Coco Gauff had a turbulent run at the Madrid Open, which ended in the round of 16 after a loss to Linda Noskova.

Gauff began her campaign with a straightforward 6-3, 6-0 win over Leolia Jeanjean, but illness soon became a factor. Despite vomiting on court due to a stomach virus, she managed to come through 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 against Sorana Cirstea.

Her tournament ended in the next round though when she lost to Noskova despite fighting back from behind before eventually losing out in a final set tiebreak.

Coco Gauff reflects on Madrid Open after round of 16 exit

Gauff shared her thoughts on Instagram: “Getting a stomach virus hallelujah. Regardless of the circumstances I still had fun and learned a lot, gracias Madrid.”

She later posted a follow-up message in her story alongside a photo of her being sick during the match.

Alongside that, she wrote: “Sorry to everyone who had to see this. Me winning this match will go down as a personal career highlight haha.”

While Gauff sits at 19-8 for the season, Noskova has moved on to face Marta Kostyuk in the quarterfinals.

The only American left in the draw is Hailey Baptiste, who reached the semifinals after an impressive win over Aryna Sabalenka.

Resilient Coco Gauff looks forward to new challenge after Madrid Open exit

Gauff would have been hoping for a deeper run in the tournament, especially with a first title of the year still on her mind.

But that goal will now shift to Rome, where another WTA 1000 event awaits before attention turns to the French Open.

Last year, Gauff finished as runner-up in both Madrid and Rome but then went on to defeat Aryna Sabalenka in Paris, claiming her second Grand Slam title.

The American is well-suited to clay courts but will need to be back at full health if she wants to repeat her success at Roland Garros this season.

Even so, there were positives for Gauff in Madrid. Her mental toughness stood out, especially in that hard-fought win over Cirstea while battling illness.

That resilience has always been a big part of her game and one of the reasons she’s already collected 11 career titles despite still being early into her career.

Read more:

Markus Babbel has promised Liverpool fans that they’ll be seeing a ‘top-class’ player at Anfield next season.

A quarter of a century on from the German’s arrival on Merseyside, the Reds signed his compatriot Florian Wirtz last summer in a £116m deal, with the 22-year-old coming to England with vast expectations being placed upon him.

He’s shown flashes of brilliance in his first season with LFC, although a return of just seven goals from 46 appearances seems underwhelming for a playmaker of his abilities.

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Babbel: Wirtz will be ‘top-class’ next season

Speaking to Get German Football News, Babbel empathised with his fellow countryman over the difficulties of adapting to the Premier League and is convinced that Liverpool fans will begin to see the best of their number 7 from next term.

The 53-year-old said: “It’s a different league. I had the same problem when I came to England. It’s a different sport. It’s faster. It’s harder. There are so many top players there, and it doesn’t matter if you’re Florian Wirtz; [other players] will have no respect for you.

“They’re kicking you. They’re trying to do everything they can to stop him from bringing his skills onto the pitch. Of course, it took a while. I would say it took until December or the beginning of January, but then he started to perform.

“It’s been a bit unlucky for him because at Liverpool, the whole team is struggling. I think in the statistics, he’s high in the standings for chances created, but because the team is underperforming and he’s one of the most expensive signings behind Alexander Isak, there’s an expectation that he’ll score 15 goals and get 30 assists. This is the mindset of the supporters, but it’s not so easy for him.

“I still believe that Liverpool will have a lot of fun with him because he is a fantastic player. The first season is, of course, not the best. He can play better, but there’s been a big improvement from him, and he’s learnt a lot. Next season you’ll see a top-class Florian Wirtz.”

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There’s still a lot more to come from Wirtz

In truth, the Germany playmaker hasn’t had the impact that many would’ve expected from a player of his talents and transfer fee, but at times this season he’s definitely shown that he’s capable of pure brilliance on a football pitch.

The most recent example of that was his exquisite half-volley finish to round off Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday, quite a way to end a three-month wait for a goal.

The 22-year-old has been criticised in some quarters over the past few months for his perceived lack of physicality in the Premier League, and that has been apparent in some matches, but it’s more than compensated by his dazzling ability with the ball at his feet.

Babbel knows all about going from the German top flight to its English equivalent, and although the nuances of football have changed considerably since 2000, we don’t doubt that Wirtz will adapt to the rigours of playing in England.

Hopefully the ex-Liverpool defender’s prophecy that our number 7 will reach a ‘top-class’ level next season will prove accurate!

Romeo Lavia was part of the Chelsea team that beat Leeds on Sunday, and is likely to keep appearing while he’s fit.

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Romeo Lavia has been in and out of the Chelsea team this season – as is his wont. But he played an important role on Sunday as the Blues snapped their losing streak and finally got a win.

Speaking to the club’s official website, the Belgian pointed out how he and his teammates knew this turning point was coming.

Lavia on Chelsea turning a corner

“Sometimes when you have a few results that don’t go your way, you feel like everything is against you. The reality is that as long as we stick together, it will turn around in the end, especially given the quality of the team,” the midfielder said.

“It was good for the team, and you can see that we worked hard to get it right after Tuesday, which, as a team, we thought was unacceptable; it was important to get it right at Wembley. We used that frustration heading into the next game to try to get it right, and we did that against Leeds.”

Let’s hope they have the same attitude in our next game.

In other news…

Strasbourg are on a good run in the transfer market, and have lined up another interesting prospect in South America.

Andoni Iraola is the top option to get the Chelsea job – but fans are universally in favour of him being the chosen one.

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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Diego Simeone has confirmed that he is aware of Arsenal’s interest in Julian Alvarez as the Gunners continue to pursue a possible move for the Argentinian attacker. The forward has become one of the most sought-after names in European football ahead of the summer transfer window.

Arsenal reportedly view Alvarez as a player capable of significantly improving their squad. His consistency, versatility, and proven quality in attack have made him an attractive target for a side looking to take the next step.

Arsenal Admire Atletico Star

Alvarez has continued to deliver impressive performances whenever he has played for Atletico Madrid. His influence in key matches and ability to operate across the front line have strengthened his reputation as one of the game’s leading attackers.

He also performed well in the Premier League during his time at Manchester City, meaning he already has valuable experience of English football. That familiarity could make him an even more appealing option for Arsenal.

Competition Intensifying For Signature

Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are also reported to be interested as clubs across Europe prepare to strengthen for next season. Arsenal, therefore, face serious competition if they wish to complete a deal.

Although this stage of the campaign is usually focused on trophies rather than transfers, Arsenal appear to have started laying the groundwork for a summer move. Any serious attempt to sign Alvarez would likely require substantial planning and a major financial commitment.

A transfer of this size could force Arsenal to break their transfer record once again. Alvarez’s age, pedigree, and current importance to Atletico Madrid would naturally command a very high fee.

As quoted by Football365, Simeone said: “I just suppose it is normal. He is an extraordinary player. There is interest from Arsenal, Paris St Germain, Barcelona and other teams. But it is nothing we are concerned about.”

Alvarez would represent a statement signing capable of elevating an already competitive squad. However, with elite rivals involved and Atletico under no pressure to sell, securing his signature would be one of the most difficult deals of the summer.

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Napoli could shore up next year’s squad with some current loanees who have proven their worth elsewhere and could get another shot in Campania, lessening the need for reinforcements and containing the summer spending.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Rafa Marin has the most chances of staying put despite his situation. He has been a pillar for Villarreal, which are third in La Liga, totaling 28 appearances across all competitions. The Spanish club has a €15M option to buy, but the defender has to sign off on it. He seems more tempted to play with the Azzurri. He was part of the Scudetto-winning squad last season but didn’t play a lot. He’s matured during his time in his home country.

Napoli will also welcome back Noa Lang, who had a seesawing relationship with Antonio Conte but was fine in his lone stretch as a regular. He left in January because he asked for consistent playing time. He’s been okay with Galatasaray, but they’d have to pay €30M to keep him permanently.

Lorenzo Lucca and Luca Marianucci will also head back after spending time at Nottingham Forest and Torino. Neither has had too much luck after leaving temporarily. The striker isn’t in the Partenopei’s plans, but they must redeem him from Udinese for over €30M. Instead, the center-back could stay to round out their defense.

Our Take on Napoli, Marin, Lang, and Lucca

It’d be a bonus if any of them proved to be an adequate contributor, but it’ll be interesting to see whether it’ll take a coaching change for them to be considered for the future, as Conte is quite rigid with his evaluations.

A revealing insight from James Milner has resurfaced at a time when questions around mentality and expectations at Liverpool are once again being debated following recent ticket price protests.

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The former vice-captain, who arrived from Manchester City in 2015, played a key role in helping reshape standards at Anfield during one of the most important transitional periods in the club’s modern history.

Milner spotted a mentality issue straight away

Speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, the veteran midfielder explained how he immediately identified a mindset problem that he believed needed addressing.

“Obviously Stevie had just gone, and that void. The first thing I remember at Liverpool was ‘the year we nearly won the league, the year we nearly won the league’.”

That lingering narrative clearly didn’t sit well with the Leeds-born midfielder, who had just come from a title-winning environment.

“It was said constantly, and that for me, I was like we have to get rid of that straight away. You didn’t win the league.”

Milner, known for his brutally honest approach, admitted he used humour and directness to challenge that culture within the dressing room.

“And so I used to banter, you know, ‘you didn’t win the league, we won the league’. And you you need to move on, otherwise it’s just a hangover.”

Why Milner’s words feel relevant again

That mentality shift became a foundation for the success we later enjoyed under Jurgen Klopp, with the Englishman helping drive standards that ultimately delivered both the Premier League and Champions League.

Now, with protests around ticket prices creating tension in the stands and inconsistent performances on the pitch, those comments feel particularly timely.

Paul Joyce recently highlighted how much figures like Milner have been missed, noting that “what they would give to have someone like Jordan Henderson or James Milner back in the fold right now”, especially amid concerns about fight and intensity within the current squad.

There’s also a wider point here about expectations, because just as Milner pushed the squad to move on from past near-misses, the current group and fanbase are dealing with a different kind of hangover following years of success.

His influence wasn’t just about fitness or versatility, but about mentality, and at a time when divisions are emerging both on and off the pitch, that’s something we arguably lack more than ever.

The Club has received an allocation of 28,700 (West End) tickets, including 100 wheelchair bays and easy-access seats for ambulant fans.

Fans under the age of two are not permitted entry to the stadium. Only fans over 12 can buy in the standing sections and all children (14 years and under) must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Season Ticket Members on the FA Cup Scheme aged between 18 to 25 years (based on fans’ age on 1st  August 2025) can purchase from an exclusive allocation of away match tickets on the first day of sale.

Tickets for this match will be issued as mobile tickets which you must add to your Apple/Google wallet.

Each Ticket is issued for the sole use of the Ticket Holder and is non-transferable. Please note that a limited number of ticket checks will be conducted on matchday, and anybody attempting to use a ticket issued in someone else’s name will be refused entry.

Brooks Koepka has added an interesting tournament to his PGA Championship preparation.

The ONEFlight Myrtle Beach Classic, an alternate event on the PGA Tour, announced Wednesday that Koepka has committed to its event. The tournament will be contested next week, coinciding with the tour’s signature event, the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow. As part of his return program to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf, Koepka is not allowed to accept sponsor exemptions into signature events. He was a first alternate at the RBC Heritage on his FedEx Cup ranking, but ultimately no one dropped out and he didn’t get into the field.

A win at Myrtle Beach would get Koepka into the two remaining signature events—the Memorial and Travelers Championship—but next week’s appearance allows Koepka to get competitive reps before the PGA, which begins May 14 at Aronimink Golf Club outside of Philadelphia. Since winning the Wanamaker in 2023 at Oak Hill, Koepka has struggled at majors, although he did post a T-12 earlier this month at the Masters. Koepka’s won the PGA Championship three times, and has three other top-five finishes at the event.

In eight starts since his return, Koepka has one top 10 and four top 25s, and ranks second in strokes gained: approach.

Partnering with a manufacturer or constructing its own all-new World Rally Championship car for 2028 are options on the table for M-Sport to continue in rallying’s top tier.

The Ford squad’s future in the WRC beyond 2026 is yet to be officially confirmed, although it is expected the team will be present next year, competing with its Ford Fiesta Rally2 car. Under the FIA’s new technical framework Rally2 cars will fight against the new WRC27 cars in one new class for 2027 at least.

FIA shares first look at new 2027 WRC cars

M-Sport previously admitted that constructing an all-new WRC27 car under the FIA’s new cost capped formula for 2027 is unlikely due to a tight timeframe.

One other factor that has prevented the team from committing to the WRC’s future is the ongoing sale of the championship’s commercial rights and the WRC’s future direction under a proposed new promoter.

The sale process is understood to be in its final stages, with French automotive company Cosmobilis, led by former Lotus and McLaren Formula 1 team boss Eric Boullier, the leading candidate to take over the WRC’s commercial rights. This is a key detail that automotive manufacturers will weigh up when considering whether to commit to the championship.

While admitting the team’s plans are in limbo until this sale is completed, M-Sport team principal Richard Millener confirmed that preliminary work to build a new car has begun while the team weighs up its options. Working with Ford or another manufacturer, or becoming its own constructor remain viable possibilities.

"Absolutely [all options are open for 2028], that is what the regulations were designed for and we haven't made any allegiances anywhere. All those options exist and we are just waiting to see what will work best and what the longer-term future of the sport is,” Millener told Motorsport.com.

“There is nothing dramatic going on but obviously there are a lot of things going on, ready to be unleashed should we get the right information.

“In terms of developing, we have done some minimal work to ensure if something comes along we are not starting from nothing. We have been looking at the very basics like the chassis and some feasibility studies on what body shape we would want, absolute basics.”

WRC 2027 Rally car

Partnering with a manufacturer appears to be the team’s preferred option, and Millener says communications with its current partner Ford, regarding the WRC’s future, are ongoing. M-Sport started its partnership with Ford in 1997, and ran the blue oval’s factory WRC team until 2012. It has developed Ford WRC cars ever since, running as a semi-works team. M-Sport does however operate Ford’s factory programme in the World Rally Raid Championship.

“Ford are always asking questions and we are always answering questions,” Millener added. “They [Ford] still have an interest in WRC as we are running the programme here, and the Rally Raid, and they discuss WRC when they are at Rally Raid events.

“There is a communication chamber. They are doing their job and weighing up every championship that is out there and they are doing a lot of championships.

“There is nothing groundbreaking to report sadly, but we are also looking at the feasibility studies of doing it on our own.

“For M-Sport to sign off on our own car and do our own thing, we still need to ensure the promoter sale is agreed and there is a plan for the next 25 years. We are not going to fire a lot of money into a project that maybe isn’t going to go as we planned.”

As for next year, M-Sport confirmed that there are no plans to further upgrade its Fiesta Rally2 car, which will be at the centre of any prospective WRC programme next year.

How Dani Sordo brings "different ideas" to Hyundai’s WRC Toyota chase

New constructor set to join WRC top tier in 2027

“There won’t be any plans [to do further upgrades]. We did a big upgrade at the start of this year. We definitely feel the car is competitive enough to go up against the other Rally2 cars. To make big changes to a car for one season doesn’t really make sense for us,” Millener added.

“We can never guarantee anything, but I can guarantee we don’t want to not be there. The Rally2 car is a more achievable budget to find. I would hope we can be there with that. The goal is not just to worry about 2027, it is about how we get a new car, as that is the future and it is more important than doing one year with the Rally2 car.”

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

We discussed Bob McGinn and his two decades of polling NFL personnel before the draft. Now that we know who the San Francisco 49ers draft picks are, let’s take a look back at the comments from those scouts to see how they felt about the prospects before they knew where those players would land.

De’Zhuan Stribling wasn’t listed in the top 12. Deion Burks was selected 254th overall. We’ll use Pro Football Network’s write-up for Stribling. They gave the 49ers a D- for the pick and believe Stribling will be a WR3:

De’Zhaun Stribling is a Day 3 WR prospect with an intriguing blend of size, athleticism, and every-down utility. Originally a three-star recruit from Hawaii, Stribling began his career with the Washington State Cougars and broke out as a true freshman. Across his first two collegiate seasons, he totaled 95 catches for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns, then transferred to Oklahoma State. He missed all but four games to a hand injury in his first season with the Cowboys, then went 52-882-6 in 2024, before closing out his career with a 55-811-6 campaign at Ole Miss. Along the way, Stribling earned a solid 78 PFSN WR Impact score, and the analytics paint an even better picture. Per TruMedia, Stribling boasted a meager 2% drop rate with the Rebels, as well as a near-10% catch rate over expectation, and 2.29 RAC yards over expectation per catch. Stribling produced from the get-go in college, and that early breakout tracks with his high-level tools. At 6’2″, 207 pounds, with near-32″ arms and sub-4.4 speed, Stribling has a tantalizing size-speed profile on the vertical plane, as well as the combined catch radius and body control to make impressive high-difficulty catches at multiple ranges. Stribling’s route tree needs more development, but his non-elite hip fluidity and bend slightly reduces his ceiling in that department, and that could confine him to a rotational role at his maximum. Having said all this, Stribling has clear utility as a combined vertical and RAC threat with his speed, vision, physicality, and catch-point conversion, and he’s an excellent blocker as well. While he may never be a full-time starter, Stribling has a high-floor as a quality WR3 and rotational presence with niche receiving value and multi-phase utility.

PFN also gave the 49ers a D- for Romello Height, who didn’t crack the top 15 in Bob McGinn’s rankings. He was listed in the next five:

Romello Height, Texas Tech (6-2 ½, 238, 4.66)

Said one scout: “He and Bailey, it was almost like they were having a contest seeing who could get to the quarterback fastest. Good pass rusher. Plays hard. Inconsistent playing the run right now. I think a couple teams are talking about him and if he can be a linebacker and then drop down on passing downs. He did drop in coverage and wasn’t bad at it.”

Here’s what scouts had to say about Kaelon Black:

Kaelon Black, Indiana (5-9 ½, 208, no 40)

Said one scout: “Tough, hard-nosed son of a gun. A lot like Isiah Pacheco of Kansas City (now Detroit). Comes in and does the dirty work. That’s who he is. He’ll get you 3 or 4 yards. He won’t break the long run but he’ll be there every time. Black can pass pro and all that. He caught the ball a lot better at the Senior Bowl. Late to mid-round pick. Get on a roster and the coach is gonna love him. Indiana won with those type of kids this year. Guys that do the right thing.”

Black was 13th on that list. I’d push back on saying he won’t break the long run. That’s one of Black’s strong suits.

Gracen Halton was the 8th-ranked defensive tackle, so there were plenty of opinions about him:

8. GRACEN HALTON, Oklahoma (6-2 ½, 298, 4.82, 2-3): Started just 10 of 47 games over four years. “He’s a 3-technique, upfield guy,” one scout said. “I think he goes in the second. He’s really active, just really disruptive. Stronger than you think. People will discount him for (size, length) but the guy ran 4.8 and jumped 36 inches (36 ½ in the vertical, a position best). He’s got a lot of explosiveness and he plays really hard. There’s teams that try not to have guys like this and then there’s teams that say, ‘This guy’s too good a player. Let’s take him.’ I could see him going in the second and being a really good player.” Shortest arms (31 1/8) of the top 15 defensive linemen. Hands were 10. “He’s got quicks and he’s a terrific competitor,” a second scout said. “He is undersized. He does have a knack for slipping blocks and some penetration. The third round would be the high side for him. People would really value him more in the fourth and fifth. That’s where you take that kind of player.” Finished with 84 tackles (17 ½ for loss), 8 ½ sacks, three forced fumbles and two batted passes. “He can rush the passer but he really struggles against the run,” a third scout said. “I love his quickness and speed. Like him as a 3-technique that can rush. I thought fourth round because of the size.” Played tight end as a prep in San Diego. Four-star recruit.

That shows you how all over the place scouts can be with one prospect. A couple thought Halton would be drafted on Day 2, while others thought the value was on Day 3.

Those were the only players these scouts commented on.

There are many reasons to be excited about what Dametrious Crownover will bring to the New England Patriots' offense next season. 

Crownover was selected with the No. 196 overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He, along with Utah left tackle Caleb Lomu, the No. 28 overall pick in the draft, were the two offensive linemen that the Patriots selected in the event. Crownover stands out with his athletic ability in addition to his quickness as a projected swing tackle positioned to play on either side of the ball for New England in Josh McDaniels' offense. 

The Patriots compiled a highlight reel consisting of the 6-foot-7, 319-pound offensive tackle's best plays at Texas A&M on Tuesday. Crownover showed the ability to move his feet quickly off the snap and use his strength to move defenders. He created holes in the defense for his offensive backfield to exploit. 

Crownover also showed that he was capable of running down the field to block defenders in the secondary, looking to bring down Texas A&M's ball-carriers in the open field. 

.@DAMETRIOUS1 COMING THROUGH 🚛@AggieFootball | @NFLpic.twitter.com/eRlDEmePKk

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 28, 2026

Patriots right tackle Morgan Moses is nearing retirement. Will Campbell still has the confidence of Patriots coach Mike Vrabel as New England's starting left tackle, despite his poor performance in the Super Bowl at the end of last season.

However, Crownover has the talent to be a meaningful contributor behind Moses and Campbell out of the gates in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Highlights of Patriots' massive rookie OT moving defenders off line

The Braves launched BravesVision, their own TV Network for local game production and distribution, ahead of the 2026 season, following the collapse of FanDuel Sports Networks. And according to Braves president and CEO Derek Schiller, the new TV Network, which was officially formed in February, is already showing impressive yields.

“The economics right now support our decision,” Schiller told Front Office Sports. “A month into this, we can safely say we have made the right decision, not just for the Atlanta Braves and the business of the Braves, but also our fans… We believe we’re not only economically viable, but we’re maximizing that [opportunity], which we would equate to where we were previously, maybe even beating that. We’re also reaching more fans.”

Schiller’s confidence comes at a time when some clubs are facing much grimmer realities following the recent local broadcast upheaval across the league. Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio equated his team’s shift from its FanDuel Sports Network deal to MLB Media’s in-house model to a $20 million loss.

However, BravesVision’s success isn’t necessarily easily replicated for every club struggling to match the windfall of old media deals. Atlanta is the beneficiary of several unique circumstances, something Schiller is well aware of.

“The Braves are different in so many ways from some of our peers,” he said. “We’ve always had a substantially different way in how we approach the marketplace, and we have television in our DNA. In many ways, we’re now returning to those roots.”

Atlanta, a historically successful club that has won four World Series, also boasts a local market broadcast territory that encompasses an expansive part of the southeastern United States. Schiller emphasized the importance of creating and maintaining the club’s relationship with distributors, calling back to the broadcasting lineage baked into the Braves’ DNA by former owner Ted Turner, the founder of TBS.

“A big piece of this hinges on your ability to secure those relationships and partnerships with the major distributors,” he said. “So fundamentally, to this right, it starts with doing deals with the likes of Comcast, Spectrum, DirecTV, Cox, Fubo, I’ll just name those five to begin with. You have to have those relationships. If you don’t have those, none of this works.”

BravesVision has undergone its share of growing pains, such as a streaming issue during a road game in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels, but the network has rolled with the punches, leading to an experience that TV play-by-play voice Brandon Gaudin says feels like “the old TBS days.”

Schiller didn’t provide any specifics relating to the financials, but more details are expected to emerge in the Braves’ first-quarter earnings report on May 1, and an even clearer picture should take shape in the second-quarter report.

The post Braves CEO: ‘BravesVision’ tracking to pass old FanDuel Sports revenue appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Few professional sports circuits offer the ability to earn as much cold, hard cash week after week as the PGA Tour, and nowhere is that more evident than in the career earnings list.

The 2026 season began with Tiger Woods still holding firm in the top spot with $120.99 million, but Rory McIlroy ($107.98 million) and Scottie Scheffler ($99.45 million) were closing in on him fast. Here's a look at where the top pros stand on the career money list as of April 28, 2026.

PGA Tour 2026 Season Money Rankings: See the full leaderboard here

PGA Tour Top 20 career earners

Earnings are accurate as of Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 11:27 a.m. and rounded to the second decimal place.

See the full PGA Tour career money list here

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: PGA Tour career earnings list: Who is number one?

The rumors that the New York Giants are prepared to move on from general manager Joe Schoen may be just a dot-connecting exercise.

Schoen, new head coach John Harbaugh, and senior vice president of football operations and strategy, Dawn Aponte, just completed their first draft together, and things reportedly could not have gone better.

Schoen, who got a reprieve from ownership after three losing seasons, had his wings clipped a bit, surrendering some of his authority over personnel to Harbaugh while Aponte took over administrative duties.

With free agency basically in the books, the trio's focus turned to the draft, where Harbaugh's influence took center stage. Schoen ran the process, but the player selection was clearly done with Harbaugh's vision in mind.

"I feel great about how it's gone," Harbaugh told reporters after the draft. "Starting from the ground up, looking at the staff and the scouts and everything, it's a great group. It's a great group that Joe put together."

Harbaugh, who clearly holds the seat of power in the organization at the moment, spoke of Schoen as if they were partners. He appeared pleased at how the new hierarchy was working out.

"On the surface, right now I feel great about it," he said. "I don't feel we could have done any better. I think we made the most of the draft, made the most of the resources we had. I'm really happy with the way it went. I hope Joe feels the same."

Veteran NFL reporter Mike Garafolo believes the Giants have no intention of parting ways with Schoen, especially after seeing how well they've been working together.

The latest on Joe Schoen and the Giants ⤵️@MikeGarafolopic.twitter.com/4IxO9WXc63

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 27, 2026

"John Harbaugh and Joe Schoen have hit it off really well since Schoen was a big part of the recruiting process to get Harbaugh to East Rutherford. This was a home run for them over the weekend from that standpoint," Garafolo said.

"I know a lot of people say, well, Harbaugh's here and Schoen's going to handle the whole free agency in the draft, and after the draft, he's just going to dispose of him. I do not expect that to happen. Joe Schoen is the general manager of the Giants, and John Harbaugh is pleased about that."

Lingering reports remain that many around the league believe Schoen will be shown the door, but both Harbaugh and Garafolo appear to be pouring cold water on that.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' John Harbaugh pleased with Joe Schoen as GM

On Monday, The Athletic reported that a committee of MLS owners had engaged in preliminary discussions about potentially relocating the Vancouver Whitecaps to Las Vegas.

The revelation shouldn’t be particularly surprising to those who have followed the Whitecaps’ unprofitable and increasingly disadventageous stadium situation.

League commissioner Don Garber has previously gone on the record with his assertion that the Whitecaps’ status as secondary tenants at BC Place is unworkable. The Whitecaps themselves have been transparent about searching for new ownership that could assist in the search to find a permanent stadium.

And in light of the latest reporting, both MLS and the Whitecaps have re-iterated those sentiments while indicating their desire to remain in the Pacific Northwest.

From MLS to The Athletic:

We remain focused on supporting the club in identifying a sustainable long-term solution, and our preference is to find a path that allows the Whitecaps to continue to grow and succeed in Vancouver. At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure the long-term health of the league and its clubs, and we will evaluate all options, including interest that has been expressed in the club from other markets and investor groups.

From a Whitecaps public statement:

We are aware of today’s reporting. The club has faced well-documented structural challenges around stadium economics, venue access, and revenue limitations that have made it difficult to attract buyers committed to keeping the team in Vancouver. Over the past 16 months, we have had serious conversations with more than 100 parties, and to date, no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here. … If there is a local ownership group with the vision and resources to chart a path forward, we urge them to come forward.

There is a considerable segment of the American soccer media that doesn’t trust the league is telling the truth on this matter, and would actually prefer the club relocate to a glitzier location. Perhaps it’s understandable, given how close the Columbus Crew came to moving to Austin in the previous decade.

But timing is everything. And the far more likely reality is that these continuous revelations – on the record and anonymously – are an attempt to leverage the timing of the World Cup to create the urgency required to attract an in-market buyer.

The alternative, relocating an MLS club from a World Cup host city only months after hosting World Cup matches, would be a devastating blow to the perceived stability of the MLS brand.

Leveraging Circumstances Of 2026 World Cup

For starters, it’s telling that the league and club offices have leaned into 2026 as the year to be so forthright about the scheduling difficulties the Whitecaps have encountered during their 15-year residency at the Province-owned venue.

Yes, the Whitecaps’ home schedule in 2026 is extremely front loaded because of a venue schedule crunch, and it will force the club to play at least one Leagues Cup game away from home this summer. But that crunch is unique to 2026, in which BC Place will host six World Cup matches. Those host duties, plus the installation of a temorary grass surface at a facility, will force the Whitecaps to play nine consecutive away matches beginning Saturday and continuing through July 25.

Those constraints would not apply to future seasons at BC Place. And while the venue still isn’t suitable for the club’s long-term financial future because of the relatively unfavorable lease terms the British Columbia government has offered, the need to relocate might not feel as urgent in 2027 and beyond if there was faith that it would happen eventually.

Further, the flip to a late July-to-late May schedule starting in 2027 would conceivably give the Whitecaps more fixture flexibility at BC Place, should they remain there. The CFL’s BC Lions, the other long-term tenant at the venue, play a June-to-November schedule, the first six weeks of which would now come during MLS’ abbreviated summer off-season. The MLS Cup Playoffs would come in the spring when there would be no CFL clash.

Bad Stadium, But Healthy Market

Meanwhile, under the club’s current sporting director Axel Schuster and manager Jesper Sorensen, the Whitecaps have become one of the league’s stronger-perfoming clubs on the field, in the transfer market and at the box office.

The Whitecaps reached the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup finals in 2025. Aided by a home-heavy schedule to begin 2026, they sit second in the 2026 Supporters’ Shield race for best regular season record, three points behind a San Jose side that has played one more game.

Last summer, the 'Caps made the kind of signing that brings global visibility by acquiring longtime Bayern Munich and German national team star Thomas Muller on a free transfer. And since his MLS debut last Augst, the club have been one of the more consistent draws in MLS at the box office, with crowds above 20,000 for all of their 17 home regular season and playoff matches. They currently sit 10th out of 30 in 2026 average attendance, despite having played a higher volume of home matches so far than any other club.

Don’t get it wrong. The economic problems of remaining in BC Place, where the club’s ability to recoup matchday revenues is constricted because the venue is government-owned, are real.

The club’s $46 million in revenue generated in 2026, per Forbes MLS valuations, is the lowest figure in the league, and its estimated value of $445 million is second lowest. But those figures aren’t completely out of line with other smaller market MLS clubs, and they’re actually kind of impressive when factoring in that the only other clubs that play in stadiums not operated by their ownership groups are in New York and Chicago.

But this is a healthy MLS market, if not a healthy stadium situation. And in the brief history of MLS clubs that have relocated or contracted, there has never been one that did so despite such a relatively healthy market presence and ownership desire to keep the club located locally.

The Tampa Bay Mutiny and Miami fusion were both in the bottom third of MLS attendance when they were contracted following the 2001 season. The move of the San Jose Earthquakes to Houston in 2005 was led by the club’s ownership group amid stadium frustrations, not the league. Chivas USA was by far the league’s least-supported team when it folded following the 2014 season.

2026 World Cup Bump Not As Simple As 1994

The biggest legacy of the 1994 World Cup was the foundation of MLS, a first-division competition to replace the defunct NASL. Fast forward 32 years and Garber has said he expects the tournament to be “rocket fuel” for the league’s continued growth.

But while MLS competes in a far more soccer literate nation than when it launched in 1996, it also does so in a far more crowded soccer market. Through most of the 1990s, it was difficult to near impossible to regularly watch live pro soccer from around the globe. There were no other competing American competitions either, be they men’s lower-level domestic leagues like the USL Championship and Canadian Premier League, or the NWSL that is one of the world’s top women’s league’s and one of North American sports’ hottest commercial commodities.

It’s not enough to simply exist in the aftermath of the World Cup. Rather, MLS must compete for the right to be seen as the right platform for commercial investors to embrace as a vehicle for siezing upon the World Cup bump.

The spectacle of one of its most successful teams on the field and at the box office relocating in the aftermath of the tournament would be a daming blow to that argument. It would suggest a league that prioritizes real estate above all other metrics of sporting health, and one with less authenticity and stability than other entities at home or abroad.

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen. But it means we should continue to believe MLS still desperately wants to avoid.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

Tennessee (40-8, 14-7 SEC) has three games remaining in its 2026 softball season. The Lady Vols will play a three-game road series at Missouri to conclude regular-season play.

A series opener between the Lady Vols and Tigers is slated for Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT (SEC Network+). Game 2 is scheduled for Friday (7 p.m. EDT), while a series finale will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT. Game 3 will be televised by SEC Network.

The SEC Tournament will be held May 5-9 in Lexington, Kentucky.

Ahead of the final series in the regular season, the latest NFCA/GoRout Division I Coaches Poll was released. Tennessee is ranked No. 8.

NFCA/GoRout Division I Coaches Poll softball top 25 rankings

Others receiving votes

Washington (24), Clemson (21), South Carolina (21), Southeastern Louisiana (18), Belmont (12), Omaha (10), Kansas (1)

Dropped out

No. 25 Washington (34-15)

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Lady Vols softball ranked top 10 ahead of regular-season series finale

The NWSL is sticking with its spring-to-fall calendar through 2030.

The league said on Wednesday that it will not change to the international calendar for at least the next five years. Earlier this week, the league’s board of governors tabled a planned vote on a calendar flip following opposition from players.

“Following extensive evaluation and close collaboration with key stakeholders, we have made the deliberate decision to maintain our existing competition calendar for this period,” the league said in a statement. “This decision reflects our confidence in the strong momentum and growth the league has achieved under its current structure, and our commitment to providing stability for everyone invested in the NWSL’s success.”

The NWSL and MLS play from spring through fall, opposite major leagues in Europe. Because the offseasons don’t align, players coming to or leaving the U.S. leagues have to play overlapping seasons and miss time with one of their clubs.

Late last year, MLS voted to flip its calendar in 2027 following years of discussions. Leaders have touted the move as an opportunity to better attract top talent and have stronger playoffs without stars departing for Europe.

The calendar commitment matches the league’s collective bargaining agreement with the players, which was reached in 2024 and runs through 2030. (The CBA can be reopened to renegotiate revenue sharing, but only if the league’s ownership structure changes or there is a major spike in revenue.)

NWSL players have been broadly opposed to playing during the winter. Before the vote was cancelled, Gotham FC player Midge Purce told Front Office Sports that the NWSL is not prepared to support cold weather markets the same way MLS is, and that she finds it “really frustrating that the players aren’t being considered” more in these discussions. 

“I’m trying really hard to hold my tongue about specific stories where we haven’t been supported really well and how it becomes an actual detriment for player health and safety,” Purce said.

After ESPN reported earlier this month that the league would vote on a calendar shift at its late-April meetings, the National Women’s Soccer League Players Association said the majority of players opposed the idea, citing a lack of league-wide facilities standards to handle cold weather.

On Wednesday, NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke said in a statement that the league made the “right decision to provide stability and certainty” with the calendar over the next several seasons.

“Throughout this process, players made clear that any discussion about the calendar must prioritize player health and safety, infrastructure (including training and match facilities), and professional standards necessary to compete at the highest level,” Burke said. “The NWSLPA remains committed to working with NWSL to foster the conditions necessary for its continued growth.”

A fall-to-spring calendar is not entirely off the table in the future, the NWSL made clear.

“We remain thoughtful about the long-term evaluation of our calendar— and will continue to assess future opportunities with the same rigor and broad stakeholder alignment that guided this decision,” the league said. “Any change of that magnitude would be communicated with ample notice.”

But for now, spring-to-fall is the status quo for the next several seasons, until CBA negotiations pick back up.

The post NWSL to Keep Calendar for Rest of Decade After Player Pushback appeared first on Front Office Sports.

Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk has taken his fight against a Football Association drugs ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Ukraine international, 25, has not played for nearly 18 months after an "adverse finding in a routine urine test" led to his provisional suspension in December 2024.

The FA charged Mudryk in June 2025 but has not disclosed whether the player has been issued with a full ban or if he is still serving a provisional suspension.

"Cas confirms it has received an appeal by Mykhailo Mudryk against the FA, filed on 25 February 2026," the Switzerland-based court told BBC Sport.

"The parties are currently exchanging written submissions, and a hearing is yet to be scheduled."

The BBC understands Mudryk came into contact with the cardiovascular medication meldonium, which can increase respiratory capacity and stamina, while on duty with the Ukraine national team in October 2024.

Mudryk, who joined Chelsea for an initial €70m (£61m) in January 2023, has not played a competitive match since November 2024.

In his only public statement, when his provisional suspension began, Mudryk described his "complete shock" and said he had "never knowingly used any banned substances or broken any rules".

Mudryk is being represented by Morgan Sports Law, the firm who worked with former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba during his doping case while playing for Juventus, as well as boxer Tyson Fury and cyclist Chris Froome during their respective investigations.

He is understood to want to return to football this year and is keeping fit by training at non-league Uxbridge FC with a private coach, having hired goalkeepers to work with.

Chelsea declined to comment as they wait for the process to run its full course, while the FA and Mudryk's lawyers have been contacted for further comment.

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Michigan State football is one of the first schools to extend an offer to a 2028 athlete prospect from Maryland.

Tristan Thomas of Prince Frederick, Md. announced on Wednesday that he's received an offer from the Spartans. Thomas made the offer from Michigan State known by posting on his social media X account.

Thomas is listed as an athlete and currently unrated or unranked by 247Sports. He measures out at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds and plays for Calvert, according to 247Sports.

Michigan State is only the second known school to extend an offer to Thomas, according to 247Sports. He also holds an offer from in-state Big Ten program Maryland, who offered him in early March.

Blessed to receive an offer from Michigan State #GoSpartans@JA_Adams06@MSU_Football@DemetricDWarren@ChadSimmons_@Hayesfawcett3@BrianDohn247@adamgorney@FTRreport#FTRpic.twitter.com/pic1tN2ygm

— Tristan Thomas (@TristanT332) April 29, 2026

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU football joins Big Ten peer, offers underrated 2028 ATH prospect

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL draft pretty much with a one track mind. Defense, defense, and more defense. While it was in an entirely defensive draft, it was pretty close to being one.

By most accounts, the Cowboys 2026 draft haul was a successful one. They absolutely nailed the first-round with S Caleb Downs and edge Malachi Lawrence, then following it up with some solid selections, some of which could push for a starting role this year. In the end, most fans around Cowboys Nation have to be pretty happy with the results.

Best pick

The Cowboys may have had to trade two fifth-round picks to acquire Caleb Downs’ services, but it was a lot cheaper than having to trade into the Top 10. In the end, they got their man and he should come in and completely transform Dallas’ defense for the better, from both a physical and mental standpoint.

Biggest surprise

Drafting Jaishawn Barham 92nd overall in the third-round wasn’t that big of a surprise, but where the Cowboys plan on playing him might be. Barham was considered an up and coming pass rusher, but Dallas seems to like him as and ILB, where he previously played at both Michigan and Maryland. Fingers crossed it works out.

Biggest question mark

LT Overton is a bit of a tweener coming out of Alabama. He doesn’t really have the speed or athleticism to be a full-time edge player and may not have the mass/strength to hold up full-time on the inside. Where he fits in Dallas is the ultimate question. Is he an edge or maybe a 4i? Something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Best value

Dallas may have toed the line in not drafting redshirt players, but with Devin Moore and his well-documented injury history at Florida, they are betting on his immense talent. A second-round talent when healthy to the Cowboys were able to draft in the fourth-round. The 6’3″ CB excels in zone coverage, perfect for Christian Parker’s scheme.

Best undrafted free agent

The Cowboys were able to add several undrafted free agents who have a real shot at making the final 53-man roster, but none more so than former Baylor TE Michael Trigg. Many believed he was a mid-round prospect, who for whatever reasons went undrafted. He has a chance to unseat Luke Schoonmaker as Dallas’ TE3 this year.

Remaining needs

There are several positions the Cowboys could still stand to upgrade by churning the bottom of the roster, but the most pressing roster “need” still lies at linebacker. While they traded for veteran Dee Winters and drafted Jaishawn Barham to upgrade the position, it’s still probably in their best interest to add another ILB via trade or roster cuts at some point this offseason. They currently don’t have much along the lines of veteran experience at the position and could use someone capable of wearing a green dot for the upcoming 2026 season.

Over the next few months, we’ll be breaking down all of the rookies added by the Jets during the draft and as undrafted free agents. We continue today with tight end Kenyon Sadiq.

The 21-year old Sadiq is listed at 6’3” and 241 pounds and was the 16th overall pick out of Oregon. He was an all-Big Ten first teamer last season, as he caught 51 passes, including eight touchdowns.

Background

Sadiq was a four-star high school recruit who started off as a running back before converting to wide receiver. He headed to Oregon to play tight end, but didn’t play much in his first season as he had just five catches for 24 yards and a touchdown.

In 2024, his role increased and he had 24 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns. By then end of his second season, he only had three career touchdowns but it was notable that they were all in big games as one was in the Fiesta Bowl and two were in the Big Ten title game.

He broke out last season and ended the year with 560 yards and eight touchdowns on 51 catches as he started 14 games. He did not have a 100-yard game in his career, though.

In the pre-draft process, he boosted his chances of being drafted in the first round with a tremendous performance at the combine.

The Jets selected Sadiq with the 16th overall pick, which was acquired from Indianapolis last season in the Sauce Gardner trade.

Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Sadiq brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.

Measurables/Athleticism

Sadiq, who was a 205-pound wide receiver when he was recruited by Oregon, is slightly undersized and doesn’t have a big catch radius, although he has big hands. He weighed 241 at the combine, although apparently his weight got as high as 255 while he was at Oregon so he could potentially add to his frame if it was felt necessary.

As noted, he had a terrific workout at the scouting combine, headlined by his 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. Some consider this to be an all-time record, although some sources have Vernon Davis’ combine 40 time to be 4.38 while others have it down as 4.40. Either way, Sadiq is comparable to one of the most athletic tight ends in NFL history.

Sadiq didn’t just run a fast 40-yard dash. He also managed a 43.5-inch vertical jump and 133-inch broad jump. The vertical is tied for second-best among all combine athletes in the past three years and the broad jump is tied for the second-best among all tight ends at the combine in the past nine seasons.

His strength is decent too, as he showed when he posted 26 reps in the bench press. He has also posted excellent numbers for maximum bench (435 pounds) and power-clean (365).

Usage

Sadiq has been versatile, with reps as an in-line tight end, in the slot, out wide and in the backfield at various times. He has also lined up as an offensive lineman in unbalanced line formations.

In high school, he also played as a running back, wide receiver and on defense. He also carried the ball as a runner nine times for 42 yards in his college career.

Deep threat

Sadiq’s speed could make him a matchup nightmare at the NFL level, but he hasn’t necessarily been used as a big play threat in college. He didn’t have a single 40-yard play in his career.

Nevertheless, he can stretch the field by getting down the seam and can get behind the defense on wheel routes.

Five of his eight touchdowns in 2025 actually came on passes thrown more than 20 yards past the line of scrimmage.

Routes

Sadiq’s ran a varied route tree in 2025 and did well within that role, so that looks to be something he can build on at the NFL level.

He’s not very experienced in terms of running downfield routes, though. in fact, 21 of his 29 receptions in his first two seasons were caught behind the line of scrimmage.

He is smooth and balanced as he looks to have a decent foundation in this area, with sharp breaks, good use of his frame on his route stem and some deception in his footwork.

Hands

Sadiq caught an eye-popping 93 percent of his targets in 2024, but – as noted above – a high proportion of these were dump-offs.

Still, his catch rate was impressive in a more varied role last season too – ending up at 76 percent.

Nevertheless, drops were a bit of an issue last season as he had six of them, a few of which were focus drops.

He does display strong hands and good concentration in contested catch situations, and has the body control to adjust and come up with tough catches beyond his frame.

Red zone

As noted, the majority of Sadiq’s touchdowns last season came on downfield throws. However, he has a skill-set that can make him a good option down near the goal line.

After the catch

As noted, Sadiq was primarily used on dump-off passes in his first two seasons and generated plenty of yards after the catch with his ability to break tackles and run over people.

He has also shown that he can create good yardage after the catch on downfield passes, with a particular knack for hurdling tacklers.

Sadiq had one fumble in his college career, on a play where the ball was punched out from behind in a tackle, but he landed on the ball and recovered it immediately.

Blocking

Sadiq is an effective blocker, who has typically graded out well on analytical sites and contributes both in-line and in space. The effort you see from him tends to be consistent.

Unlike many other pass catching tight end prospects, he’s someone that is often employed as a lead blocker, sometimes pulling across the formation or trapping, and Oregon also used him a lot as the primary blocker on receiver screens to the outside.

He gets his angles wrong sometimes, though, and does have a tendency to lunge into his blocks, so there is some work to be done on refining his footwork and technique.

As a pass blocker, he saw more work in 2025 and that was perhaps indicative of the Ducks coaches having more faith in him to handle those assignments. He didn’t actually give up any pressures in 59 pass blocking snaps in his career, but he let his man get a clean get-off a few times.

Physicality

Sadiq looks like someone who could still grow into his body as he has a good base with excellent lower body strength but is sometimes outmuscled in terms of his upper body strength.

When running routes he has good body control to compete at the catch-point or box out his man, leading to a contested catch rate of over 50 percent in his career.

He only had four penalties during his college career.

Special Teams

Sadiq has some experience on special teams, where he had three tackles in kick coverage during his career. He has also blocked on the kickoff return unit and in pass pro.

In his freshman season, he blocked this punt.

Instincts and Intelligence

Sadiq has a good knack for finding the open area in zone coverages or coming back to the football when plays get extended, perhaps benefiting from having played some other positions while he was in high school in terms of how well he can read coverages.

As a runner, he displays adequate vision and a feel for how to maximize yards after the catch and he doesn’t seem to make any obvious mistakes in his blocking assignments.

Attitude

Despite only being 20 at the time, Sadiq became more of a leader last season following the departure of Terrance Ferguson to the NFL. He leads by example with a good work ethic and was starting to become more of a vocal presence.

Off-field issues and on-field discipline have not been an issue with Sadiq either.

Injuries

Sadiq was troubled by an ankle injury last season, which he suffered in week five and it noticeably limited him in a game two weeks later. He then sat for one game. Prior to this, he hadn’t missed any time during his career.

Scheme Fit

There’s been plenty of discussion this week about how 13 personal packages (one back, three tight ends) looks set to become increasingly popular around the league and Sadiq could facilitate the Jets’ ability to operate those alongside Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert.

He’ll also line up in the slot from time-to-time, giving the Jets a chance to operate with two tight ends and then align themselves with three receivers instead. While he is best known for his athleticism and expected to contribute as a pass catcher, Sadiq is not as one-dimensional as someone like Mike Gesicki would have been as they entered the league.

Sadiq hasn’t been a teammate of any current Jets players but it’s not out of the question he could be reunited with Dante Moore next season. Moore, Oregon’s starting quarterback, is one of the quarterbacks the Jets could potentially draft next season and would of course have good chemistry with Sadiq.

Conclusions

The Jets’ offense should have some added dimensions next year with Sadiq and Omar Cooper each bringing things to the table that the Jets’ starting pass catchers previously did not.

Looking at them as a pairing, it’s notable that both had modest production in 2024 before breaking out to a degree last season.

However, while Cooper was already showing promise as a downfield receiver whose production soared when he got more dump-offs last season, Sadiq was a player who had primarily produced on dump-offs previously but expanded his game last season and built his production around being a more versatile weapon.

He perhaps has some work to do in terms of his upper-body strength, route running and blocking technique, but Sadiq brings the Jets an athletic mismatch-creator, who New York will be looking to feature heavily in the years ahead.

Robert MacIntyre has watched Scottie Scheffler up close and personal on numerous occasions over the past year or so.

MacIntyre played alongside Scheffler during the final two rounds of the BMW Championship last season, with the American getting the better of the Scot in the second FedEx Cup playoff event.

The 29-year-old world number one has set the standard in the professional game over the past four years.

Since February 2022, Scottie Scheffler has 20 PGA Tour wins to his name, including four major championships.

Robert MacIntyre obviously looks up to Scheffler as a golfer. The two players are the same age and watching the American dominate the sport over the past few years will have motivated the Scot to improve his own game.

MacIntyre has actually been criticized heavily this season for his displays of anger out on the golf course.

However, the Scot’s emotions getting the better of him is only a byproduct of wanting to win so badly.

He is fully aware of the fact that he can’t make too many mistakes if he wants to compete regularly with the likes of Scottie Scheffler.

Robert MacIntyre suggests what Scottie Scheffler has done is ‘outrageous’

Despite receiving criticism for his form at times this season, Scheffler has put together a really impressive set of results in 2026.

He has one win, five top-five finishes and eight top-25s in eight PGA Tour events to his name so far this year.

And MacIntyre has been truly astounded by the consistency shown by the man from Dallas, Texas.

MacIntyre has hit the nail on the head there.

How Robert MacIntyre can close the gap on Scottie Scheffler

Anyone on the PGA Tour can shoot a 63 or 62 on their day.

However, what makes Scheffler so good is his ability to post a 69 or a 70 when he’s nowhere near his best, while players like MacIntyre may go shoot a 73 or 74 on their off days.

During the course of four-round tournaments, minimizing mistakes is crucial to players’ hopes of winning.

And nobody is better at doing just that than Scottie Scheffler.

When his driving or iron play is off, he makes up for it with his short game, and vice-versa.

He always plays aggressively to conservative targets as well. It is very rare to see Scheffler miss on the short side of greens.

On the rare occasion that he does miss his target, he usually leaves himself a pretty simple up and down.

And that is perhaps the area in which Robert MacIntyre needs to improve if he is ever going to reach Scottie Scheffler’s level.

Juan Soto has built a reputation for controlling the strike zone, but this time, he handed that control to someone else entirely.

In a game where every pitch can dictate the outcome, especially on a 3-0 count, hitters are usually locked into their own approach. It is one of the few moments in baseball where the batter holds almost all the leverage.

But Soto is not a typical hitter, and his approach has always blended confidence with a sense of freedom that stands out even at the highest level.

And during the NY Mets’ latest matchup against the Washington Nationals, that mindset produced one of the most unusual and entertaining moments of the season.

Juan Soto allows the catcher to decide his 3-0 approach

As shown via MLB on X, Soto turned to the Nationals catcher mid-at-bat.

“Should I swing or should I take? I’ll do whatever you say. Take?” Soto asked.

The catcher’s response led Soto to hold his swing, but the pitch was still called a strike, making the moment even more ironic.

It was a rare mix of humor and confidence in a situation where most players would never break focus.

Inside the moment and how it played out in the Mets vs. Nationals

The exchange came during the Mets’ 8-0 win over the Nationals, a game where Soto’s impact extended far beyond that one pitch.

Despite taking the 3-0 pitch for a strike, Soto stayed locked in. Later in the same game, he delivered a two-run home run as part of a seven-run fourth inning that completely flipped the momentum.

The moment itself reflected something deeper about his style. Soto has long been known for elite plate discipline, often refusing to swing even in hitter-friendly counts if the pitch is not right.

This time, he took that patience to another level by turning it into a conversation, even bringing the opposing catcher into the decision.

Reactions quickly followed, with many fans seeing it as a display of confidence and control, while others viewed it as playful gamesmanship in the middle of competition.

Read more:

Reviewing this past weekend’s NFL draft, here’s a short piece categorizing Mountain West (and Pac-12) related things into winners and losers. This clearly isn’t an exhaustive list, but it does feature some of the trends and observations from the draft.

Winners

Chris Johnson

The star cornerback out of San Diego State was able to rise into the back of the first round in the draft, becoming the first player off the board in the Mountain West/Pac-12 world. A mid-major school producing a bona fide first-round NFL talent is something to celebrate in the transfer portal era, and Johnson also deserves some credit for staying with the Aztecs when he undoubtedly had offers to leave. Like Ashton Jeanty before him, Johnson shows that the Group of 6 is a viable path to the NFL for those who are talented enough.

North Dakota State

The Bison technically aren’t members of the Mountain West Conference just yet, but they still had a productive draft showing. North Dakota State was actually the only school under our scope that had multiple players drafted, with wide receiver Bryce Lane and quarterback Cole Payton both hearing their names called on Saturday. For a school that played at the FCS level, that’s a nice feat, and it’s still an accomplishment even for a team in teh Mountain West.

Keyshawn James-Newby

The former New Mexico edge-rusher has had quite the rise over the past few seasons. He started his career at Montana Tech for two seasons before venturing to Idaho for another two. He then moved up a level to try his hand at FBS football with New Mexico for his last season. And Keyshawn made it a season to remember, with 52 tackles, 15 for loss, and 9 sacks. He was able to turn that into a Day 3 NFL Draft selection, where he can now compete at the highest level.

San Diego State

In addition to having one of the five draft picks covered on this site, including the first of those picks, the program also had seven additional players either signed as undrafted free agents or invited to NFL minicamps. The eight total players with NFL ties is more than any other team covered here. San Diego State has a strong season, but they are having an even stronger draft season here.

Undrafted Free Agents

Each year, it seems that fewer players from Group of 6 conferences are being drafted each season, which is mainly due to them transferring to bigger schools before going pro. However, that does not mean mid-major players aren’t talented and aren’t getting NFL looks. At the time of this writing, 23 known players from the Mountain West or Pac-12 have signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents. All they need is a chance, and they will get one.

Losers

Wyoming

Not trying to pick on the Cowboys, but for the purposes of this article, we will highlight them. The program had a high number of players with some shot of being drafted, but ended up with no players taken in the seven rounds. The only one that was a significant surprise was tight end John Michael Gyllenborg, but it sounded like Caden Barnett was rising up on draft boards following his pro day as well. Again, it’s not so much that Wyoming had three sure-fire picks as it was they had a lot of possibilities and none heart their names called.

Boise State

On a similar note, it’s a bit disappointing that the conference champion Broncos only had one NFL draft pick this year. No one aside from offensive lineman Kage Casey was projected to get picked, but more was assumed from a team the Mountain West. Also, even Casey fell down draft boards, dropping from a top 100 pick to the start Day 3. We will see if the Broncos can produce any more picks in 2027.

Group of 6 teams

As mentioned above, a growing trend is mid-major talent getting raided by schools from power conferences on their way to the NFL Draft. That heavily skews the numbers, as at least a chunk of those 239 P4 drafted players started out as G6 players. Hopefully, players will realize they can still reach their NFL dreams through Mountain West or Pac-12 schools, but it will take a long time to regain hope to reverse this trend.

Your turn: What did we get right and wrong? What winners and losers would you add to this list? Comment below.

With the regular season behind us, it’s time for the ACC to hand out the hardware in the form of their 2026 awards.

On Tuesday, the conference announced their season awards and All-ACC Team, both of which were determined by a vote of the league’s five head coaches.

One of the headliners of the announcement was Syracuse’s Joey Spallina, who was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year. Joey was also one of three ‘Cuse players to be named to the All-ACC Team, alongside Michael Leo and Luke Rhoa.

Joey is the first Syracuse player to earn ACC Offensive Player of the Year since Sergio Salcido in 2017. Kevin Rice, in 2015, is the only other SU player to earn the award since the Orange joined the league in 2014.

Joey leads the ACC in both points (71) and assists (41), while sitting second in both categories on a per game basis (4.73 points, 2.73 assists).

Having played the majority of the season at attack, Michael ranks eighth in the league in points per game (3.27) and fifth in assists per game (1.40).

Luke has been one of the top midfield scoring threats in the conference all season, scoring an average of 1.53 goals per game. His 23 goals rank him second in the ACC among midfielders, and his eight man-up goals are second-best in the country and tops by a midfielder.

The names that joined Joey in earning a season award are Brady Wambach and Shawn Lyght as co-Defensive Player of the Year, Thomas Ricciardelli as Goalie of the Year, Brendan Millon as Freshman of the Year and Kevin Corrigan as Coach of the Year.

The All-ACC Team is made up of 18 players, including seven attackers, four midfielders, three defenders, one goalie, one FOGO, one LSM and one SSDM. It’s one of the most evenly split ACC teams ever, with all five schools either contributing three or four players to the group. Duke, Notre Dame and Virginia all had four players named, while North Carolina and Syracuse had three.

Congratulations to Joey, Michael and Luke on their well-deserved honors!

The New York Giants traded up to pick No. 74 in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Notre Dame wide receiver Malachi Fields. New York departed with picks No. 105, No. 145, and a 2027 4th-rounder to land a 6-foot-4, 218-pound X receiver who offers the Giants’ offense a different body type and skill-set than they currently have in their wide receiver room.

Fields snagged 36 of 62 passes for 630 yards with five touchdowns in 2025 — his lone season as a Golden Domer. He spent four seasons at Virginia; he eclipsed over 800 yards in 2024 and 2023 as a Cavalier, securing 10 touchdowns over the two seasons. He finished his college career with 165 catches (278 targets, 59.4% catch rate) for 2,486 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Fields is a big-bodied wide receiver who mostly aligned out-wide. His career yards-per-route-run was 1.94, but his 2025 number was 2.20 with Notre Dame. Fields had an average aDot of 14.1 (16.4 in 2025) and his yards per reception was 15.1 (17.5 in 2025). Fields only has three drops over the last two seasons. Fields forced 29 total missed tackles in his career, and he caught 47.2% of his contested catches (34 of 72). Fields was selected to the Third Team All-ACC in 2024, and he will be in attendance at the Senior Bowl.

Strengths

• Elite size, length, girth + athletic combination
• Elite catch radius and strong hands
• Solid overall athlete with good long-speed and solid agility
• Long limbed long strider
• Excellent leaping skills and lower-body explosiveness 
• Immediate ability to turn back to the QB on quick curls
• Solid overall release package
• Does well to defeat press with strength – quick to stack
• Fluid mover in a phone booth for player of his size at the LOS
• Good footwork at the line of scrimmage
• Creates sufficient separation on vertical and deep crossing plane vs. man
• Smart receiver who understands where to sit against zone
• Attacks the football – has a “it’s mine” mentality 
• Excellent concentration 
• Several acrobatic grabs on his highlight reel
• Ball skills phenom – strong reliable hands
• Elite play strength at the catch point, and overall
• Love his physical nature 
• Good eyes in space to create YAC
• Excellent blocker who can eliminate DBs
• Was a team captain at Virginia 

Weaknesses

• Is a bit high-hipped
• Not very sudden or explosive 
• Can he be a consistent deep threat?
• Can he consistently create separation?
• Excellent size/speed combination but it leans more to size than speed
• Never broke 1,000 yards in a season

Fields profiles as a prototypical X receiver, offering an excellent blend of size, strength, athleticism, and ball skills. He shows impressive fluidity for a player of his build and consistently attacks the football in the air, making acrobatic, high-degree-of-difficulty catches with strong concentration. Fields did a better job in 2025 of using his massive frame to his advantage at Notre Dame, particularly at the catch point. Once he opens up his stride, Fields eats up ground vertically and can generate adequate separation on deep posts. 

That said, questions about his ability to consistently separate against NFL-level coverage are fair. His pre-draft testing will be important in clarifying that projection. Ultimately, Fields is a physical, aggressive “baller” at the position. Fields fills the need for an X-receiver who can win 50/50 balls and serve as a dependable target underneath against zone coverage for the quarterback. Fields projects as an excellent fit.

Fields offers the Giants a heavier — much more effective — blocking 11 personnel package that can feature him as a power-slot, which will put weaker, run-vulnerable, defensive sub-packages into a precarious spot. Matt Nagy focused on the power slot in Kansas City with Rashee Rice. The offense won’t run through Fields in this role, but his presence offers the Giants another weapon in the chess game of personnel deployment.

New York needed an infusion of young depth at the wide receiver position. With the probable release of Darius Slayton after 2026, Malik Nabers was the only wide receiver under contract beyond this season. Please enjoy the video below!

With 18.5 percent of the season gone, the Cubs have emerged statistically as a Top 5 offense in baseball. Where they fall in that top five depends on which metrics you value most. The point is, this offense is pretty elite so far. It’s interesting, because there are still some very key bats that the Cubs haven’t gotten a ton out of. Two of those guys who haven’t been on top of their game so far both had clutch hits in the seventh inning to put this game out of reach. It was so comfortable that I was able to nap through the late innings and didn’t have to watch the Cub bullpen after Hoby Milner work. Of course, this means that Ryan Rolison still doesn’t actually exist to me.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has been slowly turning around his slow start to the season. After the first 10 games (ending with the first game in Tampa) his OPS bottomed out at .487. With his homer and walk in this one, he’s up to .637. That the Cubs are 14-6 over that stretch is probably not coincidental. I’m just not sure which one is the chicken and which one is the egg. He’s not tearing the world up over that stretch. But he’s contributing. He’s got both his homers, his only triple and two doubles in there. Over 82 plate appearances, the pop isn’t quite there. I always love good announcer timing and hat tip to Rick Sutcliffe on the broadcast saying just before the homer that taking his walks will lead to him getting more pitches he can drive.

Rick was on fire that inning. He also went way out on a limb and said that Alex Bregman was going to come through in a clutch spot as he pinch hit right in front of PCA. Unsurprisingly, Bregman has that same break in his season line. After 10 games, he was at an OPS of .544. Now he sits at .710. Alex did have two homers before that stretch, but all three of his doubles this season and his one triple are in that stretch. Again, not setting the world on fire. But he went the other way with a ball with two outs for an RBI single that kept the line moving and set the stage for PCA’s three-run homer.

On the other side, I’ll give shout outs to Edward Cabrera looking pretty solid again, falling one out shy of a quality start. Health alone would make Hoby Milner more useful than a lot of Cubs relievers so far, but his performance has been rock solid for this team. Ryan Rolison is slowly drifting out of novelty territory and into intriguing with his early success.

All in all, a very nice road win. The Cubs have now played 12 straight games with the last five of those being on the west coast against two of the three best teams in the NL to date, and they are 9-3. The Cubs have one to go, then an off day before some home games. It won’t get a ton easier, but Fangraphs at least preliminarily gives the Cubs a slight (or better) edge in every one of those seven games on the next homestand. After the off day, the Cubs have 10 straight scheduled for a total of 23 games in 24 days. It’s going to be wild when this team reaches the end of May and the easiest teams it has faced will have been the Phillies and Mets. Changing of the guard.

Three Positives:

• PCA’s big night. A walk, a three-run homer and two runs scored.
• Seiya Suzuki had two hits and a walk. He scored a run. He remains scorching hot.
• Hoby Milner four up four down.

Game 30, April 28: Cubs 8, Padres 3 (18-12)

THREE HEROES:

• Superhero: Dansby Swanson (.194). 1-1, 2 RBI
• Hero: Nico Hoerner (.175). 1-5, 2 RBI
• Sidekick: Pete Crow-Armstrong (.142). 1-4, HR, BB, 3 RBI, 2 R

THREE GOATS:

• Billy Goat: Matt Shaw (-.158). 0-4
• Goat: Edward Cabrera (-.075). 5.2 IP, 25 BF, 6 H, BB, 3 ER, 7 K, HBP (W 2-0)
• Kid: Moisés Ballesteros (-.075). 0-4, BB

WPA Play of the Game: With two outs in the sixth inning, Nico Hoerner batted with runners on second and third and the game tied at two. Nico doubled, driving in two runs. (.269)

*Padres Play of the Game: Luis Campusano batted with runners on first and second and two outs and the Padres down two. He singled, driving in a run and sending the other runner to third. (.148)

Cubs Player of the Game:

Game 29 Winner: Moisés Ballesteros received 129 of 137 votes.

Rizzo Award Standings: (Top 3/Bottom 3)

The award is named for Anthony Rizzo, who finished first in this category three of the first four years it was in existence and four times overall. He also recorded the highest season total ever at +65.5. The point scale is three points for a Superhero down to negative three points for a Billy Goat.

• Nico Hoerner +9.5
• Michael Conforto +7
• Moisés Ballesteros +6
• Jacob Webb/Pete Crow-Armstrong -9
• Matt Shaw -10

Current Win Pace: 97.2

Up Next: At 3:10 p.m. CT, the third and final game in San Diego. Jameson Taillon (1-1, 4.55, 27.2 IP) gets his sixth start of the season. Last time out he started in Los Angeles and didn’t go so well. He allowed four runs on four hits and three walks in five innings. As is somewhat usual for a back of the rotation guy, he’s been up and down. He had a strong start, then a decent one, then a rough one, then a good one, then a rough one. So we can hope he’ll bounce back again.

29-year-old Matt Waldron (0-1, 12.46, 8.2 IP) makes his third start of the year for the Padres. Matt was an 18th round pick of the Indians in 2019 (550th overall). He allowed six runs on eight hits and three walks over five innings in his last start at Colorado. For his career, he is 8-16 with a 5.19 ERA in 38 appearances (35 starts). He’s never faced the Cubs in his career.

Hopefully the offense can keep rolling against Waldron and Taillon can keep them in the game. That just might get the Cubs one more win on this trip.

Go Cubs.

The news that Rob Thomson was fired was one that still had the shock effect from afar, but judging from the reporting done around the team, it was also a shock inside the team clubhouse. Watching the game being played on Tuesday, it looked and felt like one where the players had a bit of an extra hop to their step. Jesus Luzardo had a little extra giddy-up on his fastball, a little sweep on his sweeper. The hitters actually took better swings against a pitcher in Tyler Mahle that made them look rather foolish a few weeks ago. In his postgame interview, Trea Turner spoke about the heaviness of the day and how it had affected the players in the dugout.

With Thomson now gone and a new manager in Don Mattingly installed, the bright light of the spotlight has now been shifted away from the manager’s office. Some might like it to be pointed in the direction of Dave Dombrowski and that is fair. His assemblage of this roster is always up for debate, but now has a substantial amount of criticism following it with Thomson no longer there to share in the blame for his poor start to the season. To which I ask;

Did Thomson or Dombrowski come into this series against the Giants as the worst hitter in the game? No, Alec Bohm did.

Did Thomson or Dombrowski come into this series against the Giants as one of the worst defensive teams in the game? No, the regular defensive players did.

Did Thomson or Dombrowski come into this series against the Giants with an ERA that starts with a 6? No, Aaron Nola did.

Did Thomson or Dombrowski come into this series against the Giants with one of the worst OPS numbers as a group against left handed pitching? No, the lineup did.

I could go on and on, but the picture is clear – the responsibility for this move that was made by Dombrowski falls mostly on the players that performed as poorly as they did.

We will read over and over as the rawness of this move continues to show about how Thomson had not lost the clubhouse, how the players loved him or respected him, how they didn’t think his message had been lost. That’s all well and good, but the ultimate reason for Thomson’s firing is that the players stunk, plain and simple. Their lack of production on the field is why the team has seen one of its foundational pillars to their success now been toppled over.

We see this all the time, that the players feel bad that they got a manager fired, that they wished it hadn’t happened. That’s great! It’s nice to see players with genuine affection for the person in charge of their clubhouse. However, had they truly felt that bad, they’d have played better when the going got tough instead of rolling over and showing their belly each time the other team took a lead in a game.

The next few games are probably going to see the team pick up their play for the better. There has been talk of how they will see a bit of a lighter schedule, to which I saw what in the past few weeks has the team done to make you believe that the schedule was the issue at play. Maybe improved play is actual positive regression to the mean, maybe it’s a dead cat bounce. That’s for us to look at and analyze in the future. But for now, the spotlight just got a little brighter on the players in the clubhouse. Their poor play to start this season got their manager fired. Let’s see how they choose to respond.

Well, the Colorado Avalanche have advanced to the second round and will enjoy some time off, and that means it’s time for another installment of Mile High Pollster!

First, we will start with the most pressing matter at hand for the Avalanche, and that’s if it will be the Minnesota Wild or the Dallas Stars in round two.

Jared Bednar and his players will get to kick their feet up and watch as Dallas and Minny beat up on each other, but make no mistake, no matter who Colorado gets next, it’s going to be a battle.

First-round MVP

We had this question at the roundtable, so I figured I’d share it with our community as well! I picked Artturi Lehkonen, whose talent still shone despite LA’s shutdown approach.

Gabe Landeskog posting four points in four playoff games is nothing to scoff at, and of course, only allowing 5 goals all series (with just two against at 5-on-5), Scott Wedgewood has to be a part of the conversation.

You might go with a dark-horse like Logan O’Connor, who, despite coming back from hip surgery, looks quick and engaged so far during the playoff bracket.

Power Play Still

The Avalanche went 1/11 on the power play against the Kings, but should we really be worried?

The unit looked plenty dangerous, and LA’s approach suggests fewer goals per period, no matter the situation.

Thank goodness Nate MacKinnon got a power play tally in game four, or else this would be an even bigger talking point.

I, for one, am a little tired of talking about the Avalanche power play.

Not So Controversial

Sunday night, after the Avalanche had dispatched the Kings, the hockey world got its first controversy as the Ducks beat the Edmonton Oilers in OT on a goal that has many (mostly Oiler fans) questioning the validity of the call.

Oilers fans say there wasn’t a ref in position to deem the call a goal on the ice.

In the chamber of the only version of events that helps Oilers fans cope, they don’t believe that there’s conclusive evidence of a goal, and had the call on the ice been no goal, it would have been upheld.

To that I say, the situation room has final say, and the call on the ice has no constraints on what the situation room decides is a goal.

Also, it was a goal.

The Anticipation

It’s nice that the Avalanche got the sweep, even though for some reason the dialogue was around how ‘close’ LA was.

They really weren’t ever close. The Avalanche dominated the expected goals per sixty share, earning almost 2/3 of the chances in the series.

The Avalanche gave up two goals at 5-on-5, and one of those went in off of Josh Manson.

Now that it’s over, Manson and company can tend to their wounds and get ready for round two.

Let us know what your answers are in the comments, and be sure to follow us on X for future polls!

LeBron James acknowledges influence Michael Jordan had on his career: 'Hope I made him proud wearing No. 23' originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

LeBron James has largely left the "greatest of all time" debate between himself and Michael Jordan up to the fans over the years, he recently got candid about the conversation.

In a series of interviews with ESPN, James discussed the dynamic between himself and Jordan, including how their games compare to one another and his take on the "GOAT' debate that rages on.

James is in the final stage of his career at age 41, but whether it's his final season is a mystery. The Lakers star has not said whether he will play next year, but he's still playing well enough to keep going and stating his GOAT case even after setting an NBA record with his 23rd season.

Here's what James had to say about Jordan and how the two compare.

MORE:Key stats to know in Jordan vs. LeBron GOAT debate

LeBron James gives his take on Michael Jordan GOAT debate

In what ESPN called a series of interviews, James explained why he doesn't believe the debate between himself and Jordan is necessarily fair.

"I never have compared myself to MJ because our games are totally different," James said. "I have been a point-forward/forward-point my whole life. I have always looked for the pass. MJ kind of looked for the shot. Not kind of, he did. He looked for the shot."

James called himself "one-of-one" but admitted Jordan is one-of-one as well.

"There are a lot of things that MJ did better than I do," James said. "And I think there are some things that I do better than him. That's just how the game goes."

While James said he avoids the GOAT debate because it's a "very tiring conversation," he described how Jordan influenced his career long before he reached the NBA.

"I dreamed of being able to be in a big game and hit a game-winner as the clock went down. I dreamed of having my own sneaker. I dreamed of flying through the air like him. I dreamed of people screaming my name. Everything that he did," James said. "I needed inspiration from certain people in music and in sports during my upbringing. I needed that."

Even after all he has accomplished, James is still looking to live up to that standard.

"I hope I made him proud at least, wearing that No. 23," James said.

MORE:Explaining Adam Silver's new anti-tanking proposal

LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan stats

Per game

Total

The per-game stats between Jordan and James can he heavily debated, with Jordan averaging more than 30 points per game, but James' longevity dominates the totals. James is the all-time scoring leader and has more than 12,000 assists and rebounds, with Jordan under 7,000 in both categories.

Even with the gap in games played, however, Jordan's defensive stats match up nicely. The Bulls legend still has more blocks than James in 20,000 fewer minutes.

MORE:Updated Sporting News' 2026 NBA mock draft

LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan championships

Jordan won six NBA championships, while James has won four.

Jordan never lost in the NBA Finals, reaching the round six times and winning all six times with only a brief retirement between a pair of three-peats. James has lost in the NBA Finals six times, though some value getting to the NBA Finals and losing over not reaching the Finals at all. 

LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan accolades

Jordan has more championships and MVPs than James, but James isn't far behind with four MVPs to Jordan's five:

While Jordan dominated as a pure scorer, which James acknowledged in his interview with ESPN, many make the case that James is the more well-rounded player. The Lakers star has 21 All-NBA selections, easily a record.

ESPN analyst defends Rams' Ty Simpson pick for Patrick Mahomes and Jordan Love reasons originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Rams made some very confusing picks during the 2026 NFL Draft, but their selection of Ty Simpson was the obvious stunner.

With the Rams in win-now mode, taking a backup, developmental quarterback is a very strange decision for the Rams.

However, ESPN's Matt Miller defended this pick by referencing the Kansas City Chiefs selection of Patrick Mahomes and the Green Bay Packers selection of Jordan Love in recent years.

ESPN analyst defends Ty Simpson pick using Mahomes and Love

"On value, Simpson wasn't a match for where he was selected," Miller writes. "But the idea of drafting a quarterback before you need one is strong. It worked for Green Bay - twice. It worked for Kansas City when Alex Smith was taking the Chiefs to the playoffs."

The Rams taking Simpson at the No. 13 selection in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft was a true stunner and drew plenty of criticism.

But Miller is defending the pick by referencing the success the Packers got after they took Love and also Aaron Rodgers back in the day, while they had a starting quarterback still on the roster.

More: Puka Nacua, Byron Young, other 2023 draft picks expected to be extended by Rams

The Chiefs' selection of Mahomes was a similar example, as they were a playoff contender with Alex Smith, and still picked a QB early in the draft.

This defense of the Rams' pick makes sense from that angle, as if the Rams can have a quarterback ready to completely take over when Matthew Stafford retires, instead of trying to find a new one, would be ideal.

However, the Rams were one of the best teams in the NFL last year, and would've been better off taking a top wide receiver like Makai Lemon instead of Simpson at No. 13 to maximize their championship window with Stafford.

In an ideal world, the Simpson pick will turn into what Mahomes, Love, and Rodgers became. But, more likely is that the Rams will come to regret this pick, as turning into an elite QB like those three will be incredibly difficult.

More Rams news:

• Anthony Richardson would be perfect trade target for Rams to develop behind Matthew Stafford
• Sean McVay reveals Rams did have Davante Adams trade talks this offseason
• Rams' most overpaid player is their $9.1 million TE highlighting GM masterclass
• Puka Nacua is major beneficiary of Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s $168.6M extension

Silverstone has offered to host two grands prix next season in order to alleviate a “crisis” in the F1 calendar.

The complex geopolitical landscape has seen a major reshuffle to this year’s race schedule. Races set to take place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April were cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East, with bosses confirming that alternative hosts were not viable in April.

F1 returns this weekend with the Miami Grand Prix after a five-week break, with no action since Kimi Antonelli took the chequered flag in Japan on 29 March. There will also be a three-week break between Miami and the next race in Canada.

Silverstone stepped in to host multiple races during the 2021 season which was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the circuit’s CEO Stuart Pringle says the track could do so again in 2026.

“I have offered, because we stepped in during Covid and we were able to help Formula 1, and if that would help then of course we will,” he told Sky News. “There are numerous practicalities that need to be considered. The offer is in and they know we’re here. We can move quickly if asked.”

Silverstone has a packed schedule of races and other events, but Pringle said F1 can still be hosted at the track. “I pride myself on not having spare windows but everything is moveable in a crisis.”

There will be some tweaks to F1’s controversial new regulations when the season resumes in Miami this weekend.

Max Verstappen has been especially vocal, labelling the sport “Mario Kart” and hinting the regulations will hasten his exit from the sport. The Dutchman, among others, dislikes the rules which introduced a 50-50 split between combustion and electrical power, placed an onus on drivers managing their battery, effectively slowing down on a qualifying lap, and added “gimmicks” such as a boost button to overtake.

There have also been safety concerns due to dangerous closing speeds – as evidenced by Ollie Bearman’s high-speed crash in Japan.

But talks have been held between the governing body, the FIA, F1 and the teams and drivers since the last round in Japan.

Energy harvesting will be reduced from eight megajoules to seven, and the hybrid power unit will be increased from 250kw to 350kw. Both changes are aimed at allowing the drivers to go flat-out for longer in qualifying.

Mumbai Indians are all set to host Sunrisers Hyderabad in a crucial Indian Premier League 2026 clash at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, April 29.

MI suffered an embarrassing 103-run loss against CSK in their last match and are at risk of facing elimination from the league stage this season.

SRH, on the other hand, are on a four-match winning streak and will to extend it and move further up on the league table. 

In this article, The Sporting News tracks the IPL 2026 match and provides each team's live win probabilities.

Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source

Live scorecard:

MI vs SRH IPL 2026: Win probability and toss result

After 10 overs, MI 124/2

MI lost a couple of wickets but Rickleton is still at the crease. 

After 6 overs, MI 78/0

MI openers, Jacks and Rickleton, off to a stellar start. 

Rohit Sharma has still not fully recovered and is out of the SRH clash. 

Toss: MI captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and opted to bat first.

MORE: Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinion

MI vs SRH: Playing XI

MI playing XI: Will Jacks, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya (c), Robin Minz, Trent Boult, Ashwani Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar

Impact subs: Mayank Rawat, Raghu Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Krish Bhagat, Raj Bawa

SRH playing XI: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Henrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Salil Arora, Pat Cummins (c), Harsh Dubey, Eshan Malinga, Praful Hinge, Sakib Hussain

Impact subs: R Smaran, Aniket Verma, Liam Livingstone, Shivang Kumar, Harshal Patel

MI vs SRH IPL 2026: Win percentage

MI vs SRH IPL 2026 odds

*All odds via Dafabet.

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Falkirk's John McGlynn is in the running for a third successive PFA Scotland manager of the year award, facing competition from Derek McInnes of Hearts and Stenhousemuir boss Gary Naysmith.

In his debut season at Tynecastle, McInnes has the Edinburgh club three points clear at the top of the Premiership with four games remaining.

Hearts were last crowned champions of Scotland in 1960.

Having ended a 15-year absence from the top flight for Falkirk, McGlynn has secured a top six place.

The 64-year-old, took the club up via back-to-back title-winning promotions and also won the award while at Raith Rovers in 2010-11.

McInnes, 54, collected the prize during his days at Aberdeen in 2013-14.

Meanwhile, former Scotland full-back Naysmith has Stenhousemuir challenging for promotion to the Championship for the first time.

With one game remaining before the play-offs, the Warriors are two points behind Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the top of League One.

For the women's award, Eva Olid from Hearts, Glasgow City's Leanne Ross and Partick Thistle head coach Gary Holt have all been nominated.

Hearts are five points clear as they seek a first SWPL title.

Glasgow City have a game in hand on the leaders and remain in the hunt for a treble.

The winners will be announced at the PFA Scotland awards on 3 May.

Who missed the cut?

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou is a notable omission from the list, with the Fir Park side on course to finish fourth in the Premiership, winning plaudits for their expansive style.

Under Danny Rohl, Rangers have battled back into the title race and have lost just twice in the league under the German who took over in October.

Martin O'Neill has had two interim stints in charge of Celtic this season, returning after his first successful spell from 2000-05.

The 74-year-old could yet end this season with a league and Scottish Cup double.

Out to deny his old boss is Neil Lennon, who has taken Dunfermline Athletic to the cup final, beating Hibernian, Aberdeen and Falkirk along the way.

The Fife side are also in with a chance of promotion to the top flight, having clinched their spot in the play-offs.

Mick Kennedy of East Kilbride is another to miss out after taking last year's Lowland League winners to the top of League Two.

Right before the Buffalo Bills traded back a third time in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Jets moved from No. 33 overall to No. 30 overall in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers to select wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr., and a Jets reporter is reporting he knows the reason why.

On the Jets Collective podcast, ESPN’s Jets reporter Rich Cimini mentioned the Jets received intel the Bills were going to take the Indiana receiver at No. 31. Cimini had the following to say about the matter:

“They anticipated that. That was their intel. It’s funny how as soon as they traded up & took him, Buffalo traded out.”

Cimini has been around a long time as a reputable reporter, so there’s no reason to question his sources — he likely was given the exact information above by someone within the Jets organization.

Whether that “intel” is actually based in reality is an entirely different story.

On the surface, it’s completely logical and straightforward — the Bills had a presumed receiver need, the Jets moved one spot in front of Bills, picked a receiver, and Buffalo subsequently moved down from No. 31. Simple dot-connection.

Here’s why I don’t buy it, which too, is fairly uncomplicated.

As we all know, Buffalo held the No. 26 overall pick in the draft when Round 1 began, and Cooper Jr. was available when the club originally went on the clock. Didn’t pick him. Then, after their first trade back of the evening, the Bills had the No. 28 selection. Didn’t take him then either.

President of football operations and general manager Brandon Beane has been candid over the years about how the team — and I’m assuming essentially all teams — operate regarding prospects with “first-round grades.”

(Importantly on that note, we all understood the 2026 class wasn’t chock full of them. It may have been the smallest number of first-round grades the vast majority of the NFL had within a draft class in a while.)

If the Bills had a first-round grade on Cooper Jr. — and maybe he was the only first-round grade remaining — he would’ve been the pick at No. 26 overall OR No. 28 overall. It’s exceptionally unlikely they would’ve been haggling over the pick number at which they wanted to select him. Also, most draft-day decisions come via the team’s horizontal board anyway.

To prove Beane operates in this manner — disregarding pick number when selecting a prospect, particularly in Round 1 — in 2022 and 2023, he saw Kaiir Elam and Dalton Kincaid as the last remaining first-round grades on Buffalo’s board. As they got close, he trade up to get them, not in the least bit concerned about which number pick in the 20s each were selected. In 2022, getting Elam at No. 25 (Buffalo’s original pick number) or No. 23 was irrelevant. The same applied the following year when landing Kincaid at No. 27 (Buffalo’s original pick) or No. 25.

Therefore, while it’s easy to jump to the conclusion that the Jets sniped Omar Cooper Jr. away from the Bills by moving ahead of Buffalo at pick No. 30, that line of thinking completely ignores what initially transpired for the Bills to get the No. 30 overall pick.

Oklahoma softball stands atop the SEC standings heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Will the Sooners land the No. 1 overall seed again?

There are multiple teams in contention for the top seed of the NCAA Tournament, including fellow SEC foes Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Florida and Arkansas, to name a few. There's still plenty seeding implications at the SEC tournament in Lexington, Kentucky, from May 5 to May 9 before Selection Sunday.

REQUIRED READING: SEC softball rankings: How many teams will host NCAA regionals?

After winning four consecutive national championships from 2021-24, Oklahoma was upset by Texas Tech in the Women's College World Series last season in the semifinals, failing to reach the national title game for the first time since 2018. The Sooners have the best offense in college softball by a wide margin in 2026, and is looking to get back to the top.

They have plenty of competition for the throne. Coach Patrick Murphy at Alabama has one of his best teams in recent years, and Tennessee, Texas Tech and Nebraska all also have elite pitching capable of shutting down even the best lineups.

Here's a look at USA TODAY's regional host projections heading into the final weekend of the college softball regular season:

College softball bracketology: Regional host projections

1. Oklahoma (46-6)
2. Alabama (44-6)
3. Texas (38-8)
4. Tennessee (40-8)
5. Arkansas (39-9)
6. Nebraska (40-6)
7. Florida (46-7)
8. Texas Tech (47-4)
9. UCLA (44-5)
10. Florida State (43-7)
11. Duke (38-13)
12. Texas A&M (35-14)
13. LSU (33-16)
14. Oklahoma State (34-12)
15. Oregon (38-10)
16. Georgia (34-16)

It'll be interesting to see how the selection committee views RPI when deciding national seeds in 2026. While Oklahoma ranks No. 6 in both the NCAA and D1Softball RPI, it leads the country with 16 Quad 1 wins while leading the SEC with an 18-3 conference record, two games ahead of second place Florida.

Arkansas ranks No. 1 in the NCAA's RPI, although it's seventh in the SEC standings. The Razorbacks benefit from D1Softball's No. 1-ranked Strength of Schedule, although they come in at No. 5 in our projections due to their 9-7 record against Quad 1 teams. Texas (No. 2 in RPI), Alabama (No. 3 in RPI) and Tennessee (No. 8 in RPI) get the edge over Arkansas thanks to each program having double-digit Quad 1 wins.

While Nebraska hasn't faced the toughest slate in the Big Ten this season, the Cornhuskers' nonconference scheduling gives them a huge boost heading into the tournament. Nebraska faced the No. 1 nonconference strength of schedule this season, going 19-4 in such games with wins over Texas, LSU, Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. Big Red also has a 20-1 record in conference play, and took two of three against UCLA earlier in the season.

Texas Tech will be another interesting case. The Red Raiders did nothing but improve their roster on paper after finishing runners-up to Texas last season, and they have an impressive 48-4 record with their only losses to Nebraska, Arizona, Utah and Texas State. Texas Tech has a 10-2 record in Quad 1 games, which should boost its seeding despite ranking No. 11 in the NCAA's RPI.

Florida's seeding could also have some variance. The Gators rank No. 5 in the NCAA's RPI but No. 1 in D1Softball's RPI. It also has the second-best SEC record this season (16-5) and has an 11-6 record in Quad 1 games.

UCLA comes in at No. 9 as the second Big Ten host, ahead of No. 10 Florida State and No. 11 Duke. FSU, the frontrunner to win the ACC, gets the nod over its conference opponent due to its 9-0 record in Quad 1 games and impressive record, while ranking two spots higher (No. 10) in the NCAA's RPI.

It gets tricky after Duke's spot in the pecking order, as LSU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Georgia all have arguments for any of the final five seeds. The Ducks find themselves in a weird position with a No. 9 ranking in the NCAA's RPI, although they have a 3-3 record in Quad 1 games. Oregon will likely host, but its record and lack of quality wins don't quite match its metrics.

• On the outside looking in: Mississippi State (36-15), Stanford (34-12), Arizona (34-13), UCF (36-14), Virginia Tech (41-9).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College softball bracketology: Projecting regional hosts in 2026

The NFL Draft allows the opportunity to retrospectively examine what we thought of future top draft picks as high school prospects. In doing so, we can learn from successes and mistakes to improve our scouting and ranking process in the future.

2026 NFL Draft Report Card: How every recruiting service stacked up

The first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft saw several prominent hits and misses. Here are a few that stick out.

Hit: RB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame

Drafted: No. 3 by the Arizona Cardinals
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 79 in 2023
Next Highest Ranking: 4-star, No. 93 (ESPN)
Industry Comparison

Jeremiyah Love was a steady riser at running back in the 2023 cycle, ultimately finishing as the No. 4 back and inside the top 100. Love was an elite athlete both on the track and in the combine setting. He first caught our eye coming out of his junior season and moved into the On300 in February 2022. Love was an explosive, big-play back who we wanted to see get more carries as a senior. We saw that improvement as a senior, with the Notre Dame pledge rushing for 1,292 yards and 22 touchdowns at 9.2 yards per carry, in addition to 13 catches for 370 yards and five touchdowns. Love put a huge exclamation point on his high school career heading into the final rankings with a 318-yard, five touchdown performance in the state championship game. A prospect who was younger for the class (late May birthday) Love showed consistent improvement and is in hindsight the clear top running back to come from the 2023 cycle, though there were signs of an upward trajectory as a prospect.

Miss: WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State

Drafted: No. 4 by the Tennessee Titans
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 47 in 2023
Rivals Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 41
Industry Comparison

Carnell Tate was one of the more skilled wide receiver prospects in the 2023 cycle with advanced route-running ability and ball skills. Tate was a standout wide receiver at IMG Academy and had a very good senior season. His raw production wasn’t eye-popping: 37 catches for 750 yards and eight touchdowns. But when accounting for IMG’s short nine-game season and traditionally run-heavy offense, it’s by far the best season a wide receiver has had at the talent powerhouse in at least a decade. It’s something that we should have better accounted for at the time. The biggest question with Tate was the top-end gear, as he never ran faster than 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash. With that said, he tested well in about every other drill. The high skill level and per game production against top competition should have had him ranked higher. The 2023 wide receiver cycle was stacked with big, gifted athletes who were raw technically. Tate’s high floor and steady production are a reminder that wide receiver is a true skill position.

Hit: EDGE Arvell Reese – Ohio State

Drafted: No. 5 by the New York Giants
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 142 in 2023
Next Highest Ranking: 4-star, No. 204 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Arvell Reese was a relative late riser in the 2023 cycle bursting on the national scene after his junior season, which was his first year of varsity football. Reese almost immediately moved into the On300, where he stayed for the rest of the cycle. We knew he was a top physical talent. Reese measured over 6-foot-3, 225 pounds with plus length and consistently ran in the high 4.5’s to mid-4.6’s at college camps. He transferred to Cleveland Glenville for his senior season where he continued to look like one of the more high upside linebackers in the cycle while adding much needed consistency to his game. One of the younger players in the cycle with a late August birthday, Reese continued to grow while on campus at Ohio State and ultimately had a huge breakout season in 2025.

Hit: LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State

Drafted: No. 7 by the Washington Commanders
On3 Ranking: 5-star, No. 4 in 2022
Next Highest Ranking: 5-star, No. 11 (Rivals’ previous scouting team)
Industry Comparison

Sonny Styles was initially tabbed as a five-star prospect early on in the 2023 cycle, ranking in the top three of On3’s first 2023 On300 alongside Arch Manning. He reclassified to the 2022 cycle prior to his final high school season and is the first former reclassification to be taken in the first-round, bucking what is a growing trend. Styles was a jumbo safety at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, who we felt would grow into either a linebacker or EDGE long-term. He was an elite athlete with some of the best combine results in the cycle, something we saw him carry over to the NFL Combine. He was a great two-way player on Friday nights and just oozed elite upside, which is ultimately why we opted to keep him in the top five despite the increased competition with the reclassification. Styles needed four years at Ohio State to develop into an elite linebacker, but it was a matter of when, not if, that would happen.

Miss: EDGE Rueben Bain – Miami

Drafted: No. 15 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 129 in 2023
Rivals Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 57
Industry Comparison

Rueben Bain‘s evaluation out of high school mirrored much of what we saw from him as a NFL Draft prospect. He was a dominant player at at Miami Central, racking up an astounding 70 tackles for loss and 48.5 sacks in his final two years. As he did in college, Bain rose to the occasion against the best competition, dominating IMG Academy as a senior, notching three sacks as an interior rusher while leading Miami Central to a big upset win. We didn’t know what to make of Bain’s physical upside, given he was 6-foot-1.5, 250 pounds with arm length that was in the 1st percentile, and average testing numbers (at very best). Ultimately, he beat the odds despite being a huge physical outlier with his skill level, effort, and production compensating for the limitations.

Hit: OT Monroe Freeling – Georgia

Drafted: No. 19 by the Carolina Panthers
On3 Ranking: 5-star, No. 7 in 2023
Next Highest Ranking: 4-star, No. 33 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

We were the highest on Monroe Freeling for the entirety of the 2023 cycle and he ended up being a five-star outlier for On3. He started out as a high upside, developmental tackle prospect with a great frame and top notch athleticism. Freeling made really impressive strides as a senior, adding good weight and functional strength and made a big jump on film. We saw Freeling alongside other first-rounders like Spencer Fano, Kadyn Proctor, and Caleb Lomu at All-American Bowl practices after the senior season, and he looked like the most physically talented of the group. Unlike Fano and Proctor, Freeling didn’t see the field early as a true freshman, but closed the gap considerably down the stretch of his final year in Athens. Had he returned to school as a senior, we think he’d push to be the top offensive tackle in what looks like a loaded 2027 NFLF Draft.

Hit: OT Caleb Lomu – Utah

Drafted: No. 28 by the New England Patriots
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 79 in 2023
Next Highest Ranking: 4-star, No. 121 (Rivals’ previous scouting team)
Industry Comparison

Caleb Lomu was an outlier for On3 for the majority of the 2023 cycle. We loved his functional movement skills on film and in the camp setting. Lomu definitely needed go get stronger, but looked to have the frame to tack on good mass. He impressed alongside future teammate Spencer Fano at All-American Bowl practices, providing a look of things to come in their time at Utah.

Miss: DL Peter Woods – Clemson

Drafted: No. 29 by the Kansas City Chiefs
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 75 in 2023
Rivals Industry Ranking: 5-star, No. 19
Industry Comparison

Peter Woods was one of the first prospects to emerge in the 2023 cycle, initially ranking inside the top ten in On3’s early rankings. A dominant defensive lineman at Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson, the top high school program in the state of Alabama, Woods played alongside several other blue-chip and Power 4 prospects. While he didn’t have the eye-popping stature or frame of some other top defensive linemen, he consistently produced and put together several strong all-star showings. I recall watching him dominate practice at the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game. In the end, we had Woods ranked too low, as his polish and movement skills led to an instant impact at Clemson. This miss isn’t quite as bad as it looked heading into the season, though. Woods was considered by some to be the top player in the draft, but saw his stock slip a bit with a lackluster final season at Clemson.

Miss: EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn

Drafted: No. 31 by the Tennessee Titans
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 115 in 2023
Rivals Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 64
Industry Comparison

Keldric Faulk was a foil of Peter Woods, and serves as a good example that both high ceiling and high floor prospects can go in the first round. Faulk was one of the more physically-imposing prospects in the 2023 cycle. I first saw him at a college camp heading into his junior season. He was around 6-foot-5, 225 pounds at the time and looked to be a plus athlete, but clearly had a lot of room to continue developing. I saw Faulk again at Alabama-Mississippi All-Star practices over a year later and he looked to have grown an inch and added at least 40 pounds to his frame. He was one of the younger players in the cycle, turning 18 in September of his true freshman season at Auburn, meaning he could’ve really been a 2024 prospect. We always viewed him as a high upside, developmental prospect who was still figuring things out as a player. Ultimately his physical upside led to the first round selection, but there’s no doubt we should’ve had Faulk higher off of the ceiling alone.

Miss: DL Kayden McDonald – Ohio State

Drafted: No. 36 by the Houston Texans
On3 Ranking: 3-star in 2023
Rivals Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 276
Industry Comparison

Kayden McDonald is my worst individual miss of the 2026 NFL Draft. Like Rueben Bain, McDonald was a hyper-productive high school player with questions around the athletic and physical upside. McDonald was around 6-foot-2, 320 pound with average (at best) athleticism and below average length. That didn’t seem to matter on Friday nights, as he was one of the more productive defensive linemen in the cycle. McDonald lived in the backfield at Suwannee (Ga.) North Gwinnett, credited with 98 tackles for loss and 32 sacks over his final two seasons. He also carried the football for 400+ yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior. The output at that competition level should have been undeniable, especially for a prospect who projected as a nose tackle long-term.

Hit: CB Colton Hood – Tennessee (signed with Auburn)

Drafted: No. 37 by the New York Giants
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 189 in 2023
Next Highest Ranking: 3-star (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

This is what we said about Colton Hood when he was tabbed as an On3 outlier in the 2023 cycle: “Colton Hood was a senior riser for us. He’s a guy who did a little bit of everything at the high school level. He played receiver, a little quarterback — he actually throws the ball really well — he played defensive back. He’s at good size at 6-foot-1. He pairs that size with ball skills. He has very instinctive skills on offense and defense and makes a ton of plays on both sides of the ball. He’s also a really good return man. The three-phrase ability and the coordination and the on-field athleticism was really encouraging… In terms of the play speed and the ball production, we thought was really encouraging. I think he projects well at corner.” We saw those skills show up in his lone year at Tennessee, after years at Auburn and Colorado, respectively.

Hit: EDGE R Mason Thomas – Oklahoma

Drafted: No. 40 by the Kansas City Chiefs
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 141 in 2022
Next Highest Ranking: 4-star, No. 208 (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

R Mason Thomas was among the biggest late risers in the 2022 cycle, vaulting into the On300 in November of his senior season. Then committed to Iowa State, Thomas saw a flurry of attention following circulation of his senior film. We saw a twitched up, pass rush specialist and one of the top speed rushers in the cycle. Thomas was certainly on the smaller side at around 6-foot-1, but we felt the pure pass rush juice merited continual rise within the On300. He was also one of the younger top pass rushers in the cycle, turning 18 in late August of his freshman season in Norman.

Hit: EDGE Zion Young – Missouri (signed with Michigan State)

Drafted: No. 45 by the Baltimore Ravens
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 285 in 2022
Next Highest Ranking: 3-star (247Sports, ESPN, Rivals’ previous scouting team)
Industry Comparison

Numerically speaking, Zion Young was the biggest win for On3 of the 2026 NFL Draft. Young was a low-to-mid three-star across the rest of the industry, accounting for hundreds or thousands of spots difference. Young added a fourth star for On3 early on in his senior season at Atlanta Westlake, catching our eye with his projectable size, athleticism, and play strength. We thought he had the look of a future NFL Draft the more we watched the film, with the effort level standing out.

Hit: CB Brandon Cisse – South Carolina (signed with NC State)

Drafted: No. 52 by the Green Bay Packers
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 245 in 2023
Next Highest Ranking: 3-star (247Sports)
Industry Comparison

Brandon Cisse was a well-rounded cornerback prospect coming out of high school. He was a productive two-way player at Sumter (S.C.) Lakewood as a wide receiver and defensive back. The production took a jump as a senior, with Cisse catching 42 passes for 764 yards and eight touchdowns. The athleticism checked out as well. He put put up great testing marks at college camps and ran an 11.12 in the 100 meters and 22.09 in the 200 meters. The high school athleticism foretold the very strong numbers he put up in the pre-draft process (4.41 second 40-yard dash, 10’11” broad jump, and 41-inch vertical). Cisse also added size as a senior and in college. Like many in this story, he was young for the cycle, turning 18 years-old in July before his true freshman season.

Miss: LB CJ Allen – Georgia

Drafted: No. 53 by the Indianapolis Colts
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 147 in 2023
Rivals Industry Ranking: 4-star, No. 76
Industry Comparison

CJ Allen checked a bunch of boxes as a linebacker prospect. At 6-foot, 225 pounds, he ran in the 11.1 and 4.6 range. Like many top linebacker draft picks, he was a great two-way player, rushing for 1,628 yards and 25 touchdowns while showing sideline-to-sideline speed on defense. Allen may not have had the frame or true upside of a linebacker like Arvell Reese, who was ranked in the similar range, but should have clearly been a top 5-10 prospect at the position.

Hit: LB Anthony Hill – Texas

Drafted: No. 60 by the Tennessee Titans
On3 Ranking: 4-star, No. 59 in 2023
Next Lowest Ranking: 5-star, No. 7 (Rivals)
Industry Comparison

Anthony Hill is the lone hit who On3 did not have the highest ranking for. He was a near Five-Star Plus+ prospect in 2023 with On3 being the lone holdout. It was a little controversial at the time to not have Hill as a five-star, but ultimately his ranking for On3 was within a spot of where he ended up being drafted. Hill was a fantastic athlete at the high school level and was at his best as a blitzer, pass rusher, and pursuit defender. We saw room for improvement with the linebacker instincts when working in space. The strengths allowed for an immediate impact at Texas, while the areas for improvement, along with the lack of positional value led to him being drafted in towards the end of the second round.

Former Florida State defensive lineman Patrick Payton has accepted an invitation to the Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Payton, who started his career at FSU, spent the 2025 season with the LSU Tigers.

Payton had an excellent start to his career with the Seminoles, being named the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022 after playing in all 13 games with 31 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups. The Miami native was even better in 2023, finishing with 44 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, 10 pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles, earning honorable mention All-ACC recognition.

He was FSU's No. 2 pass rusher in those seasons, working across from Jared Verse, and was expected to take on a larger role in 2024. While he started all 12 games, he was not able to elevate his game and recorded 35 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and a blocked field goal. He transferred to LSU after the season, looking to restore his draft stock after the disappointing season.

Payton was unable to do so, starting all 13 games but finishing with just 34 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and six pass breakups. He was ranked as one of the top players in the transfer portal when he signed with LSU.

He will now have a chance to show what he can do at the next level with the Panthers.

Former LSU edge rusher Patrick Payton has accepted a rookie minicamp invitation from the #Panthers, a source tells @CBSSports.

Before LSU, was a standout and All-ACC selection at Florida State. The 6-5, 260-pounder finished his college career with 143 tackles and 17 sacks. pic.twitter.com/3yXMclBOXh

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) April 28, 2026

Follow us @FSUWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes, and opinions.

This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: Carolina Panthers invite Patrick Payton to rookie minicamp

Legendary Terry Francona Sends Alex Cora Message After Red Sox Firing originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Red Sox fired Alex Cora on Saturday, and former Red Sox manager Terry Francona spoke on the move on "The Show With Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman."

Francona won two World Series as the Red Sox manager and has the second-most wins as a manager in franchise history. Cora was creeping up on his wins total, sitting at No. 3 on the list. Had he finished out his contract, he would likely have passed Francona. Cora's firing shocked the baseball world, and Francona was no exception. He spoke about his relationship with Cora on Tuesday.

"You never want to see somebody lose their job," Francona said on “The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman." "It doesn’t feel good ever. And so most of these guys are pretty good friends of mine. Like, Cora’s one of my favorite people in the world. It does happen, unfortunately, and it’s part of the job, and you kind of know that going in.”

Francona is currently managing the Cincinnati Reds. He led them to the postseason in his first season last year, and stressed the fact that even the most experienced managers can lose their jobs and have to start over.

Francona has been managing since 1997 and has won both of his World Series with the Red Sox. Cora also won a World Series in Boston, but now he will have to continue his managerial career elsewhere.

Liverpool, FSG and John Henry Under Renewed Scrutiny

Pressure continues to build around Fenway Sports Group and its principal figure John Henry, as unrest grows on both sides of the Atlantic. For Liverpool supporters, frustrations centre on rising ticket prices, while in Boston, discontent has been fuelled by silence following a major decision involving the Boston Red Sox.

The convergence of these issues has sharpened the focus on ownership and communication, two areas that increasingly define the modern relationship between clubs and their supporters.

Silence Raises Questions in Boston

The dismissal of Alex Cora, alongside several members of his coaching staff, came after a difficult start to the 2026 MLB season. It was a decision that demanded clarity, or at the very least, visibility. Instead, John Henry remained absent from public view.

While a formal statement was issued through the Red Sox, the lack of direct engagement has drawn criticism. It has now been six years since Henry last spoke publicly to the media, a statistic that has begun to carry greater weight in moments of crisis.

Sam Kennedy, chief executive officer within FSG, sought to address those concerns. “John Henry is deeply engaged with this organisation,” Kennedy said. “He has been since day one, going all the way back to 2002. For those of you who know John, he doesn’t always do it in the most public-facing way. He’s very selective in terms of how he engages with the media. But that should not ever be confused with a lack of involvement or care.

Photo IMAGO

“I’ve been stating for years the level of involvement that John has. Nothing’s wavered there whatsoever, and the passion and care is there. But I think there’s this misperception because he engages with the media on a select basis, not engaging with talk radio, not engaging in a back-and-forth press conference over the last several years, I understand raises some question. But I am here to tell you that he is deeply, deeply engaged in this franchise and everything across all of Fenway Sports Group.”

Criticism Intensifies Across Atlantic

Despite those assurances, criticism has not subsided. A report from The Athletic’s Brittany Ghiroli delivered a stark assessment of the situation. She wrote: “The owner’s silence isn’t golden; it’s cowardly and speaks volumes about how one of the sport’s most iconic franchises has become rudderless.”

That sentiment has echoed beyond baseball, resonating with Liverpool supporters who are navigating their own concerns around FSG’s stewardship.

Liverpool Fan Protests Gather Momentum

At Anfield, the discontent has been more visible. Plans to increase ticket prices by three per cent next season, followed by further inflation-linked rises, have prompted organised protests.

During Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace, thousands of supporters raised yellow cards in the 13th minute, a symbolic act designed to communicate dissatisfaction directly to the club’s hierarchy.

For many, the issue extends beyond pricing. It reflects a growing unease about connection, or lack of it, between ownership and the fanbase. In an era where visibility often shapes trust, silence can feel like distance, and distance can quickly turn into doubt.

Mica Galvao Reacts

Luka Doncic injury update is not what Lakers fans want to hear originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic is still a ways away from getting back on the court in these playoffs. 

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that if the Lakers advance to the second round of the playoffs, there's a chance Doncic misses that series.

"My understanding is it is a slow path on the recovery front for Luka," Charania said. "The expectation is if the Lakers are able to beat Houston and advance, Luka Doncic will be out for the next series.

"There's still no timetable for him as of right now. He's starting to do more court movement, as JJ Redick said the other day, but he is not at the point where he's progressing in his on-court workouts as far as one-on-ones and truly pushing it on a movement front."

Charania clarified on Wednesday morning that the expectation is that Doncic will be out "to start" the series if the Lakers advance.

Lakers managing without Luka Doncic

Thursday will be exactly four weeks since Doncic suffered his Grade 2 hamstring strain. Typically, the recovery timetable for that injury is about 4 to 6 weeks.

Doncic has missed the last nine games, including the four playoff ones. While the Lakers are without their best player, they hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Houston Rockets.

Los Angeles has a chance to close out the series on Tuesday. If the Lakers advance to the second round, they will face the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The Lakers went 0-4 against the Thunder in the regular season series, and they would be major underdogs if they were to enter the series without their six-time All-Star guard. 

More NBA news: 

• Celtics never would've gotten Jayson Tatum in new NBA Draft lottery rules
• Spurs end 9-year drought, and Victor Wembanyama warning continues to rest of NBA
• LeBron James reveals his own thoughts on Michael Jordan GOAT debate

Arsenal injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Atletico Madrid originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Having restored their lead atop the Premier League table with a weekend win over Newcastle, Arsenal turn their attention to Atletico Madrid as they get set to contest the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Wednesday.

The Gunners were chasing an unprecedented quadruple this season but could not clear either of the first two hurdles as they were well beaten at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final by City before being ejected from the FA Cup at the hands of Southampton in their return from the March international break.

Now, with just the Premier League and Champions League titles still in view, the vibes around the Emirates have begun to sour. A surprise loss at home to Bournemouth has piled on the pressure ahead of the game at the Etihad Stadium, and the defeat to Manchester City saw Pep Guardiola's side position themselves to draw level atop the table.

Here's the latest injury picture around Arteta's squad, with the fixtures coming thick and fast once they return to club football.

MORE:Max Dowman becomes youngest goal scorer in Premier League history

Arsenal injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Kai Havertz

• Injury: Groin
• Expected return date: May 18 (vs. Burnley)

After assisting Eberechi Eze's early goal, Kai Havertz was hauled off a half-hour into Arsenal's win over Newcastle in late April, appearing to tweak something in his groin. He looked dismayed while walking off the pitch, and headed down the tunnel. Tests will be needed to determine how serious the injury is.

Mikel Arteta said after the match that they hoped it was just a "muscular niggle" which wasn't "too bad" but the Arsenal boss hasn't been the most reliable source of injury news this season.

Following the weekend, reports were disseminated that Havertz would be out for the foreseeable future, but his injury wasn't as bad as feared, and he is expected to be back "before the end of the season" whatever that means.

Eberechi Eze

• Injury: Undisclosed
• Expected return date: April 29 (vs. Atletico Madrid)

Eberechi Eze was withdrawn shortly after halftime against Newcastle, after receiving treatment on the Emirates turf. He did not look physically hampered as he walked off, and seemed to reassure Mikel Arteta before taking a seat on the Arsenal bench. Barring anything that shows up in scans, it does not appear at this stage that Eze will miss time, and his withdrawal at this point appears precautionary.

Riccardo Calafiori

• Injury: Undisclosed
• Expected return date: April 29 (vs. Atletico Madrid)

Calafiori has missed Arsenal's last three matches with an undisclosed injury. Arteta suggested there was a chance he could be back for City, but he did not make the squad. The Gunners boss said Calafiori will "probably" make the squad for Newcastle, but the Italian again was not in the mix, with his return continuing to be pushed back.

Arteta then confirmed that Calafiori and a number of others are good to go for the first leg against Atletico Madrid.

Jurrien Timber

• Injury: Knee
• Expected return: April 29 (vs. Atletico Madrid)

Timber suffered an injury early in the eventual 2-0 victory over Everton on March 14. He went down in the opening 15 minutes but carried on as long as he could. Ultimately, he was forced off in the 37th minute, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera.

Arteta said that Timber's recovery will be "a matter of days," but the full-back has still not played since and missed the Netherlands' games in the March international break. He was ruled out of the City and Newcastle matches but will hope to be back for the Champions League semifinal first leg.

Mikel Merino

• Injury: Broken foot
• Expected return date: May 24 (vs. Crystal Palace)

It was reported in Spain late on February 1 that Merino could miss much of the rest of the season with a broken foot, and Arsenal confirmed the injury a day later. The club said the midfielder will be out for "an extended period" while he recovers from surgery, but the intention is for him to be back in training before the season ends.

As April wound down and May drew closer, it seemed more likely that Merino would miss the rest of the season, although there is hope he can return for the final match of the campaign if he's lucky.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Atletico Madrid

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Raya (GK)

White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Zubimendi

Saka, Odegaard, Eze

Gyokeres

Arsenal fixture schedule: Next five games

• Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal | Champions League semifinal 1st leg | Wednesday, April 29
• Arsenal vs. Fulham | Premier League | Saturday, May 2
• Arsenal vs. Atletico Madrid | Champions League semifinal 2nd leg | Tuesday, May 5
• West Ham vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Sunday, May 10
• Arsenal vs. Burnley | Premier League | Sunday, May 17

Francis Ngannou believes that Ciryl Gane could prove to be a difficult challenge for Alex Pereira.

Pereira is scheduled to make his heavyweight debut against Gane on June 14 in the UFC White House co-main event, where the interim title will be on the line.

Pereira has been documenting his move up in weight on social media, and there’s growing interest in how he’ll handle the new division. The Brazilian is once again attempting to make history, this time by claiming gold across three different weight classes.

“I would love to see [Jon] Jones versus Alex [Pereira],” Ngannou said. “I think that was my take at first when I thought about it and everything. That’s definitely something I would love to see.”

Pereira certainly has fans behind him, but many are picking Gane for this one — including former champion Francis Ngannou, who knows both fighters well. And with him having fought both men, he thinks ‘Bon Gamin’ presents an uphill battle for Pereira given what each man brings into the Octagon.

Ngannou sides with Ciryl Gane in Pereira bout

After training with ‘Bon Gamin’ for his title fight, Pereira’s former opponent Artem Vakhitov is now leaning 70/30 in Gane’s favour.

Another voice in support of the Frenchman is Francis Ngannou, who faced and defeated Gane back in 2022.

Ngannou surprised many by using his wrestling to control the fight against Gane, providing a clear path for others to follow against the Frenchman.

Speaking about the fight, Ngannou said:

Alex Pereira to feature on UFC 6 cover

UFC fans have been asking for an updated game for years, and when Dana White mentioned progress earlier this month, anticipation quickly picked up.

Many thought Ilia Topuria would land the cover given his current status in the sport, but that’s not how it played out.

This week, it was confirmed that Pereira will be featured on the main cover, while Max Holloway will appear on the Ultimate Edition.

Read more:

Apr. 29—***

Stop me when I write something that wasn't uber-predicatble:

— Athlete with the potential for a rich name, image and likeness deal, decides to see what all the fuss is about with gambling.

— In an environment where the house always wins, the athlete loses more often than not.

— Sports media makes the problem only worse, with a barrage of services that offer easy access to gambling. Who knew that the link between access and athletes could lead to trouble? That would be everyone.

I am relieved that Texas Tech quarterback Brendon Sorsby, a touted transfer from Cincinnati, has taken a leave of absence from the team to enter a treatment program for gambling addiction. The next step is what we all should watch: how the NCAA and college football deal with Sorsby when he returns.

Hopefully, he didn't cross any lines. The one you can't recover from is any manipulation of the outcome of games. At any level. Get caught doing that and your career is done.

The biggest fear for college sports — and pros too — is that games are decided by less than an honest effort. Dropped pass here, untimely fumble there, in the wrong hands would be worth a bundle and potentially devastate the sports enterprise.

NIL and revenue sharing have actually made the shaving of points/fixing games less likely than before. Few would risk their lucrative deals for whatever smaller amount of money they were offered.

In the old days, before NIL, the idea that a late-in-their career player might fail on purpose for a big payday made more sense. But not now.

Check back in the history of sports and you will find gambling scandals. Not as many as you might think, but enough to make it a concern.

In some ways, the gambling industry helps police the contests. If too much money is wagered on an outcome, a red flag is raised and answers are sought. Often out of public view.

It is important that the NCAA allows athletes to come clean if they have a problem and get help without permanent damage to their careers.

I haven't even mentioned the potential impact that has been done to the Texas Tech program, which is on the rise thanks to a willingness to spend in the transfer portal. The Red Raiders just made the College Football Playoff for the first time, where they were shut out in the quarterfinal round by Oregon.

Joey McGuire's team had dreams of returning to the CFP in 2026 with Sorsby playing a vital role. We will have to wait to see if that is possible.

We a should all be watching and waiting.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Long before he earned his first Kentucky Derby ride on Pavlovian at age 43, Edwin Maldonado had to overcome an unusual problem for a jockey.

At 5-foot-7, he’s slightly too tall for his chosen profession.

“When I first started, you don’t know how to control your weight and it was very hard,” he said. “You do all the wrong things. You starve yourself. Drinking too much soda, sugar. But now I know what I can eat and can’t eat. It’s second nature.”

But in a sport where the riders need to weigh in at around 110-115 pounds with enough strength to control a 1,200-pound animal, nothing can kill a career quicker than height. But as Maldonado journeyed from small tracks in Texas, Louisiana and Canada before establishing himself on the high-profile Southern California circuit, he developed a skill that came in handy for the specific situation trainer Doug O’Neill encountered with Pavlovian.

[Kentucky Derby odds]

If you need a rider who can get a horse to start quickly, Maldonado is your guy.

“It was just a huge addition,” said O’Neill. “He’s such a good gate rider, and you’ve really seen the asset of that on Pavlovian since they teamed up.”

While trainers typically want more decorated jockeys in the biggest races, O’Neill has historically had a different approach. In 2012, he gave the relatively inexperienced Mario Gutierrez his first Derby ride aboard I’ll Have Another and his second four years later with Nyquist. 

They won the roses both times. 

Michael Reaves via Getty Images

This situation is different in that Gutierrez was the regular rider back then for a lot of horses trained by O’Neill and owned by J. Paul Reddam at their home base in Southern California. These days, Emisael Jaramillo tends to get first call for O’Neill’s mounts.

But Pavlovian was a special case. After his first eight races, he was nowhere close to the Kentucky Derby mix with just one win and all kinds of trouble getting out of the gate cleanly. At the Cal Cup Derby in mid-January, Pavlovian hopped in the air with his first step, slightly veered to his left, bumped with another horse and was shuffled back to last before closing to a solid third. 

A tactical change was needed — as well as a new rider. 

When O’Neill brought the horse to New Mexico for the Sunland Derby in mid-Feburary, he said Maldonado was the “fourth or fifth” rider down their list but was willing to sacrifice a mount in a stakes race at Santa Anita the same day to make it happen. 

In that race, Pavlovian was throwing his head around a bit right before the gate opened but Maldonado managed to get him looking straight ahead and running from the first jump. Forwardly placed the entire way around, Pavlovian wore down Express Kid in the stretch and won by a nose, getting him on the path to Louisville. 

“Credit to (Maldonado) for having faith in us that we weren’t putting him on a bum,” O’Neill said. “And it worked out great, him winning the way he did and Paul just being the most generous, loyal guy in the world immediately said, ‘Well, we’ve got a new rider for Pavlovian.’ So that was really cool.”

And Maldonado, who was born in Ohio but grew up in Puerto Rico, is grateful for the opportunity. While he has just shy of 1,700 wins to his credit, he has made his living largely in races far less glamorous. With just 20 graded stakes wins and only two Grade 1s on his résumé, it’s not easy to get rides in the biggest races. 

“Just being here is a winner,” he said. “It really hasn’t hit me yet. We’ll see when the time comes. I tend to focus (under) pressure. I’m hard on myself. I love the game. I’m very competitive so it’s just a dream come true for me to be here. I have to slow down my excitement.” 

Lack of Derby experience, however, doesn’t mean disaster. In 2022, Sonny Leon gave Rich Strike a picture perfect ride to the winners’ circle in his one and only Derby mount. Stewart Elliott, a journeyman at smaller tracks in the mid-Atlantic, got the ride on Smarty Jones as a 2-year old at Philadelphia Park and never looked back. 

“It takes for you to believe in yourself,” Maldonado said. “Nobody’s going to believe for you. Mental toughness. It’s not easy. It’s a mental game, physical as well, but I think it’s more mental.” 

That’s why Maldonado has spent a lot of time in his career reading, he said. Among the books he mentioned was “The Secret,” by Rhonda Byrne, a book that claims much of what happens to us is driven by our thoughts. While controversial and less than scientific, it’s the kind of thing Maldonado needed as he struggled with weight earlier in his career. 

Though no fault of his own — he simply grew beyond the ideal jockey height of 5-foot-3 or 5-foot-4, making it hard to keep his weight down — it was a big challenge he had to overcome in an unforgiving sport where a pound or two on the back of a horse makes a huge difference. 

“I eat fruits and vegetables,” he said. “Beyond eating, I take herbs, I take minerals. I cleanse my gut. After you do that once every six months, you’re good. It’s not (glamorous), but if you want to maintain a healthy lifestyle without doing it the wrong way or the bad way, that’s what you have to do. In a way, I’m glad I got the opportunity now after 25 years that I’m a little more seasoned in this sport. But it all goes together, the food you eat and your brain. Your gut is your second brain.” 

Maldonado’s height hasn’t hurt his prospects on Pavlovian, who looks like a live longshot (30-1 current odds) after backing up the Sunland Derby win with a near wire-to-wire win in the Louisiana Derby when he just got beat at the wire by Emerging Market. Though many handicappers will dismiss Pavlovian based on his first eight races, he performed like a different horse once Maldonado got on his back. 

“He’s so athletic and he’s so light, he’s like a lizard on a log,” O’Neill said. “He’s just so good and has a great ability to stay off the horse’s mouth leaving there and let them find themselves in good position. At the end of the day 99% of this is all about the horse and they make trainers look smart, owners look smart and jockeys look brilliant. I think Edwin is humble enough and smart enough to realize that. Though his abilities have definitely changed the tactics and we’re seeing newfound speed we didn’t see before, it’s really the horse is evolving and he’s getting better and better and he’s coming into the race in a great space.”

Though a true speed dual in the Kentucky Derby would compromise the chances of anyone close to the lead, Maldonado is likely to get Pavlovian out of the gate quickly and have him forwardly placed coming out of the No. 16 post. If he can get that done and put him in a clear position at a good cruising speed, it’ll simply come down to whether the horse is good enough.

“I think there’s no strategy,” Maldonado said. “I think you have to be there in the first flight. It’s not a secret. It’s 20 horses. It’s gonna go fast. But he did it already. The Louisiana Derby was a big race for him. He went through the fire and proved he can hang with them.”

‘Calm as you like’ is a lyric from Liverpool fans’ chant lauding Virgil van Dijk, and that perfectly sums up the Dutch defender’s response to rumours of a potential exit from Anfield for Alisson Becker.

The 33-year-old’s future with the Reds has become a topic of increasing speculation, with Fabrizio Romano claiming that Juventus have already made a ‘serious approach’ for the goalkeeper.

BBC reporter Aadam Patel noted how, when quizzed recently about the possiblity of the Brazil international leaving, Arne Slot didn’t exactly shut down the discourse or defiantly state that our number 1 wouldn’t be heading out the door.

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Van Dijk unfazed by Alisson exit rumours

Van Dijk has been speaking about the future of his fellow long-time Liverpool teammate, and he suggested that not even Alisson knows at this point what comes next for him, with the captain taking a philosophical stance on the speculation.

The Dutchman said (via Liverpool Echo): “Everyone can feel a certain way about it. There are rumours but if there is anything concrete then we will all find out. For me, I’m never worried.

“There is always going to be a day where you – including myself – will go. If it’s going to happen – and I have no idea about it and I don’t think at this point he has an idea about it – then we will, as a club, adapt to that.

“We have been through everything together, positive things and some negative things unfortunately as well, so it would definitely be a big blow and a miss; but I don’t think, for me, it’s a good idea to think ahead about what could or could not happen.

“He’s very important for me as one of the leaders in the team and I think he is very important on the pitch because I think he is one of the best – in my opinion, the best – goalkeeper in the world. He’s trying to be back as soon as possible to help us for the last four games and that’s our main focus.

“Whatever happens after that is not something you should ask me. Would I love him to stay? Of course, there’s no doubt about that.”

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Alisson won’t stay forever, but it’s not the right time for him to go

The message from Van Dijk seems clear – there’s no need to panic about Alisson leaving just yet.

Liverpool are currently going through a time of enormous transition with the gradual erosion of the squad which gave us the best of times under Jurgen Klopp.

We already know that Mo Salah and Andy Robertson will leave at the end of this season, while our captain and first-choice goalkeeper are in or approaching their mid-30s and have just over a year remaining on their respective contracts.

In an article for The Athletic this week, James Pearce echoed the thought of many a Reds fan by declaring that allowing Alisson to depart in the same summer that we’re losing two other stalwarts in the Egypt winger and Scotland left-back would be a ‘mistake’ by the club.

Every footballer’s career has an expiry date, and we all know that players come and go as the years progress, but it’s essential that Liverpool do everything they can to retain their number 1 for at least one more season.

The finite shelf life is something that Van Dijk acknowledged, but as the captain rightly said, his teammate of more than eight years remains a crucial presence at Anfield. Let’s hope it stays that way for the 2026/27 campaign.

Cole Palmer could be thinking of leaving Chelsea in part because of the toxic dressing room situation at the club.

If you enjoy Chelsea News coverage and want to see more of it, add us as a preferred source on Google to make us a favourite and see more of our content.

The rumours about Cole Palmer wanting to leave Chelsea have faded a little in recent times because the focus is so squarely on the managerial situation. But you can expect them to come straight back in the summer.

Gareth Barry has been speaking about Palmer’s potential desire to leave in quotes picked up by the Evening Standard.

“Any player wants to be playing in a settled dressing room at a settled club. If you’re in a dressing room that is perhaps slightly toxic, it is hard to go into training and perform every day, it’s not nice,” Barry said.

“Any player, Cole Palmer and others, if they aren’t seeing a long-term settled future at Chelsea, it’s natural for them and their agents to start looking and thinking ‘where can we go and achieve things’ in what ultimately is a quick career as a football player.”

Palmer can’t blame dressing room trouble for personal poor form

Of course Chelsea’s dressing room situation isn’t helping Palmer. But we think it would be a big stretch to blame his poor form on that. Part of it is physical, and beyond his control, but he’s got to take responsibility for a lot of it himself.

In other news…

Another player who could leave the Blues this summer is Nicolas Jackson, and there are a number of clubs lining up to try and make that happen.

Matt Law accused Chelsea’s “selfish” players of ruining their own season with petty behaviour over the course of the last few months.

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📺 WATCHLIST: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29

🏆 PLAYOFFS TRIVIA

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Former Chicago White Sox star Alexei Ramirez has been provisionally banned from baseball after testing positive for four anabolic steroids during the World Baseball Classic in March, where he made headlines as the tournament's oldest ever player.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) confirmed on Wednesday that the 44-year-old Cuban tested positive for "metabolites of mesterolone, metandienone, oxandrolone and stanozolol."

These substances, the Lausanne-based agency noted, are "associated with promoting rapid muscle growth, increased strength and enhanced physical performance."

The ITA informed Ramirez of the positive result from a sample taken during the tournament.

Ramirez had returned to the Cuba roster after a 20-year absence, featuring as a bench player to break the record previously held by Roger Clemens, who was 43 when he represented the United States in the 2006 WBC.

Cuba failed to advance from the pool phase in the recent tournament.

Known for his nine-year career in Major League Baseball, Ramirez spent seven years at the Chicago White Sox between 2008 and 2015.

He was the runner-up for the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2008 after making his debut earlier that year at the age of 26.

He also played in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in 2014 and won the Silver Slugger Award twice in 2010 and 2014.

Ramirez went on to have short spells at the San Diego Padres and the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 before walking away from Major League Baseball.

He also boasts an Olympic gold medal with Cuba from the 2004 Athens Games and won the Baseball World Cup the following year in Rotterdam, Netherlands, before being part of a silver medal-winning team at the 2006 World Baseball Classic in San Diego, California.

During his MLB tenure through 2016, he hit 115 home runs and recorded 590 RBIs.

In the past, the Icon League has already welcomed some absolute superstars. Some of them even stepped onto the artificial turf themselves, like Ricardo Quaresma, Nani, or Marcelo. 

But if anyone was born for the small-sided game, it’s probably the king of Jogo Bonito, Ronaldinho.

And it almost happened that the 2005 Ballon d'Or winner would have stopped by the Icon League. At least that’s what Sidney Friede said on the sidelines of matchday nine.

The reason he didn’t come was reportedly a party after the last Clásico, which caused the Brazilian to miss his flight. 

Which player would you like to see in the Icon League? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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

Karl-Anthony Towns had time for one more question. Actually, make it two. He’d just finished his postgame press conference at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks jumped out to a 3-2 lead in their first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, in large part due to New York’s increased willingness to run offense through its All-Star center.

Towns has answered question after question about his offense, his shot attempts, his touches, his rhythm with team captain and All-Star guard Jalen Brunson. He hasn’t quite spoken about his defense, a wild card for a Knicks team with championship aspirations, an aspect of his game shining through in Round 1.

Towns is quietly having one of the best defensive stretches of his NBA career. He added to his playoff tally with two more blocks and two more steals in the Knicks’ 29-point Game 5 victory over the Hawks on Tuesday. Towns had 12 blocks and 13 steals total over the life of the Knicks’ Eastern Conference Finals run under head coach Tom Thibodeau last season.

Through the first five playoff games this season under Mike Brown, he’s already up to nine blocks and seven steals.

“I don’t know,” he said in a walk-and-talk with the Daily News. “But I’m glad you know that I’m able to do something I feel is one of my best assets.”

‘MEET THE MOMENT’

The scouting report calls it a good shot. Towns takes it personal. In Game 5 on Tuesday, both CJ McCollum and Jalen Johnson had Towns where they thought they wanted him: on an island, at the top of the key in an isolation situation. Both have come to learn Towns is quicker, lankier and more agile than they expected.

“He’s big. He’s very big and still can move,” McCollum told The News after shootaround Wednesday morning. “Obviously, he’s athletic enough to move laterally and he’s big enough to protect the basket.”

With just over a minute left in the first quarter of Game 5 and the Knicks up 10, McCollum used a Tony Bradley screen to draw Towns on a switch. McCollum accelerated. Towns stuck with him stride for stride. And when McCollum used a short step-back to create space behind the left wing, Towns stuck with him again. McCollum jacked up a three, but Towns got a piece. Airball. Knicks ball, out in transition on the way up the floor, a byproduct of what Towns believes is an understated part of his defensive game.

“Actually switching on the guards,” he told The News. “Today it was one of those moments where I had to guard an All-Star like Jalen Johnson and my team just trusted me to meet the moment.”

That moment came with 8:48 to go in the second quarter. The scouting report told Johnson, much like it told McCollum, to attack with Towns as his primary defender. Johnson had Towns isolated at the top of the key and turned a between-the-legs crossover into a hesitation drive down the middle of the lane. It didn’t fool Towns, who stood his ground, absorbed the contact, then punched Johnson’s floater attempt out of the sky.

“I always think defense is about effort and energy. So when everybody’s locked in, I always feel like it’s never one guy’s fault,” said Miles McBride. “It’s never one guy’s problem. It’s a whole team thing. So when everybody’s locked in, it just carries over.”

Towns doesn’t need to open social media to understand what the critics say about his defense. He can see it through opposing game plans, though the opponents’ desire to attack him in pick-and-roll and isolation situations. He knows opponents consider defense a weakness in his game.

“I think it’s personal anytime you step on the court, sure,” Towns said. “You want to be the best version of yourself against your competitors. So, yeah. All of us are just competing at the highest level against each other. You want to do your best.”

For what it’s worth, McBride doesn’t agree with the scouting report on his All-Star teammate. He’s watching Towns play the best defense of his career.

“I wouldn’t know. I don’t know what people really say,” he said. “For us, he’s great. So, I’m always going to rock with him. I believe in him.”

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

Towns’ averages of 1.8 blocks and 1.4 steals mark the best defensive playoff series of his career. He had three blocks and a steal in Game 1, two blocks in Game 2, two blocks and two steals in Games 3 and 5, and two steals in Game 4.

Those are only the counting stats, numbers failing to account for deterred shots and solid defensive rotations that force turnovers or contested shots elsewhere on the floor.

Towns, for example, had to defend four different players on one possession with 1:47 left in the second quarter on Tuesday, first the cross-court pass to Onyeka Okongwu, then the swing-swing that left him on Dyson Daniels, and then another swing to McCollum after Josh Hart lost his footing on a cut to the rim. Towns was not credited with a block or steal on this play, but he rotated efficiently and forced a miss on McCollum’s floater. The Hawks’ guard had a miserable 3-of-10 shooting night.

“[KAT’s defense] has been pretty good. You have to give him a lot of credit,” head coach Mike Brown said ahead of tipoff on Tuesday. “He was trying to rebound, trying to be strong when he switches onto the small, he’s trying to sit down. He just has to keep pushing himself, including transition and all, so that we can be impactful or effective on that floor.”

There were hiccups, of course. Team defense remains a work in progress. On two separate possessions, Brunson and Towns had defensive miscues that led to wide-open Dyson Daniels field goals: first with 5:30 left in the second quarter, when neither of the All-Stars shifted over to Daniels behind the 3-point line, then again with 6:25 to go in the third, when Brunson gambled on a steal in a pick-and-roll scenario. Daniels got a free roll to the rim before Towns realized the Hawks guard was wide-open.

“You can tell [Towns] is working [on defense], particularly in the pick and roll,” said Hawks head coach Quin Snyder. “We have some guys [on our team] we need to attack [on offense]. One of the biggest things for us is making people move. Everyone is a better defender individually and collectively on a front side. That’s not something we’ve done at the level I believe we can do it.”

The Knicks will be tested by a far superior offensive team in the second round. If it’s the Boston Celtics, who are up 3-2 in their first-round series, head coach Joe Mazzulla will certainly draw up plays tailored to attack the Knicks’ All-Star center. If the Philadelphia 76ers pull the upset, it’ll be Joel Embiid going toe-to-toe with Towns for a vintage battle between superstar bigs.

Towns wants desperately not just to be a Knick, but to deliver the franchise he grew up idolizing its first NBA title since 1973. On his walk from the interview room out of MSG, he wore a black leather jacket decorated in the logos of each of New York’s pro sports franchises. He wore a New York Yankees Subway Series fitted cap turned backwards and another World Series oversized T-shirt atop his baggy jeans.

For the Knicks to reach heights unseen in more than 50 years, Towns will need to continue playing the kind of defense he’s proven capable of during this playoff stretch.

“[KAT’s] been playing great [defense]. I can’t express that enough, and he’s been locked in,” Brunson said at the podium after the game. “He talked about voicing opinions and things that we needed to do for us to be successful. And I think us just communicating, being on the same page, and everybody has helped us.

“But particularly him — he’s been great.”

Some draft picks just make sense. The Baltimore Ravens’ selection of Olaivavega Ioane falls squarely into that category. The national media is still in awe of what felt obvious from the start. This year's 14th overall selection said he felt a "family environment" during his predraft visit at the team facility. It seems the organization feels the same way.

Then there are the national voices. ESPN's Field Yates recently named his favorite picks from every round of the NFL Draft. Ioane is one of his five favorite picks from Round 1, not necessarily because he was the flashiest name on the board, but because of the complete picture: value, fit, and projection.

"Baltimore's long-standing "stick and pick" preference yielded another strong value in Round 1. Ioane fills a significant need and was the clear-cut best natural guard in the class (I do believe No. 10 pick Francis Mauigoa will move from tackle to guard for the Giants). Ioane is nasty, tough, extremely reliable and disciplined."

That's the Ravens' formula. Ioane isn't just a good player. As you've no doubt heard, he embodies what it means to "play like a Raven."

Physical. Disciplined. Reliable. The kind of interior presence that sets the tone before the ball is even snapped. For a team that has always prioritized controlling the line of scrimmage, this selection wasn’t just about filling a need—it was about reinforcing an identity. Baltimore has long built its roster from the inside out, and Ioane fits seamlessly into that philosophy. He brings toughness in the run game, consistency in pass protection, and the type of edge that defines winning football in the AFC North.

That's not projection. That's immediate impact with long-term value. What makes this pick stand out even more is how quickly Ioane can contribute. This isn't a developmental project that needs years to find its footing. He enters the league with the tools and temperament to compete right away, potentially stepping into a starting role from Day 1.

His presence alone should help stabilize the interior offensive line and create cleaner pockets for Lamar Jackson. That matters because when Baltimore is at its best, everything starts up front.

That's translation. There's a reason this pick landed on Yates' list. It checks every box. The Ravens didn't overthink this. They didn't chase trends. They stayed true to who they are and trusted their evaluation. In doing so, they may have landed one of the safest and smartest players in the entire first round. If Ioane becomes what many expect, this won't just be remembered as a good pick.

It'll be remembered as another reminder that Baltimore rarely misses when it sticks to its blueprint. They don't just draft well. They set the standard for how it's done every offseason.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: ESPN draft analyst highlights why Ravens struck gold with Vega Ioane

The New York Giants added seven new prospects throughout the 2026 NFL Draft, and some, like first-round picks Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa, are expected to become immediate starters. New starters mean Giants general manager Joe Schoen has more potential roster changes coming.

One could even involve trading a player that Schoen signed to a $30 million contract just two years ago.

According to The Athletic‘s Dan Duggan, Mauigoa’s arrival could lead the Giants to consider trading offensive lineman Jon Runyan Jr. Mauigoa played offensive tackle at Miami, but the Giants are expected to have him play guard instead. Duggan believes Mauigoa’s presence, along with newly signed Daniel Faalele, could make Runyan more expendable in New York’s eyes.

The Giants are trying to build the best team possible under John Harbaugh. If he believes Runyan is one of the team’s five best starters, then we’d expect him to stick around, even if he costs more than Faalele.

At this point, Faalele should be viewed as a low-cost insurance policy, should one of the Giants’ guards get hurt. He even has experience playing offensive tackle too. But that doesn’t mean the Giants should trade one of their prized free agency additions from two offseasons ago, even if Runyan hasn’t quite lived up to expectations (67th out of 81 guards graded by Pro Football Focus in 2025)

In the final year of his contract, the Giants could use this season to determine whether Runyan really is the right fit, or if they could get by with a less-expensive option, such as someone like Faalele.

Related: New York Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux Trade Price Revealed

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Exeter boss Rob Baxter says the prospect of Saturday's European Challenge Cup semi-final at Ulster is a measure of how far the club has progressed this season.

A year ago the Chiefs had just suffered a club-record 79-17 loss at Gloucester and dispensed with the services of long-serving coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher.

It was the nadir of a campaign which saw them win just four league matches and also lose all of their European fixtures.

Now they are fourth in the Prem and have a European semi-final as they prepare for a key month of games.

"Now, it would feel really disappointing if we don't see something off or get to at least one big game," Baxter said.

"Getting this far and then slipping up and maybe not getting to the final of the European competition, or maybe dropping out of the top four so we don't get to a semi-final, it would actually feel quite disappointing now because we've got to where we are.

"But if you'd have flipped it around and someone said last season 'next season, you're going to be chasing these things now' everyone would have gone 'yeah, we'll take it and it's going to be brilliant and that'll be fine'; this shows you how sport is."

Alongside coaching changes, Exeter brought in a number of experienced players over the summer.

The likes of Len Ikitau, Andrea Zambonin, Stephen Varney and Tom Hooper have added know-how to a group of talented young players like Greg Fisilau and Paul Brown-Bampoe.

For many of the Chiefs side it will be their first taste of a high-pressure knockout game - the club has not made the Prem play-offs in five years and or won a European knockout game in the past two seasons before the current campaign.

"It feels daunting and it's a challenge and this is tough, but the reality is it's brilliant," adds Baxter.

"It's brilliant to be in the European semi-final. It's brilliant to be in the top four of the Premiership.

"They're fantastic opportunities for us and what I've got to do is just keep guiding the guys [in a way] that brings the best out of us, not the worst out of us."

May will be a defining month for the Sandy Park side, both at home and in Europe.

Chiefs also face Prem leaders Bath at home, Harlequins at Twickenham, a possible European final and a trip to third-placed Leicester before the end of the month.

"The season now for us is going to be defined by the next month of fixtures, and that's it," Baxter added.

"So May will determine whether we feel really good about ourselves, or we feel okay about ourselves, or we feel bad about ourselves.

"It's a really interesting scenario this next month of fixtures."

Bruno Fernandes wants assurances over Manchester United’s ambition before committing to a new contract at Old Trafford.

Fernandes will enter the final 12 months of his deal with the Red Devils in the summer, at which point the club are keen to agree an extension.

The 31-year-old has had a spectacular season, scoring eight Premier League goals and adding 19 assists. He needs just one more assist to equal the Premier League’s single-season assist record, held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Fernandes’s form has helped Manchester United to the brink of Champions League qualification, and he now wants assurances over the club’s ability to compete for trophies.

Last week, Fernandes, who has only won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup during his six-and-a-half years at Old Trafford, told The Wayne Rooney Show that he wants to win the biggest trophies.

“I want to win the Premier League. I want to win the Champions League. I never hide from that.”” the midfielder said.

The Telegraph are reporting that Fernandes will seek assurances over ambition and investment before signing an extension. There is a €65m release clause in his contract, which clubs are considering. There is long-standing interest in the club captain from the Saudi Pro League.

Read – Manchester United plot player-plus-cash bid for AC Milan star

See more – Arsenal chief scouts Galatasaray trio – including Osimhen

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If you’re excited about Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne in a Minnesota Vikings uniform, well so is ESPN, who identified the best value selections per round in last week’s draft.

Minnesota waited until Round 6 to grab Claiborne, but his speed gives the backfield something it lacked.

The Vikings picked Claiborne in Round 6 after a trade up the board, and according to Jordan Reid, that choice represented the top value of that round.

Claiborne Brings Long-Speed Appeal to Minnesota’s RB Room

Some hype for a Vikings draft, which has felt rare in the last four years.

Reid: Round 6 Best Value Is Claiborne

ESPN’s Matt Miller named Washington Commanders running back Kayton Allen as his top-value draft pick from Round 6, but Reid disagreed, nominating Claiborne.

Reid explained, “The Vikings traded up to select the former Wake Forest back. While Minnesota restructured Aaron Jones Sr.’s contract this offseason, there’s room for another receiving running back on the roster. Claiborne could potentially fill Jones’ role in 2027.”

Claiborne is the Vikings’ first serious attempt to find a rookie halfback since Ty Chandler in the 2022 NFL Draft, or, arguably, Alexander Mattison before that in 2019. It’s been a while.

In Good Hands with Frank Smith

The Vikings kept their main coaches in place this offseason — head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips — but underneath those three, Minnesota experienced a significant overhaul. One such newcomer is Frank Smith, who served as Mike McDaniel’s offensive coordinator in Miami for the last four seasons.

One of his claims to fame? Unlocking and cultivating De’Von Achane from Texas A&M in 2023, a speedster who has remarkably similar characteristics to — you guessed it — Claiborne.

These are the measureables:

So, yes — optimistic Vikings fans are convinced that Smith will pull a rabbit out of the hat in Minneapolis. It could happen.

SI.com‘s Will Ragatz on Claiborne: “Claiborne is an electric playmaker with 4.37 speed at 5’10” and 188 pounds. He had 1,300 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns in 2024, then followed that with another 1,000 yards and 10 TDs last season. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2025.”

“Claiborne is undersized and won’t bring a ton of physicality to the RB room, but he wins with his elite burst and agility on the edge. He can find a hole, make a cut, and explode through it for big plays with his high-end speed. He also caught 51 passes over the past two seasons.”

If Claiborne doesn’t transform into Achane, he’s probably looking at a career similar to that of Nyheim Hines or Jerick McKinnon, based on his size and toolkit.

Ragatz added, “The Vikings did quite a bit of homework on Claiborne in the pre-draft process, including hosting him on a top-30 visit at TCO Performance Center, so this pick doesn’t come as a surprise (other than the fact that they traded up to do it). This is great value for the Vikings in the sixth round and makes a lot of sense for their future.”

“They needed some youth and explosiveness to join Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in their running back room, and they got it. No one would’ve batted an eye if they had taken Claiborne with one of their fifth-round picks (he was 144th on the consensus media board), so to get him at 198 feels well worth parting with a 2027 sixth.”

The Speed Is There

Want to know a dirty little secret about Vikings football right now? It needs speed. Jalen Nailor, perhaps the team’s fastest player, skedaddled in free agency to the Las Vegas Raiders, his hometown team. He’s a goner. The aforementioned Chandler was as fast as hell — when he wasn’t on injury reserve. He’s a New Orleans Saint. And wide receiver Rondale Moore tragically passed away in February.

All the speed merchants left. Meanwhile, Minnesota drafted no wide receivers last week, which would normally be a chance to replenish the speed fountain.

It’s only Demond for speedy newcomers, assuming a quick undrafted free agent doesn’t climb the depth chart in August.

When Will He Play?

Claiborne has one problem post-draft: he has two very seasoned veterans in front of him on the depth chart. Aaron Jones is back for Year No. 3 as a Viking after a few weeks of fans believing that he’d be a roster-cut casualty. Jones accepted a paycut and will hold down the RB1 or RB2 job once again.

His teammate, Jordan Mason, is in the prime of his career, turning 27 this summer. Unless Claiborne completely and utterly rips training camp and the preseason apart — see: Adrian Peterson in 2007 — Claiborne will probably be designated as the firm RB3 in 2026. He’ll likely battle the incumbent, Zavier Scott, for the job.

Of course, injuries could alter everything. That’s how injuries work. Suppose Jones gets hurt — that happens to him — Claiborne could be tapped on the shoulder for RB2 duty as early as September or October.

Otherwise, 2027 is a convenient timeframe for Claiborne’s possible emergence as RB1.

And according to Reid, that won’t be a bad thing for the Vikings. His value is paramount.

The Boston College baseball team picked up three wins out of their most recent four games over the past week, beating Notre Dame on Saturday and Sunday to win their weekend series before knocking off UMass Lowell on Tuesday evening. The Eagles are now at an impressive 34-14 on the season and 16-8 in ACC play as we enter the final few weeks of the season.

Over the weekend, the Eagles continued their strong run in conference play, taking another ACC series by taking two of three at Notre Dame in a series that, for some reason, did not have a video stream for any of the three games.

Sunday’s game was by far the most exciting from the weekend slate, as the two teams played a back and forth affair that saw BC trailing by a run heading into the top of the ninth inning. After Ty Mainolfi drew a four pitch walk to start the inning, senior Kyle Wolff came to the plate with one out and was able to play the hero, hitting a two-run home run to left field to put the Eagles ahead for good by a 7-6 score. It was Wolff’s third home run of the weekend after a big day at the plate on Saturday and hopefully a sign that he is coming out of a slump that he has been in for much of the season. Gavin Soares got the final three outs in the bottom half of the inning, fishing off a brilliant relief appearance that saw him go 3.1 innings where he struck out six and allowed just one hit. Nick Wang hit a home run in the first inning as well, giving him 14 on the season and 38 in his BC career, putting him alone in third place all time in program history.

The first two games of the series were much less exciting, with both teams winning once by a mercy rule and neither game going the full 9 innings. AJ Colarusso was roughed up a bit in Friday night’s 12-2 loss, allowing six earned runs in just 4.1 innings of work in his shortest outing since way back in early March. Things went a whole lot better for BC on Saturday, however, with the Eagles scoring four in the third inning and twice in the fifth before exploding for 10 runs in the eighth en route to a 16-1 win. Kyle Wolff homered twice, Julio Solier added one of his own, and every BC starter had at least one hit on the day. On the mound, Brady Miller had another strong outing, going 5.2 innings and allowing just four hits and one run while striking out six to pick up the win and lower his season ERA to an impressive 2.58. It was Miller’s third consecutive win and he has now gone five innings or more in six straight starts as he continues to put together an outstanding sophomore campaign.

On Tuesday evening, BC traveled to Lowell for what looked like an easy matchup on paper. The River Hawks entered the game with a 16-23 record and a three game losing streak, having been swept by Bryant over the past weekend. And for a while, that’s how things went. BC jumped out to a 7-2 lead after five innings of play, but had to hold on late as Lowell scored twice in both the sixth and seventh innings to make it a 7-6 game. Sean Hand pitched a bit of a bumpy seventh inning as Lowell made their comeback, but he shut things down in both the eighth and ninth, needing just seven batters to get through them and pick up a nine out save. At the plate, Ty Mainolfi had four hits and Gunnar Johnson drove in two runs to help make it three wins in a row for the Eagles.

LOOKING AHEAD

BC will have another great chance to stack some wins together this upcoming weekend, as they head down to South Carolina to take on Clemson in a three-game series. It’s been a rough season for Clemson, as they are currently sitting at the bottom of the ACC standings after being swept by Louisville to drop their conference record to 6-15. BC , meanwhile, is in a fantastic spot in conference play, with their 16-8 record good for third overall. There is a bit of a gap between them and the two teams tied for fourth (Miami and FSU are currently both at 12-9 and will play each other on the final weekend of the regular season), so the Eagles are in a great spot to finish in the top four and grab a double bye in the ACC Tournament.

Zaragoza’s goalkeeper has been handed a thirteen-match suspension following his altercation with Pulido.

It was an image that went around the world and, without a doubt, reflected very poorly on Spanish football. Andrada’s punch on Pulido during Zaragoza’s match against Huesca has now been punished by the Committee.

An exemplary sanction was expected, and that is exactly what happened. Andrada’s aggression will see him miss thirteen matches, a historic punishment that sets a precedent.

The player apologized after the match, and the club condemned his actions while reserving the right to take any disciplinary measures it deems appropriate against him.

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

According to a report from The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt, the New York Jets are scheduled to host well-traveled quarterback Russell Wilson. From which the idea came to do so may surprise you.

In the NFL, the tables can turn in an instant, which is the intriguing aspect of this report. Jets quarterback Geno Smith reportedly suggested that New York bring in Russell Wilson on a free agent visit. Things come full circle due to Geno Smith being Russell Wilson's backup in Seattle from 2019 to 2021. It's a funny league for sure.

The Jets do not have much experience at the backup position, but they have a couple of QBs with only a few starts under their belts, as well as the team's new rookie out of Clemson, Cade Klubnik.

Currently, the Jets have Bailey Zappe, Brady Cook, and Cade Klubnik, and together they have only a handful of starts. New York is building something special and wants to address every need this offseason, and did very well in the NFL Draft a few days ago.

If the Jets decide to sign Wilson and he becomes the starter, although highly unlikely at this point, he would get to play against a former Denver Broncos team that just wasn't the right fit for either party by any stretch of the imagination.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Jets to host Russell Wilson on a FA visit: Whose idea may surprise you

Every year, championship projections spark debate, but few carry as much weight as those produced by ESPN. Using advanced analytics, simulations, and roster evaluation, their projections offer a data-driven glimpse into how the NBA landscape might unfold. This latest ranking of teams with the highest probability of winning the NBA Finals doesn’t just reflect talent—it captures momentum, depth, health, and how well each roster is built for the grind of postseason basketball.

What stands out immediately is the gap between the top contender and the rest of the field. The numbers suggest a league where one team has separated itself through consistency and dominance, while a cluster of challengers tries to close that gap before it’s too late. At the same time, several traditional powerhouses find themselves with surprisingly slim odds, highlighting just how competitive and unpredictable the modern NBA has become.

RELATED: NBA’s last 5 champions

These rankings also tell a deeper story about team-building philosophies. Franchises leaning into youth and development are beginning to break through, while others built around veteran cores are navigating the fine line between experience and decline. Ultimately, the percentages aren’t guarantees—they’re snapshots of probability in a league where a single injury, hot streak, or breakout performance can completely reshape the title picture. That tension is exactly what makes the race to the Finals so compelling.

Los Angeles Lakers

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 0.5%
Despite the star power and global spotlight that always follows the Lakers, their path to a title looks exceptionally narrow this season. Inconsistency, depth concerns, and the grind of a competitive Western Conference have made sustained momentum difficult to maintain. While their veteran leadership can still produce flashes of brilliance, the margin for error is razor-thin. For Los Angeles, even reaching the later playoff rounds would require near-perfect execution and a bit of luck.

Toronto Raptors

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 0.5%
Toronto’s position near the bottom of these odds reflects a team still searching for identity and cohesion. The Raptors have intriguing pieces, but translating potential into consistent, high-level performance has been a challenge. Competing in a strong Eastern Conference further complicates their chances of making a deep run. Their focus may ultimately lean more toward development and long-term growth than immediate championship contention.

Denver Nuggets

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 0.8%
The Nuggets’ low probability is surprising given their recent pedigree, but it underscores how quickly the league’s balance of power can shift. Injuries, roster turnover, or simply tougher competition may have tempered expectations. Still, their core experience means they can’t be entirely dismissed, especially in a playoff setting. If they find rhythm at the right time, they remain one of the more dangerous underdogs.

RELATED: US cities with teams alive across NBA, NHL, and NFL playoffs

Cleveland Cavaliers

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 0.9%
Cleveland has shown flashes of being a disciplined, well-structured team, but their odds suggest they’re still a tier below true contenders. The Cavaliers rely heavily on cohesion and defensive intensity, yet questions linger about their ability to consistently generate offense in high-pressure moments. In a deep Eastern Conference, even advancing past the early rounds presents a significant hurdle. Their growth is evident, but a championship leap may still be a season or two away.

Detroit Pistons

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 6.9%
Detroit’s relatively higher odds compared to the bottom tier signal a team on the rise, fueled by youth and emerging talent. The Pistons have begun to show signs of turning potential into tangible results, making them a compelling dark horse. However, their inexperience could be exposed in a long playoff run against seasoned opponents. If their core continues to mature quickly, they could outperform expectations and disrupt the bracket.

New York Knicks

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 7.6%
The Knicks have built a reputation as a gritty, resilient team capable of competing with anyone on a given night. Their physical style and defensive commitment make them a tough out in a playoff series. Still, questions about offensive consistency and star-level shot creation linger when games tighten late. New York’s path to the Finals would require both sustained health and timely offensive breakthroughs.

Boston Celtics

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 14.9%
Boston remains firmly in the contender conversation, backed by a well-balanced roster and playoff experience. Their two-way versatility allows them to adapt to different matchups, a crucial trait in the postseason. However, the Celtics have occasionally struggled with closing out games under pressure, an issue that could define their ceiling. If they sharpen their late-game execution, they have the tools to make a legitimate Finals push.

RELATED: Ranking the current NBA playoff duos

San Antonio Spurs

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 19.7%
San Antonio’s emergence near the top of the list reflects a rapid and impressive ascent. Blending youthful energy with disciplined structure, the Spurs have become one of the league’s most intriguing contenders. Their ability to play unselfish, efficient basketball has translated into consistent success. While playoff inexperience could be a factor, their ceiling is undeniably high if they maintain composure in high-stakes moments.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Chance of winning NBA Finals: 47.3%
Oklahoma City stands as the clear frontrunner, a testament to their depth, cohesion, and sustained excellence throughout the season. The Thunder have combined elite defense with dynamic offensive versatility, making them a nightmare matchup for opponents. Their confidence and chemistry suggest a team peaking at the right time. Anything short of a Finals appearance would feel like an underachievement given their commanding position.

Conclusion

In the end, ESPN’s projections offer a compelling framework, but the NBA has never been decided on paper. The postseason has a way of rewriting expectations, rewarding teams that peak at the right moment. Until the final buzzer sounds, every contender—no matter the odds—still has a chance to define its own story.

The Ducks advanced to their fourth straight national semifinal before falling in a tight battle with Quinnipiac.

Oregon acrobatics and tumbling made another deep postseason push at the NCATA National Championships, advancing to the semifinals for the fourth straight season before seeing its run come to an end Friday night against Quinnipiac at the Felix Event Center in Azusa, California.

The No. 2-seeded Ducks opened the tournament Thursday with a convincing 262.510-251.165 quarterfinal win over Gannon, then came up short one day later in a 260.990-256.010 semifinal loss to third-seeded Quinnipiac.

Oregon finished the season 6-3, recording its fourth straight winning campaign and again earning at least one victory at the NCATA Championships.

Ducks Control Quarterfinal Against Gannon

Oregon’s postseason opened with one of its most complete performances of the season. The Ducks never trailed against Gannon, winning all six events and steadily increasing their lead throughout the meet.

Oregon jumped ahead 36.500-35.400 in the compulsory event by outscoring the Golden Knights in all four heats. The Ducks followed with a 28.650 in acro, highlighted by Angelica Martin and Cassidy Cu posting a 9.900 in the five-element heat and a 9.775 in the seven-element heat.

The pyramid event was Oregon’s best of the day. The Ducks scored 29.200, with marks of 9.825 in inversion pyramid, 9.600 in synchronized pyramid and 9.775 in open pyramid. That gave Oregon a 2.575-point lead at halftime.

From there, the Ducks kept widening the gap. Oregon won toss 28.150-26.300, led by a 9.600 in the 450 salto toss, then dominated tumbling 56.000-50.150. Sophomore Morgan Willingham led the event with a 9.850 in the aerial pass.

By the time the team event arrived, Oregon had built a double-digit lead and closed the meet with an 84.010 to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Quinnipiac Rallies Late in Semifinal

Friday’s semifinal was a much tighter contest. Oregon and Quinnipiac traded momentum throughout the night, and the Ducks carried a narrow 0.9-point advantage into the final event before the Bobcats surged ahead in the team event.

Quinnipiac took a slim lead after compulsory, 36.500-36.200, but Oregon responded in acro. Behind a 9.700 in the five-element heat from Cu and Martin, the Ducks moved in front and built their largest lead of the meet at 64.400-62.275.

Oregon maintained its edge through pyramid, where all three Duck heats scored 9.500 or better. The event was separated by just 0.050 points, and Oregon entered halftime with a 93.250-91.175 lead.

Quinnipiac started cutting into that margin after the break. The Bobcats won toss 28.350-27.600, then edged Oregon in tumbling 54.225-53.800 despite another strong aerial pass from Willingham, who scored 9.775.

That left Oregon with a small lead heading into the team event, but Quinnipiac delivered the stronger final routine to win the meet and advance to its first championship appearance since 2018.

A Postseason Run With Historical Weight

The loss ended Oregon’s pursuit of another national title, but it also closed an important chapter in the sport’s history. The 2025-26 season marks the final year acrobatics and tumbling will compete without NCAA championship recognition, with the sport set to be officially added 16 years after its inception.

Oregon remains one of the foundational programs in the sport. The Ducks and Quinnipiac are two of the six programs that helped launch the inaugural NCATA season in 2011, making Friday’s semifinal not only a postseason battle but a meeting between two programs that helped build the sport from the beginning.

For Oregon, the weekend was another reminder of the program’s consistency on the national stage. The Ducks advanced to their fourth straight semifinal and reached that round for the 13th time in program history.

Entering the NFL Draft, one of the Las Vegas Raiders’ biggest needs was wide receiver. They selected a pass catcher — but not until the sixth round. While their draft has been praised, with good reason, the Raiders couldn’t address every need.

For a team that desperately needs a go-to option for quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s future, waiting until pick No. 195 says a lot about where general manager John Spytek stands on the current roster. Let’s take a look at where the room stands and who could emerge as the playmaker they’ll need in 2026

Also Read:: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft Recap: Best Class in Years, But the Wide Receiver Room Still Needs an Answer

Depth Without a Star: Breaking Down the Current Receiver Roster

The Raiders used 2nd-and 4th-round picks on Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. last year. The duo combined for 30 receptions and 359 yards as rookies — not exactly eye-popping stuff. In fact, both will feel added pressure as they enter training camp later this summer.

Beyond that, Tre Tucker led the team with 57 receptions for 696 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 — a modest stat line that figures to be a baseline, not a ceiling, under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Tucker’s speed is a plus, but he hasn’t done anything in the course of his career to establish himself as a key receiver, even in the slot.

Free agency additions filled out the depth chart without solving the core problem. Jalen Nailor, who spent time in Minnesota with Kirk Cousins, averaged roughly 440 receiving yards each of the past two seasons with 10 combined touchdowns, as the fourth receiver behind Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and Jordan Addison. Not exactly WR1 sort of potential.

Dareke Young, a special teams standout in Seattle, and veteran Phillip Dorsett — a Super Bowl champion who spent last season on Atlanta’s practice squad and hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game in two years — round out the group. Sedrick Jackson and Brendan Rice have minimal NFL track records.

The room is versatile and well-rounded. It is not deep with proven pass catchers.

Also read: Las Vegas Raiders Draft Recap: Getting to know the picks, including Fernando Mendoza

No Clear-Cut No. 1 for Raiders in Sight

Nobody has locked down the No. 1 spot yet and that’s actually an opportunity. The question is who steps up and makes Kubiak’s offense run through them.

The dominoes start falling at training camp. Chemistry with Mendoza and Cousins, learning Kubiak’s system, carving out roles — all of it gets sorted between now and September.

Bech and Tucker are the most likely candidates to lead the group, but don’t expect them to look the same as they did in Chip Kelly’s offense a year ago. The scheme is different, the quarterback is different and the opportunity in front of them is bigger.

Kubiak’s offense thrives on versatility. In Seattle last season, Smith-Njigba was the engine, lining up outside, in the slot and in the backfield and turning jet sweeps into chunk gains. He was everywhere, and defenses couldn’t pin him down.

The Raiders don’t have a Smith-Njigba. But Tucker plays a similar style: quick, shifty and dangerous in space. That makes him the most natural fit for that role in Kubiak’s system.

Without a true No. 1 receiver on the roster, Kubiak is betting on his current group to produce. The blueprint is clear: recreate Smith-Njigba’s versatility and production, just with the pieces already in the building.

Also read: Las Vegas Raiders’ 2026 Draft Pick ‘May Never Play Football Again’

Malik Benson Brings Versatility, Special Teams Value

Malik Benson arrives in Las Vegas with legitimate production. He led Oregon in receiving last season with 43 catches for 716 yards and six touchdowns, lining up outside, in the slot and turning touch passes into jet sweep gains — the exact kind of versatility Kubiak is looking for.

Benson’s calling card is speed — he ran a 10.4-second 100 meters in high school and it shows up on tape. He tracks the deep ball cleanly at full stride, forces safeties to respect his vertical presence and creates separation without relying on 50/50 balls.

At Oregon, his intermediate and deep route production took a significant leap, and his catch rate climbed while drops nearly disappeared. He’s not a short-area weapon or a run blocker, but in a system that wants to push the ball downfield, he can tilt coverages in ways that benefit every receiver around him.

Not only will Benson have chances in the offense, but also on special teams. He was the Ducks’ punt returner last year. He had a breakout season as a punt returner, totaling nine returns for 161 yards, including an 85-yard punt return touchdown.  

He’s not walking in and taking over. But come roster cuts, four months of reps will do the talking.

Also read: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft Recap: Best Class in Years, But the Wide Receiver Room Still Needs an Answer

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• Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft Recap: Best Class in Years, But the Wide Receiver Room Still Needs an Answer

For fans, the NFL Draft is the finish line. For the Packers, it’s more like the starting gun.

All of the weeks and weeks (and months and months) of work the Packers’ personnel department did to put together their draft board and then execute their vision did little more than reward them with more work to do. They’ve acquired the lump of clay that they must shape into the 2026 Green Bay Packers. Now they must begin to shape it.

Fortunately for the personnel guys, they get to hand off that process to the coaching staff. They get to take the baton and run now. And that might be the harder process, or at least harder to define. On draft weekend you either get your guys or you don’t, but you come out of the weekend with your picks. Shaping those players into a cohesive championship contender is much more difficult. The setbacks are much harder to anticipate, control, and account for. Development isn’t always linear.

But either way, the process has started. The draft was just the beginning. The 2026 Packers are under construction. The season will be here before you know it.

Okay, that last sentence is a bit of copium. But it’s April and nothing interesting is going to happen until July. What can I do?

What draft experts said about Packers top UDFA J. Michael Sturdivant | Packers Wire

I don’t know if it’s a great year for UDFAs in Green Bay, but if someone’s going to make noise, Sturdivant is a good bet.

Revisiting most impactful draft-day trade for 32 NFL teams | ESPN

Draft day trades can reap big dividends or be very dangerous.

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was smart to hold onto his ’27 draft picks | Packers News

The Packers look like they’ll have 11 picks on the way in 2027. Draft weekend next year is going to be busy!

South Carolina Coach Knows Why Brandon Cisse Will Be Hit With Packers | Sports Illustrated

Everybody who works with Brandon Cisse seems to really like what he’s about.

Packers’ post-draft depth chart: Pressing questions at QB, RB and kicker | The Athletic ($)

There are always going to be questions, but if your biggest issues coming out of draft weekend are backup QB, running back depth, and kicker, I’d say you’re doing pretty well for yourself.

2,082 participate in Wisconsin clean-up project, break world record | UPI

Good work, Cheeseheads!

Cowboys made best pick in entire 2026 NFL Draft, writes ESPN expert originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Cowboys had a clear mission in the 2026 NFL Draft: Improve the defense.

It certainly looks like they did that, and ESPN's Matt Miller is quite a fan of how they started things off.

Miller, a draft expert, ranked his favorite picks of the three days of selections.

He gave the Cowboys the No. 1 spot on that list for their choice of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall.

Dallas was sitting in the 12th pick but traded up a spot with the Miami Dolphins to get to 11 and ensure, after Downs had slid to that point, that no one else would swoop in front of them to get him.

"My favorite pick of the draft, Downs will be an immediate playmaker in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker's scheme," Miller writes. "A three-time All-American and a national champion, Downs' work ethic and culture-setting ability are as important as his on-field skills. He has football savvy and a great feel for the game, which gives him alignment versatility and will allow him a faster acclimation than most rookies. The expectation is that he'll become a high-end starter with All-Pro potential during his rookie contract. The combination of player, need and value made this the best pick of the 2026 draft."

MORE: Diego Pavia, Shedeur Sanders and an NFL QB problem that goes back to Tim Tebow

The only risk with Downs is positional value. Safety isn't viewed in the same tier as cornerback or edge rusher among defensive spots.

Still, though, that was less of a worry at the 11th pick than it would've been in the top-five, and there's still a case Downs should've been picked much earlier.

The Cowboys got maybe the best player in the draft, not accounting for such value, with the 11th pick. That should work out nicely.

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Wisconsin football extended an offer to three-star class of 2027 linebacker Matthew Brady Tuesday evening. 

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound defender owns offers from roughly 15 programs thus far, including from Michigan State, Minnesota, Virginia Tech, Army, Wyoming and North Dakota State. 247Sports considers the Bloomington, Illinois, product the No. 1,203 overall recruit, No. 111 linebacker and No. 41 player from Illinois for the class of 2027.

Brady joins a collection of 2027 linebackers, headlined by blue-chippers Kaden Henderson, Prince Goldsby and Brayton Feister, to receive an offer from Luke Fickell's program at this stage of the recruiting process. He's scheduled to officially visit Michigan State the weekend of May 29. The visit to East Lansing marks his only official visit plan for the summer window, per 247Sports.

#AGTG After a great conversation with @TufBorland I am blessed to have received an offer from Wisconsin!! @BadgerFootball@CoachFick@CoachMikeTress@JackChastain25@PatLambert13@BryanSanborn07@CCHSsaintsFB@BrauchtKevin@CPHighland@EDGYTIM@AllenTrieu@TomLoy247… pic.twitter.com/SOX36PSPPA

— Matthew Brady (@MatthewBrady007) April 29, 2026

Wisconsin's class of 2027 has risen in national hierarchies following a recent string of high-profile commitments, most notably quarterback Jack Sorgi and safety DJ Davis. As of April 28, 247Sports pegged UW's 2027 cohort as the No. 12 class in the nation. On3/Rivals, meanwhile, put the Badgers at No. 19.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Badgers football Matthew Brady Recruiting Offer

Welcome back to another edition of our Pittsburgh Pirates Q&A. Let’s get to your questions.

Should we send Konnor back down whenever Triolo gets back? – Jeroboam De Dios Vargas

Jared Triolo’s rehab assignment from a right knee patellar injury was transferred to Double-A Altoona, so the 28-year-old is getting closer to a return. He went 3 for 4 with a home run, three RBI, two runs and a walk in his first game with the Curve on Tuesday night.

When Triolo does return, the Pirates will have to decided what the corresponding roster move will be, but it won’t be Konnor Griffin.

The Pirates never gave any indication they were close to sending him down when he was off to a slow start to begin his career. Lately, it looks like Griffin is turning a corner.

The 20-year-old homered for the second time as part of a two-hit performance on Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals. Griffin has multiple hits in three of his last five games and is batting .389 with a 1.143 OPS, two home runs, five RBI, two runs and two steals during that stretch.

Griffin won’t be the corresponding move. It will probably be either Nick Yorke or Billy Cook when the time comes.

If Jared struggles, should be see a trade market for a pitcher if we are in contention? – Jeroboam De Dios Vargas

Jared Jones will begin a rehab assignment with the Bradenton Marauders tonight and is projected to return to the Pirates in about a month if all goes well.

Getting Jones back would not only give the starting rotation a potential boost but could help improve a suspect bullpen if Carmen Mlodzinski goes back to being a reliever.

If Jones struggles, they will absolutely be in the market for a starting pitcher. Even if he doesn’t, the Pirates should still be looking to trade for a veteran.

I was pretty surprised the Pirates didn’t make another veteran addition to the staff in the offseason. Don’t get me wrong, they still have a strong rotation, but the depth is a huge concern. I’m not high on Thomas Harrington. What Hunter Barco did last night was commendable, but he’s looked overmatched at the big leagues. José Urquidy was bad to start the year and got sent down. Mike Clevinger settled for a minor-league deal for a reason and is hurt.

If the Pirates ultimately get where they want to go, which is the postseason, Paul Skenes, Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler will all have to far exceed their career innings totals and Jones will be on an innings limit That’s a lot to ask, and a lot of wear and tear on an overall young rotation.

Why does Don Kelly still have a job. This team wins in spite of him. He SUCKS – Bradley Bostjancic

Have I agreed with every decision Don Kelly has made? Of course not. There are several decisions I’ve questioned over the first month of the season. But if I’m being frank, I think people are being far too hard on Kelly.

He has the Pirates over .500 over a month into the season. Their ability to bounce back after tough games for most of the season speaks to the culture that’s been established. I often find that managers are the scapegoats when things don’t go well — look at Alex Cora in Boston and Rob Thompson in Philadelphia. I also feel like managers are the true deciding factor in only a handful of games over a 162-game season.

Players have to execute, and the roster construction is not perfect. There are tons of factors that go into a decision, some which aren’t as obvious to see.

Has Kelly been perfect? No. Do I think he’s still doing a pretty good job overall? I do. Calling for his job a month into the season when the team is largely performing well doesn’t make any sense.

How long do you give Ozuna before you make a move? – Derf Esurk

It looked like Marcell Ozuna was starting to turn a corner but he’s fallen into another slump. Over his last six games, the veteran has one hit in 18 at-bats and has struck out eight times.

I asked Kelly before yesterday’s game what he has to do to get back in a groove. Here’s what he said:

“Continue to go. I don’t know if you guys saw his work [on Monday], it was amazing. Didn’t translate as well to the game, but he’s right there working on the right things, has continued to do that. Just continue to work and the hitting group have been diving into.”

The Pirates have continued to applaud Ozuna for his work ethic, but eventually that work will have to translate to results. Through 25 games, he’s hitting .160 with a .470 OPS and carries a -0.9 bWAR. The sample size of 102 plate appearances is large enough to be concerned.

Are we at the point where the Pirates will cut ties? Not quite. $12 million is a steep investment the Pirates made. They’ll give him some more time to work out of his struggles, but the Pirates aren’t in a position this year to continue to give him a long leash like they could’ve in prior years.

The post Pirates Q&A: How Long is Ozuna’s Leash? Trade for Starter Eventually Possible? appeared first on Pittsburgh Baseball Now.

For a typical football club, the future of an increasingly injured, 32-year-old forward headed toward free agency wouldn’t cause much of a stir, but Roma is no ordinary club, and Paulo Dybala has never been an ordinary player. Since arriving in the capital four years ago, the man affectionately known as La Joya has delighted Giallorossi supporters with a level of attacking skill and grace not seen since the latter days of Francesco Totti’s legendary career.

In that light, it’s no wonder Dybala’s future has weighed heavily on the club. Even in his reduced capacity as a 1,500-minute-per-season player, Dybala could deliver dizzying highs with his wicked left foot and keen intellect, scoring several golazos among his 45 goals for the club. However, with a string of muscle injuries dragging him down over the past 18 months, those moments of magic were fleeting. Dybala could still turn a match on its head, but they were interspersed with swaths of mortality.

With his contract expiring at the end of June and Roma facing another summer revolution, Dybala’s future with the club has come into question. While there have been suggestions that he could sign an incentive-laden deal to remain with the club, Dybala has been the subject of constant transfer rumors over the past several months.

And, according to ESPN, Dybala has reached a preliminary agreement with Boca Juniors.

It may sound strange to say, but when it comes to football rumors, ESPN, the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader in Sports, isn’t the most reputable source of football journalism. Still, Dybala has been linked with Boca Juniors for several months, and with his former Roma teammate Leandro Paredes giving him the soft sell, not to mention Dybala and his wife recently welcoming a newborn daughter, the lure of returning home to Argentina may be too difficult to resist.

This story will surely shift in the coming weeks, but the Dybala to Boca train is picking up steam.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Gianluca Rocchi didn’t meet with Inter directors on April 2, 2025, but other match officials did, leading to Andrea Colombo’s appointment for the Nerazzurri’s Serie A match against Bologna.

Serie A refereeing scandal: Rocchi didn’t meet Inter

More details are emerging regarding the new refereeing scandal involving Rocchi, VAR Supervisor Andrea Gervasoni, and three other VAR officials.

Rocchi is under investigation for participation in sports fraud, but will not appear for interrogation with the Milan Prosecutor tomorrow, April 30, unlike Gervasoni.

Rocchi is suspected of having influenced VAR decisions and appointed referees liked by Inter, which the Nerazzurri President Beppe Marotta has strongly denied.

PISA, ITALY – MARCH 2: General view of the VAR monitor inside the Arena Garibaldi stadium in Pisa during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Bologna FC 1909 at Arena Garibaldi on March 2, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

So far, no evidence has emerged that Rocchi held talks with Inter regarding referee appointments, and no players or club directors from the Nerazzurri or any other Serie A club are under investigation.

Rocchi is alleged to have attended a meeting at San Siro on April 2, 2025, the day of the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg between Milan and Inter.

During that meeting, he reportedly decided to appoint Colombo for a Serie A match between Bologna and Inter on April 20, 2025, and Doveri for the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg between Inter and Milan, thereby making him ineligible to officiate the Final, a match Inter ultimately didn’t even reach.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Referee Gianluca Rocchi during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Chelsea FC and AFC Ajax at Stamford Bridge on November 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

According to Gazzetta and other Italian media, including ANSA and La Stampa, wiretaps from that meeting appear to suggest that Rocchi didn’t speak to Inter directors but rather to referees or members of the refereeing world.

Rocchi and his lawyer still have not received the full set of documents containing accusations from the Milan Prosecutor, yet the former Referee Designator won’t show up for an interrogation tomorrow.

Julian Brandt will most likely not join Roma. The German midfielder will not renew his contract with Borussia Dortmund and is preparing to leave the club on a free transfer.

Despite the Giallorossi’s interest, the future of the Giallorossi’s number 10 seems already sealed.

According to Sport Bild, the player is reportedly very attracted to the idea of ​​moving to Spain.

To play in La Liga, he would even be willing to join a club that isn’t at the top of the competition.

The main reason for this choice is said to be personal: his partner lives in Catalonia, and it would be easier for Brandt to stay close to his family.

Therefore, the possibility of a move to the Premier League is now over, as is the one that took him to Roma and Serie A.

La Liga seems to be the most likely option at the moment.

Several Manchester United players produced brilliant performances during Monday evening’s 2-1 win over Brentford, but only one has been named in Troy Deeney’s BBC Team of the Week.

United sink Brentford

United beat Brentford to advance within touching distance of securing Champions League football.

Casemiro broke the deadlock as he nodded home a brilliant headed delivery from Harry Maguire. Casemiro’s goal marked his ninth of the Premier League season and extended a fine run of form in his farewell tour.

Benjamin Sesko doubled the Red Devils’ advantage shortly before the break, finishing off a sweeping counter-attack.

Amad was taken off at the interval and replaced by Noussair Mazraoui as interim head coach Michael Carrick retreated to a three-at-the-back system. The change paid dividends, with United becoming more solid and compact.

Mathias Jensen pulled one back for the visitors in the 87th minute to set up a furious finale, but United managed to hold on for all three points. Casemiro won the man of the match award for his sensational performance.

He, together with Kobbie Mainoo, delivered a brilliant performance in the centre of the pitch.

But the pair seemingly did not do enough to earn spots in the BBC Team of the Week, and neither did Sesko. Only one United player has been included in the XI – Maguire.

United star recognised

Deeney included Maguire as part of a backline that also has Piero Hincapie (Arsenal), Kevin Danso (Tottenham Hotspur) and Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham).

On why he picked Maguire, Deeney wrote, “Back from a two-game suspension, just see the difference in Manchester United’s team when Maguire is there.”

“He’s just a solid individual who gets stuff done. He got the assist for the opening goal against Brentford and just brings a level of authority to that United backline.”

Maguire made the 600th appearance of his career against Brentford, in what was a landmark milestone for the England international.

United are next in action on Sunday when they host Liverpool.

Feature image Naomi Baker via Getty Images

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Sometimes, it pays to put the numbers down and take a deep historical look at things. Teams fire managers in the season nearly every year, but it is fairly rare to see teams fire their manager before the halfway point in the season. In fact, coming into the season it had only happened six times since 2000. However, the Philadelphia Phillies were the second team this season to fire their manager on Tuesday morning. The Boston Red Sox also fired Alex Cora last week.

This is obviously pertinent since many in Astros nation are calling for the head of Joe Espada. Thoughts usually go back to 2004 when the Astros fired Jimy Williams after the midpoint of the season and Phil Garner led them to the NLCS. However, that one doesn’t count because Williams had made it through the halfway point. We can break these six situations down to see if success should be predicted with a change here in Houston. Obviously, every situation is different, so past results are not a guarantee of future results, but it pays to look at the history of these things.

The Marlins Can Everyone

The Marlins make the list three times since 2000. What we want to do with all of these is look at the record before and after the change to see if there was general improvement. Like I have said many times, our memories often play tricks on us.

2001: John Boles (22-26)
Tony Perez (54-60)

Those winning percentages are almost identical. So, at best the move would be ineffectual and Perez did not continue to manage long after taking the job. As you can see, the Marlins did this again just a couple of years later. It would be fair to assert that few teams are run more shoddily than the Marlins.

2003: Jeff Torberg (16-22)
Jack McKeon (75-49)

This is obviously probably the historical example people will go back to. The Marlins won the wild card and went on to beat the Yankees in the World Series. This was a veteran laden team that seemingly needed a kick in the pants. They may have turned around on their own. I suppose we will never know.

2011: Edwin Rodriguez (32-39)
Jack McKeon (40-50)

So, lightening does not strike twice. The Marlins tried it again with the aging McKeon and the team did not get any better and eventually finished in fourth place in the NL East. When doing a longitudinal study one can look at the aggregate or simply go situation by situation. In two out of the three situations, the team’s fortunes were not improved.

The Phillies Have Done This Before

All that is old is new again. Rob Thomson was the beneficiary of this move in 2022 and that story should seem familiar since that was the team the Astros beat to win their second World Series title. Like with the Marlins, the Phillies were beneficiaries of the wild card as they were not able to overtake the Braves in the NL East, but got hot at the right time.

2022: Joe Giradi (22-29)
Rob Thomson (65-46)

An 87 win team usually does not get very far in the playoffs and it is nothing to write home about. The Phillies got hot at the right time to be sure. Was that Thomson? Who the heck knows? Giradi had been a playoff manager with the Yankees and Phillies prior to that, so there is reason to believe he could have righted the ship on his own. Now, the Phillies will try to have lightening strike twice with Don Mattingly.

2025 May Have Started a Trend

Two teams did this last season as well. It is important to note what the objective is. If you fire a manager that early in the year you are trying to turn things around. Maybe you think you have an outside shot at the playoffs or maybe you are so far out of the hunt that you just want to get an earlier look at a managerial candidate.

2025: Bud Black (7-33)
Warren Schaeffer (36-86)

I can’t call Schaeffer a failure per se. His winning percentage was better than Bud Black’s because can you really be that much worse a .175 clip over 40 games. They won 43 games, but this is one of the worst teams statistically in baseball history. Schaeffer deserves extra credit for avoiding what the White Sox had achieved before them. However, the further you get away from it, the more it looks like you are just spinning your wheels.

2025: Ron Washington (36-38)
Ray Montgomery (36-52)

I’ve never been a Washington fan, but this one was more due to health concerns than anything else. The Angels obviously tabbed Kurt Suzuki this year, so Montgomery was not particularly impressive. This might be the only case where the interim manager performed significantly worse than the initial manager. I suppose at least any team thinking of doing this could hang their hat on that.

Putting It All Together

Simply put, most teams either performed about the same or worse before and after firing their initial manager. The 2003 Marlins and 2022 Phillies were notable exceptions. Obviously, every situation is different and the lab is not a place to recommend moves necessarily. Simply put, if history is our guide then it is more likely than not that any interim manager this year would fare about as well as Joe Espada has. However, I suppose there is always a chance it would work.

Following a special meeting in Vancouver, Canada, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has adopted two new regulations for the upcoming World Cup. At the initiative of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, professional players can in future be sent off with a red card if they cover their mouths during a confrontation with opposing players.

The background to this decision is an incident between Gianluca Prestianni and Vinicius Junior in the Champions League, in which racist insults were allegedly concealed behind a raised shirt. Infantino justified the move by saying that covering the mouth strongly suggests the urgent suspicion of impermissible remarks and that a tough crackdown is necessary for a credible fight against racism. Whether this regulation will also be introduced in other competitions such as the Bundesliga or the Champions League is, for the time being, at the discretion of the respective organizers.

In addition, IFAB responded to the events at the Africa Cup final between Morocco and Senegal with another adjustment, after Senegalese players had temporarily left the pitch together in protest against a penalty decision. The new regulation provides that referees may punish players who leave the field on their own initiative in protest with a red card.

This rule will be applied for the first time at the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada and applies equally to officials who incite their team to such a protest. It was also clarified that a team whose behavior causes a match to be abandoned will, as a rule, be deemed to have lost the game.

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

Last fall, Harbour TownGolf Links on Hilton Head Island reopened after a renovation by Love Golf Design, the firm of Mark and Davis Love III and lead architect Scot Sherman. The work, which was on display during the recent RBC Heritage, involved new drainage and irrigation, expanding lost green space, rebuilding bunkers—normal things that all courses need to do every 20 years or so. There was another element, one that introduced a new aesthetic: The conversion of a dozen or so bunkers to artificial, stacked sod-wall faces.

The resort termed the project a “restoration” of the original Pete Dye course that opened in 1969 and stands as one of the architect’s landmark early creations. While Dye did attempt to construct natural sod-faced bunkers, he gave them up by the early 1970s and never chose to reinstall them across the numerous occasions he personally renovated the course over the next 40 years. For 95 percent of Harbour Town’s life, they didn’t exist.

Whether reviving an idea the original architect quickly abandoned counts as restoration or editorial liberty is open to debate. But it does bring up an important question about how architects and memberships should handle renovations of contemporary designs.

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MORE: A huge difference between high-end private and affordable public golf that can be eliminated

So far, most of the tinkering that’s been done to Dye’s courses was done by him. But since he passed in 2020, memberships and resorts require outside guidance when renovation work is needed. They will have to decide whether to preserve Dye’s distinctive and often groundbreaking architecture or go in new directions. The same questions will eventually apply to the best courses from active designers like Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, Tom Doak, Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner and others. Will subsequent architects be caretakers of these legacy designs and resist the urge to put their own imprints on them, even under the premise of improvement? Or will they be used as canvases for artistic reinterpretation?

The reason there is even a concept of “restoration” is because clubs began hiring a new generation of architects to modernize their existing layouts in the years following World War II. Those courses from the 1910s and ’20s needed refreshing and benefited from advances in turf and irrigation technology, but mid-century outlooks (stretching into the 1970s and ’80s) felt little obligation to honor the original design ideas. Historical conservation was not a concept. In almost every case the work of Donald Ross, A.W. Tillinghast, George Thomas and their contemporaries was altered in the name of progress and the whims of the times. As one architect said to me about an elder practitioner who became prominent for remodeling old courses during the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, “He was a great guy, but he did a lot of damage.”

Most clubs now consider this period of remodeling a mistake and have since hired architects to reconstruct—to restore—their eradicated design features, a correction of past ambivalence. We should learn from this. Most of the best work created in the past 30 years is still intact, but we shouldn’t assume it will stay that way. Courses need routine work with age, which always opens the door for edits and alterations. Preserving their architecture will require diligent stewardship and purposeful intent.

Perhaps it’s time to create a Tom Fazio or Jack Nicklaus Society the way similar organizations emerged to protect and promote the lineage of Golden Age designers. Not all architecture is worthy of total conservation, but caring voices could advise on a registry of important courses that should have landmark status. The time is coming. If proprietors and designers have the foresight to preserve and not change their properties now, there won’t be a need in the future to correct their mistakes.

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Bloomington (IN) Bloomington North is taking a big swing with their football program moving forward as they bring home an alumnus to run the team, according to a social media announcement Wednesday morning.

10-time North Carolina high school football state champion Tarboro (NC) Tarboro announced via their Instagram page that defensive coordinator Andy Harding was leaving to take the head coaching job at his alma mater, Bloomington North.

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“Home called… and Coach Harding answered!

From the 252 to the 812, Coach Harding is heading HOME to take over as Head Football Coach at his alma mater, Bloomington North High School!

Yeah, it’s tough for the Vikings and all of Valhalla to hang up this call… but nothing but LOVE and PRIDE on this end. Coach Harding didn’t just coach defense—he built DAWGS, leaders, and men of character. A true legend on and off the field.

His calm, dominant presence made him a favorite—because his players knew one thing for sure… Coach cared.“

Harding ran a defensive unit that yielded just 124 points (8.2 points per game) through 15 contests, with the defense notching seven shutouts on the way to a state championship win. Now the decorated defensive coordinator will head back to Indiana to take over a Cougars’ squad that has recorded five straight winning seasons.

Bloomington North finished with a 7-4 record and as the No. 52 in the state, according to the final 2025 Indiana High School Football Massey Rankings.

How to Follow Indiana High School Football

For Indiana high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Hoosier State, 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 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 Indiana high school football excitement across the state.

The Baltimore Ravens are in a new era under new coach Jesse Minter. Accordingly, they are introducing a new culture. With this NFL draft class entering Baltimore's culture shift, it seems that one rookie will have no problem knowing what it takes to be a Raven. That guy is USC Trojan Ja'Kobi Lane.

Ravens Wire's Geoffrey A. Knox sheds light on how Ja'Kobi Lane already feels at home with the Ravens in a recent article. Here is what he had to say about Lane's familiarity with the Baltimore organization:

"The Baltimore Ravens didn't just add another wide receiver. They added a player whose story already feels connected to the organization in more ways than one. Ja'Kobi Lane was selected by the Ravens 80th overall. He comes with intriguing physical traits, but it's the relationships behind the scenes that make this fit feel even more natural.

One of the most notable connections traces back to Todd Heap, a franchise legend who once served as a high school assistant coach for Lane. That relationship clearly left a lasting impression.

Lane didn't hesitate when speaking about Heap during a video call with the media, calling him a mentor and "one of the best human beings" he's ever been around. He credited the former Ravens great with helping him grow not only as a football player but "tenfold as a man." That kind of praise says as much about Lane as it does about Heap, and it offers an early glimpse into the character Baltimore is bringing into its locker room."

Having a rookie walk into a new culture where he already knows what it means to play for a franchise as historic as the Baltimore Ravens goes a long way. Safe to say the Ravens will not have to try too hard to get Lane to buy in, and they are adding someone who will be a seamless fit.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Former Raven will ensure Ja'Kobi Lane fits Baltimore's new culture

For Hickory, Aneudis Mejia struck out five in 4.1 scoreless innings, walking one.

Marcos Torres homered twice. Dewar Tovar was 2 for 6 with a homer. Paulino Santana drew a pair of walks. Yolfran Castillo had a double and three walks. Josh Spring had a hit. Daniel Flames had a pair of hits. Esteban Mejia had a pair of hits.

Hickory box score

Hub City starter Aidan Curry went 4.1 innings, striking out four, walking five and allowing two runs. Andrew Susac allowed a three run homer in 1.2 IP, striking out one and walking one. Kai Wynyard allowed seven runs in 1.2 IP, including four home runs.

Malcolm Moore had a double and a walk. Maxton Martin had a walk and a stolen base. Paxton Kling had a hit.

Hub City box score

Frisco starter Josh Trentadue’s difficult 2026 continued, as he allowed five runs in four innings, walking three and striking out one. Ryan Lobus threw a scoreless inning. Eric Loomis walked two and struck out one in a scorleess inning.

Ian Moller doubled. Keith Jones II had a hit. Dylan Dreiling drew a pair of walks.

Frisco box score

For Round Rock, Dane Acker allowed a run in 1.2 IP, striking out three and walking two. Robbie Ahlstrom struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings. Carter Baumler went 0.2 IP, walking one and striking out one. Ryan Brasier struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings. Michel Otanez walked two and struck out one in a scoreless inning.

Justin Foscue had a double. Cam Cauley had a pair of hits. Aaron Zavala had a hit.

Round Rock box score

Tyson Fury could take an interim fight before facing Anthony Joshua, but the long-awaited heavyweight showdown will not happen if Joshua loses his warm-up bout in July, says promoter Frank Warren.

Britons Fury and Joshua - both two-time world champions - have signed a deal to fight this year.

But Joshua, 36, must first get past little-known Albanian Kristian Prenga on 25 July in Saudi Arabia.

"If he loses to this guy, it kills the fight," Warren told BBC Sport.

The head of Queensberry Promotions, which represents 37-year-old Fury, said the 'Gypsy King' will earn a career-high payday against Joshua, surpassing the reported £80m he earned against Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.

But Warren said Fury does not want too much time out of the ring and may fight before facing Joshua in "late October" at the earliest.

Fury returned from a 15-month lay-off with a points win over Arslanbek Makhmudov in London on 11 April.

"Tyson wants to keep busy. That's the mentality he has. When he's in the gym, he goes to the gym for his mental wellbeing, as well as physically," Warren said.

"He needs focus, a date when he's going to fight, and at the moment we don't have that date."

Warren said he expects the loser of a Fury-Joshua bout to retire, or both may hang up the gloves after the one-fight deal.

"Tyson has made it very plain he'd like to fight [undisputed champion Oleksandr] Usyk again, so maybe that could be an option," Warren said.

Warren did not rule out the Fury-Joshua bout being held in Saudi Arabia, which is funding the fight, but he wants it to take place at Wembley Stadium.

"That's where everybody would like to see the fight," Warren said.

"It's the national stadium - that is where it belongs. We've had some great nights there in the past and that makes a lot of sense."

• The decade-long struggle to get AJ & Fury together
• Boxing schedule and results 2026

Hey all, here’s your open thread for Wednesday.

MMA ADJACENT

Raise your kids to be kind (surprise Frankie Edgar cameo).

TOTALLY OFF TOPIC

Blair Witch, but I might be basic.

Just gonna leave this here.

GAME TIME

A geography head scratcher today.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Late addition: UFC Perth adds another fight — FULL STORY
• Real Armen Freestyle: Tsarukyan at it again — FULL STORY
• Sterling on the up: Latest UFC rankings — FULL STORY

Enjoy!

BOSTON -- It was the fourth quarter on the road in the TD Garden on Tuesday for the Philadelphia 76ers. It was do or die. Win or go home. Whatever cliché one wants to use, the Sixers had to find a way to knock off the Boston Celtics and keep the season alive.

They found it on the defensive end as they completely shut down the league's No. 2 offense from the regular season. Philadelphia held the Celtics to just 11 points in the fourth on 3-for-22 shooting, and no field goals for the final 7:03 for the game as they missed their final 16 shots of the game. It was a far cry from the poor defensive performance in Game 4 as the Sixers swarmed Boston in Game 5.

"We just felt like we were just over helping a little too much last game," Quentin Grimes said. "They had a lot of wide open 3s. That’s what they like to do. I feel like today, we stuck to the game plan, stay solid, guard our man, and just made them take tough 2s."

The Sixers held Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to a combined 0-for-8 shooting in the fourth quarter. A lot of credit has to go to Grimes, VJ Edgecombe, and Kelly Oubre Jr. for their work out on the perimeter for Philadelphia defensively. Then, Joel Embiid cleaned up any mistakes those players made. Either way, it was an impressive showing for the Sixers in a number of ways.

"We guarded individually, and then we rebounded," added Tyrese Maxey. "That's the biggest thing. On the defensive end. We rebounded, and Joel communicated everything from the back line of the defense. So that was really good. VJ did a really good job guarding Tatum. Paul was on Brown, I think Q got on (Payton) Pritchard when he got in, and the rest of us kind of try to rebound and defend and guard our yard. So that was a really good job."

The Sixers even won the rebounding battle 16-14 in the fourth. They got the stops they needed before then turning to Embiid and allowing him to do what he does. It was a formula that allowed the Sixers to keep their season alive for at least another day.

"Then offensively, like I said, Joel was dominant," added Maxey. "He went to the post and he scored and scored and scored. He kicked something out, and we made some shots, and then we would play a little pick-and-roll down the stretch of the game, and got a couple of buckets, and we closed it out."

Game 6 is back in Philadelphia on Thursday at 8 p.m. EDT.

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Sixers discuss their swarming defense in Game 5 win over Celtics

Spurs end 9-year drought, and Victor Wembanyama warning continues to rest of NBA originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The San Antonio Spurs took care of business on Tuesday night, and so they're moving on in the NBA playoffs, eliminating the Portland Trail Blazers in the process.

Believe it or not, it's the Spurs' first playoff series victory in nine years. For this franchise, it's been a relative wandering in the desert since 2017. But it was in the desert where they found their savior, Victor Wembanyama.

And at this point, the rest of the NBA already knows what it's up against. But just in case, Wembanyama does about 10 different things every night that remind the league that it should be very, very afraid.

MORE: LeBron reveals his own thoughts on the MJ GOAT debate

In the clincher against the Blazers, Wemby blocked a shot over the backboard. Like, above it. No one else does that.

He also had one of those spinning, slicing, "there's no way he finishes this with a dunk" dunks that makes no sense for any other human but him.

He's 7-foot-5, or 7-foot-4, or whatever height the Spurs decide to convince everyone else he is, but really, you could put any tall height number next to his name and everyone would be like, "Yeah, that sounds right." He might as well be 8-feet tall.

MORE: Alperen Sengun is a big Harry Potter fan

Wemby actually had a tame night by his standards on Tuesday -- just 17 points (although efficient 5-for-7 FG, 1-2 3FG, 6-6 FT). He did have 14 rebounds, three assists and six blocks.

But the Spurs won by 19, never really threatened, and so Wembanyama didn't have to take the game over at any point.

There will be tougher foes than Portland, but the point remains. Wemby is at least getting closer to the peak of his powers, and that's a scary proposition for the rest of the NBA.

More basketball news:

• The Indiana Pacers are depending on a 52.1% draft chance
• Why Cameron Boozer is more likely to go 3rd than 1st
• Caleb Wilson gets some good NBA Draft news as Jazz, Kings watch
• Grizzlies draft projection could swing Ja Morant trade rumors
• A good draft reminder for the Atlanta Hawks

Nadaka Yoshinari successfully made the first defense of his ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Title, outpointing challenger “Mini-Hulk” Songchainoi Kiatsongrit by unanimous decision in a five-round battle at ONE SAMURAI 1, which broadcast live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Wednesday, April 29.

The rematch had been three years in the making. Nadaka had knocked Songchainoi down three times to win their first meeting at a regional show in Tokyo back in April 2023, and now, with the ONE Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship on the line, the Thai challenger had come to the Japanese capital to even the score.

Songchainoi played it safe in round one, tracking the evasive divisional ruler around the ring like a shadow while testing his responses. Nadaka, for his part, offered little for the challenger to work with, as he countered with intention whenever an opening presented itself.

The pattern continued into the second. The 25-year-old Eiwa Sports Gym product negated every opportunity Songchainoi had to land cleanly – and even when he missed, he was never there when the Thai countered. “Mini-Hulk” did find some success with solid knees in the clinch, and a thunderous right hand briefly drew the Japanese superstar’s attention, but he remained in control.

Nadaka began doubling up on his kicks in the third stanza to keep the challenger off his back, but the shorter, stockier Thai kept pressing. The 25-year-old Samut Prakan native grew more dominant in the clinch, outwrestling the reigning king when they locked up.

The fourth was the most competitive of the championship rounds. The duo went kick-for-kick at the bell, volleying them back and forth before Songchainoi shifted his focus to the body. Nadaka responded by pumping sharp punches into his challenger’s face to reassert his authority.

Songchainoi came out firing in the fifth and final round, attacking relentlessly while Nadaka used his clinch work to neutralize the pressure. The Kiatsongrit Muay Thai Gym representative had the heart, but he never quite figured out the distance. Ultimately, Nadaka had all the tools to defend his gold on home soil.

The victory was a defining moment for the Japanese atomweight king. Having already made history last November by ripping through Numsurin Chor Ketwina to claim the division’s inaugural crown, Nadaka now stands alone as the undisputed ruler of the division. With the triumph, he improved his record to 67-6 and put himself on a shocking 41-bout winning streak.

Source

Westlake's dominance of Class 6A high school golf in Texas continues.

Led by Henry Talarico, the Chaparrals won their 15th state golf championship with a six-stroke victory over runner-up The Woodlands Tuesday at White Bluff Resort. Westlake led by six shots after Monday's first round and held on Tuesday.

Coached by Michael Rome, Westlake's winning team of Talarico, Dylan Knox, JP Lynch, Luke Frey and Sterling Hurd finished with a two-day score of 578 (284-294). The Woodlands finished with an overall score of 584 (290-294).

Talarico was the best golfer on the course, finishing with a score of 142 (70-72). After a five-way tie for third place, which included Hurd (72-72-144) and Lynch ((70-74-144), Hurd finished tied for third and Lynch fifth after a playoff.

Rounding out the Westlake golfers were Knox (72-77-149) and Frey (81-76-157).

It marked Westlake's ninth team title in 10 years.

MORE:Anderson's Connor Comeau must decide between A&M, MLB

Lake Travis had a fine showing at the state meet, finishing in third place, 25 shots behind the Chaparrals (303-300-603). The Cavs were led by Bennett Kuhns, who finished tied for third place (69-75-144) and MacKey Bennett (74-71-145), who tied for eighth. Rounding out the Lake Travis scoring were Brady Shelton (76-78-154), Elliott Cope (84-76-160) and Jack Rincon (88-86-174).

As for the future, Westlake's Hurd is a senior headed to Texas in the fall. Frey, also a senior, is heading to Emory University in Atlanta. Talarico, Knox and Lynch are sophomores.

Competing as an individual, Austin High junior Braydon Pratt (76-72-148) finished  tied for 16th.

Anderson finishes 9th:In Class 5A, Prosper Walnut Grove (285-290) won state with a one-shot victory over Highland Park (288-288-576). The Anderson team of Cash Hernandez, Drew Gilley, Samuel Woodberry, Stephen Eidson and Thomas Ashy finished finished ninth (310 -320-630) at Legacy Hills Golf Club in Georgetown.

Competing as an individual, Georgetown's Rylan Hogue (70-74-144) finished tied for ninth place.

Class 4A champion:In Class 4A, the Lubbock Cooper Liberty team of  Cole Barr, Cy Jones, Jackson Ballou, Jay Ewing and Reed Blacklock (290-294-584) won the state team championship with a five-stroke win over Andrews at Legends Golf Course in Georgetown.

Bruins Believe They Had Right 'Mindset' To Force Game 6 originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Boston Bruins extended its first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres.

Boston lost both games at home to go down 3-1 in the series, and in Game 5, the Bruins played much better hockey. After going down 1-0 after the first period, Elias Lindholm tied it up midway through the second, and that was the last goal in regulation.

In overtime, David Pastrnak had a breakaway and deked the puck around Alex Lyon’s left pad for a goal and the win. It was a great performance from the Bruins, and head coach Marco Sturm was pleased with how his team played.

“It’s just the character we have in this locker room,” Sturm said postgame on Tuesday. “It’s amazing. No surprise for me, though. We couldn’t wait to get out there today. Guys were dialed in. Our mindset was just there.

“Overall, this team never quits and always finds a way to bounce back. That’s for me, it’s character, it’s attitude, just being there for each other. I think that’s the biggest thing of what we created this year.”

With the win, the Bruins kept the series alive and forced a Game 6 at home in Boston on Friday night. After losing both games at home, Lindholm expects the team to play much better in front of the Bruins faithful.

“They’re going to see a different Boston Bruins at home,” Lindholm said. “We’re going to play the game we’ve been playing here on the road. Take that home. We love playing in front of our fans. It’s gonna be a real tough game for Buffalo to try to close out the series. We’re going to make it hard on them.”

Game 6 is set for Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston.

More NHL: Bruins Win Game 5 OT Thriller, Bring Series Back To Boston

Adam Azim will make his return from injury against Steve Claggett live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on 30 May in London at the Wembley Arena.

The undefeated Briton was scheduled to fight Gustavo Lemos in January before picking up an injury.

Azim was expected to reschedule that bout but the Argentinian decided to withdraw from the opportunity.

Azim v Claggett will be live on BBC One from 21:00 until 23:00 BST, with the undercard live on BBC iPlayer.

"This is another big step forward for me on my journey to a world title," Azim said.

"Steve Claggett is a tough, experienced fighter, he gave Teofimo Lopez his toughest fight, and that's exactly the kind of challenge I want.

"I'm ready to put on a great performance and show everyone why I'm destined for the top."

Canada's Claggett, 36, has a record of eight losses, two draws and 40 wins, giving him a big experience advantage over 23-year-old Azim.

Claggett has one fight at world-title level, losing to then WBO light-welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez in 2024 on points and has fought just twice since then.

• In conversation with Boxxer's Shalom

Azim, who is unbeaten in 14 fights with 11 knockouts, is hopeful a win over Claggett will move him up the IBF rankings as he seeks to secure a world-title shot in the next 12 months.

American Richardson Hitchins recently vacated his IBF belt following a move in divisions and signing with Zuffa Boxing.

In the wake of Hitchins' decision, the IBF declared Mexico's Lindolfo Delgado the number one challenger to fight for the vacant title next.

• Boxing schedule and results 2026
• Watch every Born to Brawl episode

More boxing from the BBC

• Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

Mark Allen's bid to become the oldest first-time world champion in the modern era gathered momentum as he reached the semi-finals with a 13-11 victory over Barry Hawkins at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.

The 40-year-old Northern Irishman is aiming to complete snooker's Triple Crown having previously triumphed in the UK Championship and Masters.

However, snooker's biggest prize has so far eluded him in 19 previous attempts with his win over Hawkins earning him a place in the last four for only the third time.

Having resumed at 8-8, Allen took the opening two frames of Wednesday morning's session only to be pegged back by the 2013 finalist, who knocked in breaks of 70 and 83 in response.

The players traded frames before Allen constructed his third century of a high-quality affair to move 12-11 ahead.

In a dramatic final frame Allen took control with a break of 59 and sealed his passage to the single-table stage after the Englishman underhit an attempted snooker on the pink just seconds after fluking a red to give himself the chance to force a decider.

Allen said he felt: "Relief more than anything.

"Barry scored really well, he had 14 breaks of 50 which is a ridiculous level and to come out on top shows where my game is as well.

"I thought the second session was one of the best I have ever been involved in, it was really high-quality snooker.

"My heart sank when he fluked that red - I'm over the moon to get over the line. If you could have seen inner Mark when he didn't reach the pink, he was doing somersaults and then I potted a good yellow.

"I have won everything else, why can't I win this? I am thinking about it because I come here every year thinking I can win it for the first time."

Allen will now face either Wu Yize or Hossein Vafaei in a best-of-33 encounter that begins on Thursday at 19:00 BST.

Should Allen win the world title he will become the oldest first-time winner in the modern era, eclipsing Stuart Bingham, who claimed the world title in 2015, aged 38 years and 343 days.

LIBBY — Maddie Willis hit a pair of doubles and Libby used an eight-run fourth inning to pull away from Ronan 9-4 in a Northwest A softball showdown Tuesday.

Marie Cheff got the scoring started with an RBI double to center in the third inning for Ronan (3-5).

Willis answered with her first two-bagger to left, tying the game at one.

After the Maidens added a pair in the fourth, Libby (5-3) responded with a big inning sparked by back-to-back singles from Dakota Allen and Leah Rusdal.

Tessa Purdy gave Libby the lead with a double to left that brought home a pair and made it 5-3.

When the frame ended, Libby led 9-3. Ronan got one back on a passed ball in the fifth, but got no closer.

Carmen Kohler went the distance in the circle for Libby, striking out eight and allowing four runs on six hits.

C-Falls 21, Browning 0

C-Falls 28, Browning 0

BROWNING — Onnikka Lawrence had 12 RBIs on the day as Columbia Falls rolled to a doubleheader sweep of Browning.

In the first game, Lawrence knocked in three runs while teammate Kylie Gjesdal-Davis had six RBIs on a pair of long balls.

The Wildkats plated 11 in the third inning to take the win. Both games ended after three innings due to the mercy rule.

In the second game, Lawrence and Emma Branstetter each hit a pair of homers as the Wildkats scored 10 in the first and 18 in the second.

K Kagutosh had the lone hit on the day for the Indians.

EUREKA — Josh Lambertsen keeps racking up wins and school records.

The Eureka senior won the 100, 200 and pole vault at the Eureka Elite Top 8 meet held Tuesday, and his 200 time of 22.68 seconds reset the school record he established Saturday at the Iceberg Invitational (22.71). It’s unofficially the No. 5 in in Class B.

Lambertsen also hit his personal record in the 100, winning in 11.35. His winning pole vault was 12 feet, 3 inches.

The other multiple winner among the boys was Browning junior Robert Miller, who swept the hurdles. His time of 41.65 in the 300s was good enough to shade Eureka’s River Traina and Browning’s Kayden Rutherford. All three hit PRs; Miller’s time since fifth in Class A.

The Indians found more gold with Jasiah Rider (800), River Racine (1,600), Royce Madplume (discus), Kayden Rutherford (long jump) and Noah Butterfly (high jump).

Libby’s Colter Anderson won the boys 400, and teammate Urijah Bache won the javelin.

Besides Lambertsen, the Lions saw Benjamin Hughes take the 3,200.

The meet drew athletes from five schools: Eureka, Libby, Browning, Plains and Noxon, and Browning brought some talent.

Senior Teslin Trombley won four girls events: The high jump, long jump, triple jump and 100-meter dash. Her winning long jump of 16-10 was a PR (and is eighth in Class A), as was her 100 time of 13.52.

Other Browning victories came from Akira NightGun (discus) and Peyton Eaglefeathers (1,600)

Plains’ Kalli Tuma was a triple-winner among the girls, taking the 400-meter dash as well as both hurdles races. Also notching wins for Plains were Reese Meredith (200), Savannah Costner (3,200) and Annika Ercanbrack (800).

Eureka’s Gabriele Wells won the shot put and teammate Kricket Bridges won the pole vault.

MISSOULA — The Russ Pilcher Top 10 meet went off without a hitch Tuesday at MCPS Stadium, the weather holding and the athletes flying.

Several records were set at the meet, which dates back to 1999 and draws top athletes from roughly 150 miles in any direction, including Helena, Boulder and Butte.

The Flathead Valley was well-represented. For example, Robert Merchant of Class A Bigfork followed up his second-place finish (in a personal-record 10.99 seconds) in the 100-meter dash with a first in the 200 in 21.71, another PR. That broke the 11-year-old record of 21.85 by Butte’s Dalton Daum.

Merchant owns the fastest 200 in Montana, regardless of class; he also helped the Vikings finish fourth in the short relay and second in the 1,600-meter relay.

Meanwhile Glacier freshman Kyle West clocked 22.37, the fourth-best time in AA.

A top race was the boys 800, where Helena's Axel Kowalski won a battle with Glacier’s Owen Theil by .35 of a second. Kowalski came across in 1:55.93, the fastest time run inside Montana’s borders this spring.

Thiel did not run the 3,200, which Polson’s David DiGiallonardo won in 9:29.22. In the same race Plains’ John Jermyn ran the best time in B, 9:40.63, finishing second.

Plains’ Cord Greer won a tight 1,600 — Flathead's Carson Thorne and Jude Sparkman were 2-3 — and now he and Jermyn own the top two times in B.

Cooper Pelc (14.45) and Liam Palmer (14.83) ran impressively in the 110 hurdles, though Helena Capital’s Oliver Mow won. Another Wolfpack runner, Kruz Robinson, won the 300 hurdles Tuesday.

There was one double-winner, and he was impressive: Frenchtown’s Henry Griffin won the shot put with a record heave of 59 feet, 9.5 inches; and also set meet discus record at 186-2. Capital’s Justin Jenks had held the shot record of 58-4 since 2018; Brandon Forson threw the discus 181-7 in 2011.

There were several top marks that weren’t records. Class C Superior’s Landon Richards cleared 6-8 to win the high jump, the best mark in Montana (the record remains 6-9.25).

Whitefish’s Colby Minton ran the fastest boys 400 in Class A, clocking 50.39.

Bigfork’s Tamret Savik won the triple jump, leaping 46-4. Libby’s Tristan Andersen was second in the javelin, throwing 167-56.

Capital’s Cooper Nelson won the 100 at 10.76.

In the girls’ 3,200, Polson junior Morgan Delaney didn’t run a PR but her time of 10:36.20 eclipsed the 10:38.08 run by Glacier’s Annie Hill in 2018. Glacier’s Lauren Bissen (10:52.12) and Libby’s Capril Farmer (10:52.52) finished 2-3.

Meanwhile Glacier’s Dacia Benkelman won the 400 (59.70, third-best in AA) and freshman teammate Ada Thiel surged over the final lap to win the 1,600 in 5:02.70.

The Wolfpack found another winner in junior Allie Kruger, who hit a PR of 38-11 in the shot put.

Whitefish’s Ginger Berland hit two PRs: She won the 300 hurdles in 44.66 and finished third in the 100 hurdles at 15.09. Florence’s Madigan Hurlbert (14.97) won that event, but Berland owns the fastest times in Class A in both.

Bulldogs sophomore Anny Boysen clocked 26.71 in the 200, fourth in Class A.

Delaney wasn’t the only record-setting girl. Seeley-Swan's Lillian Boyd marked 149-4 to win the discus; that knocked Polson legend Bree Fuqua’s 146-5 in 1999 of the books.

Missoula Hellgate’s Elly Reed cleared 5-7.25 to win the high jump, breaking the record of 5-6 by Corvallis Jane Booth in 2014.

On the track, Helena sophomore Quinlyn Simmons won the 100 in 12.31. The old record of 12.37 was run by Whitefish’s Brooke Zetooney in 2024.

Hamilton’s Annalise Lewis ran the fastest girls 800 in the state: 2:12.57.

Full results can be found at athletic.net.

MISSOULA — Sara Bjornson went the distance in the circle for Missoula Big Sky as the Eagles stymied a Bravettes for a 5-2 victory in Western AA softball Tuesday.

Bjornson allowed eight hits and fanned eight batters in the victory.

June Stickney threw a complete game for the Bravettes in the loss, allowing seven hits and striking out four. She added a pair of hits.

After Big Sky (9-3) got on the board thanks to a passed ball in the first, Hailey Nicoson extended the lead to 2-0 in the second with a big fly to center field.

Danica Hennell answered with a lead-off blast for Flathead (3-9) in the third to make it 2-1.

The Eagles added a run on a sacrifice fly in the fourth before Nicoson drove in her second run of the game on a single in the sixth. Big Sky added another run later in the inning.

Flathead put two runners on in the seventh, with Reese Rosenberg coming home on a passed ball, but couldn’t continue the rally.

Flathead is back on the diamond Thursday at Columbia Falls with first pitch schedule for 5 p.m.

Flathead 001 000 1 - 2 8 1

Big Sky 110 102 x - 5 7 0

June Stickney and Gwyn Hennell. Sara Bjornson and Hailey Nicoson.

FLATHEAD — June Stickney 2-4, Sophia Torgison 1-3, Olivia Nyman 0-3, Macey McIlhargey 1-3, Tegan Strauss 1-2, Makenna Korf 0-3, Reese Rosenberg 1-3, Danica Hennell 1-3, Kinsey Lake 1-3, Gwyn Hennell 0-0.

MISSOULA BIG SKY — Heaven Weaver 1-3, Sara Bjornson 0-3, Aubrey Bykari 0-3, Madison Norcorss 1-3, Logan Latrielle 1-3, Hailey Nicoson 3-3, Peyton Walters 1-3, Briella Wilson 0-2, Elise Regan 0-2.

2B — Strauss. Latrielle. 3B — Weaver. HR — D.Hennell, Nicoson. RBIs — D.Hennell, Nicoson 2, Wilson 2.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a unique ‘problem’, in employing the greatest player of this generation, Shohei Ohtani. Tuesday night’s game against the Miami Marlins highlighted this particular issue, as Ohtani pitched six innings, holding the Marlins to two runs. The Dodgers offense sans Ohtani mustered just one run, and the Marlins went on to win the game.

When asked about his decision to have Ohtani out of the lineup on days he pitches, Manager Dave Roberts had this to say –

“I don’t think that is going to play in my math. I think the main thing is to do right by Shohei,” Roberts said. “Even without him tonight in the lineup, we should’ve won the game. I feel good about it. I’d do the same thing again.”

The beauty of having someone like Ohtani is that even when he is ‘out of sync’ with his pitching, he still gives your team more than a chance to win. And the beauty of having a lineup like the Dodgers is that they should be able to be able to score three or more runs without Ohtani in the lineup. It just so happened that on Tuesday night, the offense didn’t do their job.

The MO of the Dodgers front office has always been to look at the long-term picture for both players and the team. And if the Dodgers want to three-peat as World Champs, Ohtani obviously plays a big role in getting them there.

MLB’s Sonja Chen covers more details of Ohtani’s outing here.

Bill Plunkett of the OC Register covers more of the minutiae of handling a two-way player through the bulk of the season to have him healthy when you need him more, in the playoffs.

“I’m always going to respect the decision, regardless whether I’m pitching or doing both,” Ohtani said. “I also understand the importance of getting to the end of the season with everybody healthy. So talking with the training staff, talking with the team, I think it’s really important that the team makes the decision on what’s good for the team.”

We are about a month away from Blake Snell returning to the starting rotation and that would give the Dodgers seven starting pitchers. Could the Dodgers do something crazy like go to a seven-man rotation? That would definitely give each starter plenty of time to recover between outings.

No, I am not seriously thinking the Dodgers front office would do this. But the beauty of having a team like the Dodgers is you have the flexibility to do things other teams can only dream of.

Financing isn’t just an issue for G6 (few of which will keep pace), the power conferences are facing rapidly increasing costs.

Also see:

• NCAAF Roster Management – Part 1. Quick Takes
• NCAAF Roster Management – Part 2. NIL and Shared Revenue Structure

Program reserves were wiped out during Covid as most had to look to the University for assistance, and pay back the University the following years.

Coaching staff cost has skyrocketed.  It isn’t just the salaries of the top coaches on the staff – after the NCAA lifted the limit to the number of on-field coaches, programs added staff specialists for each position.  Now a coach can miss a practice to hit the recruiting trail or watch tape and prep a game plan for the next opponent, and still have his assistants coaching players.  Between the competitive salaries and comparable workload, programs can now attract quality offensive and defensive coordinators from the NFL.  OSU assistant coaching staff is now approaching $15 Million.

The B1G as a whole is starting in the red.  In 2024, ½ of the 16 public universities reported a deficit, 4 reported $15+ million deficits.  Collectively they reported 2.84 billion in revenue, but expenditures near $3 billion, 

The House settlement awarded $2.8 billion in back compensation to athletes.  This is being paid by the NCAA and conferences, ultimately coming out of program’s budgets, disproportionately from the power conferences.

Boosters are finding it more satisfying to move their contributions from the program to NIL funds, where they can tie their donations to specific athletes.

Overnight, power conferences needed to fund $20+ million in shared revenue with athletes if they want to keep pace.  This is substantial, representing 7.8% to over 15% of reported 2024 B1G Athletic Department revenue.

Fortunately this should only be a short term issue for the B1G.  The next B1G contract is expected to nearly double the 2025 payout – this should be more than enough to balance the books (and why programs are willing to run large deficits in the short term).

Athletic Departments will struggle in the short term.  ADs will have to make cuts, increase revenue, or borrow from the university to cover 10% to 20% of their current budget until the new broadcast contract is signed.

Cost Cutting

P4 ADs seem reluctant to eliminate non-revenue sports.  Eliminating many varsity sports won’t notably help the AD’s bottom line (eliminating the golf or co-ed pistol team offers little savings), they would need to cut sports with larger rosters and higher expenses, which also tend to be more popular.  

OSU President Cater:

“We’ll still have scholarships, we’ll still have programs.  Some of those sports may start to look and act a little bit more like a club sport, but yet compete at the Division I level and still travel and still compete.”

Hard to nail down what he means here, I interpret it as deep cuts in non-revenue sports budgets other than scholarships (coaching, equipment, facilities, etc.).

In the same article, writer Mat Brown noted:

“Carter’s argument here lines up with what I’ve heard… from the P4 to the low-majors. It’s time to figure out how to tier your sports, and figure out where you want to go all in, and where you want to offer what is essentially a D-III experience with D-I brands and facilities.”

By “club sport” and “D-III experience” I believe they are referring to minor sports having decreased coaching, lesser facilities, fewer travel perks, etc.

Across the board, all sports can expect some budget cuts, even blue blood football – OSU HC Day was upset his recruiting budget was cut.

New Revenue

The most obvious new revenue source will be selling venue naming rights.  For football stadiums, Washington sold their naming rights for 10 years for $41M, PSU 15 years for $50M, Indiana 20 years for $50M.  I expect $2M to $5M a year to be a realistic target.

It isn’t limited to venue naming rights, programs have been selling sponsorship of playing surfaces, scoreboards, practice facilities, athlete weight rooms and lounges, and even restaurants in the stadium.

The NCAA will allow programs to place 2 logo patches on uniforms starting in 2026, and an additional logo on equipment (such as a batting helmet).

Notably expanding seating capacity seems to be out.  PSU is undertaking a massive stadium makeover to expand use and improve the fan experience without notably changing the capacity.  NW is building a new stadium with less capacity.  

Programs are instead focusing on maximizing revenue from the current attendees.  For decades OSU has increased and decreased capacity by tinkered with the mix of club seats, box seats, and loges to maximize revenue and demand.  They just recently added a membership club/restaurant in the stadium which can be reserved on non-game days.  Currently in the end zone they’re adding field level suites with premium seating above (if you can call lower end zone seating “premium”).  Expect more programs to look at these types of smaller low cost modifications with high return potential.

“Improved fan experience” has been the buzzword among athletic directors.  Concerned ticket demand could drop now that all games are broadcasted, programs have been upgrading lighting, sound systems, concessions, restrooms, concourses, and trying to expand traditions to improve the fan experience.  This should also increase season ticket demand, which often requires a donation to the athletic department.

Coming in the series:

NCAAF Roster Management – Part 4. Conference Revenue

Note: this is the third in a four-part series from longtime OTE reader and commenter ProveIt on roster management, revenue sharing, and NIL distribution in our new era of college football. One of these will run every couple days for the next week or two. I’m very grateful to ProveIt for helping us out in the doldrums.

If YOU’D like to have articles like this published, feel free to email them to minnesotawildcat at gmail dot com — I may have a little back-and-forth if needed, but I’ll get them polished up and published here. And, if you’re interested in writing more full-time for OTE, please feel free to contact me at that same email. —MNW

Manchester United’s pursuit of AC Milan superstar Rafael Leao is ramping up as intermediaries continue to work behind the scenes to sound out a deal, according to the latest report from Italy.

Cut-Price Deal

Despite a contract at the San Siro which contains a €175 million release clause, I Rossoneri are ready to slash their asking price for Leao this summer. With only two years remaining on his deal and growing concerns over clashes with the coaching staff, Milan want to cut ties with the 26-year-old forward as the relationship between both parties is on the “verge of breaking down.”

A report relayed by The Peoples Person claims an agreement could now be struck at the €70m mark, while a separate update revealed it may drop as low as €50m (£43m) to force an exit.

The Portugal international is one of the most gifted footballers in world football, possessing a potent pairing of physical and technical gifts that few of his competitors can even dream of. But he is yet to find the formula to apply his talents consistently, with question marks over attitude and application having plagued him throughout his career.

Luka Modric, his teammate in Milan and a player who knows what a world-class forward looks like, showered the 6’2 speedster with praise earlier in the season.

“Rafa is really amazing,” the 40-year-old Croatian midfielder said in October. “He’s an amazing talent, from outside when I used to watch him and now when I train with him, I see he is one of the best players in the world. The incredible thing is that he can still improve, it just depends on him.”

While there are valid concerns over Leao, a price tag of £43m for a forward with the profile and skillset to single-handedly devastate defences is one that will pique the curiosity of every top club in Europe – including the Red Devils.

United on the hunt

United are understood to be joined in the hunt by Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester City, while Spanish heavyweights FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are also admirers. Industry sources describe Milan’s demand as being considered “excellent value by many elite clubs for a 26-year-old of Leao’s calibre in the current market.”

Gazzetta dello Sport confirms interest from Old Trafford, revealing an unnamed agent is working as an intermediary between the executive branch and the player’s camp. Club-to-club negotiations are yet to commence, but talks are expected to ramp up at the end of the season.

The Italian newspaper claims a swap deal is also in the works to further lower the price, with Milan retaining a long-standing interest in Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch forward has failed to settle in England and a return to Serie A is expected this summer.

Two other candidates on the chopping block are Manuel Ugarte and Marcus Rashford, as the Italian giant has been linked with both in recent windows.

The report states Zirkzee is the much more likely option, however, with fellow Italian outlet Calciomercatoconfirming United have held initial talks over the possibility of an exchange of forwards.

Final Thoughts

Stylistically, Leao is a perfect option on the left wing of a 4-2-3-1 system, which is expected to remain in place regardless of who is United’s head coach next season. If the club can strike a deal by including an unwanted player to lower the fee, it would help further mitigate the risks he poses from a behavioural and mentality perspective.

The Saudi Pro League has also been suggested as a possible destination for the Almada native, but he is said to only be interested in a switch to one of Europe’s elite. This offers further hope that the penny is dropping for a player whose value on the pitch is as high as he chooses it to be.

Featured images Marco Luzzani via Getty Images

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The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social

The Atlanta Braves announced Tuesday that right-hander Didier Fuentes has been recalled to Atlanta as a result of moving lefty Dylan Lee to the paternity list. The move continues the rollercoaster of options for Fuentes, who was recalled last week before being optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett again. 

In three appearances so far this season, Fuentes has not proven to be spectacular. He’s got a 5.00 ERA through nine innings of work. However, his return gives Atlanta a fresh arm in the bullpen while Dylan Lee is away, and another shot to show he can provide value at the major league level.

The Braves will certainly miss Lee, who has already appeared in 14 games and allowed just two runs on six hits. Fortunately, his absence is expected to be short-term, and Atlanta’s bullpen will regain one of its most reliable arms soon.

More Braves News:

Walt Weiss provided a few pre-game updates on Spencer Strider, Sean Murphy, and a some other injured Braves. 

The Braves kicked off the series with the Detroit Tigers with a 5-2 win. 

Tate Southisene, Eric Hartman, and Rolddy Muñoz each appeared in MLB Pipeline’s Team of the Week. 

MLB News:

The Philadelphia Phillies have fired skipper Rob Thomson and named Don Mattingly as interim manager.

After parting ways with the Boston Red Sox, Alex Cora is not expected to pursue another managerial opportunity at this time. He said he “would like to be a father first and foremost.”

The Miami Marlins placed closer Pete Fairbanks on the 15-day injured list due to nerve irritation. He exited his outing on Monday with hand numbness. 

Kansas City Royals second baseman Jonathan India underwent labrum surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. 

The A’s have placed infielder Max Muncy on the 10-day injured list with a fractured finger. He suffered the injury on April 13 and made an effort to play through it. 

The New York Yankees placed Giancarlo Stanton on the 10-day injured list due to a calf strain. Fortunately, the strain was classified as “low grade.”

The New York Mets placed righty Kodai Senga on the 15-day injured list with lumbar spinal inflammation. 

From the Feed:

JR Ritchie is penciled in to start for the Braves on Wednesday night. How many major league starts do you think he will make this season?

This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Support fearless, unflinching journalism that holds power accountable and relentlessly pursues the truth. Become a HuffPost member today.

• Michael Oliver will referee the Premier League meeting between Everton and Manchester City.
• City require all three points to retain control of the Premier League title race.
• Arsenal will be a minimum of three points clear come kick-off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Premier League have confirmed the team of match officials to oversee Manchester City’s meeting away at Everton on Monday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side simply have to keep on winning in the top-flight to keep the direction of this season’s Premier League title firmly in their own hands, but face a run of hugely challenging affairs between now and the final weekend of the campaign.

Off the back of two crucial wins against Arsenal and Burnley to put them top of the division on goals scored, Manchester City could find themselves six points behind the Gunners by the time kick-off arrives on Merseyside.

However, Mikel Arteta’s players will have played two games extra by that stage, perhaps adding additional pressure onto the minds of the Etihad Stadium’s players with far from favourable fixtures on the horizon.

Beyond the meeting with European football-chasing Everton on Monday night, City still have to face Brentford, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, with the meeting against the Cherries coming immediately after the FA Cup final against Chelsea and away from home.

Inside Manchester City’s Premier League battle over Crystal Palace and Bournemouth fixture scheduling

Ahead of the meeting between Everton and Manchester City, the Premier League have now announced the list of match officials to oversee proceedings at the Hill Dickinson Stadium!

Match Referee

The Premier League have confirmed that the highly-regarded and experienced Michael Oliver will be the man tasked with officiating from the middle of the pitch on Monday night as match referee.

Oliver will be overseeing his 40th match of the campaign across competitions at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, having worked on the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, World Cup qualification, and the FA Cup.

In his 39 matches to date this season, Oliver has issued 142 yellow cards, one leading to a second yellow card dismissal, one direct red card, and awarding four penalty kicks in the process.

Manchester City are Michael Oliver’s third-most frequent team to officiate, overseeing the Sky Blues on 65 previous occasions, with 46 of those resulting in a win for the club, eight ending in a draw, and 11 resulting in defeat.

City have received a total of 100 yellow cards from Oliver, one second yellow card dismissal, no straight red cards, and 12 penalty kicks awarded in their favour across those 65 matches.

Manchester City and Michael Oliver have come across one another on four occasions already this season, three of which have come in the Premier League; a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, and a 1-1 draw against West Ham.

The most recent outing involving Manchester City and Oliver came in the FA Cup quarter-finals and the impressive 4-0 win over Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

Assistant Referees

Accompanying Michael Oliver from the field of play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night will be a duo of Stuart Burt and Nick Greenhalgh, appointed into the roles of assistant referees for the contest.

Video Assistant Referees

Overseeing matters between Everton and Manchester City from Stockley Park’s VAR Hub will be referee Paul Howard in the role of Video Assistant Referee, supported by Blake Antrobus as Assistant Video Assistant Referee.

Fourth Official

Standing between the two dugouts and managing affairs involving David Moyes and Pep Guardiola will be referee Andy Madley, appointed as the fourth official for this contest.

The landscape of NFL free agency after the 2026 Draft is defined by a rare mix of proven veterans, declining superstars, and still-productive role players who can immediately reshape a contender. Unlike typical offseasons where youth and potential dominate the conversation, this group is anchored by accomplished players who have already established identities across multiple seasons and systems. That makes evaluation less about projection and more about fit, health, and situational value.

At the top of this class, Stefon Diggs represents the most complete wide receiver available—still capable of separating at all three levels and functioning as a true WR1 in a timing-based offense. Behind him, players like Tyreek Hill and Deebo Samuel offer explosive versatility, even if their long-term durability and consistency are no longer guaranteed. Meanwhile, tight end David Njoku stands out as one of the few difference-makers at his position, giving offenses a mismatch weapon who can alter defensive structures on every snap.

RELATED: Top NFL free agents still available ahead of draft

The defensive side is headlined by Joey Bosa, whose pass-rushing pedigree still carries significant weight despite recent injury concerns, while veterans like Cam Jordan and Rasul Douglas provide scheme-specific stability for teams needing rotational or situational help. Even quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers continue to shape the market—not because of long-term upside, but because of the immediate gravity they bring to win-now rosters.

What makes this free agent class particularly intriguing is the balance between declining elite talent and reliable complementary starters. Teams are not simply chasing stars—they are trying to find the final missing pieces for playoff pushes. As a result, fit matters just as much as name recognition, and the most successful signings will likely come from organizations that understand how to maximize short-term impact over long-term projection.

1. Stefon Diggs (WR)

Stefon Diggs remains the most polished and dependable wide receiver still available on the market. Even as he moves deeper into his veteran years, his route running, separation ability, and reliability in high-leverage situations continue to make him a legitimate impact starter for a contender. Diggs has consistently produced at a WR1 level throughout his career, and his experience in multiple offensive systems makes him one of the safest short-term additions for a playoff-caliber team. For franchises needing immediate production and veteran leadership in the receiver room, he is still the strongest option available.

2. David Njoku (TE)

David Njoku stands out because true difference-making tight ends rarely remain available this late into the offseason. He offers a rare combination of size, athleticism, red-zone value, and the ability to create mismatches against both linebackers and safeties. Njoku is also valuable because he can contribute as both a receiving threat and an in-line blocker, which gives offensive coordinators far more flexibility than most veteran free agents provide. For teams looking to support a young quarterback or strengthen the middle of the field, he represents premium value.

3. Joey Bosa (EDGE/DE)

Joey Bosa may no longer be in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation, but proven pass rushers with his résumé are still extremely difficult to find. When healthy, he remains a disruptive edge defender with elite hand usage, strong football instincts, and the ability to change games on obvious passing downs. His injury history creates understandable hesitation, but contenders often prioritize proven postseason-caliber pass rush over long-term durability concerns. In the right rotational role, Bosa can still be a highly impactful defensive addition.

RELATED: Undrafted quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL draft and their next destination

4. Tyreek Hill (WR)

Tyreek Hill still possesses game-breaking speed and the kind of explosiveness that can alter defensive game plans before the ball is even snapped. Even with age and durability concerns becoming more relevant, few players in football can replicate the vertical stress he places on opposing secondaries. His value depends heavily on situation, as he fits best with aggressive offensive systems that can maximize his speed and space-creation ability. If healthy and fully engaged, Hill still carries one of the highest ceilings of any player left in free agency.

5. Jauan Jennings (WR)

Jauan Jennings is one of the most underrated receivers still available because his value goes far beyond traditional box-score production. He brings physicality, toughness, contested-catch reliability, and the kind of blocking effort that winning teams consistently prioritize. Jennings has proven he can thrive in meaningful moments and handle the dirty work that often separates role players from true winning contributors. For playoff teams looking for a dependable, high-effort receiver rather than pure star power, he is an extremely attractive option.

6. Deebo Samuel (WR)

Deebo Samuel remains a uniquely versatile offensive weapon whose value extends well beyond standard wide receiver usage. His ability to function as a receiver, runner, and after-catch creator gives offensive coordinators creative flexibility that few veterans can offer. While his peak years may be behind him and durability remains a legitimate concern, his physical playing style still creates matchup problems when he is healthy. For the right offensive system, Samuel can still be a major difference-maker rather than just a complementary piece.

7. Aaron Rodgers (QB)

Aaron Rodgers’ free agency is less about talent evaluation and more about leverage, timing, and whether Pittsburgh is truly prepared to move forward without him. The Steelers recently placed the rare unrestricted free-agent tender—essentially a right-of-first-refusal mechanism—on Rodgers, allowing him to either accept a one-year deal worth roughly $15 million with a 10% raise from last season’s salary or negotiate with other teams while Pittsburgh retains the ability to match. If he remains unsigned by the start of training camp, the Steelers gain exclusive negotiating rights, making it clear the organization still views him as its preferred short-term starter despite drafting Drew Allar and keeping Mason Rudolph in the room. At 42, Rodgers is no longer a long-term solution, but this move shows that for a win-now team seeking veteran stability, his experience, football intelligence, and late-career value still carry real weight.

RELATED: Players who could still be traded after the NFL draft

8. Najee Harris (RB)

Najee Harris brings durability, consistency, and dependable early-down production in a market that often undervalues veteran running backs. He may not be the most explosive back available, but his pass protection, physical running style, and ability to handle a heavy workload make him a trusted option for coaching staffs. Harris is especially valuable for teams that want stability rather than specialization at the position. In the right offense, he can still be a productive starter rather than simply a rotational back.

Conclusion

This free agent class after the 2026 Draft is less about future upside and more about immediate impact. Veterans like Stefon Diggs, Joey Bosa, and David Njoku headline a group capable of changing playoff trajectories if placed in the right systems. Ultimately, success in this market will come down to which teams can best extract value from experienced players still capable of elevating winning rosters.

Texas A&M's 2026 NFL Draft success reached historic levels after 10 players were drafted, including star wide receiver KC Concepcion being selected 24th overall by the Cleveland Browns, while senior tight end Nate Boerkircher, who was a likely fifth or sixth round pick, was selected 56th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Overall, seven of the 10 Aggies selected were in the first three rounds, further proving that third-year head coach Mike Elko has rebuilt the program in his image after just two full seasons, and has continued to dominate the recruiting trail this offseason, landing his 12th commitment in the 2027 class with five-star IOL Kennedy Brown now in the fold.

Nationally, some may be shocked by how fast the Aggies have grown from a respectable program to a College Football Playoff contender after six seasons of disappointment under former head coach Jimbo Fisher, who failed to lead Texas A&M to ten or more wins even once, despite recruiting at a high level.

Under Fisher, development was a consistent issue, resulting in less interest from NFL scouts, but as soon as Mike Elko made his way back to College Station before the 2024 season, the Aggies quickly became one of the top destinations for recruits, and, especially, transfer portal players to learn, develop, and eventually, hear their names called in the NFL Draft, which came to fruition for 10 yound men last weekend.

On Tuesday, TexAgs' interview with the respected host of "The Hardline" on 96.7 The Ticket, Bob Sturm, who has followed the Texas A&M transformation closely, responded to David Nuño's statement that KC Concepcion and unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell, both transfers, likely would not have been selected that high if they had never been developed under Elko and his staff.

Even though second-round pick and former starting left guard Chase Bisontis was a blue-chip prospect, Elko and offensive line coach Adam Cushing's decision to move him from tackle to guard paid off in a big way. Sturm went on to say that while ten players drafted is "impressive," this should be the norm moving forward.

"It's a really strong program right now"🏈@SportsSturm speaks on Mike Elko's ability to develop talent💪 pic.twitter.com/uHgBwJTbyH

— TexAgs Live (@TexAgsLive) April 28, 2026

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.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's 2026 NFL Draft success is just the start under Mike Elko

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach saved some of his best work of the offseason for the days after the 2026 NFL Draft.

After assembling an elite crop of talent during the Annual Player Selection Meeting last week, Veach worked the phones to negotiate contracts with valuable prospects who didn't hear their names called during the draft.

Chiefs Wire's resident draftnik, Sam Teets, was bullish on Kansas City's class of undrafted free agents, listing the Chiefs' latest class of UDFA pickups to his list of favorites in the days after the draft ended.

Take a look at which other teams stood out to Teets in this Tweet, which was posted to his official Twitter account:

A handful of my favorite UDFA classes pic.twitter.com/mpNZoIUKdQ

— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) April 28, 2026

While it is too soon to tell if any of Kansas City's undrafted free agent signings will ultimately crack the Chiefs' 53-man roster after training camp, if Teets' evaluation holds true, fans in Western Missouri should have plenty to cheer about next season.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: This expert says Chiefs' 2026 UDFA class is among his early favorites

The Denver Broncos' brass (and the quarterback himself) have repeatedly said this offseason that Bo Nix (ankle) was on track to participate in organized team activities (OTAs), which are scheduled to begin in early June.

Then, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Nix underwent an "anticipated" follow-up procedure last week. Rapoport indicated that Nix is now on track for training camp, but the QB's status for OTAs is in doubt.

With Nix potentially unavailable this spring, the Broncos might consider adding a fourth quarterback to serve as a "camp arm" of sorts this spring. Such a signing would serve as a temporary QB3 behind Jarrett Stidham and Sam Ehlinger.

No, they're not going to sign Aaron Rodgers. Other high-profile backups like Tyrod Taylor and Jimmy Garoppolo probably aren't interested in competing with Jarrett Stidham (and the Broncos probably already would have added one of those QBs if they preferred them over Stidham). They're also not bringing back Russell Wilson (who has drawn interest from the New York Jets).

The most logical choice might be Ben DiNucci, who has had two stints in coach Sean Payton's offense, and he's the QB the team called when Nix went down with an ankle injury during the NFL playoffs in January. With Nix now potentially unavailable again, it would make sense to bring back DiNucci for the spring.

The list of other veteran QBs available also includes Taylor Heinicke, Josh Dobbs, Brett Rypien, Cooper Rush, Jeff Driskel, Skylar Thompson, John Wolford, Easton Stick and Ian Book. They're listed below, ranked by career starts.

Free agent NFL QBs for Broncos

1. Taylor Heinicke (29 starts)
2. Cooper Rush (16 starts)
3. Josh Dobbs (15 starts)
4. Jeff Driskel (12 starts)
5. Brett Rypien (4 starts)
6. John Wolford (4 starts)
7. Easton Stick (4 starts)
8. Skylar Thompson (3 starts)
9. Ben DiNucci (1 start)
10. Ian Book (1 start)

Denver will hold a rookie minicamp next week, and they will likely bring in a veteran QB on a tryout basis. Whoever gets the nod for rookie minicamp might also be a candidate to return for OTAs in June.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: 10 free agent QBs for Broncos after Bo Nix's ankle surgery

Notre Dame might be in good position to land another legacy recruit.

Former Irish running back Julius Jones had not only an illustrious career in South Bend, but also ran for over 5,000-yards in the NFL. If things fall in favor of the Irish, his son may be able to extend the legacy in the family. His son Julius Jones Jr. comes with plenty of intrigue not just because of the name on the back of the jersey, but also because of the skills he brings as a wide receiver.

Jones has quickly become a national recruit. The 2027 St. Thomas Aquinas standout is a four-star receiver and a ranked in the 247Sports composite as the No. 72 prospect in his class as well as the No. 12 when it comes to wide receivers. Notre Dame has plenty of challengers also interested in recruiting Jones, including Florida, Michigan, Oregon and others, but according to a recent interview with On3's Steve Wiltfong, the vibes in South Bend seem favorable that the son may want to follow in the steps of his father.

"Julius Jones Jr. remains one of Notre Dame's most coveted targets"@SWiltfong_ has intel on Notre Dame recruiting ☘️

MORE: https://t.co/zGS9Or2x83pic.twitter.com/VTBSo8Akdw

— Josh Newberg (@josh_newberg) April 28, 2026

The legacy angle matters, but it is not the only reason (subscription required) Notre Dame is in a strong position. Jones has said the Irish appeal to him beyond family ties, and Notre Dame’s staff has continued to push hard, including through longstanding connections with his father, who starred for the Irish from 1999-2003 before becoming a second-round NFL draft pick. The elder Jones finished his Notre Dame career with 3,018 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, giving the younger Jones a built-in connection to the program’s history.

For Notre Dame, Julius Jones Jr symbolizes the rare combination of pedigree, production and upside that makes him almost a must-get for head coach Marcus Freeman and the Irish staff.

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.

Follow Sunny on X:@thesunnyv

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: This legacy recruit could be Notre Dame's next big recruiting win

Following the 2026 NFL draft, Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan drafted a half dozen defensive players, much to head coach Jeff Hafley’s liking for sure.

A defensive-minded coach with emphasis on the secondary, Hafley has several players who could be perfect pieces for his scheme, immediately and in the future.

Scheme-versatile cornerback Chris Johnson was picked No. 27 overall and could be an absolute lockdown cornerback, as he's outstanding in zone coverage. Last season at San Diego State, while in zone, he held quarterbacks to a 20.6 quarterback rating.

While being scheme versatile, which is something Hafley values, Johnson could be a perfect top cornerback for the secondary who could even play the slot in a pinch.

Second-round pick linebacker Jacob Rodriguez could end up being this class' most productive and most valuable player based on his potential and ability. With veteran All-Pro Jordyn Brooks currently manning the inside of the linebacker unit, Rodriguez can play the weak side and eventually take over the middle of the defense as well as earn a “C” on his uniform, as he had at Texas Tech.

Rodriguez is a sound tackler, plays with heart and desire and is a turnover creator, evidenced by his seven forced fumbles and four interceptions last season with the Red Raiders.

If Hafley was looking for a Swiss-Army Knife chess piece, Sullivan provided one in a steal of a fourth-round pick in hybrid linebacker wrapped in safety traits, Kyle Louis of Pittsburgh.

First athletic, when someone who can stop the run and drop back in coverage, Louis can handle a “star” safety role for Hafley, and by that box linebacker in sub-sets that could be perfect for when Hafley mixes things up in his scheme and packages. Another captain in college, leadership and versatility, as well as athleticism, were major attributes Sullivan wanted in his selection, and Louis fits the bill perfectly. He is a chess piece that can be used in a few different ways for a coach who loves flexibility in his defenders.

Speaking of versatility, linebacker Trey Moore from Texas can be a solid rotational pass rusher as an off-ball linebacker or even an edge. Very productive in his years at the University of Texas-San Antonio before transferring in 2024, Moore has a solid bag of pass-rushing moves, including a lethal spin move to help get past blockers and get home to the quarterback.

Moore is a tad undersized but has adequate speed and athletic ability to be a fine sub-package pass rushers who is highly intelligent. He was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is commonly known as the Academic Heisman.

Moving back to the secondary, cerebral safety Michael Taaffe is an underrated pick and a potential starter right away at free safety.

Although a tad undersized at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, Taaffe makes up for it with his play recognition, intelligence, instincts and work ethic. A player who can be a coach on the field, Taaffe has outstanding processing ability and can read a quarterback and jump routes.

As for his tackling, he cut his missed-tackle rate in half from 2024 to 2025, showing that he can be coached up and can be a great cover man for Hafley, who prides his defensive backs on not getting beat deep. If there were a green dot on the back of a helmet given to defensive backs, he’d have one. With limited competition currently in the Dolphins’ safety room, Taaffe is a major candidate to be an extension of Hafley in the field.

Lastly, Sullivan addressed a pure edge rusher with savvy seventh-round pick Llewellyn from Iowa. At 6-foot-6, he has a very solid repertoire of moves as a pass rusher, and that outweighs some speed and strength limitations.

As the Dolphins' last selection, he could still make a fast impact as a situational pass rusher, and a bit more mass and refining could make him a very solid final pick in Sullivan first ever class. In a very sparse room, Miami needed to add a player who could rush off the edge.

Hafley will have six pupils to mold, with three, at the very least, being captain material for the Dolphins within a few years. 

More Dolphins: Every player selected with the picks the Dolphins traded away in the 2026 NFL draft

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins Jeff Hafley has six-pack of rookie defenders to mold in Miami

Sabres vs. Bruins schedule: Dates, times, TV channels, scores for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After failing to secure a playoff berth last year, the Bruins are back in the postseason. By clinching the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, Boston has shown that it is not just a playoff participant, but a dangerous contender.

The Bruins are ready for a first-round clash with the Sabres, who finished atop the Atlantic Division standings with 109 points. History favors Boston, as the Bruins have survived and advanced in six of the eight previous playoff meetings with the Sabres.

The regular season series suggests a razor-thin margin. Boston won three of the four matchups, but two of those victories could have gone the other way in overtime.

Here is the complete series schedule for Sabres vs. Bruins, including TV and streaming options for playoff games.

Sabres vs. Bruins schedule

Buffalo leads series 3-2

*If necessary

Where to watch Sabres vs. Bruins: TV channels, live streams

• TV channels: ESPN, TNT, truTV
• Live streams: DIRECTV, fubo, ESPN app

Games in the Sabres vs. Bruins series will air on multiple channels. 

Fans can stream every playoff game live on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial to new users. Games on ABC and ESPN networks can also be streamed on the ESPN app or fubo, which also has a free trial. 

NHL Playoffs bracket 2026

Click here for the 2026 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket, updated live as series are completed.

SN

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2026

Here are the key dates to know for the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when previous series end. 

Related Links

• Latest NHL news and rumors
• Full NHL schedule, scores for 2025-26
• NHL playoffs bracket 2026

The Dallas Cowboys' draft has been seen by many as a successful one, thanks in part to taking Caleb Downs in the first round and focusing on defense. But that isn't going to fix three of the bigger questions still plaguing them heading into the 2026 season. And yes, it would be easy to say George Pickens is at the top of the list, but looking past the low-hanging fruit that is Pickens, one will find three more concerns.

They have other issues on the offensive side of the football, questions stemming from having a fourth defensive coordinator in four years, and an overarching concern that has submarined quite a few playoff hopefuls over the years.

These three questions matter in the immediate future and beyond for the Cowboys going forward.

1. Can Tyler Guyton stay healthy?

Number one concern on this list is Tyler Guyton's ability to stay healthy through an entire season. The 2024 first-round pick has yet to give the Cowboys a full season of work. So far in his young career, Guyton has missed seven regular-season games to injuries, plus parts of others. A knee/shoulder injury in 2024 caused him to miss two games, and in 2025, Guyton missed five games due to an ankle injury.

The Cowboys are going to be heavily relying on their offense to keep them in games while the defense continues to learn Christian Parker's schemes. Guyton is the best left tackle option for Dallas with this current roster, and they need him to protect quarterback Dak Prescott's blindside. If he isn't on the field, the best result for the Cowboys' offense would be increased pressure off the edge that disrupts Prescott's timing and comfort in the pocket. The worst would be another serious Prescott injury.

2. Can Christian Parker staff get this defense clicking early?

If it seems as though every season, the Cowboys are installing a new defensive scheme after firing their previous defensive coordinator, it's because they are. Each time this happens, fans are subjected to watching a unit that still hasn't been able to grasp the scheme. Parker's main goal prior to the start of the season will be to get his players up to speed as quickly as possible.

Parker came to Dallas with a reputation of being a great communicator, someone who figures out how to relate to his guys and use that to get the best out of them. It's worked for him in the past, bringing out the best in players, players like the Broncos Pat Surtain, and the Eagles' Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.

This time around, Parker's the defensive coordinator and not a positional coach. He'll have more responsibilities and won't be able to devote the majority of his time to the secondary.

He's going to have to rely on his hand-picked staff to get the job done for him. It will be interesting to see if they'll have that same ability to tap into their player's potential and grow it.

3. Can this Cowboys defense stay healthy?

It feels as though this is a recurring issue for Dallas on defense, and this season is no different. Last season, the Cowboys' defense saw 12 players go down with injuries. Heading into the 2026 season, Dallas heads into OTAs with two big defensive contributors on the mend. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) and Donovan Ezeiruaku (hip) may be ready for offseason workouts at the earliest, or not until training camp.

They also have players who they believe will contribute heavily on defense this season, who have their own injury concerns based on their history. Cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. (knee), linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (knee), and safety Malik Hooker (foot) all missed games last season, either coming back from an injury or getting injured during the season. If the Cowboys' defense wants to take a step forward in 2026, they'll need to pick up Parker's scheme, but more importantly, stay healthy.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: 3 burning questions hanging over Cowboys as offseason workouts begin

In case you haven't heard, quite a few folks really like what the Carolina Panthers did in the 2026 NFL Draft. This past weekend's work from the NFC South champions received rave reviews, and may help set them up for a successful title defense.

But how does Pro Football Focus like the class?

Here are the overall PFF grades from the college careers of each draftee . . .

First round (No. 19): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

• 2025: 71.4 (81st out of 632)
• 2024: 74.7 (91st of 639)
• 2023: 70.1 (Did not qualify)

Second round (No. 49): Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech

• 2025: 80.5 (37th out of 887)
• 2024: 72.1 (223rd out of 880)
• 2023: 75.0 (135th out of 906)
• 2022: 63.2 (553rd out of 902)
• 2021: Not enough snaps

Third round (No. 83): Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee

• 2025: 79.4 (65th out of 679)
• 2024: 56.6 (556th out of 583)
• 2023: 79.9 (59th out of 667)
• 2022: Not enough snaps

Fourth round (No. 129): Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M

• 2025: 66.5 (515th out of 897)
• 2024: 68.1 (452nd out of 841)
• 2023: 76.2 (170th out of 869)

Fifth round (No. 144): Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

• 2025: 80.3 (Fourth out of 307)
• 2024: 68.0 (99th out of 301)
• 2023: 78.1 (Did not qualify)
• 2022: 32.4 (Did not qualify)

Fifth round (No. 151): Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

• 2025: 85.9 (26th out of 914)
• 2024: 72.3 (266th out of 912)
• 2023: 65.5 (516th out of 876)
• 2022: 66.5 (421st out of 815)
• 2021: 73.8 (Did not qualify)

Seventh round (No. 227): Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami (Ohio)

• 2025: 78.5 (55th out of 747)
• 2024: 77.5 (Did not qualify)
• 2023: 55.8 (Did not qualify)

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Career PFF grades for all 7 Panthers picks

Longtime NHL veteran Ryan McDonagh recently joined a prestigious club in regard to NHL playoff appearances.

The former Wisconsin men's hockey star appeared in his 200th career NHL playoff game. In NHL history, only 24 players have reached that mark.

Badgers legend Chris Chelios leads the way with 266 all-time games played while Joe Pavelski sits just ahead of McDonagh with his 201 playoff appearances.

24 people have skated in 200 career NHL playoff games, now including Ryan McDonagh.

All-time Badgers in the rankings
1. Chris Chelios - 266 GP
...
21. Joe Pavelski - 201
22t. Ryan McDonagh - 200 pic.twitter.com/nD8YGHkKYW

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) April 27, 2026

McDonagh, who was Minnesota's Mr. Hockey in 2007, played on the Badgers from 2007-10. Back in 2020, the Badgers touted his success as he became the 14th Wisconsin men's hockey alumnus to win the Stanley Cup.

The former No. 12 overall pick won it all with the Tampa Bay Lightning that year. After a brief stint in Nashville, McDonagh returned to the Lightning, where he's now vying to pass Pavelski in the all-time rankings. Seeing as the Lightning and Canadians are tied 2-2, McDonagh, as long as he stays healthy, will indeed make at least two more playoff appearances this season alone.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin alumnus Ryan McDonagh skates in 200th NHL playoff game

The 2026 softball regular season enters a final week for SEC series.

No. 8 Tennessee will face Missouri for its final SEC softball series in the regular season. Rankings reflect the NFCA/GoRout Division I Coaches Poll.

Game 1 between the Lady Vols and Tigers will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. EDT (SEC Network+). Game 2 on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT (SEC Network+), while a series finale will be contested Saturday at 1 p.m. EDT (SEC Network).

The SEC Tournament will be held May 5-9 at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky.

Below are SEC softball standings ahead of the final week in league play.

2026 SEC softball standings

More: Tennessee's 2026 SEC softball schedule announced

Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: 2026 SEC softball standings ahead of final regular-season week

Fernando Mendoza may be the new face of the Las Vegas Raiders, but he is not walking into the locker room alone.

The No. 1 overall pick instantly brings expectations, pressure, and attention, especially at quarterback. But what often matters just as much is what happens behind the scenes once the spotlight fades.

And in Mendoza’s case, one of the Raiders’ biggest leaders has already made sure that transition is as smooth as possible.

Because long before the regular season begins, relationships inside the locker room are already taking shape, and this one could end up being crucial.

Maxx Crosby confirms early connection with Fernando Mendoza

Speaking via The Rush podcast, Crosby revealed that his connection with the rookie quarterback started even before draft night.

“I know everybody’s fired up that he’s part of our team now. I had the chance to have a great conversation with him when he came on his visit.

“I got to chop it up with him a little bit, and then on draft night, got on FaceTime and talked to him,” Crosby said.

That early interaction matters. It shows Mendoza was already building relationships within the organization before officially becoming the franchise’s centerpiece.

For a player stepping into such a high-pressure role, having that kind of welcome can make a real difference.

Maxx Crosby ready to mentor LA Raiders’ No. 1 pick

Crosby also made it clear that the connection did not stop there.

“We’ve been texting back and forth ever since. I’m really fired up for him, excited to take him under my wing and help him out, show him the way, and just encourage him to be himself and lead in his own way.

“So, fired up for him and his family. I know it was a big moment,” Crosby further stated.

That kind of support from a veteran leader is exactly what teams hope for when they bring in a young quarterback.

Crosby has established himself as one of the emotional and competitive anchors of the Raiders, and his willingness to guide Mendoza adds another layer to the rookie’s situation.

Instead of being left to figure things out alone, Mendoza is stepping into a locker room where leadership is already reaching out to him.

And if that dynamic continues, it could play a big role in how quickly he adjusts to life in the NFL.

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