HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — Sophomore wing, Elle Snyder is the latest University of Evansville women’s basketball player to announce her plans to enter the transfer portal.

The Pennsylvania native her spent the entirety of her college career so far with the Purple Aces. This past season she appeared in all 35 games, while making 33 starts. Snyder averaged about 3.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

She’s now the seventh player former UE player looking for a new home.

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This was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

Seattle is ready for the return of NBA basketball.

That’s according to a resolution passed Thursday by the city council’s Transportation, Waterfront, and Seattle Center Committee.

Before the vote, Brian Robinson with the group Save Our Sonics made his pitch.

“The fan base is hungrier than any other in history,” Robinson said. “We’re rabid. We’re obsessed. And we are ready.”

Former NBA player Spencer Hawes said he has seen a lot of the league’s newer arenas.

“I can’t say that I’ve been to one that’s more impressive than Climate Pledge,” he told committee members Thursday. “Build out the locker room, and we’re ready to go.”

The NBA is considering adding two teams—one in Seattle and one in Las Vegas—as early as the 2028–29 season.

The full council will take up the resolution next week.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and members of the Seattle City Council shared a joint resolution last month to affirm Seattle’s “readiness” to bring back the Seattle SuperSonics, and affirm that Climate Pledge Arena is prepared to host the team’s return.

The resolution reflects a commitment from city leaders and builds on Seattle’s legacy as one of the premier sports and basketball cities, the Seattle mayor’s office announced.

“Seattle is ready to welcome the Sonics home,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson stated. “We never stopped being a basketball city, and the fans have never given up. You see it in our parks, in our schools, in packed gyms in every neighborhood, and our Seattle Storm championships. We built a world-class arena. We have a strong economy and a dedicated workforce. We are prepared, we are united, and we are ready for the next chapter of our Sonics.”

NBA governors vote to begin expansion process

The resolution was introduced just ahead of the NBA governors’ vote to begin the process of expanding the league from 30 teams to 32 teams.

“This week’s NBA vote is a pivotal moment for Seattle, years in the making,” Seattle City Councilmember Bob Kettle stated last month. “We’re a sports town, full stop. Our fans are fiercely dedicated to both men’s and women’s athletics. Now is the time to bridge the glaring gap in our sports landscape and bring the NBA back where it belongs! I can’t wait to see the SuperSonics return home to the heart of Queen Anne at Climate Pledge Arena.”

The resolution highlighted the “world-class” Climate Pledge Arena, a strong and growing economy, deep labor partnerships, and a deeply rooted basketball culture translating from youth to professional athletics.

The resolution outlined key factors that prove Seattle is uniquely positioned for NBA expansion, including:

• Climate Pledge Arena as a state-of-the-art, 100% privately financed facility designed for NBA play.
• A highly skilled workforce that built and operates the arena.
• A robust and innovative economy capable of sustaining long-term franchise success.
• A strong pipeline of basketball talent through youth, grassroots, high school, and collegiate programs.
• Deep and enduring community support for the return of the Seattle SuperSonics.

The resolution puts Seattle in the driver’s seat to capitalize on the NBA’s potential expansion and reaffirms the city’s commitment to working with the NBA and its regional partners to return the SuperSonics to Seattle.

“This resolution is about more than bringing back a team. It is about restoring a piece of Seattle’s identity,” Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka stated last month. “For decades, the Seattle SuperSonics were a source of pride, unity, and global recognition for our city. Today, we are making it clear that Seattle is ready: ready with a world-class facility in Climate Pledge Arena, ready with one of the strongest markets in the country, and ready to partner with the NBA to create a robust 32-team league.

“We have the fans, the history, and the infrastructure,” he continued. “What we’re affirming here is our commitment to work across city, county, and state lines to bring the Sonics home and ensure their long-term success. This is about honoring our history while building an even stronger future for Seattle sports and culture. I would like to thank Mayor Wilson and her staff for their collaboration on this resolution. Go Sonics!”

Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.

Fenway Park is expanding its concessions menu for the upcoming Boston Red Sox season, adding several new gourmet items alongside its traditional ballpark favorites.

The ballpark’s culinary team designed the new offerings to supplement classic items like the Fenway Frank. While the stadium is celebrated for its 114 years of history, the team is introducing these innovations to provide new dining experiences for visitors.

The lobster poutine, served in a boat, consists of lobster meat, clam chowder, and bacon. Another featured item is a spicy grilled cheese sandwich made with Vermont sharp cheddar and mango-habanero salsa. The menu expansion also includes Green Monster fries.

Senior Executive Chef Ron Abell and his culinary team developed the new food concepts for the ballpark. Abell noted that the volume of new items required him to use a reference sheet to track all the additions during a recent preview of the menu.

“It’s nice to have all of this in our ballpark to show our fans how much we care and how much we appreciate them being here and offering all this stuff,” Abell said.

Beyond the new signature dishes, the culinary team prioritized creating more gluten-free and vegetarian options for fans. These efforts include experimenting with jackfruit as a meat alternative in various recipes.

The beverage and dessert selections have also grown to include new milkshakes and spiked slushies. For dessert, the ballpark is now offering Nutella empanadas and a cake in a can.

While the new items are available at various locations throughout the ballpark, officials have not yet finalized the price for the lobster poutine. Despite the wide range of new culinary options, the classic Fenway Frank remains the top-selling concession item at the stadium.

The Boston Red Sox are scheduled to play the Padres on Friday. The first pitch is set for 2:10 p.m.

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This article originally appeared on PGHHockeyNOW.com.

A playoff hope has become a downhill chase as Pittsburgh Penguins (38-21-16) could slash their magic number to single digits with a win Thursday when they visit one of the best teams in the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning (46-22-6) at Benchmark International Arena.

Despite Tampa Bay’s usual position at the top of the standings, the Penguins have points in nine of their last 12 games against Tampa Bay (7-3-2). And the Penguins are 5-2-0 in their last seven visits to Benchmark International Arena dating back to Oct. 23, 2019.

Road warriors: The Penguins have points in five-consecutive road games (4-0-1) and have points in 13 of their last 15 road games overall (9-2-4).

Tuesday, Anthony Mantha scored his 30th goal of the season. The first time he’s reached that plateau. Also, he has 21 points (8G-13A) in 30 career games against the Lightning and is a plus-11. His 21 points are the most he’s accumulated vs. one opponent.

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Randy Close was the ultimate baseball guy. His love, passion and knowledge of the game were unrivaled. Close was also a successful businessman as owner and operator of Wise Insurance for 55 years.

Close was born with one arm, but he never let his disability slow him down. He went to college on a football scholarship and was a letterman as a freshman.

Close died, Tuesday, March 31, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy that will withstand the test of time.

Hall of famers 9 new members join Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame

Coaching the game of baseball at many different levels, Close passed on a vast knowledge to generations that went beyond the diamond. Close brought back the Somerset American Legion baseball program in the early '80s. He was later an assistant for his youngest son, Bart, who played baseball at the University of Michigan and James Madison University. Randy Close was fortunate to coach alongside Bart and coach his grandson, Brody.

Randy Close was proud to say that he was likely the oldest guy on the field when he was an assistant coach for the Legion program. It was a testament to his longevity in the sport. Players flocked to him. They had fun in the dugout, but it was all business when they crossed between the white lines.

When Randy Close restored the Legion program, he was also coaching Little League and Senior League. That's a lot of time at the ballpark, but clearly a challenge he accepted. During that time, he coached his oldest son, Scott, who went on to pitch at Juniata College. He coached both Scott and Bart in Legion ball.

Randy Close was inducted to both the American Legion and Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame. Both Bart and Scott are Somerset County Baseball Old-Timers Hall of Fame members as well. Randy inducted his sons in 2022. His speech went a little bit longer than the allotted time, and there was a slight detour about how travel baseball was hampering the American Legion program, but it was by far the best speech of the afternoon.

During the high school baseball season, Randy Close helped out by running the scoreboard at home games for the Golden Eagles. While the count was not always correct, and Bart sometimes had to yell the proper one from the dugout up to the press box, it was likely because he was telling one of his stories about Somerset baseball or Somerset County baseball.

Someone could learn more about baseball in the county over the course of a 7-inning game from Randy Close than the average person could unearth in a year. Those stories typically entailed jokes, some of which could not be repeated, but nevertheless added to the lure of what evolved into a history lesson one would not forget.

Randy Close once said, 'Be an asset to society, not a liability.' He was proud that not only his three children became assets to society, but all of the players he coached did so as well.

Hopefully, Randy Close knew what an asset to society he was as husband to wife Audrey of 59 years, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, friend to so many, businessman and for his service to the game of baseball for nearly 50 years. There's no doubt the stories told in the upcoming days, weeks, months and years will showcase what a truly special person Randy Close was.

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Randy Close impacted Somerset County baseball, players he coached

The first University of Dayton men’s basketball player from the 2025-26 roster has announced plans to enter the transfer portal.

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Dayton guard Bryce Heard will reportedly enter the transfer portal, according to recruiting analyst Sam Kayser.

Heard also reposted that announcement on his social media account.

The portal officially opens on Monday, but several players have announced their intentions.

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Heard played in 36 games this season for UD, including six starts.

He averaged scoring over six points per game and shot 26 of 71 from three-point range (36.6 percent).

Heard scored a season-high 16 points against nationally ranked BYU in an 83-79 loss in the ESPN Events Invitational Championship game in November.

He is a 6-foot-5 guard from Chicago and played his freshman season at NC State.

Heard scored in double figures in all three of the Flyers’ NIT games.

Dayton went 25-12 this past season and 12-6 in the Atlantic 10. Their season ended in the third round of the 2026 NIT.

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The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading to Orlando for the 2027 season and officials talked about the temporary move on Wednesday.

Orlando, Jacksonville, and Jaguars leaders said that they’re excited about the opportunity.

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“It’s exciting in that it just sort of signals the next step in our Stadium of the Future and I’m excited to see. Because this has to happen in order for us to finish that stadium. But at the same time, it’s a little bit heart-wrenching because, you know, you don’t want the team to move out of the city for any time,” Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said.

The unanimous vote at Tuesday’s NFL owners meeting in Phoenix made the Jaguars’ 1-season move to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium official.

“And I believe the league got it right yesterday with the unanimous approval of Orlando as our home here next year in 2027,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said.

Camping World Stadium is going through a $400 million renovation and will be ready for the Jaguars to call home while the “Stadium of the Future” construction finishes up in time for the 2028 season at EverBank Stadium.

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The Jags will play seven to 10 home games at Camping World Stadium.

“That building needs to be sold out for the entire season. That’s the chance that Shad, and Mark and the team have given us and we gotta rise to the occasion and show them that Orlando can sell out an NFL season,” Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan said.

This doesn’t appear to be a one-way relationship just benefitting Orlando. This gives the opportunity for the Jaguars and the City of Jacksonville to regionalize their brands.

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“We believe that there’s in excess of 200,000 Jaguar fans who currently live in Central Florida. I think we’ll be able to deliver a much, much closer connection between our fans in Central Florida and the Jaguars,” Jaguars President Mark Lamping said.

Orlando and Jacksonville officials and the Jaguars are looking at this as a collaboration and they don’t want to leave out Jaguars fans.

Season ticket holders will have the first opportunity to buy tickets for the 2027 season in Orlando.

You can watch the team’s Wednesday news conference as it aired on the Action News Jax YouTube channel below:

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Charlotte has welcomed some of the top names in tennis for the past two years and has proven it can handle big events.

One of the biggest events in the sport could be coming to the Queen City in 2027, the WTA Finals.

Well-respected tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg first reported the news in his newsletter, Bounces. The WTA Finals are expected to leave Saudi Arabia after this year’s tournament.

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Charlotte tennis legend Don Keistler, of Don’s Tennis, has 50 years of experience running a tennis store in the Queen City.

He said Charlotte is the perfect host city for the Women’s Tennis Association Finals and is excited about the prospect.

“I think it would fill up the place and truly get more people into tennis,” he said.

The WTA Finals is the sport’s signature year-end championship event. WTA officials recently visited the Spectrum Center, and the Charlotte Sports Foundation is courting the tournament.

“Charlotte is growing as a sports city, right on the international stage,” Charlotte City Council Member Dante Anderson said.

Charlotte City Council Member Dante Anderson said the past two years of the Charlotte Invitational show the Queen City is a great fit for this event.

She said the city has a great case because of the renovations to the Spectrum Center and all of the flights into and out of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

Polish media reports the WTA Finals are either coming to Charlotte or Gdansk, Poland.

“I haven’t been there before, but I think we can definitely take them on,” Anderson said.

The WTA says no decisions have been made yet on the new home for this world-class global event.

In a statement, the organization said:

“We have an incredible opportunity to bring the WTA Finals, a world-class, premium global event showcasing the best in women’s tennis, to a new home. This is a historic moment in women’s sports, and we are having conversations around the globe with potential partners. No decisions have been made yet about a location for the 2027 Finals, but as with all decisions regarding the future of the WTA, we are working closely with players and focused on continuing to build a strong future for women’s tennis.”

VIDEO: Tennis stars Venus Williams and Madison Keys to clash at Charlotte Invitational

This article originally appeared onPGHBaseballNOW.com.

Paul Skenes had a nice bounce-back outing and Oneil Cruz belted his third home run in the last two games as the Pittsburgh Pirates earned a series win with an 8-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Player of the Game

Oneil Cruz continued his impressive stretch by finishing the game with two more hits, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored.

Stat to Know

Paul Skenes hadn’t allowed a run in 31-straight innings against the Reds prior to Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI double in the fourth inning, which was the fourth-longest streak for a Pirates pitcher against any opponent in franchise history. In his career against the Reds, Skenes has a 0.53 ERA ERA (2er/34ip).

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