vs Brentford – Match preview and team news
Date: Monday, 16 February 2026
Kick-off: 19:30 GMT
Venue: Leasing.com Stadium, Macclesfield
Referee: Darren England
VAR: Not in operation
Team News
Macclesfield
John Rooney remains without star forward Danny Elliott due to a knee injury. Midfielder Josh Kay is also unavailable as he serves a suspension for accumulating yellow cards. The Silkmen will rely on the attacking prowess of D’Mani Mellor, who has scored seven goals in his last seven outings, and former Manchester City prospect Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.
Brentford
Keith Andrews is expected to rotate his squad following a demanding week in the Premier League. Talisman Igor Thiago is likely to be rested, potentially handing a debut to 19-year-old Kaye Furo. Captain Nathan Collins could return to the starting XI after being an unused substitute in recent matches. Kevin Schade remains sidelined through suspension, while Fábio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, and Josh Dasilva continue their recoveries from long-term injuries.
Form
Macclesfield
The Silkmen have turned the Moss Rose into a fortress, taking 33 points from a possible 48 at home this season. Notably, Macclesfield have won three consecutive FA Cup matches this term. If they secure a win tonight, they would be the first team to win four in their debut season (from the first round) since Rangers in 1886. Their attack remains clinical, averaging over three goals per game in their last seven league matches.
Brentford
The Bees arrive as heavy favourites but must overcome a difficult non-league test. Notably, top-flight teams have progressed from 26 of 28 FA Cup fourth-round ties against non-league opponents. This is Brentford’s first-ever FA Cup match as a top-flight side against non-league opposition. Despite a demanding schedule, Brentford have shown defensive resilience, keeping a clean sheet in their 2–0 third-round win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Brentford XI vs Macclesfield – Predicted lineup and team news
Brentford travel to face non-league Macclesfield on Monday night while they aim to avoid becoming the latest victim of the competition’s ultimate giant-killers.
The Bees moved into the top seven of the Premier League after a string of impressive results, including a recent 1–1 draw against leaders Arsenal. Manager Keith Andrews oversaw a comfortable 2–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the third round to reach this stage. Notably, there are 122 league places between these two sides. A victory tonight would see Brentford reach the fifth round for only the second time in nearly two decades.
Brentford Team News
Keith Andrews navigates a demanding schedule that necessitates rotation. Notably, he is likely to name talisman Igor Thiago among the substitutes to preserve fitness. Consequently, 19-year-old Kaye Furo is poised to lead the attack. This could mark his professional debut. Nathan Collins returns to the heart of the defence after a period on the bench. Conversely, Kevin Schade misses out through suspension. Long-term absentees Fábio Carvalho and Josh Dasilva also remain unavailable.
Hakon Valdimarsson starts in goal. He provides Caoimhín Kelleher a well-earned rest after recent Premier League heroics. Nathan Collins partners Ethan Pinnock in a formidable central defensive pairing. In midfield, Yehor Yarmolyuk and Jordan Henderson control the tempo alongside Mikkel Damsgaard. Further forward, Romelle Donovan and Reiss Nelson provide the threat from wide areas. Notably, Brentford have never faced non-league opposition as a top-flight side in the FA Cup.
Former Blue names Chelsea’s “most improved” player under Liam Rosenior so far
Former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy believes that Joao Pedro is the ‘most improved’ player under Liam Rosenior so far.
I don’t think there would be many who would disagree with that statement either, even if quite a few of the players have improved a lot under the new Chelsea head coach.
EXCLUSIVE! Two more NEW names added to Chelsea summer list of targets – One from Wolves and one from Atletico Madrid!! 👀
Pedro has truly been on fire in the last few weeks, leading the line superbly and coming up with some very important goals too.
Chelsea paid £60 million to sign the 24-year-old from Brighton last summer and Pedro has gone on to bag 13 goals already this season. The striker has four goals and four assists in his last five Premier League outings and is really stepping up as the main man up top for Rosenior right now.
Blues boss has improved him
Joao Pedro scored his lovely chip against Leeds. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Speaking on talkSPORT, Cundy admitted that he had not expected to see the striker’s growth so quickly since the turn of the year.
Cundy said: “I think he’s probably been the most improved. I genuinely feel that his game has developed since Liam has come in. I don’t know whether that’s down to Liam or if it just coincides with Joao Pedro learning how to play that role better. His hold-up play is something I feel that he didn’t quite have because that’s a hard role.
“The number nine up front on your own, that’s a tough job. Players are now trusting him. When that ball goes in, it bounces off… like Frank Lampard used to do with Didier Drogba. That ball goes in, he knows it’s sticking and will time his run. There’s an element of that going on, we look far more fluid. At the moment, Chelsea’s best number nine is Joao Pedro and I wouldn’t have said three months ago that he would be this player. Hats off, he’s really developed. And he runs in behind as well!”
In other news today
Chelsea have reportedly laid down the most groundwork alongside Liverpool to try and sign Nottingham Forest centre back Murillo in the summer transfer window, with the defender now looking to leave his club.
Chelsea also have been linked with Juventus defender Gleison Bremer. His stats are great, but at his age and price it’s just not a deal we can see happening.
BREMEN, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 14: Manuel Neuer of Munich throws a ball during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and FC Bayern München at Weserstadion on February 14, 2026 in Bremen, Germany. (Photo by Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Unfortunately, it looks like Bayern Munich will have to go without captain Manuel Neuer for a considerable spell as his calf injury sustained in the 3-0 win at Werder Bremen was worse than initially expected. The club has confirmed that the keeper tore a muscle fiber in his left calf after a thorough exam from the club’s medical staff, though during the second half of the match and immediately following the final whistle, it was felt that Jonas Urbig entering the match to start the second half was more of just a precaution from Vincent Kompany.
Now, per information from Sky Germany, Neuer is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks (via @iMiaSanMia). During his three-week absence, Neuer will miss matches against Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Dortmund, and potentially even the matches against Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen. Jonas Urbig will stand firm in Neuer’s absence, which there can be reassurance with given how solid he has performed when he’s been called upon by Kompany.
So far this season, Urbig has made a total of eight appearances across all competitions. From those eight matches, seven of them were wins, and only one was a loss; the shock 2-1 home loss to FC Augsburg. Additionally, from those other seven appearances that were wins, Urbig recorded four clean sheets, including the 45 minute shift this past weekend at Werder Bremen. To say the least, Bayern’s keeper situation is in good hands in Neuer’s absence, pun intended.
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…
‘Everybody's going to win': Major winner has idea to shake up PGA Tour eventsNick Piastowski
One of golf’s better competitors has an idea for PGA Tour tournaments.
Competition.
Talking on the most-recent episode of GOLF’s “Subpar” podcast, Geoff Ogilvy said he knows change is coming to the Tour. There’ve been hints at what that might be. Perhaps a later start to the season. Maybe fewer events.
Pit tournaments against each other. Competition, as they say, breeds success.
“I would like to see the tournaments sort of compete against the other tournaments to be better,” Ogilvy said on “Subpar.” “I’d like to see the American Express try to be better than Torrey and Torrey try to be better than Phoenix and L.A. try to be better than Phoenix. If you have a situation where tournaments are competing, I mean, the players are going to win, everyone’s going to benefit.
“When you just say, you guys are going to be the big ones and you guys are going to be the small ones, I don’t know. I’d rather see — the Masters is the Masters because they’ve done an amazing job for 100 years. Phoenix is a great tournament because it’s an unbelievable organization that there’s a lot of people who put a lot of time and a lot of effort in making that — it’s not just a tournament, it’s just an event and it’s just a massive event. And if you had to put in that sort of effort to sort of be better than all the other tournaments, then they would all be competing against each other and then they would all fight to be special.
“There’s always going to be special events. People want to come to Phoenix because it’s an amazing atmosphere. Memorial is a great event because it’s a great course and you get treated so well and it feels special, don’t it? But they’ve done a great job at making it feel special. I think you put a bit of competition in the tournaments and they all try to outdo each other, I think everybody’s going to win.”
Ogilvy then went further.
It’d be interesting, he said, to see tournaments compete for broadcast rights.
“I don’t know if that adds up to as much,” Ogilvy said, “but if you had to be better than last week and next week because Amazon or Netflix or CBS or whoever it was, we want that tournament because that tournament’s always great on TV, well, the next week’s going to have to improve their product, they have to get better because they want to do that. And I think there would be such competition between the tournaments that the beneficiaries would be the players and the spectators and the TV audience because everyone would be competing to be better than last week and next week.
“Again, I’m way out of my lane and I don’t understand how all that stuff works. But competition is good, and I think we’ve chased this sugar hit with if you don’t have a field, you don’t have a tournament. And we’ve just bought fields effectively with money, and I don’t think money is as exciting as prestige and history.”
Editor’s note: To watch the entire episode with Ogilvy, please click here or scroll immediately below.
Former UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman some lofty goals for this year. "The Nigerian Nightmare" plans to end 2026 with two UFC titles.
"2026, we want to say, wow, I can't believe you actually pulled that off and went and not only took one title but took two and walked away, "Usman told UFC op Eurosport.
Usman, 38, held the UFC welterweight championship from March 2019 until August 2022 successfully defending the title five times. He holds the record for the most consecutive wins in the UFC welterweight division with 15. The first step in his plan is to win back the 170-pound championship. Islam Makhachev currently possesses the welterweight belt.
"Of course welterweight first because I don't think the other one happens without the welterweight one because it only makes sense. I'm in this division. I'm still there, so why not take that one first," he said.
"I think myself and Islam, Islam is a phenomenal guy, phenomenal champion what he's bee able to do. I just think, as we know, styles make a fight. And I think I'm the most difficult style for him right now, and I think I'm the best test for him because let's be honest, Islam is extremely talented. That last fight he made it look easy because the former champion just, there was a deficit in the game. And that happens to be where I'm strong as well. I think that's a tremendous matchup. I love Islam, but I think I get that title."
If he were able to secure a title fight with Makhachev and defeat him, Usman has been in the octagon with middleweight titleholder Khamzat Chimaev for 15 minutes. The two fought at UFC 294 in October 2023. Usman stepped in a late notice after Chimev's original opponent, Paulo Costa, was forced out of the bout with an elbow injury. Chimaev defeated Usman via majority decision.
"If I get that (welterweight) title, I think a lot of people wanted to see that rematch with Khamzat. I would love a full camp," said Usman. "It was too short and I've been accustomed to fighting five-round fights.
"If I was able to get that opportunity again and to actually prepare for a big, strong Khamzat because Khamzat is extremely talented. He's done everything that was asked of him to do. So, he's a good champion, and I think having given that opportunity again I would approach that fight a little different," Usman continued.
Former NFL offensive lineman Tre' Johnson died on Sunday while the family was on a trip, according to a Facebook post from his wife, Irene. He was 54 years old.
"It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my husband, Tre' Johnson, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly ... during a brief family trip," Irene Johnson wrote. "His four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock."
After playing college football at Temple, he was selected with the 31st overall pick in the 1994 draft by Washington. Johnson spent the first seven seasons of his NFL career in Washington before spending the 2001 season with the Browns.
He returned to Washington for his final season in the league, starting three of the 10 games he played in during the 2002 season.
He started 72 of the 93 games he played in, and was also named to the Pro Bowl in 1999.
The Washington Commanders posted the following on their official X account: "We're heartbroken to learn of the loss of former Washington All-Pro guard Tre' Johnson. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones."
After finishing his NFL career, he became a history teacher at Landon School, a private school in Bethesda, Maryland. Johnson had taken a leave of absence from the school due to recent health issues, according to his wife.
An athletics track at a Shropshire school is to be saved thanks to a £164,000 investment, after it has been unable to host professional competitions for almost two years.
The six-lane track at William Brookes School was primarily used for track and field competitions.
The 3-18 Education Trust, which oversees the school and announced the funds, said the track had lost its UK Athletics accreditation in 2024 due to the deteriorating condition of the surface - this meant it could not host the local Wenlock Olympian Games, which were cancelled in 2025.
Work to resurface the track will begin in May or June, making it available for students and clubs later in the year.
"We're thrilled that our students will continue to benefit from the running track for years to come," said Ruth Shaw, the school's head teacher.
"Saving this track has been a priority for us, and we're incredibly proud that our efforts mean our young people can keep training, competing, and enjoying this fantastic facility."
Wenlock Olympian Society, which is behind the Wenlock Olympian Games, worked with the 3-18 Education Trust and William Brookes School to secure the future of the track.
"With UK Athletics TrackMark certification, we hope to see athletics return to the 2026 Wenlock Olympian Games, and Wenlock Olympians Athletics Club back to training on a top-class track," said Helen Clare Cromarty, chair of the society.
"We will continue fundraising for new discus facilities and to support the next phase of the project."
He returned to Carrington at the start of December to undergo his rehabilitation with his parent club. Then, at the turn of the year, United officially recalled him from the Baggies in order to find him a more suitable place to spend the remaining months of the term.
Both United and Collyer eventually decided on Hull, who are well in contention to make the Championship’s play-off places and potentially return to the top flight for the first time in nine years.
Journo confirms fresh injury setback for Collyer
(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
However, it’s been a worst-case-scenario start for the 22-year-old.
Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall confirmed on Sunday that the on-loan Red suffered a hamstring injury in training with the Tigers last week and is now expected to miss ‘up to three weeks’ of action.
It meant that he was also unavailable for Hull’s FA Cup clash at home to Chelsea on Friday, though the hosts fell to a 4-0 defeat at the hands of former player and new Blues manager Liam Rosenior.
Collyer made his debut on February 7 via a 14-minute cameo off the bench in a 3-2 loss to Bristol City. He was shown a yellow card in his maiden outing.
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — It was an exciting day for many East Texas high school student-athletes Sunday as the rosters for the 2026 Northeast Texas FCA All-Star Games were announced.
The FCA All-Star Games started in 2011 and give these high school seniors one more chance to put on their uniforms and compete while growing in their faith.
From over 320 players nominated by their high school head coaches, 180 were announced Sunday at First Baptist Church in downtown Tyler as all-stars for football, cheer, baseball and softball.
It’s a special opportunity for these high school seniors, who will not only get another chance to play the game they love but also compete on the same all-star team with student-athletes they’d normally go up against.
The 2026 NETX FCA All-Star Baseball and Softball games are set for Friday, June 5 at Tyler Legacy High School.
The football all-star game will take place on Saturday, June 6 at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Scotland international has not slowed down one bit, scoring 10 times already this season and also notching four assists.
Naturally, his form has attracted several suitors, including his former club. The Napoli ace appears to have unfinished business back in the Premier League.
However, as relayed by F365, that dream might not be realised so soon, with the Naples-based club close to agreeing a contract extension with the midfielder.
They have reportedly offered a new deal which is valid until 2030, with the option to add another year, which would see the former United star receive a wage rise.
New contract offer on the table
The defending Serie A champions have reportedly received lucrative offers from the Premier League and the Saudi Pro League, prompting them to take action.
“Talks are progressing well for Scott McTominay’s contract extension with Napoli. Offered a new deal until 2030 + option for 2031 and an increase in salary.
“McTominay has already received two important bids from Premier League and Saudi Clubs but his priority is staying.”
It seems the midfielder’s agent has played a blinder, drumming up interest in his client by name-dropping the 20-time English league champions, and forcing Napoli to offer him a lucrative new deal.
United need a defensive midfielder, not Scott Mctominay
The truth is United do not need Scott McTominay. What they are crying out for is a deep-lying playmaker to come in and replace Casemiro.
McTominay was extensively utilised in that position by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but it was a clear case of misprofiling as his time in Italy and his last season in Manchester have shown.
What the former academy graduate is best at is playing closer to goal so as to arrive late into the box to finish off chances, a position currently occupied by Bruno Fernandes. Hopefully, this latest update will end this saga for good.
Scotland started brilliantly and never took their foot off the gas to hand Steve Borthwick's side a first defeat in 13 and improve on their dominant recent record in Calcutta Cup games, having now won six of the past nine.
Speaking to the Rugby Union Weekly podcast, former Scotland international Johnnie Beattie said: "This was special. They were humbled last weekend in Rome and this time we had a chance to humble England here and came through.
"Everything that went wrong last week was righted. We fought and scrapped for everything. It was fully deserved and a comprehensive Calcutta Cup win."
Beattie said Scotland always had the capacity to win one-off games against top sides but they needed more consistency.
"They've had these seminal moments but not put together a consistent run that would put them in a position to compete for a championship," he added.
"It's how consistently can you find ways to beat these top-level opposition and Scotland don't have the answer yet. Can you finish in the top three? There are some huge games. We have to back it up."
England went into the game against Scotland looking for a 13th straight win and a first in Edinburgh since 2020, but were unable to cope with Scotland's energy and intensity.
They lost last week's hat-trick hero Henry Arundell to an early yellow card, which later became a red, and when they threatened to stage a comeback a chargedown on George Ford's drop-goal attempt led to Huw Jones' eighth try against England - the most of any player in the Six Nations era.
"Scotland were 20 points better not 11. They were comprehensive winners," ex-England scrum-half Matt Dawson told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
"In the cold light of day England were taken apart from minute one to minute 80. Scotland were miles better."
The loss was England's fourth in their past five Six Nations away matches and Dawson questioned their tactics.
"For me it wasn't so much about the kicking game. It was like if that's not working what else are you going to do? Scotland had done their homework and defended ferociously and England were getting no change out of it, so what's the tactic?," said Dawson.
"England didn't adjust accordingly. It was a masterclass from the Scotland coaching staff because England were nowhere."
Former England winger Chris Ashton told Rugby Special he felt England looked "disjointed" and there had been a "snowball effect" as errors mounted up.
"A lot of it was not being able to handle pressure. It was one thing after another so early in the game. England lost every battle," he added.
France are the only team still capable of a Grand Slam and the unbeaten Les Bleus put on another masterclass with a 54-12 win over Wales in Cardiff.
In a blistering display of speed, scything running and joie de vivre, France made 10 line-breaks in the opening 20 minutes on their way to scoring the most points they have ever racked up against Wales, surpassing the 51-0 win at Wembley in 1998.
An agile and mobile pack, allied with a magical backline playing with total freedom, the blue shirts were like a blur leaving Wales chasing shadows.
"You look at this France team and think, who stops them? They have it all," former Scotland international back row John Barclay told Rugby Special.
Ashton said the French side could "score at will" and singled out winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey for praise.
"His all-round game is fantastic, he always seems so confident and does things not many players can," he added. "He's the go-to guy for France."
These are tough times to be a Wales fan. The hardest in living memory for a generation who grew up with regular Six Nations success and a team full of stars such as Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones.
There are many issues at play in Welsh rugby, but by any measure, recent results are a complete horror show as Sunday's record loss to France made it 13 consecutive Six Nations defeats and a 10th straight loss at home in the championship.
It's now 1,072 days since their last Six Nations victory in March 2023 v Italy in Rome and 1,464 days since their last championship win at home against Scotland in February 2022.
It appears supporters are starting to vote with their feet. The attendance against France was 57,744, making it the lowest ever Six Nations crowd in Cardiff.
But speaking after the game on BBC One, former captain Warburton was encouraged by some parts of Wales' play and said they need to look at what went well such as the maul defence, line-out and the performance of Eddie James.
"Some aspects of the game went quite well, they weren't outpowered, they were outclassed with ball handling. There are some positives to take into next week," said Warburton.
"Looking at the small wins, there's no point kicking them when they're down. It has to be how can we get better from this point? Which young players look like they've got the mentality?
"We're not trying to solve this in one week, we're in this for a couple of years so let's all get tight and every week look for small improvements and move forward."
Jones said there had "definitely been green shoots".
"The effort was there but it's international rugby and you're going to be judged on results, but it was there from an effort standpoint," he added.
Ex-England captain Martin Johnson also offered words of encouragement.
"Wales can always play and score tries, they have good rugby players so you're never that far away and they can sit there thinking they've been smashed at home against a very good French side. But there will be some games coming up where they think we can win this."
'Don't write them off' - can Ireland rediscover spark?
After losing to France in the opening round, Andy Farrell's side survived a scare against an improving Italy side fresh from a home victory over Scotland.
Ireland have won all 13 home games against Italy in the Six Nations but that 100% record came under serious threat.
Ashton told Rugby Special that Italy, who led at half-time, missed a wonderful opportunity to get a first victory in Ireland.
"It would have been a long 10 days for Ireland so Farrell would have been happy they got the win but Italy missed so many opportunities. They've got to be annoyed they didn't get the win," he told Rugby Special.
Farrell has a big decision to make before Saturday's match away at England after a difficult afternoon for starting fly-half Sam Prendergast, who was replaced by Jack Crowley, with the Munster man putting in a strong showing off the bench.
"It's hard for Ireland right now, they're in a funny place. They want success all the time and it's going to be hard for them at Allianz Stadium," Ashton told Rugby Special.
Barclay added: "They're not quite there but you don't write them off. They've got experienced British and Irish Lions and it's just small tweaks missing."
Two days before the Monaco-PSG match, in the Champions League playoff first leg, already 10 absentees are to be noted in total, but numerous other players are uncertain, including Ousmane Dembele and Maghnes Akliouche.
PSG and AS Monaco had very different preparations on Friday. While Luis Enrique's men lost 3-1 at Rennes, Sebastien Pocognoli's team won by the same score against FC Nantes with a brace from Simon Adingra, the Ivorian winger recruited this winter by AS Monaco, who will be able to play against PSG Tuesday night.
Two days before Monaco-PSG, no fewer than 8 players are already confirmed to miss the match due to injury. On the Parisian side, only one player is definitely out: Quentin Ndjantou. The young Parisian midfielder recently underwent thigh surgery and will not play again for several weeks.
Uncertainty surrounds several other Parisians, however, starting with Fabian Ruiz and Senny Mayulu, who were ruled out against Rennes on Friday. The Spanish midfielder has been absent since Jan. 20 due to the knee blow he received against Sporting CP, while the young French midfielder felt minor discomfort in his left calf this week. According to Le Parisien, both will be ruled out against Monaco on Tuesday.
According to L'Equipe, Ousmane Dembele also came out with minor discomfort against Rennes when he was substituted in the 74th minute by Goncalo Ramos. Minor discomfort that does not seem likely to call his participation in the Monaco match into question, according to Le Parisien. Injured Friday in the shoulder and replaced by Dro Fernandez in the 71st minute, Joao Neves should also be available, according to L'Equipe and Le Parisien, but that remains to be confirmed in the coming hours.
On the AS Monaco side, the infirmary is full to the brim and three long-term injured players are already confirmed to miss the match as they were completely removed from AS Monaco's UEFA list last week. They are Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino and Paul Pogba. Other players have been injured for some time and will not return on Tuesday: Lukas Hradecky, Eric Dier, Pape Cabral and Kassoum Ouattara.
During their win against Nantes, Monaco also lost Maghnes Akliouche to injury in the 41st minute. According to Sebastien Pocognoli, the French international "was hit muscularly" after "a flexion at his hip on a poorly weighted back pass." Akliouche was scheduled to undergo medical exams on Saturday and the severity of his potential injury is not yet known, but he is very uncertain about the visit of PSG.
Lamine Camara, Lucas Chevalier's best friend (sic), was substituted just past the hour mark after receiving a blow to the Achilles tendon from a Nantes player: "Concerning Lamine, it's more prevention, because he received a somewhat dangerous tackle that was surprisingly not called. It was the same for Vanderson, Zak' (Denis Zakaria) and Folarin (Balogun), whom we wanted to preserve," Monaco's Belgian coach said Friday night, sounding rather reassuring about his Senegalese midfielder.
Often injured this season and absent since Jan. 3, central defender Christian Mawissa has still not resumed group training and while he is not yet officially ruled out for Tuesday, his presence is very uncertain there as well. Monaco did, however, recover last Friday its Spanish attacker Ansu Fati, who is no longer injured and played 30 minutes against Nantes.
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☕️🥐 FC Breakfast: tricky kick-off 😂, unusual penalty shootout 😳
Atypical Penalty Shootout 😆
During the FA Cup match between Arsenal and Wigan, the mascots of both clubs engaged in a penalty shootout at halftime. The result was a victory for Gunnersaurus with a score of 3-1 against Crusty the Pie.
Arsenal's mascot even mimicked Mikel Merino's celebration.
Tricky Kickoff 😅
During a match in the Australian Women's First Division, the wind disrupted the kickoff.
Odsonne Édouard Enjoys Himself 😭
Invited on the Ligue 1+ set, Odsonne Édouard was asked about the famous sequence of the Nice commentator going crazy after his goal against the Aiglons.
Wales and Saracens rugby player Georgia Evans faced criticism over her appearance during the 2025 World Cup [Getty Images]
They are competing on the world stage at the top of their game - but it's not the sport that some spectators are focusing on.
Female international athletes have told the BBC that they experience "derogatory" and "weird" online comments about their appearance.
Wales and Saracens rugby player Georgia Evans, who was criticised during the Women's World Cup for wearing makeup and styling her hair, said how she played had "nothing to do with what I look like".
A 2025 survey by Women in Sport found the number of girls who dreamt of becoming professional athletes had fallen to its lowest level since 2020, which the charity said was because of gender stereotypes.
At the beginning of her career, Georgia said she received "derogatory" comments based on stereotypes including being referred to as a "butch lesbian".
"My sexuality has no bearing on whether I look girly, or whether I'm butch or whatever I present myself to be," she said.
"I'm not going to change who I am," she added.
"So I would still turn up on a game day with my tan done, my nails done, hair, everything."
Georgia wears her trademark pink bows at every game [Getty Images]
Georgia said the "ritual" of wearing make-up and doing her hair helped her to forget about the cameras filming her every move on the pitch.
But her experience at the 2025 World Cup tournament in England was overshadowed when she was criticised online for wearing make-up and bows in her hair, with some even suggesting that it was to blame for the team's losses.
"It wasn't just about the big pink bow in my hair, it was about the makeup that I was wearing, about how I was treating it like a fashion show," she said.
"I've worked my whole life to get to the top of what rugby is, and all of a sudden, that's been called into question because I'm wearing pink bows in my hair.
"How I play has nothing to do with what I look like."
Georgia issued a statement on social media at the time hitting back at the comments, telling her Instagram followers "a rugby player is no longer defined by your gender or what you look like".
She said people from "across the world" sent messages of support.
"It's the silver lining of those minority of comments that had come out, had caused like a ripple effect of, when I say, hundreds of thousands of people messaging me.
"Within an hour, I had to actually turn my phone off because I just couldn't cope."
Ruby Evans won a silver medal at the World Gymnastics Championship in November, with her eyes now firmly set on representing Wales at the Commonwealth Games [Ruby Evans]
For Olympic gymnast Ruby Evans, how she looks is "as important" as the gymnastics itself.
"If I have a bad makeup day and I have to compete, it's gonna be a bad day," she said.
"Everything is just like falling into place, I've trained all these weeks, and then everything just goes perfect.
"Even if it wasn't as perfect, if I look good, I'm like, 'oh, you know, it's okay."
Ruby said while the majority of the comments she received online were positive, she had notice her appearance being discussed, including a time that she chose not to wear fake tan for a competition.
"That time I did wear no tan, people noticed it," she said.
"[I] was like oh OK, right, I know people do actually notice how I look."
"Usually some men online can be quite weird," she continued.
"My audience are little girls, so if there is a comment that's a bit [inappropriate] I do delete it, just so the people who actually watch me for gymnastics don't see that side of it.
"I just want [young girls] to look up to me, I want to be a good role model."
With 56 international caps, Gwennan Harries remembers having to wear the men's kit when she competed [Getty Images]
Despite 2025 being a landmark year in women's sport, a recent survey by Women in Sport found the number of girls who dreamt of reaching the top in sport had fallen from 38% in 2024 to 23% in 2025.
That compared to 53% of boys who, when asked, said they dreamt of becoming top sportspeople.
Former Everton player and Wales international Gwennan Harries said social media had worsened the abuse faced by athletes.
The Bridgend-born striker, who is now a football commentator and PE teacher, also called for greater visibility of women's sport.
"The more inspirational women on TV who are showing their talents and succeeding, it'll feed down to the next generation," she said.
"If you don't see it, you can't be it so it's really important that those opportunities across sport are visible and is being publicized regularly with those people being treated well and respected."
Still wearing her bright pink bows, Georgia hopes to inspire the next generation of athletes.
"I liked the idea that these young girls who are probably getting the same comments as I did when I was coming through, you can see that you don't have to change," she said.
"Everybody has their right to look a certain way, be a certain way and the best thing about rugby is like, it's inclusive to every single person."
Travis Kelce made a cheeky reference to his fiancée Taylor Swift’s song “Wood” in a Valentine’s Day card. The Kelce brothers showcased their creativity for Valentine’s Day by making cheeky, punny cards. The Chiefs’ tight end made sweet references to Jumanji, his NFL career, and even Swift’s sourdough obsession. However, fans were impressed by Kelce’s witty reference to Swift’s song “Wood” in one of the creatives shared via an Instagram carousel.
Travis Kelce’s Valentine’s Day card has Taylor Swift reference
Travis Kelce referenced Taylor Swift’s song “Wood” in a Valentine’s Day card. The New Heights podcast’s official Instagram account shared a carousel showcasing their wholesome Valentine’s Day greetings. The first slide in the carousel read, “Wood you be my Valentine?” accompanied by an animated tree and Kelce smiling.
For those who missed it, this is a reference to Swift’s raunchy track “Wood” from her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl. Notably, the global pop star has dedicated the song to her fiancé. The lyrics make a cheeky reference to Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, and his manhood as well. Swift sings, “New Heights (New Heights) of manhood (Manhood) / I ain’t gotta knock on wood” (via Page Six).
Fans are loving Kelce’s sweet tribute to Swift and lavished praise in the comments section. One fan commented, “Y’all had the opportunity to do the funniest thing and you did! Good job!!!” A second fan wrote, “These are too good,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. A third fan penned, “WOOD YOU BE MY VALENTINE HAHAHAHAHAH 13/13,” accompanied by clapping emojis. Finally, one fan remarked, “The wood one is my fav.”
Fans joked that Kelce is redeeming himself after previously not understanding a witty reference to Swift’s song “Wood.” During the Wednesday, January 21, episode of New Heights, Kelce joked that “Taylor’s gonna kill me” for missing a clear reference to Swift’s song “Wood.”
The 2-0 Nebraska baseball team kept their strong offensive output to start the season going as they took on the GCU Antelopes for the 3rd straight year. After a ranked Nebraska was shocked by GCU in 2025, you could feel this team was going to take it to the Lopes early and often.
Nebraska put the pressure on in the top of the first. Getting two baserunners on, with second baseman Jett Buck singling to center field, and third baseman Josh Overbeek getting hit by and 0-2 breaking ball. They ended up not plating any runs, but put together multiple long at bats, forcing Grand Canyon starting pitcher Chase Frey have to work and throw 24 pitches. Thats a problem on the 3rd day of a weekend, especially on the opening week of a season, when pitchers aren’t stretched out to go deep into a game.
Husker left fielder Will Jesske put the first run on the scoreboard for either team when he belted a fastball right over the middle of the plate and sent it over the left field wall to the tune of 405 feet. Not bad for a number 9 hitter in the lineup. Nebraska tried to extend the lead, keeping the pressure on with back to back singles from Case Sanderson and Overbeek, but Dylan Carey struck out to end the threat. The Big Red led 1-0 after 3 innings.
Bolt’s boys kept the pressure on in the 4th and finally broke through against Frey for a crooked number. For the second inning in a row, they got the leadoff batter on, as Max Buettenback was hit by the first pitch of the inning. Devin Nunez hits a single up the middle to put runners on the corners and chase Frey from the game. Buettenback scored on a wild pitch. Then Jesske added to his big night with and RBI single, and after another single loaded the bases, Jett Buck hit a sacrifice fly to deep left field and built the 4-0 lead.
The lone blemish on Husker starting pitcher Gavin Blachowicz came in the bottom of the 4th, as the first three batters all got on base with 2 singles and a walk. GCU left fielder Tanner Johns sent the first pitch he to deep left field for a sacrifice fly. Blachowicz would rebound and strike out the next two batters, preserving the 4-1 lead. He ended up going 4.2 innings, striking out 5, and giving up 2 hits and 2 walks.
The Husker bullpen took over in the form of redshirt freshman Chase Olson, with 2 outs in the 5th. He would qualify for his first win of his Husker career and combine with Sophomore J’Shawn Unger, and highly regarded freshman Jace Ziola to throw 5.1 innings of shutout baseball, striking out 6 and only allowing 2 hits, both by Olson in his 1.1 innings of work.
Nebraska would tear the game open in the 8th. Mac Moyer, who had taken over center field duties half an inning earlier, led off the inning by drawing a walk. That was the third time the NU leadoff hitter had reached for an inning, and if you thought things went well the first two times, just wait.
Will Jesske collected his third hit on his big night, and on a failed pickoff attempt, both runners advanced a base. With the GCU infield drawn in to cut off the runner on third, Jett Buck poked a single right between short and third, scoring both base runners. Next, Case Sanderson found his patented left-center gap for a double. Overbeek then hit a 2-RBI single of his own. And Finally, Dylan Carey pulled a ball down the left field line, as the outfield was shaded completely to the opposite field. Carey would get a stand up double and Nebraska would own a 9-1 lead. Not only did that all happen by 4 straight batters, it took place on 4 consecutive pitches.
Nebraska is 3-0 for the first time since 2005. They finish off the weekend in Arizona with their toughest test, a talented Stanford team. Stanford beat #24 Arizona on opening day, but has lost to Michigan and #12 Oregon State over the last two days. First pitch is scheduled for 2pm CT on Monday.
With Cooper Katzkee being sick and unable to go Sunday, Blachowicz was moved up a day from his scheduled start. Coach Will Bolt said post game that Katzkee was still looking like he won’t be well enough to start, so Sophomore left handed Colin Nowaczyk will make the start.
And for those of you keeping track (you know who you are!), Nebraska is 1-0 in their new Championship Sunday black jerseys.
Florida State softball has concluded their trip to Clearwater, capping it off with a matchup against the Tennessee Lady Volunteers.
Lineup
SS – Isa Torres (JR)
2B – Marin Heller (FR)
3B – Jaysoni Beachum (JR)
RF- Ashtyn Danley (JR)
C – Anna Hinde (FR)
LF – Hayley Griggs (FR)
CF – Makenna Sturgis (FR)
1B – Angelee Bueno (JR)
DP – Bella Ruggiero (R-FR)
LHP – Makenna Reid (SR)
Recap
1st Inning
Makenna Reid took the circle first, as FSU was the designated home team. The Lady Vols quickly got on base, with back to back singles. With two on base, the cleanup hitter for UT took advantage, with a 3 run homerun.
In the bottom of the inning, the Seminoles faced Sage Mardjetko. Mardjetko only allowed Isa Torres to reach, and struck out two of her three next batters.
2nd Inning
Looking to respond in the home half, Anna Hinde led off with a single. Marjetko loaded the bases, adding Angelee Bueno and Bella Ruggiero with two outs. With ‘Noles at every bag, a hit by pitch to Torres made it 3-1. Karlyn Pickens took over in the circle, getting the final out of the inning for Tennessee.
3rd Inning
Reid led off with a hit by pitch, before a fly out gave FSU an out. With a runner on base, Marlee Gaskell replaced Reid. In relief, Gaskell got an out before she had two walks and three singles to her line. All hits resulted in RBI’s, making it 7-1 in favor of the Lady Vols.
7th Inning
Both pitchers kept it 7-1 going into the final inning. Gaskell had a walk before UT put two more runs on the board via a 2 run homerun. Ashtyn Danley came in to pitch the last two outs, getting the Lady Vols on a fly out and ground out.
Pickens only allowed a single in the bottom of the inning, as FSU fell to the third ranked team in the country, 9-1.
Up Next
FSU will host the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns on Tuesday Feb. 17th in Tallahassee. You can find the game at 6 pm on ACCNX
The 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend is typically an entertaining event, and this year was no different.
The event featured virtuoso shooting performances from both Devin Booker and Dame Lillard, and ultimately it was Lillard who came out victorious over Booker, despite the fact that he hasn’t played in a game all season after suffering a torn Achilles last season.
The contest delivered dramatics and entertainment. The only thing missing was the guy who is universally considered as the best shooter ever, Steph Curry.
Curry has won the contest twice before (2015 and 2021), but he didn’t participate this year. The rest of the field won’t be so lucky next year though, as Curry vowed to return to compete in the contest in 2027 and bring some friends with him.
"One hundred percent," Curry said of his participation. "I already scheduled it. We're gonna bring some people. Me, Dame [Damian Lillard], I'm gonna try to get Klay [Thompson], Dev [Devin Booker]."
With two wins to his name, Curry needs one more win in the contest to enter a tie for the most all-time with Lillard, Larry Bird and Craig Hodges. All three of those guys won the contest on three separate occasions.
Curry's participation would immediately make the event a must-see. No one wants to miss an opportunity to see a master at his craft.
OXFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Luke O'Nien of Sunderland celebrates victory following the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Oxford United and Sunderland on February 15, 2026 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ciaran McKenna says…
Enzo Le Fée — magnifique!
“Le Magician” was brilliant.
He’s really stepped it up a gear the last month or so and he kept that form up. He didn’t put a foot wrong, pulling the strings and doing his defensive duties well. He gave up the penalty, too, although I’m not 100% sure why.
The fact that we had him in the Championship last year is becoming more and more baffling each week.
Romaine Mundle impresses
He was really good yesterday.
He’s been poor in his Premier League appearances so far this season, so this was a good chance for him. He showed the ability and talent he has; his little jinking runs brought a lot of joy and he looked really dangerous.
Hopefully that gives him a good platform to push on.
A professional Sunderland performance
It was a really good, professional performance from the Lads.
It would’ve been easy to become complacent in the game and I’m glad they didn’t. There’s always a risk of faltering against lower league teams by slowing down to their tempo, but that never happened and everyone played brilliantly.
It was a tough battle at times with their directness, but we showed good team spirit and got the job done.
Sub-par displays from our strikers
Wilson Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda were poor and neither of them gave Régis Le Bris nor Brian Brobbey anything to worry or think about.
I’m aware that it must be difficult to have played so much last season and even at the start of this season only to be pushed out of the team, but Brobbey was signed for £20 million and has played really well so he deserves to start.
I love them both but Mayenda and Isidor need to improve and do more.
Lee Morrison says…
An assured performance all round
Given that we seem to have had a weekend of narrow results against Premier League opposition (Arsenal aside), it was reassuring to see such a controlled performance.
With our lineup being as strong as it was, we can rest assured that Régis Le Bris is taking the cup seriously and although we only won by a one-goal margin, we dominated in all areas.
Had their goalkeeper not performed as well as he did, we would’ve been looking at a comfortable three or four-goal win.
A strong showing from Romaine Mundle
Like many others, I’ve been bemused to see the amount of ill-advised comments about Mundle over the past few weeks, so it was fantastic to see him attacking their full back from the off.
At times, he was our strongest threat and I hope that this game will give Mundle the confidence to push on and seize opportunities when they arise.
To write off one of our own players in a much more challenging league after coming back from a serious injury is nothing short of pathetic, and I hope that Mundle gets his own “Watson-esque” moment to prove the doubters wrong.
Some absolutely atrocious commentary
Sweet Christ.
From not knowing where we’d signed players from to just blatantly spouting rubbish, I don’t think I’ve heard two worse commentators for one of our games for quite some time. Sadly, TNT Sports have a deal with the FA for several more years.
Here’s hoping we get a home draw in the next round, or at the very least, we get some more competent people to work on our game.
Greater competition needed for Brian Brobbey?
Whilst the rise of Brobbey has been something to behold, we do need other players to be available in that position.
For me, though I suppose you could put it to a lack of service at points. Wilson Isidor did very little to challenge Brobbey for that starting role up front and I was hoping that much like the West Ham home game, this would be the chance for both Isidor and Eliezer Mayenda to get on the scoresheet and show what they’re capable of.
As things stand, for me personally, there’s a gap in quality between Brobbey and his competitors.
OXFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Habib Diarra of Sunderland scores their first goal with a penalty during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Oxford United and Sunderland on February 15, 2026 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Sunderland play the conditions to perfection
With question marks over the playing surface and some pretty nasty conditions to deal with, the scene could well have been set for a classic cup shock.
However, Sunderland though approached things brilliantly, kept their heads when things got tricky and made sure they will be in the hat on Monday evening with an utterly professional performance.
Friends reunited as Doddsy returns
It was nice to see Mike Dodds back on the touchline and doing his thing for Oxford, who in recent years have been regular opponents for the Lads.
Whereas the U’s were invariably up alongside Sunderland in the League One promotion race, it’s clear that nowadays the clubs are a level apart and even though both sides worked hard, the difference was there to see when it mattered most.
Diarra makes the breakthrough from the spot
Sunderland saved their more attacking play for after the break but a rare bit of first half connectivity down their left culminated with them winning what looked like a clear penalty.
The patience, followed by some smart build up and positivity when the time was right, led to Dennis Cirkin being chopped down and whilst Habib Diarra might’ve felt like a slightly surprising candidate to take the spot kick, you can’t fault the way he dispatched it.
Sunderland hold their nerve to secure progression
That winner looked so matter-of-fact for the club’s record signing that it should be noted that Sunderland now have a squad packed full of calm, confident players that trust their own quality and back themselves — and it’s wonderful to see.
At no point did the side look panicked or fragile — Robin Roefs, for example, is able to chest down, control and play the ball better than some previous outfield players ever could, and this self-belief is a new but pleasing development at the club.
It isn’t arrogance I’m talking about, and it’s backed up by hard work and dedication, but compared to several other cup performances we could all think of over the last few years, this looked like a group comfortable with the expectations being placed on them.
Some promising cup cameos!
Jocelin Ta Bi looked to have something when introduced in the final few minutes and it’s good that a couple of youth products got a spot on the bench too.
Meanwhile, Dennis Cirkin and Luke O’Nien played as if they’d been in the side for months, so with hopes of a cup run now stirring, it’s pleasing to know there’s a bit of depth to the squad should the extra games need to be managed.
Régis Le Bris is up for the cup!
The starting eleven showed a few changes to the one that took on Liverpool, but it seemed clear that Le Bris was as keen as ever to see his team win.
This wasn’t a scratch side cobbled together in order to fulfil a fixture, but one that was balanced and well-prepped, and all the hallmarks of a classic Le Bris away win were there, with the side opening up more in the second half but always remaining solid at the back.
For all their huff and puff, Oxford rarely threatened and when they wanted to mix it in the aftermath of the goal, they found Sunderland to be more than up for the fight.
From astuteness, knowing when to take a foul and knowing when to go in search of a second, the coaching staff couldn’t have asked for much more and the cherry on the cake was that one or two others in need of a rest got to put their feet up at the same time.
Don’t be afraid to speak up, please
I must admit that prior to the minute’s applause in memory of Joey Beauchamp, I was unaware that he’d passed away a couple of years ago. I remembered the name and knew that he was a bit of a legend at his hometown club, but to learn of his subsequent battles with addiction and depression was very sad indeed.
Even though Sunderland won on Sunday, there’ll be some fans reading this that are going through enormous mental health struggles but they shouldn’t have to do so alone. Help is available and it really is okay to talk.
It had been 27 years since Brian Clough had graced the turf at Roker Park as a Sunderland player, but a record of 63 goals in 74 appearances would ensure that on this in 1991, he would receive a hero’s welcome on Wearside.
The man in charge at Roker at the time was Denis Smith, and he was beginning his fourth season as manager of Sunderland – and perhaps remarkably, it was in the First Division. After taking over from Lawrie McMenemy following relegation to Division Three in the summer of 1987, it had taken Smith only three years to return Sunderland to the top flight for the first time since 1984-85.
This meteoric rise, however, had been achieved with fortune going in our favour. Sunderland had finished 6th in Division Two the previous season and gained promotion despite defeat in the play-off final thanks to Swindon Town’s financial irregularities.
The rate of knots at which Denis Smith had dragged the club through the divisions meant that six players who were in the starting XI for Sunderland’s first game in the Third Division in 1987 against Brentford at Griffin Park, also featured in our starting XI for the opening day of the First Division campaign against Norwich City at Carrow Road – John Kay, Reuben Agboola, Gary Bennett, John MacPhail, Gary Owers and Gordon Armstrong – while a seventh, Marco Gabbiadini, had obviously featured prominently in what was at that point our only season in Division Three in the clubs history.
At our first board meeting after it had been confirmed that we would be replacing Swindon in the First Division, I asked, “what money have you got to strengthen?
At that meeting my budget for transfer fees was set at £500,000, but I was not given an increase in wage budget. So if I wanted to bring anyone in I would have to prune my existing squad first.
Denis Smith
With the money at his disposal, he signed Kevin Ball in a deal worth £350,000 from Portsmouth in view of John MacPhail’s departure, and Eric Gates was replaced with Peter Davenport from Middlesbrough, who almost broke the bank at £300,000. Despite early promise in the form of an impressive home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, which was backed up by a victory over Manchester United in the space of five days in August, Sunderland remained in the bottom six from September onwards.
By the time Sunderland were due to face Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest at Roker Park on 16th February 1991, we sat 17th and only three points above bottom-of-the-table Derby County, with only six points separating the bottom six clubs.
It was clear Denis Smith needed reinforcements for the run-in, and at the beginning of February, the board relented and handed over £225,000 for the manager to spend on Republic of Ireland under-21 international Brian Mooney from Third Division Preston North End.
Every time I had seen him he had played extremely well and looked really fast, with an ability to go past people, hurting defences. But I have to admit I got this one wrong. John McGrath stitched me up. Mooney was a bad signing. I’d go so far as to say a disaster. He seemed to be carrying an injury that affected his pace and mobility. In short he was a disaster.
Denis Smith
Snowstorms had battered England in the week leading up to the game, which was officially given the go-ahead only 48 hours ahead of kick-off. Denis Smith struggled to attend a reserve game at Elland Road to run the rule over Bulgarian international left-back Alexander Markov, who was on trial at Roker from Slavia Sofia. The evidence of the hard work to keep the game on as scheduled could be seen in the piles of snow around the edge of the pitch as the two sides took to the field.
As well as a debut for Brian Mooney, an injury to Paul Hardyman meant that 19-year-old Anthony Smith was also in the starting line-up for the first time since the end of October, when he experienced a torrid evening as Sunderland went down 6-0 to relegation rivals Derby County in the Rumbelows Cup.
Nottingham Forest, who were sitting comfortably in mid-table in the First Division, began the day as favourites, but it was Sunderland who started brightly with Gabbiadini going close early on with a header that was smartly tipped over by Mark Crossley. Gordon Armstrong also made Crossley pull off an impressive save with five minutes of the first half remaining, when he hit a shot from six yards out straight at the Forest keeper.
Sunderland finally beat Crossley from the resultant corner to take the lead, when a well-worked set piece resulted in Colin Pascoe finding Kevin Ball at the back post, who headed back across goal for Marco to nod in from close range. It was Gabbiadini’s ninth goal of the season in Division One, but his first goal in ten games.
At the beginning of the second half, Roy Keane almost set up Phil Starbuck, who saw his shot saved smartly by Tony Norman in the Sunderland goal. Denis Smith’s side could have extended their lead late on as a long ball by Kevin Ball set Gabbiadini free beyond the Forest back four, but brave goalkeeping at the striker’s feet once again saved the day for Clough’s side.
Sunderland held on for all three points to pull six points clear of the drop, but despite the fact that only two sides were relegated that year due to the expansion of the top flight to 22 teams, Denis Smith’s side ended up as one of them. Almost doing enough, despite the lack of support for the manager in the transfer market, but fell at the final hurdle against Manchester City in May.
Bob Murray accepts that this was a mistake now. More than it was a big error that would eventually destabilise the club and my career, sending both into a wilderness from which neither would recover for some years. If we’d realised the opportunity in 1990 that was there for us to push on then Sunderland could have been amongst the top five or six teams in the country, but we didn’t.
Chelsea have done most groundwork: Blues looking at move to sign new centre back
Chelsea have reportedly done the most groundwork, alongside Liverpool, to sign Nottingham Forest centre back, Murillo.
The Blues have been linked with him quite a few times recently, and it is a name that does not seem to go away suggesting that it could be a serious move that they look to try and pull off.
EXCLUSIVE! Two more NEW names added to Chelsea summer list of targets – One from Wolves and one from Atletico Madrid!! 👀
Doing groundwork on a deal is something that clubs will do all the time, mainly with the agent of the player to make sure that there is an interest on the player side as well, before moving on to negotiate a fee with his club.
Blues get to work
Murillo arrives for a Nottingham Forest match. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
According to a report from TEAMtalk this week, Murillo is preparing to leave Nottingham Forest this summer.
His camp ‘are actively assessing potential landing spots’ right now ahead of the summer window at the end of the season.
The report goes on to say that Chelsea and Liverpool have done more groundwork on Murillo than any other club over the past 12 months, with both sides even weighing up bids last summer.
Chelsea are still looking for a new centre back despite bringing back Mamadou Sarr in the January transfer window, and it appears that Murillo is certainly one name to watch here.
In other news…
Cole Palmer has fired himself into the league’s top players in terms of xG per 90 and goals per 90. A nice rest this weekend gives him an even better platform to perform this weekend when we play Burnley.
Chelsea also have been linked with Juventus defender Gleison Bremer. His stats are great, but at his age and price it’s just not a deal we can see happening.
OXFORD, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 15: Sunderland captain Luke O'Nien celebrates on the final whistle during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Oxford United and Sunderland on February 15, 2026 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) | Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
It was an intriguing team selection from Régis Le Bris, with Dennis Cirkin, Luke O’Nien, Lutsharel Geertruida, Romaine Mundle and Wilson Isidor all starting despite seeing far less game time in the Premier League, yet on reflection, this worked quite well.
O’Nien picked up “player of the match” from the TNT Sports team (I would’ve given it to Mundle), and maybe deservedly so, although in the first half he did have a few shaky moments against the Oxford forward line.
In the past, Mundle has proven himself to be good enough to challenge any Championship defence, and he battered the left side of Oxford defence throughout his time on the paddock. He probably deserved a goal and I’m sad he didn’t get one as it would’ve helped his confidence for sure.
He played with flair, swagger and attacking intent, and it was great to see the lad who excelled so often in our Championship season looking more like his old self.
Geertruida did a decent job in the middle of the park, doing very little wrong but keeping things ticking over, and of the lesser regulars, the only player who didn’t really shine for me was Isidor.
After we went ahead just after the half hour mark from the spot kick earned by some tricky dribbling by Cirkin inside the box, Oxford had to have more of a go but Isidor didn’t really shine by getting in behind when they had a valiant pop at us, using the pace and skills that we know he has.
He had an early chance after being fed by Chemsdine Talbi but could only find the side netting, and although Isidor hasn’t had much football this season — which may be a factor — I think he may be somewhat disappointed that he was given this chance to show his abilities and it didn’t really come off.
Sunderland’s Premier League regulars also showed why that was the case yesterday.
Robin Roefs had very little to do but when called upon for the odd shot, high ball to gather or distribution to sort out, he did very well. Trai Hume was strong both in defence and in building attacks from midfield, and stung the gloves of the Oxford goalkeeper around the hour mark.
In midfield, Habib Diarra bossed the middle of the park very well at times, and showed the coolness we needed when presented with a penalty which he scored with aplomb and that ultimately led to our win.
With Enzo Le Fée and Talbi pirouetting and driving around Diarra, the creative engine worked quite well, although better after the goal and in the second half than before that. The first twenty minutes weren’t great, with our passing being too slow and the class not really showing between the sides, but the Lads and the substitutes who came on got the job done.
I’m sure the head coach will be reviewing that game and considering who did enough to influence his choice of starting eleven for the Fulham game, and what about Jocelin Ta Bi?
I thought his cameo was very promising and although it was against a tired Oxford side, the close control, skill and pace he demonstrated gave the fans a clue as to why we grabbed the chance to take this lad from Israel and decided to invest in his future.
For some time we’ve really struggled with making good ground and creating changes out wide, especially on the right and with Bertrand Traoré injured for a number of weeks.
If this lad can continue to impress the coaching staff, I see no reason why he can’t get more minutes in the team — including in the Premier League this season. He’s a young prospect with a lot of promise and if he can grow into a star of the future, he has to start some time. Why not now, or at least very soon?
While Oxford are languishing in the bottom two of the Championship with only Sheffield Wednesday to look down on in terms of league position, they put in a sturdy fight at the Kassam and probably deserved not to lose by more than one or two goals.
Yes, perhaps we should’ve taken more from the seventeen shots (nine on target) that we created, but credit has to go to Oxford for how they blocked and battled in a way that defied their present league position and which stopped us from putting the game beyond doubt earlier.
The referee was poor for both sides and the TNT commentary team made a lot of the Le Fée yellow when it was nothing more than that for me. Mayenda took a kick somewhere in between his family jewels and his solar plexus just inside the ninety-minute mark, and didn’t even get a free kick!
It wasn’t great officiating but it was balanced pretty well in terms of poor decisions. Not a great advert for FA Cup refereeing but the man in black didn’t change anything major for me.
Yes, there were a few decisions for the Oxford fans which could’ve gone the other way, but there were a few that went the other way too.
The penalty was a penalty; we massively outperformed Oxford, we rested a few of the lads and took on no new injuries, and we deserved our place in the last sixteen for tomorrow evening’s draw.
In my view, we now move on and give this cup a real pop. Our survival in the league looks highly likely, so why not have a go at the FA Cup and a top eight finish?
Mohamed Salah was speaking from a position of experience and expertise. “He is one of the best players in the world right now,” said a man who could have been described in such terms for much of the past decade. Many a Liverpool player in that time has been asked to eulogise about Salah. Now it may have been a sign of a shift in the pecking order at Anfield that he was being invited to praise Dominik Szoboszlai.
Salah did, and willingly. While, when the Egyptian was dropped in November and the Hungarian took his spot on the right wing, they are friends, and when Szoboszlai has borrowed Salah’s yoga-inspired goal celebration against Barnsley, it was an affectionate tribute. Now, in another role reversal, Szoboszlai has outscored Salah.
‘One of the best in the world right now’: Liverpool have a new talisman in Szoboszlai (REUTERS)
Arne Slot has had his disagreements with Salah this season but, without going quite as far as the winger, said: “I think there are a lot of very good-to-elite football players in the world but I definitely agree with Mo that Dom is one of them.”
A statistic may support that argument. Szoboszlai’s latest all-action display came against Brighton in the FA Cup but this season, only Kylian Mbappe has more goal contributions in the Champions League. He has eight, scoring four, assisting four. There are big contributions among them. Szoboszlai has a late winner against Inter in San Siro. He supplied Alexis Mac Allister for the only goal against Real Madrid. He took the corner for Virgil van Dijk’s injury-time decider against Atletico Madrid. He put Liverpool ahead in Marseille.
No wonder, then, that Salah said: “This season we rely on him so much.” There had been, however, a temptation to wonder if his status would slip this season, following the arrival of Florian Wirtz. Instead, he has started every Premier or Champions League game this season, apart from when he has been banned. It was evident Slot liked Szoboszlai in his debut year at Anfield; but it was notable, too, that the head coach said that, to play in midfield for Liverpool, you had to score goals. The Hungarian got too few, eight in 49 then.
“When said that I maybe had to add that you need to run a lot if you play in the midfield for Liverpool,” said Slot now. “But I think what I meant was, as a No.10, you need to produce goals.”
Which Szoboszlai is now doing, but from a variety of roles. He reached double figures for the campaign on Saturday – equalling his best return for RB Leipzig – but the 10th came with a powerful surge from deep as a central midfielder. His spectacular free kicks against Arsenal and Manchester City each came when operating as a right-back. “He hasn’t always played in the No 10 position but is producing more and more goals,” noted Slot.
Part of it stems from his set-piece expertise; so do his assists. Szoboszlai can take free kicks that Salah used to get or corners that, in previous years, would have gone to Trent Alexander-Arnold. He has long struck the ball in a way that exudes class. Now it brings more menace. More excitement, too: when striding forward but outside the box on Saturday, the Liverpool faithful were calling on him to shoot.
(REUTERS)
When he does, he seems to be turning Liverpool’s goal-of-the-season award into a one-man contest. Their player of the year prize had already felt decided: Szoboszlai again. One comparison with Liverpool’s past could be Danny Murphy, their player of 2002-03 but in a disappointing campaign when too many others underachieved.
Yet the barnstorming run that brought his goal on Saturday and his ferocious long-range shooting are more reminiscent of perhaps Liverpool’s most iconic captain, who was also no stranger to starring as others struggled. “Actually, I am not playing a Steven Gerrard season although he was a legend for the club,” insisted Szoboszlai. “I try to do my own story.”
Everything in it can revolve around him. He seems to have inherited some of Gerrard’s main-character energy. Szoboszlai has gone into overdrive in 2026. In his last nine games, he has five goals, two assists, one goal given away in ridiculous fashion against Barnsley and one red card. He was man of the match at Arsenal and, had Liverpool held on to their lead against Manchester City, probably would have received the award again. He has looked a worthy inheritor of Gerrard’s No 8 shirt.
Szoboszlai’s style and drive are reminiscent of another Liverpool No 8 (AFP via Getty Images)
He may yet get his armband. Szoboszlai looks a leader and a path to the captaincy is opening up. Alexander-Arnold left last summer, Andy Robertson may follow this, perhaps Salah too. Virgil van Dijk has 18 months left on his deal and is 34. Szoboszlai seems a possible successor.
“He is still young,” warned Slot. “He has a lot of attributes already, especially when it comes to leading by example. There is still a step to make in terms of leadership, a voice in the dressing room if I compare him to Virgil, which is completely normal. Virgil is 34 and has seen [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson and these players, so it’s really good for Dominik that he sees Virgil.”
But when Salah sees Szoboszlai now, he believes he is watching one of the world’s best players. And that is a sign of what a stunning season the Hungarian is having.
“One cliche I hear more than any is: ‘Why don’t you go to schools, or do kids for a quid?’
“But that undermines the product — which is elite competition.”
Aston Villa’s managing director Maggie Murphy is talking to The Athletic about the responses she gets when she discusses her job of trying to attract more fans.
Historically, the core selling points of women’s football have been the game’s commitment to inclusivity, its greater accessibility and intimacy with players, its lower ticket prices and sense of safety for children and parents. These points coagulate nicely under the term “family-friendly”.
Two responses to the phrase “family-friendly” are often to either recoil or hug it tightly.
This was a logical marketing strategy for clubs, particularly in the women’s game’s nascent years: presenting themselves as a kind of counter-culture to the historically more expensive and restrictive culture of men’s football.
To be clear, none of these family-friendly attributes should be abandoned.
Yet, in January, Arsenal fans were found sitting freely in the Chelsea home end at Stamford Bridge. After filing a complaint with the club, a Chelsea supporter received an email stating that the true spirit of women’s football was in its inherent inclusivity. Designated home and away ends, apparently, impeded this.
Ignoring that Chelsea’s sentiment is in direct contravention of its own club policies and that it did nothing to halt unsavoury clashes, the club’s decision spotlighted how family-friendly has become a major fissure upon which women’s football has come to rest this season.
While family-friendly embodies the values of inclusivity, equality and accessibility, it has also come to be a byword for diluted sport, something too terrified to alienate anyone that it risks forfeiting its ability to meaningfully connect with anyone.
As the game expands, so does the demographic. Which begs the question: How logical is it to continue hitching oneself so singularly to the family-friendly wagon? At what point is it worth fashioning an identity beyond that, one that differentiates you from the rest of the family-friendly atmospheres out there?
In the WSL, no club has been better at doing that than Arsenal, as shown by regularly selling out the Emirates and shattering domestic attendance records.
But it is a question that other WSL and WSL2 clubs, particularly those whose women’s football journeys lack the heritage of Arsenal or the success of Chelsea, are attempting to wrestle with in real time.
“We should be bigger than we are,” says Sarah Breslin, co-founder of fan group Villa Bellas. “We should have much higher attendances. It’s about capturing that.”
Arriving at Villa in August, Murphy has been tasked with doing just that, from growing attendances to its commercial growth and independent restructuring. Hosting the clubs’ first fans’ forum for the women’s team was the first step, something Breslin admits was an “abnormality” that brought an immediate “culture shift” regarding fan engagement.
“Figuring out our identity is crucial,” she says. “We have to have something to say, to present ourselves in a particular way. ‘Who are Aston Villa? What do we stand for?’”
While Villa’s men’s team are third in the Premier League and have a rich history, the women’s team is more humble. Not until 2019-20 did they win promotion to the English top flight. Their highest-ever WSL finish is fifth in 2022-23.
The views of Villa Women’s identity range from a place for new fans of football to congregate to a connection point for family members to another opportunity to support the club.
Murphy has attempted to build pre-match activities that reflect this.
Sunday’s pre-match fanzone before Villa’s 7-3 WSL defeat to Tottenham Hotspur — which has been held inside Villa Park’s Holte End since January due to the reliability of British weather — included local comedians cracking jokes on stage and pints being poured, while kids found glee in an arcade-style basketball game and a kickabout on a small, makeshift pitch. In a few weeks, former England internationals Karen Carney and Jill Scott will host a live podcast, an event that is nearly sold out.
Earlier this year, Murphy introduced a “12-player challenge”, which featured fans pitching ideas to grow the fanbase, with the winning pitch voted on by a panel of Murphy and three players receiving funds from the club to help bring the ideas to life. The winning bid will see the creation of a mini fan-docuseries as well as women’s team song sheets.
“I’m trying to create the club environment that I wish existed when I was going to games as a fan, which is being accessible to everyone, but not limiting,” Murphy says.
Of course, that doesn’t mean tens of thousands are flocking to Villa Park. Sunday’s match against Spurs attracted just over 2,500 inside the 42,640-seater Villa Park.
The temptation is to dwell on that. Before the 2025-26 season, there was a focus on the 10 per cent drop in attendances (down 7,361 to 6,661) from the previous season, according to Women’s Sport Trust (WST) data. There was a notion that the 2025-26 WSL season could not afford to follow suit, especially after another European Championship victory for England.
Over the first six match rounds, however, the average WSL attendance was 6,500, a one per cent decline from the corresponding period last season, according to WST.
Yet, there are challenges beyond Murphy and others’ control, such as results on the pitch (Villa have lost four of their last five matches) and kick-off times.
Since September, WSL matches have been almost exclusively wedded to a largely 11.55am or 12pm Sunday slot on Sky Sports, a point of chagrin to several clubs who are attempting to grow attendances via pre-match activations.
“Then you’re asking talent to perform at 10.30 in the morning ahead of a 12pm kick-off,” says Murphy. “Kids and their parents have Sunday morning football. We’re trying to work with the universities, but university students coming out here at 10.30 on a Sunday morning? Probably not. So who are we going for? Mates that want to get together for a beer? At 10:30 in the morning?
“The data we know around women’s football fandom is that people like to make a day of it. We know that people spend more money per head than fans of men’s sport. But we’re almost cutting off our hands.”
Murphy does not blame WSL Football for the time slots, which are ultimately decided by Sky Sports and BBC, whom the WSL signed a historic £65million five-year deal with before the season.
Murphy is not alone in attempting to unravel the riddle that is growing attendances. The growing consensus around the league is that Arsenal’s success is as much a function of investment and careful curation as time. Growth has never been linear. It requires patience and building a discernible identity.
And for all the activations she can provide, Murphy knows identity is predicated on the football itself.
“Women’s football is a product on the pitch as well,” she says. “I want people to have a great day regardless of what happens on the pitch. But that only works for the people who regularly come. The people who have not come yet are not necessarily going to come to a football game just because we’ve got a live podcast on.
“But you have to trust your North Star,” she adds. “Match experiences can be really flat in women’s football. I want Villa to be the heart of the WSL, right in the middle of the country.
“We don’t want people to be driving past the motorway and not coming to Villa Park. They need to be coming here because they want to be here, because they’re having a great time.”
Wales head coach Steve Tandy is a former defence coach with Scotland and British and Irish Lions [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Another heavy defeat for Wales. Yet another record loss at the Principality Stadium.
It is hard to judge Welsh rugby results these days after Steve Tandy's side suffered a 54-12 thrashing by France in Cardiff. It is just the same old story as they now turn their attention to the visit of Scotland next Saturday.
Wales suffered more misery as Les Bleus romped to an eight-try victory with the hosts wilting again for a 13th straight Six Nations defeat.
France transformed a Test match into an exhibition of carefree rugby as the visitors claimed their biggest Six Nations triumph in the Welsh capital.
Home hammerings have become the norm with Wales having conceded 50 points on more than five occasions in under a year at the Principality Stadium.
Argentina, South Africa, England and France have all achieved record wins in Cardiff in the past 11 months, while Wales have now suffered 10 successive Six Nations home losses in a sequence that stretches back four years.
Welsh rugby is in continued disarray and has suffered a new lowest ever Six Nations crowd for Cardiff, as supporters begin to vote with their feet.
French fans took over the Principality Stadium and Welsh rugby bosses should be grateful they attended in such numbers.
Given all of this, you might have expected to see a dejected Welsh response after the game. Witnessing the players in another losing huddle after even more heartbreak is tough to watch.
Wales coach Tandy tried to remain positive, viewing it as an improvement on the opening 48-7 defeat by England - correct, although coming from a very low bar.
There should not be much cause for optimism but Wales are desperately trying to find it as they cite a better set-piece and discipline.
"We are disappointed with the scoreline but there was more in us in parts of the game," said Tandy.
"I know you're all looking at me like I'm stupid, with the path we're on, but there were glimpses with the set-piece and intent of how we wanted to go after the game.
"There was enough where we can go back on Tuesday and work on things.
"It's not the scoreline we want but it's part of the journey we're on. Every nation is at different stages.
"We've got to focus on the things we did better, like discipline, and recognise there's areas we need to grow."
How do Wales justify progress to fans?
This was the fifth time in six games under Tandy that Wales have shipped more than 40 points.
There have been 302 points and 42 tries conceded during Tandy's tenure, an average of 50 points and seven tries per game.
Wales have now lost 23 out of the previous 25 Test matches since the 2023 World Cup.
So Tandy was asked how he could justify any positivity to fans who had witnessed Wales suffer another heavy defeat.
"I'm a coach, I understand as well," said Tandy.
"Most people see the outcome and people will comment on things without always seeing the data.
"I've got an understanding of where we are. We've got young players and combinations coming in, we have to go through and experience it."
Tandy insists his view is an optimistic one.
"I knew the challenge that it was, coming into Wales," he added.
"It excites me about where we can go. Hopefully we can look back in 18 months time or whenever it is, and this was a part of it.
"We can't click our fingers and be one of the best in the world. It's a process."
'We have played the best sides in the world'
Tandy also pointed to Wales having played the top four ranked sides in the world in the past four matches, with those losses against New Zealand, South Africa, England and France.
"There's also the context of the six games we've played," said Tandy, whose solitary win came against Japan with the last kick of the game.
"If you look at the teams we're playing, not that it's an excuse for the numbers of points we're conceding, we're playing ruthless sides.
"So there has to be an understanding of who we're playing. We know where we want to be as a team, but also know where we are.
"We're 11th in the world and have won two in 20-plus games."
The former Ospreys coach insists patience is required, stressing improvements "won't come overnight".
"For me as a coach, it's seeing where we are growing," outlined Tandy.
"You might not see the bits adding together but I believe it when I'm seeing the training week, with the mindset of the boys and how they keep coming back.
"We've got some young kids and it'll take time."
Conceding 50 points is demoralising
Tandy accepted it was demoralising to concede more than 50 points again at home.
"That's where we're at this time," said Tandy.
"We've conceded lots of yellow cards and points.
"It's not an effort-based thing. There's things we need to tidy up.
"It's something we're working hard to address."
The former Scotland and Lions defence coach insisted there is a balance to getting everything right as a team.
"It's at the forefront of what we're trying to do but with the game at the minute, there are more points being scored than before.
"With the way it's being refereed, you get on the wrong side of them and it can rack up pretty easily.
"It's something we're working hard to address. We're not going to win games by conceding 50 points.
"We're keen to address and build confidence in what we're trying to do."
Wales were much more positive - Lake
Wales captain Dewi Lake will leave Ospreys and join Gloucester next season [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Wales captain Dewi Lake agreed with Tandy's assessment that his side had delivered an improved performance against France.
"It's weird to say looking at the scoreline but we were much better than we were last week for large parts of that game," claimed Lake.
"France are a team near the top of the world and can create things out of absolutely nothing.
"They scored some world-class tries and have some world-class individuals.
"We know there's things to mop up but we won't hide away from that fact, or that we're disappointed with the scoreboard.
"But, all in all, we were much more positive."
Lake says the character of his squad cannot be questioned.
"The boys are never going to give up on a result or a Test match or a ball on the floor, anything like that," said Lake.
"As captain, I don't need to say anything. Those boys are ready to go anyway."
Welsh fans will not doubt the players' heart.
They are, though, right to question the quality of the national squad and the WRU's stewardship of the game in Wales.
Record defeats are being normalised and the world rugby public are pitying this once proud nation.
That is where Welsh rugby currently stands. It is hard to be optimistic about that.
Arizona softball coach Caitlin Lowe speaks to reporters. Photo by Ryan Kelapire
Arizona softball wrapped up the Bear Down Fiesta on Sunday with an 8-0 victory over Creighton to move to 8-3 on the season. Our recap of the game can be found here.
Below is what Caitlin Lowe, Tayler Biehl and Emma Kavanagh had to say after the game:
Lowe on Arizona winning despite not having Regan Shockey: “Yeah, she just wasn’t feeling very well, which was honestly, I mean, it’s never a good thing, but it was nice to get Tele (Jennnings) a start and get her some at bats today, which felt great. It was nice to get (Addison Duke) in in centerr and kind of see just how everybody stepped up around that decision. (Sereniti Tric leading off was great to see that. And they just kind of went to work. So it was great. It was like a next man up situation.”
On how the team’s pitching did this week: “I think after Friday, I was happy with everything, honestly. I think the pitchers were fantastic, super sharp, excellent at their role. I thought behind the plate, we did really well stealing strikes. Emma (Kavanagh) did a great job today. (Sydney Stewart) did a great job all weekend. And Grace (Jenkins) kind of getting thrown back there for an inning. And then defensively, like I was telling Christian, they rolled some really tough ground balls to our infield today, and they made it look pretty seamless. So Bitty staying with one. Jenna really working through a couple hard ones. So I thought, all in all, really great stuff.
On what Kavanagh provided this weekend: “She’s uber competitive. Obviously wants every single at bat she can get, and she does a great job for us behind the play. Brings a lot of energy. A lot of different things than Stew brings. They have different strengths. It’s great to see her come through there at the end. And you obviously want to be able to put someone away when you can against a really good team. So yeah, just excited for her and her growth, and the versatility is crazy. And so the buy in for us, being able to do different things is going to be really important this year. And I’ve been extremely confident with everyone coming off the bench. And two of our best at bats this weekend were pitch hit at bats, which was really cool to see, too. Just being ready.”
On Biehl producing from multiple spots in the lineup: “Well I think this year specifically she’s so bought into the offensive piece of her game, and that’s been really exciting. Because we’ve all known she’s had it in her. It was just her, just remembering that she had it in her. And what we were seeing kind of on Friday was just, there’s so many people that were tight, and Tayler was having loose, confident at bats. I mean, from game one through the the entirety of everything that we’ve done so far. So we were just like, we’re gonna stack it, like the confidence, the swagger, and then it felt like everybody relaxed after that. So wanted to mix it up and just keep trying something new. And I think we’ve done a really good job. It’s hard to do sometimes, but we’ve been committed to making different things happen.”
Biehl on whether she’s changed her approach at the plate: “No, definitely not. I feel like with Sereniti and Regan being in front of me for most of the game this weekend, it was like they were gonna get on base. So I just need to do my job of bunting and just moving them over and playing my type of game. So no different approach, just different people in front of me, behind me, when I’m high fiving the lineup, but I’m still trying to do my thing and just do my job, regardless of if there’s corners on base, nobody on two outs, whatever that is.”
On being told she’d be moving up in the lineup: “Not much, just to keep doing what I’m doing. They have faith in me to be moved up in the lineup all over right now, and so just continuing to channel that faith that everybody has and all my teammates and stuff having in me. So nothing much, just to stay true to who I am.”
Kavanagh on her performance: “It was just great day to be alive as usual. I think our hunger was what showed on the field, was wanting it more than everybody else, no matter what happened in the at bat, before, after you, and even your own at bat. And I think that’s just what fed me today, was being able to play the sport I love every day, and I just let the hunger go.”
On whether there’s a different approach when she’s behind the plate vs. being the DP: “No, I show up pretty much the same every day. I’m a pretty out there person. And today I just was excited to get to catch Jalen (Adams). Her stuff was legit, and she just looked fantastic. And then when I DP, it’s just the same mentality of swing, big, miss big if I want to.”
On the catching group: “Fantastic. There is nothing other than that to say about this group of catchers. Everyone has their own strong suit of something, and I think that’s what makes us the best catching, probably in the country. I’m going to say, and I know we show it every single day, and it’s just the versatility we have is unbelievable. Between two righties and a lefty catcher. It just brings really good, really good versatility.”
For the past year, U.S. World Cup roster candidates have made their case at training camps and tournaments, in friendlies and knockout matches. But because the team assembles infrequently, weekly performances with clubs spread across Europe and North America will figure into coach Mauricio Pochettino’s decisions.
Which is why, with only the March camp remaining before he selects the 26-man roster for this summer’s soccer festival, he and his staff are keeping close tabs on players toiling in their full-time jobs.
For many players, fluctuations will not impact their standing with Pochettino. Of course, it’s beneficial to enjoy an upswing in form and production before a U.S. camp. Conversely, substandard performances, lack of playing time or an injury could have adverse effects.
With that in mind, here are five players on the rise and five facing adversity a month before Pochettino sends out invitations to the March 23-31 camp for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta.
Trending up
Patrick Agyemang’s leap of faith is paying off. The 6-foot-4 striker left behind his ascending Major League Soccer career last summer for his first contract overseas, with Derby County in the second-flight English Championship.
Had he failed to earn consistent playing time and record goals, the Connecticut native would’ve fallen off the U.S. radar. Instead, he is soaring.
Saturday’s second-half header against Swansea City raised his goal total to 10, tying him for the club lead. Mixing in his three assists, Agyemang leads the Rams in overall production and has helped lift them into contention for the promotion playoffs.
Make it 10 Championship goals for Patrick Agyemang this season 🇺🇸
Agyemang, 25, was invited to U.S. camp in October but not in September and November. However, fellow Americans seemingly higher on the depth chart are in a rut overseas — more on them later — and Ricardo Pepi remains sidelined with a fractured forearm. Those factors, combined with Agyemang’s productivity, should bolster the former Charlotte FC standout’s chances for a March call-up.
Weston McKennie’s place on the national team is ironclad, but as a driving force at Juventus under a new coach this winter and playing any number of positions while contributing mightily to the Serie A and Champions League campaigns, the U.S. veteran is enjoying perhaps the best soccer of his life.
McKennie was at it again Saturday, registering two assists in a 3-2 loss at first-place Inter Milan. He has made 26 consecutive starts across all competitions and posted four goals and four assists in Italy, plus three goals in the Champions League, which will continue Tuesday with a first-leg playoff match against Galatasaray.
Andrea Cambiaso has a goal at both ends of the pitch as he equalizes for Juventus ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/7JKdDOyZAf
Offering quality in several jobs, McKennie has lined up recently as a central attacking midfielder. Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti has gone as far as saying the American is the “perfect central striker.”
McKennie’s resurgence comes as his contract nears its expiration this summer, prompting talk of a big pay raise to stay at Juventus or a free transfer to another major league.
Tanner Tessmann is on the rise because he is a regular starter for one of the hottest clubs in the world, Olympique Lyonnais, which on Sunday extended its winning streak to 13 across all competitions with a 2-0 victory over Nice.
In his second season in France, the 24-year-old midfielder has played in 20-of-22 Ligue 1 matches, starting 17. Lyon has ascended to third place, which would earn a Champions League berth next season, and pulled within six points of Paris Saint-Germain and seven of Lens with 12 matches left. In the Europa League, Lyon was the best team in the first stage and earned a bye to next month’s round of 16.
With the national team, Tessmann has made a strong case for starting in the two-man defensive midfield set-up that Pochettino has often deployed.
Speaking of defensive midfield, World Cup incumbent Tyler Adams makes this list, not because of performance but simply because he is healthy again. Expected to miss two to three months with a knee injury, Adams returned to Bournemouth’s match-day roster in less than two months.
He has not played since Dec. 15 but was available last Tuesday at Everton and, after the club’s weekend off, might see action Saturday at West Ham. Barring a setback, Adams is on track for a U.S. call-up next month.
With some uncertainty in the U.S. center-back corps, Auston Trusty is making the most of his opportunity at Scottish club Celtic.
Helping fill the void left by countryman Cameron Carter-Vickers’ Achilles’ tendon injury in October, the 27-year-old Trusty has gone the distance in 23 of his past 24 consecutive appearances across all competitions. (A red card prevented him from finishing that one match.) He also scored in back-to-back Europa League matches last month.
Chris Richards and Tim Ream are certain of making the World Cup squad, but Trusty is in the mix with Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, Noahkai Banks, among others, for one of at least two additional spots.
Monaco's Folarin Balogun continues to struggle, but is still one of the USMNT's best options at center forward.
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Strikers are streaky, and right now, Folarin Balogun is on a bad streak. Pochettino’s No. 1 center forward has gone scoreless in 11-of-12 matches at Monaco, the only goal coming against a third-division opponent in the French Cup five weeks ago.
Unless the rut continues into spring, Pochettino surely will maintain his faith in Balogun, who scored in three U.S. friendlies last fall and three consecutive Champions League matches in November-December.
Scoring issues have also stung Haji Wright, who tallied twice against Australia in October, then fired blanks for 15 consecutive matches with Coventry City in the English Championship.
He ended the skid in consecutive matches last month but is in a three-game rut entering Monday’s showdown with Middlesbrough. With 10 goals, Wright shares the Coventry lead with two others.
Regarded as No. 2 behind Balogun on the depth chart, he might have slipped behind Agyemang and could face a challenge from Pepi, who is expected back at PSV Eindhoven soon.
Remember how giddy everyone was about Gio Reyna’s performances in his U.S. return during the November international window? It was for good reason. He displayed qualities long shrouded by injuries and off-field issues, and seemed on course to not only make the World Cup team, but perhaps start.
The enigmatic midfielder did carry those two efforts into increased playing time at Mönchengladbach. After the Bundesliga’s winter break, however, he found himself back on the bench, and a muscle injury has kept him in street clothes the past four matches.
Reyna, 23, seems just too good to leave off the World Cup team, but unless things get better in Germany soon, Pochettino will weigh whether to invite him to March training camp.
At 19, Yunus Musah was a key figure at the 2022 World Cup and on course to start in midfield for years to come. Upon Pochettino’s arrival in 2024, though, Musah didn’t seem to fit into the system. And now, amid a stalled first season at Atalanta after three at AC Milan, Musah’s World Cup outlook is fading fast.
He didn’t play in a 2-0 victory at Lazio, the fifth time in seven games he’s remained on the bench. He has made just three starts in Serie A and two in the Champions League. It’s been almost a year since his last national team call-up.
Having gone six years since his last U.S. goal and missing out on the October and November camps, Josh Sargent was already a long shot for the World Cup.
Had he kept scoring at Norwich City in England’s second division this winter, he could have clung to hope. But he’s not only not scoring, he’s not even in uniform. Demanding a transfer to MLS, the St. Louis native was sent to train with the under-21 squad and hasn’t been named to the first-team squad since Jan. 4.
Barring a move before MLS’ March 26 transfer deadline — and an extraordinary scoring run — Sargent will need to turn attention to 2030.
The 2025 NFL season is in the books, but the sun rarely sets on football season.
Despite games being wrapped up until September, there are a slew of important dates coming on the NFL calendar beginning in February. We've run down which dates to mark on the calendar, but there are some dates more important to the 49ers than others.
We went through the NFL's list of important dates and provided an explanation for why some specific ones are important for San Francisco. The "what happens" portion includes wording pulled directly from NFL operations.
Here are those dates:
February 17
What happens: "Beginning this date through (1:00 p.m. PT) on March 3, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players."
Why it matters for the 49ers: San Francisco appeared to have figured out its kicker situation last season when they released Jake Moody and added Eddy Pineiro on a one-year deal. Pineiro converted 28-of-29 field goal tries. His only miss came when he bounced a 64-yard try off the crossbar. He's the team's only real candidate for a franchise tag. The tag for special teams players in 2026 is projected by Over the Cap to be $6,900,000.
March 3
What happens: "Prior to (1:00 p.m. PT), deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players."
Why it matters for the 49ers: If the 49ers are going to franchise tag Pineiro, they'll have to do so before this deadline. Chances are they'll aim to hammer out a long-term extension which could push their decision to tag up to the deadline.
It's worth noting the NFL combine starts Feb. 23 and ends Mar. 2, but it's hard to call it important for the 49ers since head coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't even attended the event for the last few years.
March 9
What happens: "During the period beginning at (9:00 a.m. PT), on March 9 and ending at (12:59:59 p.m. PT), on March 11, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2025 player contracts at (1:00 p.m. PT), on March 12."
Why it matters for the 49ers: This is the opening of the NFL's legal negotiating window for pending free agents. San Francisco will have the ability to negotiate with its own players leading up to this point. While there could be a handful of players leaving in free agency, this will be a bigger deal for the 49ers because they may take a big swing or two in free agency to try and keep up with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. It wouldn't be a surprise if the 49ers become active players early in the legal negotiating window.
March 11
What happens: "The 2026 League Year and free agency signing period begin at (1:00 p.m. PT)."
Why it matters for the 49ers: Contracts agreed to during the legal negotiating window can become official at this point. The new league year also marks the opening of the trading period. That's a big deal for a couple of reasons. Quarterback Mac Jones could be on the move for a decent haul of draft capital. The 49ers could also be active in the trade market looking to make upgrades with proven NFL talent in places they couldn't find them in free agency.
April 17
What happens: "Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets."
Why it matters for the 49ers: San Francisco has six players due for restricted free agency. We've only been able to project what the 49ers may do with those players since no RFA tenders have been handed out yet. This will be the final day for those tendered RFAs to look for other contract offers around the league. Defensive lineman Kalia Davis and tight end Jake Tonges appear to be the top candidates to receive RFA tenders. Those who are non-tendered will become unrestricted free agents.
April 20
What happens: "Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs."
Why it matters for the 49ers: The offseason program will be a big one for the 49ers this year. They could have some new pieces to begin integrating. They will also have players like linebacker Fred Warner returning from injury, and tight end George Kittle working to return from a major injury. Training camp is where the real action takes place, but the start of the offseason program will set a tone for a 49ers club that is at a tipping point between contending and a full rebuild.
April 22, Part 1
What happens: "Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents who signed offer sheets."
Why it matters for the 49ers: If one of the 49ers' tendered RFAs does sign an offer sheet, this is the point they'll have to make a decision on whether to match the offer sheet or to let that player join the club that signed them to an offer sheet.
April 22, Part 2
What happens: "Deadline for clubs to time, test, visit, interview (including video and phone calls) or conduct a physical examination with a draft-eligible player at any location."
Why it matters for the 49ers: The combine may not be a big deal for the 49ers, but pre-draft workouts certainly will be. With the No. 27 overall pick in the first round, San Francisco will need to be thorough in the number of players it brings in for workouts since the list of potentially available players at that draft position will be vast. If they're not going to go squeeze every ounce of information out of the combine, they'll need to do so in the space between the combine and this April 22 deadline to ensure they're finding an impact player late in Round 1 of the draft. It's worth noting this deadline is for meetings and workouts at any location. The deadline for meetings and workouts at the team facility is one week prior on April 15.
April 23
What happens: "NFL Draft, Pittsburgh, Pa."
Why it matters for the 49ers: The three-day festivities begin! This year will be another big draft for the 49ers. They've landed a handful of contributing players in the last couple of drafts. They need to start finding more star power. Their road to an eventual return to Super Bowl contention gets steeper every year they go through the draft without finding an All-Pro on either side of the ball. The last year they picked an All-Pro in the draft was 2021 when they selected safety Talanoa Hufanga in the fifth round. He joined the Denver Broncos last offseason.
July 15
What happens: "At (1:00 p.m. PT), deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2026 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.
Why it matters for the 49ers: If the 49ers do tag Pineiro (or a different free agent for whatever reason) this is their last opportunity to workout a multiyear extension the way they did with kicker Robbie Gould when they tagged him before the 2019 season. Gould wound up signing an extension on July 15.
"We'll look at what kind of program they've had and what kind of success they've had as a head coach," Taylor said. "It doesn't mean that'll be the only candidates we'll look at, but that's certainly where we're gonna start."
Schertz will be the hottest name in this college basketball coaching cycle. He's revived the Saint Louis program after finding success at Indiana State. He can afford to be patient and pick the best job available. That might not be Kansas State, but the Wildcats have a head start over everyone else.
Jerrod Calhoun, Utah State
Calhoun is more realistic than Schertz, but he'll be a hot commodity. He's won at a high level everywhere he's been, building Youngstown State into a winner before reaching the NCAA Tournament last year, his first, with Utah State.
Travis Steele, Miami (Ohio)
Steele leads the only undefeated program in the country, Miami (Ohio), at 25-0, already matching last season's win total. Steele is a bit of a high-major retread, having coached four seasons at Xavier before getting fired. He wasn't the worst with the Muskateers, winning 19 games in three of his four seasons, but it wasn't up to the school's standard. He should have a few options after this season.
Chris Holtmann, DePaul
Hotmann has had a successful coaching career, leading Butler to three NCAA Tournaments before he arrived at Ohio State, where he led the Buckeyes to four trips to the big dance. But he fizzled out in the last two seasons, leading to his firing. He's now at DePaul, where he's 13-12 in his second season. The Blue Devils haven't had a winning season since 2018-19.
John Groce, Akron
How about another former Illinois head coach? Groce landed on his feet at Akron after five seasons leading the Fighting Illini, where he wasn't terrible, but not up to Illinois' standards. The Zips have won 20 or more games in each of the last five seasons and have three NCAA Tournament trips to go with them.
Eric Olen, New Mexico
Olen is a name that's rising quickly. He's in his first season at New Mexico, where the Lobos are 19-6 entering Feb. 16. He's coming off a successful 12-year stint at UC San Diego, where he coached the Tritons through a Division II to Division I transition and made the NCAA Tournament by his fifth year in the Division I ranks.
Casey Alexander, Belmont
Alexander has been one of the better mid-major coaches for a while. He led Lipscomb to an NCAA Tournament appearance and an NIT runner-up finish before moving to Belmont, where the Bruins have won 20 or more games in all seven of his seasons in Nashville.
Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa
Another Missouri Valley Conference name, Jacobson has been at Northern Iowa for what feels like forever. He's in his 20th season with UNI, during which he's led the Panthers to four NCAA Tournaments.
Brett Ballard, Washburn
Could Kansas State travel down the road for its next coach? Ballard has Washburn ranked No. 3 among Division II programs in the country. He's in his ninth season with the Ichabods and is coming off a 30-4 season in which he led Washburn to the Division II Final Four. There have been some really good former Division II coaches who have entered the Division I ranks recently (Schertz and Iowa's Ben McCollum, to name two). This is a stretch, but Ballard should get some looks soon.
Brad Underwood, Illinois
Collin Klein returned to Kansas State to become the head coach of the football team. What about Underwood? Keep dreamin'. Put the feeler out, but he's got a good thing going.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; The NBA 2027 All-Star Weekend logo is revealed. Mandatory Credit: Phoenix Suns PR
PHOENIX — The 75th NBA All-Star Weekend has come to a close, and now Phoenix awaits 2027, when it will host the All-Star festivities in the desert.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stars guard Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia pose after the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Phoenix Suns PR
On Sunday after the All-Star Game, Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia joined Steve Ballmer, chairman of the LA Clippers, for a ceremonial handoff during the NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
“We can’t wait to host NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix,” said Ishbia in a press release from the team. “From our community to our fans, there is an energy and passion that sets our city apart. We look forward to welcoming fans from around the world and showcasing what makes Phoenix special.”
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; The NBA 2027 All-Star Weekend logo is revealed. Mandatory Credit: Phoenix Suns PR
The 76th All-Star Weekend logo was officially released, tying into the Suns’ identity. It features the franchise’s iconic sunburst in a palette inspired by the state’s sunsets and serves as a nod to the “Valley” uniforms the team wears during the season. Four stars appear beneath the “Phoenix” wordmark to represent the four times the city has hosted the midseason showcase: 1975, 1995, 2009 and now 2027.
The event carries significant local pride and visibility for the Suns. All-Star Weekend typically draws millions of viewers and thousands of visitors, who can experience Phoenix’s nightlife and sunny climate alongside elite basketball showcases.
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia high fives Team USA Stars guard Devin Booker (1) of the Phoenix Suns during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
With Phoenix hosting a fourth All-Star Weekend, the event reinforces the city’s and Arizona’s reputation as a major basketball destination and highlights what the Suns continue to build. As a Western Conference contender in recent years, the franchise blends on-court relevance with statewide pride.
With the new logo unveiled and the handoff complete, the Suns now begin the countdown to February 2027.
The 2027 NBA All-Star Game will be held at Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
Feb 15, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (45) celebrates with son Beau Reddick as wife Alexa DeLeon holds son Rookie Reddick in victory lane after winning the 68th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. | Credits- Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
2025 was difficult for Tyler Reddick both on and off the track, with his NASCAR difficulties being overshadowed by his son Rookie’s failing health. Thankfully, 2026 has been better so far, on all fronts.
Reddick kicked off the season in the best possible way by winning the Daytona 500. After failing to reach Victory Lane even once last year, the win carried added emotion. To add to his joy, Rookie was there, in his wife Alexa’s arms while he was celebrating with the whole family and 23XI Racing staff.
A question on everyone’s mind, however, was how Rookie’s health was.
Rookie was born on May 25, 2025. In late September, he was taken to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte after showing signs of heart failure. Doctors discovered a tumor in his chest that was compressing his renal artery and vein, placing added strain on his heart. In October, surgeons successfully removed his right kidney, and he was discharged later that month. He has been recovering well since.
One can only imagine the mental toughness Reddick had to summon through all those hardships. It is what made this moment feel that much sweeter for him. Asked about Rookie, he said, “Yeah, he’s here. He did great. He came home around the Martinsville weekend last year.
“He’s just been doing really good ever since he came home. He was doing good in the hospital, too. But yeah, it was really cool,” the 23XI Racing driver added.
Reddick also spoke about a three-day Disney cruise the family had taken, noting that his son had just learned to crawl. “He’s been like a speedster crawling fast. He’s seen some of the other kids, some of Briscoe’s kids, some of the other little ones running around the playground that probably weigh less than Rookie — he’s a big kid for his age — walking, and he wants to already do that, too.”
Like father, like son
Reddick’selder son, Beau, was also at Daytona on Sunday. The driver spoke about how special it was to have him in the car after the win. Seeing the family soak in such a joyful moment after enduring so many intense battles was heartwarming.
Reddick also shared that Rookie is already showing a fondness for loud, explosive moments.
He said, “I think I remember when Beau was really young when the Thunderbirds would go over the track, whatever it was, things that were super chaotic, Beau was okay with, but he’d cry. Rookie, he’s the total opposite.”
The crazier and louder things are, the more Rookie loves it. “He’s wild. Like his dad,” Reddick concluded.
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